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General Studies
Q1. Kottakkal Nandakumaran Nair isa Sangeet Natak Akademi 2019 Awardee for his contribution to _____.
(A) Bharatanatyam
(B) Contemporary
(C) Kathakali
(D) Odissi
Answer: (C) Kathakali
Explanation: (Classical Indian dance of Kerala). Kottakal Nandakumaran Nair – He is famous for his ‘Kathi’ Veshas and has skill in enacting ‘Pacha’ and ‘Minukku’ veshas.
Q2. Who among the following personalities won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2021 for contribution to Manipuri Dance?
(A) Bhuvan Kumar
(B) Thokchom Ibemubi Devi
(C) Sruti Bandopadhyay
(D) Kumkum Dhar
Answer: (B) Thokchom Ibemubi Devi
Explanation: The Manipuri Dance, also referred to as the Manipuri Raas Leela, is anchored in the Vaishnava faith of the Meiteis. The four Jhaveri sisters (Nayana, Ranjana, Suverna and Darshana) are classical Manipuri dancers. Bhuvan Kumar (Chhau Dancer)
Q3. Asghari Bai is primarily remembered for her contribution to which of the following genres of music?
(A) Folk
(B) Carnatic
(C) Dhrupad
(D) Ghazal
Answer: (C) Dhrupad
Explanation: Awards of Asghari Bai – Padma Shri (1990), Sangeet Natak Akademi (1986). Other Dhrupad Artists: Ramakant Gundecha, Umakant Gundecha, Zia Fariddudin Dagar, Pelva Naik, Pandit Ram Kumar Mallick, Mukund Dev Sahoo, Uday Bhawalkar.
Q4. Who among the following personalities was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2020 for his/her contribution to contemporary dance?
(A) Bhushan Lakandri
(B) Sruti Bandopadhyay
(C) Bickram Ghosh
(D) Sumitra Guha
Answer: (A) Bhushan Lakandri
Explanation: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award: First Awarded – 1952. Awarded for – Performing arts in India. Organiser – Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Headquarters – New Delhi.
Q5. Who is called the father of the modern Indian dance ?
(A) Uday Shankar
(B) Ambui Singh
(C) CV Chandrasekhar
(D) Raja Reddy
Answer: (A) Uday Shankar
Explanation: A proponent of the fusion style of dance. His dance – ‘Hi-dance’ (later renamed it to ‘Creative dance’). Awards – Padma Vibhushan (1971).
Q6. Who among the following personalities is associated with synthesising classical and modern Indian dance through a theatre group called Ranga Sri Little Ballet Troupe ?
(A) Guru Bipin Singh
(B) Pandit Birju Maharaj
(C) Shanti Bardhan
(D) Remo Fernandes
Answer: (C) Shanti Bardhan
Explanation: A junior colleague of Uday Shankar, produced some of the most imaginative dance -dramas of the 20th century. He produced Ramayana, in which the actors moved and danced like puppets.
Q7. Subha Mudgal is famous for which of the following music forms?
(A) Carnatic music
(B) Reggae music
(C) Hip hop music
(D) Hindustani music
Answer: (D) Hindustani music
Explanation: Subha Mudgal: Awards – Padma Shri (2000), Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award (2016). Major exponents of Hindustani Music: Allauddin Khan, Vilayat Khan, Bismillah Khan, Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj, Ravi Shankar, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Zakir Hussain, Shivkumar Sharma, Ali Akbar Khan. Carnatic Musicians: Aruna Sairam, M. S. Subbulakshmi, Lalgudi Jayaraman.
Q8. Who among the following personalities coined the term ‘Odissi’ for Odisha’s classical dance?
(A) Kabichandra Kalicharan Patnaik
(B) Kelucharan Mohapatra
(C) Raja Rammohan Roy
(D) Rabindranath Tagore
Answer: (A) Kabichandra Kalicharan Patnaik
Explanation: His Contribution was in the field of Odissi music, Odissi dance and Odia theatre. Some of his major published works: Kalanka Bhanjana, Milana Madhuri, Daridrya Bhanjana.
