Understanding Manjamma Jogathi and the Padma Shri Award

The question asks about the specific contribution for which Karnataka transgender dancer Manjamma Jogathi received the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2021. The Padma Shri is one of the highest civilian awards in India, recognizing contributions in various fields, including art.

Manjamma Jogathi's Contribution to Dance

Manjamma Jogathi is a renowned artist known for her mastery of a particular dance form originating from Karnataka. She is a prominent figure in the Jogathi tradition, which involves performing specific rituals and dances, often associated with folk traditions and deities.

Analyzing the Dance Forms

Let's look at the options provided:

• Hip hop dance: This is a street dance style developed in the 1970s in the United States, part of hip hop culture.
• Tap dance: This dance involves rhythmic tapping sounds created by shoes with metal plates on the heels and toes. It also originated in the United States.
• Ballet dance: A classical dance form originating in the Italian Renaissance courts and later developed in France and Russia. It is highly technical and structured.
• Folk dance: These are dances developed spontaneously by a particular people, reflecting the traditional life of the people of a certain country or region. They are often linked to cultural events, rituals, or stories.

Manjamma Jogathi's performances are deeply rooted in the traditional, regional art forms of Karnataka, involving narratives and rituals that align perfectly with the definition of folk dance.

Why Folk Dance is the Correct Answer

Manjamma Jogathi's art form is a traditional Indian dance originating from a specific region (Karnataka) and community, performed as part of cultural and ritualistic practices. This squarely places her contribution within the realm of folk dance. Her work has been crucial in preserving and promoting this traditional art form, earning her recognition at the national level.

The other options, hip hop, tap dance, and ballet, are not the dance forms Manjamma Jogathi is known for; they are different styles with distinct origins and characteristics unrelated to her traditional Karnataka dance background.

Therefore, Manjamma Jogathi was conferred with the Padma Shri award for her contribution to folk dance in 2021.

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Additional Information on Padma Awards and Folk Arts

The Padma Awards, including Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, are announced annually on Republic Day. They are given in various disciplines and fields of activities, such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. These awards seek to recognize work of distinction and are given for distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields of activities/disciplines.

Recognizing artists like Manjamma Jogathi with the Padma Shri highlights the importance the government places on preserving and promoting traditional Indian folk arts, which are integral to the cultural heritage of the country. Folk arts often face challenges of declining patronage and modernization, making the contributions of artists dedicated to their survival and propagation particularly significant.