Q.1 Who is known as the 'Father of Indian Cinema'?
Satyajit Ray
Dadasaheb Phalke
Guru Dutt
Raj Kapoor
Explanation - Dadasaheb Phalke is considered the 'Father of Indian Cinema' for making India's first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913.
Correct answer is: Dadasaheb Phalke
Q.2 Which classical dance form originates from Tamil Nadu?
Kathak
Odissi
Bharatanatyam
Kuchipudi
Explanation - Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form from Tamil Nadu, known for its fixed upper torso, bent legs, and intricate footwork.
Correct answer is: Bharatanatyam
Q.3 The famous 'Mysore Dasara' festival is celebrated in which state?
Kerala
Karnataka
Maharashtra
Tamil Nadu
Explanation - Mysore Dasara is a 10-day festival celebrated in Mysore, Karnataka, with grand processions and cultural programs.
Correct answer is: Karnataka
Q.4 The Warli paintings belong to which Indian state?
Maharashtra
Gujarat
Rajasthan
Odisha
Explanation - Warli paintings are a tribal art form from Maharashtra depicting scenes of daily life and nature.
Correct answer is: Maharashtra
Q.5 Which Indian musician is known as the 'Queen of Melody'?
Lata Mangeshkar
Asha Bhosle
Shreya Ghoshal
Sunidhi Chauhan
Explanation - Lata Mangeshkar is renowned as the 'Queen of Melody' for her significant contributions to Indian music over seven decades.
Correct answer is: Lata Mangeshkar
Q.6 Which classical music instrument is primarily used in Carnatic music?
Sitar
Veena
Tabla
Harmonium
Explanation - The Veena is a plucked string instrument widely used in Carnatic classical music of South India.
Correct answer is: Veena
Q.7 Which Mughal emperor commissioned the Taj Mahal?
Akbar
Shah Jahan
Aurangzeb
Babur
Explanation - Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal in Agra in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, completed in 1653.
Correct answer is: Shah Jahan
Q.8 The 'Bihu' festival is associated with which state?
Assam
Punjab
Bihar
Tripura
Explanation - Bihu is a major festival of Assam celebrating the Assamese New Year and agricultural cycles.
Correct answer is: Assam
Q.9 Which Indian painter is famous for the 'Bharat Mata' painting?
Raja Ravi Varma
Abanindranath Tagore
Amrita Sher-Gil
MF Husain
Explanation - Abanindranath Tagore painted 'Bharat Mata', depicting a saffron-clad mother India holding a book, a sheaf of rice, and a mala.
Correct answer is: Abanindranath Tagore
Q.10 Which dance form is performed during the festival of Navratri in Gujarat?
Bharatanatyam
Garba
Kathak
Odissi
Explanation - Garba is a folk dance of Gujarat performed during Navratri, involving circular movements and rhythmic claps.
Correct answer is: Garba
Q.11 Who wrote the famous Hindi play 'Andha Yug'?
Harivansh Rai Bachchan
Girish Karnad
Dharamvir Bharati
Bhisham Sahni
Explanation - 'Andha Yug', a play set in the aftermath of Mahabharata, was written by Dharamvir Bharati.
Correct answer is: Dharamvir Bharati
Q.12 Which city is famous for the traditional art of Pattachitra painting?
Puri
Jaipur
Kolkata
Varanasi
Explanation - Pattachitra is a traditional cloth-based scroll painting from Odisha, mainly practiced in Puri.
Correct answer is: Puri
Q.13 Which of the following is a Rajasthani folk dance?
Bhangra
Ghoomar
Kathakali
Lavani
Explanation - Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan performed by women in flowing skirts with graceful twirls.
Correct answer is: Ghoomar
Q.14 Which Indian artist is known for the 'Mother and Child' painting series?
MF Husain
Raja Ravi Varma
Amrita Sher-Gil
Tyeb Mehta
Explanation - Amrita Sher-Gil, a pioneer of modern Indian art, is famous for paintings depicting women, especially the 'Mother and Child' series.
Correct answer is: Amrita Sher-Gil
Q.15 Which instrument is associated with North Indian classical music?
Sitar
Veena
Pakhawaj
Mridangam
Explanation - The Sitar is a plucked string instrument commonly used in Hindustani (North Indian) classical music.
Correct answer is: Sitar
Q.16 Which of the following is a popular Kashmiri handicraft?
Madhubani painting
Pashmina shawl
Cheriyal painting
Phad painting
Explanation - Pashmina shawls are handwoven fine woolen shawls from Kashmir, known for their softness and intricate designs.
Correct answer is: Pashmina shawl
Q.17 Which Indian state is known for the 'Chhau' dance?
Odisha
Jharkhand
West Bengal
All of the above
Explanation - Chhau dance is a traditional dance with martial, tribal, and folk influences, performed in Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.18 Who composed the famous Indian film music 'Mera Joota Hai Japani'?
RD Burman
Naushad
Shankar-Jaikishan
S.D. Burman
Explanation - 'Mera Joota Hai Japani' from the movie Shree 420 (1955) had music composed by Shankar-Jaikishan.
Correct answer is: Shankar-Jaikishan
Q.19 Which Indian painter founded the Bengal School of Art?
Raja Ravi Varma
Abanindranath Tagore
MF Husain
Jamini Roy
Explanation - Abanindranath Tagore founded the Bengal School of Art as a nationalist reaction against Western academic art styles.
Correct answer is: Abanindranath Tagore
Q.20 Which festival in India is associated with Rangoli decoration?
Diwali
Holi
Pongal
Baisakhi
Explanation - During Diwali, people create colorful Rangoli designs at entrances to welcome prosperity and happiness.
Correct answer is: Diwali
Q.21 Which dance form is native to Kerala?
Kathakali
Bharatanatyam
Odissi
Manipuri
Explanation - Kathakali is a classical dance-drama from Kerala known for elaborate costumes, detailed gestures, and expressive makeup.
Correct answer is: Kathakali
Q.22 Which of these is a traditional Indian string instrument?
Sitar
Tabla
Dholak
Mridangam
Explanation - Sitar is a plucked string instrument, widely used in Hindustani classical music.
Correct answer is: Sitar
Q.23 The Kumbh Mela, a major cultural event, is held every 12 years in which locations?
Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, Ujjain
Varanasi, Kolkata, Jaipur, Chennai
Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Pune
Bhubaneswar, Lucknow, Patna, Bhopal
Explanation - Kumbh Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage held at these four river-bank sites every 12 years.
Correct answer is: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, Ujjain
Q.24 Which Indian classical dance uses masks in its performances?
Kathakali
Bharatanatyam
Manipuri
Odissi
Explanation - Kathakali uses elaborate facial makeup and sometimes masks to depict characters from Hindu epics.
Correct answer is: Kathakali
Q.25 Which Indian art form involves painting on cloth scrolls depicting mythological stories in Telangana?
Pattachitra
Cheriyal painting
Madhubani
Phad painting
Explanation - Cheriyal paintings are traditional scroll paintings from Telangana narrating stories of folklore and mythology.
Correct answer is: Cheriyal painting