Music MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Music - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Alagiri Naidu

Key Points

• Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma (1813–1846) was a renowned king of Travancore known for his patronage of art, music, and culture.
• His court was adorned by many great musicians and composers, making Travancore a significant cultural hub during his reign.
• Subbukkutty Ayya, Sivanandan, and Vadivelu were among the prominent musicians associated with his court.
• Alagiri Naidu, on the other hand, does not appear in historical records as being associated with Swathi Thirunal's court or his patronage of music.

Additional Information

• Subbukkutty Ayya: He was a musician and is believed to have contributed to the musical legacy of Swathi Thirunal's court. His works helped enhance the king's reputation as a cultural patron.
• Sivanandan: Another prominent figure in Swathi Thirunal's court, Sivanandan is remembered for his contributions to the Carnatic music tradition.
• Vadivelu: A member of the famous Thanjavur Quartet, Vadivelu is celebrated for his role in popularizing Carnatic music and the violin in South India. He was closely associated with Swathi Thirunal's court.
• Alagiri Naidu: There is no evidence or record of Alagiri Naidu being a musician or being associated with Swathi Thirunal's court, making him the odd man out in this context.

The correct answer is West Bengal.

Key Points

• Tamang Selo is a traditional folk song genre associated with the Tamang community, an ethnic group predominantly found in the state of West Bengal, specifically in the Darjeeling region and neighboring areas.
• The songs are typically accompanied by traditional instruments like the Damphu, a small drum unique to the Tamang community.
• Tamang Selo songs often revolve around themes of love, joy, sorrow, and day-to-day life, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Tamang people.
• This folk music is a significant part of the cultural identity of the Tamang community, which also extends to parts of Sikkim, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Additional Information

• Damphu: A traditional percussion instrument of the Tamang community, known for its unique sound, used widely in Tamang Selo performances.
• Tamang Community: The Tamangs are an indigenous ethnic group originally from the Himalayan regions, with a significant presence in Darjeeling, West Bengal, and Sikkim.
• Cultural Significance: Tamang Selo is not just a music genre but an integral part of rituals, festivals, and celebrations within the Tamang community.
• Geographical Spread: While primarily associated with West Bengal, Tamang Selo and related traditions are also practiced in adjoining regions like Sikkim, Nepal, and Bhutan.
• Preservation Efforts: Efforts are being made by cultural organizations and local governments to preserve and promote Tamang Selo as a vital part of the region's intangible heritage.

The correct answer is Thumri.

Key Points

• Thumri is a classical music style that is known for its light, romantic, and devotional themes.
• It originated in the courts of Nawabs in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in the regions of Awadh.
• Himachal Pradesh folk tunes have been significantly influenced by Thumri, incorporating its melodic and lyrical elements.
• Thumri is characterized by its expressive and improvisational nature, which resonates with the emotional depth found in Himachali folk music.
• Artists like Begum Akhtar and Girija Devi have been prominent exponents of Thumri, contributing to its popularity and integration into various regional music styles.

Additional Information

• Dhrupad
  • Dhrupad is one of the oldest forms of classical music in India, emphasizing strict adherence to rhythmic cycles and melodic patterns.
  • It is known for its spiritual and meditative qualities, often used in temple rituals.
• Tappa
  • Tappa is a semi-classical vocal form originating from the Punjab region, characterized by rapid and intricate note patterns.
  • It is often associated with the lively and expressive aspects of folk music.
• Bhajan
  • Bhajan is a devotional song form, often dedicated to gods and goddesses, and is widely sung in religious ceremonies.
  • It is known for its simple, lyrical, and repetitive nature, making it accessible to the general public.
• Classical Music Influence
  • Classical music has profoundly influenced various regional folk tunes in India, bringing a structured melodic and rhythmic framework.
  • Such influences help preserve the richness and diversity of India's musical heritage.

The correct answer is Pandit Shivkumar Sharma.Key Points

• Pandit Shivkumar Sharma is an exponent of the classical instrument, Santoor.
• He is a renowned musician and composer who has contributed immensely to Indian classical music.

