Exams › SSC CGL (Prelims) › General › Indian Culture
68 questions with worked solutions.
Q1. In Teen Taal from Hindustani music, the khali beat falls on the ______ matra.
Answer: 9
Teen Taal has 16 matras divided into four sections of 4 beats each. The khali falls on the 9th matra, which is the first beat of the third vibhag.
Q2. In Indian philosophy, which two major paths to liberation are emphasized?
Answer: Karma and Jnana
Indian philosophy often emphasizes Karma Yoga and Jnana Yoga as major paths toward liberation. Karma refers to selfless action, while Jnana refers to knowledge and wisdom.
Q3. In the Wangala festival, the term ‘Rongchugala’ symbolizes:
Answer: Harvest celebration
Wangala is a harvest festival of the Garo tribe in Meghalaya. ‘Rongchugala’ symbolizes the harvest celebration associated with the festival.
Q4. In tribal traditions of Odisha, the ‘Chaitra Parva’ festival primarily symbolizes:
Answer: Beginning of the agricultural season
Chaitra Parva is a tribal festival in Odisha associated with the onset of the agricultural cycle and seasonal renewal. It is celebrated as a community event marking the beginning of farming-related activities.
Q5. Which of the following statements about the Baisakhi festival is correct?
Answer: It marks the harvest season in Punjab
Baisakhi is a major festival in Punjab and is celebrated as a harvest festival, marking the ripening and harvesting of crops. It is not limited to winter, nor is it a Buddhist festival. Hence, the correct statement is that it marks the harvest season in Punjab.
Q6. In ancient Indian music, Desi Sangeet refers to:
Answer: Folk traditions
Desi Sangeet refers to regional or popular musical traditions that evolved among the people. It is associated with folk and local cultural expressions rather than Vedic or courtly music.
Q7. In Indian classical music, Sushira Vadya refers to:
Answer: Wind instruments where sound is produced by air vibration
In Indian musical classification, Sushira Vadya refers to wind instruments. Their sound is produced by vibrating air within the instrument. The other options describe membranous, string, and percussion instruments.
Q8. Which feature is most associated with Baul folk music of Bengal?
Answer: Devotional and philosophical lyrics
Baul music of Bengal is a mystical folk tradition centered on devotion, spirituality, and philosophical ideas. It is not defined by strict classical rules or purely instrumental performance.
Q9. Which harvest festival of Assam is celebrated with community feasts and bonfires in January?
Answer: Bhogali Bihu
Bhogali Bihu, also called Magh Bihu, is the harvest festival of Assam celebrated in January. It is marked by feasts, bonfires, and community celebrations. The other Bihus are associated with different seasons and agricultural phases.
Answer: Only 1
Kuchipudi originated in Andhra Pradesh, so statement 1 is correct. It is not performed only by men; women also perform it widely today. Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.
Answer: Dholak
Dholak is a traditional two-headed percussion instrument commonly used in Indian folk music, including Rajasthan. Algoza is a wind instrument, Khartal is a clapper instrument, and Nagara is a large kettle drum, so Dholak fits best.
Answer: 1, 2 and 3
Amrita Pritam was a renowned Punjabi poet and writer. She wrote the novel 'Pinjar' and was awarded the Jnanpith Award. Therefore, all three statements are correct.
Answer: 1, 2 and 4 only
Yakshagana is associated with Karnataka, Chhau is commonly linked with Odisha, and Lai Haraoba is a traditional festival-dance of Manipur. Rouf is not associated with Himachal Pradesh, so that pair is incorrect.
Q14. Which of the following best reflects the significance of the Wangala Festival of Meghalaya?
Answer: Post-harvest thanksgiving to the Sun God
Wangala is a harvest festival of the Garo tribe in Meghalaya. It is celebrated as a thanksgiving to the Sun God after the harvest.
Answer: 1 - Assam, 2 - Andhra Pradesh, 3 - Kerala
Sattriya originated in Assam, Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh, and Mohiniyattam in Kerala. The matching option that follows this order is correct.
