120. Which folk performance tradition is associated with 2023 Padma Shri awardee Domar Singh Kunvar?
[SSC MTS — 2023]
(A) Natya Nacha
(B) Soowa
(C) Raut Nacha
(D) Pandwani
Answer: (A) Natya Nacha
Explanation: Natya Nacha combines folk theatre, storytelling, music and dance in Chhattisgarh. Domar Singh Kunvar helped preserve the form over several decades. The examination tested his artistic field rather than merely the tier of his Padma honour.
119. Guru Niranjan Rout and Guru Ramahari Das received the 2022 Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award for which dance and music tradition?
[SSC MTS — 2023]
(A) Kathak
(B) Sattriya
(C) Odissi
(D) Kuchipudi
Answer: (C) Odissi
Explanation: The two gurus were honoured for service to Odissi dance and music. The award commemorates Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, a major figure in the modern revival of the classical Odissi form, associated with Odisha.
118. Kalidas Samman is a prestigious arts award presented by which state government?
[SSC MTS — 2023]
(A) Kerala
(B) Madhya Pradesh
(C) Karnataka
(D) Rajasthan
Answer: (B) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: The Madhya Pradesh government instituted Kalidas Samman to celebrate distinguished achievements in classical music, dance, theatre and visual arts. It is named for the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa and belongs to the state’s cultural-award tradition.
117. Which Indian singer was the first Indian woman to receive a Grammy?
[SSC MTS — 2023]
(A) Palak Muchhal
(B) Shilpa Rao
(C) Tanvi Shah
(D) Shalmali Kholgade
Answer: (C) Tanvi Shah
Explanation: Singer and lyricist Tanvi Shah received a Grammy in 2010 connected with the song Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire. This distinction made her an early Indian woman recipient of a major international music honour.
116. Who was the first Indian musician to receive a Ramon Magsaysay Award?
[SSC CPO — 2022]
(A) Bismillah Khan
(B) Bhimsen Joshi
(C) Zakir Hussain
(D) M. S. Subbulakshmi
Answer: (D) M. S. Subbulakshmi
Explanation: Carnatic vocalist M. S. Subbulakshmi received a Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1974 for public service. She later became the first musician awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1998. These honours recognised different aspects of her contribution.
115. In which year did sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar receive the Bharat Ratna?
[SSC CPO — 2022]
(A) 1998
(B) 1999
(C) 1995
(D) 1996
Answer: (B) 1999
Explanation: Pandit Ravi Shankar was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1999 for his musical contribution. His performances and international collaborations popularised the sitar. The honour followed earlier Padma awards in a long artistic career.
114. Which Indian woman was the first to win a Grammy Award?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2022]
(A) Tanvi Shah
(B) Neeti Mohan
(C) Shweta Pandit
(D) Shalmali Kholgade
Answer: (A) Tanvi Shah
Explanation: Singer and lyricist Tanvi Shah shared a Grammy Award for Jai Ho, associated with the film Slumdog Millionaire. She contributed Spanish lyrics. The song’s global success also earned major recognition for A. R. Rahman.
113. Who received the Dronacharya Award 2021 in the regular coaching category for table tennis?
[SSC CHSL Tier-I — 2022]
(A) Sathiyan Gnanasekaran
(B) Mouma Das
(C) Manika Batra
(D) Subramanian Raman
Answer: (D) Subramanian Raman
Explanation: Subramanian Raman was honoured for his coaching contribution to table tennis. The Dronacharya Award specifically recognises coaches; the other options are known primarily as competitive players, which is the distinction this PYQ tests.
112. Which award did Birju Maharaj receive in 2012 for his choreography?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2022]
(A) National Film Award
(B) Filmfare Award
(C) Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
(D) Sangam Kala Award
Answer: (A) National Film Award
Explanation: Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj received the National Film Award for choreography associated with a cinematic dance performance. He was also a Padma Vibhushan awardee, but the question specifically asks about the 2012 film distinction.
111. Who received the 2021 Sahitya Akademi Award for writing in English?
[WBCS Prelims — 2022]
(A) Kiran Desai
(B) Arundhati Roy
(C) Anita Nair
(D) Namita Gokhale
Answer: (D) Namita Gokhale
Explanation: Namita Gokhale received the Sahitya Akademi Award in English for Things to Leave Behind. Sahitya Akademi honours literary works in recognised Indian languages, including English, and is separate from the Jnanpith.
