Which classical dancer was among the first to receive the Padma Vibhushan?

Appeared in: NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

Explanation

The question asks to identify which of the listed classical dancers was among the first to receive the Padma Vibhushan.
Tanjore Balasaraswati, a legendary Bharatanatyam exponent, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1977.
Comparing the award years of all the dancers in the options, Balasaraswati's is the earliest, making her the correct choice.

Option A: Rukmini Devi Arundale was awarded the Padma Bhushan, which is the third-highest civilian award, in 1956. She was not a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest award.
Option C: Yamini Krishnamurthy, a renowned Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer, received the Padma Vibhushan much later, in 2016.
Option D: Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, a master of Odissi dance, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in the year 2000, which is 23 years after Balasaraswati.

Visual 1: Infographic: A timeline showing the years each of the four dancers received their Padma awards (Bhushan or Vibhushan) to visually highlight that Balasaraswati's Padma Vibhushan was the earliest.
Visual 2: Image: Portraits of the four dancers to help students associate the names with the faces of these legendary artists.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Indian civilian awards in the field of classical dance as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question highlights the significance of the Padma Awards, India's highest civilian honors, in recognizing exceptional contributions to various fields, including arts and culture.
Understanding the legacies of artists like Balasaraswati, who took Bharatanatyam to the global stage, provides insight into the cultural heritage of India.
What if the question asked for the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna? The answer would be M. S. Subbulakshmi in 1998, showing how these questions test specific knowledge of high-profile awards.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it's asking to find the earliest recipient of the Padma Vibhushan among the given classical dancers.
The keywords are 'Padma Vibhushan' and 'among the first'.
Recall or look up the years in which each of the four dancers received this specific award.
Compare the dates. Rukmini Devi Arundale received the Padma Bhushan, not Vibhushan. Balasaraswati received it in 1977, Kelucharan Mohapatra in 2000, and Yamini Krishnamurthy in 2016.
The earliest date is 1977, corresponding to Balasaraswati. Select this as the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.