170. For which award was sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar selected in 1999?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2024]
(A) Padma Bhushan
(B) Padma Vibhushan
(C) Padma Shri
(D) Bharat Ratna
Answer: (D) Bharat Ratna
Explanation: Pandit Ravi Shankar, who helped bring the sitar to audiences worldwide, received India’s highest civilian honour in 1999. His earlier Padma honours belonged to different years, so reading the year in the question is essential.
169. Which award did tabla player Zakir Hussain receive from the Government of India in 2023?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2024]
(A) Padma Shri
(B) Padma Bhushan
(C) Padma Vibhushan
(D) Bharat Ratna
Answer: (C) Padma Vibhushan
Explanation: Zakir Hussain was given the Padma Vibhushan in 2023 for outstanding service in music. He had earlier received the Padma Shri in 1988 and the Padma Bhushan in 2002, which makes the year decisive.
168. Which honour did Zakir Hussain receive in 2002, becoming a notably young percussionist to receive it?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2024]
(A) Grammy Award
(B) Padma Bhushan
(C) National Heritage Fellowship
(D) Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Answer: (B) Padma Bhushan
Explanation: The tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain received the Padma Bhushan in 2002. His Padma Shri was awarded in 1988 and the Padma Vibhushan followed in 2023. The three Padma categories should not be confused.
167. The 21st Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award was presented to which sarod maestro?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2024]
(A) Amjad Ali Khan
(B) Ali Akbar Khan
(C) Zakir Hussain
(D) Hariprasad Chaurasia
Answer: (A) Amjad Ali Khan
Explanation: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, known for sarod performances, received the 21st Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award. The award recognises efforts supporting communal harmony and national integration and is not a government civilian decoration.
166. Which Indian classical dancer from Odisha was the first in the state to receive Padma Vibhushan?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2024]
(A) Birju Maharaj
(B) Kelucharan Mohapatra
(C) Guru Bipin Singh
(D) Uday Shankar
Answer: (B) Kelucharan Mohapatra
Explanation: Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra was a leading figure in the revival and international recognition of Odissi dance. He received the Padma Vibhushan in 2000. Odissi originated in Odisha and has a distinct classical tradition.
165. Which classical dance form led to Ranjana Gauhar receiving the Padma Shri in 2003?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2024]
(A) Sattriya
(B) Odissi
(C) Manipuri
(D) Kuchipudi
Answer: (B) Odissi
Explanation: Ranjana Gauhar is an Odissi dancer and teacher, recognised with the Padma Shri in 2003. Odissi is distinguished by the tribhanga posture and the cultural heritage of Odisha. This award-related question tests the recipient’s artistic discipline.
164. Which instrument is associated with Padma Bhushan recipient Ustad Sabri Khan?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2024]
(A) Sarod
(B) Santoor
(C) Tabla
(D) Sarangi
Answer: (D) Sarangi
Explanation: Ustad Sabri Khan was a renowned sarangi player whose performances popularised the bowed string instrument internationally. He received the Padma Bhushan in 2006. A sarangi is different from the plucked sarod and hammered santoor.
163. Who was the Padma Shri-recognised folk singer from Uttar Pradesh among the listed artistes?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2024]
(A) Ajita Srivastava
(B) Ila Arun
(C) Teejan Bai
(D) Gurmeet Bawa
Answer: (A) Ajita Srivastava
Explanation: Ajita Srivastava was recognised for preserving folk singing traditions of Uttar Pradesh, especially its regional musical repertoire. The question distinguishes her from folk artists associated with Rajasthan, Punjab and Chhattisgarh.
162. Which organisation has bestowed the Sangeet Kala Acharya honour since 1993?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2024]
(A) Shankar Mahadevan Academy
(B) Calcutta School of Music
(C) Madras Music Academy
(D) Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts
Answer: (C) Madras Music Academy
Explanation: The Music Academy in Chennai presents the Sangeet Kala Acharya distinction for contributions to classical music teaching and scholarship. The institution also stages a major annual music season associated with Carnatic music.
161. Which violinist was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2024]
(A) T. N. Krishnan
(B) V. G. Jog
(C) L. Subramaniam
(D) Annavarapu Rama Swamy
Answer: (D) Annavarapu Rama Swamy
Explanation: Annavarapu Rama Swamy is a classical violinist from Andhra Pradesh who received the Padma Shri in 2021. The honour recognises his service to Indian classical music, a field represented across several civilian-award lists.
