General Awareness ยท Social Science

Indian Music and Instruments

2,130 Questions

Indian music and instruments encompass a rich variety of traditional percussion, string, and wind tools used across regional cultures. This collection features questions on folk drums, devotional instruments, and classical accompaniments. It is a crucial Art and Culture topic for SSC, UPSC, and State PSC exams.

Traditional folk drumsDevotional music instrumentsClassical dance accompanimentPercussion instrumentsRegional musical instruments

Indian Music and Instruments Questions

Multiple choice

Which musical instrument is traditionally associated with the Hindu god Krishna?

  1. The flute

  2. The sitar

  3. The tabla

  4. The mridanga
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The flute is traditionally associated with the Hindu god Krishna. He is often depicted playing the flute, and the sound of his flute is said to be enchanting and captivating.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional musical instrument used by the Ho people of India?

  1. Sape

  2. Khene

  3. Ranat ek

  4. Sitar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The ranat ek is a traditional Cambodian xylophone made of bamboo or hardwood. It is played with two bamboo mallets and is used in a variety of traditional Cambodian music genres, including classical, folk, and ceremonial music.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional musical instrument used by the Kharia people of India?

  1. Sape

  2. Khene

  3. Ranat ek

  4. Sitar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The sitar is a traditional Indian stringed instrument used in Hindustani classical music. It is made from a gourd body with a long neck and is played with a wire plectrum.

Multiple choice

The sitar is a string instrument commonly associated with:

  1. Indian classical music

  2. Chinese folk music

  3. Japanese traditional music

  4. Korean court music
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The sitar is a prominent instrument in Indian classical music, known for its intricate melodies and ornamentation.

Multiple choice

Which Indian instrument is known for its distinctive drone-like sound?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Tanpura

  4. Sarod
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Tanpura is a stringed instrument used in Indian classical music to provide a continuous drone. Its steady and hypnotic sound creates a foundation for melodic improvisation and adds depth to the overall musical texture.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian classical music ensemble that typically accompanies a sitar player?

  1. Ghatam

  2. Tabla

  3. Tanpura

  4. Sarangi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The tabla is a pair of hand drums commonly used in Indian classical music to accompany a sitar player. The tabla player provides rhythmic support and improvises complex rhythmic patterns that complement the melodic lines of the sitar.

Multiple choice

What is the primary musical instrument used to accompany Mohiniyattam performances?

  1. Mridangam

  2. Tabla

  3. Veena

  4. Violin
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The primary musical instrument used to accompany Mohiniyattam performances is the Mridangam, a double-headed drum known for its rich and resonant sound.

Multiple choice

Which Indian instrument is commonly used in psychedelic music performances?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarangi

  4. Shehnai
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The sitar, a stringed instrument with a long neck and a gourd-shaped resonator, is frequently used in psychedelic music performances for its ability to produce mesmerizing and hypnotic sounds.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the drone in Indian classical music?

  1. Tanpura

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarangi

  4. Shehnai
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Tanpura is a stringed instrument used to provide a continuous drone in Indian classical music, creating a harmonic foundation for the melodic and rhythmic elements of a performance.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional Kerala musical instrument often played on houseboats during cultural programs?

  1. Veena

  2. Sitar

  3. Tabla

  4. Chenda
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Chenda is a traditional percussion instrument from Kerala, often played during cultural programs on houseboats.

Multiple choice

Which of the following instruments is commonly used in Indian ambient music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Synthesizer

  4. Flute
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Synthesizers are widely used in Indian ambient music to create electronic soundscapes and textures that blend with traditional Indian instruments.

Multiple choice

Which of these is a prominent instrument used in Indian ambient music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Flute

  4. Sarangi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Sarangi is a bowed string instrument that is known for its rich and expressive sound. It is often used in Indian classical music and has become a popular choice for ambient music as well.

Multiple choice

Which musical instrument is traditionally associated with Sufi mysticism and is often used in devotional ceremonies?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Qawwali

  4. Daf
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The daf, a frame drum with a goatskin head, is a sacred instrument in Sufi mysticism, played during devotional ceremonies and rituals to induce a state of spiritual ecstasy.

Multiple choice

Kathak, a classical Indian dance form from North India, is characterized by its rhythmic footwork, graceful hand gestures, and captivating storytelling. What is the traditional instrument used to accompany Kathak performances?

  1. Tabla

  2. Sitar

  3. Sarangi

  4. Mridangam
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Tabla is the traditional instrument used to accompany Kathak performances. It is a pair of hand drums that produce a variety of rhythmic sounds.

Multiple choice

Mohiniyattam, a classical Indian dance form from Kerala, is known for its graceful movements, expressive storytelling, and captivating hand gestures. What is the traditional musical instrument used to accompany Mohiniyattam performances?

  1. Veena

  2. Mridangam

  3. Tabla

  4. Sarangi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Veena is the traditional musical instrument used to accompany Mohiniyattam performances. It is a stringed instrument that produces a melodious sound.