1A) Art and Craft (Prelims PYQs)

Last Updated on November 5, 2025 by Admin

2025 Prelims PYQs

1] The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, a music training school, was set up in 1901 by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in: [2025/A-18]

a) Delhi
b) Gwalior
c) Ujjain
d) Lahore

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Ans: d) Lahore

2024 Prelims PYQs

1] Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO? [2024]

a) Chhau dance
b) Durga puja
c) Garba dance
d) Kumbh mela

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 Ans: c) Garba dance

2] Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO: [2024]

1. Shantiniketan
2. Rani-ki-Vav
3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya

How many of the above properties were included in 2023?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) Only three
d) All four

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 Ans: b) Only two

2018 Prelims PYQs

1] Consider the following pairs: [2018]

Tradition	State
1. Chapchar Kut Festival	Mizoram
2. Khongjom Parba ballad	Manipur
3. Thang-Ta dance	Sikkim

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2
c) 1 and 2
d) 2 and 3

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Ans: b) 1 and 2

2] The well-known painting “Bani Thani”  belongs to the: [2018]

a) Bundi School
b) Jaipur School
c) Kangra School
d) Kishangarh School

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 Ans: d) Kishangarh School

3]  With reference to cultural history of India, consider the following statements: [2018]

1. Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna.
2. Tyagaraja created several new ragas
3. Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are contemporaries.
4. Annamacharya kirtanas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venketshwara.

Which of the statement is given above are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 4 only
c) 1, 2, and 3
d) 2, 3 and 4

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 Ans: b) 2 and 4 only

4] Consider the following pairs: [2018]

Craft	Heritage of
1. Puthukkuli Shawls	Tamil Nadu
2. Sujni Embroidery	Maharashtra
3. Uppada Jamdani Saris	Karnataka

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2
c) 3 only
d) 2 and 3

Show Answer

 Ans: a) 1 only

2017 Prelims PYQs

1] With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements: [2017]

1. It is a song and dance performance
2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance
3. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1 only

Show Answer

Ans: b) 1 and 3 only

2015 Prelims PYQs

1] Kalamkari painting refers to: [2015]

a) A hand-painted cotton textile in South India
b) A handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India
c) A block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India
d) A hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India

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Ans: a) A hand-painted cotton textile in South India

2014 Prelims PYQs

1] With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements: [2014]

1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama
2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam
3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Ans: b) 1 and 2 only

2] With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is ‘Kalaripayattu’? [2014]

a) It is an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India
b) It is an ancient style bronze and brasswork still found in southern part of Coromandel area
c) It is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar
d) It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India

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Ans: d) It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India

3] Consider the following pairs: [2014]

1. Garba:	Gujarat
2. Mohiniattam:	Odisha
3. Yakshagana:	Karnataka

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Ans: c) 1 and 3 only

4] Consider the following towns of India: [2014]

1. Bhadrachalam
2. Chanderi
3. Kancheepuram
4. Karnal

Which of the above are famous for the production of traditional sarees/fabric?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 3 and 4

Show Answer

Ans: b) 2 and 3 only

2013 Prelims PYQs

1] In the context of cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called ‘Tribhanga’ has been a favourite of Indian artists from ancient times till today. Which one of the following statements best describes this pose? [2013]

a) One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck
b) Racial expressions, hand gestures and make-up are combined to symbolize certain epic or historic characters
c) Movements of body, face and hands are used to express oneself or to tell a story
d) A little smile, slightly curved waist and certain hand gestures are emphasized to express the feelings of love or eroticism

Show Answer

Ans: a) One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck 

2012 Prelims PYQs

1] With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct? [2012]

1. Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput Kingdom period.
2. Dhrupad is primarily a devotional and spiritual music.
3. Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras

Select the correct answer using the codes below:
a) 1 & 2 Only                          b) 2 & 3 Only
c) 1,2 & 3 Only                       d) None is correct

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Ans: b) 2 & 3 Only

2] How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances? [2012]

1. Dancers occasionally speaking dialogues is found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatanatyam.
2. Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its edges is a feature of Bharatanatyam but Kuchipudi dance does not have such a form of movements.

Which of the statements given above is/are Correct?
a) Only 1                                   b) Only 2
c) Both 1 & 2                          d) Neither 1 nor 2

Show Answer

Ans: a) Only 1 

2010-1995 Prelims PYQs

1] The brothers Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha are: [2009]

a) Dhurpad vocalists        b) Kathak dancers
c) Sarod Maestros              d) Tabla players

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Ans: a) Dhurpad vocalists

2] Consider the following famous name: [2009]

1. Amrita Sher-Gil
2. Bikash Bhattaeharjee
3. N. S. Bendre
4. Subodh Gupta

Who of the above is/are-well known as artist (s)?
a) 1 only                         b) 1 and 4 only
c) 2, 3 and 4 only        d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Show Answer

Ans: d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 

3] Consider the following statements: [2009]

1.  The National School of Drama was set up by Sangeet Natak akademi in 1959.
2 The highest honour conferred by the Sahitya akademi on a writer is by electing him its Fellow.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a)1 only                                   b)2 only
c)Both 1 and 2                     d) Neither 1 nor 2

