Music MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Music - Download Free PDF

The Correct answer is Banaras and Lucknow.

Key Points

• Thumri is a semi-classical form of Indian vocal music known for its expressive and romantic themes.
• The two prominent Gharanas associated with Thumri are based in Banaras and Lucknow.
• Banaras Gharana: Known for its spiritual and devotional touch, this style emphasizes the lyrical aspect of Thumri with intricate melodic variations. It is often performed in a more relaxed and meditative manner.
• Lucknow Gharana: This Gharana is recognized for its expressive and dramatic style, focusing on the emotional depth and beauty of Thumri. It heavily incorporates gestures and facial expressions to convey the mood of the song.
• Both Gharanas have contributed significantly to the evolution and popularity of Thumri, making them integral to Indian classical music.
• Thumri is often accompanied by instruments such as the tabla, harmonium, and sarangi, enhancing its melodious appeal.

Additional Information

• Agra and Kirana
  • The Agra Gharana is primarily known for its Dhrupad and Khayal styles rather than Thumri. It emphasizes robust and powerful singing techniques.
  • The Kirana Gharana is famous for its focus on the melodic and subtle nuances of Khayal singing. It is not predominantly associated with Thumri.
• Gwalior and Bhopal
  • The Gwalior Gharana is the oldest Gharana in Indian classical music, known for its Khayal style. It does not hold a significant tradition of Thumri singing.
  • Bhopal does not have a notable Gharana associated with Thumri or any prominent style of Indian classical music.
• Patiala and Talwandi
  • The Patiala Gharana is renowned for its Khayal and Tappa styles, characterized by intricate rhythmic patterns and fast-paced singing.
  • Talwandi Gharana is primarily associated with Dhrupad style and does not have a significant tradition of Thumri singing.

The correct answer is option 1.

In News

• During the Prime Minister's recent visit to Trinidad and Tobago, a performance of the traditional Bhojpuri Chautal was part of the welcoming ceremony.

Key Points

• Statement I:Chautal is a 12-beat rhythmic cycle used in Hindustani classical music, especially in Dhrupad and Dhamar forms. Hence, Statement I is correct.
• Statement II: Chautal is strongly associated with the pakhawaj, not the tabla, and is performed in a powerful, heavy manner—contrasting with the delicate style of tabla. Hence, Statement II is incorrect.

Additional Information

• Chautal (also known as Chartaal or Chowtaal) has alternative structural interpretations among musicians, with some considering it four vibhags (4, 4, 2, 2) and others equating it to Ektal with six vibhags of two matras each.

The correct answer is Drums.

Key Points

• Sivamani, known by his stage name Drums Sivamani, is a renowned percussionist from India. He plays many instruments including drums, octoban, darbuka, udukai, ghatam, and kanjira.
• Over his career, he has performed in various stages and for different types of events, including the IPL Championships in 2008 and 2010.
• He has been associated with prominent musicians, like A.R. Rahman, and has performed for various compositions across film industries.

​Additional Information

• List of Famous Musicians with Instruments:
  • Santoor: Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma
  • Sarod: Allauddin Khan,Amjad Ali Khan.
  • Sitar: Pt Ravi Shankar, Budhaditya Mukherjee.
  • Surbahar: Annapurna Devi, Sajjad Hussain.
  • Rudra Veena: Asad Ali Khan, Zia Moin-ud-din Khan.

The correct answer is Eastern U.P..

Key Points

• Biraha is a popular folk song tradition originating from the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh.
• It is deeply rooted in the rural culture of districts like Varanasi, Azamgarh, and Jaunpur.
• The themes of Biraha songs often revolve around separation, longing, and emotional struggles, especially of migrant workers.
• Biraha performances are typically accompanied by musical instruments like dholak, manjira, and harmonium.
• It is considered a vital form of cultural expression in the Bhojpuri-speaking belt of Eastern U.P.

Additional Information

• Terminology: "Biraha" is derived from the word "Viraha," which means separation or longing.
• The Bhojpuri language, widely spoken in eastern Uttar Pradesh, serves as the primary medium for Biraha songs.
• Biraha performers, known as "Biraha singers," often engage in lyrical duels during live performances to entertain audiences.
• This folk tradition is closely tied to the migration phenomenon, as many men from Eastern U.P. work in distant cities, leaving their families behind.
• Biraha songs play a significant role in preserving local folklore and oral traditions, passing cultural values and historical narratives across generations.

