Q1. What is the tabla primarily known as in Indian music?
A. A string instrument
B. A wind instrument
C. A percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hand drums
D. A keyboard instrument
Answer: C. A percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hand drums
Q2. Which drum is the smaller, higher-pitched one in a tabla set, typically played with the dominant hand?
A. Bayan
B. Dayan
C. Pakhawaj
D. Mridangam
Answer: B. Dayan
Q3. Which drum is the larger, bass one in a tabla set, typically played with the non-dominant hand?
A. Bayan
B. Dayan
C. Duggi
D. Dholak
Answer: A. Bayan
Q4. What is the black circular patch on the drumhead of the tabla called?
A. Chutta
B. Syahi
C. Gatta
D. Puri
Answer: B. Syahi
Q5. The syahi on the tabla is primarily made from what material?
A. Rice or wheat paste mixed with iron powder or soot
B. Rubber and glue
C. Plastic coating
D. Metal alloy
Answer: A. Rice or wheat paste mixed with iron powder or soot
Q6. How is the tuning of the tabla primarily adjusted?
A. By tightening strings
B. By electronic tuners
C. By hammering wooden blocks (gatta) or straps
D. By changing the drumhead
Answer: C. By hammering wooden blocks (gatta) or straps
Q7. The modern form of the tabla is believed to have emerged around which century?
A. 13th century
B. 18th century
C. 5th century BCE
D. 20th century
Answer: B. 18th century
Q8. Which ancient Indian drum is often considered a precursor to the tabla?
A. Sitar
B. Veena
C. Sarod
D. Pakhawaj
Answer: D. Pakhawaj
Q9. The tabla is the principal percussion instrument in which tradition of Indian classical music?
A. Carnatic
B. Hindustani
C. Both equally
D. Folk only
Answer: B. Hindustani
Q10. Mnemonic syllables used to represent tabla strokes are called what?
A. Bols
B. Taals
C. Ragas
D. Gharanas
Answer: A. Bols
Q11. A common basic bol on the dayan producing a ringing tone is:
A. Ge
B. Dha
C. Na or Tin
D. Ka
Answer: C. Na or Tin
Q12. Which bol typically combines strokes from both drums, like Tin on dayan and Ge on bayan?
A. Ta
B. Dha
C. Ti
D. Ke
Answer: B. Dha
Q13. Schools or styles of tabla playing passed down through lineages are known as:
A. Taals
B. Ragas
C. Gharanas
D. Thekas
Answer: C. Gharanas
Q14. Which is considered the oldest tabla gharana?
A. Delhi
B. Punjab
C. Benares
D. Lucknow
Answer: A. Delhi
Q15. The Benares gharana is known for its:
A. Closed-hand style
B. Powerful, open-hand (khula baj) style
C. Soft, delicate tones only
D. Exclusive use of pakhawaj bols
Answer: B. Powerful, open-hand (khula baj) style
Q16. Which gharana is associated with Ustad Alla Rakha and Zakir Hussain?
A. Delhi
B. Benares
C. Punjab
D. Farrukhabad
Answer: C. Punjab
Q17. Who is widely regarded as one of the most famous modern tabla players, known for global collaborations?
A. Ravi Shankar
B. Kishan Maharaj
C. Zakir Hussain
D. Vilayat Khan
Answer: C. Zakir Hussain
Q18. Ustad Alla Rakha is famous for accompanying which sitar maestro?
A. Vilayat Khan
B. Ravi Shankar
C. Nikhil Banerjee
D. Shahid Parvez
Answer: B. Ravi Shankar
Q19. Which tabla player from the Benares gharana was known as a legendary soloist?
A. Kishan Maharaj
B. Ahmed Jan Thirakwa
C. Habibuddin Khan
D. Anindo Chatterjee
Answer: A. Kishan Maharaj
Q20. The rhythmic cycle in Indian classical music is called:
A. Raga
B. Gharana
C. Bol
D. Taal
Answer: D. Taal
Q21. Which is the most common taal in Hindustani music, with 16 beats?
A. Dadra
B. Rupak
C. Teentaal
D. Jhaptal
Answer: C. Teentaal
Q22. The basic rhythmic pattern of a taal played on tabla is called:
A. Kayda
B. Theka
C. Peshkar
D. Rela
Answer: B. Theka
Q23. In taal notation, the first beat where the cycle resolves is called:
A. Khali
B. Tali
C. Sam
D. Vibhag
Answer: C. Sam
Q24. The ’empty’ or relaxed section in a taal is marked as:
A. Khali
B. Sam
C. Tali
D. Matra
Answer: A. Khali
Q25. A fixed composition with theme and variations in tabla is often a:
A. Theka
B. Lehra
C. Tihai
D. Kayda
Answer: D. Kayda
