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PSEB SS Gurmat Sangeet study materials
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PSEB SS Gurmat Sangeet practice questions

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Question 1Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet kise sab ton pahilan kis Guru Sahib ne rachna shuru kiti si?

  1. Guru Angad Dev Ji
  2. Guru Amar Das Ji
  3. Guru Ram Das Ji
  4. Guru Nanak Dev Ji Correct answer.

Explanation

Gurmat Sangeet di shuruat Guru Nanak Dev Ji naal judi hai, jina ne raag vich shabad rachna shuru kita. Ohna di bani vich pehli vaar raag da saaf zikar milda hai, jis karke ih parampara da mool ohna nu mana janda hai.

Question 2Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji vich kine raagan vich bani darj hai?

  1. 22
  2. 31 Correct answer.
  3. 17
  4. 24

Explanation

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji vich 31 raagan vich bani darj hai. Ih ginti Raag Mala te raag vich shabadan di shuruat ton saaf pata lagdi hai, jithe har raag da naam te mahalla di suchi diti gayi hai.

Question 3Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'raag' da kya arth hai?

  1. Sirf laya da tez hona
  2. Kirtan vich vajaye jande saazan da naam
  3. Shabad da sirf likhit roop
  4. Suran da oh sanchay jo man nu ik khaas bhaav vich lai janda hai Correct answer.

Explanation

Sangeet shastar vich raag suran da oh niyamit sanchay hai jo sunan wale de man vich ik khaas ras te bhaav paida karda hai. Gurmat Sangeet vich ih raag shabad de bhaav nu ubharn da sadhan bainda hai, sirf suran di khed nahin.

Question 4Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'rababi' saaz da sambandh kis naal hai?

  1. Bhai Nand Lal Ji
  2. Baba Budha Ji
  3. Bhai Mardana Ji Correct answer.
  4. Bhai Gurdas Ji

Explanation

Bhai Mardana Ji Guru Nanak Dev Ji de saathi san te ohna ne rabab vajaya, is layi rababi parampara da arambh ohna naal juda hai. Ih saaz Gurmat Sangeet di sab ton purani saaz parampara vich gina janda hai.

Question 5Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'partal' da kya arth hai?

  1. Ik hi shabad nu vadde raag vich gaun da tarika Correct answer.
  2. Tabla de bolan da naam
  3. Raag de suran nu ghatona
  4. Kirtan da samay nirdharit karna

Explanation

Partal vich ik shabad nu us de mool raag ton vadde raag vich gaaya janda hai, jis naal shabad da bhaav hor gehra hunda hai. Ih Guru Sahiban di bani vich milde raag vistar da hissa hai.

Question 6Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'kirtan chauki' da kya matlab hai?

  1. Kirtan karne waleyan di ginti
  2. Shabad da sirf raag vich guna
  3. Kirtan vich vajaye jande saazan da sanchay
  4. Darbar Sahib vich din de vakh-vakh hissiyan vich kirtan da nirdharit sama Correct answer.

Explanation

Kirtan chauki da matlab hai Darbar Sahib vich din de alag-alag hissiyan vich kirtan da nirdharit samay, jis nu Guru Arjan Dev Ji ne sthapit kita. Ih chal reha kirtan da sab ton purana nirdharit roop mana janda hai.

Question 7Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'tanti saaz' da kya matlab hai?

  1. Sirf dande wale saaz
  2. Sirf hawa naal vajde saaz
  3. Chamde naal dhakke saaz
  4. Taar wale saaz Correct answer.

Explanation

Tanti saaz oh saaz han jinha vich taar lagdi hai te jina nu vajan layi taar nu chhedya janda hai. Rabab, saranda te tanpura is tarah de saaz han jo Gurmat Sangeet vich warate jande han.

Question 8Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'sabad kirtan' da mool adhaar kya hai?

  1. Sirf laya da khel
  2. Sirf raag da pradarshan
  3. Gurbani da shabad hi kirtan da kendra hunda hai Correct answer.
  4. Sirf saaz da vadan

Explanation

Sabad kirtan vich Gurbani da shabad kendra hunda hai te raag, laya te saaz sab shabad de bhaav nu ubharne layi warate jande han. Is karke kirtan vich saaz da pradarshan mool maksad nahin hunda.

Question 9Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'dhrupad' da kya sambandh hai?