Q9. Padma Bhushan Kumari Kamala is associated with which Indian dance?
(A) Kathakali
(B) Kathak
(C) Odissi
(D) Kuchipudi
Answer: (B) Kathak
Explanation: Kumari Kamala (also known as Kamala Lakshman) was invited to perform for Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation festivities in 1953. Awards: Kalaimamani (1967), Padma Bhushan (1970). She is a preeminent artist of the Vazhuvoor tradition of the dance.
Q10. Who among the following personalities is a professional Kuchipudi Dancer?
(A) Radha Sridhar
(B) Surupa Sen
(C) Anupama Hoskere
(D) Kaushalya Reddy
Answer: (D) Kaushalya Reddy
Explanation: Famous Kuchipudi Dancers: Bhavana Reddy, Yamini Reddy, Vempati Chinna Satyam, Manju Bhargavi.
Q11. In 2018, Google Doodle celebrated the 100th birthday of Mrinalini Sarabhai. She is an exponent of which of the following dance forms?
(A) Bharatanatyam and Kathakali
(B) Odissi and Kathak
(C) Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam
(D) Yakshagana
Answer: (A) Bharatanatyam and Kathakali
Explanation: Awards of Mrinalini Sarabhai – Padma Shri (1965), Padma Bhushan (1992), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1970), Dhirubhai Thakar Savyasachi Saraswat Award (2014), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (1994). She was the founder of Darpana Academy of Performing Arts (1949).
Q12. Guru Bipin Singh, a Nrityacharya awardee, Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee and Kalidas Samman awardee, was renowned for promoting which classical dance form?
(A) Manipuri
(B) Kuchipudi
(C) Odissi
(D) Kathak
Answer: (A) Manipuri
Explanation: Awards of Guru Bipin Singh – Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1966), Kalidas Samman (1989), Title of Hanjaba by the Maharaja of Manipur. Famous Dancers : Manipuri – Yumlembam Gambhini Devi, Darshana Jhaveri, Nirmala Mehta.
Q13. Urmila Satyanarayanan is an exponent of which Indian classical dance form ?
(A) Bharatanatyam
(B) Kathak
(C) Manipuri
(D) Sattriya
Answer: (A) Bharatanatyam
Explanation: Urmila Satyanarayanan (Tamil Nadu) – Awards: Kalaimamani award (1997), Nritya Choodamani (2001).
Q14. Which of the given personalities is NOT associated with Carnatic Music?
(A) Kalyani Varadarajan
(B) MS Subbulakshmi
(C) Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande
(D) Subramania Bharathiyar
Answer: (C) Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande
Explanation: He was related to Hindustani classical music. Other personalities related to Carnatic music – Purandaradasa (Father of Carnatic music), Kanaka Dasa, Muthu Thandavar, Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syama Sastri, Aruna Sairam, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Lalgudi Jayaraman.
Q15. Who was hailed as a resident dancer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam for her unique contribution to the promotion of classical dance forms?
(A) Uma Sharma
(B) Rukmini Devi
(C) Yamini Krishnamurthy
(D) Ragini Devi
Answer: (C) Yamini Krishnamurthy
Explanation: She is an Indian dancer of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, recognised as “Asthana Nartaki” of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. Awards – Padma Shri (1968), Padma Bhushan (2001) and Padma Vibhushan (2016). Uma Sharma (Kathak): Awards – Padma Shri (1973), Padma Bhushan (2001).
Q16. Satyaram Reang received the Padma Shri for promoting the Hojagiri dance form. He belongs to which of the following states?
(A) Sikkim
(B) Manipur
(C) Assam
(D) Tripura
Answer: (D) Tripura
Explanation: His Awards – Padma Shri (2021), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1986), Hojagiri dance (Reang community).
