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

Bharatanatyam is often performed to the accompaniment of Carnatic music. What is the traditional percussion instrument used in Carnatic music?

  1. Mridangam

  2. Tabla

  3. Dholak

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

Mridangam is the traditional percussion instrument used in Carnatic music.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a traditional musical instrument used in Kathak?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarangi

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

Sitar is a traditional musical instrument used in Hindustani classical music, not Kathak.

Multiple choice

Bharatanatyam is often performed to the accompaniment of Carnatic music. What is the traditional string instrument used in Carnatic music?

  1. Veena

  2. Sitar

  3. Sarod

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

Veena is the traditional string instrument used in Carnatic music.

Multiple choice

Which Indian classical instrument is commonly used in electronic music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarangi

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

Sitar, tabla, and sarangi are all Indian classical instruments that are commonly used in electronic music.

Multiple choice

Which of the following instruments is NOT commonly used in sacred music?

  1. Organ

  2. Piano

  3. Guitar

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

The sitar is a stringed instrument that is commonly used in Indian classical music, but it is not typically used in sacred music.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is known for its distinctive nasal sound and is often used in classical Indian music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Shehnai

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

The Shehnai is a double-reed instrument with a conical bore and a flaring bell. It is known for its distinctive nasal sound and is often used in classical Indian music, particularly in processions and outdoor performances.

Multiple choice

Which stringed instrument is considered the national instrument of India and is often used in Hindustani classical music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarangi

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

The Sitar is a plucked stringed instrument with a long neck and a gourd-shaped body. It is considered the national instrument of India and is often used in Hindustani classical music. The Sitar is known for its distinctive sound and intricate playing techniques.

Multiple choice

Which percussion instrument is commonly used in Indian classical music and is played with the hands?

  1. Tabla

  2. Dholak

  3. Mridangam

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

The Tabla is a pair of hand drums that are played with the hands. It is commonly used in Indian classical music and is known for its intricate rhythms and complex playing techniques. The Tabla is often used to accompany vocalists and instrumentalists.

Multiple choice

Which bowed stringed instrument is known for its rich, mellow sound and is often used in Hindustani classical music?

  1. Sarangi

  2. Sitar

  3. Shehnai

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

The Sarangi is a bowed stringed instrument with a short neck and a rounded body. It is known for its rich, mellow sound and is often used in Hindustani classical music. The Sarangi is played with a bow and is often used to accompany vocalists and instrumentalists.

Multiple choice

Which percussion instrument is commonly used in Carnatic music and is played with two sticks?

  1. Mridangam

  2. Tabla

  3. Dholak

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

The Mridangam is a barrel-shaped percussion instrument that is played with two sticks. It is commonly used in Carnatic music and is known for its rich, resonant sound. The Mridangam is often used to accompany vocalists and instrumentalists.

Multiple choice

Which stringed instrument is known for its trapezoidal shape and is often used in Hindustani classical music?

  1. Santoor

  2. Sitar

  3. Sarangi

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

The Santoor is a trapezoidal-shaped stringed instrument that is played with two wooden mallets. It is known for its rich, resonant sound and is often used in Hindustani classical music. The Santoor is often used to accompany vocalists and instrumentalists.

Multiple choice

Which percussion instrument is commonly used in folk music and is played with the hands?

  1. Dholak

  2. Tabla

  3. Mridangam

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

The Dholak is a cylindrical-shaped percussion instrument that is played with the hands. It is commonly used in folk music and is known for its loud, resonant sound. The Dholak is often used to accompany vocalists and dancers.

Multiple choice

Which bowed stringed instrument is known for its distinctive, twangy sound and is often used in Rajasthani folk music?

  1. Sarangi

  2. Sitar

  3. Shehnai

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

The Kamaicha is a bowed stringed instrument with a short neck and a rounded body. It is known for its distinctive, twangy sound and is often used in Rajasthani folk music. The Kamaicha is played with a bow and is often used to accompany vocalists and dancers.

Multiple choice

Which percussion instrument is commonly used in Punjabi folk music and is played with a stick?

  1. Dhol

  2. Tabla

  3. Mridangam

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

The Dhol is a cylindrical-shaped percussion instrument that is played with a stick. It is commonly used in Punjabi folk music and is known for its loud, resonant sound. The Dhol is often used to accompany vocalists and dancers.

Multiple choice

Which stringed instrument is known for its long neck and is often used in Carnatic music?

  1. Veena

  2. Sitar

  3. Sarangi

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

The Veena is a stringed instrument with a long neck and a gourd-shaped body. It is known for its rich, resonant sound and is often used in Carnatic music. The Veena is played with a plectrum and is often used to accompany vocalists and instrumentalists.