  1. Ih sirf saaz da naam hai
  2. Ih ik vadde raag vich gaun da purana roop hai Correct answer.
  3. Ih sirf tabla da bol hai
  4. Ih sirf lok geet da roop hai

Explanation

Dhrupad ik purana te gambhir gaun roop hai jis vich raag da vistar vadde suran vich hunda hai. Gurmat Sangeet vich ih roop shabad de gambhir bhaav layi warate jande han, jis karke ih kirtan di purani parampara da hissa hai.

Question 10Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'raag mala' da kya mahatav hai?

  1. Ih sirf saaz da naam hai
  2. Ih sirf kirtan da samay dasda hai
  3. Ih sirf bani da anuvad hai
  4. Ih raagan di suchi te sanchay da gyan dinda hai Correct answer.

Explanation

Raag mala raagan di suchi te unha de sanchay da gyan dindi hai, jis naal kirtan karne wale nu sahi raag shabad naal jodna aasan hunda hai. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji de ant vich darj raag mala is gyan di purani misal hai.

Question 11Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'prahar' da kya arth hai?

  1. Shabad da ik chhota tuk
  2. Saaz da ik hissa
  3. Raag da sirf naam
  4. Din da ik nirdharit hissa jis vich khaas raag gaaye jande han Correct answer.

Explanation

Prahar din da ik nirdharit hissa hai, te har prahar naal khaas raag jode jande han. Ih samay-baddh raag gyan Gurmat Sangeet vich vi warate jande han, jis naal kirtan da samay te raag di chon juri hai.

Question 12Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'saranda' da kya sambandh hai?

  1. Ih sirf tabla da naam hai
  2. Ih sirf lok geet da saaz hai
  3. Ih Guru Arjan Dev Ji de samay de kirtan naal juda saaz hai Correct answer.
  4. Ih sirf hawa naal vajda saaz hai

Explanation

Saranda ik tanti saaz hai jo Guru Arjan Dev Ji de samay de kirtan parampara naal juda hai. Ih saaz kirtan vich shabad de bhaav nu ubharne layi warate jande han, jis karke ih Gurmat Sangeet di saaz parampara da hissa hai.

Question 13Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'jori' da kya matlab hai?

  1. Ik kirtan chauki da samay
  2. Ik raag da naam
  3. Ik jodi tablaan jo kirtan vich warati jandi hai Correct answer.
  4. Ik tanti saaz

Explanation

Jori do tablaan di jodi hai jo kirtan vich vajayi jandi hai te is da sambandh purani kirtan parampara naal juda hai. Ih jodi kirtan vich laya te sur di sangat kardi hai, jis karke ih Gurmat Sangeet da saaz hissa hai.

Question 14Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'taksal' da kya sambandh hai?

  1. Ih sirf kirtan da samay dasdi hai
  2. Ih raag te kirtan di sikhya dene di purani sanstha hai Correct answer.
  3. Ih sirf raag mala da hissa hai
  4. Ih sirf saaz da naam hai

Explanation

Taksal oh sanstha hai jithe raag te kirtan di sikhya parampara naal diti jandi hai. Ih sanstha Gurmat Sangeet da gyan agle pehredaran tak pahunchaun vich mahatavpurn bhumika nibhandi hai.

Question 15Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'raag vistar' da kya arth hai?

  1. Saaz nu band karna
  2. Shabad nu badalna
  3. Raag nu chhota karna
  4. Shabad de bhaav anusar raag nu vadiya karna Correct answer.

Explanation

Raag vistar da matlab hai shabad de bhaav anusar raag nu vadiya karna, jis vich alaap te vistar shamil hunda hai. Ih kirtan vich shabad de bhaav nu gehra karne da sadhan hai, sirf raag da pradarshan nahin.

Question 16Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'shabad di raag vich guna' da kya faida hai?

  1. Shabad da arth badal janda hai
  2. Shabad da bhaav sunan wale te gehra asar karda hai Correct answer.
  3. Kirtan da samay vad janda hai
  4. Saaz da pradarshan vadh janda hai

Explanation

Jadon shabad sahi raag vich gaaya janda hai, taan us da bhaav sunan wale de man te gehra asar karda hai. Ih Gurmat Sangeet da mool maksad hai, jis vich raag shabad de bhaav da sahayak bainda hai.

Question 17Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'sikh kirtan parampara' da kya mahatav hai?

