The CUET Performing Arts 2027 domain paper is one of the most under-prepared domain subjects — which means a well-prepared candidate can walk into the centre and score 180+/200 with surprisingly little competition. The paper covers three sub-domains: Dance, Music (Hindustani & Carnatic), and Drama/Theatre. Most aspirants don’t realize that the syllabus is effectively NCERT Class 11 + 12 ‘An Introduction to Indian Art’ (Part 1 & 2) plus the Sangeet Natak Akademi reference list. This guide gives you the entire roadmap, key sub-topics, and a 30-MCQ practice set with an interactive quiz.
CUET Performing Arts 2027 Paper Pattern
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total questions | 50 |
| Questions to attempt | 40 |
| Marks | 200 (5 marks correct, −1 negative) |
| Duration | 45 minutes |
| Sub-papers offered | (i) Dance — Karnatak / Hindustani / Bharatanatyam etc.; (ii) Music — Karnatak / Hindustani; (iii) Drama / Theatre. Choose ONE at registration. |
| Mode | CBT |
| NCERT reference | Class 11 NCERT ‘An Introduction to Indian Art Part 1’ + Class 12 ‘An Introduction to Indian Art Part 2’ |
The Three Sub-Domains — Choose Wisely
Sub-Domain 1: Dance
Sangeet Natak Akademi recognizes 8 classical dance forms:
| Form | State | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Bharatanatyam | Tamil Nadu | Oldest classical form; Tanjore tradition; tribhanga; Adavus |
| Kathak | Uttar Pradesh / Rajasthan | Storytelling lineage; Lucknow, Jaipur, Banaras gharanas; tatkar (footwork) |
| Kathakali | Kerala | Dance-drama; vibrant make-up (chutti); male-dominant historically |
| Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh | Tarangam (dance on brass plate); Siddhendra Yogi tradition |
| Manipuri | Manipur | Raas Lila of Krishna; subdued movements; cylindrical skirt costume |
| Mohiniyattam | Kerala | Solo female; lasya style; the “dance of the enchantress” |
| Odissi | Odisha | Tribhanga and chowk postures; temple sculptures inspiration |
| Sattriya | Assam | Sankaradeva-Madhavadeva Vaishnav monastery tradition; recognized by SNA in 2000 |
Important folk dances to know: Bhangra (Punjab), Garba/Dandiya (Gujarat), Lavani (Maharashtra), Bihu (Assam), Ghoomar (Rajasthan), Chhau (Jharkhand/Odisha/Bengal — UNESCO ICH list 2010).
Sub-Domain 2: Music
Hindustani Classical Music — the North Indian tradition. Key concepts:
- Thaat: 10 parent scales (Bilawal, Khamaj, Kafi, Asavari, Bhairavi, Bhairav, Kalyan, Marwa, Poorvi, Todi) systematized by Pt. Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande.
- Raga: melodic framework (specific notes, ascent-descent, mood). Common: Yaman, Bhairav, Bhairavi, Bageshri, Malkauns.
- Tala: rhythmic cycle. Common: Teentaal (16 beats), Ektaal (12), Jhaptaal (10), Rupak (7), Dadra (6).
- Gharanas: Gwalior (oldest), Agra, Jaipur-Atrauli, Kirana, Patiala, Banaras.
- Composer-Saints: Tansen, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pt. Ravi Shankar.
Carnatic Classical Music — the South Indian tradition. Key concepts:
- Melakarta: 72 parent ragas systematized by Venkatamakhin (1620 CE) in ‘Chaturdandi Prakashika’.
- Trinity of Carnatic music: Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syama Sastri (all 18th-19th century, Thanjavur).
- Father of Carnatic music: Purandara Dasa (16th century).
- Compositions: Kriti, Varnam, Tillana, Padam, Javali.
Sub-Domain 3: Drama / Theatre
Two pillars: classical Sanskrit theatre (Bharata Muni’s Natyashastra, c. 200 BCE – 200 CE) and folk/regional theatre traditions.
| Folk Theatre Form | State | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yakshagana | Karnataka (coastal) | Dance-drama with elaborate costume |
| Tamasha | Maharashtra | Marathi folk; satire; song-and-dance |
| Nautanki | UP / Punjab / Rajasthan | Operatic; Gulab Bai famous performer |
| Jatra | West Bengal / Odisha | Open-air folk theatre; political themes common |
| Bhavai | Gujarat | Folk theatre; Asaita Thakar tradition |
| Therukoothu | Tamil Nadu | Street theatre; Mahabharata themes |
| Bhand Pather | Kashmir | Satirical theatre; Muslim-Hindu syncretic |
| Swang | Haryana / Punjab | Folk operatic; impersonation-based |
| Burrakatha | Andhra Pradesh | Story narration with tambura |
| Ankia Naat | Assam | Sankaradeva tradition; precursor to Sattriya dance |
Natyashastra — The 30-Second Cheat Sheet
- Author: Bharata Muni; 6,000+ verses across 36 chapters.
