Instruments & Artists — Set 1
Arts & Culture · वाद्य यंत्र और कलाकार · Questions 1–10 of 80
With which musical instrument is Ustad Bismillah Khan primarily associated?
Correct Answer: C. Shehnai
• **Shehnai** = Ustad Bismillah Khan was a legendary musician who brought this double-reed wind instrument to the classical stage. • **2001** — He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in this year for his immense contribution to Indian music. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Sitar: A plucked string instrument, not associated with Bismillah Khan; Flute: A wind instrument, but Bismillah Khan played Shehnai; Tabla: A pair of hand drums, not associated with Bismillah Khan.
Pandit Ravi Shankar, a world-renowned musician, was a master of which instrument?
Correct Answer: C. Sitar
• **Sitar** = Pandit Ravi Shankar was an iconic virtuoso of this plucked stringed instrument, popularizing Indian classical music globally. • **1999** — He received the Bharat Ratna in this year, in addition to several Grammy Awards. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Violin: A bowed string instrument, not Ravi Shankar's primary instrument; Santoor: A hammered dulcimer, played by Shivkumar Sharma; Sarod: A fretless string instrument, played by Amjad Ali Khan.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is a famous exponent of which musical instrument?
Correct Answer: C. Sarod
• **Sarod** = Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is widely recognized for his mastery and innovations on this fretless string instrument. • **Gwalior** — He belongs to the famous Bangash lineage of musicians from this city, known for their musical heritage. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Santoor: A hammered dulcimer, played by Shivkumar Sharma; Violin: A bowed string instrument, not his primary instrument; Tabla: A percussion instrument, played by Zakir Hussain.
Which famous artist is known for playing the Flute (Bansuri)?
Correct Answer: A. Hariprasad Chaurasia
• **Hariprasad Chaurasia** = He is a world-famous master of the Indian bamboo flute, known for expanding its expressive possibilities in classical music. • **Bansuri** — This is the traditional name for the side-blown flute, made from a single hollow shaft of bamboo. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: V.G. Jog: A renowned Violinist; Shivkumar Sharma: A famous Santoor player; Zakir Hussain: An internationally acclaimed Tabla player.
Ustad Zakir Hussain is an internationally acclaimed player of which instrument?
Correct Answer: A. Tabla
• **Tabla** = Ustad Zakir Hussain is an internationally acclaimed maestro of this pair of hand drums, a key figure in world music fusion. • **Ustad Alla Rakha** — He is the son of this legendary Tabla player, continuing his father's musical legacy. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Dholak: A folk percussion instrument, distinct from Tabla; Mridangam: A South Indian percussion instrument; Pakhawaj: An ancient Indian barrel-shaped percussion instrument.
Pandit Shivkumar Sharma is credited with introducing which folk instrument to Indian classical music?
Correct Answer: C. Santoor
• **Santoor** = Pandit Shivkumar Sharma transformed this Kashmiri folk instrument into a classical one. • **72 strings** — This trapezoid-shaped hammered dulcimer is distinctive for having this many strings, played with light wooden mallets. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Veena: An ancient Indian plucked string instrument; Tanpura: A drone instrument; Sarangi: A bowed string instrument that resembles the human voice.
Ustad Allah Rakha was a prominent master of which percussion instrument?
Correct Answer: C. Tabla
• **Tabla** = Ustad Allah Rakha was a celebrated master of this percussion instrument, often accompanying Pandit Ravi Shankar. • **Punjab Gharana** — He belonged to this specific gharana (school) of Tabla playing, known for its distinct style. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Mridangam: A South Indian percussion instrument; Ghatam: An earthen pot percussion instrument; Sarangi: A bowed string instrument.
To which state does the percussion instrument 'Mridangam' primarily belong in terms of classical tradition?
Correct Answer: D. South India
• **Mridangam** = This double-sided drum is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in Carnatic (South Indian) classical music. • **South India** — This region is where the Mridangam primarily belongs in terms of its classical tradition. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: West India: Known for various folk and classical forms, but Mridangam is specific to South India; East India: Known for instruments like the Tabla and various folk drums, but not Mridangam; North India: Primarily associated with Hindustani classical music and instruments like Tabla, Sitar, Sarod.
Which of the following artists is a famous player of the Sarangi?
Correct Answer: D. Ustad Sultan Khan
• **Ustad Sultan Khan** = He was an acclaimed Sarangi player and vocalist, known for his emotional depth and mastery. • **Human voice** — The Sarangi is often described as the instrument that most closely resembles this, due to its expressive range. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Anoushka Shankar: A renowned Sitar player; N. Rajan: Likely referring to N. Rajam, a famous Violinist; Ali Akbar Khan: A legendary Sarod player.
The instrument 'Veena' is associated with which Hindu Goddess of learning and arts?
Correct Answer: A. Saraswati
• **Saraswati** = This Hindu Goddess of learning and arts is traditionally depicted holding or playing the Veena. • **Ancient stringed instruments** — The Veena is considered one of the most prominent of these in India, with a rich history. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Kali: A goddess of time and change, usually associated with weapons, not musical instruments; Lakshmi: The goddess of wealth and prosperity, associated with the lotus; Durga: A warrior goddess, depicted with multiple arms holding weapons.