  1. Ih sirf kirtan da samay hai
  2. Ih sirf raag da naam hai
  3. Ih Gurmat Sangeet da gyan peedhi dar peedhi agle karan da sadhan hai Correct answer.
  4. Ih sirf saaz da vadan hai

Explanation

Sikh kirtan parampara vich raag, saaz te shabad da gyan peedhi dar peedhi agle karan da sadhan hai. Ih parampara Gurmat Sangeet di nirantarta da mool adhaar hai, jis karke ih gyan aaj vi jeevant hai.

Question 18Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'Guru Granth Sahib Ji de raag' da kya mahatav hai?

  1. Ih sirf kirtan da samay hai
  2. Ih raag chon da pramanik adhaar hunda hai Correct answer.
  3. Ih sirf raag mala da hissa hai
  4. Ih sirf saaz da naam hai

Explanation

Guru Granth Sahib Ji vich darj raag kirtan layi pramanik adhaar hunde han, jis naal shabad sahi raag vich gaaya janda hai. Is karke kirtan karne wale nu ih raag sanchay janna zaroori hai.

Question 19Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'partal' da istemal kis layi hunda hai?

  1. Ik shabad nu vadde raag vich gaun layi Correct answer.
  2. Saaz nu band karan layi
  3. Kirtan da samay badalnan layi
  4. Raag nu chhota karan layi

Explanation

Partal vich ik shabad nu us de mool raag ton vadde raag vich gaaya janda hai, jis naal shabad da bhaav hor gehra hunda hai. Ih Guru Sahiban di bani vich milde raag vistar da hissa hai, jis da istemal khaas mauke te hunda hai.

Question 20Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'raag de prahar' da kya sambandh hai?

  1. Har raag da ik nirdharit samay hunda hai Correct answer.
  2. Har raag da samay ik hi hunda hai
  3. Raag da samay sirf rutt naal badalda hai
  4. Raag da samay nahin hunda

Explanation

Shastri sangeet vich har raag da ik nirdharit samay hunda hai, jis nu prahar kaha janda hai. Gurmat Sangeet vich ih gyan kirtan da samay te raag di chon karan vich sahayak hunda hai.

Question 21Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'kirtan chauki' da ithasik mahatav kya hai?

  1. Ih sirf raag da naam hai
  2. Ih sirf saaz da naam hai
  3. Ih sirf raag mala da hissa hai
  4. Ih Darbar Sahib vich kirtan da nirdharit roop sthapit karda hai Correct answer.

Explanation

Kirtan chauki Guru Arjan Dev Ji ne Darbar Sahib vich sthapit kiti, jis naal kirtan da nirdharit roop banya. Ih roop aaj vi chalu hai te Gurmat Sangeet di nirantarta da praman hai.

Question 22Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'rababi parampara' da patan kis karke hoya?

  1. Shabad da badalna
  2. Kirtan da samay badalna
  3. Raag da ghatna
  4. Saaz te gyan peedhi dar peedhi agle karan di ghati Correct answer.

Explanation

Rababi parampara da patan mukhtar saaz te gyan peedhi dar peedhi agle karan di ghati karke hoya. Ih dikhanda hai ki parampara nu jeevant rakhne layi gyan da sanchay te saaz di sikhya donon zaroori han.

Question 23Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'sabad kirtan' te 'sangeet pradarshan' da kya farq hai?

  1. Sabad kirtan vich laya kendra hunda hai
  2. Sabad kirtan vich saaz kendra hunda hai
  3. Dono ik hi han
  4. Sabad kirtan vich shabad kendra hunda hai, pradarshan vich saaz Correct answer.

Explanation

Sabad kirtan vich Gurbani da shabad kendra hunda hai te raag saaz us de bhaav nu ubharne layi warate jande han. Sangeet pradarshan vich saaz da khel aage aa janda hai, jis karke ih Gurmat Sangeet de mool maksad ton alag hai.

Question 24Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'raag mala' da gyan kirtan karne wale layi kyon zaroori hai?

  1. Ih sahi raag chon vich sahayak hunda hai Correct answer.
  2. Ih kirtan da samay dasda hai
  3. Ih saaz vajan sikhanda hai
  4. Ih shabad da anuvad karda hai

Explanation

Raag mala raagan di suchi te unha de sanchay da gyan dindi hai, jis naal kirtan karne wala sahi raag chon sakda hai. Is karke ih gyan shabad nu us de sahi raag vich gaun layi zaroori hai.

Question 25Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'tanti te avanaddh saaz' da kya sambandh hai?

