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Difficulty: MediumState Society, Culture, and Heritage

Originating during the medieval Neo-Vaishnavite cultural renaissance led by saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardev, a distinctive traditional dramatic performance is composed in the literary language *Brajavali* and presented in community prayer houses known as *Naamghars* with elaborate handcrafted bamboo masks. Which traditional folk theatre heritage is being described?

  1. A
    Bhavai of Gujarat and Rajasthan
  2. B
    Dashavatara of Maharashtra and Konkan
  3. Bhaona of AssamAnswer
  4. D
    Nautanki of Uttar Pradesh

Answer

Bhaona of Assam represents the traditional one-act dramatic heritage founded by Srimanta Sankardev, staged in Naamghars using the Brajavali language.
Bhaona is the traditional theatrical performance art of Assam, created in the 16th century by the saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardev as part of the Ekasarana Dharma movement. The plays, known as *Ankiya Nats*, were written in *Brajavali* (a literary hybrid of Assamese and Maithili) and are staged in village prayer halls called *Naamghars* or monastic centres (*Sattras*). The performance frequently utilizes intricate bamboo, cane, and cloth masks (*Mukha*) traditionally crafted on the river island of Majuli.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the historical reformer and socio-religious institutional setting described in the stem.
Identified the medieval Neo-Vaishnavite renaissance of Srimanta Sankardev and the community prayer institutions known as Naamghars.
Naamghars and Sattras are foundational institutional structures unique to the society and culture of Assam.
2
Examine the linguistic and craft markers provided in the context.
Linked the literary medium Brajavali (an artificial blend of Maithili and Assamese) and traditional bamboo-and-clay mask making (Mukha of Majuli) to Assamese dramatic heritage.
Srimanta Sankardev composed Ankiya Nat plays in Brajavali specifically to make sacred narratives accessible across regional dialects.
3
Match the synthesized cultural markers to the correct regional performing art form.
Bhaona is the traditional staging and performance of Ankiya Nat plays in Assam.
Bhaona encapsulates the combination of Brajavali theatrical texts, Naamghar performance venues, and Majuli mask crafts.

Key Concept

Regional Living Heritage, Socio-Religious Reform Movements, and Theatrical Traditions of Assam
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

State Society, Culture, and Heritage

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