Here are MCQs with answers based on Mahesh Dattani’s play Tara:

1. Who is the playwright of Tara?

A) Girish Karnad
B) Vijay Tendulkar
C) Mahesh Dattani
D) Badal Sircar

Answer: C) Mahesh Dattani

2. What is the central theme of Tara?

A) Gender discrimination
B) Economic inequality
C) Religious conflict
D) Political corruption

Answer: A) Gender discrimination

3. Who are the main characters in the play Tara?

A) Chandan and Tara
B) Jaya and Rakesh
C) Tara and Bharti
D) Ram and Leela

Answer: A) Chandan and Tara

4. What medical condition affects the twins in Tara?

A) They are conjoined twins.
B) They have a genetic disorder.
C) They are blind.
D) They have a heart condition.

Answer: A) They are conjoined twins.

5. What decision creates a moral dilemma in Tara?

A) The decision to separate the twins in a way that favors Chandan
B) The decision to keep the twins conjoined
C) The decision to send Tara to a boarding school
D) The decision to prioritize education over family traditions

Answer: A) The decision to separate the twins in a way that favors Chandan

6. What role does Bharti, the twins' mother, play in the decision about the surgery?

A) She supports Tara’s health and future.
B) She prioritizes Chandan over Tara due to societal expectations.
C) She protests against the surgery.
D) She has no role in the decision.

Answer: B) She prioritizes Chandan over Tara due to societal expectations.

7. What is the structure of the play Tara?

A) A linear narrative
B) A non-linear narrative with flashbacks
C) A series of monologues
D) A historical account

Answer: B) A non-linear narrative with flashbacks

8. How does the play highlight societal attitudes toward gender?

A) Through the preferential treatment given to Chandan over Tara
B) By focusing on Tara’s achievements
C) By celebrating equality between genders
D) Through Chandan’s rebellion against his family

Answer: A) Through the preferential treatment given to Chandan over Tara

9. What is Chandan’s role in the story?

A) He is Tara’s brother and feels guilt over the favoritism shown to him.
B) He is Tara’s cousin who encourages her.
C) He is an antagonist who resents Tara.
D) He is a doctor who performs the surgery.

Answer: A) He is Tara’s brother and feels guilt over the favoritism shown to him.

10. What does Tara symbolize in the play?

A) A challenge to societal norms regarding gender roles
B) A symbol of resilience despite adversity
C) The sacrifices made by women in patriarchal societies
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

11. What is the significance of the title Tara?

A) It refers to the star, symbolizing Tara’s unfulfilled potential.
B) It represents the bond between the siblings.
C) It signifies Tara’s struggle for independence.
D) Both A and C

Answer: D) Both A and C

12. How does Mahesh Dattani use the twins’ separation as a metaphor?

A) To critique the medical profession
B) To explore societal and familial biases against women
C) To symbolize the separation of siblings in modern families
D) To emphasize the role of science in shaping identity

Answer: B) To explore societal and familial biases against women

13. Who is the grandfather in the play, and what is his role?

A) He represents the oppressive traditions of patriarchy.
B) He encourages Tara to pursue her dreams.
C) He plays no significant role in the story.
D) He acts as a mediator between Chandan and Tara.

Answer: A) He represents the oppressive traditions of patriarchy.

14. What does Chandan do at the end of the play?

A) He writes the story of Tara as a way to confront his guilt.
B) He moves abroad and forgets Tara.
C) He reconciles with his family.
D) He refuses to acknowledge his role in Tara’s tragedy.

Answer: A) He writes the story of Tara as a way to confront his guilt.

15. What is Bharti’s ultimate realization in the play?

A) She acknowledges her complicity in the injustice toward Tara.
B) She believes that the surgery was justified.
C) She blames her husband for Tara’s fate.
D) She regrets ever agreeing to have the twins separated.

Answer: A) She acknowledges her complicity in the injustice toward Tara.

16. How does Mahesh Dattani highlight the theme of identity in Tara?

A) By showing the physical and emotional separation of the twins
B) Through Tara’s rejection of societal expectations
C) By focusing on Chandan’s guilt and transformation
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

17. What does the doctor in Tara symbolize?

A) The moral dilemmas of medical science
B) The patriarchal bias embedded in society
C) The loss of humanity in clinical decisions
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

18. How does the setting of Tara contribute to its themes?

A) The urban setting reflects societal expectations and pressures.
B) It isolates Tara from the outside world.
C) It symbolizes the clash between tradition and modernity.
D) Both A and C

Answer: D) Both A and C

19. What is the tone of the play Tara?

A) Light-hearted and humorous
B) Tragic and reflective
C) Optimistic and hopeful
D) Dark and suspenseful

Answer: B) Tragic and reflective

20. What is Mahesh Dattani’s primary aim in Tara?

A) To criticize medical malpractice
B) To explore the psychological impact of gender bias in families
C) To promote feminist ideologies
D) To highlight the flaws in sibling relationships

Answer: B) To explore the psychological impact of gender bias in families

21. What does the operation to separate Chandan and Tara reveal about their parents?

A) Their unconditional love for their children
B) Their deep-seated gender biases
C) Their belief in equal opportunities
D) Their lack of interest in medical advancements

Answer: B) Their deep-seated gender biases

22. How does Tara react to the unfair treatment she receives?

A) She silently accepts her fate.
B) She openly confronts her family’s biases.
C) She blames Chandan for her condition.
D) She decides to move away from her family.