The correct answer is Maharashtra.

Key Points

• Powada is a traditional folk music form that originated in the state of Maharashtra, India.
• It is a form of ballad that narrates heroic tales, historical events, and the valor of warriors, especially the life and achievements of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• The performers of Powada are called Shahir, who sing these ballads with high energy and enthusiasm to inspire and engage the audience.
• Powada is widely associated with the Maharashtrian culture and is performed during festivals, cultural events, and political gatherings.
• This folk art form has played a pivotal role in preserving the history and cultural heritage of Maharashtra over centuries.

Additional Information

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj:
  • Shivaji Maharaj was a 17th-century Maratha king and a key figure in Indian history known for his administrative skills and military strategies.
  • Powadas often depict the battles and governance of Shivaji, glorifying his efforts in establishing the Maratha Empire.
• Shahir Tradition:
  • Shahirs are traditional folk artists who compose and sing Powadas. They play a significant role in spreading awareness and patriotism through their art.
  • In earlier times, Shahirs were considered the voice of the masses, raising social and political issues through their performances.
• Musical Composition:
  • Powadas are characterized by their high-pitched singing style, rhythmic beats, and the use of traditional instruments like the Dholki, Tuntune, and Manjira.
  • The music complements the powerful and dramatic narration of the heroic tales.
• Folk Arts in Maharashtra:
  • Besides Powada, Maharashtra is known for other folk art forms like Lavani, Tamasha, and Gondhal.
  • These art forms are integral to the cultural identity and traditions of the state.

The correct answer is Kirana Gharana.

Key Points

• Abdul Karim Khan was the founder of the Kirana Gharana of classical music.
• Kirana Gharana is one of the most prominent Indian classical khayal gharanas and is associated mostly with the perfect intonation of notes.
• The Gharana style was further evolved and was established as one of the important styles in modern Indian classical music in the late 19th /early 20th centuries by the musicians Abdul Karim Khan and Abdul Wahid Khan.
• The name of this school of music comes from Kirana or Kairana, a town and tehsil of Shamli District in Uttar Pradesh.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Amjad Ali Khan.

Key Points

• Ustad Amjad Ali Khan-
  • A distinguished maestro in the field of playing the sarod, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is popularly known as the “Sarod Samrat“.
  • He is the sixth generation sarod player in his family.
  • He learned from his father Haafiz Ali Khan, who was a court musician in Gwalior up until Independence in 1947.
  • He was awarded India's second-highest civilian honor Padma Vibhushan in 2001.
  • The name sarod comes from the Persian ‘sarod’ meaning ‘melody’, alluding to its more melodic tone.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Pt. Ram Narayan - Sarod.Key Points

• Pandit Ram Narayan, an Indian musician, is renowned for his contribution to popularizing the sarangi as a solo concert instrument.
• He is a Hindustani classical musician known for his expertise in playing the sarangi, a bowed instrument with a skin-covered resonator.
• Born in 1927 in Amber village, Rajasthan, he played a pivotal role in elevating the sarangi's status as a solo classical instrument.
• Pandit Ram Narayan's efforts led to the recognition of the sarangi's potential for solo performances in the world of classical music.

Additional Information

Correct Answer Ustad Vilayat Khan – SarodKey Points:

• Ustad Vilayat Khan was a prominent Sitar player.
• He was born on 28 August 1928 in Gouripur in East Bengal, now Bangladesh.
• He invented a new technique of playing Sitar with the left hand which lasts for longer consistency.
• He also invented many Ragas enriching Indian Music.
• Mogubai Kurdikar (15 July 1904 – 10 February 2001) was a renowned Indian classical vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana

Additional InformationImportant Instruments and Related Personalities:

The correct answer is Drums.

Key Points

• Sivamani, known by his stage name Drums Sivamani, is a renowned percussionist from India. He plays many instruments including drums, octoban, darbuka, udukai, ghatam, and kanjira.
• Over his career, he has performed in various stages and for different types of events, including the IPL Championships in 2008 and 2010.
• He has been associated with prominent musicians, like A.R. Rahman, and has performed for various compositions across film industries.

​Additional Information

• List of Famous Musicians with Instruments:
  • Santoor: Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma
  • Sarod: Allauddin Khan,Amjad Ali Khan.
  • Sitar: Pt Ravi Shankar, Budhaditya Mukherjee.
  • Surbahar: Annapurna Devi, Sajjad Hussain.
  • Rudra Veena: Asad Ali Khan, Zia Moin-ud-din Khan.

