Art & Culture MCQs – Set 35: Advanced Questions for UPSC/PSC/CGL Exam Prep

  1. Which Indian dance form is traditionally performed by male monks in Vaishnava monasteries?
    (A) Odissi
    (B) Kathakali
    (C) Sattriya
    (D) Mohiniyattam
    Answer: (C)
  2. Which of these is a folk theatre form of Bihar?
    (A) Nautanki
    (B) Bidesia
    (C) Bhavai
    (D) Jatra
    Answer: (B)
  3. The ‘Gotipua’ dancers are known as the forerunners of which classical dance?
    (A) Kathak
    (B) Bharatanatyam
    (C) Odissi
    (D) Kuchipudi
    Answer: (C)
  4. Which river is worshipped during the ‘Chhath Puja’ festival?
    (A) Ganga
    (B) Yamuna
    (C) Narmada
    (D) Godavari
    Answer: (A)
  5. The term ‘Bhakti’ is derived from the root word meaning –
    (A) Liberation
    (B) Wisdom
    (C) Devotion
    (D) Prayer
    Answer: (C)
  6. The architectural style of Sun Temple, Konark is called –
    (A) Kalinga
    (B) Dravidian
    (C) Nagara
    (D) Vesara
    Answer: (A)
  7. Which community in Gujarat is known for the ‘Rabari embroidery’?
    (A) Banjara
    (B) Bhil
    (C) Rabari
    (D) Meena
    Answer: (C)
  8. Which dance form uses ankle bells and is known for fast spins and intricate footwork?
    (A) Bharatanatyam
    (B) Kathak
    (C) Odissi
    (D) Manipuri
    Answer: (B)
  9. Which UNESCO site is associated with Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist monuments carved in rocks?
    (A) Ajanta
    (B) Ellora
    (C) Mahabalipuram
    (D) Sanchi
    Answer: (B)
  10. ‘Tala’ in Indian classical music refers to –
    (A) Melody
    (B) Composition
    (C) Rhythm
    (D) Pitch
    Answer: (C)
  11. Which of the following is not a percussion instrument?
    (A) Tabla
    (B) Mridangam
    (C) Santoor
    (D) Pakhawaj
    Answer: (C)
  12. Which community is famous for their scroll painting art in Andhra Pradesh?
    (A) Warli
    (B) Chitrakars
    (C) Cherial artists
    (D) Gond
    Answer: (C)
  13. Which temple is shaped like a chariot with 12 intricately carved wheels?
    (A) Lingaraj Temple
    (B) Konark Sun Temple
    (C) Shore Temple
    (D) Meenakshi Temple
    Answer: (B)
  14. Who wrote the Tamil classic ‘Silappatikaram’?
    (A) Ilango Adigal
    (B) Tiruvalluvar
    (C) Kambar
    (D) Andal
    Answer: (A)
  15. The ‘Dastangoi’ tradition is associated with –
    (A) Dance
    (B) Puppet
    (C) Oral storytelling
    (D) Painting
    Answer: (C)
  16. Which musical instrument has 100 strings and is played with mallets?
    (A) Santoor
    (B) Veena
    (C) Sarod
    (D) Sitar
    Answer: (A)
  17. Which Raga is typically associated with rain and the monsoon season?
    (A) Malhar
    (B) Yaman
    (C) Bhairavi
    (D) Todi
    Answer: (A)
  18. The ‘Raas’ dance form is especially prominent during which festival?
    (A) Holi
    (B) Janmashtami
    (C) Diwali
    (D) Navratri
    Answer: (B)
  19. Which folk dance is performed with swords and shields in Tamil Nadu?
    (A) Garadi
    (B) Karagattam
    (C) Oyilattam
    (D) Kalaripayattu
    Answer: (A)
  20. Which religious movement emphasized unity beyond caste and religion during medieval India?
    (A) Bhakti Movement
    (B) Jainism
    (C) Buddhism
    (D) Arya Samaj
    Answer: (A)
  21. Which dance is associated with the Vaishnava tradition and originated in Assam?
    (A) Kathak
    (B) Odissi
    (C) Sattriya
    (D) Bharatanatyam
    Answer: (C)
  22. The puppetry tradition of Tamil Nadu is called –
    (A) Chadar Badar
    (B) Tolpavakoothu
    (C) Bommalattam
    (D) Gombeyatta
    Answer: (C)
  23. The ‘Vesara’ style is a blend of –
    (A) Kalinga and Dravidian
    (B) Nagara and Dravidian
    (C) Indo-Islamic and Deccan
    (D) Mauryan and Gupta
    Answer: (B)
  24. Which saint composed ‘Tevaram’ hymns in praise of Lord Shiva?
    (A) Appar
    (B) Namdev
    (C) Kabir
    (D) Tulsidas
    Answer: (A)
  25. Which temple’s layout resembles a giant mandala from above?
    (A) Jagannath Temple
    (B) Brihadeeswarar Temple
    (C) Sun Temple, Konark
    (D) Khajuraho Temples
    Answer: (C)
  26. ‘Lavani’ dance is accompanied by which type of songs?
