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

Which of the following instruments is commonly used in Indian Reggae music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Dhol

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

The keyboard is a commonly used instrument in Indian Reggae music, as it provides a solid foundation for the rhythm and harmony.

Multiple choice

In Kathak, the main percussion instrument used is the:

  1. Tabla

  2. Sitar

  3. Sarangi

  4. Pakhawaj
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, and is the primary percussion instrument used in Kathak.

Multiple choice

The sitar is a stringed instrument commonly used in which genre of Indian classical music?

  1. Hindustani

  2. Carnatic

  3. Qawwali

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

The sitar is a long-necked stringed instrument, played with a wire plectrum, and is a prominent instrument in Hindustani classical music.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is known for its plaintive and melancholic sound, often used in Kathak performances?

  1. Sarangi

  2. Shehnai

  3. Bansuri

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

The sarangi is a bowed string instrument, played with a horsehair bow, and is known for its expressive and emotive sound, often used in Kathak performances.

Multiple choice

The harmonium is a keyboard instrument commonly used in which genre of Indian music?

  1. Hindustani

  2. Carnatic

  3. Qawwali

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

The harmonium is a keyboard instrument, played by pressing keys that activate reeds, and is commonly used in Hindustani classical music.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is known for its high-pitched and piercing sound, often used in Kathak performances?

  1. Shehnai

  2. Bansuri

  3. Tabla

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

The shehnai is a double-reed instrument, played by blowing air into a reed, and is known for its high-pitched and penetrating sound, often used in Kathak performances.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is known for its rhythmic and lively sound, often used in Kathak performances?

  1. Tabla

  2. Sitar

  3. Sarangi

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

The pakhawaj is a barrel-shaped drum, played with the hands, and is known for its rhythmic and lively sound, often used in Kathak performances.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is known for its deep and resonant sound, often used in Kathak performances?

  1. Tabla

  2. Sitar

  3. Sarangi

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

The pakhawaj is a barrel-shaped drum, played with the hands, and is known for its deep and resonant sound, often used in Kathak performances.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is known for its high-pitched and piercing sound, often used in Kathak performances?

  1. Shehnai

  2. Bansuri

  3. Tabla

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

The shehnai is a double-reed instrument, played by blowing air into a reed, and is known for its high-pitched and penetrating sound, often used in Kathak performances.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common instrument used in Indian theater music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Violin

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

While sitar, tabla, and mridangam are commonly used instruments in Indian theater music, the violin is not a traditional Indian instrument and is rarely used in theater productions.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common instrument used in a live band for a wedding in India?

  1. Tabla

  2. Sitar

  3. Keyboard

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

The sitar is a traditional Indian string instrument, but it is not commonly used in live bands for weddings in India.

Multiple choice

Which musical instruments are typically used to accompany Mohiniyattam performances?

  1. Mridangam

  2. Violin

  3. Flute

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Mohiniyattam performances are typically accompanied by a combination of musical instruments, including the mridangam, violin, and flute.

Multiple choice

Which musical instrument is often depicted in Indian temple sculptures and paintings?

  1. Veena

  2. Sitar

  3. Tabla

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

The veena is a stringed instrument that holds a significant place in Indian classical music. It is often depicted in temple art as a symbol of divine music and is associated with the goddess Saraswati, the patron deity of music and knowledge.

Multiple choice

Which Indian musical instrument is known for its unique sound produced by sympathetic strings?

  1. Sitar

  2. Sarod

  3. Santoor

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

The Rudra Veena, also known as the Been, is a plucked string instrument known for its distinctive sound produced by sympathetic strings. It is considered one of the oldest string instruments in India and is often associated with classical music and devotional music.

Multiple choice

Which Indian musical instrument is known for its distinctive double-headed drum?

  1. Tabla

  2. Mridangam

  3. Pakhawaj

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

The tabla is a pair of hand drums, each with a different shape and size, played together to create intricate rhythms and patterns. It is a popular instrument in Hindustani classical music and is often used in devotional music and folk music as well.