ICSE Class 10 Question Paper 2026 Indian Dance

ICSE | Class 10

Indian Dance
Question Paper 2026

Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

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INDIAN DANCE

Maximum Marks: 100

Time allowed: Two hours

1. Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.

2. You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.

3. This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.

4. The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.

5. Attempt all questions from Section A and any four questions from Section B.

6. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets[ ].

Instruction for the Supervising Examiner

Kindly read aloud the Instructions given above to all the candidates present in the
Examination Hall.

This paper consists of 12 printed pages.
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SECTION A (20 Marks)

(Answer all questions from this Section.)

Question 1
Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options. [20]
(Do not copy the questions, write the correct answers only.)

(i) The ancient Indian classical dances were performed in temples by __________.

(a) priests

(b) kings

(c) sages

(d) devadasis

(ii) The word Gharana is most popularly associated with ___________.

(a) Bharatanatyam

(b) Kathakali

(c) Kathak

(d) Kuchipudi

(iii) Lai Haroba is a part of the repertoire of which Indian Classical dance form?

(a) Odissi

(b) Kathak

(c) Manipuri

(d) Kuchipudi

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(iv) According to the Natya Shashtra, Music is adopted from the __________ Veda.

(a) Sama

(b) Atharva

(c) Yajur

(d) Rig

(v) The single hand gesture shown in the given picture is :

(a) Chatura

(b) Hamspaksha

(c) Hamsaasya

(d) Mayura

(vi) Sama-paada, which is a __________ is a basic stance of many of Indian classical
dances.

(a) half sitting pose with feet pointed out

(b) full standing pose with feet together

(c) half sitting pose with feet wide apart

(d) full standing pose with feet wide apart

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(vii) Natya Means __________.

(a) pure dance

(b) drama

(c) expressions

(d) thematic presentation

(viii) In Indian classical dance, Satvika Abhinaya can be interpreted through the
__________.

(a) vocal music

(b) actions

(c) facial expressions

(d) gestures

(ix) A dance which serves only grace and variety without conveying any meaning is
called __________.

(a) Nritta

(b) Natya

(c) Nritya

(d) Lokdharmi

(x) Natya Shashtra was compiled by sage __________.

(a) Bharadwaj

(b) Shiva

(c) Vishnu

(d) Bharata

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(xi) Identify the dance-form shown in this picture.

(a) Kathakali

(b) Odissi

(c) Kathak

(d) Manipuri

(xii) Avanadha vadya refers to __________.

(a) stringed instruments

(b) metallic instruments

(c) percussion instruments

(d) windblown instruments

(xiii) Rang Manch means the ___________.

(a) stage

(b) ornaments

(c) colourful plate

(d) colour of the costumes

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(xiv) Dasavatar Hasta are __________ in number.

(a) 10

(b) 20

(c) 5

(d) 30

(xv) There are __________ types of Abhinaya.

(a) 5

(b) 6

(c) 10

(d) 4

(xvi) The plough is associated with __________.

(a) Rama

(b) Balrama

(c) Parshurama

(d) Manu

(xvii) Krishna as a baby, killed the lady demon called ___________.

(a) Tataka

(b) Poothana

(c) Soorpanakha

(d) Simhika

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(xviii) Trinethra is attributed to God __________.

(a) Ganesha

(b) Vishnu

(c) Shiva

(d) Brahma

(xix) Karthikeya uses the __________ as his weapon.

(a) axe

(b) spear

(c) mace

(d) bow & arrow

(xx) __________ is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world.

(a) Kathak

(b) Bharatnatyam

(c) Kathakali

(d) Manipuri

SECTION B (80 Marks)
(Answer any four questions from this Section.)

Question 2
(i) Describe the developments of your chosen dance form in ancient history, pre- [10]
independence and its revival, along with any mythological evidences.

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(ii) Briefly describe any two of the following along with its variations. [10]

(a) Bhava

(b) Satvika Bhava

(c) Karuna Rasa

(d) Veera Rasa

Question 3

(i) What is meant by Abhinaya? Write a short note on any one Abhinaya. [10]

(ii) What does Vaadya mean ? Write the major classifications of the Vaadyas in Indian [10]
music with at least two examples of each.

