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General Studies
Q1. Who among the following founded the Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai that is an important center for the study and performance of fine arts?
(A) Alarmel Valli
(B) Mrinalini Sarabhai
(C) Yamini Krishnamurthy
(D) Rukmini Devi Arundale
Answer: (D) Rukmini Devi Arundale
Explanation: Rukmini Devi Arundale founded the Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai in 1936. Foundation was declared as an institution of national importance by an Act of Parliament in 1993. It is an important centre for the study and performance of fine arts, especially Bharatanatyam dance and Carnatic music.
Q2. Who among the following is considered as the ‘Father of Carnatic Music in India’ ?
(A) Gopala
(B) Purandar das
(C) Krishna Bharati
(D) Narayan Tirtha
Answer: (B) Purandar das
Explanation: Famous Carnatic Musicians: M.S. Subbulakshmi (Bharat Ratna 1998), Balamuralikrishna (Padma Vibhushan 1991), D.K. Pattamal (Padam Bhushan 1971). Important elements of Carnatic Music: Sruti, Swara, Raga system, Tala system.
Q3. In 2015, the eminent danseuse and _____ exponent, Padma Subrahmanyam was selected for Kerala’s prestigious choreography award ‘Nishagandhi Puraskaram’ instituted by the state tourism department.
(A) Kuchipudi
(B) Bharatanatyam
(C) Sattriya
(D) Kathakali
Answer: (B) Bharatanatyam
Explanation: Her Awards: Padma Vibhushan (2024), Padma Bhushan (2003), Padma Shri (1981), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1983).
Q4. Gopika Varma has won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2019 in which of the following dance forms ?
(A) Bharatanatyam
(B) Mohiniyattam
(C) Kathak
(D) Kuchipudi
Answer: (B) Mohiniyattam
Explanation: Gopika Varma was the first Mohiniyattam dancer to receive the ‘Kalaimamani’. Other Dancers- Sunanda Nair, Kalamandalam, Kalyanikutty Amma, Jayaprabha Menon, Pallavi Krishnan, Vijayalakshmi, Radha Dutta, Nirmala Panikar.
Q5. Haripriya Namboodiri is an exponent of which Indian classical dance form ?
(A) Kuchipudi
(B) Odissi
(C) Bharatanatyam
(D) Kathakali
Answer: (D) Kathakali
Explanation: She was winner of Stree Ratnam and Devdasi National Award. Other Dancers: Kavungal Chathunni Panicker, Kalamandalam Gopi, Kottakkal Sivaraman, Kalanilayam Balakrishnan, Kottakal Sivaraman, Rita Ganguly.
Q6. The Wadali Brothers are ____ singers.
(A) Bhatiali
(B) Lavani
(C) Sufi
(D) Pandavani
Answer: (C) Sufi
Explanation: Wadali Brothers: Puranchand Wadali and Pyarelal Wadali. They are famous for various styles of singing including Kaafian, ghazal and bhajan. Awards: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1991), Padma shri (2005).
Q7. Which Manipuri dance expert founded Govindji Nartanalaya dance school for women in Imphal ?
(A) Guru Bipin Singh
(B) Guru Amubi
(C) Rajkumar Singhajit Singh
(D) Phanjoubam Iboton Singh
Answer: (A) Guru Bipin Singh
Explanation: He is known as the Father of Manipuri Dance. Manipuri dancers – Darshana Jhaveri, Guru Amubi, Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Yumlembam Gambhini Devi, Nirmala Mehta, Charu Mathur.
Q8. Ammanur Madhava Chakkiar was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to which of the following dance forms ?
(A) Kutiyattam
(B) Yakshagana
(C) Kuchipudi
(D) Kathakali
Answer: (A) Kutiyattam
Explanation: (Kerala) – Its stylized and codified theatrical language, neta abhinaya (eye expression) and hasta abhinaya (the language of gestures) are prominent. Ammanur Madhava Chakkiar: Award – Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1979), Padma Shri (1982), Padam Bhushan (2003) etc.
Q9. Kanaka Raju has been awarded Padma Shri in 2021 for which of the following folk dances?
(A) Fugdi
(B) Gussadi
(C) Ganagor
(D) Bhavai
Answer: (B) Gussadi
Explanation: It is a folk dance performed by Raj gond tribes of Adilabad, Telangana.
