Best Study Material and Notes which explore Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) on India’s literary and cultural personalities, covering famous authors, poets, painters, musicians, filmmakers, and award winners. Perfect for All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) Class 6 GK section preparation.
India’s Literary and Cultural Personalities: MCQs with Answers and Explanations for All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) Class 6 GK
Indian Writers and Poets
1. Who is known as the ‘Nightingale of India’?
a) Sarojini Naidu
b) Rani Lakshmibai
c) Indira Gandhi
d) Lata Mangeshkar
Answer: (a) Sarojini Naidu
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu was a famous poet and freedom fighter. She earned the title ‘Nightingale of India’ because of her beautiful poetry.
2. Which of the following books was written by Rabindranath Tagore?
a) Gitanjali
b) Anandmath
c) The Discovery of India
d) Wings of Fire
Answer: (a) Gitanjali
Explanation: Rabindranath Tagore, India’s first Nobel laureate, wrote Gitanjali, a collection of poems that won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.
3. Who is the author of ‘Malgudi Days’?
a) R.K. Narayan
b) Ruskin Bond
c) Premchand
d) Khushwant Singh
Answer: (a) R.K. Narayan
Explanation: R.K. Narayan was a well-known Indian writer famous for his works in English. Malgudi Days is a collection of short stories set in the fictional town of Malgudi.
4. Which Indian author wrote ‘Train to Pakistan’?
a) Arundhati Roy
b) Khushwant Singh
c) Amitav Ghosh
d) Jhumpa Lahiri
Answer: (b) Khushwant Singh
Explanation: Train to Pakistan is a novel by Khushwant Singh based on the Partition of India in 1947.
5. Who wrote the famous novel ‘Godan’?
a) Premchand
b) R.K. Narayan
c) Mulk Raj Anand
d) Mahashweta Devi
Answer: (a) Premchand
Explanation: Premchand was a famous Hindi writer known as the ‘Upanyas Samrat’ (Emperor of Novels). Godan is one of his most famous works.
6. Which Indian author won the Booker Prize for the novel ‘The God of Small Things’?
a) Salman Rushdie
b) Arundhati Roy
c) Kiran Desai
d) Vikram Seth
Answer: (b) Arundhati Roy
Explanation: Arundhati Roy won the Booker Prize in 1997 for her novel The God of Small Things, making her the first Indian woman to receive this honor.
7. Who is known as the father of Modern Hindi Literature?
a) Munshi Premchand
b) Bharatendu Harishchandra
c) Ramdhari Singh Dinkar
d) Mahadevi Verma
Answer: (b) Bharatendu Harishchandra
Explanation: Bharatendu Harishchandra is regarded as the father of modern Hindi literature for his contributions to poetry, drama, and prose.
8. Who wrote the book ‘Wings of Fire’?
a) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
b) S. Radhakrishnan
c) Jawaharlal Nehru
d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Answer: (a) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Explanation: Wings of Fire is an autobiography of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India and a renowned scientist.
9. Who was the first Indian to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature?
a) Rabindranath Tagore
b) R.K. Narayan
c) Vikram Seth
d) Ruskin Bond
Answer: (a) Rabindranath Tagore
Explanation: Rabindranath Tagore received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913 for his collection of poems, Gitanjali.
10. Who wrote ‘Anandmath’, a novel based on the Sanyasi Rebellion?
a) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
b) Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
c) Premchand
d) Rabindranath Tagore
Answer: (a) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
Explanation: Anandmath is a famous novel by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, which includes the song ‘Vande Mataram’, later adopted as India’s national song.
Indian Musicians and Dancers
11. Who is known as the ‘Sitar Maestro’ of India?
a) Zakir Hussain
b) Ravi Shankar
c) Lata Mangeshkar
d) A.R. Rahman
Answer: (b) Ravi Shankar
Explanation: Pandit Ravi Shankar was a world-famous sitar player and composer known for popularizing Indian classical music globally.
