Question

______ is a form of folk theatre based exclusively on the life of Lord Krishna.
1. Nautanki
2. Raasleela
3. Tamaasha
4. Maach

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Raasleela

The Correct Answer is Raasleela. 

• Raasleela is based exclusively on Lord Krishna legends.
• It is believed that Nand Das wrote the initial plays based on the life of Krishna.
• In this theatre form, the dialogues in prose combined beautifully with songs and scenes from Krishna's pranks.
• It is a combination of two words- rasa meaning "aesthetics" and Lila meaning "act," "play" or "dance".
• Two types of Rasleela: Braj Ras of Mathura and Manipuri Ras of Manipur.
• Braj Raasleela is different from Manipuri Rasleela in proposing dance, dialogue, costumes, and style.

Nautanki:-

• Nautanki is usually associated with Uttar Pradesh.
• The most popular centres of this traditional theatre form are Kanpur, Lucknow, and Hathras.
• The meters used in the verses are Doha, Chaubola, Chhappai, Behar-e-tabeel.
• There was a time when only men acted in Nautanki but nowadays, women have also started taking part in the performances. Among those remembered with reverence is Gulab Bai of Kanpur. She gave a new dimension to this old theatre form.

Tamaasha:-

• Tamaasha is a traditional folk theatre form of Maharashtra.
• It has evolved from folk forms such as Gondhal, Jagran, and Kirtan.
• Unlike other theatre forms, in Tamaasha the female actress is the chief exponent of dance movements in the play.
• She is known as Murki. Classical music, footwork at lightning-speed, and vivid gestures make it possible to portray all the emotions through dance.

Maach:-

• Maach is the traditional theatre form of Madhya Pradesh.
• The term Maach is used for the stage itself as also for the play. In this theatre, form songs are given prominence in between the dialogues.
• The term for dialogue in this form is bol and rhyme in narration is termed vanag. The tunes of this theatre form are known as rangat.