Cultural Icons — Set 2
Famous People · सांस्कृतिक आइकन · Questions 11–20 of 80
Who is the 'Father of Indian Cinema', having directed the first Indian feature film 'Raja Harishchandra'?
Correct Answer: C. Dadasaheb Phalke
Dadasaheb Phalke released India's first silent full-length feature film in 1913. India's highest award in cinema is named in his honor to recognize lifetime contributions to the industry. He laid the foundation for what is now the world's largest film-producing nation.
Which Carnatic vocalist was the first musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna?
Correct Answer: D. M.S. Subbulakshmi
M.S. Subbulakshmi was a legendary singer known for her spiritual and devotional renditions. She was the first Indian musician to perform at the United Nations General Assembly in 1966. She was also a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, often called Asia's Nobel Prize.
Who among the following is a famous santoor player who gave the folk instrument a classical status?
Correct Answer: A. Shivkumar Sharma
Pandit Shivkumar Sharma adapted the 100-stringed Kashmiri folk instrument for Hindustani classical music. He developed a unique style of playing that allowed for the subtle nuances of ragas. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his innovative musical contributions.
Amrita Sher-Gil was a pioneer of modern Indian art, famous for her works in which field?
Correct Answer: C. Painting
Amrita Sher-Gil blended European oil painting techniques with traditional Indian subjects and styles. She is often called one of the most important avant-garde female artists of the early 20th century. Her portraits of rural Indians are considered masterpieces of modern art history.
The legendary figure Tansen was a prominent musician in the court of which Mughal Emperor?
Correct Answer: D. Akbar
Tansen was one of the 'Navaratnas' (Nine Jewels) in Akbar's court and is considered the father of Hindustani music. He is credited with creating several fundamental ragas like Darbari Kanada and Mian Ki Malhar. His legacy is celebrated annually through the Tansen Samaroh in Gwalior.
Which cultural icon is famously known as the 'Ghazal King' of the Indian subcontinent?
Correct Answer: A. Jagjit Singh
Jagjit Singh is credited with reviving the ghazal and making it popular among the general public. He chose simple lyrics and blended traditional sounds with modern arrangements. He was posthumously awarded the Rajasthan Ratna by his home state.
Who is the renowned architect who designed the city of Chandigarh and the Capitol Complex?
Correct Answer: C. Le Corbusier
Le Corbusier was a Swiss-French pioneer of modern architecture commissioned by the Indian government. His design for Chandigarh is world-famous for its grid-like urban planning and brutalist concrete structures. The Capitol Complex is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Which Bharat Ratna awardee was a master of the Hindustani vocal tradition from the Kirana Gharana?
Correct Answer: D. Bhimsen Joshi
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was famous for his powerful voice and his mastery of difficult ragas. He popularized the 'Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav', one of India's largest music festivals. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2008 for his contribution to vocal music.
Malala Yousafzai, a global cultural icon for education, shares her Nobel Peace Prize with which Indian activist?
Correct Answer: A. Kailash Satyarthi
Kailash Satyarthi won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for his work against child labor and for children's rights. He founded the 'Bachpan Bachao Andolan' which has rescued thousands of children from exploitation. This award highlighted the importance of universal education and child protection.
Who wrote the famous Hindi poem 'Madhushala', a milestone in 20th-century literature?
Correct Answer: C. Harivansh Rai Bachchan
Harivansh Rai Bachchan used the metaphor of a tavern and wine to discuss the complexities of life. This work made him a household name and remains one of the most recited Hindi poems. He was the first Indian to receive a PhD in English literature from Cambridge.