Art & Culture MCQs – Set 38: Advanced Questions for UPSC/PSC/CGL Exam Prep

  1. Which Indian city is considered the cultural capital of Maharashtra?
    (A) Mumbai
    (B) Nagpur
    (C) Pune
    (D) Nashik
    Answer: (C)
  2. The famous painting ‘Bharat Mata’ was created by –
    (A) Raja Ravi Varma
    (B) Rabindranath Tagore
    (C) Nandalal Bose
    (D) Abanindranath Tagore
    Answer: (D)
  3. Which art form uses cow dung-treated surfaces and natural dyes in Bihar?
    (A) Warli
    (B) Madhubani
    (C) Kalighat
    (D) Phad
    Answer: (B)
  4. Which classical music instrument is a fretless lute and known for deep, introspective tones?
    (A) Sitar
    (B) Sarod
    (C) Santoor
    (D) Veena
    Answer: (B)
  5. Which ancient university was a major center of Buddhist learning in Bihar?
    (A) Nalanda
    (B) Takshashila
    (C) Vikramshila
    (D) Vallabhi
    Answer: (A)
  6. The concept of ‘Navarasa’ was first detailed in which text?
    (A) Rigveda
    (B) Arthashastra
    (C) Natya Shastra
    (D) Ramayana
    Answer: (C)
  7. The traditional music form ‘Baul’ is practiced in which region?
    (A) Gujarat
    (B) Bengal
    (C) Kerala
    (D) Punjab
    Answer: (B)
  8. Which Mughal painter was famous for detailed nature studies and animal paintings?
    (A) Abul Hasan
    (B) Basawan
    (C) Ustad Mansur
    (D) Farrukh Beg
    Answer: (C)
  9. ‘Bhavai’ is a traditional folk theatre form of –
    (A) Punjab
    (B) Gujarat
    (C) Bihar
    (D) Haryana
    Answer: (B)
  10. The Raslila is most closely associated with which deity?
    (A) Shiva
    (B) Rama
    (C) Krishna
    (D) Vishnu
    Answer: (C)
  11. ‘Dollu Kunitha’ is a popular drum dance of –
    (A) Odisha
    (B) Kerala
    (C) Karnataka
    (D) Madhya Pradesh
    Answer: (C)
  12. Which temple features erotic sculptures and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
    (A) Lingaraj Temple
    (B) Jagannath Temple
    (C) Meenakshi Temple
    (D) Khajuraho Temples
    Answer: (D)
  13. The instrument played by snake charmers in India is called –
    (A) Shehnai
    (B) Been
    (C) Pungi
    (D) Nadaswaram
    Answer: (C)
  14. Which traditional art is known for gold leaf work and jewel-like appearance?
    (A) Tanjore painting
    (B) Gond painting
    (C) Pattachitra
    (D) Kangra painting
    Answer: (A)
  15. The Kathak dance has historical ties with the courts of –
    (A) Rajputs
    (B) Marathas
    (C) Mughals
    (D) Peshwas
    Answer: (C)
  16. Who composed the Telugu literary classic ‘Amuktamalyada’?
    (A) Krishnadevaraya
    (B) Tikkana
    (C) Pothana
    (D) Tyagaraja
    Answer: (A)
  17. Which style of classical music includes lighter forms like Bhajans and Ghazals?
    (A) Dhrupad
    (B) Tappa
    (C) Hindustani
    (D) Carnatic
    Answer: (C)
  18. Which Raga is associated with early morning meditation?
    (A) Yaman
    (B) Bhairav
    (C) Malkauns
    (D) Kafi
    Answer: (B)
  19. The oldest theatre form still performed in Sanskrit is –
    (A) Kathakali
    (B) Yakshagana
    (C) Koodiyattam
    (D) Bhavai
    Answer: (C)
  20. ‘Teej’ is a monsoon festival primarily celebrated in –
    (A) Rajasthan
    (B) Gujarat
    (C) Kerala
    (D) Maharashtra
    Answer: (A)
  21. The ‘Sundari’ is a –
    (A) String instrument
    (B) Wind instrument
    (C) Percussion instrument
    (D) Dance pose
    Answer: (B)
  22. Which Indian musician was titled ‘Tansen Samman’ recipient and known for Sarangi mastery?
    (A) Ustad Bismillah Khan
    (B) Pt. Ram Narayan
    (C) Amjad Ali Khan
    (D) Shivkumar Sharma
    Answer: (B)
  23. The ‘Ratha Yatra’ of Puri is dedicated to which deity?
    (A) Lord Vishnu
    (B) Lord Shiva
    (C) Lord Jagannath
    (D) Lord Krishna
    Answer: (C)