Q10. Aluna Kabuini is associated with which of the following dances ?
(A) Kathak
(B) Sattriya
(C) Manipuri
(D) Mohiniyattam
Answer: (C) Manipuri
Explanation: She is a Ras exponent. She was the recipient of the Manipur State Kala Academy Award in 2001 for her contribution in the field of Tribal Kabui dance.
Q11. The Madhya Pradesh government conferred the Dhananjayans, a celebrated___________couple from Chennai, with the prestigious Rashtriya Kalidas Samman for 2019 – 2020.
(A) Kuchipudi
(B) Bharatanatyam
(C) Sattriya
(D) Kathakali
Answer: (B) Bharatanatyam
Explanation: Dancing couple – Vannadil Pudiyaveettil Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan (together known as Dhananjayans).
Q12. Ustad Asad Ali Khan is famous for which of the following schools of Dhrupad as an instrumentalist?
(A) Nauhar
(B) Dagar
(C) Khandarbani
(D) Gauri
Answer: (C) Khandarbani
Explanation: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977), and Padma Bhushan (2008). Famous Dhrupad singers – Ustad Rahim Fahimuddin Dagar, Nasir Aminuddin Dagar, Zia Fariduddin Dagar, Zia Mohiuddin Dagar. Four schools of Dhrupad: the Gauri (Gauhar), Khandar, Nauhar, and Dagar.
Q13. Roshan Kumari, Shovana Narayan, Maya Rao and Kumudini Lakhia are eminent _ artists.
(A) Odissi
(B) Kuchipudi
(C) Kathak
(D) Manipuri
Answer: (C) Kathak
Explanation: Famous Classical Dancers : Kathak (Uttar Pradesh): Birju Maharaj, Shambhu Maharaj, Lachhu Maharaj; Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh) – Raja and Radha Reddy, Yamini Reddy, Kaushalya Reddy; Odissi (Odisha) – Kelucharan Mohapatra, Sujata Mohapatra, Madhumita Raut.
Q14. Rani Machaiah is a __ folk dancer who was awarded Padma Shri in 2023.
(A) Ummathat
(B) Lambadi
(C) Gussadi
(D) Dhimsa
Answer: (A) Ummathat
Explanation: The traditional dance form of Coorg (Karnataka) performed by the Kodava women.
Q15. Indian classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj belonged to which of the following musical gharanas?
(A) Patiala Gharana
(B) Dagari Gharana
(C) Gwalior Gharana
(D) Mewati Gharana
Answer: (D) Mewati Gharana
Explanation: Mewati Gharana. Pandit Jasraj : Awards – Padma Bhushan (1990), Padma Vibhushan (2000), Padma Shri (1975), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987). Gharanas and Artists : Mewati Gharana – Ghagge Nazir Khan. Patiala gharana – Ali Baksh Jarnail Khan, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. Dagari – Gundecha Brothers, Zia Mohiuddin Dagar. Gwalior Gharana – Nanthan Khan, Meeta Pandit.
Q16. Who among the following was the director of Kathak Kendra and also opened his own dance school named ‘Kalashram’?
(A) Pandit Lachhu Maharaj
(B) Pandit Shambhu Maharaj
(C) Pandit Birju Maharaj
(D) Pandit Acchan Maharaj
Answer: (C) Pandit Birju Maharaj
Explanation: He belongs to the Kalka-Bindadin Gharana of Lucknow. Awards : Padma Vibhushan (1986), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1964), Kalidas Samman (1987). National Institute of Kathak Dance (also Kathak Kendra) – Founded in 1964. Headquartered at New Delhi.
Q17. Shambhu Maharaj was a renowned guru of which of the following Gharanas of Kathak?
(A) Lucknow
(B) Jaipur
(C) Raigarh
(D) Banaras
Answer: (A) Lucknow
Explanation: Pandit Shambhu Maharaj awards : Sangeet Natak Akademi award (1955), the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (1967), Padma Shri (1958). Famous Dancers from Lucknow Gharana: Birju Maharaj, Maharaj Bindadin, Kalika Prashad. Jaipur Gharana: Sunder Prasad, Durga Lal. Banaras Gharana: Rudra Shankar Mishra, Sneha Bajaj, Kamalini Asthana and Nalini Asthana.
Q18. Which Indian musician personality’s native place is West Bengal?
