MCQs on Indian Music (GK) for Govt. Exams

• Qawwali is a form of Sufi devotional music that originated in the Indian subcontinent.
  • Qawwali music is popular in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
  • Qawwali music is popular in the Punjab and Sindh regions of Pakistan.
  • In India, it is popular in Hyderabad, Delhi, and the Northern regions.
  • Popular in Dhaka and Chittagong regions of Bangladesh.
  • Notable Qawwals: Munshi Raziuddin, Fateh Ali Khan, Faiz Ali Faiz, Nizami Bandhu, Ateeq Hussain Khan.

• Kajri is a genre of semi-classical singing, originating from the Indian subcontinent.
  • The word Kajri was derived from the Bhojpuri word Kajra.
  • It is popular in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
  • Important exponents of Kajari are Siddheshwari Devi, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Girija Devi, Sharda Sinha, and Sajan Mishra.
• Teej Geet:
  • ​Teej is a celebration of the monsoons (saawan or shraavan) and all that accompanies it.
  • Women around the country, celebrate this festival by welcoming the monsoon with singing and dancing, dressing up in brightly coloured clothing, applying henna on their hands and sharing stories with their family and friends.
  • Hariyali Teej gets its name from the abundance of greenery we see in nature after the rains. It is meant to symbolise the richness and contentment of a happily married life.
• Basant Geet​:
  • ​Basant or spring season is welcomed in a unique manner in Garhwal. The land is filled with different colourful flowers.
  • On Basant Panchmi floor designs are made with rice flour and the green oats bundles are used to put impressions with cow dung.
  • Swings are tied on the trees and folk songs are sung.

• A bamboo is inserted through the center of the gourd, the upper side of the gourd sliced out and covered with skin.
• The string used is a single steel string.

• The word Ektara is derived from two words, Ek meaning “one” and tara meaning “string”.
• It is a one-stringed musical instrument that can produce a wide variety of tunes and melodies.
• Ektara
• Esraj
• Edakka
• Ekkalam

Some other musical instruments

• Kanhaiyalal Sethia was a well-known Rajasthani and Hindi poet born in Sujangarh, Churu District of Rajasthan.
  • His "Dharti Dhoran Ri" is recognized as the anthem song of Rajasthan throughout the world.

• Chandra Prakash Deval is a Rajasthani poet and translator. He is also the convener of Rajasthani Advisory Council of Sahitya Akademi.
  • He has received Padma Shri in 2011, the fourth highest civil honour given by the Government of India.
• Dr Bhagwati Lal Vyas was awarded Bihari Puraskar in 2015 for his anthology of Rajasthani poems ‘Katha Sun Aawe Hai Sabad’ published in 2010.
• Vijaydan Detha, also known as Bijji, was a noted Indian writer of Rajasthani literature.
  • He was a recipient of several awards including the Padma Shri and the Sahitya Akademi Award.

• Gavri Devi is counted among the great folk singers of Rajasthan.
  • Gavari Devi was born in the year 1920 in the princely state of Jodhpur.
  • Both his parents were artists in the Bikaner court as singers.
  • She has scattered his singing in many international programs.
  • She belongs to the Maand Singing style.

• Gavri Devi has also received Rajasthan Ratna in 2013, she is called Maru-Kokila of Rajasthan.

• About Alibaksh
  • Alibakhsh was born in 1854 to the Jagirdar family of Mundavar but had a lyric in Hindu and Sufi music.
  • He used to describe himself as Tekavat Rajput.
  • Alibakhsh wrote the events of Sri Krishna Leela in a mixed dialect of Ahirwati and Mewati and introduced them to music. This is what is said to be his AliBakshi, People liked it enough.
  • He was also considered an exclusive devotee of Krishna. Among the major compositions of Alibakhsh, Padmavat, Nihalde, Chandrawal, and Shivdan Singh's travelogue were famous.
  • The state government is making Alibakhs Panorama in Mundavar in his memory.