12. Who is the legendary Kathak dancer of India?
a) Uday Shankar
b) Rukmini Devi Arundale
c) Birju Maharaj
d) Sonal Mansingh
Answer: (c) Birju Maharaj
Explanation: Birju Maharaj was a legendary Kathak dancer known for his immense contribution to this classical dance form.
13. Who composed India’s National Anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’?
a) Rabindranath Tagore
b) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
c) Subramania Bharati
d) Lata Mangeshkar
Answer: (a) Rabindranath Tagore
Explanation: Rabindranath Tagore wrote and composed the National Anthem of India, ‘Jana Gana Mana’.
14. Who is known as the ‘Melody Queen of India’?
a) Asha Bhosle
b) Lata Mangeshkar
c) Alka Yagnik
d) Kavita Krishnamurthy
Answer: (b) Lata Mangeshkar
Explanation: Lata Mangeshkar was one of the most celebrated playback singers in India and is known as the ‘Melody Queen of India’.
15. Which famous Indian musician is known for playing the tabla?
a) Pandit Shivkumar Sharma
b) Zakir Hussain
c) Amjad Ali Khan
d) Ravi Shankar
Answer: (b) Zakir Hussain
Explanation: Zakir Hussain is a legendary tabla virtuoso and percussionist from India.
16. Who is the famous Santoor player of India?
a) Pandit Shivkumar Sharma
b) Hariprasad Chaurasia
c) Zakir Hussain
d) Ravi Shankar
Answer: (a) Pandit Shivkumar Sharma
Explanation: Pandit Shivkumar Sharma is credited with popularizing the Santoor, a traditional Kashmiri instrument, in Indian classical music.
17. Which Indian classical dancer is known for reviving Bharatanatyam?
a) Birju Maharaj
b) Uday Shankar
c) Rukmini Devi Arundale
d) Sonal Mansingh
Answer: (c) Rukmini Devi Arundale
Explanation: Rukmini Devi Arundale played a crucial role in reviving and modernizing Bharatanatyam, making it a respected art form.
18. Who is known as the ‘Mozart of Madras’?
a) Ilaiyaraaja
b) A.R. Rahman
c) R.D. Burman
d) S.D. Burman
Answer: (b) A.R. Rahman
Explanation: A.R. Rahman, the Oscar-winning music composer, is known as the ‘Mozart of Madras’ for his remarkable contributions to Indian and global music.
19. Who is the famous flutist of India?
a) Amjad Ali Khan
b) Ravi Shankar
c) Hariprasad Chaurasia
d) Shivkumar Sharma
Answer: (c) Hariprasad Chaurasia
Explanation: Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is an internationally acclaimed flute (Bansuri) player in Hindustani classical music.
20. Who is known as the ‘Shehnai Maestro’ of India?
a) Bismillah Khan
b) Zakir Hussain
c) Ravi Shankar
d) Shivkumar Sharma
Answer: (a) Bismillah Khan
Explanation: Ustad Bismillah Khan was a renowned Shehnai player, and his contribution helped establish Shehnai as a significant instrument in Indian classical music.
Indian Painters and Artists
21. Who is known as the ‘Father of Indian Modern Art’?
a) Raja Ravi Varma
b) Abanindranath Tagore
c) Nandalal Bose
d) M.F. Husain
Answer: (b) Abanindranath Tagore
Explanation: Abanindranath Tagore was the founder of the Bengal School of Art and played a significant role in modernizing Indian painting.
22. Which famous Indian artist is known for painting horses?
a) M.F. Husain
b) Amrita Sher-Gil
c) Raja Ravi Varma
d) Nandalal Bose
Answer: (a) M.F. Husain
Explanation: M.F. Husain, often called the ‘Picasso of India’, was known for his bold paintings, especially those featuring galloping horses.
23. Who was the first Indian woman to gain international recognition as a painter?
a) Amrita Sher-Gil
b) Anjolie Ela Menon
c) Raza Syed Haider
d) Jamini Roy
Answer: (a) Amrita Sher-Gil
Explanation: Amrita Sher-Gil was one of the most influential Indian painters, known for blending Western and Indian styles in her art.
