Question:
Which traditional theater form combines drama-dance-music-mime and elaborated facial expressions?
Which traditional theater form combines drama-dance-music-mime and elaborated facial expressions?
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Silent storytelling by mudras and eye and face work is the mark of Kathakali.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2026
- Yakshagana
- Jatra
- Kathakali
- Nautanki
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question points to a traditional Indian theatre form that joins acting, dance, music and mime, and is famous for its detailed facial expressions.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
We match the clue of elaborate facial expressions and mime with each of the four forms. The form that stresses face work and hand gestures the most is the answer.
Step 3: Check option (1), Yakshagana.
Yakshagana is a folk theatre of coastal Karnataka. It has dance, music, spoken dialogue and bright costumes. Its actors speak and sing, and it is not known for mime-based facial acting. So option (1) is wrong.
Step 4: Check option (2), Jatra.
Jatra is a popular folk theatre of Bengal and Odisha. It stresses loud speech, songs and drama. It is not known for elaborate facial expressions. So option (2) is wrong.
Step 5: Check option (3), Kathakali.
Kathakali is a classical dance-drama of Kerala. The story is told without spoken words, through mime, mudras and very detailed facial expressions (navarasas), with songs and drums behind the actors. So option (3) is right.
Step 6: Check option (4), Nautanki.
Nautanki is a folk theatre of northern India. It is built on songs, verse and loud dialogue. It does not stress facial mime. So option (4) is wrong.
Final Answer:
The form that joins drama, dance, music, mime and elaborate facial expressions is Kathakali. This is option (3). \[ \boxed{\text{3}} \]
The question points to a traditional Indian theatre form that joins acting, dance, music and mime, and is famous for its detailed facial expressions.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
We match the clue of elaborate facial expressions and mime with each of the four forms. The form that stresses face work and hand gestures the most is the answer.
Step 3: Check option (1), Yakshagana.
Yakshagana is a folk theatre of coastal Karnataka. It has dance, music, spoken dialogue and bright costumes. Its actors speak and sing, and it is not known for mime-based facial acting. So option (1) is wrong.
Step 4: Check option (2), Jatra.
Jatra is a popular folk theatre of Bengal and Odisha. It stresses loud speech, songs and drama. It is not known for elaborate facial expressions. So option (2) is wrong.
Step 5: Check option (3), Kathakali.
Kathakali is a classical dance-drama of Kerala. The story is told without spoken words, through mime, mudras and very detailed facial expressions (navarasas), with songs and drums behind the actors. So option (3) is right.
Step 6: Check option (4), Nautanki.
Nautanki is a folk theatre of northern India. It is built on songs, verse and loud dialogue. It does not stress facial mime. So option (4) is wrong.
Final Answer:
The form that joins drama, dance, music, mime and elaborate facial expressions is Kathakali. This is option (3). \[ \boxed{\text{3}} \]
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