General Awareness · 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 history government, society and culture under the delhi sultanate life under delhi sultanate arab invasions and delhi sultanate royal dynasties of rajasthan and mughals

Which new musical instrument/s developed during the Delhi Sultanate period?

  1. Tabla

  2. Sitar

  3. Sarangi

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

The rulers of Delhi were great patons of art and architecture. New musical instruments such as sarangi and rabab were introduced during this period. Amir Khusrau, a musician patronized by Sultan Alauddin Khalji invented the sitar and tabla.

Multiple choice history government, society and culture under the delhi sultanate life under delhi sultanate arab invasions and delhi sultanate royal dynasties of rajasthan and mughals

Amir Khusrau modified the earlier _____ which had four strings.

  1. Veena

  2. Sitar

  3. Tanpura

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

The veena is among the oldest of Indian musical instruments. It comes from Sanskrit and originally means every stringed instruments. Amir Khusrau served as courtier, royal poet and court musician under Turkish Sultans. He felt the need to modify the ancient veena for a more compact and easily portable alternative.

Multiple choice current trends of indian history modern indian history general knowledge

The 8ft lady sculpture found at Sun temple in Konark is playing which of the following instruments?

  1. Tabla

  2. Veena

  3. Jhanj

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

The Sun temple at Konark was built by NarasimhadevaI, the Eastern Ganga ruler in the 13th century A.D. It is also known as Black Pagoda. In the temple, a large sculpture of a female Jhanj player is found. The temple is an example of Nagara style of temple architecture.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a Carnatic instrument?

  1. Mridangam

  2. Kanjira

  3. Chitravina

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

The Idakka is a traditional drum used primarily in Kerala temple music, particularly in the Sopana Sangeetham style, which is distinct from the standard Carnatic concert tradition.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a membranophone?

  1. Dholak

  2. Chenda

  3. Tabla

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

A membranophone is an instrument that produces sound by way of a vibrating stretched membrane, such as a drum. A Sitar is a chordophone, as it produces sound via vibrating strings.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common type of musical instrument?

  1. Guitar

  2. Piano

  3. Violin

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

Sitar is not a common type of musical instrument, as it is typically associated with a specific genre of music.

Multiple choice

Which of these is a prominent string instrument used in Indian classical music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Mridangam

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

The Sitar is a popular stringed instrument known for its distinctive sound and intricate playing techniques.

Multiple choice

Which of these is a percussion instrument commonly used in Carnatic music?

  1. Tabla

  2. Mridangam

  3. Pakhawaj

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

The Mridangam is a double-headed drum, widely used in Carnatic music to accompany vocal and instrumental performances.

Multiple choice

Which of these is a prominent wind instrument used in Indian classical music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Shehnai

  3. Tabla

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

The Shehnai is a reed instrument known for its piercing and evocative sound, often used in traditional ceremonies and classical music performances.

Multiple choice

Which of these is a prominent percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music?

  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, widely used in Hindustani classical music to accompany vocal and instrumental performances.

Multiple choice

Which of these is a prominent string instrument used in Carnatic music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Veena

  3. Tabla

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

The Veena is a plucked string instrument known for its rich tonal quality and intricate playing techniques, widely used in Carnatic music.

Multiple choice

Which of these is a prominent percussion instrument used in both Hindustani and Carnatic classical music?

  1. Tabla

  2. Mridangam

  3. Pakhawaj

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

The Pakhawaj is a barrel-shaped drum used in both Hindustani and Carnatic classical music, known for its deep and resonant sound.

Multiple choice

The primary instrument used in Carnatic Music is the:

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Veena

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

The Veena is a plucked string instrument that holds a central place in Carnatic Music.

Multiple choice

Which musical instrument is commonly used to accompany Tabla in Hindustani Classical Music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Sarangi

  3. Harmonium

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

The Harmonium is a keyboard instrument that provides a drone and accompaniment to the Tabla in Hindustani Classical Music.

Multiple choice

Which folk music genre is known for its use of the ektara, a one-stringed instrument?

  1. Qawwali

  2. Bhangra

  3. Lavani

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

Baul is a folk music genre that originated in the Bengal region of India and Bangladesh. It is characterized by its use of the ektara, a one-stringed instrument, and its spiritual and philosophical lyrics.