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The CUET Performing Arts syllabus 2026 is designed to assess a student’s understanding of performing art forms, their history, theory, aesthetics, and cultural significance. This subject covers Dance, Drama, and Music and is ideal for students seeking admission into undergraduate programmes such as B.A./B.F.A. Performing Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre Studies, Fine & Liberal Arts, and related creative disciplines through CUET UG.
The syllabus focuses on theoretical knowledge, artistic awareness, and conceptual understanding, aligned with the senior secondary level.
Laya
Layakari
Tala Terms
Knowledge of prominent Talas
String (Tatta)
Percussion (Avnadha)
Wind (Sushir)
Metallic (Ghan)
(Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Manipuri, Kathakali, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Sattriya)
i. History
ii. Dance repertoire
iii. Music both vocal and instrumental
iv. Costume and makeup
i. Sangeet, Natan Bheda (Natya, Nritta, Nritya)
ii. Tandav, Lasya
iii. Lokdharmi, Natyadharmi
i. Texts: Abhinaya Darpan, Natya Shastra, Abhinaya Chandrika, Hasta Lakshana Deepika
ii. Major folk dances of India
i. Aangika, Vachika, Aaharya, Satwika
ii. Nav rasa and sthayi bhaav
iii. Bhaav, Vibhaav, Anubhaav, Sanchari
i. Elementary information and knowledge of premier classical dance gharanas / organisations / institutions / University-departments
ii. Major dance festivals
a) Tala, Matra, Tali, Khali, Vibhag, Tihai, Sam
b) Theka, Kayada, Rela, Tukda, Paran, Peshkar, Uthan, Chakradar & Farmaishi Chakradar
c) Sarvlaghu, Gati, Koraipu, Korvai, Pharan, Mohra, Chapu, Muktayipu
d) Study of Laya, Laykari & Jati
a) Brief study of origin of Tabla, Pakhawaj and Mridangam
b) Brief study of Gharana of Tabla and Pakhawaj
a) Teentala, Jhaptala, Ektala, Rupak, Keharwa & Dadra
b) Chautala, Sooltala, Khemtas, Dhamar
c) Dhurva, Mathya, Rupak, Jhampa, Triput, Ata, Eka
a) Pt. Kishan Maharaj, Ustad Zakir Hussain
b) Raja Chatrapati Singh, Guru Purushotam Das
c) Palani Subramanya Pillai, Palghat Mani Iyer
i. Leading Sanskrit Playwrights
ii. Bhasa, Kalidasa, Sudraka, Bhavabhuti
[The student can identify and study one text (one play) of the above-mentioned playwrights]
iii. Major Traditional Theatre forms
i. Survey of major modern and contemporary styles and works in Hindi / English
ii. Rabindranath Tagore, Bhartendu Harishchandra, Vijay Tendulkar, Mohan Rakesh, Dharamveer Bharti, Badal Sarcar, Shankar Shesh, Girish Karnad, Chandrasekhar Kambar, Madhu Rye
[The student can identify and study one text (one play) of the above-mentioned playwrights]
iii. Practitioners of modern Indian Theatre: Shambhu Mitra, B.V. Karanth, Habib Tanvir, K.N. Panikkar, Ratan Thiyam, Utapal Dutt, Rajender Nath, Jabbar Patel, Vijya Mehta, Satyadev Dubey, E. Alkazi, Pravin Joshi
i. Leading Greek Playwrights
ii. Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripedes
[The student can identify and study one text (one play) of the above-mentioned playwrights]
iii. Shakespearean Dramas
[The student can identify and study one text (one play) of Shakespeare]
i. Survey of major contemporary styles and works in English or English Translation
ii. Chekov, Ibsen, Strindberg, Shaw, O’Neil, Miller, Ionesco, Beckett, Pinter, Stoppard, Pirandello
[The student can identify and study one text (one play) of the above-mentioned playwrights]
iii. Practitioners of Modern Western Drama
a) Stanislavsky, Lee Strasberg, Bertolt Brecht, Meyerhold, Peter Brook
b) Marlin Brando, Lawrence Olivier, John Gielgud
i. Types of Theatres: Proscenium, Arena, Theatre in Round, Thrust
ii. Elements of play production: Set, Light, Costume, Make up, Sound – Music
i. Review of Indian Theatre Organizations – NSD, University Theatre Departments, Sangeet Natak Academy, Zonal Cultural Centres
ii. Developing and Documenting the Research project – Examples of research projects in different aspects of theatre; using media and sources for the project.
Below is an overview of the CUET UG Performing Arts examination:
The paper evaluates a student’s understanding of performing art forms, terminology, and cultural context.
Use the following preparation tips to score well in Performing Arts:
Use syllabus-aligned and concept-focused resources for preparation.
Tip: Focus on conceptual clarity and terminology, not performance practice.
Students should prioritise the following important topics:
These topics are frequently tested and conceptually important.
The CUET Performing Arts syllabus 2026 is theory-based and culture-oriented. With a strong understanding of art forms, terminology, and regular MCQ practice, students can perform well in this subject.
Performing Arts is a high-scoring subject for students with interest in culture, music, dance, and theatre studies.