Q17. Who among the following Indianclassical tabla players was called Abbaji’? He collaborated with American jazz drummer Buddy Rich to create a music album in 1968 ?
(A) Taufiq Qureshi
(B) Zakir Hussain
(C) Fazal Qureshi
(D) Alla Rakha
Answer: (D) Alla Rakha
Explanation: He belongs to Punjab Gharana. Awards: Padma Shri (1977) and Sangeet Natak Academy Award (1982).
Q18. Who among the following personalities is associated with the musical instrument Mandolin?
(A) Brij Bhushan Kabra
(B) Vishwa Mohan Bhat
(C) U Srinivas
(D) MS Gopalkrishnan
Answer: (C) U Srinivas
Explanation: (Uppalapu Srinivas) – He was an Indian mandolin player in Carnatic classical music. Awards: Padma Shri (1998), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2009).
Q19. Who among the following Kathak dancers of India founded the KADAMB Centre for Dance in 1964?
(A) Shovana Narayan
(B) Sitara Devi
(C) Rohini Bhate
(D) Kumudini Lakhia
Answer: (D) Kumudini Lakhia
Explanation: Award – Padma Shri (1987), Padma Bhushan (2010), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1982), Kalidas Samman (2002-03).
Q20. Shivaputra Siddaramaiah Komkali math is the original name of which of the following Indian classical singers?
(A) Pandit Omkarnath Thakur
(B) Pandit Kumar Gandharva
(C) Pandit Jasraj
(D) Pandit Dinkar Kaikini
Answer: (B) Pandit Kumar Gandharva
Explanation: Awards – Padma Vibhushan (1990). Pandit Jasraj (Rasraj) – Mewati Gharana.
Q21. Pandit Kishan Maharaj of Benaras Gharana was a __ player.
(A) santoor
(B) flute
(C) sarangi
(D) tabla
Answer: (D) tabla
Explanation: Awards of Kishan Maharaj – Padma Shri (1973), Padma Vibhushan (2002).
Q22. V Satyanarayana Sarma, a Padma Shri awardee, was recognised for which of the following dance forms?
(A) Odissi
(B) Bharatanatyam
(C) Kathak
(D) Kuchipudi
Answer: (D) Kuchipudi
Explanation: Awards : Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1961), Padma Shri (1970), Sangeet Natak Akademi Ratna (1967), Kalidas Samman (1988). Famous Dancers of Kuchipudi – Indrani Bajpai, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Lakshmi Narayn Shastri.
Q23. Padma Shri awardee, Darshana Jhaveri is a_________dancer of India.
(A) Kathakali
(B) Bharatanatyam
(C) Kathak
(D) Manipuri
Answer: (D) Manipuri
Explanation: Darshana Jhaveri is the youngest of the four Jhaveri sisters (Nayana, Ranjana, Suverna, and Darshana). She is one of the founders of the Manipuri Narthanalaya established in 1972. Awards: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1996), Padma Shri (2002).
Q24. Ustad Hassu Khan was one of the founders of which of the following Gharanas of music?
(A) Rampur
(B) Gwalior
(C) Agra
(D) Patiala
Answer: (B) Gwalior
Explanation: Gwalior Gharana: Oldest khayal gharana. Singers – Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, Nisaar Husain Khan, Ulhas Kashaalkar. Gharanas and their founders: Rampur – Ustad Inayat Hussain Khan, Agra – Hajisujan Khan, Kirana – Abdul Karim Khan.
Q25. Ramkrishna Talukdar received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2018 for his contribution to the Sattriya dance form. To which state does this dance form belong?
(A) West Bengal
(B) Assam
(C) Meghalaya
(D) Jharkhand
Answer: (B) Assam
Explanation: Ramkrishna Talukdar : Awards – Asom Gaurav, Sangeet Jyoti Award, Nritya Ratna, Kala Gaurav. It was given the status of a classical dance in 2000 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Q26. In which of the following cities of British India was Lata Mangeshkar born ?
