CLAT GurukulSamudraManthan

Topic 326 · Answers

Natyashastra versus Aristotle: Greek influence on Indian theatre

All 10 answers, each with its Book 1 RATNA fact. Try the questions first

  1. Question 1Answer D

    On what date did Devdutt Pattanaik's essay on Greek influence on Indian theatre appear in The Indian Express?

    • 16 May 2026
    • 22 June 2026
    • 3 August 2026
    • Correct answer: 18 July 2026

    Core Trigger: Devdutt Pattanaik's essay 'Did Greeks Influence Indian Theatre?' appeared in The Indian Express on 18 July 2026.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 326, point 1

  2. Question 2Answer C

    Which aesthetic goal does Indian theatre pursue, as against Greek catharsis?

    • Moksha
    • Dharma
    • Correct answer: Rasa
    • Alankara

    Theme: It argues Greek theatre sought catharsis through conflict and tragedy, while Indian theatre pursued rasa through aesthetic experience.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 326, point 2

  3. Question 3Answer A

    Who is credited with the Natyashastra?

    • Correct answer: Bharatamuni
    • Kalidasa
    • Abhinavagupta
    • Bhasa

    Key Authors: Bharatamuni is credited with the Natyashastra; Aristotle wrote the Poetics.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 326, point 3

  4. Question 4Answer B

    The Sanskrit stage curtain yavanika derives from the word for which people?

    • Persians
    • Correct answer: Greeks
    • Scythians
    • Kushans

    Symbol: The Sanskrit stage curtain, yavanika, derives from 'Yavana', the ancient Indian word for Greeks.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 326, point 4

  5. Question 5Answer A

    Who established Shanta as the ninth rasa?

    • Correct answer: Abhinavagupta
    • Bharata
    • Kalidasa
    • Anandavardhana

    Rasa Data: Bharata lists eight rasas in Chapter VI; Abhinavagupta established Shanta as the ninth.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 326, point 5

  6. Question 6Answer D

    Which feature of Greek plays is absent in Sanskrit drama?

    • The narrator
    • The comic character
    • The prologue
    • Correct answer: The chorus

    Stakeholders: Sanskrit drama has the Sutradhara narrator and the comic Vidushaka but no chorus, unlike Greek plays.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 326, point 6

  7. Question 7Answer C

    Gandharan art fused Greek and Indian styles under which kingdoms?

    • Gupta kingdoms
    • Chola kingdoms
    • Correct answer: Indo-Greek kingdoms
    • Satavahana kingdoms

    Setting: Gandharan art fused Greek and Indian styles under the Indo-Greek kingdoms.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 326, point 8

  8. Question 8Answer B

    The Natyashastra is believed to have been codified around which century?

    • 5th century CE
    • Correct answer: 2nd century BCE
    • 12th century CE
    • 8th century BCE

    Founded: The Natyashastra is believed codified around the 2nd century BCE; UNESCO's Memory of the World Programme began in 1992.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 326, point 9

  9. Question 9Answer C

    According to Poetics, tragedy stirs which emotions to bring about katharsis?

    • Anger and joy
    • Love and wonder
    • Correct answer: Pity and fear
    • Disgust and pride

    Landmark: Aristotle's Poetics defines tragedy as stirring pity and fear to bring about katharsis (Poetics 6).From Book 1 RATNA, topic 326, point 10

  10. Question 10Answer B

    1. The three unities were codified by Aristotle. 2. Rasa means 'flavour'. Which is/are correct?

    • Only 1
    • Correct answer: Only 2
    • Both 1 and 2
    • Neither 1 nor 2

    Definition: Rasa means 'flavour'; it arises when vibhava, anubhava and vyabhicharibhava combine around a sthayibhava.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 326, point 12

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