- Defines the three modes of acting: Angika (body), Vachika (speech), Aharya (costume), Sattvika (psychological).
- Lists 9 Rasas: Shringara (love), Hasya (humour), Karuna (compassion), Raudra (anger), Veera (heroic), Bhayanaka (fear), Bibhatsa (disgust), Adbhuta (wonder), Shanta (peace — added later by Abhinavagupta).
- Lists 4 Pravrittis (regional styles): Avanti (W India), Dakshinatya (S India), Panchali (N India), Odra-Magadhi (E India).
- The ‘Natya’ (theatre) is described as the fifth Veda — created by Brahma combining text from Rigveda, songs from Samaveda, abhinaya from Yajurveda, and rasas from Atharvaveda.
10 Practice MCQs (Inline)
- Total classical dance forms recognized by Sangeet Natak Akademi:
(A) 6 (B) 7 (C) 8 (D) 9 — Answer: C - Author of the Natyashastra:
(A) Bharata Muni (B) Abhinavagupta (C) Sharngadeva (D) Matanga — Answer: A - The 10-thaat system was developed by:
(A) Tansen (B) V N Bhatkhande (C) V D Paluskar (D) Ravi Shankar — Answer: B - The 72 Melakarta system was systematized by:
(A) Purandara Dasa (B) Tyagaraja (C) Venkatamakhin (D) M Dikshitar — Answer: C - Tamasha folk theatre is associated with:
(A) Maharashtra (B) Bihar (C) Bengal (D) Punjab — Answer: A - Mridangam is a:
(A) String instrument (B) Wind instrument (C) Percussion instrument (D) Bowed instrument — Answer: C - Sattriya dance form gained classical status from SNA in:
(A) 1950 (B) 1976 (C) 2000 (D) 2010 — Answer: C - Mohiniyattam originated in:
(A) Tamil Nadu (B) Karnataka (C) Andhra Pradesh (D) Kerala — Answer: D - Number of Rasas listed in Natyashastra (post-Abhinavagupta):
(A) 7 (B) 8 (C) 9 (D) 10 — Answer: C - Bharatanatyam margam begins with:
(A) Varnam (B) Alarippu (C) Padam (D) Tillana — Answer: B
For complete chapter-wise CUET 2027 preparation across all domain subjects, see our CUET 2026/27 Complete Domain Syllabus Guide and companion CUET Fine Arts guide. For weekly mocks, our free CUET 2027 mock test library updates every Sunday.
Recommended Books & Resources
- NCERT Class 11 — An Introduction to Indian Art (Part 1)
- NCERT Class 12 — An Introduction to Indian Art (Part 2)
- Indian Music: History and Structure by Pt. V N Bhatkhande — reference
- Sangeet Natak Akademi monographs on each classical dance form (sangeetnatak.gov.in)
- The Hindu’s “FridayReview” for current performances and reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I appear for the Performing Arts paper if I have no formal training?
Yes — the CUET Performing Arts CBT paper is theory-only. There is no practical/audition component in the entrance exam itself. Universities like Delhi University (DU School of Performing Arts) and JNU may have a separate audition after CUET shortlisting; check your target university’s bulletin.
Is NCERT enough for CUET Performing Arts?
For roughly 70-75% of questions yes. The remaining 25-30% test deeper knowledge of specific gharanas, ragas, dance schools, and Sangeet Natak Akademi recognition history. Pair NCERT with the SNA monographs (free PDFs).
Which sub-domain is easiest to score in?
Drama/Theatre tends to have the most factual recall questions (states-folk-form mapping, Natyashastra terms) and is least technical. Music demands ear-training-like recognition for some questions. Dance falls in between. Pick based on your exposure.
Which universities accept CUET Performing Arts?
Major destinations include University of Delhi (Music, Vocal/Instrumental BA programmes), Jamia Millia Islamia (BA Theatre and Performance), JNU (MA Theatre Studies), Hyderabad University (Sarojini Naidu School of Arts & Communication), BHU, Pondicherry University, and Visva-Bharati Santiniketan.
How many days does focused preparation need?
A diligent student starting from zero with 2 hours/day can cover the syllabus in 30 days, plus 15 days for revision and mock practice. With prior exposure to any classical art form, 25 total days suffice.
Test Yourself: 10 Interactive MCQs
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Master CUET Performing Arts 2027
Our CUET 2027 Performing Arts micro-course covers all 3 sub-domains with full Natyashastra notes, dance/music/theatre vocabulary builders, and 10 chapter-wise mocks tracked against your weak topics.