• Khayal
  • Khayal theatre emerged near about the 18th century and remained the same in the coming 200 years.
  • The subject of Khayal is usually a mythological story or an ancient episode.
  • Due to the diversity of culture in Rajasthan, Khayal theatre has different forms in the name of the city, acting style, the community or the author's name such as
    • Kuchamani Khayal
    • Shekhawati khayal
    • Jaipuri Khayal
    • Ali Bkashi khayal
    • Turra Kalangi Khayal
    • Kishangarhi Khayal
    • Hathrasi Khayal
    • Nautanki Khayal

• Veena strings are attached to tuning pegs at one and the bridge at the another, allowing the player to adjust the tension of the string to achieve the desired pitch. Typically, there is not a standard tuning of the veena. The tuning pegs are traditionally made of wood, called Birudais, and there are smaller spring knobs to make minute adjustments. However, the wooden tuning pegs are susceptible to weather conditions so it’s common for veenas to use guitar tuning pegs instead, which are made of metal.
• Unlike many other string instruments, the veena has unique qualities to the strings that make it stand out. The ends of the strings are curved instead of sharp and the frets are curved, more so than any other fretted instrument. Also unlike many string instruments, the strings are not pushed down to the base of the neck so the sound produced is gentler. The way the strings are designed allows the player to have continuous control over the tension of the strings.

• String instruments, stringed instruments, or chordophones are musical instruments that produce sound from vibrating strings when the performer plays or sounds the strings in some manner.

• Raag Bhairav is also referred to as the king of morning Raags.
• It is an Indian classical raga of Bhairav thaat.
• It is traditionally performed in morning.
• Bhairav is one of few ragas that can be sung in any season.

• Gaud Saarang (Kalyan Thaat) and Multani (Todi Thaat) is sung in afternoon.
• Bhoopali and Kamod (Kalyan thaat) is performed in the evening.
• Ragas like Malkauns and Bihag are classified in the midnight category

• Daskathia is a form of ballad singing prevalent in Odisha.
• Daskathia is a name derived from a unique musical instrument called “Kathi” or “Ram Tali”, wooden clappers used during the presentation.
• The performance is a form of worship and offering on behalf of the “Das”, the devotee.
• This folk form is mainly associated with the worship of Lord Shiva and thus, during the performances, dedications to Lord Shiva, mentioning its various forms like Rudra, Hara, Mahadeva, Shankar, and Bholanath etc., is prescribed.
• The performance group consists of two people, a chief singer (Gayaka) and the other known as the 'Palia'.
• The Palia plays a second fiddle to the singer, in acting and singing.

• Alha - Madhya Pradesh is correctly matched.

• Amjad Ali Khan Bangash (born 9 October 1945) is an Indian classical sarod player, best known for his clear and fast ekhara taans.
• He was awarded India's second-highest civilian honor Padma Vibhushan in 2001.
• He learned from his father Haafiz Ali Khan, who was a court musician in Gwalior up until Independence in 1947.
• The name sarod comes from the Persian ‘sarod’ meaning ‘melody’, alluding to its more melodic tone.

• Panihari
  • Panihari song composed by Rajasthani women.
  • This folk is sung when women find difficulty in finding water in arid areas like deserts.
  • Panihari praises water and rain highlighting its importance.
  • Song describes the joy of rivers, rains, and water.
  • In the villages of beautiful mud houses in the Thar Desert.
  • The Thar desert is the largest desert of India also called the Great Indian Desert.

• Pabuji Ki Phad​:
  • Pabuji Ki Phad​ is the folk music of Rajasthan.
  • Pabuji is worshipped as the deity of the desert.
  • Phad means long screen made of cloth with heroic stories of Pabuji.
  • Bhopas of Pabusar narrates the story to the community singing folk of Pabuji.
  • Pabuji the great folk hero of 14th century AD.
• Pandavani:
  • Folk music of Chhattisgarh.
  • Folk music is based on the epic Mahabharata.
  • Pandavani is sung by women narrating the story of Pandava.
  • Bhima is the main hero of the story.
  • Teejan Bai is the most famous singer of this style.
• Maand
  • ​Maand is the folk music of Rajasthan.
  • Maand folks are songs describing the glory of Rajput rulers.
  • Thumri or Ghazal are considered close to Maand.
  • Famous song Kesariya Balam is in Maand style.

• The Baul are a group of mystical minstrels or bards from the Bengal region of mixed elements of Sufism and Sahaja, like Bangladesh and the West Bengal, Tripura and Barak Valley of Assam Indian States.
• Both a syncretic religious sect and a musical tradition are Bauls. The Bauls are a rather heterogeneous group, with many sects, but mostly Vaishnava-Sahajiyas and Sufi Muslims belong to them.

