General Awareness · Social Science
Indian Music and Instruments
2,230 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
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King Fisher
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Clarinet
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Bagpiper
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Didgeridoo
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Sarod
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Sitar
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Veena
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Vichitra Veena
D
Correct answer
Explanation
All four musicians - Lalmani Misra, Pt. Gopal Krishna, Dr. Gopal Shankar Misra, and Radhika Budhkar - are renowned exponents of the Vichitra Veena, also known as the Indian slide guitar or gottuvadhyam. This rare instrument uses a slide to produce notes and is held horizontally. The Misra family in particular has been instrumental in preserving and promoting this ancient instrument through generations.
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Shehnai
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Tabla
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Mandolin
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Veena
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Ustad Alla Rakha Khan was a legendary tabla player who popularized the instrument globally. He frequently accompanied Pandit Ravi Shankar and was known for his virtuosity and rhythmic mastery. Shehnai, Mandolin, and Veena are different instruments.
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The Kumaresh-Ganesh duo consists of renowned Indian classical violinists who have performed together extensively. They are celebrated for their violin jugalbandi (duet performances) in the Carnatic music tradition. Tabla, sarod, and flute are instruments associated with other legendary musicians like Zakir Hussain, Amjad Ali Khan, and Hariprasad Chaurasia respectively.
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Jaltarang
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Sitar
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Mandolin
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Sarod
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Mandolin U. Srinivas was a child prodigy who adapted the mandolin to Carnatic music, creating a unique style that gained worldwide recognition. He was the first to use the mandolin as a classical instrument in Indian music. Jaltarang, sitar, and sarod are associated with different musicians like S. N. Ytendu, Ravi Shankar, and Amjad Ali Khan.
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Veena
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Tabla
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Harmonium
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Mrudungam
A
Correct answer
Explanation
In Hindu iconography, Goddess Saraswati - the deity of knowledge, music, and arts - is depicted holding a veena. This represents her association with music and wisdom.
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Harmonium
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Beena
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Dhol
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Flute
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Gupi played the Been (a string instrument) in his village. His musical performances irritated the villagers, leading to his expulsion. This establishes his character as a talented but misunderstood musician.
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Tabla
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Mridangam
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Sitar
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Violin
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Mridangam is the only instrument of purely Indian origin among the options, with ancient roots in South Indian temple traditions dating back over 2000 years. It's the primary rhythmic accompaniment in Carnatic classical music. Tabla has disputed origins possibly influenced by Persian instruments, sitar evolved from Persian instruments, and violin is of European origin.
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Tanpura
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Sitar
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Trombone
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Cello
C
Correct answer
Explanation
String instruments produce sound through vibrating strings. Tanpura, Sitar, and Cello are all string instruments. Trombone is a brass instrument - it produces sound through the player's vibrating lips buzzing into a mouthpiece, not strings. This makes it the correct answer.
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Shehnai
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Tabla
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Sarod
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Sitar
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Amir Khusrau, a 13th-century Sufi poet and musician in India, is credited with inventing the sitar. He combined features of the veena and the Persian tambura to create this instrument. The shehnai, tabla, and sarod have different origin stories and attributions.
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Sitar
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Sarod
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Tabla
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Shehnai
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Amir Khusrau, the 13th-century Sufi poet and musician, is credited with inventing the sitar. He modified the existing veena to create this instrument, which became central to Hindustani classical music. The sarod and tabla have different origins.
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Tabla and dholak
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Guitar and sitar
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Flute and trumpet
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Veena and tabla
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Yes, this is correct answer as in veena the vibrating part that produces sound is the stretched string and in tabla it is the stretched membrane.
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Ektara
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Veena
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Tabla
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Manjira
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Ektara is a traditional single-string instrument commonly made using a coconut shell as the resonator. The coconut shell provides the acoustic chamber that amplifies the sound. Veena uses a wooden resonator, tabla uses drums, and manjira are cymbals.
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Pandit Ravi Shankar was the world's most renowned sitar player and is credited with popularizing Indian classical music globally. He influenced the Beatles, particularly George Harrison, and introduced the sitar to Western audiences in the 1960s.