  1. Dono kirtan vich ek dooje di sangat karde han Correct answer.
  2. Dono sirf lok geet vich warate jande han
  3. Dono sirf hawa naal vajde han
  4. Dono ik hi saaz han

Explanation

Tanti saaz (jaise rabab te saranda) sur dinde han te avanaddh saaz (jaise jori) laya dinda hai, is tarah donon kirtan vich ek dooje di sangat karde han. Ih sangat kirtan vich sur te laya da santulan banaundi hai.

Question 26Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich Guru Nanak Dev Ji ne kinne saaz naveen roop vich istemal kite maney jande han?

  1. Saranda te jori
  2. Rabab te mardang Correct answer.
  3. Tanpura te tabla
  4. Dilruba te pakhawaj

Explanation

Gur Nanak Dev Ji de samay vich Bhai Mardana rabab vajonde si te Guru Sahib ne kirtan di parampara vich rabab nu mukhya saaz banaaya. Mardang da sambandh vi ise shuruaati daur naal joda janda hai, jadon kirtan chauki da adhaar rakhiya gaya. Is karke rabab te mardang nu Guru Nanak Dev Ji de daur de saaz maneya janda hai.

Question 27Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich 'Guru Granth Sahib Ji vich darj raagan di ginti' kis had tak manni jandi hai?

  1. 22 raag
  2. 50 raag
  3. 15 raag
  4. 31 raag Correct answer.

Explanation

Guru Granth Sahib Ji vich raagaan de antargat shabad darj han te inhan raagan di ginti 31 manni jandi hai, jinhan vich kuch raag ik doosre naal mil ke vi aunde han. Eh ginti Sikh kirtan parampara da adhaar hai, kyonki har shabad apne nirdharit raag vich hi gaya janda hai. Is layi kirtan karne wale nu inhan 31 raagan di pehchan zaroori hai.

Question 28Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Jekar kirtan vich shabad nu usde nirdharit raag ton bahar gaya janda hai, taan Gurmat Sangeet de siddhant anusar ki asar hunda hai?

  1. Kirtan da prabhav wadhta hai kyonki nawa raag sun ke mann khush hunda hai
  2. Shabad da arth hor gehra ho janda hai kyonki koi vi raag chalda hai
  3. Koi farq nahin painda kyonki raag sirf saaz layi hunda hai
  4. Shabad da raag sambandh tut janda hai te Guru Sahib di nirdharit reet di ulanghna hundi hai Correct answer.

Explanation

Guru Granth Sahib Ji vich har shabad kise khaas raag vich darj hai, te raag hi us shabad da bhav te lay nirdharit karda hai. Jadon shabad apne raag ton bahar gaya janda hai, taan raag sambandh tut janda hai te Guru Sahib di reet di ulanghna hundi hai. Is layi Gurmat Sangeet vich raag di paalna nu mool siddhant maneya janda hai.

Question 29Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet de itihas vich 'Bhai Mardana' da mukhya yogdan kya maneya janda hai?

  1. Kirtan chaukian di ginti nirdharit karna
  2. Guru Granth Sahib Ji di raag mala likhna
  3. Harmonium nu Gurmat Sangeet vich shamil karna
  4. Guru Nanak Dev Ji de naal rabab vaja ke shabad kirtan da aarambh karna Correct answer.

Explanation

Bhai Mardana Guru Nanak Dev Ji de naal rahe te rabab vaja ke shabad kirtan karde si, jis naal Gurmat Sangeet di parampara da aarambh hoya. Eh jodi udasiyan de samay vich vi kirtan kardi rahi te rabab Sikh kirtan da pehla pramukh saaz bana. Is karke Bhai Mardana nu Gurmat Sangeet de mool kirtankaran vich ginya janda hai.

Question 30Gurmat Sangeet: origin, history and development

Gurmat Sangeet vich Guru Arjan Dev Ji de daur vich raagaan de sanchay te kirtan reet de vistar bare kinha do tathya sahi milde han?

  1. Kirtan nu sirf ikk raag tak seemit karna te saaz band karna
  2. Rabab da tyaag te sirf manjire da istemal
  3. Raag mala da sangrah te Harmandir Sahib vich kirtan chaukian di shuruaat Correct answer.
  4. Raagaan di ginti ghatt ke 10 karna te dhrupad nu band karna

Explanation

Guru Arjan Dev Ji de daur vich raag mala da sangrah hoya te Harmandir Sahib vich kirtan chaukian da prabandh shuru hoya, jis naal kirtan ik vyavasthit reet ban gayi. Is daur vich raag vistar te saaz di vandan vi vadhya. Is layi eh do tathya Gurmat Sangeet de itihas vich ikatthe jode jande han.