• Mando is a musical form that evolved among the Goan Catholics of Goa, India during the 19th and 20th centuries. The meeting point of local Goan and Western musical traditions is portrayed.
• Kajri, derived from the Bhojpuri word Kajra, or Kohl, is a genre of semi-classical singing popular in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, originating from the Indian subcontinent.
• Lavani is Maharashtra's most popular folk style. Traditionally, female artists sing songs, but male artists will sometimes sing Lavanis.

• Bhapang is a rare single stringed percussion instrument affectionately known as a 'talking drum'
• It originates from the Mewati community in the Alwar district. It is known as a Chongar in Maharashtra, Apang in Gujarat and Tumba in the Punjab.
• Jahur Khan Mewati was a famous artist used to play Bhapang.
• It is mainly played by the Jogis in Alwar Region.
• Meerabai and Narad used to play Iktara.
• Jantar is played by Bhagrawat Bhopas during recitation of Phad of Devnarayanji.
• Rawaj is played by Rawal caste of Mewar and Bhatti during Rammat folk drama.

• Lotia is the regional music of Rajasthan and it is sung by the peasants while working in the fields.
• It is generally sung on the occasion of Lotia festival in the Chaitra month according to the Hindi calendar.

• Gwalior Gharana is considered the oldest Khyal Gharana in Indian classical music.
• Gwalior Gharana was founded in the first half of the 16th century.
• Gwalior Gharana became popular in India during the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar.
• Mian Tansen was one of the first and most famous vocalists who came from Gwalior.
• Famous exponents of Gwalior Gharana are:
  • Vishnu Digambar Paluskar
  • Omkarnath Thakur
  • Ghulam Hassan Shaggan.
  • Malini Rajurkar.
  • Veena Sahasrabuddhe.
• Indore Gharana is a vocal Gharana of Indian classical music founded by Amir Khan.
• The Maihar Gharana is a Gharana of Hindustani classical music originating in the northern parts of the Indian subcontinent.

• The word meaning of Gharana is “family” or “lineage”.
• The word Gharana was derived from the Sanskrit word Griha, which means 'house'.
• Gharana is a community of performers who share a distinctive musical style that traces to a particular instructor or region.

• Wind Instruments
  • Algoza:
    • Algoza is the generic name for a set of double flutes.
    • Algoza is a flute made of bamboo tube.
  • Nad:
    • It is a vertical flute with a single long hollow tube, into which the player whistles, at the same time gurgling a song in his throat
  • Shehnai:
    • Shehnai is made out of wood, with a double reed at one end and a metal or wooden flared bell at the other end.
    • It usually has between six and nine holes.

• String Instruments:
  • Sarangi:
    • A multi-stringed instrument that is played by using a bow drawn across the strings and running of fingers on the strings.
    • Langas of Jaisalmer, Barmer and Jogis of Marwar use Sarangi.
  • Ektara:
    • Iktara is generally played by Nath, Kalbelia saints.
    • It is a single string instrument, mounted on the belly of a gourd attached to a body made of bamboo.
  • Rawaj:
    • It is played by using nails and had 12 strings.
    • It is usually played by Raos and Bhats of Mewar.

• In Jammu and Kashmir valley, music is largely influenced by Sufiana Kalam. It is the genre of music that flourished here under the Muslim rulers.
• It is believed that sufiyana kalam propagated here in the 15th century. Hafiz Nagma is the dance form based on Sufiana Kalam. It includes instruments like tabla, harmonium, Saaz santoor, and wasool.
• Music in this territory is quite varied due to the influence of South, Central, and East Asia. However, there are slight variations in geographical distances.
• In the Jammu region, there is a clear impact of North Indian music and In Kashmir valley, Central Asian music holds a significant position. In the Ladakh region, it is inspired by the Tibetan style of music.

• Some of the folk music of this region are Chakri, Wanwun, and Ladishah.

• This raga was a wonderful creation by Sangeet Samrat Miya Tansen and it was created in the sixteenth-century.
• Miyan Ki Malhar is a monsoon raga, popularly used for invoking and embracing rain to drench the earth and to welcome the monsoon.
• Tansen was born Hindu and spent much of his life composing devotional scores.
• He was ordered to join Mughal court at the age of sixty, one of the Navaratnas (nine jewels) of Emperor Akbar's court.

