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Folk instruments & folk theatre MCQ with Answers

20 questionswith explanationsfor RAS, Patwari, VDO and other Rajasthan exams

Questions

Q1

Consider the following statements about the Ravanhattha: 1. Its sound box is made of half a coconut shell covered with skin. 2. It is a wind instrument. 3. It is played with a bow that carries small bells (ghungroo). Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. (1)1 and 2 only
  2. (2)2 and 3 only
  3. (3)1 and 3 only
  4. (4)1, 2 and 3

Answer: (3) 1 and 3 only

Explanation

Ravanhattha is a bowed string (tat) instrument with a half-coconut body covered with skin and a bow fitted with ghungroos.

Q2

Sakar Khan of Hamira (Jaisalmer), awarded the Padma Shri in 2012, was a renowned master of which instrument?

  1. (1)Shehnai
  2. (2)Kamaicha
  3. (3)Ektara
  4. (4)Sarinda

Answer: (2) Kamaicha

Explanation

Sakar Khan (1938-2013), a Manganiyar, was the foremost exponent of the Kamaicha and received the Padma Shri in 2012.

Q3

The 'Sindhi Sarangi' and the 'Gujaratan Sarangi' are traditionally played by which musician community?

  1. (1)Manganiyar
  2. (2)Kamad
  3. (3)Langa
  4. (4)Bhopa

Answer: (3) Langa

Explanation

The Langas of western Rajasthan are known for the Sindhi sarangi and the Gujaratan sarangi.

Q4

Which small iron folk instrument, also called the Jew's harp, is held between the lips and played by striking its metal tongue with a finger?

  1. (1)Bankiya
  2. (2)Shehnai
  3. (3)Turhi
  4. (4)Morchang

Answer: (4) Morchang

Explanation

The Morchang is a small iron instrument held between the lips; its tongue is struck with a finger.

Q5

Which folk instrument consists of a pair of bamboo flutes of equal size that the player blows together?

  1. (1)Algoza
  2. (2)Shehnai
  3. (3)Bankiya
  4. (4)Turhi

Answer: (1) Algoza

Explanation

The Algoza is a pair of bamboo flutes blown together, popular among Meos, Bhils and Kalbeliyas.

Q6

Karna Bhil of Jaisalmer was a famous player of which instrument?

  1. (1)Bhapang
  2. (2)Narh
  3. (3)Ravanhattha
  4. (4)Jantar

Answer: (2) Narh

Explanation

Karna Bhil was a celebrated player of the Narh, an end-blown flute made of kangor wood.

Q7

The Bhapang, a one-stringed instrument of the Jogis of Mewat, has its body made of:

  1. (1)A dried gourd (tumba)
  2. (2)Half a coconut shell
  3. (3)A bronze vessel
  4. (4)A goat-skin bag

Answer: (1) A dried gourd (tumba)

Explanation

The Bhapang is made from a dried gourd (tumba) with a single string and is held under the arm while playing.

Q8

Match the class of instrument with its example: A. Tat (stringed) B. Sushir (wind) C. Avanaddha (membrane) D. Ghan (solid/struck) 1. Khartal 2. Nagara 3. Sarangi 4. Shehnai

  1. (1)A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
  2. (2)A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
  3. (3)A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
  4. (4)A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1

Answer: (4) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1

Explanation

Sarangi is a stringed (tat), Shehnai a wind (sushir), Nagara a membrane drum (avanaddha) and Khartal a struck solid (ghan) instrument.

Q9

The 'Chang', played especially during Holi, is:

  1. (1)A pair of brass cymbals struck together
  2. (2)A bowed string instrument with a gourd body
  3. (3)A frame drum with skin on one side
  4. (4)A pair of bamboo flutes blown together

Answer: (3) A frame drum with skin on one side

Explanation

Chang is a daf-like frame drum: a wooden ring covered with skin on one side, played with the hands at Holi.

Q10

Which folk wind instrument of Rajasthan is a bagpipe whose air bag is made from a whole goat skin?

  1. (1)Satara
  2. (2)Poongi
  3. (3)Karna
  4. (4)Mashak

Answer: (4) Mashak

Explanation

The Mashak is a bagpipe: a goat-skin bag is filled with air and pressed under the arm while a pipe with finger holes is played.

Q11

Which of the following is NOT an Avanaddha (skin-covered percussion) instrument?