    (A) Patriotic
    (B) Romantic and sensual
    (C) Devotional
    (D) Philosophical
    Answer: (B)
  27. Which ancient port city is frequently mentioned in Sangam literature?
    (A) Puhar
    (B) Bharuch
    (C) Cochin
    (D) Surat
    Answer: (A)
  28. The term ‘Shilpa’ in Indian tradition refers to –
    (A) Dance
    (B) Music
    (C) Architecture and sculpture
    (D) Drama
    Answer: (C)
  29. Which dance form is known for the dramatic use of eyes and eyebrows?
    (A) Kathakali
    (B) Bharatanatyam
    (C) Mohiniyattam
    (D) Kuchipudi
    Answer: (A)
  30. The Sufi practice of devotional song is called –
    (A) Bhajan
    (B) Abhang
    (C) Kirtan
    (D) Qawwali
    Answer: (D)
  31. Which musical tradition uses compositions known as ‘Kritis’?
    (A) Hindustani
    (B) Carnatic
    (C) Baul
    (D) Sufi
    Answer: (B)
  32. Which temple town is known for its golden chariot procession of Vishnu?
    (A) Guruvayur
    (B) Rameswaram
    (C) Srirangam
    (D) Madurai
    Answer: (C)
  33. The famous ‘Ravindra Sangeet’ is associated with –
    (A) Rabindranath Tagore
    (B) Kazi Nazrul Islam
    (C) Bankim Chandra
    (D) Sarojini Naidu
    Answer: (A)
  34. Which form of Indian classical dance is performed in Manipuri Vaishnavite temples?
    (A) Bharatanatyam
    (B) Sattriya
    (C) Manipuri
    (D) Kuchipudi
    Answer: (C)
  35. The term ‘Pancha Rasa’ refers to –
    (A) Five musical scales
    (B) Five dance styles
    (C) Five basic emotions
    (D) Five temples
    Answer: (C)
  36. The ‘Alvars’ were devotional poets of –
    (A) Shiva
    (B) Vishnu
    (C) Durga
    (D) Buddha
    Answer: (B)
  37. Which ancient Indian scholar composed the Sangita Ratnakara?
    (A) Sharngadeva
    (B) Panini
    (C) Bharata
    (D) Kalidasa
    Answer: (A)
  38. Which of these cities was part of the ancient Silk Route and a center for Buddhist art?
    (A) Mathura
    (B) Taxila
    (C) Varanasi
    (D) Ayodhya
    Answer: (B)
  39. The ‘Bhagavata Mela’ dance-drama tradition belongs to –
    (A) Andhra Pradesh
    (B) Tamil Nadu
    (C) Karnataka
    (D) Kerala
    Answer: (B)
  40. The ‘Baul’ singers are known for which instrument?
    (A) Nadaswaram
    (B) Ektara
    (C) Sarod
    (D) Tabla
    Answer: (B)
  41. Which art form of Kerala uses decorative umbrellas, elephants, and rhythmic percussion?
    (A) Theyyam
    (B) Thrissur Pooram
    (C) Padayani
    (D) Mohiniyattam
    Answer: (B)
  42. Which Jain temple is known for its intricate marble carvings and 1444 pillars?
    (A) Palitana
    (B) Dilwara Temples
    (C) Ranakpur Temple
    (D) Shravanabelagola
    Answer: (B)
  43. Which tribal art is known for its use of earthy colors and depiction of animals and rituals?
    (A) Warli
    (B) Madhubani
    (C) Gond
    (D) Pattachitra
    Answer: (C)
  44. The Dholavira site provides evidence of –
    (A) Vedic rituals
    (B) Buddhist monuments
    (C) Harappan urban planning
    (D) Mauryan sculpture
    Answer: (C)
  45. Which musical instrument is used in Manipuri Sankirtana performances?
    (A) Khol
    (B) Dhol
    (C) Mridang
    (D) Tabla
    Answer: (A)
  46. Which Gharana is famous for tabla performances and compositions?
    (A) Lucknow
    (B) Benaras
    (C) Agra
    (D) Kirana
    Answer: (B)
  47. Which dance form of Kerala tells stories from the Mahabharata through dramatic movement?
    (A) Kathakali
    (B) Mohiniyattam
    (C) Koodiyattam
    (D) Theyyam
    Answer: (A)
  48. The ‘Kumhar’ community is traditionally engaged in –
    (A) Metal craft
    (B) Weaving
    (C) Pottery
    (D) Painting
    Answer: (C)
  49. Which Indian festival celebrates the victory of good over evil and is marked by Ramlila plays?
    (A) Diwali
    (B) Dussehra
    (C) Holi
    (D) Navratri
    Answer: (B)
  50. Which city is famous for its silk sarees with golden zari borders?
    (A) Kanchipuram
    (B) Varanasi
    (C) Mysuru
    (D) Surat
    Answer: (A)

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