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 stringed instrument is known for its fretless neck and is often used in Hindustani classical music?

  1. Sarod

  2. Sitar

  3. Sarangi

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

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

Multiple choice

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

  1. Dhol

  2. Tabla

  3. Mridangam

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

The Manjira is a pair of small cymbals that are played with the hands. It is commonly used in Gujarati folk music and is known for its rhythmic sound. The Manjira is often used to accompany vocalists and dancers.

Multiple choice

Which musical instrument is traditionally associated with the Sikh tradition and is played during religious ceremonies and gatherings?

  1. Tabla

  2. Sitar

  3. Sarangi

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

The dhol is a double-headed drum that holds a significant place in the Sikh tradition. It is played during religious ceremonies, processions, and gatherings, and its rhythmic beats create an energetic and uplifting atmosphere.

Multiple choice

Which instrument is commonly used in Malwi Geet?

  1. Dholak

  2. Harmonium

  3. Sarangi

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

Dholak is a commonly used instrument in Malwi Geet.

Multiple choice

Which folk song of Madhya Pradesh is known for its use of percussion instruments?

  1. Dandya

  2. Garba

  3. Bhajan

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

Dandya is a folk song of Madhya Pradesh known for its use of percussion instruments.

Multiple choice

Which musical instrument is often associated with traditional Indian music?

  1. Violin

  2. Piano

  3. Guitar

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

The sitar is a traditional Indian stringed instrument that is often used in classical and folk music.

Multiple choice

What is the primary musical instrument used in Yakshagana performances?

  1. Maddale

  2. Chande

  3. Harmonium

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

The Maddale is the primary musical instrument used in Yakshagana performances. It is a barrel-shaped drum played with two sticks.

Multiple choice

What is the traditional musical accompaniment for shadow puppet performances in India?

  1. Tabla

  2. Sitar

  3. Mridangam

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

In India, the mridangam, a percussion instrument, is commonly used to provide rhythmic accompaniment during shadow puppet performances.

Multiple choice

Which Indian musical instrument is associated with lunar astronomy?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Veena

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

The Veena, a string instrument, is associated with lunar astronomy due to its ability to produce melodious sounds that are believed to resonate with the moon's energy.

Multiple choice

Which musical instrument is commonly used in Qawwali, a genre of devotional music that originated in the Indian subcontinent?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarangi

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

The Tabla, a pair of hand drums, is a prominent instrument used in Qawwali, contributing to its distinctive rhythmic patterns and improvisational nature.

Multiple choice

Which of these is a common instrument used in Indian punk music?

  1. Electric Guitar

  2. Bass Guitar

  3. Drums

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

Indian punk music often uses electric guitars, bass guitars, and drums as its main instruments.

Multiple choice

Which of these is a common instrument used in Indian punk music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Dhol

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

Indian punk music does not typically use traditional Indian instruments such as the sitar, tabla, or dhol.

Multiple choice

Which of these is a common instrument used in Indian punk music?

  1. Violin

  2. Cello

  3. Double Bass

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Indian punk music does not typically use classical instruments such as the violin, cello, or double bass.

Multiple choice

Which of these instruments is commonly used in psychedelic music in India?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Mridangam

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

The sitar, with its distinctive twangy sound, is a stringed instrument frequently used in psychedelic music in India.

Multiple choice

Which of these instruments is known for its haunting, ethereal sound in psychedelic music?

  1. Sarangi

  2. Santoor

  3. Tabla

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

The sarangi, a bowed string instrument, is known for its melancholic, evocative sound.