24. Who painted the iconic ‘Bharat Mata’ painting?
a) Abanindranath Tagore
b) Raja Ravi Varma
c) M.F. Husain
d) Nandalal Bose
Answer: (a) Abanindranath Tagore
Explanation: The ‘Bharat Mata’ painting, showing India as a goddess, was created by Abanindranath Tagore to inspire nationalism.
25. Which Indian painter was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1954?
a) Raja Ravi Varma
b) Jamini Roy
c) Nandalal Bose
d) M.F. Husain
Answer: (c) Nandalal Bose
Explanation: Nandalal Bose, a pioneer of Indian modern art, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his immense contribution to Indian painting.
26. Who is famous for creating Kalighat paintings?
a) Jamini Roy
b) Raja Ravi Varma
c) Amrita Sher-Gil
d) S.H. Raza
Answer: (a) Jamini Roy
Explanation: Jamini Roy was known for developing the Kalighat style of painting, which was inspired by traditional Bengali folk art.
27. Which Indian artist is known for the ‘Bindu’ series of paintings?
a) M.F. Husain
b) S.H. Raza
c) Raja Ravi Varma
d) Nandalal Bose
Answer: (b) S.H. Raza
Explanation: S.H. Raza is famous for his ‘Bindu’ series, which represents cosmic energy and spiritual symbolism in Indian art.
28. Who painted the famous ‘Shakuntala’?
a) Raja Ravi Varma
b) M.F. Husain
c) Amrita Sher-Gil
d) Abanindranath Tagore
Answer: (a) Raja Ravi Varma
Explanation: Raja Ravi Varma was a celebrated painter known for his mythological and royal portraits, including the famous ‘Shakuntala’.
29. Who was the first Indian artist to be awarded the Padma Bhushan?
a) Jamini Roy
b) Abanindranath Tagore
c) Nandalal Bose
d) M.F. Husain
Answer: (a) Jamini Roy
Explanation: Jamini Roy was the first Indian painter to receive the Padma Bhushan in recognition of his unique artistic contributions.
30. Which Indian painter is famous for his use of bright colors and geometric patterns?
a) S.H. Raza
b) Raja Ravi Varma
c) Abanindranath Tagore
d) M.F. Husain
Answer: (a) S.H. Raza
Explanation: S.H. Raza is known for his use of vibrant colors and geometric shapes, making his work distinct in Indian contemporary art.
Indian Film and Theatre Personalities
31. Who is known as the ‘Tragedy King’ of Indian cinema?
a) Raj Kapoor
b) Dev Anand
c) Dilip Kumar
d) Amitabh Bachchan
Answer: (c) Dilip Kumar
Explanation: Dilip Kumar was known as the ‘Tragedy King’ due to his powerful performances in emotional and tragic roles.
32. Who was the first Indian to win an Oscar?
a) Satyajit Ray
b) A.R. Rahman
c) Bhanu Athaiya
d) Resul Pookutty
Answer: (c) Bhanu Athaiya
Explanation: Bhanu Athaiya was the first Indian to win an Oscar for Best Costume Design in the film Gandhi (1982).
33. Who directed the iconic film ‘Pather Panchali’?
a) Guru Dutt
b) Satyajit Ray
c) Bimal Roy
d) Ritwik Ghatak
Answer: (b) Satyajit Ray
Explanation: Satyajit Ray, one of India’s greatest filmmakers, directed Pather Panchali, which won international acclaim.
34. Who is known as the ‘Showman of Indian Cinema’?
a) Raj Kapoor
b) Yash Chopra
c) K. Asif
d) Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Answer: (a) Raj Kapoor
Explanation: Raj Kapoor was called the ‘Showman of Indian Cinema’ due to his contributions as an actor, director, and producer.