• Mirabai was known for the incomparable beauty of the poems and bhajans she composed and sang in devotion to her beloved god, Krishna.
• Pandit Jasraj (28 January 1930 – 17 August 2020) was an Indian classical vocalist and Musician.
  • Pandit Jasraj was associated with the Mewati Gharana of music.
• Amir Khusro (1254-1325) was a scholar poet and musicologist of rare talent in the court of Allauddin Khilji.
  • He is credited with the introduction of entirely new forms and styles in Hindustani music, which are still in practice today.
  • He also creates many ragas, instruments, and vocal forms.

• Gharana in Hindustani music of India. It is a community of performers who share a distinctive musical style that traces to a particular instructor or region or ancestry.

• Shubha Mudgal is a famous Indian singer of 'Hindustani classical music'.
• She has made a great contribution to Hindustani classical music, Thumriye Khyal, and Dadra music.
• Rita Ganguly is related to the Indian classical arts and she was honored with Padma Shri in 2003.
• Naina Devi was a famous singer of Hindustani classical music.
• She was known especially for her Thumri' singing and she was awarded Padma Shri in 1974.

• Music:
  • It is a system in which people organize socially that links musicians and dancers.
  • It is an apprenticeship or lineage, for the adherence to a particular musical style.
  • The word Gharana originates from the Urdu/Hindi word ‘Ghar’, which means ‘house’ or Family.
  • A Gharana also indicates a comprehensive musicological ideology and differentiates one school from another.
  • Some of the Gharanas well known for singing Hindustani classical music are Agra, Gwalior, Indore, Jaipur, Kirana, and Patiala.

• The system that is commonly used for the teaching of Carnatic music was first formulated by Purandara Dasa.
• Purandara Dasa is considered the father of Carnatic music.
• Original name of Purandara das was Srinivasa Nayaka.
• Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with southern India, including the modern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, as well as Sri Lanka.
• Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri are together known as the Trinity/Three Jewels of Carnatic music.
  • All three composers were born in Thiruvarur, formerly part of Thanjavur District in Tamilnadu.

• Alha is a popular folk song of Bundelkhand. Some other forms of song famous in Bundelkhand include Faag, Lamtera, Dadre, and Gari.

• Birha-It is a folk song which mainly belongs to Ahir Communities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
• The term "Birha" in Hindi means "Separation".This folk music found its origin in the early nineteenth century.
• The ethos of a Biraha is every so often heroic (Veer Rasa) and of humour (Hasya Rasa).
• Rasiya-It is a popular folk music that belongs to Braj region of Uttar Pradesh.
• The most common instruments in this genre are dholak, sarangi, and harmonium.
• Rasiya contains lyrics, euphemisms, and double meanings often exhibiting the love between the Hindu gods of Krishna and Radha.
• Languria-It is another form of Rasiya.

The Kamaicha:

• It is a bowed lute played by the Manganiars of west Rajasthan.
• The whole instrument is one piece of wood, the spherical bowl extending into a neck and fingerboard; the resonator is covered with leather and the upper portion with wood.
• There are four main strings and a number of subsidiary ones passing over a thin bridge.
• It links the sub-continent to Western Asia and Africa and is considered by some scholars to be the oldest instrument, with the exception of the Ravana Hatta or Ravana Hasta Veena.

• Tappa singing is related to Banaras Gharana.

• Tappa is a specialty of Gwalior Gharana.
• There are two main styles of Tappa singing - Tappa in Gwalior Gharana and of Benaras Gharana.
• Gwalior Gharana is one of the oldest Gharanas of Indian classical music and has a simple singing style, melody, and rhythm.
• Most of the songs from this Gharana are ‘Bandishes’, which use a variety of ‘Tans’.

• Agra Gharana is rooted in Nauhar Bani. The style of singing is distinguished by exuded deepness in the voice, which makes the compositions soulful.
• Haji Sujan Khan and Ustad Ghagghe Khuda Baksh were the founder of Agra Gharana.
• Pt Gopal Mishra was the founder of Benaras Gharana. It is one of the six most common styles of playing the Indian tabla.
• Pandit Birju Maharaj, son of Pandit Achchan Maharaj is hailed as the pioneer for the initial Lucknow Gharana styles.
• This Gharana is characterized by the full usage of the palm beside the fingers, resonant sounds, and the use of ring and little fingers on the Dayan.
• Mohammad Jama was the founder of Saharanpur Gharana.

