This is the double-headed lead drum in a Carnatic performance.
What is the mridangam?
100
These composed songs are the core of the Carnatic musical tradition.
What are kriti?
100
Carnatic music is an example of this style of transmission (how it is learned).
What is oral tradition?
100
This Indian city is where "Bollywood" is based.
What is Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay)?
200
This is the time cycle in Carnatic music.
What is tala?
200
This stringed instrument was played by Nirmala Rajasekar in the Sounds of the Ancient concert.
What is the veena?
200
This improvisatory introduction in free rhythm precedes the performance of the kriti.
What is an alapana?
200
These people invaded Northern India in the 16th century, establishing a presence that would introduce Islamic influences such as the Muslim faith and Persian, Turkish, and Arabic musical traditions.
Who are the Moghuls?
200
These theatrical shows, based on mythology and performed by traveling groups of professional actor-musicians, were extremely popular in India before the creation of film.
What are company dramas?
300
These stereotypical ornamentations accompany the performance of ragas.
What is gamaka?
300
This pair of drums is the lead percussive instrument in North Indian Hindusthani music.
What is the tabla?
300
This exciting drum solo typically ends a Carnatic performance.
What is the tani avartanum?
300
A revered teacher in the Carnatic tradition.
What is a guru?
300
Once the technology was developed that allowed the music to be recorded separately from the film, this type of singer became an institution in Indian film, replacing the actor-singer of previous generations.
What is the playback singer?
400
These hand gestures are used to keep the tala in Carnatic music.
What are kriya?
400
This stringed instrument is used to accompany the singer or lead melodic instrument in a Carnatic ensemble.
What is the violin?
400
This event signals the beginning of the kriti and the tala in a Carnatic performance.
What is the entrance of the mridangam or percussion?
400
This is the name for the Classical Music of Northern India.
What is Hindustani music?
400
This Indian superstar actor is considered the "King of Bollywood" and has starred in over 80 films, including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ).
Who is Shah Rukh Khan?
500
This is term for the solfege (verbal syllables) used by Carnatic drummers.
What is solkattu?
500
Ravi Shankar played this North Indian stringed instrument.
What is the sitar?
500
These are the three main sections of a kriti.
What are the pallavi, anupallavi, and charanam?
500
In this social structure, classes are determined by heredity.
What is the caste system?
500
This famous playback singer was one of the female voices that helped define the genre of Indian film music, and sang major leading roles in films until she was 80 years old.