Q16. The Hornbill Festival is a major cultural event celebrated primarily in the state of ______.
Answer: Nagaland
The Hornbill Festival is a famous cultural festival held in Nagaland. It showcases the traditions, dances, music, and heritage of the state's tribes.
Q17. The Ghoomar dance is traditionally performed by women of which community in Rajasthan?
Answer: Bhil
Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan performed by women, and it is commonly associated with the Bhil community. It is known for graceful circular movements and cultural significance.
Q18. Match the festival with its significance: 1. Baisakhi 2. Pongal 3. Onam
Answer: 1 - Punjab (Harvest), 2 - Tamil Nadu (Harvest), 3 - Kerala (Harvest)
Baisakhi is a harvest festival of Punjab, Pongal is a harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, and Onam is a harvest festival of Kerala. The correct match is therefore the option that pairs each festival with its respective state.
Q19. The Rauf folk dance is associated with which State/UT?
Answer: Jammu & Kashmir
Rauf is a folk dance associated with Jammu & Kashmir, particularly performed by women during festive occasions. It reflects the cultural traditions of the region.
Q20. Which of the following pairs of Indian folk dance and state is correctly matched?
Answer: Bihu – Assam
Bihu is the traditional folk dance of Assam. The other pairs are incorrect because Garba is associated with Gujarat, Lavani with Maharashtra, and Ghoomar with Rajasthan.
Answer: Telangana
Perini Shivatandavam is a traditional dance form associated with the Kakatiya era and was revived by Nataraja Ramakrishna. It is primarily linked to Telangana.
Answer: 1 December
The Hornbill Festival is held annually in Nagaland to celebrate the culture of multiple Naga tribes. It begins on 1 December, coinciding with Nagaland Statehood Day.
Answer: Only 1 correct
Bihu is associated with the Assamese New Year and harvest festivals, so statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because Bihu performances include both men and women.
Answer: fertility
In many tribal and folk traditions, the peacock feather is associated with fertility, prosperity, and natural abundance. It is used as a symbol of life and growth rather than fear or silence.
Q25. Why is Yakshagana considered a composite art?
Answer: It combines dance, music, and dialogue
Yakshagana is called a composite art because it integrates dance, music, dialogue, costume, and dramatic performance. This makes it a rich theatrical folk tradition.
Answer: Pabuji ki Phad
Pabuji ki Phad is a traditional Rajasthani folk narrative associated with heroic ballads and devotional storytelling. The other options belong to different regions or genres.
Answer: Martial and warrior traditions
Chhau is a folk dance form characterized by vigorous martial movements and masks, and it is associated with martial and warrior traditions. It is not primarily linked to fishing, pastoral, or monastic communities.
Answer: Saljong, the Sun God
Wangala is the harvest festival of the Garo community and is celebrated in honour of Saljong, the Sun God. It marks gratitude for a good harvest.
Q29. In Carnatic music, alankaras are:
Answer: Musical ornaments and note patterns
In Carnatic music, alankaras are patterned exercises or ornamented note sequences used for training. They help students practice swara combinations and rhythm.
Q30. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race held in Kerala is mainly associated with which activity?
Answer: Snake boat racing
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is one of Kerala’s most famous boat races held on the Punnamada Lake. It is specifically associated with snake boat racing, not with processions or rituals.
Answer: Gaur (Maria) — Chhattisgarh
Gaur Maria is a tribal dance associated with the Maria tribe, especially in Chhattisgarh. Its distinctive bison-horn headgear and energetic movements are characteristic features.
Q32. The traditional Dumhal dance of Jammu and Kashmir is especially known for which distinctive feature?
Answer: Dancers carrying tall conical headgear
Dumhal is a traditional folk dance of Jammu and Kashmir known for dancers wearing tall conical headgear. This distinctive costume feature makes it easily identifiable.
