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 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.

Multiple choice

Which Indian musical instrument is known for its long, fretless neck and distinctive sound?

  1. Sitar

  2. Sarod

  3. Santoor

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

The sitar is a stringed instrument with a long, fretless neck and a gourd-shaped body. It is known for its distinctive sound, produced by sympathetic strings that resonate with the main strings. The sitar is a popular instrument in Hindustani classical music and is often used in devotional music and folk music as well.

Multiple choice

Which gharana is associated with the use of the sitar as a primary instrument?

  1. Maihar Gharana

  2. Senia Gharana

  3. Imdadkhani Gharana

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

The Imdadkhani Gharana is known for its mastery of the sitar, with notable exponents like Vilayat Khan and Ravi Shankar.

Multiple choice

Which gharana is associated with the use of the tabla as a primary instrument?

  1. Farrukhabad Gharana

  2. Benares Gharana

  3. Delhi Gharana

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

The Delhi Gharana is renowned for its mastery of the tabla, with notable exponents like Zakir Hussain and Alla Rakha.

Multiple choice

Which gharana is associated with the use of the sarangi as a primary instrument?

  1. Kirana Gharana

  2. Gwalior Gharana

  3. Agra Gharana

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

The Gwalior Gharana is known for its mastery of the sarangi, with notable exponents like Pt. Ravi Shankar and Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma.

Multiple choice

Which gharana is associated with the use of the bansuri as a primary instrument?

  1. Maihar Gharana

  2. Senia Gharana

  3. Imdadkhani Gharana

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

The Senia Gharana is known for its mastery of the bansuri, with notable exponents like Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia and Pt. Ronu Majumdar.

Multiple choice

Which gharana is associated with the use of the pakhawaj as a primary instrument?

  1. Farrukhabad Gharana

  2. Benares Gharana

  3. Delhi Gharana

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

The Farrukhabad Gharana is renowned for its mastery of the pakhawaj, with notable exponents like Pt. Kishan Maharaj and Pt. Samta Prasad.

Multiple choice

Which gharana is associated with the use of the santoor as a primary instrument?

  1. Maihar Gharana

  2. Senia Gharana

  3. Imdadkhani Gharana

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

The Vishnupur Gharana is known for its mastery of the santoor, with notable exponents like Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma and Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian instrument was used for measuring time?

  1. Ghati

  2. Palika

  3. Danda

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

The Ghati was a water clock used in ancient India to measure time. It consisted of a vessel with a small hole in the bottom, and the time was measured by the amount of water that flowed out of the hole.

Multiple choice

The Jal Tarang, a musical instrument, is made of how many bowls?

  1. 5

  2. 7

  3. 9

  4. 11
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Jal Tarang is a musical instrument made of seven bowls filled with different amounts of water, which are struck with sticks to produce different musical notes.

Multiple choice

The Veena, a stringed instrument, has how many strings?

  1. 4

  2. 7

  3. 12

  4. 16
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Veena is a stringed instrument with seven strings, which are plucked to produce music.