(A) Naushad
(B) OP Nayyar
(C) Ilayaraja
(D) Bappi Lahiri
Answer: (D) Bappi Lahiri
Explanation: (Bappida) was an Indian singer and composer. His Awards – Filmfare Award (1985, 2018). Personalities and their native place: O.P. Nayyar – Lahore (Pakistan), Ilayaraja – Pannaipuram, Theni district (Tamil Nadu) and Naushad Ali – Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh).
Q19. To which Gharana did Gangubai Hangal primarily belong?
(A) Patiala
(B) Agra
(C) Banaras
(D) Kirana
Answer: (D) Kirana
Explanation: Kirana Gharana (founded by Abdul Karim Khan). Gangubai Hangal was an Indian vocalist of Hindustani classical tradition. Awards – Padma Vibhushan (2002), Padma Bhushan (1971), Sangeet Natak Academy Award (1973) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (1996). Artists of Kirana Gharana: Baldev Singh Bali, Bhimsen Joshi, Abdul Wahid Khan, Hirabai Barodekar and Upendra Bhat.
Q20. Famous Bollywood actress Hema Malini is a trained________dancer.
(A) Kathak
(B) Bharatanatyam
(C) Odissi
(D) Kuchipudi
Answer: (B) Bharatanatyam
Explanation: (Tamil Nadu). Hema Malini: Awards – Padma Shri (2000).
Q21. Which of the following musicians is popularly known as ‘ Panchamda’?
(A) Ravi
(B) Khayam
(C) Naushad
(D) RD Burman
Answer: (D) RD Burman
Explanation: Indian music director, composer, and singer. Indian musicians and their nicknames : A.R. Rahmaan – The Mozart of Madras. Asha Bhoshle – The Queen of Indipop. Lata Mangeshkar – Queen of Melody, Voice of the Millennium. Mohammed Rafi – Pheeko.
Q22. Identify the WRONG pair of dancers and the related dance form from the following.
(A) Meenakshi Chithranjan-Bharatanatyam
(B) Kumkum Dhar- Kuchipudi
(C) Sruti Bandopadhay- Manipuri
(D) Trilichan Mohanta- Chhau
Answer: (B) Kumkum Dhar- Kuchipudi
Explanation: Kumkum Dhar is known for Kathak. She is the recipient of Yash Bharti Award (highest civilian award given by Uttar Pradesh state government).
Q23. Who among the following is best known for creating a fusion style of dance by adapting European theatrical techniques to Indian classical dance?
(A) Yamini Krishnamurthy
(B) Uday Shankar
(C) Gopi Krishna
(D) Sonal Mansingh
Answer: (B) Uday Shankar
Explanation: Uday Shankar was an Indian dancer and choreographer. His Awards: Padma Vibhushan (1971).
Q24. Which Indian musical legend is credited with composing Talas such as Trimukhi, Panchamukhi, Saptamukhi and Navamukhi ?
(A) M Balamuralikrishna
(B) Bade Ghulam Ali Khan
(C) KJ Yesudas
(D) Pandit Jasraj
Answer: (A) M Balamuralikrishna
Explanation: M Balamuralikrishna was an Indian Carnatic vocalist. His Awards: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1975), Padma Vibhushan (1991), Padma Shri (1971), Mahatma Gandhi Silver Medal (1995) – UNESCO. Famous Carnatic vocalist: Dandapani Desikar, T. Brinda, B.S. Raja Iyengar, Maharajapuram Vishwanatha Iyer, Semmangudi R. Srinivasa Iyer.
Q25. Who among the following is primarily regarded as a maestro of Hindustani classical music ?
(A) Bade Ghulam Ali Khan
(B) Mavelikkara Prabhakara Varma
(C) Sampagodu Vighnaraja
(D) Sai Vignesh
Answer: (A) Bade Ghulam Ali Khan
Explanation: Bade Ghulam Ali Khan (from the Patiala gharana). Awards : Padma Bhushan (1962), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1962). Mavelikkara Prabhakara Varma was an Indian carnatic singer and teacher. Sampagodu S. Vighnaraja is an Indian Carnatic music vocalist, flutist and music composer. Sai Vignesh is an Indian Carnatic vocalist, playback singer, and musician in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada music and cinema.
Q26. Bharati Shivaji and Kanak Rele are exponents of _ .
