Set 1 | Important Indian Music forms MCQs

Correct Answer is B.

• The terms ‘Carnatic’ and ‘Hindustani’ are found for the first time in Haripala’s “Sangeeta Sudhakara”, written in 14^th century CE.
• Both the systems of music were developed from the original source.

Correct Answer is A.

• Hindustani music is a Classical music.
• In Classification of Indian music, there are Classical, Folk, Modern, Blend of Classical and Folk Music.
• Hindustani and Carnatic music both are classical music.

Correct Answer is D.

• Hindustani music is based on the raga which is a melodic scale, comprising seven basic notes – Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha and Ni.
• Hindustani classical music originated in North India around 13^th and 14^th centuries CE.
• The Hindustani classical music was influenced by ancient Hindu and Vedic musical tradition as well as by the Persian elements.
• The raga attains a distinct character on the basis of notes in it.
• Hindustani classical music is primarily vocal-centric.

Correct Answer is B.

• Dhrupad is the form of Hindustani music.
• It is the oldest and grandest form of Hindustani music.
• The great Indian musician Tansen sang in the Dhrupad style. It is traditionally performed by male singers with a Tanpura and Pakhawaj.
• It is primarily devotional in theme and content.
• The lyrics sung in Dhrupad are in a medieval form of Hindi(Brajbhasha).

Correct Answer is C.

• Thumra is a form of Hindustani classical music.
• Thumri, a semi-classical vocal form, originated in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh in the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah(1847-56), the Nawab of Oudh.
• Thumri is a romantic style of singing and is mainly on love and devotion.
• It is also called “lyric of Indian classical music”.
• There are three types of thumri – Punjabi, Lucknowi and Purbi.
• The lyrics are typically in a proto-Hindi language called Braj Bhasha.

Correct Answer is A.

• Khayal is the form of Hindustani classical music.
• Khayal means imagination.
• Dhrupadgave way to the somewhat less austere Khayal which is a more free style of singing.
• This form of music is ascribed to Hussain Shah Sharqi, 15^th century ruler of the Sharqi dynasty.
• However, it was made popular by the 18^th century Mughal ruler Mohammed Shah.
• It is composed of particular raga and tala.

Correct Answer is C.

• Dhamar and Tarana are form of Hindustani classical music.
• Dhamar is a lighter form of Dhrupad. It is sung primarily during the festival of Holi.
• Tarana is the song used to convey a feeling of joy and are usually performed towards the end of a concert.

Correct Answer is A & B.

• Ghazal and Tappa are the form of Hindustani music.
• Ghazal was originally a Persian form of vocal music. Its themes are mainly from love, joy and piety. It exists in multiple variations, including folk and pop forms.
• Tappa which means ‘jump’ in Persian, developed around the 18^th century. It developed from the folk songs of camel riders. It consists of the song uttered in fast note patterns.

Correct Answer is C.

• Kirana Gharana is founded by Khan Abdul Karim Khan Saheb.
• It is a Gharana of Hindustani music.
• The word ‘Kirana’ has its roots in the name of a small village near Ambala in North India.
• There is a lot of importance given to sur in this gharana.
• A popular proverb with this Gharana is : taal gaya to baal gaya, sur gaya to sir hi gaya(if you loose taal in singing, you will loose your hair but if you lose sur, you will loose your head).
• Melody and emotions in singing are the chief characteristics of this Gharana.
• Some of the exponents of this Gharana are Hirabhai Barodekar, Begum Akhtar, Bhimsen Joshi, Gangubai Hangal and Prabha Atre.

Correct Answer is D.

• Ustad Alladiyan Khan was the pioneer to bring fame to this Gharana.
• It is a Hindustani music Gharana.
• This Gharana mainly has its origin in Dagar Bani of Dhrupad.
• It uses Khayal style widely. Melodious singing is one of the foremost feature of this Gharana. It presents most of the songs in Vilambit Teen Taal.
• The singers of this gharana are keen to present some unfamiliar ragas of Hindustani classical music such as Sampurna Malkans, Basanti Kedar, Ramsa Kanada, Kabeer Bhairav and Khokar.
• The famous singers of this gharana are Alladiya Khan, Haider Ali Khan, Manji Khan, Bhurji Khan, Azizuddin Khan, Mallikarjun Mansur, Kesarbhai Kerkar, Kishori Amonkar, Shruti Sadolikar, Padma Talwalkar etc.