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Dances, music and festivals of India: GK questions and answers

Every part of India has its own dance, its own harvest festival and its own music. Quiz setters love to ask which state a dance or a festival belongs to, and which instrument a great musician played.

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Ten questions picked at random from this topic, four choices each. Or go through every question as flash cards.

20 questions on dances, music and festivals of India

  1. Bharatanatyam is a classical dance of which state? Tamil Nadu It grew in the temples of Tamil Nadu.
  2. Kathakali is a classical dance-drama of which state? Kerala The dancers wear heavy costumes and painted faces.
  3. Kathak is a classical dance chiefly of which part of India? North India The word comes from "katha", a story. It is known for fast spins and footwork.
  4. Kuchipudi is a classical dance of which state? Andhra Pradesh It takes its name from a village in Andhra Pradesh.
  5. Odissi is a classical dance of which state? Odisha Its poses can be seen carved on the old temples of Odisha.
  6. Sattriya is a classical dance of which state? Assam It grew in the Vaishnava monasteries of Assam, which are called sattras.
  7. Mohiniyattam is a classical dance of which state? Kerala It is performed by women in white and gold costumes.
  8. Bhangra is a folk dance of which state? Punjab It is linked with the harvest and the festival of Baisakhi.
  9. Garba is a folk dance of which state? Gujarat It is danced in circles during Navratri.
  10. Ghoomar is a folk dance of which state? Rajasthan Women in wide, swirling skirts dance it in a circle.
  11. Bihu is the main festival and folk dance of which state? Assam There are three Bihu festivals in a year, tied to the farming seasons.
  12. Lavani is a folk dance and song form of which state? Maharashtra It is performed to the quick beat of the dholki drum.
  13. Onam is the great harvest festival of which state? Kerala It welcomes the legendary King Mahabali. Snake boat races are held at this time.
  14. Pongal is the harvest festival of which state? Tamil Nadu It falls in the middle of January.
  15. The Hornbill Festival is held every December in which state? Nagaland It brings the Naga tribes together and is named after a bird.
  16. A famous camel fair is held every year at Pushkar in which state? Rajasthan Pushkar is near Ajmer.
  17. Which instrument did Pandit Ravi Shankar play? Sitar He made Indian classical music known around the world.
  18. Which instrument did Ustad Bismillah Khan play? Shehnai He received the Bharat Ratna in 2001.
  19. Which instrument is Ustad Zakir Hussain known for? Tabla The tabla is a pair of small drums played with the fingers and palms.
  20. Which instrument is Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia known for? Flute The bamboo flute is called the bansuri.

These are well-established facts, written in our own words and last checked on 11 November 2026. If your textbook says something different, follow your textbook and tell us.

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