Veena Quiz Questions and Answers
Q1. What is the Veena primarily classified as in Indian classical music?
A. A wind instrument
B. A percussion instrument
C. A plucked string instrument
D. A bowed string instrument
Answer: C. plucked string instrument
Q2. Which Hindu goddess is most commonly depicted holding or playing the Veena?
A. Saraswati
B. Parvati
C. Lakshmi
D. Durga
Answer: A. Saraswati
Q3. The Saraswati Veena is predominantly associated with which style of Indian classical music?
A. Hindustani
B. Carnatic
C. Folk
D. Ghazal
Answer: B. Carnatic
Q4. How many frets does a standard Saraswati Veena typically have?
A. 12
B. 18
C. 24
D. 30
Answer: C. 24
Q5. What material is the main resonator (kudam) of the Saraswati Veena traditionally made from?
A. Bamboo
B. Jackfruit wood
C. Teak wood
D. Metal
Answer: B. Jackfruit wood
Q6. The Rudra Veena is traditionally associated with which deity in mythology?
A. Vishnu
B. Brahma
C. Shiva
D. Saraswati
Answer: C. Shiva
Q7. Which type of Veena has no frets and is played using a slide?
A. Vichitra Veena
B. Rudra Veena
C. Saraswati Veena
D. Chitra Veena
Answer: A. Vichitra Veena
Q8. In the Saraswati Veena, how many main playing (melody) strings are there?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 7
Answer: B. 4
Q9. The smaller secondary resonator in the Saraswati Veena is typically made from what?
A. Wood
B. Bamboo
C. Metal
D. A gourd
Answer: D. A gourd
Q10. Which Veena is known for its deep bass resonance and use in Dhrupad style?
A. Saraswati Veena
B. Vichitra Veena
C. Rudra Veena
D. Gottuvadhyam Veena
Answer: C. Rudra Veena
Q11. What is the typical playing position for the Saraswati Veena?
A. Held vertically like a guitar
B. Placed horizontally across the lap at a 45-degree angle
C. Resting on the shoulder
D. Played standing
Answer: B. Placed horizontally across the lap at a 45-degree angle
Q12. The frets on a Saraswati Veena are traditionally fixed using what substance?
A. Wax mixed with charcoal
B. Glue
C. Nails
D. Tape
Answer: A. Wax mixed with charcoal
Q13. Which ancient instrument is considered a predecessor to the modern Veena?
A. Sitar
B. Yazh
C. Tabla
D. Flute
Answer: B. Yazh
Q14. Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu is famous for what related to the Veena?
A. Famous players
B. Inventing the Rudra Veena
C. Crafting high-quality Saraswati Veenas
D. Hosting Veena festivals only
Answer: C. Crafting high-quality Saraswati Veenas
Q15. The Vichitra Veena is primarily used in which classical music tradition?
A. Carnatic
B. Hindustani
C. Western fusion
D. Folk
Answer: B. Hindustani
Q16. How many resonators (gourds) does a traditional Rudra Veena have?
A. Two equal-sized
B. One
C. Three
D. None (wooden only)
Answer: A. Two equal-sized
Q17. What is the Chitra Veena (also called Gottuvadhyam) known for lacking?
A. Strings
B. Frets
C. Resonators
D. Drone strings
Answer: B. Frets
Q18. The standard tuning for the four main strings of the Saraswati Veena is typically:
A. Sa – Sa – Pa – Pa
B. Sa – Re – Ga – Ma
C. Pa – Sa – Pa – Sa
D. Sa – Pa – Sa – Pa
Answer: D. Sa – Pa – Sa – Pa
Q19. Which famous Carnatic Veena player is known for innovations and a distinctive style in the 20th century?
A. Asad Ali Khan
B. S. Balachander
C. Bismillah Khan
D. Ravi Shankar
Answer: B. S. Balachander
Q20. The drone strings on the Saraswati Veena are usually how many?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 5
Answer: C. 3
Q21. What ornamental feature is commonly carved at the end of the Saraswati Veena’s neck?
A. Peacock
B. Dragon (Yali) head
C. Lotus
D. Elephant
Answer: B. Dragon (Yali) head
Q22. The Bobbili Veena is a specialized variant of which type?
A. Rudra Veena
B. Vichitra Veena
C. Saraswati Veena
D. Mohan Veena
Answer: C. Saraswati Veena
Q23. Which Veena player is renowned for playing the Rudra Veena in the Dhrupad tradition?
A. E. Gayathri
B. Jayanthi Kumaresh
C. Chitravina N. Ravikiran
D. Asad Ali Khan
Answer: D. Asad Ali Khan
Q24. In playing technique, gamakas are particularly expressive on the Veena due to what feature?
A. Bowing
B. Long hollow neck allowing slides and deflections
C. Percussive striking
D. Wind blowing
Answer: B. Long hollow neck allowing slides and deflections
Q25. Emani Sankara Sastry was a prominent player of which instrument?
A. Rudra Veena
B. Saraswati Veena
C. Sitar
D. Sarod
Answer: B. Saraswati Veena