UPSC Mains 2013 GS Paper 1 Q2: model answer
(a) Discuss the 'Tandava' dance as recorded in early Indian inscriptions. (100 words) (b) Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss. (100 words)
What the question wants
Two independent 5-mark answers: (a) Tandava as recorded in early sources; (b) why Chola temples are a high watermark.
How to structure it
Discuss twice. Treat (a) and (b) as two separate mini-answers of about 100 words each; do not merge them.
(a) What Tandava is
(a) Inscriptional and sculptural record
(b) Features of Chola temples
(b) Why a high watermark
How to think it through
Two questions wearing one number. Budget your time like two 5-markers. For (a) keep to what is safely attested: Shiva as lord of dance at Chidambaram, Chola records of temple dance, the karana panels at Thanjavur, the Nataraja bronze. For (b) climb the temple: from Pallava experiments to the towering Thanjavur vimana. One idea to carry: the Cholas turned the temple into a town.
Model answer
(a) Tandava in early inscriptions
Tandava is the vigorous cosmic dance of Shiva, the counterpart of the graceful lasya. Early medieval records of the Tamil country praise Shiva as the lord of dance at Chidambaram, and Chola inscriptions record endowments for temple dancers and performances. The Brihadeeswara temple at Thanjavur carves the dance poses (karanas) of the Natyashastra, and Chola bronzes give the Tandava its classic form as Nataraja, the cosmic cycle of creation and destruction.
(b) Chola architecture as a high watermark
- The Dravida style matures: the vimana of the Brihadeeswara temple, Thanjavur (Rajaraja I, c. 1010 CE) rises about 66 m.
- Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram continue the tradition; the three form the UNESCO Great Living Chola Temples.
- Architecture, sculpture, fresco, bronze and inscriptions are integrated, and the temple becomes a centre of economy, learning and administration.
- Later Later Chola bronzes of Nataraja show the Tandava dance in its full cosmic form: the drum of creation, the fire of destruction and the dwarf Apasmara, ignorance, crushed underfoot.
- Rajaraja I's Thanjavur inscription lists about 400 temple dancers with their streets and allowances, showing how the temple organised the dance, music and wider society of the capital.
Scale, engineering and artistic unity make Chola temples the high point of South Indian temple building.
Draw: A labelled Dravida temple: garbhagriha, mandapa, vimana, gopuram.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
Nataraja, karanas, Chidambaram, vimana, Great Living Chola Temples (UNESCO 1987, extended 2004).
Where most answers lose marks
- Writing one 200-word essay. Two parts, two answers, two headings.
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Question text as printed in the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) question paper. The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.
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