(A) Manipuri
(B) Mohiniyattam
(C) Kathak
(D) Odissi
Answer: (B) Mohiniyattam
Explanation: (Kerala). Bharati Shivaji (Awards: Padma Shri2004). Kanak Rele (Awards: Padma Shri -1990, Padma Bhushan- 2013).
Q27. Pandit Janki Prasad was associated with which of the following Gharanas of Kathak?
(A) Banaras
(B) Raigarh
(C) Jaipur
(D) Lucknow
Answer: (A) Banaras
Explanation: Gharanas of Kathak: Lucknow Gharana (Founded by Ishwari Prasad) – Wajid Ali Shah, Lachhu Maharaj, Shambhu Maharaj. Jaipur Gharana (founded by Bhanu Ji Maharaj) – Sunder Prasad, Puru Dadheech, Mangala Bhatt. Banaras Gharana (Founded by Janakiprasad) – Sitara Devi, Jitendra Maharaj, Kamalini Asthana and Nalini Asthana. Raigarh Gharana (Founder – Raja Chakradhar Singh): Exponents – Kartik Ram, Pt. Kalyan Das Mahant, Shree Firtu Maharaj and Pt. Barman Lal.
Q28. Manna Dey was a famous personality of India in the field of _.
(A) Science
(B) Games
(C) Politics
(D) Music
Answer: (D) Music
Explanation: Manna Dey : Indian playback singer. He belonged to the Bhendibazaar Gharana and was trained under Ustad Aman Ali Khan. Awards – Padma Bhushan (2005), Padma Shri (1971), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2007).
Q29. ____ was a star of the Kathak dance form described as ‘Nritya Samragini’ (the empress of dance) by Rabindranath Tagore.
(A) Sitara Devi
(B) Rukmini Devi Arundale
(C) Mrinalini Sarabhai
(D) Mallika Sarabhai
Answer: (A) Sitara Devi
Explanation: (Queen of Kathak) – She studied under the three great masters of the Lucknow gharanaAchchan Maharaj, Lachhu Maharaj and Shambhu Maharaj.
Q30. Who is the renowned kathak dancer, student of ‘Pandit Birju Maharaj’ and also served as an officer with Indian Audit and Accounts Services?
(A) Sonal Mansingh
(B) Guru Bipin Singh
(C) Shovana Narayan
(D) Padma Subrahmanyam
Answer: (C) Shovana Narayan
Explanation: Her Awards – Padma Shri (1992), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1999).
Q31. In which Indian musician’s name did the state of Massachusetts in the USA declare April 20th in 1984 as a day in his name?
(A) Ali Akbar Khan
(B) Brij Narayan
(C) Rajeev Taranath
(D) Amjad Ali Khan
Answer: (D) Amjad Ali Khan
Explanation: Amjad Ali Khan (sarod player). His Awards : Padma Shri (1975), Padma Bhushan (1991), Padma Vibhushan (2001). Other Sarod Artists :- Ali Akbar Khan, Rajeev Taranath, Brij Narayan, Gurdev Singh, Hafiz Ali Khan and Radhika Mohan Maitra. Instruments and their Players : Sitar (Ravi Shankar, Vilayat Khan). Tabla (Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain, Ahmed Jan Thirkawa).
Q32. Who among the following singers is from Andhra Pradesh ?
(A) Usha Uthup
(B) Asha Bhosle
(C) Alka Yagnik
(D) S Janaki
Answer: ANSWER00000000000000000
Explanation: Famous singers of Andhra Pradesh: Puvvula Suri Babu, M. Balamuralikrishna, R. Balasaraswathi Devi, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, G. Anand, Mohana Bhogaraju. Usha Uthup (Chennai, Tamil Nadu), Asha Bhosle (Maharashtra), Alka Yagnik (Kolkata, West Bengal).
Q33. Which of the following playback singers of India received the Padma Shri in 2009 and Padma Bhushan in 2016 ?
(A) Sonu Nigam
(B) Udit Narayan Jha
(C) Abhijit Bhattacharya
(D) Kumar Sanu Bhattacharjee
Answer: (B) Udit Narayan Jha
Explanation: Other Playback Singers and their Awards: Sonu Nigam (Padma Shri, 2022). Kumar Sanu Bhattacharjee: Padma Shri (2009).
Q34. The Padma Shri awardee (2016)Gulabo Sapera is known as the Queen of _____ dance.
