Prelims 2006 · archive
HardWho among the following was presented with the Sangeet Natak Academic Ratna Award, 2005 for her lifetime achievement in dance?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) Chandralekha
Chandralekha, the pioneering contemporary choreographer, was elected a Fellow (Akademi Ratna) of the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Balasaraswati had died in 1984, which rules her out.
- ✓ (a) Chandralekha is listed among the Akademi's Fellows (the Akademi lists her fellowship year as 2004, with the award presented in 2005).
- ✗ (b) T. Balasaraswati died in 1984.
- ✗ (c) Uma Sharma is a Kathak dancer, not the 2005 Ratna.
- ✗ (d) Yamini Krishnamurthy is a Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer; she was not the 2005 Ratna.
Remember · Akademi Ratna = Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship; Chandralekha, pioneer of contemporary Indian dance.
Sources
- Britannica, T. Balasaraswati ↗ · reference work “T. Balasaraswati (born May 13, 1918, Madras [now Chennai], India—died February 9, 1984, Madras [now Chennai], India) was an Indian dancer and singer in the Carnatic (South Indian) tradition”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2006, General Studies paper. UPSC did not publish an answer key for 2006: the answer shown is the generally accepted one, and the sources above explain the facts behind it. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 24 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·