(A) Bombay
(B) Indore
(C) Calcutta
(D) Lucknow
Answer: (B) Indore
Explanation: Lata Mangeshkar – She was India’s playback singer and music composer. Awards: Padma Bhushan (1969), Padma Vibhushan (1999) and Bharat Ratna (2001), Maharashtra Bhushan Award (1997), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1989). Titles: “Queen of Melody” and “Voice of the Millennium”. First Song – ‘Aayega aane wala’ (1942, Mahal).
Q27. Akham Lakshmi Devi, a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi award, is renowned for which of the following dances?
(A) Kathak
(B) Odissi
(C) Sattriya
(D) Manipuri
Answer: (D) Manipuri
Explanation: Akham Lakshmi: Awards – Sangeet Natak Akademi (2018), Manipur State Kala Akademi Award (2010).
Q28. Who was the founder of Benaras Gharana of Kathak?
(A) Ishwari Prasad
(B) Shambhu Maharaj
(C) Raja Chakradhar Singh
(D) Janaki Prasad
Answer: (D) Janaki Prasad
Explanation: Notable dancers – Sitara Devi, Kamalini Asthana and Nalini Asthana. Ishwari Prasad – Founder of the Lucknow Gharana; Notable dancer – Pandit Birju Maharaj. Shambhu Maharaj – Celebrated Guru of the Lucknow Gharana.
Q29. For contribution to which dance was Tanjore Balasaraswati awarded the title of Sangita Kalanidhi by Madras Music Academy in 1973 ?
(A) Kathakali
(B) Bharatanatyam
(C) Mohiniyattam
(D) Kathak
Answer: (B) Bharatanatyam
Explanation: Tanjore Balasaraswati: Awards – Sangeet Natak Academy Award (1955) and Padma Vibhushan (1977).
Q30. Shahid Parvez Khan, Budhaditya Mukherjee, Anushka Shankar and Hara Shankar Bhattacharya are well known players of which of the following instruments?
(A) Veena
(B) Sitar
(C) Mohan veena
(D) Surbahar
Answer: (B) Sitar
Explanation: Plucked stringed instrument. Sitar players – Ravi Shankar, Annapurna Devi, Ustad Rais Khan and Ustad Abdul Jaffer Khan.
Q31. Which danseuse among the following was called to perform for Queen Elizabeth-ll’s coronation festivities in 1953 ?
(A) Mrinalini Sarabhai
(B) Sitara Devi
(C) Kamala Lakshmi Narayanan
(D) Rukmini Devi Arundale
Answer: (C) Kamala Lakshmi Narayanan
Explanation: (Bharatanatyam). Awards – Padma Bhushan (1970), Lifetime Achievement Award (2004), Natya Padmam (2007), Platinum Jubilee Award (2002).
Q32. Vasundhara Doraswamy was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (Akademi Puraskar) for the year 2019 for her contribution to which of the following ?
(A) Bharatanatyam
(B) Kuchipudi
(C) Odissi
(D) Kathak
Answer: (A) Bharatanatyam
Explanation: (Tamil Nadu). She is the only Bharatanatyam danseuse to have been invited from India to perform for ‘WORLD PEACE’ conference in Paris under the aegis of UNESCO. She was honoured with “Shantala Natya Sri Award” – The highest State Award for Dance by the Karnataka State Government and the Rajyotsava Award (Karnataka State).
Q33. Which dancer was the first person from Odisha to get Padma Vibhushan in 2000 ?
(A) Guru Shyama Charan Pati
(B) Guru Bipin Singh
(C) Guru Mayadhar Rout
(D) Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra
Answer: (D) Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra
Explanation: Padma Bhushan (1988), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1966), Kalidas Samman (1987).
Q34. Jyoti Prasad Agarwala was a music composer popularly called ‘Rupkonwar’ in the state of _____ .