Show Answer

Ans: c)Both 1 and 2  

4] Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: [2009]

List-I(Famous Person).
A. Mandakini Amte            
B. Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry  
C. Romila Thaper               
D. Vanashree Rao               

ListII(Well-known for)
1. Theatre direction
2. Social Service and Community leadership
3. Dance
4. History writing
      A    B     C     D
a)  2     1     4     3
b)  2     4     1     3
c)  3     1     4     2
d)  3     4     1     2

Show Answer

Ans: a)  2     1     4     3

5] Consider the following pairs: [2009]

Tradition: State
1. Gatka, a traditional martial art: Kerala
2. Madhubani, a traditional painting: Bihar
3. Singhey Khababs Sindhu Darshan Festival: Jammu Kashmir

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
a) 1 and 2 only          b) 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only          d) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Ans: c) 2 and 3 only

6] Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: [2009]

(Famous person)	(Well-know as)
a) Amrita Sher-Gil	1. Dancer
b) Bhimsen Joshi	2. Painter
c) Rukmini Devi Arundale	3. Poet
d) Suryakant Tripati Nirala	4. Singer

     A    B     C     D
a) 2     1     4     3
b) 2     4     1     3
c) 3     1     4     2
d) 3     4     1     2

Show Answer

Ans: b) 2     4     1     3

7] Bimbavati Devi is a well-known dancer of which type of dance? [2008]

a) Manipuri                           b) Bharat Natyam
c) Kuchipudi                        d) Odissi

Show Answer

Ans: a) Manipuri 

8] Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: [2007]

List-I (Person)	List-II (known as)
A. Bhajan Sopori	1. Bharatnatyam dancer
B. Birju Maharaj	2. Exponent of Santoor
C. Priyadarsini Govind	3. Mridangam maestro
D. T.V.Gopalakrishnan	4. Kathak dancer

      A  B   C  D    
a)  2   1   4   3             
b)  3   1   4   2
c)  2   4   1   3              
d)  3   4   1   2

Show Answer

Ans: c)  2   4   1   3 

9] Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: [2006]

Centre of Handicrafts      (State)
A. Mon                         1. Arunachal Pradesh
B. Nalbari                   2. Assam
C. Pasighat                3. Meghalaya
D. Tura                        4. Nagaland

    A   B   C   D
a) 4   2   1    3
b) 4   3   2    1
c) 1    3   4   2
d) 1    2   4   3

Show Answer

Ans: a) 4   2   1    3

10] Who among the following is a Hindustani classical singer? [2006]

a) Geeta Chandran          b) Leela Samson
c) Gangubai Hangal        d) Swapnasundari

Show Answer

Ans: c) Gangubai Hangal 

11] Who among the following was presented with the Sangeet Natak Akadami Ratna Award, 2005 for her lifetime achievement in dance? [2006]

a) Chandralekha
b) Tanjavur Balasaraswati
c) Uma Sharma
d) Yamini Krishnamurthy

Show Answer

Ans: d) Yamini Krishnamurthy

12] Who among the following is well known as an exponent of flute? [2004]

a) Debu Choudhuri           b) Madhup Mudgal
c) Ronu Mazumdar            d) Shafaat Ahmad

Show Answer

Ans: c) Ronu Mazumdar   

13] The Raga which is sung early in the morning is: [2000]

a) Todi                                     b) Darbari
c) Bhopali                              d) Bhimpalasi

Show Answer

Ans: a) Todi          

14] Consider the following statements regarding the Chakiarkoothu form of dance: [2000]

I. It is performed by Chakiar caste.
II. It cannot be traditionally witnessed by the higher caste Hindus.
III. Mizhavu is the accompanying instrument.
IV. Its theatre form is called koothambalam.

Which of these statements are correct?
a) I, III and IV                        b) I, II and III
c) II, III and IV                       d) I, II and IV

Show Answer

Ans: a) I, III and IV    

15] The paintings of Abanindranath Tagore are classified as: [1999]

a) Realistic                            b) Socialistic
c) Revivalistic                       d) Impressionistic

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Ans: c) Revivalistic   

16] Which one of the following pairs of folk-dance forms and states is not correctly matched? [1999]

a) Korku:                Maharashtra
b) Jhummar:       Haryana
c) Thali:                  Himachal Pradesh
d) Mukna:              Manipur

Show Answer

Ans: a) Korku:                Maharashtra 

17] Which one of the following dances involves solo performance? [1997]

a) Bharatanatyam     b) Kuchipudi
c) Mohiniattam           d) Odissi

Show Answer

Ans: a) Bharatanatyam 

18] Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched? [1996]

a) Naqqual – Bihar            b) Tamasha – Orissa
c) Ankia Nat – Assam       d) Baha – Punjab

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Ans: c) Ankia Nat – Assam 

19] The Mughal School of Painting formed the spinal column of the various schools of Indian miniature art. Which one of the following painting styles was not affected by Mughal painting? [1995]

a) Pahari                                  b) Rajasthani
c) Kangra                                 d) Kalighata

Show Answer

Ans: d) Kalighata