35. Which Indian actor was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994?
a) Amitabh Bachchan
b) Rajesh Khanna
c) Dilip Kumar
d) Dev Anand
Answer: (c) Dilip Kumar
Explanation: Dilip Kumar received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
36. Who was the first woman to direct a film in India?
a) Fatma Begum
b) Mira Nair
c) Sai Paranjpye
d) Deepa Mehta
Answer: (a) Fatma Begum
Explanation: Fatma Begum was India’s first female director, known for her silent film Bulbul-e-Paristan (1926).
37. Who composed the music for the Oscar-winning film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’?
a) Ilaiyaraaja
b) A.R. Rahman
c) Vishal Bhardwaj
d) Pritam
Answer: (b) A.R. Rahman
Explanation: A.R. Rahman won two Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Original Song (Jai Ho) for Slumdog Millionaire (2008).
38. Who played the role of ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ in the film ‘Gandhi’ (1982)?
a) Naseeruddin Shah
b) Ben Kingsley
c) Om Puri
d) Anupam Kher
Answer: (b) Ben Kingsley
Explanation: Sir Ben Kingsley, a British actor, portrayed Mahatma Gandhi in Richard Attenborough’s Oscar-winning film Gandhi.
39. Who is known as the ‘Father of Indian Cinema’?
a) Satyajit Ray
b) Guru Dutt
c) Dadasaheb Phalke
d) Bimal Roy
Answer: (c) Dadasaheb Phalke
Explanation: Dadasaheb Phalke is known as the ‘Father of Indian Cinema’ for directing India’s first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913).
40. Who directed the Bollywood blockbuster ‘Sholay’?
a) Ramesh Sippy
b) Yash Chopra
c) Rajkumar Hirani
d) Karan Johar
Answer: (a) Ramesh Sippy
Explanation: Ramesh Sippy directed Sholay (1975), one of the biggest hits in Indian film history.
Indian Literary Awards and Achievements
41. Which is the highest literary award in India?
a) Jnanpith Award
b) Sahitya Akademi Award
c) Vyas Samman
d) Saraswati Samman
Answer: (a) Jnanpith Award
Explanation: Jnanpith Award is the highest literary award in India, given annually for outstanding contributions to literature.
42. Who was the first recipient of the Jnanpith Award?
a) G. Sankara Kurup
b) Mahadevi Verma
c) R.K. Narayan
d) Amrita Pritam
Answer: (a) G. Sankara Kurup
Explanation: G. Sankara Kurup received the first Jnanpith Award in 1965 for his contributions to Malayalam literature.
43. Which Indian author won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913?
a) R.K. Narayan
b) Rabindranath Tagore
c) Mulk Raj Anand
d) Vikram Seth
Answer: (b) Rabindranath Tagore
Explanation: Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection of poems Gitanjali.
44. Which award is given by the Sahitya Akademi for literary contributions?
a) Saraswati Samman
b) Sahitya Akademi Award
c) Jnanpith Award
d) Vyas Samman
Answer: (b) Sahitya Akademi Award
Explanation: Sahitya Akademi Award is an annual award given by the Sahitya Akademi for outstanding literary works in 24 languages.
45. Who was the first Indian woman to win the Jnanpith Award?
a) Mahadevi Verma
b) Amrita Pritam
c) Krishna Sobti
d) Ashapurna Devi
Answer: (d) Ashapurna Devi
Explanation: Ashapurna Devi was the first Indian woman to receive the Jnanpith Award in 1976 for her contribution to Bengali literature.
46. Which Indian author wrote ‘Malgudi Days’?
a) Khushwant Singh
b) R.K. Narayan
c) Ruskin Bond
d) Arundhati Roy
Answer: (b) R.K. Narayan
Explanation: R.K. Narayan wrote ‘Malgudi Days’, a collection of short stories set in the fictional town of Malgudi.
47. Who wrote the famous book ‘Train to Pakistan’?
a) Mulk Raj Anand
b) Khushwant Singh
c) Salman Rushdie
d) Vikram Seth
Answer: (b) Khushwant Singh
Explanation: Khushwant Singh wrote ‘Train to Pakistan’, a novel based on the Partition of India in 1947.