(A) Madhya Pradesh
(B) Rajasthan
(C) Gujarat
(D) Assam
Answer: (D) Assam
Explanation: Jyoti Prasad Agarwal – First filmmaker of Assam. He made the first Assamese Movie – ‘Joymoti’ (1935). His Famous Play – ‘Sonit – Konwari’, ‘Rupalim’, ‘Karengar Ligiri’, ‘Lobhita’ and ‘Joymoti’. His death anniversary (17 January) is observed as ‘Silpi Divas’ in Assam.
Q35. The noted danseuse Yamini Krishnamurthy opened Yamini School of Dance in_________, in the year 1990.
(A) Mumbai
(B) Delhi
(C) Chenna
(D) Hyderabad
Answer: (B) Delhi
Explanation: Yamini Krishnamurthy – Awards – Padma Shri (1968), Sangeet Natak Akademi (1997), Padma Bhushan (2001), Padma Vibhushan (2016), “Natya Shastra” award (2014). Autobiography – “A Passion For Dance”.
Q36. Who among the following was the founder and director of the ‘Darpana Academy of Performing Arts’, an institute that focuses on training students in dance, drama, music and puppetry, in the city of Ahmedabad?
(A) Amala Shankar
(B) Sitara Devi
(C) Padmini Chettur
(D) Mrinalini Sarabhai
Answer: (D) Mrinalini Sarabhai
Explanation: Darpana Academy was founded in 1949 by Bharatanatyam and Kathakali dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai.
Q37. Who among the following personalities has received both Grammy and Oscar awards?
(A) Javed Akhtar
(B) Jagjit Singh
(C) Gulzar
(D) Amitabh Bhattacharya
Answer: (C) Gulzar
Explanation: (Sampooran Singh Kalra) is a famous lyricist of Hindi films. Awards – National Film Award (1991, 1988). Filmfare Award (2021, 2019, 2013). Academy Award (2009). Padma Bhushan (2004). Jawed Akhtar : Poet and lyricist and screenwriter of Hindi films. Award : Padma Shri (1999), Padma Bhushan (2007).
Q38. Ratikant Mohapatra, an awardee of ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi Award’, is known for which of the following classical dances of India?
(A) Odissi
(B) Manipuri
(C) Kathak
(D) Kathakali
Answer: (A) Odissi
Explanation: Odissi (2016). Other Awards : Bhumiputra Samman (2016), Nritya Choodamani (2014). Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (Odissi) – Pankaj Charan Das (1970), Deba Prasad Das (1970), Mayadhar Raut (1985), Sonal Mansingh (1987), Kumkum Mohanty (1994), Gangadhar Pradhan (1997), Gita Mahalik (2009), Aruna Mohanty (2010), Sujata Mohapatra (2017), Surupa Sen (2018), Sutapa Talukdar (2019), Rabindra Atibudhi (2020).
Q39. Kamalini and Nalini Asthana, the dancer duo have been conferred with the Padma Shri in 2022. They are renowned for which of the following dance forms?
(A) Kuchipudi
(B) Bharatnatyam
(C) Manipuri
(D) Kathak
Answer: (D) Kathak
Explanation: Kamalini Asthana and Nalini Asthana (Agra, Uttar Pradesh) known for their performances of the Benaras Gharana style of Kathak.
Q40. Surupa Sen is a famous ____dancer.
(A) Kathak
(B) Kathakali
(C) Odissi
(D) Bharatanatyam
Answer: (C) Odissi
Explanation: Awards of Surupa Sen: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2018), Raza Foundation Award (2006).
Q41. Who was the recipient of Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2017 for Kathak ?
(A) Jitendra Maharaj
(B) Rajendra Gangani
(C) Geetanjali Lal
(D) Vidha Lal
Answer: (D) Vidha Lal
Explanation: She is a disciple of Kathak dancer Geetanjali Lal of Jaipur Gharana. Awards: ‘Sri Krishna gana sabha endowment award (2010) and Guinness world record for the most number of spins (103) in one minute (2011).