  1. (1)Dhol
  2. (2)Khartal
  3. (3)Deru
  4. (4)Nagara

Answer: (2) Khartal

Explanation

Khartal consists of wooden clappers with metal discs and is a Ghan instrument; Dhol, Deru and Nagara are skin-covered drums.

Q12

The traditional string-puppeteers (kathputli artists) of Rajasthan mostly belong to which community?

  1. (1)Kamad
  2. (2)Bhat
  3. (3)Mirasi
  4. (4)Jogi

Answer: (2) Bhat

Explanation

Kathputli puppetry is the hereditary art of the Bhat community of Rajasthan, who stage legends such as that of Amar Singh Rathore.

Q13

Consider the following statements about the Tamasha of Jaipur: 1. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh gave patronage to Bansidhar Bhatt in his Gunijan Khana. 2. It is staged in an open space called the 'akhada'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (1)1 only
  2. (2)2 only
  3. (3)Both 1 and 2
  4. (4)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (3) Both 1 and 2

Explanation

Bansidhar Bhatt came to Jaipur under Sawai Pratap Singh's patronage, and Tamasha is performed in an open akhada.

Q14

Consider the following statements about Gavari: 1. All roles, including female ones, are played by men. 2. It begins on the day after Raksha Bandhan (Bhadrapad Krishna Pratipada). 3. Its central story is taken from the Ramayana. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. (1)1 and 2 only
  2. (2)2 and 3 only
  3. (3)1 and 3 only
  4. (4)1, 2 and 3

Answer: (1) 1 and 2 only

Explanation

Gavari is played only by men and starts the day after Raksha Bandhan; its core story is the Shiva–Bhasmasur legend, not the Ramayana.

Q15

Janki Lal Bhand of Bhilwara, awarded the Padma Shri in 2024, is known for which traditional art?

  1. (1)Phad recitation
  2. (2)Gavari dance-drama
  3. (3)Bahrupiya (impersonation)
  4. (4)Kathputli puppetry

Answer: (3) Bahrupiya (impersonation)

Explanation

Janki Lal Bhand, the 'Monkey Man' of Bhilwara, received the Padma Shri in 2024 for reviving the Bahrupiya art of disguise and impersonation.

Q16

The most popular traditional string-puppet (kathputli) play of Rajasthan narrates the story of:

  1. (1)Prithviraj Chauhan
  2. (2)Rana Kumbha
  3. (3)Rao Jodha
  4. (4)Amar Singh Rathore

Answer: (4) Amar Singh Rathore

Explanation

The kathputli play of Amar Singh Rathore is the most famous traditional puppet show of Rajasthan.

Q17

'Chaar Bait', a sung folk performance comparable to qawwali in which singers perform on their knees with the daph, is associated with:

  1. (1)Tonk
  2. (2)Ajmer
  3. (3)Nagaur
  4. (4)Jhalawar

Answer: (1) Tonk

Explanation

Chaar Bait is the famous folk performance of Tonk, begun in the time of Nawab Faizullah Khan.

Q18

The Nautanki folk theatre, performed with the nagara and other instruments, is mainly popular in which part of Rajasthan?

  1. (1)Udaipur–Rajsamand
  2. (2)Barmer–Jaisalmer
  3. (3)Sikar–Jhunjhunu
  4. (4)Bharatpur–Dholpur

Answer: (4) Bharatpur–Dholpur

Explanation

Nautanki is popular in eastern Rajasthan, mainly Bharatpur, Dholpur and Karauli.

Q19

Match the Khayal style with the place it is associated with: A. Ali Bakhshi Khayal B. Shekhawati Khayal (Nanuram) C. Turra-Kalangi D. Hela Khayal 1. Ghosunda–Nimbahera (Chittorgarh) 2. Alwar 3. Chirawa (Jhunjhunu) 4. Lalsot (Dausa)

  1. (1)A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
  2. (2)A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
  3. (3)A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
  4. (4)A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1

Answer: (1) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

Explanation

Ali Bakhshi Khayal belongs to Alwar, Nanuram's Shekhawati Khayal to Chirawa, Turra-Kalangi to Ghosunda–Nimbahera and Hela Khayal to Lalsot (Dausa).

Q20

The 'mook' (silent) Ramleela, in which masked actors perform without dialogue, is a famous tradition of Bisau in which district?

  1. (1)Sikar
  2. (2)Jhunjhunu
  3. (3)Churu
  4. (4)Hanumangarh

Answer: (2) Jhunjhunu

Explanation

Bisau in Jhunjhunu district is famous for its silent (mook) Ramleela performed with masks.