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 folk music genre is known for its use of the dhol, a large cylindrical drum?

  1. Qawwali

  2. Bhangra

  3. Lavani

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

Bhangra is a lively folk music genre that originated in the state of Punjab. It is often performed during festivals and celebrations and is characterized by its energetic dance moves and upbeat music.

Multiple choice

Which folk music genre is known for its use of the shehnai, a double-reed instrument?

  1. Qawwali

  2. Bhangra

  3. Lavani

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

Qawwali is a devotional music genre that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is often performed by Sufi musicians and is characterized by its use of the shehnai, a double-reed instrument.

Multiple choice

Which folk music genre is known for its use of the sitar, a long-necked string instrument?

  1. Qawwali

  2. Bhangra

  3. Lavani

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

Qawwali is a devotional music genre that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is often performed by Sufi musicians and is characterized by its use of the sitar, a long-necked string instrument.

Multiple choice

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

  1. Qawwali

  2. Bhangra

  3. Lavani

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

Qawwali is a devotional music genre that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is often performed by Sufi musicians and is characterized by its use of the tabla, a pair of hand drums.

Multiple choice

Which folk music genre is known for its use of the dhol, a large cylindrical drum?

  1. Qawwali

  2. Bhangra

  3. Lavani

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

Bhangra is a lively folk music genre that originated in the state of Punjab. It is often performed during festivals and celebrations and is characterized by its energetic dance moves and upbeat music.

Multiple choice

Which musical instrument is primarily used to accompany Sattriya dance performances?

  1. Tabla

  2. Sitar

  3. Flute

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

The khol, a cylindrical drum, is the main percussion instrument used in Sattriya dance performances.

Multiple choice

Which traditional Indian musical instrument is known for its distinctive, twangy sound and is often played in folk and classical music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarangi

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

The Sarangi is a bowed string instrument that is widely used in Indian classical and folk music. It is known for its distinctive, twangy sound and is often played as an accompaniment to vocals or other instruments.

Multiple choice

Which musical instrument is commonly used to accompany Bharatanatyam performances?

  1. Mridangam

  2. Tabla

  3. Sitar

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

The mridangam, a double-headed drum, is the primary percussion instrument used in Bharatanatyam performances.

Multiple choice

What are the main instruments used in Bharatanatyam music?

  1. Veena, mridangam, and flute

  2. Sitar, tabla, and harmonium

  3. Sarangi, shehnai, and dholak

  4. Violin, cello, and piano
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The main instruments used in Bharatanatyam music are the veena (a string instrument), the mridangam (a percussion instrument), and the flute.

Multiple choice

What is the traditional instrument used to accompany Ghazals?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarangi

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

The Sarangi is the traditional instrument used to accompany Ghazals, known for its rich and expressive sound.

Multiple choice

Which of these is a traditional instrument used in Kathakali performances?

  1. Tabla

  2. Sitar

  3. Mridangam

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

The mridangam is a traditional percussion instrument commonly used in Kathakali performances to provide rhythmic accompaniment.

Multiple choice

Which of these instruments is commonly used in Hindustani classical music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Veena

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

The sitar is a stringed instrument that is commonly used in Hindustani classical music.

Multiple choice

The traditional musical instrument known for its distinctive nasal tone is called:

  1. Shehnai

  2. Sarangi

  3. Santoor

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

The shehnai is a traditional musical instrument known for its distinctive nasal tone and is often used in Indian classical music and folk music.

Multiple choice

The traditional musical instrument known for its distinctive sound produced by striking metal discs is called:

  1. Tabla

  2. Sitar

  3. Santoor

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

The tabla is a traditional musical instrument known for its distinctive sound produced by striking metal discs and is widely used in Indian classical music and folk music.

Multiple choice

Which of these traditional Indian musical instruments is known for its distinctive sound and is often used in classical music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarangi

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

The sitar, a stringed instrument with a long neck and a gourd-shaped body, is renowned for its distinctive sound and is frequently used in Indian classical music.