UPSC CSE Prelims
Indian Music Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Indian Music
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Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous classical singer from Karnataka, represented the :
Detailed Explanation:
Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur (1910–1992) was one of the greatest Hindustani classical vocalists from Karnataka and is best known as a leading exponent of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana.
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He received advanced training under Ustad Manji Khan and Ustad Bhurji Khan, sons of the gharana's founder Ustad Alladiya Khan.
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He was renowned for his mastery over rare and complex ragas.
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Therefore, Option D is the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
| Gharana | Why Incorrect? |
|---|---|
| Agra Gharana | Known for powerful voice culture and rhythmic complexity, but not associated with Mallikarjun Mansur. |
| Gwalior Gharana | Mansur initially trained in this style but later became a Jaipur-Atrauli exponent. |
| Patiala Gharana | Famous for Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and intricate taans; unrelated to Mansur. |
| Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana | Mallikarjun Mansur's principal gharana. ✅ |
Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founder | Ustad Alladiya Khan |
| Type | Hindustani Classical Music |
| Speciality | Rare ragas, complex layakari, intricate taans |
| Famous Exponent | Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur |
| Style | Open-throated singing and sophisticated raga presentation |
Important Facts
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The Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana is one of the most respected gharanas of Hindustani music.
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It is particularly known for preserving and performing rare (Jod and Sankirna) ragas.
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Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur played a major role in popularizing this tradition across India.
Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music ?
Detailed Explanation:
Indian classical music has two major traditions: Hindustani (North Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian). Many ragas in these systems have equivalent scales.
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Dheera Shankarabharanam in Carnatic music is equivalent to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music.
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Both use all Shuddha (natural) notes and correspond to the Western Major Scale (Ionian Mode).
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Nat Bhairavi, Kamavardhini, and Hanumatodi correspond to other Hindustani thaats/ragas.
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Therefore, Option D is the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
| Option | Hindustani Equivalent | Why Incorrect? |
|---|---|---|
| Nat Bhairavi | Asavari Thaat | Not equivalent to Bilawal |
| Kamavardhini (Pantuvarali) | Poorvi Thaat | Different note structure |
| Hanumatodi | Bhairavi Thaat | Different scale |
| Dheera Shankarabharanam | Bilawal Thaat / Raga Bilawal | ✅ Correct Answer |
The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, a music training school, was set up in 1901 by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in
Detailed Explanation:
Correct Answer: ✅ Option 4 (Lahore)
Vishnu Digambar Paluskar founded the first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Lahore in 1901. His objective was to make Hindustani classical music accessible to common people through formal institutional education.
✅ Statement I is Correct: The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya was established in Lahore in 1901.
✅ Statement II is Correct: Paluskar broke the traditional gharana-based exclusivity and promoted systematic music education for all sections of society.
❌ Delhi, Gwalior and Ujjain are Incorrect: Although Gandharva Mahavidyalaya later expanded to other cities, the first institution was established in Lahore.
Short Notes: Vishnu Digambar Paluskar and Gandharva Mahavidyalaya
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Vishnu Digambar Paluskar (1872–1931) was a pioneer of Hindustani classical music.
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He founded the first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in 1901 at Lahore.
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The institution promoted formal music education outside the hereditary gharana system.
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Paluskar played a major role in popularizing classical music among the masses.
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He standardized music teaching through structured curricula and notation.
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The Gandharva Mahavidyalaya movement later spread to many Indian cities.
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He is regarded as one of the architects of modern Hindustani music education.
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With reference to cultural history of India, consider the following statements :
- Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna.
- Tyagaraja created several new ragas.
- Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are contemporaries.
- Annamacharya kirtanas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 and 4 only
This question tests knowledge of two prominent Carnatic music composers and their contributions. Only statements 2 and 4 are factually correct regarding Tyagaraja's compositional innovations and Annamacharya's devotional focus.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Most of Tyagaraja's kritis are devotional compositions in praise of Lord Rama, not Lord Krishna.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Tyagaraja is credited with creating several new ragas and enriching Carnatic music with his innovative compositions.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Annamacharya (1408-1503 CE) and Tyagaraja (1767-1847 CE) were not contemporaries; they lived approximately three centuries apart.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Annamacharya's kirtanas are devotional songs primarily in praise of Lord Venkateshwara (Balaji) of Tirupati.
📝 Short Notes: Saint Composers of Carnatic Music
| Composer | Period | Deity | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annamacharya | 1408-1503 CE (15th century) | Lord Venkateshwara (Tirupati) | Composed over 32,000 sankirtanas; considered the first known Indian musician to compose songs called sankirtanas; pioneer of Carnatic devotional music |
| Tyagaraja | 1767-1847 CE (18th-19th century) | Lord Rama | Part of the Trinity of Carnatic music (with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri); created new ragas; composed over 700 kritis; his Pancharatna Kritis are considered masterpieces |
| Muthuswami Dikshitar | 1775-1835 CE | Various deities | Known for compositions in Sanskrit; explored complex ragas; one of the Trinity |
| Syama Sastri | 1762-1827 CE | Goddess (mainly Kamakshi) | Master of rhythmic patterns; composed mainly in Telugu; one of the Trinity |
| Purandara Dasa | 1484-1564 CE | Lord Krishna (Vittala) | Father of Carnatic music; systematized teaching methodology; composed over 475,000 songs |
A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their -
Detailed Explanation:
Manganiyars are a community of hereditary Muslim folk musicians from Western Rajasthan (Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jalore districts), renowned for their musical tradition in North-West India.
They serve as traditional performers and record keepers, preserving family histories and genealogies through songs based on oral tradition, receiving patronage from local communities.
With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct?
- Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period.
- Dhrupad is primarily devotional and spiritual music.
- Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Dhrupad originated in ancient times from Samaveda chanting and developed in temples during the 12th–15th centuries, well before the Mughal period. It was later patronized by Rajput and Mughal courts but did not originate there.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Dhrupad is primarily devotional and spiritual music, traditionally sung in temples before deities, emphasizing meditation and introspection.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Vedic mantras such as "Om, Ananta, Hari, Narayana", reflecting its roots in Vedic chanting traditions.