Answer: A) She silently accepts her fate.

23. What does Chandan do to escape his guilt over Tara’s fate?

A) He leaves for London.
B) He becomes a recluse.
C) He writes a play about Tara.
D) He confronts his parents about their decisions.

Answer: A) He leaves for London.

24. How does Mahesh Dattani portray the father, Patel, in the play?

A) As a loving and empathetic parent
B) As a traditionalist who prioritizes societal norms
C) As an indifferent and distant figure
D) As a progressive thinker who supports Tara

Answer: B) As a traditionalist who prioritizes societal norms

25. What is the significance of the character Roopa in the play?

A) She highlights the societal biases against women.
B) She represents Tara’s closest confidante.
C) She plays a minor role with no thematic importance.
D) She encourages Tara to rebel against her family.

Answer: A) She highlights the societal biases against women.

26. How does the play address the theme of guilt?

A) Through Chandan’s regret for benefiting at Tara’s expense
B) Through Bharti’s realization of her role in the injustice
C) Through Patel’s denial of his complicity
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

27. What does Tara’s physical condition symbolize in the play?

A) The societal and familial limitations placed on women
B) The progress of medical science
C) The bond between siblings
D) The inevitability of fate

Answer: A) The societal and familial limitations placed on women

28. What is the significance of the prosthetic leg in Tara?

A) It symbolizes Tara’s strength and resilience.
B) It highlights Tara’s dependence on others.
C) It reflects the impact of the parents’ decision on Tara’s life.
D) Both B and C

Answer: D) Both B and C

29. How does Dattani use symbolism in Tara?

A) To highlight societal biases and the unequal treatment of genders
B) To explore the medical challenges of conjoined twins
C) To focus on Tara’s physical condition alone
D) To depict the impact of traditional Indian values

Answer: A) To highlight societal biases and the unequal treatment of genders

30. What does Bharti try to do for Tara later in life?

A) She seeks forgiveness for her past actions.
B) She attempts to compensate by showing extra care for Tara.
C) She encourages Tara to pursue her ambitions.
D) She apologizes for favoring Chandan.

Answer: B) She attempts to compensate by showing extra care for Tara.

31. What is the purpose of Chandan writing the story of Tara?

A) To expose his family’s actions
B) To confront his guilt and pay tribute to Tara
C) To gain recognition as a writer
D) To criticize the medical profession

Answer: B) To confront his guilt and pay tribute to Tara

32. How does the audience learn about the parents’ decision regarding the surgery?

A) Through Tara’s narration
B) Through flashbacks and dialogue
C) Through Roopa’s observations
D) Through Chandan’s written account

Answer: B) Through flashbacks and dialogue

33. What does the bond between Tara and Chandan represent in the play?

A) Sibling rivalry
B) The shared suffering caused by parental bias
C) A harmonious and ideal sibling relationship
D) Chandan’s superiority over Tara

Answer: B) The shared suffering caused by parental bias

34. What does the rooftop symbolize in Tara?

A) A place of freedom and escape for Tara and Chandan
B) A space of conflict between the parents
C) A site of medical discussions
D) A metaphor for societal limitations

Answer: A) A place of freedom and escape for Tara and Chandan

35. How does Mahesh Dattani explore the theme of identity in the play?

A) By questioning how gender shapes opportunities and choices
B) Through Chandan’s struggle with his guilt and self-perception
C) By depicting Tara’s attempts to define herself beyond societal expectations
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

36. What narrative technique does Mahesh Dattani use to reveal the inner thoughts of the characters?

A) Soliloquies and flashbacks
B) Straightforward dialogues
C) Monologues addressed to the audience
D) Visual symbolism

Answer: A) Soliloquies and flashbacks

37. How does the play critique traditional Indian families?

A) By exposing the gender biases and societal pressures within families
B) By highlighting the lack of communication between parents and children
C) By showing the consequences of favoritism and inequality
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

38. What does Chandan’s decision to live as Dan signify?

A) His desire to escape his past
B) His guilt and inability to face the truth
C) His wish to honor Tara by telling her story
D) Both A and B

