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

What is the name of the instrument that is used to create a melodic pattern in Kathakali performances?

  1. Veena

  2. Violin

  3. Sarangi

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

The Veena is a plucked string instrument that is used to create a melodic pattern in Kathakali performances. It is a long, narrow instrument with a gourd body and four strings.

Multiple choice

Which of the following instruments is used to create a percussive pattern in Kathakali performances?

  1. Chenda

  2. Mridangam

  3. Tabla

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

The Chenda is a cylindrical drum with a goatskin head that is played with two sticks. It is one of the most important percussion instruments in Kathakali and is used to create a percussive pattern.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the instrument that is used to create a harmonic pattern in Kathakali performances?

  1. Veena

  2. Violin

  3. Sarangi

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

The Veena is a plucked string instrument that is used to create a harmonic pattern in Kathakali performances. It is a long, narrow instrument with a gourd body and four strings.

Multiple choice

Which of the following instruments is used to create a rhythmic drone in Kathakali performances?

  1. Tabla

  2. Mridangam

  3. Chenda

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

The Ghatam is a clay pot that is used to create a rhythmic drone in Kathakali performances. It is played by striking the pot with the fingers or palms of the hands.

Multiple choice

Considered one of the greatest Indian musicians, Pandit Ravi Shankar's autobiography, 'Raga Mala', explores his journey in the world of Indian classical music. What instrument did he primarily play?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarod

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

Pandit Ravi Shankar was a virtuoso sitar player, known for his mastery of the instrument and his contributions to popularizing Indian classical music globally.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the ancient Indian musical instrument that is believed to have been designed based on astrological principles?

  1. Veena

  2. Sitar

  3. Tabla

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

The Veena, a stringed instrument, is believed to have been designed in ancient India based on astrological principles and the positions of celestial bodies.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common instrument used in Bharatanatyam music?

  1. Veena

  2. Mridangam

  3. Tabla

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

Tabla is not a common instrument used in Bharatanatyam music.

Multiple choice

Which Indian musical instrument is known for its intricate mathematical design and construction?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Mridangam

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

The Veena, a string instrument, is known for its complex mathematical design. The placement of the frets and the proportions of the instrument are based on mathematical principles to achieve specific musical intervals and tones.

Multiple choice

Which Indian musical instrument is known for its logarithmic scale, which allows for precise tuning?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Mridangam

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

The Sarangi, a bowed string instrument, is known for its logarithmic scale. This scale allows musicians to tune the instrument precisely to different pitches.

Multiple choice

Which Indian musical instrument is known for its use of just intonation, where the intervals between notes are based on whole number ratios?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Mridangam

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

The Tampura, a drone instrument, is known for its use of just intonation. This tuning system produces pure and harmonious intervals.

Multiple choice

What are some of the traditional Indian instruments used in downtempo music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Dhol

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

Indian downtempo music often incorporates traditional Indian instruments such as the sitar, tabla, and dhol, as well as electronic instruments such as synthesizers and drum machines.

Multiple choice

Which Indian musical instrument is associated with the Moon?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarod

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

The Veena, a stringed instrument, is associated with the Moon in Indian classical music. It is believed to produce a sound that is soothing and calming, like the moonlight.

Multiple choice

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

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarangi

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

The sitar is a stringed instrument known for its distinctive sound and is often used in classical music.

Multiple choice

Which Indian musical instrument is known for its long neck and is often used in folk music?

  1. Sitar

  2. Tabla

  3. Sarangi

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

The sarangi is a stringed instrument known for its long neck and is often used in folk music.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional Maharashtrian musical instrument known for its unique sound and intricate carvings?

  1. Tabla

  2. Sitar

  3. Veena

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

Veena is a traditional Maharashtrian musical instrument known for its unique sound and intricate carvings. It is a stringed instrument that is played by plucking the strings with a plectrum.