Indian Music — Set 6

Correct Answer: C. M.S. Subbulakshmi

• **M.S. Subbulakshmi** = She was the first musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor. • **1998** — M.S. Subbulakshmi received the Bharat Ratna in this year, marking a significant recognition of Carnatic music. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Pandit Bhimsen Joshi': Incorrect, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2008, after M.S. Subbulakshmi; 'Ustad Bismillah Khan': Incorrect, he received the Bharat Ratna in 2001, after M.S. Subbulakshmi; 'Pandit Ravi Shankar': Incorrect, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1999, after M.S. Subbulakshmi.

Correct Answer: B. Slow tempo

• **Vilambit** = In a Hindustani classical performance, this term refers to a slow tempo. • **Raga development** — This slow tempo is primarily used for the initial and detailed exploration of a Raga's nuances and microtones in Khayal and instrumental music. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'End of the Taal': Incorrect, 'Sam' marks the end of a rhythmic cycle, not 'Vilambit'; 'Medium tempo': Incorrect, medium tempo is known as 'Madhya Laya'; 'Fast tempo': Incorrect, fast tempo is referred to as 'Drut Laya'.

Correct Answer: D. Ektara

• **Ektara** = This simple one-stringed instrument is predominantly used in 'Baul' music to maintain a steady rhythmic pulse. • **Mystical songs** — Baul singers typically pluck the Ektara string while dancing and singing their distinctive philosophical and devotional songs. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Ghatam': Incorrect, a clay pot percussion instrument used in Carnatic music; 'Khol': Incorrect, a two-sided drum often used in Bhakti music and Baul, but Ektara is for the steady pulse; 'Tabla': Incorrect, a pair of drums central to Hindustani classical and many other Indian genres, but not the primary pulse instrument for Baul.

Correct Answer: D. Meend

• **Meend** = This is the common term for the 'glissando' or continuous slide between two notes in Indian music. • **Vocal quality** — This technique is a vital expressive tool that gives Indian classical music its characteristic smooth and fluid 'vocal' quality. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Khatka': Incorrect, a short, quick ornament involving a sudden turn on a note; 'Gamaka': Incorrect, a broader term for melodic ornamentation in Carnatic music, which includes various types of glides, but 'Meend' is specific for a continuous slide in Hindustani; 'Murki': Incorrect, a small, intricate melodic figure involving quick grace notes around a central note.

Correct Answer: C. Sitar

• **Sitar** = This string instrument has a metal fingerboard and is played with a plectrum called a 'Mizrab'. • **Metallic frets** — The Sitar's unique metallic frets and Mizrab allow for the production of sharp and fast melodic patterns, known as 'Taans'. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Veena': Incorrect, it's a large plucked string instrument, but typically has a wooden fretboard and is played with fingers or finger picks, not a Mizrab; 'Sarangi': Incorrect, a bowed string instrument with no frets, played with a bow; 'Sarod': Incorrect, a fretless plucked string instrument with a metal fingerboard, but played with a pick or 'Jawa', not a Mizrab.

Correct Answer: C. Raga Megh Malhar

• **Raga Megh Malhar** = This Raga is famously associated with the legend of Tansen bringing rain during a performance. • **Monsoon season** — Malhar Ragas are generally associated with the monsoon season and are believed to evoke the mood of rain and clouds. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Raga Hindol': Incorrect, this Raga is traditionally associated with spring and joy; 'Raga Deepak': Incorrect, believed to produce fire or heat, the opposite of rain; 'Raga Bhairavi': Incorrect, a morning Raga often used as the concluding piece of a concert, not associated with rain.

Correct Answer: C. Dhrupad

• **Pakhawaj** = This percussion instrument is most closely associated with the Dhrupad vocal style due to its deep and resonant sound. • **Barrel-shaped drum** — The Pakhawaj is a long, barrel-shaped drum, which requires a powerful open-palm technique for effective playing. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Ghazal': Incorrect, Ghazals are typically accompanied by Tabla and Harmonium; 'Thumri': Incorrect, Thumri is usually accompanied by Tabla; 'Khayal': Incorrect, Khayal, though a major Hindustani vocal style, is predominantly accompanied by Tabla.

Correct Answer: D. Kirana (Uttar Pradesh)

• **Kirana Gharana** = This Gharana, famous for its focus on note precision and emotional depth, originated from Kirana, a town in Uttar Pradesh. • **Ustad Abdul Karim Khan** — He was one of the key figures who popularized the Kirana Gharana, emphasizing the 'swar' (note) over complex rhythmic patterns. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Varanasi': Incorrect, a major center for Hindustani classical music, but not the origin of Kirana Gharana; 'Gwalior': Incorrect, the origin of the Gwalior Gharana, one of the oldest Khayal gharanas; 'Lucknow': Incorrect, known for its distinct Gharana in Kathak dance and instrumental music, but not Kirana Gharana.

Correct Answer: A. Sawal-Jawab

• **Sawal-Jawab** = This is the name of the rhythmic ensemble or 'battle' between a soloist and a percussionist in a concert, literally meaning 'question-answer'. • **High-energy conclusion** — This thrilling display of improvisation and mutual understanding usually occurs during the high-energy concluding sections of a classical performance. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Antara': Incorrect, this refers to the second section of a raga composition, a melodic part; 'Jugalbandi': Incorrect, this refers to a duet performance between two main artists, not specifically a rhythmic 'battle' between soloist and percussionist; 'Saptak': Incorrect, this refers to an octave or a set of seven notes.

Correct Answer: B. Harmonium

• **Harmonium** = This is a wind instrument used in Indian music that uses a bellows and a keyboard. • **Western missionaries** — The Harmonium was introduced to India by Western missionaries but was subsequently adapted and widely integrated into local musical culture. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 'Flute': Incorrect, a wind instrument, but typically a simple pipe with finger holes, without bellows or a keyboard; 'Shehnai': Incorrect, a double-reed wind instrument, without bellows or a keyboard; 'Accordian': Incorrect, while it has bellows and a keyboard, it is distinct from the harmonium and less commonly central to traditional Indian classical music.