The correct answer is K Vaidyanathan – Sitar.Key Points

• Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan was an Indian classical music violinist and music composer.
• Pandit Ram Narayan is a Hindustani classical musician who plays the bowed instrument, the sarangi. 
• Ustad Vilayat Khan was an Indian classical sitar player.
• Ustad Bismillah Khan used to play Shehnai.

• Hence K Vaidyanathan – Sitar pairs of musicians and their instruments is INCORRECT.

Additional Information

• Ustad Bismillah Khan (1916 – 2006) (Real name is Qamaruddin Khan), was an Indian musician credited with popularizing the Shehnai.
• He was felicitated with several awards including:
  • Padma Shri in 1961
  • Padma Bhushan in 1968
  • Padma Vibhushan in 1980
  • Bharat Ratna in 2001
• Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan of the Agra Gharana composed bandishes in many ragas under the pen name Pran Piya.
  • Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan was born in 1895.
  • Vilayat Khan received his early training in Hindustani classical music from his father Nathan Khan.
• Pundit Ram Narayan
  • ​He is a Hindustani classical musician who plays the bowed instrument, the sarangi.
  • He is credited with popularizing the sarangi as a solo classical instrument.
  • He was born in 1927 in Amber village in Rajasthan.

The correct answer is Kirana. Key Points

• Indian vocalist Gangubai Hangal specialized in the khayal style of Hindustani classical music.
• She hails from Karnataka and was renowned for her resonant voice.
• Hangal was a member of the Kirana gharana.

Additional Information

• Patiala: 
  • Mian Kallu, a sarangi player for the Jaipur durbar, founded the gharana somewhere between the middle and end of the 19th century.
• Agra:
  • The Nauhar Bani is the ancestor of the Agra gharana, a school of Hindustani classical vocal music.
• Gwalior:
  • One of the oldest Khyal Gharanas in Indian classical music is the Gwalior Gharana.
  • The Mughal emperor Akbar's rule marked the beginning of the Gwalior Gharana's ascent.

The correct answer is Carnatic Music.Key PointsCarnatic music:

• A musical style called Carnatic music is frequently linked to South India.
• It is one of two main subgenres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu texts and traditions, particularly the Samaveda.
• Carnatic music is used to accompany the classical Kuchipudi dance.
• The recital is in Telugu, and Carnatic music is used to accompany the dance.
• The entire male group performed the traditional Kuchipudi.
• In Angivastra, also known as Bagalbandi, a dancer portraying a masculine character would dress in a dhoti.

Additional Information

• Kajri:
  • Kajari is a folk song and dance genre in India.
  • It is a type of Hindustani classical music that is performed in rainy weather.
• Chaiti:
  • Chaiti is Indian-born, semi-classical melodies that are performed during the Chait month of the Hindu calendar.
• Hindustani Music:
  • The classical music of the northern parts of the Indian subcontinent is known as Hindustani. 

The correct answer is Kirana.

Key Points

• Kirana Gharana is one of Hindustan's most prolific Khayal Gharana.
• The name of this music school stems from Kirana or Kairana in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli region, which is also the hometown of stalwarts like Ustad Abdul Karim Khan and Ustad Abdul Waheed Khan who founded this Gharana.
• The Kirana style is primarily concerned with Swara, or individual notes, specifically precision tuning and note expression.
• Individual notes of the raga are regarded as autonomous domains of music capable of horizontal growth in the Kirana Gayaki, not merely random positions in the scale.
• It is regarded as the best in terms of a note or Swara intonation
• The major emphasis of the Kirana style is Swara, namely exact tuning and note expression.
• There were four schools or vanis of singing the dhrupad.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Pandit Shivkumar Sharma.

Key Points

• Pandit Shivkumar Sharma was an Indian famous classical musician, who attained international fame by playing the musical instrument, the santoor.
• The Santoor is a trapezoid-shaped hammered dulcimer often made of walnut wood and has 72 strings, which are struck with two delicate carved wooden mallets.
• The santoor is essentially a folk instrument that originated in the Kashmir Valley, and it achieved the status of a classical instrument due to the persistent efforts and genius of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma.
• With his hard work, determination and talent, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma made the santoor a global name. 
• 

Additional Information