Q100. Which musician is credited with creating Raga Kameshwari?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2015]
(A) Amjad Ali Khan
(B) None of these
(C) Ravi Shankar
(D) Uday Shankar
Answer: (C) Ravi Shankar
Explanation: Pandit Ravi Shankar, the renowned Hindustani sitar virtuoso, created several new ragas, including Kameshwari. He was influential in introducing Indian classical instrumental music to international audiences through concerts and collaborations.
Q99. Which among these is traditionally the oldest major form of Hindustani vocal composition?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2015]
(A) Dhrupad
(B) Thumri
(C) Ghazal
(D) None of the options
Answer: (A) Dhrupad
Explanation: Dhrupad is among the oldest surviving forms of North Indian classical vocal music. Associated with temple traditions and medieval royal courts, it features extended alap followed by a structured composition supported by pakhawaj percussion.
Q98. Which listed dance is a folk form rather than an Indian classical dance?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2015]
(A) Mohiniyattam
(B) Kathakali
(C) Manipuri
(D) Garba
Answer: (D) Garba
Explanation: Garba is a traditional Gujarati folk dance commonly performed during Navratri. Mohiniyattam, Kathakali and Manipuri are recognised Indian classical dances with formally developed techniques and repertoires. The question tests the distinction between folk and classical performance.
Q97. Which classical dance is principally identified with Andhra Pradesh?
[SSC CGL Tier I – 2015]
(A) Kuchipudi
(B) Odissi
(C) Bharatanatyam
(D) Kathakali
Answer: (A) Kuchipudi
Explanation: Kuchipudi takes its name from a village in Andhra Pradesh and combines dance, music and dramatic acting. The tradition is linked with Siddhendra Yogi and evolved from performances by hereditary troupes to a widely taught classical form.
Q96. Which community traditionally celebrates Matar festivities in Chhattisgarh?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2015]
(A) Cultivators
(B) Yadav or Raut
(C) Fisherfolk
(D) Weavers
(E) None of these
Answer: (B) Yadav or Raut
Explanation: Matar Madai is linked with the Yadav or Raut community of Chhattisgarh, especially around the Diwali period. Raut Nacha performances combine dance, costumes and mythological references, providing a distinctive expression of pastoral community heritage.
Q95. The traditional Chandaini folk narrative centres on which legendary couple?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2015]
(A) Heer and Ranjha
(B) Dushyanta and Shakuntala
(C) Lorik and Chanda
(D) Nala and Damayanti
(E) None of these
Answer: (C) Lorik and Chanda
Explanation: Chandaini singing recounts the story of Lorik and Chanda, an important romance cycle in Chhattisgarhi oral folklore. Performers narrate its episodes through music and dramatic delivery, preserving heroic and romantic themes across generations.
Q94. Pandavani singing is primarily based on which Indian epic?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2015]
(A) Bhagavata Purana
(B) Ramayana
(C) Mahabharata
(D) Shiva Purana
(E) None of these
Answer: (C) Mahabharata
Explanation: Pandavani is a narrative singing tradition of Chhattisgarh that recounts episodes from the Mahabharata. Performers such as Teejan Bai popularised its dramatic, improvisatory style, using song, speech and simple props to bring epic characters to life.
Q93. Dhankul songs are most strongly associated with which district or cultural region?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2015]
(A) Bastar
(B) Surguja
(C) Bilaspur
(D) Raipur
(E) None of these
Answer: (A) Bastar
Explanation: Dhankul singing is part of the tribal and regional folk repertoire of Bastar. It combines ceremonial narration, local languages and traditional rhythmic practices, showing the distinct musical heritage of southern Chhattisgarh.
Q92. Bans Geet is traditionally sung by members of which community?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2015]
(A) Dewar
(B) Basadeva
(C) Raut
(D) Bhat
(E) None of these
Answer: (C) Raut
Explanation: Bans Geet is a regional folk-song tradition of Chhattisgarh associated with Raut or Ahir pastoral communities. Performance combines musical narration and cultural memory, linking the repertoire to the social life of traditional herding groups.
Q91. Raja Chakradhar Singh is especially remembered for patronising which dance form?
[CGPSC Prelims – 2015]
(A) Kathak
(B) Kathakali
(C) Kaskar
(D) Karma
(E) None of these
Answer: (A) Kathak
Explanation: Raja Chakradhar Singh of Raigarh was a major patron of Kathak. His court fostered musicians and dancers whose work contributed to the Raigarh gharana. The annual Chakradhar Samaroh commemorates his artistic legacy.