48. Which Indian writer won the Booker Prize for ‘The God of Small Things’?
a) Arundhati Roy
b) Jhumpa Lahiri
c) Anita Desai
d) Kiran Desai
Answer: (a) Arundhati Roy
Explanation: Arundhati Roy won the Booker Prize in 1997 for her novel ‘The God of Small Things’.
49. Who was the first Indian to receive the Sahitya Akademi Award for English literature?
a) R.K. Narayan
b) Anita Desai
c) Ruskin Bond
d) Raja Rao
Answer: (d) Raja Rao
Explanation: Raja Rao was the first Indian to receive the Sahitya Akademi Award for English literature in 1964 for his novel The Serpent and the Rope.
50. Who won the 2022 Jnanpith Award?
a) Damodar Mauzo
b) Amitav Ghosh
c) Vikram Seth
d) Salman Rushdie
Answer: (a) Damodar Mauzo
Explanation: Damodar Mauzo, a Konkani writer, won the Jnanpith Award in 2022 for his contribution to Indian literature.
Indian Folk and Classical Theatre
51. Which is the oldest form of Indian theatre?
a) Yakshagana
b) Kathakali
c) Kutiyattam
d) Bhavai
Answer: (c) Kutiyattam
Explanation: Kutiyattam, a Sanskrit theatre form, is the oldest form of theatre in India, originating more than 2,000 years ago in Kerala.
52. Which Indian classical dance-drama is performed with elaborate makeup and costumes?
a) Kathak
b) Kathakali
c) Bharatanatyam
d) Mohiniyattam
Answer: (b) Kathakali
Explanation: Kathakali is a classical dance-drama from Kerala, known for its elaborate makeup, costumes, and facial expressions.
53. Which theatre form from Karnataka combines dance, music, and dialogue?
a) Jatra
b) Yakshagana
c) Nautanki
d) Tamasha
Answer: (b) Yakshagana
Explanation: Yakshagana is a folk theatre of Karnataka that blends dance, music, and drama, often based on mythological themes.
54. Which folk theatre form of Maharashtra is known for humor and satire?
a) Bhavai
b) Tamasha
c) Jatra
d) Therukoothu
Answer: (b) Tamasha
Explanation: Tamasha is a folk theatre form from Maharashtra, known for its satirical and entertaining performances with music and dance.
55. Which Indian theatre form is traditionally performed in open-air settings in West Bengal?
a) Jatra
b) Bhavai
c) Swang
d) Koodiyattam
Answer: (a) Jatra
Explanation: Jatra is a folk theatre of West Bengal, performed in open-air settings and known for its dramatic storytelling.
56. Which folk theatre form of Rajasthan includes puppetry?
a) Kathputli
b) Nautanki
c) Bhavai
d) Tamasha
Answer: (a) Kathputli
Explanation: Kathputli is a traditional puppet theatre of Rajasthan, where wooden puppets are used to narrate folk stories.
57. In which state is the folk theatre form ‘Bhavai’ performed?
a) Punjab
b) Gujarat
c) Kerala
d) Odisha
Answer: (b) Gujarat
Explanation: Bhavai is a folk theatre of Gujarat, performed as a musical drama with social and religious themes.
58. What is the main theme of ‘Nautanki’ theatre?
a) Political satire
b) Romantic and heroic tales
c) Religious stories
d) Mythological narratives
Answer: (b) Romantic and heroic tales
Explanation: Nautanki is a folk theatre from North India, known for its romantic and heroic tales, often accompanied by music and dance.
59. Which Tamil Nadu folk theatre form is performed on streets?
a) Therukoothu
b) Yakshagana
c) Kathakali
d) Jatra
Answer: (a) Therukoothu
Explanation: Therukoothu is a street theatre of Tamil Nadu, where performers sing and enact mythological stories.
60. Which Indian classical theatre form is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage?
a) Kutiyattam
b) Yakshagana
c) Bhavai
d) Nautanki
Answer: (a) Kutiyattam
Explanation: Kutiyattam is a Sanskrit theatre tradition from Kerala, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
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