Q42. Papanasam Sivan was related to the following music?
(A) Carnatic
(B) Punjabi
(C) Khyal
(D) Dhrupad
Answer: (A) Carnatic
Explanation: Papanasam Sivan Awards: Padma Bhushan (1972), Sangeet Natak Academy Fellow (1962), President Award (1962).
Q43. Who among the following musicians was awarded a Grammy in the Music Album category for his collaborative album ‘Global Drum Project’ along with Mickey Hart, Sikiru Adepoju and Giovanni Hidalgo ?
(A) Ricky Kej
(B) Vikku Vinayakram
(C) A R Rahman
(D) Zakir Hussain
Answer: (D) Zakir Hussain
Explanation: Awards – Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), Padma vibhushan (2023) National Heritage Fellowship (1999), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1990), Kalidas Samman (2006), Guru Gangadhar Pradhan Lifetime Achievement Award (In 2012 at Konark Dance & Music Festival), Grammy Award (1992 and 2009).
Q44. Ilyas Khan was born in Lucknow to a family of musicians. He was famous for playing
(A) Tabla
(B) Sitar
(C) Veena
(D) Mridangam
Answer: (A) Tabla
Explanation: Ilyas Khan (1924-1989) – He was a disciple of Abdul Ghani Khan (a dhrupad singer from Kalpi). His father belonged to the Shahjahanpur gharana of sarod players while his mother came from the Lucknow gharana of sarod players.
Q45. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, an Indian musician and composer was the foremost exponent of the______.
(A) Guitar
(B) Santoor
(C) Harmonium
(D) Violin
Answer: (B) Santoor
Explanation: Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma (Jammu and Kashmir) Awards – Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1986), the Padma Shri (1991), and the Padma Vibhushan (2001).
Q46. Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan was best known for which of the following instruments?
(A) Tabla
(B) Rudra Veena
(C) Violin
(D) Harmonium
Answer: (A) Tabla
Explanation: Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan (Delhi gharana). Awards – Padma Shri Award in 2003. Famous Tabla players – Zakir Hussain, Trilok Gurtu, Kishan Maharaj, Alla Rakha. Rudra Veena Player – Asad Ali Khan.
Q47. V. Satyanarayana Sarma was awarded with Padma Shri in 1970 for his contributions in the field of __ dance
(A) Kuchipudi
(B) Odissi
(C) Manipuri
(D) Kathak
Answer: (A) Kuchipudi
Explanation: It originates from a village named Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh). Awards – Padma Shri (1970), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (1967), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1961), Kalidas Samman (1988).
Q48. Who among the following was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001 and has been credited with taking the shehnai from the marriage mandap to the concert hall ?
(A) Ravi Shankar
(B) Ali Akbar Khan
(C) Hariprasad Chaurasia
(D) Bismillah Khan
Answer: (D) Bismillah Khan
Explanation: Bismillah Khan (Ustad). Awards: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1956), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (1994), Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram (1998) by Government of Kerala, T Choudayya National Award (1995) by Government of Karnataka, Tahar Mausique from the Republic of Iran (1992), Tansen Award by Govt. of Madhya Pradesh.
Q49. Who among the following was known as the ‘Queen of Thumri’ ?
(A) Siddheswari Devi
(B) Girija Devi
(C) Gangubai Hangal
(D) Begum Parveen Sultana
Answer: (B) Girija Devi
Explanation: Padma Shri (1972), Padma Bhushan (1989), Padma Vibhushan (2016), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2010).
Q50. A biopic on legendary Sitara Devi has been announced on her 101st birth anniversary by producer Raj C Anand. Sitara Devi was a recognized _____ dancer
(A) Kathak
(B) Odissi
(C) Kathakali
(D) Kuchipudi
Answer: (A) Kathak
Explanation: Sitara Devi: Awards – Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1969), Padma Shri (1973), Kalidas Samman (1995).