Additional Information

• The Santoor is a hammered dulcimer-like instrument that originated in Kashmir.
  • It is played by striking the strings with a pair of light wooden mallets.
• Pandit Kumar Gandharva was known for his unconventional approach to classical music.
  • He experimented with different genres and styles and was known for his innovative compositions.
• Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was a disciple of Sawai Gandharva and was known for his mastery over the Kirana Gharana style of music.
  • He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 2008.
• Pandit Ravi Shankar was a sitar maestro who collaborated with numerous Western musicians and popularized Indian classical music in the West.
  • He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1999.

The correct answer is Kirana

Key Points

• Gangubai Hangal and Prabha Atre were exponents of the Kirana Gharana.
  • The Kirana Gharana is known for its focus on perfect intonation and the intricate use of microtones (shrutis).
  • Gangubai Hangal was an Indian classical singer of the khyal genre of Hindustani classical music.
  • Prabha Atre is also a renowned Indian classical vocalist from the same Gharana, known for her innovative approach and contributions to classical music.

Additional Information

• Other Gharanas
  • Rampur Gharana is known for its mix of Dhrupad and Khayal styles.
  • Jaipur Gharana is recognized for its intricate and complex singing style.
  • The Mewati gharana is a Hindustani classical music apprenticeship tribe that was founded in the late 19th century by brothers Ghagge Nazir Khan and Wahid Khan of Indore.
    • Key Exponents - Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Rais Khan, Mohd Shafi  etc.

The correct answer is Kirana Gharana.

Key Points

• Abdul Karim Khan was the founder of the Kirana Gharana of classical music.
• Kirana Gharana is one of the most prominent Indian classical khayal gharanas and is associated mostly with the perfect intonation of notes.
• The Gharana style was further evolved and was established as one of the important styles in modern Indian classical music in the late 19th /early 20th centuries by the musicians Abdul Karim Khan and Abdul Wahid Khan.
• The name of this school of music comes from Kirana or Kairana, a town and tehsil of Shamli District in Uttar Pradesh.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Amjad Ali Khan.

Key Points

• Ustad Amjad Ali Khan-
  • A distinguished maestro in the field of playing the sarod, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is popularly known as the “Sarod Samrat“.
  • He is the sixth generation sarod player in his family.
  • He learned from his father Haafiz Ali Khan, who was a court musician in Gwalior up until Independence in 1947.
  • He was awarded India's second-highest civilian honor Padma Vibhushan in 2001.
  • The name sarod comes from the Persian ‘sarod’ meaning ‘melody’, alluding to its more melodic tone.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Pt. Ram Narayan - Sarod.Key Points

• Pandit Ram Narayan, an Indian musician, is renowned for his contribution to popularizing the sarangi as a solo concert instrument.
• He is a Hindustani classical musician known for his expertise in playing the sarangi, a bowed instrument with a skin-covered resonator.
• Born in 1927 in Amber village, Rajasthan, he played a pivotal role in elevating the sarangi's status as a solo classical instrument.
• Pandit Ram Narayan's efforts led to the recognition of the sarangi's potential for solo performances in the world of classical music.

Additional Information

Correct Answer Ustad Vilayat Khan – SarodKey Points:

• Ustad Vilayat Khan was a prominent Sitar player.
• He was born on 28 August 1928 in Gouripur in East Bengal, now Bangladesh.
• He invented a new technique of playing Sitar with the left hand which lasts for longer consistency.
• He also invented many Ragas enriching Indian Music.
• Mogubai Kurdikar (15 July 1904 – 10 February 2001) was a renowned Indian classical vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana

Additional InformationImportant Instruments and Related Personalities:

The correct answer is Drums.

Key Points

• Sivamani, known by his stage name Drums Sivamani, is a renowned percussionist from India. He plays many instruments including drums, octoban, darbuka, udukai, ghatam, and kanjira.
• Over his career, he has performed in various stages and for different types of events, including the IPL Championships in 2008 and 2010.
• He has been associated with prominent musicians, like A.R. Rahman, and has performed for various compositions across film industries.

​Additional Information

• List of Famous Musicians with Instruments:
  • Santoor: Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma
  • Sarod: Allauddin Khan,Amjad Ali Khan.
  • Sitar: Pt Ravi Shankar, Budhaditya Mukherjee.
  • Surbahar: Annapurna Devi, Sajjad Hussain.
  • Rudra Veena: Asad Ali Khan, Zia Moin-ud-din Khan.