(A) Chari
(B) Bhavai
(C) Kalbeliya
(D) Kacchi Ghodi
Answer: (C) Kalbeliya
Explanation: (‘Sapera Dance’ or ‘Snake Charmer Dance’). This dance is particularly performed by a Rajasthani tribe called ‘Kalbelia’. Songs and dances are an expression of the Kalbelia community’s traditional way of life. It was included in UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010.
Q35. Who among the following is the Indian classical dancer who masters both Bharatanatyam and Odissi dancing style?
(A) Shovana Narayan
(B) Guru Bipin Singh
(C) Padma Subrahmanayam
(D) Sonal Mansingh
Answer: (D) Sonal Mansingh
Explanation: Sonal Mansingh received Padma Bhushan (1992), Padma Vibhushan (2003). Indian Classical Dancers: Bharatanatyam – Padma Subrahmanayam, Yamini Krishnamurthy, T. Balasaraswati, Shanta Rao. Odissi – Kelucharan Mohapatra, Mayadhar Raut, Ranjana Gauhar, Sharmila Biswas, Sujata Mohapatra. Kathak – Shovana Narayan, Shambhu Maharaj. Manipuri – Guru Bipin Singh.
Q36.Deba Prasad Das, Pankaj Charan Das and Gangadhar Pradhan are associated with which of the following dance forms ?
(A) Odissi
(B) Bharatanatyam
(C) Kathak
(D) Manipuri
Answer: (A) Odissi
Explanation: Classical dance forms of Odisha. Its dance theoretical base traces back to ‘Natya Shastra’ of Bharatamuni. Some other exponents of Odissi: Kelucharan Mohapatra, Jhelum Paranjape, Mayadhar Raut, Leana Citaristi (Odissi and Chhau dancer) and Myrla Barvie.
Q37. Bhanu Ji is associated with which of the following Gharanas of Kathak?
(A) Lucknow
(B) Raigarh
(C) Banaras
(D) Jaipur
Answer: (D) Jaipur
Explanation: (D) Jaipur
Q38. Who is the first female classical dancer in Indian history to be nominated as a Member of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India?
(A) Mukti Mohan
(B) Shobha Naidu
(C) Sanjukta Panigrahi
(D) Rukmani Devi Arundale
Answer: (D) Rukmani Devi Arundale
Explanation: Rukmani Devi Arundale was an Indian classical dancer of ‘Bharatnatyam’ and founded the Kalakshetra Foundation in Madras. She was awarded with Padma Bhushan in 1956, Kalidas Samman (1984), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1957) and Prani Mitra Award in 1968.
Q39. Which of the following music directors is known as ‘Mozart of Madras’?
(A) AR Rahman
(B) Madan Mohan
(C) RD Burman
(D) Himesh Reshammiya
Answer: (A) AR Rahman
Explanation: AR Rahman was born in 1967 in Madras (Tamil Nadu). His Awards: Padma Bhushan (2010), Padma Shri (2000); Two Oscar Awards (2009), BAFTA Awards (2009), Golden Globe (2009) and Two Grammy Awards (2010).
Q40. Rohini Bhate, Pandit Munnalal Shukla, Kumudini Lakhia and Uma Sharma are famous exponents of which of the following classical dance forms?
(A) Kathakali
(B) Kathak
(C) Bharatanatyam
(D) Kuchipudi
Answer: (B) Kathak
Explanation: (B) Kathak
Q41. The four Nattuvanars namely Ponaiyah, Vadivelu, Sivanandam and Chinnaiya, who are renowned as Tanjaore Bandhu shaped up the modern day _____.
(A) Bharatanatyam
(B) Kuchipudi
(C) Kodiattam
(D) Kathakali
Answer: (A) Bharatanatyam
Explanation: Bharatanatyam. The term ‘Nattuvanar’ means dance teacher.
Q42. Which of the following Indian musicians was called ‘Mallika-e-Ghazal’ ?
(A) Prabha Bharti
(B) Begum Akhtar
(C) Chitra Singh
(D) Farida Khanum
Answer: (B) Begum Akhtar
Explanation: Awards – Padma Shri (1968), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1972), Padma Bhushan (posthumously) – 1975.
Q43. The efforts of Malayalam poet Vallathol Narayana Menon and dancer and guru Kalyanikutty Amma brought back and gave a new life to the dance form ___ .
