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 musical instrument is traditionally used to accompany Kathak dance performances?

  1. Tabla

  2. Sitar

  3. Sarangi

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

The tabla is the primary musical instrument used to accompany Kathak dance performances, providing rhythmic accompaniment and enhancing the dancer's movements.

Multiple choice

What is the traditional form of music that accompanies String Puppet performances?

  1. Carnatic Music

  2. Hindustani Music

  3. Folk Music

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

Folk Music is commonly used to accompany String Puppet performances, as it reflects the cultural traditions and stories associated with the puppets.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional Indian musical instrument that is played with a bow?

  1. Sitar

  2. Sarod

  3. Tabla

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

The sitar is a traditional Indian musical instrument that is played with a bow. It is known for its distinctive sound and is often used in classical Indian music.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a musical instrument used to accompany Odissi dance?

  1. Mridangam

  2. Tabla

  3. Sitar

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

Sitar is a string instrument used in Hindustani classical music, not Odissi.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional percussion instrument used to accompany Odissi dance?

  1. Mridangam

  2. Tabla

  3. Pakhawaj

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

Pakhawaj is the traditional percussion instrument used to accompany Odissi dance.

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.