1. Bobbili veena, also known as Saraswathi Veena or the Ekanda Veena, is a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic classical music. It is made from which of the following trees?
[A] Sandalwood
[B] Jackwood
[C] Bamboo
[D] Rosewood
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jackwood]
Notes:
Bobbili veena, also known as Saraswathi Veena or the Ekanda Veena, is a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic classical music. It is carved from a single piece of Jackwood. Jackwood is a rainforest tree.
2. Chakan Gaan-Ngai, a post-harvest festival is celebrated in __:
[A] Manipur
[B] Sikkim
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Manipur]
Notes:
Celebration of the biggest post-harvest festival of the Zeliangrong community, Chakan Gaan-Ngai, also popularly known as Gaan-Ngai was kick-started in Manipur recently with different organizations celebrating the festival in their own manner with traditional gaiety and religious fervour. The State Level celebration of the festival was organized by State Level Gaan Ngai-2013 Committee at Langol Tarung village with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh as Chief Guest.
3. Who among the following authors is known for his satires exposing the evils of contemporary society ?
[A] Ksemendra
[B] Pravarsena
[C] Sriharsa
[D] Visakhadutta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ksemendra]
Notes:
Kshemendra was a Kashmirian poet of the 11th century, writing in Sanskrit.In his most of the works like ‘Kalavilas’, ‘Narma Mala’ describes the inner weakness of man and society and the corrupt official machinery of those times.In his one of the work ‘Samaya Matrika’ ,he depicted super seductress ‘Kankali’ character By depicting it ,he wishes to reform the degradation in the society. In short Ksemendra had chosen the vehicle of satire.
4. Who among the following is considered to be the originator of the khayal and tarana styles of Hindustani Classical Music?
[A] Niyamat Khan
[B] Mohammad Shah Rangile
[C] Amir Khusro
[D] Tansen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Amir Khusro]
Notes:
Amir Khusro was a Sufi mystic and a spiritual disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya. He was a poet as well as prolific musician. He is regarded as the “father of qawwali”. He is also credited with enriching Indian classical music by introducing Persian and Arabic elements in it, and was the originator of the khayal and tarana styles of music. Khayal later reached to its zenith during the times of Mohammad Shah Rangila and today is integral part of Hindustani classical music.
5. Who was the first recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
[A] Prithviraj kapoor
[B] Raj kapoor
[C] Devika Rani
[D] Guru Dutt
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Devika Rani]
Notes:
The first recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was actress Devika Rani, who was honoured at the 17th National Film Awards.
6. Which among the following month of Indian Calendar are placed in correct order ?
[A] Chaitra-Jyeshtha-Baishakha-Ashvin
[B] Chaitra – Sravana-Bhadrapada-Pausha
[C] Chaitra -Baishakha – Pausha -Ashada
[D] Chaitra -Baisakha – Kartika – Ashvina
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chaitra – Sravana-Bhadrapada-Pausha]
Notes:Correct sequence of the months is as follows:
- Chaitra
- Vaisakha
- Jyestha
- Ashadha
- Shravana
- Bhadrapada
- Ashvina
- Kartika
- Margashirsha
- Pausha
- Magha
- Phalguna
7. Which among the following is incorrectly matched?
[A] Thyagaraja Festival – Andhra Pradesh & Tamilnadu
[B] Mahamastakabhisheka- Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh
[C] Pooram – Kerala
[D] Teej- Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mahamastakabhisheka- Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Mahamastakabhisheka holds in Karnataka only and holds for once in 12 years
8. In which state of North east India “Dree Festival” which is a crop harvest festival is observed?
[A] Meghalaya
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Assam
[D] Nagaland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Arunachal Pradesh]
Notes:
“Dree Festival” which is a crop harvest festival is observed in Arunachal Pradesh. The Apatanis, who inhabit a tranquil pine clad valley called Ziro at the core of Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh, are famous for their unique practice of wet rice cultivation.
9. At which of the following places, the only Swaminarayan temple is located in Pakistan?
[A] Islamabad
[B] Lahore
[C] Karachi
[D] Islamabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Karachi]
Notes:
The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Karachi is a Hindu temple that is the only Swaminarayan temple in Pakistan. Karachi is the capital of Sindh province of Pakistan.
10. In which state is Darbhanga Castle located?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Bihar
[C] West Bengal
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Darbhanga Castle is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in Prayagraj, next to Allahabad University. Interestingly, despite its name which might suggest a connection to Darbhanga in Bihar, it is in fact based in Uttar Pradesh. This castle illustrates the rich and diverse architectural history of India, with its stylistic influences drawn from a range of periods and locations.