Question 31Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

In the Sikh kirtan tradition, what does the term raag primarily denote?

  1. A poetic metre used in the Guru Granth Sahib
  2. A percussion cycle played on the tabla
  3. A melodic framework with defined ascending and descending movements Correct answer.
  4. A style of congregational prayer

Explanation

Raag refers to a melodic framework whose character is shaped by its aroh (ascending) and avroh (descending) movements, its characteristic phrases and its mood. Kirtan is expected to be sung within such a framework rather than as free melody.

Question 32Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

Which pair of terms describes the ascending and descending order of notes in a raag?

  1. Aroh and avroh Correct answer.
  2. Mukh and takh
  3. Vadi and samvadi
  4. Sthai and antara

Explanation

Aroh is the ascending sequence of notes and avroh the descending sequence; together they define the melodic outline of a raag. Sthai and antara are sections of a composition, while vadi and samvadi are prominent notes.

Question 33Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

A kirtan singer performs a shabad in Raag Asa. Which statement best reflects the Sikh approach to raag in kirtan?

  1. Raag applies only to instrumental pieces, not to sung shabads
  2. Any raag may be substituted if the singer finds the original difficult
  3. The raag is chosen freely by the congregation before singing
  4. The shabad should be sung in the raag indicated in the Guru Granth Sahib heading Correct answer.

Explanation

Shabads in the Guru Granth Sahib carry raag headings, and the Sikh kirtan tradition treats these as authoritative guidance for singing. The raag is therefore not an arbitrary choice but part of the shabad's received form.

Question 34Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

Which raag opens the raag section of the Guru Granth Sahib and gives its name to the first musical division?

  1. Raag Asa
  2. Raag Gujri
  3. Raag Sri Correct answer.
  4. Raag Basant

Explanation

The musical divisions begin with Raag Sri, which is why the opening section is known as Sri Raag. Asa, Basant and Gujri appear later in the sequence of raags.

Question 35Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

What is a shabad in the context of Sikh kirtan?

  1. A hymn of the Guru Granth Sahib set to music Correct answer.
  2. A gathering for community meal
  3. A rhythmic pattern of the tabla
  4. A type of stringed instrument

Explanation

A shabad is a hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib, and kirtan consists of singing such hymns. The term is therefore textual and devotional rather than rhythmic or instrumental.

Question 36Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

Which of these is a tanti (stringed) instrument traditionally associated with Sikh kirtan?

  1. Chimta
  2. Taus Correct answer.
  3. Jori
  4. Pakhavaj

Explanation

The taus is a peacock-shaped bowed stringed instrument linked with Guru Hargobind and the kirtan tradition. Jori and pakhavaj are drums, and the chimta is a percussion idiophone.

Question 37Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

In kirtan terminology, what does the term sam refer to?

  1. The first beat of a rhythmic cycle Correct answer.
  2. The highest note of a raag
  3. The opening invocation before singing
  4. The closing section of a shabad

Explanation

Sam is the pivotal first beat of a taal cycle, and compositions are structured to resolve on it. Singers and drummers coordinate their phrasing so that important points land on sam.

Question 38Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

Which term describes the most prominent or ruling note of a raag?

  1. Anuvadi
  2. Vivadi
  3. Vadi Correct answer.
  4. Samvadi

Explanation

The vadi is the principal note of a raag and receives the greatest emphasis in its phrases. The samvadi is the second most important note, while anuvadi notes are supportive and vivadi notes are avoided.

Question 39Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

A kirtan group wishes to sing a shabad whose Guru Granth Sahib heading specifies a raag with a strong late-evening character. Which raag is traditionally associated with the evening and commonly used for such shabads?

  1. Raag Basant
  2. Raag Tukhari
  3. Raag Gujri Correct answer.
  4. Raag Asa

Explanation

Gujri is traditionally assigned to the late afternoon or evening period and is widely used for devotional singing then. Asa belongs to the early morning, Basant to spring, and Tukhari to the morning hours.

Question 40Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

When a raag's aroh omits a note that appears in its avroh, what is this feature called?

  1. Varjit Correct answer.
  2. Audav
  3. Sampurna
  4. Vakra

Explanation

A note that is left out in one direction is called varjit, meaning excluded. This asymmetry between aroh and avroh is a recognised feature that helps distinguish raags from one another.