(A) Bharatanatyam
(B) Kuchipudi
(C) Mohiniyattam
(D) Kathakali
Answer: (C) Mohiniyattam
Explanation: Dance and their Exponents : Mohiniyattam (Kerala) – Sunanda Nair, Jayaprabha Menon, Pallavi Krishnan. Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu) – Mrinalini Sarabhai, Rukmini Devi Arundale, Padma Subrahmanyam, Yamini Krishnamurthy. Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh) – Raja and Radha Reddy, Lakshmi Narayn Shastri, Swapana Sundari. Kathakali (Kerala) – Kalamandalam Gopi, Kalamandalam Krishna Prasad, Kottakal Sivaraman, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair.
Q44. Who was the music director of the famous song “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon” sung by Lata Mangeshkar?
(A) Kishore Kumar
(B) Rajesh Roshan
(C) C Ramchandra
(D) Anand Raaj Anand
Answer: (C) C Ramchandra
Explanation: Deshbhaki songs and their singers : Aisa Desh hai mera (Lata Mangeskar), Mera Rang De Basanti Chola (Udit Narayan), Yeh Desh hai veer jawano ka (Mohammad Rafi), Teri Mitti (B Praak), Sandese Aate hain (Sonu Nigam), I Love my India (Hariharan), Mera Mulk Mera Desh (Aditya Narayan and Kumar Sanu), Mere Desh ki Dharti (Mahendra Kapoor).
Q45. Which actress-cum dancer was honoured with the Padma Bhushan award in 2011 ?
(A) Hema Malini
(B) Waheeda Rehman
(C) Meena Kumari
(D) Rekha
Answer: (B) Waheeda Rehman
Explanation: Other Awards : Filmfare Award for Best Actress (1969), Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (1995), Madhya Pradesh government’s National Kishore Kumar Samman (2020).
Q46. Sutapa Talukdar is associated with which Indian Classical dance form ?
(A) Kuchipudi
(B) Odissi
(C) Bharatanatyam
(D) Mohiniyattam
Answer: (B) Odissi
Explanation: Sutapa Talukdar Awards – Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (2019).
Q47. Who among the following personalities is known as the ‘Queen of Carnatic Music’?
(A) MS Subbulakshmi
(B) Vijaya Rajendran
(C) Kavita Krishnamoorti
(D) Lata Mangeshkar
Answer: (A) MS Subbulakshmi
Explanation: An Indian Carnatic singer from Tamil Nadu. She was the first musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna (1998). Other Awards: Padma Vibhushan (1975), Padma Bhushan (1954), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1956), Ramon Magsaysay Award (often considered Asia’s Nobel Prize) (1974), Kalidas Samman (1988), Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration (1990), Sangeetha Kalanidhi (1968).
Q48. Who among the following is a famous music director?
(A) Khayyam
(B) Sameer
(C) Anjaan
(D) Kaifi Azmi
Answer: (A) Khayyam
Explanation: (Mohammed Zahur Khayyam Hashmi) was a famous music director in Hindi cinema. Award – Padma Bhushan (2011). Sameer was a lyricist. Anjaan was an Indian lyricist. Kaifi Azmi was a poet.
Q49. Talat Aziz is primarily a ___________singer.
(A) Hindustani Classical
(B) Carnatic Classical
(C) Ghazal
(D) Folk
Answer: (C) Ghazal
Explanation: Musical genres and singers: Ghazal – Jagjit Singh (King of Ghazals), Hariharan, Pankaj Udhas, Bhupinder Singh; Hindustani Classical – Ananda Shankar, Tansen. Carnatic Classical – M. S. Subbulakshmi, Aruna Sairam, M. Balamuralikrishna. Folk – Swaroop Khan, Sharda Sinha, Kailash Kher.
Q50. Who among the following personalities is an award winning Bhojpuri folk singer?
(A) Rabbi Shergill
(B) Malini Awasthi
(C) Ila Arun
(D) Papon
Answer: (B) Malini Awasthi
Explanation: An Indian folk singer who sings in Bhojpuri, Awadhi/Audhi, and Hindi languages. Award – Padma Shri (2016). Ila Arun is an Indian film actress, music composer and singer. Rabbi Shergill is a Punjabi folk singer. Papon is an Assamese folk singer.