General Awareness ยท 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

Multiple choice

Which instrument is a pair of small hand cymbals, commonly used in devotional music and folk dances?

  1. Kartal

  2. Manjira

  3. Ghungroo

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

The Manjira is a pair of small hand cymbals, typically made of brass or bronze. They are played by striking them together, creating a bright and rhythmic sound. Manjiras are commonly used in devotional music, folk dances, and classical Indian music.

Multiple choice

Identify the instrument that is a cylindrical drum with a goatskin head, played by striking it with the hands or sticks.

  1. Dholak

  2. Mridangam

  3. Pakhawaj

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

The Dholak is a cylindrical drum with a goatskin head, commonly used in North Indian folk and devotional music. It is played by striking it with the hands or sticks, creating a deep and resonant sound.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is a plucked string instrument with a distinctive pear-shaped body, widely used in Hindustani classical music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Sarod

  3. Rudra Veena

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

The Sitar is a plucked string instrument with a distinctive pear-shaped body and a long neck. It is widely used in Hindustani classical music and is known for its rich and melodious sound.

Multiple choice

Recognize the instrument that is a bowed string instrument with a rounded body and a single string, commonly found in South Indian classical music.

  1. Sarangi

  2. Sitar

  3. Rudra Veena

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

The Saraswati Veena is a bowed string instrument with a rounded body and a single string. It is commonly used in South Indian classical music and is known for its sweet and resonant sound.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is a pair of wooden sticks, played by striking them together to create a rhythmic accompaniment?

  1. Kartal

  2. Manjira

  3. Ghungroo

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

The Kartal is a pair of wooden sticks, typically made of hardwood like rosewood or teak. They are played by striking them together, creating a rhythmic accompaniment in various Indian folk and classical music traditions.

Multiple choice

Identify the instrument that is a small, handheld drum with a goatskin head, commonly used in devotional music and folk dances.

  1. Dholak

  2. Mridangam

  3. Pakhawaj

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

The Damru is a small, handheld drum with a goatskin head and a distinctive hourglass shape. It is commonly used in devotional music and folk dances, particularly in North India and Nepal.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is a plucked string instrument with a long neck and a gourd-shaped body, widely used in Hindustani classical music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Sarod

  3. Rudra Veena

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

The Sarod is a plucked string instrument with a long neck and a gourd-shaped body. It is widely used in Hindustani classical music and is known for its rich and mellow sound.

Multiple choice

Recognize the instrument that is a large, double-headed drum with a cylindrical body, commonly used in South Indian classical music.

  1. Tabla

  2. Dholak

  3. Mridangam

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

The Mridangam is a large, double-headed drum with a cylindrical body. It is commonly used in South Indian classical music and is known for its deep and resonant sound.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is a pair of metal discs, played by striking them together to create a rhythmic accompaniment?

  1. Kartal

  2. Manjira

  3. Ghungroo

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

The Ghungroo is a pair of metal discs, typically made of brass or iron. They are attached to the ankles of dancers and are played by striking them together, creating a rhythmic accompaniment.

Multiple choice

Identify the instrument that is a bowed string instrument with a long neck and a rounded body, commonly used in North Indian classical music.

  1. Sarangi

  2. Sitar

  3. Rudra Veena

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

The Rudra Veena is a bowed string instrument with a long neck and a rounded body. It is commonly used in North Indian classical music and is known for its deep and resonant sound.

Multiple choice

Which gharana is associated with the use of the 'tabla' as the primary percussion instrument in Qawwali performances?

  1. Delhi Gharana

  2. Qawwal Bachchon Ka Gharana

  3. Nizamuddin Gharana

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

The Delhi Gharana is known for its use of the 'tabla' as the primary percussion instrument in Qawwali performances.

Multiple choice

Which gharana is associated with the use of 'sarangi' as an accompanying instrument in Qawwali performances?

  1. Delhi Gharana

  2. Qawwal Bachchon Ka Gharana

  3. Nizamuddin Gharana

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

The Rampur Gharana is known for its use of 'sarangi' as an accompanying instrument in Qawwali performances.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian musical instrument known for its versatility and ability to produce a wide range of sounds?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarod

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

The sitar, a stringed instrument with a long neck and a distinctive gourd-shaped body, is renowned for its versatility and expressive capabilities. It is widely used in Indian classical music and has gained popularity in other genres as well.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional Indian musical instrument that is played by plucking its strings?

  1. Sitar

  2. Sarod

  3. Veena

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

Veena is a traditional Indian musical instrument that is played by plucking its strings.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional Indian musical instrument that is played by striking its metal discs?

  1. Tabla

  2. Pakhawaj

  3. Mridangam

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

Tabla is a traditional Indian musical instrument that is played by striking its metal discs.