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

In the story of Lord Shiva and Parvati, what divine instrument does Parvati play to accompany Lord Shiva's cosmic dance?

  1. Veena

  2. Mridangam

  3. Tabla

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

Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, is often depicted playing the Veena, a stringed instrument, to accompany Lord Shiva's cosmic dance.

Multiple choice

What is the traditional name of the trumpet in Indian classical music?

  1. Shehnai

  2. Nadaswaram

  3. Tumbi

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

The Shehnai is a traditional woodwind instrument commonly used in Indian classical music.

Multiple choice

How is the Shehnai typically held while playing?

  1. Horizontally

  2. Vertically

  3. Diagonally

  4. It can be held in any position
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Shehnai is typically held vertically while playing.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common type of Shehnai?

  1. Bansuri

  2. Algoza

  3. Surnai

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

Bansuri is a type of flute, not a Shehnai.

Multiple choice

Which folk music form is known for its use of traditional instruments like the tabla, sitar, and harmonium, and its focus on classical ragas and melodies?

  1. Bhangra

  2. Qawwali

  3. Baul

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

Hindustani Classical is a form of classical music that originated in North India. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, ragas, and melodies.

Multiple choice

Which folk music form is known for its use of traditional instruments like the veena, mridangam, and nadaswaram, and its focus on Carnatic ragas and melodies?

  1. Bhangra

  2. Qawwali

  3. Baul

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

Carnatic Classical is a form of classical music that originated in South India. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, ragas, and melodies.

Multiple choice

Which folk music form is known for its use of traditional instruments like the sarangi, harmonium, and tabla, and its focus on devotional songs and mystical themes?

  1. Bhangra

  2. Qawwali

  3. Baul

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

Sufi is a folk music form that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, devotional songs, and mystical themes.

Multiple choice

Which folk music form is known for its use of traditional instruments like the flute, dholak, and harmonium, and its focus on love songs and ballads?

  1. Bhangra

  2. Qawwali

  3. Baul

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

Malwai is a folk music form that originated in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, love songs, and ballads.

Multiple choice

Which folk music form is known for its use of traditional instruments like the rabab, sarangi, and tabla, and its focus on devotional songs and mystical themes?

  1. Bhangra

  2. Qawwali

  3. Baul

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

Mirasi is a folk music form that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, devotional songs, and mystical themes.

Multiple choice

Which folk music form is known for its use of traditional instruments like the harmonium, tabla, and sitar, and its focus on love songs and ballads?

  1. Bhangra

  2. Qawwali

  3. Baul

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

Thumri is a folk music form that originated in North India. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, love songs, and ballads.

Multiple choice

Which folk music form is known for its use of traditional instruments like the dhol, nagada, and shehnai, and its focus on devotional songs and religious themes?

  1. Bhangra

  2. Qawwali

  3. Baul

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

Jagran is a folk music form that originated in North India. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, devotional songs, and religious themes.

Multiple choice

Which folk music form is known for its use of traditional instruments like the harmonium, tabla, and sitar, and its focus on classical ragas and melodies?

  1. Bhangra

  2. Qawwali

  3. Baul

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

Khayal is a folk music form that originated in North India. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, classical ragas, and melodies.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is known for its mesmerizing, plucked strings, often used in classical Indian music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarangi

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

The sitar is a stringed instrument with a long neck and a gourd-shaped body. Its distinctive sound is created by plucking the strings with a wire plectrum, resulting in a rich and resonant tone.

Multiple choice

What is the primary percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music, known for its intricate rhythmic patterns?

  1. Tabla

  2. Dholak

  3. Pakhawaj

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

The tabla is a pair of hand drums, played with the fingers and palms. It produces a wide range of sounds, from deep bass tones to crisp, high-pitched accents, creating a complex and captivating rhythmic foundation.

Multiple choice

Which bowed string instrument is often used in folk and devotional music, producing a melancholic and soulful sound?

  1. Sarangi

  2. Violin

  3. Esraj

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

The sarangi is a bowed string instrument with a short neck and a rounded body. Its unique sound is characterized by its sympathetic strings, which resonate along with the main strings, creating a rich and emotive tone.