Question 4

(i) Write short notes on any two of the following: [10]

(a) Any five Devata Hastas

(b) Any five Dikpala Hastas

(c) Any five Dashavataara Hastas

(d) Any five Navagraha Hastas

(ii) Write a brief note on any two of the following: [10]

(a) Odissi

(b) Griva Bheda

(c) Manipuri

(d) Lasya

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Question 5
(i) Write about the Jewelry and Costume of your choosen dance style. [10]

(ii) Write short notes on any two of the following: [10]

(a) Tandav

(b) Natyashastra

(c) Dev Hasta

(d) Adbhuta Rasa

Question 6 [20]
Describe in detail, the repertoire of the dance style which you have chosen for your
practical work.

Question 7
(i) Write a short essay on any two of the following deities from Indian mythology: [10]

(a) Rama

(b) Krishna

(c) Ganesh

(d) Karthikeya

(ii) Identify the appropriate hastas to match the correct Planet. [5]

(a) Left Alapadma and right Kapitha 1. Shani

(b) Left Shikhara and right Trishoola 2. Raahu

(c) Left Sarpasheersha and right Suchi 3. Chandra

(d) Left Suchi and right Mushti 4. Surya

(e) Left Alapadma and right Pataka 5. Kuja or Mangal

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(iii) Match the following Hastamudras with the deities they denote: [5]
(a) Two Shikara Hastas 1. Parvati
(b) Two Ardhachandra Hastas 2. Agni
(c) Two Mushti Hastas 3. Yama
(d) Pasha and Suchi Hastas 4. Bruhaspati
(e) Kangoola and Tripataka Hastas 5. Sukra

Question 8
(i) Complete the following sentences with the appropriate option given in the brackets. [10]

(a) Krishna fought with the serpent called ___________. (Kalia / Sesha / Ananta)
(b) Mohini is the form associated with Lord __________. (Vishnu / Shiva /
Durga)
(c) Lasya was introduced by __________. (Parvati / Tandu / Lakshmi)
(d) Sadir was the previous name of __________. (Bharatnatyam / Kuchipudi /
Manipuri)
(e) The greatest Khatak Guru was __________. (Rukmani Devi Arundale / Guru
Bindadin / Guru Ambi Singh)
(f) The meaning of Kapota is __________. (pigeon / peacock / parrot)
(g) The Celestial Planets are called __________. (Navgraha / Samyukta Mudra /
Avtar)
(h) The Bani / Sampradaya is associated with the ________ dance style.
(Bharatnatyam / Kathak / Manipuri)
(i) Gotipuas are associated with the __________ dance form. (Odissi /
Bharatnatyam / Mainpuri)
(j) The Kalakshetra was founded by __________. (Bindadin / Rabindranath
Tagore / Rumani Devi Arundale)

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(ii) Choose the odd one out from the following groups: [10]
(a) Dholak, Tabla, Flute
(b) Sitar, Shehnai, Violin
(c) Alokita, Pralokita, Adhomukha
(d) Bhramari, Avartan, Laya
(e) Alapadma, Bhramara, Garuda
(f) Guru Bipin Singh, Natyashastra, Kala Krishna
(g) Mangira, Nattuvangam, Harmonium
(h) Pataka, Ganesh, Indra
(i) Hasya, Shoka, Kalamandalam
(j) Narsimha, Kalki, Dhritarashtra

Question 9
(i) Match the following : [5]
(a) Muralidhara 1. Balarama
(b) Trishooladhara 2. Parashurama
(c) Sreedhara 3. Shivas
(d) Parashudhara 4. Vishnu
(e) Haladhara 5. Krishna

(ii) Match the following Goddesses / Gods with their descriptions: [5]
(a) Adorned and seated in a lotus 1. Indra
(b) The Lord who rides a mouse 2. Saraswati
(c) Always shown with a Veena 3. Lakshmi
(d) Manmatha was turned into ashes by 4. Ganesha
(e) Vajra is the weapon of 5. Shiva

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(iii) Write the name of the dance form associated with the following instruments, [10]
institutions or artists:
(a) Tabla
(b) Pung
(c) Shobha Naidu
(d) Guru Pankaj Charan Dass
(e) Vedantam Lakshmi Narayana Sastry
(f) Darshana Jhaveri
(g) Guru Gopinath
(h) Bharata Kalanjali
(i) Nrityagram
(j) Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai

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