The correct answer is K Vaidyanathan – Sitar.Key Points

• Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan was an Indian classical music violinist and music composer.
• Pandit Ram Narayan is a Hindustani classical musician who plays the bowed instrument, the sarangi. 
• Ustad Vilayat Khan was an Indian classical sitar player.
• Ustad Bismillah Khan used to play Shehnai.

• Hence K Vaidyanathan – Sitar pairs of musicians and their instruments is INCORRECT.

Additional Information

• Ustad Bismillah Khan (1916 – 2006) (Real name is Qamaruddin Khan), was an Indian musician credited with popularizing the Shehnai.
• He was felicitated with several awards including:
  • Padma Shri in 1961
  • Padma Bhushan in 1968
  • Padma Vibhushan in 1980
  • Bharat Ratna in 2001
• Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan of the Agra Gharana composed bandishes in many ragas under the pen name Pran Piya.
  • Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan was born in 1895.
  • Vilayat Khan received his early training in Hindustani classical music from his father Nathan Khan.
• Pundit Ram Narayan
  • ​He is a Hindustani classical musician who plays the bowed instrument, the sarangi.
  • He is credited with popularizing the sarangi as a solo classical instrument.
  • He was born in 1927 in Amber village in Rajasthan.

The correct answer is Kirana. Key Points

• Indian vocalist Gangubai Hangal specialized in the khayal style of Hindustani classical music.
• She hails from Karnataka and was renowned for her resonant voice.
• Hangal was a member of the Kirana gharana.

Additional Information

• Patiala: 
  • Mian Kallu, a sarangi player for the Jaipur durbar, founded the gharana somewhere between the middle and end of the 19th century.
• Agra:
  • The Nauhar Bani is the ancestor of the Agra gharana, a school of Hindustani classical vocal music.
• Gwalior:
  • One of the oldest Khyal Gharanas in Indian classical music is the Gwalior Gharana.
  • The Mughal emperor Akbar's rule marked the beginning of the Gwalior Gharana's ascent.

The correct answer is Carnatic Music.Key PointsCarnatic music:

• A musical style called Carnatic music is frequently linked to South India.
• It is one of two main subgenres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu texts and traditions, particularly the Samaveda.
• Carnatic music is used to accompany the classical Kuchipudi dance.
• The recital is in Telugu, and Carnatic music is used to accompany the dance.
• The entire male group performed the traditional Kuchipudi.
• In Angivastra, also known as Bagalbandi, a dancer portraying a masculine character would dress in a dhoti.

Additional Information

• Kajri:
  • Kajari is a folk song and dance genre in India.
  • It is a type of Hindustani classical music that is performed in rainy weather.
• Chaiti:
  • Chaiti is Indian-born, semi-classical melodies that are performed during the Chait month of the Hindu calendar.
• Hindustani Music:
  • The classical music of the northern parts of the Indian subcontinent is known as Hindustani. 

The correct answer is Kirana.

Key Points

• Kirana Gharana is one of Hindustan's most prolific Khayal Gharana.
• The name of this music school stems from Kirana or Kairana in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli region, which is also the hometown of stalwarts like Ustad Abdul Karim Khan and Ustad Abdul Waheed Khan who founded this Gharana.
• The Kirana style is primarily concerned with Swara, or individual notes, specifically precision tuning and note expression.
• Individual notes of the raga are regarded as autonomous domains of music capable of horizontal growth in the Kirana Gayaki, not merely random positions in the scale.
• It is regarded as the best in terms of a note or Swara intonation
• The major emphasis of the Kirana style is Swara, namely exact tuning and note expression.
• There were four schools or vanis of singing the dhrupad.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Pandit Shivkumar Sharma.

Key Points

• Pandit Shivkumar Sharma was an Indian famous classical musician, who attained international fame by playing the musical instrument, the santoor.
• The Santoor is a trapezoid-shaped hammered dulcimer often made of walnut wood and has 72 strings, which are struck with two delicate carved wooden mallets.
• The santoor is essentially a folk instrument that originated in the Kashmir Valley, and it achieved the status of a classical instrument due to the persistent efforts and genius of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma.
• With his hard work, determination and talent, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma made the santoor a global name. 
• 

Additional Information