1. Ustad Allah Rakkha Khan was a famous exponent of which among the following instruments?
[A] Shehnai
[B] Tabla
[C] Sitar
[D] Harmonium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tabla]
Notes:
Ustad Allah Rakha Khan, also known as A. R. Khan or simply Ustad Allah Rakha, was a Indian classical musician and tabla player. He was one of the most respected and influential tabla players of his time, and he played with many of the greatest musicians in Indian classical music.
2. Adya Dhara niradhara, niralamba Saraswati, thus lamented a poet at the demise of which among the following Kings?
[A] Chahmana Visaladeva
[B] Chandela Kirtivarma
[C] Mihira Bhoja
[D] Bhoja Paramara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bhoja Paramara]
Notes:
Raja Bhoja Of Dhar was a philosopher king and polymath of medieval India. He was from the Paramara dynasty of Arya, who ruled the kingdom of Malwa in Centra India from about 1010 to 1060. On his demise, a poet lamented “Adya Dhara niradhara, niralamba Saraswati Panditah khanditah sarve Bhojraje divam gate”. This means that Saraswati is now helpless, ll learned people have scattered, because the support of Dhara (Kingdom) Raja Bhoj has gone”.
3. Which among the following is the most famous Bronze Image of Chola Period?
[A] Murugan
[B] Nataraja
[C] Venkateshwar
[D] Vishunu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nataraja]
Notes:
Chola art: The most famous of all the bronze icons is that of Nataraja, the Divine Dancer. The symbolism presents Siva as lord of the cosmic dance of creation and destruction.
4. Which among the following statements about Devadasis is not true?
[A] According to Paes, Devadasis held a highly esteemed position in Vijayanagar society.
[B] The Devadasi system originated solely during the Vijayanagar era.
[C] Devadasi implies that the girls were married to deities.
[D] All the above statements are true.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [The Devadasi system originated solely during the Vijayanagar era.]
Notes:
The Devadasi system, which involves dedicating girls to a deity, predates the Vijayanagar era. This tradition, prevalent in South India, had Devadasis performing music and dance in temples. While their status varied over time, foreign travelers like Paes and Nuniz noted Devadasis’ respected position in Vijayanagar society.
5. Ashtadhyayi, Mahabhasya & Nirkuta are related to which of the following?
[A] Music
[B] Grammar
[C] Philosophy
[D] Music
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Grammar]
Notes:
Ashtadhyayi is a sanskrit treatise on grammar. It was written in the 6th to 5th century bce by the Indian grammarian Panini.
The Mahābhāsya is attributed to Patañjali, is a commentary on selected rules of Sanskrit grammar from Paṇini’s treatise. It is dated to the 2nd century BCE.
Nirukta means “explained, interpreted” and refers to one of the six ancient Vedangas. Nirukta covers etymology, and is the study concerned with correct interpretation of Sanskrit words in the Vedas.
6. A Fire temple is a place of worship for _____?
[A] Sikhs
[B] Zoroastrians
[C] Buddhists
[D] Shinto’s
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Zoroastrians]
Notes:
A fire temple in Zoroastrianism is the place of worship for Zoroastrians, often called dar-e mehr (Persian) or agiyari (Gujarati). In the Zoroastrian religion, fire together with clean water (see aban), are agents of ritual purity.
7. Nirmal Hridaya is located in:
[A] Bangalore
[B] Chennai
[C] Hyderabad
[D] Kolkata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kolkata]
Notes:
Nirmal Hriday is Mother Teresa`s first home for the dying, located next to the famous Kali Temple in Kalighat, is now one of 300 affiliated organizations all over the world, set up by her. A very small building, it is characterized by neo-Mughal style mini domes on the roof.
8. What is the earlier name of “Leh Singhe-Khababs Festival”?
[A] Ladakh Festival
[B] Leh Darshan
[C] Sindhu Darshan
[D] Sindhu Festival
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sindhu Darshan]
Notes:
Sindhu Darshan Festival is a festival of India held every year on full moon day (on Guru Purnima) in June. It is held at Leh, in Ladakh District of Ladakh. It is the other name for “Leh Singhe-Khababs Festival”.
9. Consider the following matches:
- Khudabaksh Oriental Library
- Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
- Indira Gandhi Rastriya Manav sangrahalaya
The states in which the above are located are as follows:
[A] Bihar, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh
[B] Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh
[C] Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh
[D] Bihar, Sikkim, Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Khudabaksh Oriental Library – Patna,
Library of Tibetan Works and Archives-Dharamsala,
Indira Gandhi Rastriya Manav sangrahalaya – Bhopal
10. The oldest recorded Indian Music dates back to 1902 when India’s first disc featured a khayal in Raag Jogiya by one of these singers. Identify the singer:
[A] Abdul Wahid Khan
[B] Govindrao Tembe
[C] Gauhar Jan
[D] Abdul Karim Khan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gauhar Jan]
Notes:
Gauhar Jan, born as Angelina Yeoward, was of the foremost musicians in the Hindustani classical music tradition during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in India. She is known especially for her ghazal style and singing in several languages such as Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, and more. A critical performer in khyal style music, she was notable enough to perform in the first recording sessions held in India circa 1902.
