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

Multiple choice

Alla Rakha was an exponent of which of the following instruments?

  1. Shehnai

  2. Tabla

  3. Sitar

  4. Flute

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Ustad Alla Rakha (1919-2000) was a legendary tabla virtuoso who popularized the instrument globally through his solo performances and collaborations, especially with sitar maestro Ravi Shankar. Bismillah Khan was famous for shehnai.

Multiple choice

Pt. Ravi Shankar is a famous player of

  1. Sitar

  2. Gitar

  3. Veena

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

Pt. Ravi Shankar was internationally renowned as the world's greatest sitar player, credited with popularizing Indian classical music globally. He influenced the Beatles and collaborated with Western musicians like Yehudi Menuhin and Philip Glass.

Multiple choice

Directions: The following question is followed by four options.Choose the option that belongs to the same group.

Which of the following is same as sitar, guitar and tanpura?

  1. Harmonium

  2. Trumpet

  3. Mridanga

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

Sitar, guitar, and tanpura are all musical instruments that produce sound through the vibration of strings. A violin is also a stringed instrument, whereas the other options are percussion (mridanga), brass (trumpet), or reed (harmonium) instruments.

Multiple choice

“Dadra” is a

  1. railway station

  2. village in M.P.

  3. raga

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

Dadra is a rhythmic cycle or tala used in Indian classical and semi-classical music. It consists of six beats.

Multiple choice

Find the Odd one out.

  1. Veena

  2. Sitar

  3. Drum

  4. Guitar

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

as all are string instruments

Multiple choice

Aurangzeb was an excellent player of which musical instrument ?

  1. Veena (lute)

  2. Rabab

  3. Sarangi

  4. Nakkarah (Kettle-Drum)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Aurangzeb was known to be a skilled player of the Veena, despite his later strict policies regarding music in the royal court. Historical accounts mention his proficiency with the instrument.