• Pandit Bhimsen Joshi also known as Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi (February 4, 1922 - January 24, 2011)
  • He was the Hindustani classical vocalist.
  • Member of Kirana Gharana.
  • Known for Khayal form of singing.
• Award -
  • Awarded Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1998.
  • Bestowed with Bharat Ratna in 2008.
• ​Hindustani classical music: It is the art music of northern regions of the Indian subcontinent.
  • Qawwali: Qawwali or Qavvali is a form of Sufi Islamic devotional song, largely performed at Sufi shrines or dargah. Some famous qawwali singers are Aziz Mian, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali khan etc.
  • Thumri: It is a semi-classical form of Hindustani music. The word Thumri means "thumakna" i.e. to make dance-like movements, as a rule, it was written in lighter mood ragas like Pillu or Khamaj.
    • It flourished under the regime of Wajid Ali Shah (Last & 11^th King Of Awadh).
• Carnatic: Carnatic music also known as Karnataka Sangitam is one of the styles of India classical music.
• Prominent Difference between Hindustani Music And Carnatic Music -

• Ghatam is an earthenware pot used in Carnatic music of Southern India.
• It used as a percussion instrument in India.
• The ghatam does not have a membrane over its mouth.
• The ghatam is positioned with its mouth pressed against the player’s stomach.
• The artist uses the fingers, thumbs, palms, and heels of the hands to strike its outer surface in order to produce sound.
• An airy low-pitch bass sound, called gumki that is created by hitting the mouth of the pot with an open hand.
• The artist presses the mouth of the pot against their bare belly, which deepens the tone of the bass stroke.
• Different tones can be produced by hitting different areas of the pot with different parts of the hands.
• The ghatam usually accompanies a mridangam.

• The instrument is known as a noot in Kashmir and is placed in an upright position for playing.

• Nauka Jhakkad is considered as "the song of Barber" in Uttar Pradesh.
• Gazals and Thumaris have been quite popular in the Awadh region.
• Banjara and Njava form of music are sung by the people of the Teli community.
• Kajri is sung in the month of Sawan(monsoon) by females.
• Kajri's singing style is closely associated with the Banaras Gharana.

• Saint Thyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shayama Shastri is considered as the Trinity of Carnatic music.
• Also famous as The three jewels of Carnatic music.
• They propounded new and different style of Ragas and Talas.
• Muthuswami was famous for his composition in sanskrit language.
• Thyagaraja and Shyama Shastri compose their music in telugu language.
• The trio includes -
  • Thyagaraja - Pancharatna Kritis
  • Muthuswami Dikshitar - Navagraha Kritis
  • Shyama Shastri - Swarajati

Note -

• Every year in Thiruvaiyaru, Tyagaraja Aradhana music festival is celebrated.
• A sports complex in New Delhi has been devoted to saint Thyagaraja by giving his name.

• ​Awadh Region of Uttar Pradesh is mainly known for the "Sohar and Qawwali".
• Sohar is described as a form sung to celebrate the birth of a child.
• Qawwali is a form of Sufi poetry.
• Gazals and Thumaris also have been quite popular in the Awadh region.
• Sanskar geet and Nataka are also known in the Awadh region.
• The songs which are sung at the time of the rites are called sanskar geet.

• Indian musician Sharan Rani is associated with Sarod.
• She is the first woman sarod player in India.
• According to Jawaharlal Nehru, Sharan Rani was the "Cultural Ambassador of India".
• She was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2000.

Instruments and Indian musicians

• Manganiyars or Langas are folk musicians from the state of Rajasthan.
• The ancient folk tradition of Rajasthan is represented by them.
• They also belong to the part of Sindh and Gujarat.

• Raga music is the root of this folk tradition.
• Many Lakhshan geets have been learned from them, which are in the pure unaltered raga.
• Muslims are the patron of the raga.
• Hindus are the patrons of Manganiyar.
• Both traditions have one root in every other aspect.
• On festive occasions, the community performs whenever called.
• In wedding, birth and anniversary, they are called.
• They perform with traditional old compositions with appropriate lyrics for each occasion.