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 instrument is commonly used in Andhra Pradesh folk music to provide a melodic accompaniment?

  1. Tabla

  2. Mridangam

  3. Veena

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

Veena is a string instrument that is commonly used in Andhra Pradesh folk music to provide a melodic accompaniment. It is known for its melodious sound and intricate carvings.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is commonly used in the music of the Gond tribe of Madhya Pradesh?

  1. Dhol

  2. Tabla

  3. Bansuri

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

The Dhol is a large cylindrical drum, often played with sticks or hands, and is an integral part of Gond musical performances.

Multiple choice

Which musical instrument is central to the music of the Mizo tribe of Mizoram?

  1. Sarod

  2. Shehnai

  3. Veena

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

The Khuang is a bamboo flute, often played in pairs, and is a defining element of Mizo music, used in both traditional and contemporary performances.

Multiple choice

The music of the Toda tribe of the Nilgiri Hills is known for its:

  1. Use of the Sitar

  2. Tabla drumming

  3. Polyphonic singing

  4. Use of the Toda flute
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Toda flute, a bamboo instrument with a unique sound, is an integral part of Toda music, used in both ceremonial and recreational contexts.

Multiple choice

The traditional music of the Santal tribe of Jharkhand and West Bengal is often accompanied by:

  1. Tabla drumming

  2. Use of the Dhol

  3. Polyphonic singing

  4. Use of the Sarangi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Dhol, a large cylindrical drum, is a common instrument in Santal music, providing a rhythmic foundation for their traditional songs and dances.

Multiple choice

Which genre of music is known for its use of traditional instruments, such as sitars, tablas, and harmoniums?

  1. Indian Classical

  2. Rock

  3. Jazz

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

Indian Classical music is a genre of music that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, such as sitars, tablas, and harmoniums.

Multiple choice

Which genre of music is known for its use of traditional Indian instruments, such as the tabla, sitar, and sarangi?

  1. Indian Classical

  2. Rock

  3. Jazz

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

Indian Classical music is a genre of music that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is characterized by its use of traditional Indian instruments, such as the tabla, sitar, and sarangi.

Multiple choice

Which genre of Chinese music is known for its use of pentatonic scales and emphasis on melody?

  1. Kunqu

  2. Peking Opera

  3. Guzheng Music

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

Guzheng Music is a genre of Chinese music that is played on the guzheng, a traditional Chinese zither. It is known for its use of pentatonic scales and emphasis on melody.

Multiple choice

Which genre of Asian music is known for its use of the tabla, a pair of hand drums?

  1. Qawwali

  2. Bhangra

  3. Baul

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

Qawwali is a genre of Asian music that is known for its use of the tabla, a pair of hand drums. It is typically performed by a group of singers and musicians and is often used for religious ceremonies and rituals.

Multiple choice

Which genre of Asian music is known for its use of the sitar, a plucked string instrument?

  1. Hindustani Music

  2. Carnatic Music

  3. Qawwali

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

Hindustani Music is a genre of Asian music that is known for its use of the sitar, a plucked string instrument. It is typically performed by a solo musician or a small ensemble and is often used for ceremonial and ritual purposes.

Multiple choice

Which genre of Asian music is known for its use of the tabla, a pair of hand drums?

  1. Qawwali

  2. Bhangra

  3. Baul

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

Qawwali is a genre of Asian music that is known for its use of the tabla, a pair of hand drums. It is typically performed by a group of singers and musicians and is often used for religious ceremonies and rituals.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a major instrument used in Carnatic classical music?

  1. Veena

  2. Mridangam

  3. Violin

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

The tabla is a percussion instrument that is used in Hindustani classical music, not Carnatic classical music.

Multiple choice

What is the traditional name of the flute in Indian classical music?

  1. Bansuri

  2. Shehnai

  3. Sitar

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

The bansuri is a side-blown flute made of bamboo, and is one of the oldest musical instruments in India.

Multiple choice

Who is considered to be one of the greatest bansuri players of all time?

  1. Ravi Shankar

  2. Hariprasad Chaurasia

  3. Bismillah Khan

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

Hariprasad Chaurasia is a renowned bansuri player who has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to Indian classical music.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional drone used to accompany bansuri playing?

  1. Tanpura

  2. Sitar

  3. Tabla

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

The tanpura is a traditional drone instrument that is used to accompany bansuri playing.