Instruments & Artists — Set 5

Correct Answer: A. Rudra Veena

• **Rudra Veena** = Ustad Asad Ali Khan was one of the last great masters of the Rudra Veena, a large and ancient stringed instrument. • **Dhrupad style** — The Rudra Veena is primarily used in the Dhrupad style of music, an ancient and austere form of Hindustani classical music. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Tabla]: A percussion instrument, not a string instrument; [Violin]: A bowed string instrument, not associated with Rudra Veena; [Sitar]: A plucked string instrument with frets, distinct from the fretless Rudra Veena.

Correct Answer: B. Rajasthan

• **Rajasthan** = The Kamaicha is a rare bowed stringed instrument predominantly used by the Manganiyar community of Rajasthan. • **single piece of mango wood** — This instrument is uniquely carved from a single piece of mango wood, contributing to its distinct sound. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Odisha]: Kamaicha is not native to Odisha; [Punjab]: Punjab has instruments like Tumbi or Algoza, not Kamaicha; [Gujarat]: Gujarat has folk instruments like Ravanahatha, but Kamaicha is specific to Rajasthan.

Correct Answer: A. Sarod

• **Sarod** = Pandit Buddhadev Das Gupta was an eminent Sarod player, representing the Shahjahanpur Gharana, known for his technical precision. • **mechanical engineer** — He was also a trained mechanical engineer, uniquely balancing his professional career with his musical pursuits. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Sitar]: A plucked string instrument, different from Sarod; [Santoor]: A hammered dulcimer, played with mallets; [Violin]: A bowed string instrument.

Correct Answer: D. Snake charmers

• **Snake charmers** = The Pungi is a wind instrument traditionally played by Jogi communities, commonly known as snake charmers, across India. • **dried gourd and two bamboo pipes** — This folk instrument is uniquely constructed from a dried gourd with two attached bamboo pipes, creating its characteristic sound. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Fishermen]: Not typically associated with playing the Pungi; [Temple priests]: Usually associated with instruments like Nadaswaram or temple bells, not Pungi; [Classical vocalists]: Pungi is a folk instrument, not used in classical vocal performances.

Correct Answer: C. Sitar

• **Sitar** = Anoushka Shankar is a world-renowned Sitar player and composer, and the daughter of the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar. • **several Grammy Awards** — She has been nominated for several Grammy Awards throughout her career, showcasing her international recognition and talent. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Santoor]: Associated with Shivkumar Sharma; [Sarod]: Associated with Amjad Ali Khan or Ali Akbar Khan; [Violin]: Associated with L. Subramaniam or N. Rajan.

Correct Answer: C. Sitar

• **Sitar** = The Sitar is classified as a Tat Vadya because it produces sound through the vibration of plucked strings. • **Tat Vadya** — refers to stringed instruments played by plucking or bowing. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Shehnai]: a wind instrument (aerophone); [Ghatam]: a percussion instrument (idiophone); [Tabla]: a percussion instrument (membranophone).

Correct Answer: A. Tabla

• **Tabla** = Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan was a highly skilled Tabla player from the Delhi Gharana. • **Delhi Gharana** — a traditional school of tabla playing known for its unique style and repertoire. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Pakhawaj]: a barrel-shaped percussion instrument, distinct from Tabla; [Dholak]: a folk percussion instrument, distinct from Tabla; [Mridangam]: a Carnatic percussion instrument, distinct from Tabla.

Correct Answer: D. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

• **Vishwa Mohan Bhatt** = Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt created the Mohan Veena by adding drone and sympathetic strings to a Western guitar. • **Grammy Award** — he won it for his album 'A Meeting by the River' using this instrument. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Shivkumar Sharma]: famous for Santoor; [Amjad Ali Khan]: famous for Sarod; [Ravi Shankar]: famous for Sitar.

Correct Answer: C. Flute

• **Flute** = T.R. Mahalingam, popularly known as 'Mali', was a legendary Flute player in the Carnatic tradition. • **Child prodigy** — Mahalingam was known as one, revolutionizing Carnatic flute fingering and blowing techniques. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Ghatam]: a percussion instrument, not a wind instrument; [Violin]: a string instrument, not a wind instrument; [Mridangam]: a percussion instrument, not a wind instrument.

Correct Answer: C. Rabab

• **Rabab** = The modern Sarod evolved from the Afghan Rabab, which was brought to India by migrating soldiers and musicians. • **Afghan Rabab** — the direct ancestor of the Sarod, sharing structural similarities like a short neck and fretless design. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Tanpura]: a drone string instrument, not a melodic one like Sarod; [Sitar]: a different string instrument, plucked and with frets; [Guitar]: a Western string instrument, structurally distinct from Rabab.