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

The Sitar is a type of:

  1. String Instrument

  2. Percussion Instrument

  3. Wind Instrument

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

The Sitar is a string instrument with a long neck and a rounded body. It is played by plucking the strings with a plectrum.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is known for its sweet, melodious sound and is often used for solo performances in Yakshagana?

  1. Violin

  2. Flute

  3. Sitar

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

The Violin is a string instrument with a bow. It is known for its sweet, melodious sound and is often used for solo performances in Yakshagana.

Multiple choice

The Tabla is a type of:

  1. Percussion Instrument

  2. String Instrument

  3. Wind Instrument

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

The Tabla is a pair of hand drums that are played with the hands. It is known for its complex rhythms and is often used to create a rhythmic foundation in Yakshagana.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is used to create a drone or continuous sound in Yakshagana?

  1. Tanpura

  2. Harmonium

  3. Violin

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

The Tanpura is a string instrument with four or five strings. It is played by plucking the strings with a plectrum and is used to create a drone or continuous sound in Yakshagana.

Multiple choice

Which of these is a Carnatic music instrument known for its distinctive sound and is often used to accompany vocal performances?

  1. Veena

  2. Violin

  3. Mridangam

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

Veena is a Carnatic music instrument known for its distinctive sound. It is a plucked string instrument with a long history in Indian classical music and is often used to accompany vocal performances.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a traditional musical instrument used in Kathakali?

  1. Chenda

  2. Maddalam

  3. Veena

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

Veena is a string instrument commonly used in Carnatic music, but it is not a traditional instrument in Kathakali. Chenda, Maddalam, and Mizhavu are all percussion instruments used in Kathakali performances.

Multiple choice

Which of these instruments is a stringed instrument played with a bow?

  1. Violin

  2. Sitar

  3. Tabla

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

The violin is a stringed instrument played with a bow, while the sitar, tabla, and flute are all played with different techniques.

Multiple choice

The tabla is a percussion instrument commonly used in which musical tradition?

  1. Indian Classical Music

  2. Jazz

  3. Western Classical Music

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

The tabla is a pair of hand drums used in Indian classical music, while jazz, western classical music, and African music use different percussion instruments.

Multiple choice

The sitar is a stringed instrument with a distinctive long neck. It is primarily associated with which musical tradition?

  1. Indian Classical Music

  2. Chinese Traditional Music

  3. Japanese Traditional Music

  4. Middle Eastern Music
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The sitar is a stringed instrument used in Indian classical music, while Chinese traditional music, Japanese traditional music, and Middle Eastern music have different stringed instruments.

Multiple choice

The sitar is a stringed instrument with a distinctive sound. It is commonly used in which musical tradition?

  1. Indian Classical Music

  2. Pakistani Classical Music

  3. Bangladeshi Classical Music

  4. Nepalese Classical Music
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The sitar is a stringed instrument commonly used in Indian classical music, while the other regions have different stringed instruments.

Multiple choice

The tabla is a percussion instrument with a distinctive sound. It is commonly used in which musical tradition?

  1. Indian Classical Music

  2. Pakistani Classical Music

  3. Bangladeshi Classical Music

  4. Nepalese Classical Music
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The tabla is a percussion instrument commonly used in Indian classical music, while the other regions have different percussion instruments.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a percussion instrument used in Chhau?

  1. Dhol

  2. Tabla

  3. Mridangam

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

The dhol is a double-headed drum that is played with two sticks. It is the most common percussion instrument used in Chhau.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the string instrument used in Chhau?

  1. Sitar

  2. Sarangi

  3. Veena

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

The sarangi is a bowed string instrument that is played with a horsehair bow. It is used to accompany the vocals and dance in Chhau.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a wind instrument used in Chhau?

  1. Shehnai

  2. Nadaswaram

  3. Flute

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

The shehnai is a double-reed woodwind instrument that is played with a circular breathing technique. It is used to play melodies and drones in Chhau.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a folk instrument used in Chhau?

  1. Madol

  2. Dholki

  3. Dhol

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

The madol is a hand-held drum that is made from a hollowed-out piece of wood. It is played with two sticks and is used to accompany the vocals and dance in Chhau.