UPSC CSE 2026 · PYQ · Art and Culture / Cave Paintings · hard
The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents:
A.A joyous folk dance✓ Correct
B.Buddha in a meditative pose
C.The depiction of Shiva and Parvati on Kailasha
D.Samudramanthan (Churning of the Ocean)
Explanation
The Bagh Caves in Madhya Pradesh contain Buddhist paintings dating to the 5th-7th centuries CE, executed on the walls of cave viharas. Among the most celebrated murals is the Hallisalasya (or Hallisaka) painting, which depicts a circular folk dance performed by a group of women, often associated with Krishna's Rasa Lila tradition or a joyous communal/folk dance. It is one of the earliest surviving depictions of a group dance in Indian mural art and is famous for its lively rhythm and graceful figures.
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