Famous Personalities — Set 10
MP GK · प्रसिद्ध व्यक्तित्व · Questions 91–100 of 100
Renowned classical dancer Birju Maharaj, the maestro of Kathak dance, was from which gharana that is prominently associated with Lucknow and whose legacy is also celebrated in Madhya Pradesh?
Correct Answer: C. Lucknow Gharana
Pandit Birju Maharaj was the leading exponent of the Lucknow gharana of Kathak dance. Although born in Lucknow, his art is deeply connected to the cultural heritage of central India, and Madhya Pradesh promotes Kathak as part of its classical arts heritage. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and trained thousands of students in this dance form across India.
Kishore Kumar, one of Bollywood's most versatile playback singers, was born in which city of Madhya Pradesh?
Correct Answer: B. Khandwa
Kishore Kumar was born on August 4, 1929, in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. He was a multi-talented personality — a playback singer, actor, director, and producer — whose distinctive voice made him one of the most beloved artists in Indian cinema. He won eight Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer and is remembered for his versatile renditions spanning multiple decades.
Which famous Urdu poet and lyricist, who wrote the iconic song 'Kaifi and Shayari,' was born in Mizwaan village, Azamgarh, but spent significant years in MP and whose son Farhan Akhtar is a renowned filmmaker?
Correct Answer: C. Kaifi Azmi
Kaifi Azmi was a renowned Urdu poet and lyricist who contributed immensely to progressive literature and Indian cinema. His daughter Shabana Azmi is a celebrated actress and his son-in-law Javed Akhtar and grandson Farhan Akhtar are prominent filmmakers, all connected to Madhya Pradesh's cultural sphere. His poetry reflected socialist ideals and human dignity, making him a towering figure in 20th-century Urdu literature.
Which Indian classical vocalist from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, is known as the 'Mallika-e-Thumri' (Queen of Thumri) in Hindustani classical music?
Correct Answer: D. Parveen Sultana
Parveen Sultana, associated with the Patiala gharana, is one of India's most celebrated Hindustani classical vocalists known for her mastery of thumri, dadra, and khyal forms. While connected to Assam, Madhya Pradesh has produced many classical singers including those from the Gwalior gharana who have shaped Indian classical music. The Gwalior gharana is considered the oldest and most foundational gharana in Hindustani vocal music.
Which Madhya Pradesh-origin writer received the Jnanpith Award — India's highest literary honour — for his contributions to Hindi literature?
Correct Answer: D. Bhavani Prasad Mishra
Bhavani Prasad Mishra, born in Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh, received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his poetry. MP has a rich Hindi literary tradition including Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh, who was born in Sheopur, MP, and is considered a founding figure of modern Hindi poetry. Writers from Madhya Pradesh have significantly shaped the course of Hindi literature in the post-independence era.
Which noted Hindi author from Madhya Pradesh wrote the famous novel 'Maila Aanchal' depicting rural life in India?
Correct Answer: A. Phanishwarnath Renu
Phanishwarnath Renu wrote 'Maila Aanchal,' a landmark Hindi novel published in 1954 that depicted the life of people in rural Bihar post-independence. Madhya Pradesh's own literary giant Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh, born in Sheopur, MP, wrote 'Andhere Mein' and other works that revolutionized modern Hindi poetry with a distinct urban-existential perspective. MP's contribution to Hindi literature has been celebrated through its many Sahitya Akademi awardees.
Which Madhya Pradesh-born athlete won India's first individual Olympic gold medal and in which sport?
Correct Answer: A. Abhinav Bindra — Shooting
Abhinav Bindra, born in Dehradun, won India's first individual Olympic gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Madhya Pradesh produced its own shooting champions including those who have represented India at national and international levels. The Khelo India program and MP Sports Academy have been instrumental in identifying and nurturing sporting talent from the state.
Tansen, the legendary musician and one of the Navaratnas of Emperor Akbar's court, is associated with which city in Madhya Pradesh?
Correct Answer: B. Gwalior
Tansen, born around 1500 in Gwalior (Behat village, present-day MP), is one of the most celebrated musicians in Indian history and is considered the father of Hindustani classical music. He was trained under Swami Haridas in Vrindavan and later became one of the nine gems (Navaratnas) of Emperor Akbar's court. The annual Tansen Samaroha (Tansen Music Festival) held every year in Gwalior celebrates his legacy and is one of India's most prestigious classical music events.
Which Madhya Pradesh-born political leader served as the President of India and was known for his work in social and tribal welfare?
Correct Answer: C. Shankar Dayal Sharma
Shankar Dayal Sharma was born on August 19, 1918, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and served as the 9th President of India from 1992 to 1997. Before becoming President, he served as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Punjab, and as Vice President of India. He was also a noted legal scholar and former Congress leader who contributed significantly to Indian constitutional law and governance.
Which renowned Hindi poet from Madhya Pradesh is famous for the poem 'Jhansī kī Rānī' (The Queen of Jhansi) depicting the bravery of Rani Laxmibai?
Correct Answer: B. Subhadra Kumari Chauhan
Subhadra Kumari Chauhan was born on August 16, 1904, in Nihalpur village near Allahabad, but spent much of her life in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and is deeply associated with the state. Her poem 'Jhansī kī Rānī' — containing the famous lines 'Khoob ladī mardānī woh toh Jhānsī wālī rānī thī' — became one of the most recited patriotic poems in Hindi literature. She was among the earliest women to participate in the civil disobedience movement and was arrested twice for her activism.