Q33. In Garba dance, performers traditionally move in:
Answer: Circular formations
Garba is a traditional folk dance of Gujarat performed in circular formations, often around a central lamp or deity image. The circular movement is a defining feature of the dance.
Answer: Assam
Ankiya Naat is a traditional one-act devotional dance-drama form developed in Assam by Srimanta Sankardev. It is an important part of Assamese cultural heritage.
Q35. In Punjab, the traditional ballad-singing style known as ‘Vaar’ is best classified as:
Answer: Heroic folk narrative
‘Vaar’ is a Punjabi folk ballad form that narrates heroic deeds, battles, and historical events. It is not a devotional hymn or a lullaby, and it is more narrative than a simple chant.
Answer: protective deities
Cham dances are ritual masked dances performed in monasteries and are associated with Vajrayana Buddhist traditions. They primarily symbolize protective deities and spiritual forces.
Answer: Only 1 correct
Garba is a popular folk dance of Gujarat, especially performed during Navratri. The second statement is incorrect because Garba is not traditionally performed only by men; it is performed by both men and women.
Answer: Kailmurtha
Kailmurtha is a traditional Kodava festival associated with the start of the agricultural season. It includes rituals for ancestral spirits and worship of weapons, reflecting the martial and agrarian culture of the Kodavas.
Q39. The traditional dance form ‘Bagurumba’ is primarily performed by which community of Northeast India?
Answer: Bodo
Bagurumba is a traditional folk dance of the Bodo community in Assam and other parts of Northeast India. It is performed during festivals and is known for graceful movements.
Answer: Both 1 and 2 correct
Nautanki is a well-known folk-theatre tradition of North India, particularly Uttar Pradesh. It is performed in an open-air setting and typically combines music, dance, and dramatic dialogue, so both statements are correct.
Q41. Which of the following best describes the core purpose of the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland?
Answer: Promotion of tribal culture and heritage
The Hornbill Festival is a major cultural festival of Nagaland that brings together different Naga tribes. It promotes their traditions, dances, music, crafts, and heritage.
Q42. Who composed the song 'Vande Mataram'?
Answer: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. It first appeared in his novel *Anandamath* and later became a famous patriotic song.
Answer: Chenda
Padayani is a ritual folk art of Kerala, and its traditional accompaniment is the chenda. The other instruments are associated with different regional traditions.
Answer: Both 1 & 2 correct
Sattriya is a classical dance form of Assam and is traditionally associated with performance in Sattras, the Vaishnavite monasteries. It was introduced by Srimanta Sankaradev. Hence, both statements are correct.
Q45. Which of the following best reflects a distinct cultural feature of the Festival of Salhesh?
Answer: Dramatic retelling of Salhesh legends by a Bhagat and Manarias
The Festival of Salhesh is associated with folk performances that dramatize the legends of Salhesh, typically presented by a Bhagat and Manarias. This makes the second option the best description. The other options do not match the cultural practice.
Q46. Which Indian state is famous for the traditional buffalo race known as Kambala?
Answer: Karnataka
Kambala is a traditional buffalo race associated with Karnataka, especially the coastal regions. It is a popular folk sport and cultural event. The other states are not known for Kambala.
Answer: Nagaland
The Hornbill Festival is celebrated in Nagaland and is often called the Festival of Festivals. It showcases the traditions, dances, music, and crafts of the Naga tribes.
Answer: Thang-Ta
Thang-Ta is a traditional martial art from Manipur. It combines 'Thang' (sword) and 'Ta' (spear), and also includes unarmed combat techniques such as Sarit Sarak.
Answer: 2 - 3 - 1 - 4
A Kathak performance typically starts with Thaat, which is the initial graceful posture. It is followed by Amad, then Tatkar (footwork), and finally Tarana in the faster concluding section.
Q50. Which of the following traditional dances is associated with the Chapchar Kut festival of Mizoram?
Answer: Cheraw
Cheraw is the traditional bamboo dance of Mizoram and is commonly performed during the Chapchar Kut festival. It is one of the best-known cultural dances of the state.