  24. Which of the following is a traditional martial art form of Tamil Nadu?
    (A) Kalaripayattu
    (B) Thang-Ta
    (C) Silambam
    (D) Gatka
    Answer: (C)
  25. The art of storytelling through song, dance, and paintings on scrolls in Andhra Pradesh is –
    (A) Burrakatha
    (B) Patua
    (C) Harikatha
    (D) Yakshagana
    Answer: (A)
  26. The ‘Ravan Chhaya’ is a traditional –
    (A) Folk dance
    (B) Temple art
    (C) Shadow puppet theatre
    (D) Instrument
    Answer: (C)
  27. Which festival features Kathakali performances in Kerala temples?
    (A) Onam
    (B) Vishu
    (C) Temple Utsavam
    (D) Pongal
    Answer: (C)
  28. The Vedic chant ‘Samagana’ is associated with which Veda?
    (A) Rigveda
    (B) Samaveda
    (C) Yajurveda
    (D) Atharvaveda
    Answer: (B)
  29. Which Indian saint composed the Bhakti classic ‘Gyaneshwari’?
    (A) Tukaram
    (B) Namdev
    (C) Dnyaneshwar
    (D) Eknath
    Answer: (C)
  30. The instrument ‘Pepa’ is made from the horn of –
    (A) Goat
    (B) Cow
    (C) Buffalo
    (D) Ox
    Answer: (C)
  31. Which tradition is based on Vaishnavite monasteries called ‘Sattras’?
    (A) Sattriya dance
    (B) Bhavai
    (C) Bharatanatyam
    (D) Kathakali
    Answer: (A)
  32. Which of these dance forms originates from Andhra Pradesh and features dramatic storytelling?
    (A) Bharatanatyam
    (B) Kuchipudi
    (C) Kathakali
    (D) Sattriya
    Answer: (B)
  33. The ‘Usta art’ form is associated with –
    (A) Ceramic painting
    (B) Metal embossing
    (C) Gold painting on camel leather
    (D) Stone carving
    Answer: (C)
  34. ‘Pung’ is a percussion instrument used in –
    (A) Manipuri dance
    (B) Kathak
    (C) Odissi
    (D) Sattriya
    Answer: (A)
  35. The famous ‘Veerabhadra Temple’ with rock-carved pillars is located at –
    (A) Hampi
    (B) Lepakshi
    (C) Chidambaram
    (D) Pattadakal
    Answer: (B)
  36. The Yaksha-Yakshi figures are common in which type of ancient Indian structure?
    (A) Buddhist Stupas
    (B) Hindu Temples
    (C) Jain Basadis
    (D) Rock-cut caves
    Answer: (A)
  37. Which is the sacred literature of Zoroastrians?
    (A) Zend Avesta
    (B) Torah
    (C) Tripitaka
    (D) Bible
    Answer: (A)
  38. The earliest evidence of dance in India is found in –
    (A) Bharatanatyam scriptures
    (B) Mohenjo-Daro bronze figurines
    (C) Vedic hymns
    (D) Temple sculptures
    Answer: (B)
  39. ‘Sharodotsav’ is another name for which festival?
    (A) Holi
    (B) Durga Puja
    (C) Diwali
    (D) Bihu
    Answer: (B)
  40. Which Mughal emperor was known as the ‘engineer king’ for his architectural contributions?
    (A) Akbar
    (B) Shah Jahan
    (C) Babur
    (D) Jahangir
    Answer: (B)
  41. Which tribe celebrates the ‘Hornbill Festival’?
    (A) Mizo
    (B) Naga
    (C) Khasi
    (D) Bhutia
    Answer: (B)
  42. Which instrument has a long neck and is plucked, used mainly in Carnatic music?
    (A) Veena
    (B) Sarangi
    (C) Sitar
    (D) Santoor
    Answer: (A)
  43. The sculpture of ‘Nataraja’ depicts –
    (A) Vishnu as preserver
    (B) Krishna as dancer
    (C) Shiva as cosmic dancer
    (D) Ganesha as warrior
    Answer: (C)
  44. ‘Kalamkari’ literally means –
    (A) Wax painting
    (B) Natural painting
    (C) Pen work
    (D) Temple art
    Answer: (C)
  45. The Bhakti saint ‘Namdev’ composed in which language?
    (A) Sanskrit
    (B) Hindi
    (C) Marathi
    (D) Tamil
    Answer: (C)
  46. Which dance form has movements inspired by temple sculptures of Odisha?
    (A) Mohiniyattam
    (B) Odissi
    (C) Kathak
    (D) Bharatanatyam
    Answer: (B)
  47. Which Raga is considered auspicious and sung during twilight?
    (A) Bhairavi
    (B) Yaman
    (C) Todi
    (D) Marwa
    Answer: (B)
  48. ‘Kuchipudi’ dance originated from –
    (A) Tamil Nadu
    (B) Odisha
    (C) Andhra Pradesh
    (D) Kerala
    Answer: (C)
  49. The ‘Langas’ and ‘Manganiars’ are folk musicians of –
    (A) Punjab
    (B) Rajasthan
    (C) Gujarat
    (D) Uttar Pradesh
    Answer: (B)
  50. Which dance is performed by Buddhist monks wearing masks in Ladakh?
    (A) Yakshagana
    (B) Cham
    (C) Theyyam
    (D) Koodiyattam
    Answer: (B)

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