Answer: D) Both A and B

39. How does Tara challenge societal norms?

A) By questioning the biases against women
B) By showing resilience despite her physical condition
C) By forming a close bond with Chandan
D) Both A and B

Answer: D) Both A and B

40. What makes Tara a significant work in Indian theatre?

A) Its focus on gender inequality and societal expectations
B) Its use of non-linear storytelling and emotional depth
C) Its critique of traditional family structures
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

41. What does the conjoined twins’ separation surgery symbolize in the play?

A) Scientific progress
B) The moral and ethical dilemmas of society
C) The societal preference for male children over females
D) Both B and C

Answer: D) Both B and C

42. How is Chandan’s guilt portrayed throughout the play?

A) Through his decision to change his identity
B) Through his avoidance of the past
C) Through his efforts to write Tara’s story
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

43. How does Roopa contribute to the play’s exploration of societal norms?

A) She openly mocks Tara’s disability.
B) She highlights the biases and stereotypes against women.
C) She shows superficial sympathy towards Tara.
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

44. What does the prosthetic leg symbolize in Tara?

A) Tara’s dependence on her family
B) The burden of societal expectations
C) Tara’s physical and emotional struggle
D) Both B and C

Answer: D) Both B and C

45. What drives Bharti to show extra care and concern for Tara?

A) Genuine maternal love
B) Guilt for prioritizing Chandan during the surgery
C) Societal pressure to care for her daughter
D) Fear of being criticized by her family

Answer: B) Guilt for prioritizing Chandan during the surgery

46. How does the play depict the father, Patel?

A) As a loving and supportive parent
B) As a rigid and emotionally distant figure
C) As a man struggling with his guilt
D) Both B and C

Answer: D) Both B and C

47. What does the rooftop represent for Tara and Chandan?

A) A space where they escape societal judgments
B) A place where they can dream and bond freely
C) A location of physical and emotional healing
D) Both A and B

Answer: D) Both A and B

48. How does Mahesh Dattani use flashbacks in Tara?

A) To show the happy moments of Tara’s childhood
B) To reveal the parents’ decision and its impact on Tara and Chandan
C) To explain the twins’ medical condition
D) To emphasize the societal challenges they faced

Answer: B) To reveal the parents’ decision and its impact on Tara and Chandan

49. What is Chandan’s emotional state as an adult in the play?

A) Content and fulfilled
B) Haunted by guilt and regret
C) Angry at his parents
D) Indifferent to his past

Answer: B) Haunted by guilt and regret

50. Why does Chandan decide to write about Tara?

A) To confront his guilt and give Tara the recognition she deserves
B) To find closure for himself
C) To expose his family’s choices
D) Both A and B

Answer: D) Both A and B

51. How does the play critique patriarchy?

A) By showing the preferential treatment given to Chandan
B) By highlighting Tara’s unrealized potential
C) By revealing Bharti’s role as a complicit victim of patriarchy
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

52. What does the name “Tara” signify in the play?

A) A star, symbolizing Tara’s brightness and potential
B) A flower, representing fragility
C) A gemstone, symbolizing endurance and beauty
D) A tree, signifying stability

Answer: A) A star, symbolizing Tara’s brightness and potential

53. How does Patel justify his decisions regarding Tara and Chandan?

A) He claims it was for the greater good.
B) He blames societal expectations.
C) He denies any wrongdoing.
D) He refuses to discuss the matter.

Answer: C) He denies any wrongdoing.

54. What literary devices are prominently used in Tara?

A) Flashbacks and symbolism
B) Irony and foreshadowing
C) Soliloquies and monologues
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

55. How does Tara’s death impact Chandan?

A) He completely isolates himself from society.
B) He changes his identity and flees to London.
C) He becomes determined to preserve her memory.
D) Both B and C

Answer: D) Both B and C

56. How does the play explore the concept of identity?

A) Through Chandan’s internal conflict and guilt
B) By portraying Tara’s struggle for recognition
C) By highlighting societal expectations based on gender
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

57. What is the role of the doctor in the play?

A) A neutral medical professional
B) A representation of ethical dilemmas in medicine
C) A symbol of patriarchal complicity
D) Both B and C

Answer: D) Both B and C

58. What does Tara’s unrealized potential signify in the play?

A) The societal barriers that restrict women
B) The impact of familial decisions on individual lives
C) The importance of equality and fairness
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

59. How does Mahesh Dattani portray the mother, Bharti?

A) As a loving but flawed individual influenced by patriarchy
B) As a manipulative and controlling figure
C) As a progressive and strong character
D) As a passive and indifferent mother

Answer: A) As a loving but flawed individual influenced by patriarchy

60. What is the ultimate message of Tara?

A) The devastating effects of gender bias and societal expectations
B) The inevitability of fate
C) The importance of family bonds
D) The triumph of individual resilience

Answer: A) The devastating effects of gender bias and societal expectations