Question 41Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

A singer performs a shabad in Raag Asa. Which time of day is traditionally assigned to this raag?

  1. Late afternoon
  2. Early morning Correct answer.
  3. Midday
  4. Late night

Explanation

Asa is traditionally sung in the early morning hours and is strongly associated with the daily devotional routine. This is why Asa-di-Var is recited at dawn.

Question 42Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

In a kirtan composition, what is the function of the antara section?

  1. It provides the rhythmic accompaniment pattern
  2. It develops the text at a higher register after the sthai Correct answer.
  3. It marks the final resolution of the taal
  4. It states the opening refrain on the sam

Explanation

The antara follows the sthai and typically explores the text in a higher register, extending the melodic range. The sthai, by contrast, presents the opening refrain.

Question 43Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

A student must choose the correct pairing of a raag with its traditional seasonal association. Which pairing is correct?

  1. Raag Asa with monsoon
  2. Raag Basant with spring Correct answer.
  3. Raag Malhar with winter
  4. Raag Sri with autumn

Explanation

Basant literally means spring and is traditionally associated with that season. Malhar is the monsoon raag, while Asa and Sri are associated with particular times of day rather than seasons.

Question 44Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

Which statement correctly distinguishes a taal from a raag?

  1. Taal organises rhythm in cycles, while raag organises melody Correct answer.
  2. Taal organises melody, while raag organises rhythm
  3. Taal refers to text and raag refers to instrumentation
  4. Both terms refer to the same melodic framework

Explanation

Taal is the rhythmic system of cycles divided into beats, while raag is the melodic framework of notes and phrases. Kirtan performance coordinates the two, but they are distinct systems.

Question 45Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

A kirtan singer deliberately avoids a particular note in the ascending phrase of a raag even though it appears in the descending phrase. Which concept does this illustrate?

  1. Sampurna in avroh
  2. Varjit in aroh Correct answer.
  3. Vadi in avroh
  4. Sam in aroh

Explanation

Omitting a note in the ascending movement while retaining it in the descending movement is the varjit principle applied to the aroh. This directional asymmetry is a defining characteristic of many raags.

Question 46Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

Which of the following best describes the role of the vaja (harmonium) in contemporary Sikh kirtan?

  1. It supplies a sustained drone throughout the performance
  2. It replaces the shabad text with instrumental melody
  3. It provides the melodic lead and supports the singer's pitch Correct answer.
  4. It marks the taal cycle with bols

Explanation

The vaja is a reed instrument used to carry and support the melodic line, often doubling the singer's notes and helping maintain pitch. The drone is supplied by the tanpura, and rhythmic bols belong to the drums.

Question 47Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

Which raag is traditionally associated with the monsoon season and is frequently used for shabads expressing longing?

  1. Raag Asa
  2. Raag Malhar Correct answer.
  3. Raag Tukhari
  4. Raag Basant

Explanation

Malhar is the classic monsoon raag, and its association with rain makes it apt for shabads of longing and union. Basant belongs to spring, while Tukhari and Asa are morning raags.

Question 48Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

In the Guru Granth Sahib, the shabads are arranged under raag headings. What does this arrangement primarily indicate?

  1. That the raags were composed after the shabads were collected
  2. That only instrumentalists need observe the headings
  3. That each shabad should be sung in the raag named in its heading Correct answer.
  4. That the headings are decorative and carry no musical meaning

Explanation

The raag headings function as musical directions, indicating the melodic framework appropriate to each shabad. They reflect the tradition's integration of text and melody from the outset.

Question 49Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

Which of these is a compound or mixed raag used in Sikh kirtan?

  1. Raag Gujri
  2. Raag Asa-Kafi Correct answer.
  3. Raag Basant
  4. Raag Asa

Explanation

A compound raag combines features of two raags, and Asa-Kafi is an example formed from Asa and Kafi. Asa, Gujri and Basant are single, established raags.

Question 50Sikh Kirtan traditions and their raag framework

A performer wants to emphasise the resolution point of a shabad composition in a 16-beat cycle. On which beat should the principal phrase land?

  1. Beat 1, the sam Correct answer.
  2. Beat 5, the tali
  3. Beat 9, the khali
  4. Beat 13, the tali

Explanation

The sam is the first beat of the cycle and serves as the principal point of resolution in a composition. Singers shape their phrases so that key textual and melodic points coincide with sam.