Folk Dances, Music and Musicians MCQs

Solved GK MCQs on the folk and classical dances of Indian states, famous musicians and their instruments, Hindustani and Carnatic music, and the national academy for music and dance.

1. 1

   Garba, danced in a circle during Navratri, is a folk dance of:

   AMaharashtraBRajasthanCGujaratDMadhya Pradesh

   Correct answer: C. Gujarat

   Garba is danced around a lamp or image of the goddess; Garba of Gujarat was added to UNESCO's intangible heritage list in 2023.

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2. 2

   Bhangra is a folk dance of:

   AHimachal PradeshBUttar PradeshCHaryanaDPunjab

   Correct answer: D. Punjab

   Bhangra began as a harvest dance of Punjab, performed to the beat of the dhol; Giddha is danced by women.

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3. 3

   Lavani, a lively dance-and-song form performed to the beat of the dholki, belongs to:

   AGujaratBKarnatakaCGoaDMaharashtra

   Correct answer: D. Maharashtra

   Lavani is a popular folk form of Maharashtra.

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4. 4

   Ghoomar, in which dancers spin in long flowing skirts, is a folk dance of:

   APunjabBHaryanaCGujaratDRajasthan

   Correct answer: D. Rajasthan

   Ghoomar is a traditional dance of Rajasthan, often performed at weddings and festivals.

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5. 5

   Yakshagana, a dance-drama with elaborate costumes, is from:

   ATamil NaduBKeralaCKarnatakaDAndhra Pradesh

   Correct answer: C. Karnataka

   Yakshagana is performed mainly in coastal Karnataka, telling stories from the epics through the night.

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6. 6

   Chhau, a masked martial dance on UNESCO's intangible heritage list, is performed in:

   AOdisha, Jharkhand and West BengalBPunjab and HaryanaCAssam and MeghalayaDKerala and Tamil Nadu

   Correct answer: A. Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal

   Its three styles are Purulia Chhau (West Bengal), Seraikela Chhau (Jharkhand) and Mayurbhanj Chhau (Odisha).

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7. 7

   Rouf is a folk dance of:

   AJammu and KashmirBHimachal PradeshCUttarakhandDSikkim

   Correct answer: A. Jammu and Kashmir

   Rouf is performed by women in rows, especially during Eid and spring festivals in Kashmir.

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8. 8

   Theyyam, a ritual dance in which performers are believed to become deities, is from:

   AKeralaBTamil NaduCGoaDKarnataka

   Correct answer: A. Kerala

   Theyyam is performed mainly in the Malabar region of north Kerala.

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9. 9

   Cheraw, the bamboo dance in which dancers step between moving bamboo poles, is from:

   ATripuraBMizoramCNagalandDManipur

   Correct answer: B. Mizoram

   Cheraw is one of the best-known traditional dances of the Mizo people.

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10. 10

    Mohiniyattam, one of India's classical dances, comes from:

    AKeralaBAndhra PradeshCOdishaDTamil Nadu

    Correct answer: A. Kerala

    Mohiniyattam is a graceful solo dance of Kerala, traditionally performed by women.

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12. 11

    Odissi, one of India's classical dances, comes from:

    AOdishaBManipurCAssamDWest Bengal

    Correct answer: A. Odisha

    Odissi grew from temple dance traditions; Kelucharan Mohapatra was one of its great gurus.

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13. 12

    Ustad Zakir Hussain was a world-famous player of the:

    AShehnaiBSitarCSarodDTabla

    Correct answer: D. Tabla

    Zakir Hussain, son of the tabla maestro Alla Rakha, won several Grammy Awards.

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14. 13

    Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is known for playing the:

    ASantoorBFlute (bansuri)CViolinDVeena

    Correct answer: B. Flute (bansuri)

    Hariprasad Chaurasia popularised the bansuri in Hindustani classical music.

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15. 14

    Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is a master of the:

    ASarangiBSitarCTablaDSarod

    Correct answer: D. Sarod

    Amjad Ali Khan belongs to the Senia Bangash gharana of sarod players.

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16. 15

    Pandit Shivkumar Sharma made which instrument popular in classical music?

    AMridangamBGhatamCSantoorDSitar

    Correct answer: C. Santoor

    Shivkumar Sharma brought the Kashmiri santoor into Hindustani classical music.

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17. 16

    M. S. Subbulakshmi, the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna (1998), was a singer of:

    ARabindra SangeetBCarnatic musicCQawwaliDHindustani classical music

    Correct answer: B. Carnatic music

    M. S. Subbulakshmi of Madurai was a celebrated Carnatic vocalist.

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18. 17

    Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was a vocalist of which gharana?

    AJaipurBGwaliorCKiranaDPatiala

    Correct answer: C. Kirana

    Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, one of the greatest Hindustani vocalists, belonged to the Kirana gharana and was awarded the Bharat Ratna.

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19. 18

    Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri are known as the trinity of:

    AHindustani musicBCarnatic musicCBharatanatyamDKathak

    Correct answer: B. Carnatic music

    The three composers lived in Thanjavur district in the 18th–19th centuries.

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20. 19

    Dhrupad and Khayal are styles of:

    APuppetryBFolk danceCHindustani classical musicDCarnatic music

    Correct answer: C. Hindustani classical music

    Dhrupad is the older, more austere style; Khayal became the main style of Hindustani vocal music.

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21. 20

    Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's national academy for music, dance and drama, is located in:

    AKolkataBNew DelhiCChennaiDMumbai

    Correct answer: B. New Delhi

    It was set up in 1952 and is based in New Delhi.

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