The instruments Pung, Pena, Flute, Manjira are used in:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:
Manipuri, one of the major classical dance forms of India originating from the state of Manipur, is intrinsically identified with these instruments. The *Pung*, or *Manipuri Mridangam*, is considered the soul of Manipuri Sankirtana music and classical dance. The popular dance *Pung Cholom* is a dedicated performance where dancers play the *Pung* while executing graceful and acrobatic movements. The *Pena*, a unique bowed lute, is the oldest traditional instrument of the Meitei people and is essential for the accompaniment of both folk music and the classical dance, especially in the *Lai Haraoba* festival. The *Manjira* (small cymbals or *Kartal*) sets the beat in the devotional music, and the Flute (*Baashi*) is a common melodic instrument, making this group a definitive set for the Manipuri tradition.

The incorrect option is 1:
Odissi, the classical dance of Odisha, is accompanied by a distinct set of instruments rooted in the Odra-Desha music tradition. The chief percussion instrument is the *Mardala*, a barrel-shaped drum, which is physically and technically different from the *Pung*. While Odissi music does use a Flute (*Banshi*) and cymbals (*Gini* or *Manjira*), the presence of the *Pena*, a stringed instrument unique to the North-East, is not characteristic of its traditional ensemble. The performance style, music, and instruments of Odissi are centered around the Jagannath culture, which does not incorporate the *Pung* or *Pena*.

The incorrect option is 2:
Kathak, a classical dance of North India, is characterized by the use of the *Tabla* as its principal rhythmic instrument. The *Tabla* is a pair of drums used to articulate the complex rhythmic cycles (*Taal*) and provide the sound for the dancer’s footwork (*Tatkar*). This makes the *Pung*, a different type of double-sided drum, incorrect for the primary accompaniment. Melodic accompaniment in Kathak often includes the *Sarangi* or *Harmonium*, but the *Pena* is completely unrelated to the traditional instruments of the Kathak school. The entire musical backdrop and instrumentation are fundamentally different.

The incorrect option is 3:
Mohiniattam, the classical dance of Kerala, follows the principles of Carnatic music. The percussion is anchored by the Carnatic *Mridangam*, not the *Pung*. Other notable instruments in the Mohiniattam ensemble include the *Edakka* (an hourglass drum from Kerala) and the *Kuzhitalam* (cymbals). The overall musical character is South Indian, and instruments like the *Pena*, which is a uniquely Manipuri string instrument, are not a part of its traditional orchestra. Therefore, the listed group of instruments does not align with the established performance practice of Mohiniattam.