Read the passage. Choose the most appropriate option from the options given:…
2023
Read the passage. Choose the most appropriate option from the options given:
As part of the great cultural renaissance generated during the post-independence period, there has occurred a most meaningful encounter with tradition in various fields of creative activity. The return to and discovery of tradition was inspired by a search for roots and a quest for identity. This was a part of the whole process of decolonization of our lifestyle, values, social institutions, creative forms and cultural modes.
The modern Indian theatre, product of a colonial theatrical culture, felt the need to search for roots most intensely to match its violent dislocation from the traditional course. Directors like B.V. Karanth, K.N. Panikkar and Ratan Thiyam have had a most meaningful encounter with tradition and, with their work, have reversed the colonial course of contemporary theatre and put it back on the track of the great Natyashastra tradition. It sounds paradoxical, but their theatre is both avant-garde in the context of conventional realistic theatre, and still belongs to the Natyashastra theatrical tradition.
The Natyashastra tradition refers to
Answer: D. Indian theatrical tradition — ConceptA reference question asks what a term denotes within the passage. The referent must be identified from the sentence that defines, classifies, or…
- A.
The colonial tradition
- B.
Avant-garde theatre
- C.
Conventional realistic theatre
- D.
Indian theatrical tradition
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
A reference question asks what a term denotes within the passage. The referent must be identified from the sentence that defines, classifies, or restates the term in context.
Contrast words and comparison categories may appear near the term, but they are not automatically its meaning. The full sentence and the author’s contrast must be read together.
Application
The passage says that the directors reversed the colonial course of contemporary theatre and put it back on the track of the great Natyashastra tradition. It then says their theatre may be avant-garde when compared with conventional realistic theatre, yet it still belongs to the Natyashastra theatrical tradition. Thus, Natyashastra is presented as a native Indian theatrical heritage, while the other phrases describe an opposing influence or a comparative style.
Contrast
The colonial tradition is the imported course that the directors are said to reverse.
Avant-garde theatre describes how their work appears in comparison with conventional realism.
Conventional realistic theatre is the comparison point against which their work is called avant-garde.
Indian theatrical tradition is the broader native heritage to which the passage links the Natyashastra.
Cross-check and result
The decolonization theme confirms the distinction: the movement is away from the colonial course and back toward indigenous roots. Therefore, the Natyashastra tradition refers to Indian theatrical tradition.