Tricks to Remember Famous Musical Instruments and Players for Competitive Exams With 100 Practice MCQs

Table of Contents

Flute

Main Trick/Hint: The keyword for flute is Lord Krishna because we know that Krishna has a flute.

1. Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia

Name of the musical instrument: Bansuri (Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Uttar Pradesh (Born in Prayagraj/Allahabad)
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Padma Vibhushan (2000), Padma Bhushan (1992), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1984), French Small “Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.”
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Annapurna Devi and Pandit Bholanath Prasanna; Maihar Gharana (influence).
Nicknames/titles: Often called the “Maestro of the Bamboo Flute.”
Recent news/current affairs: In 2025, his 85th birthday was celebrated with nationwide “Venu Naad” concerts. He remains the most cited flautist in modern Indian culture.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is famous for his collaboration with Santoor legend Shivkumar Sharma as the music director duo “Shiv-Hari” (composed music for films like Silsila and Chandni). He is credited with making the flute a dominant solo instrument in classical concerts.
Trick/Hint: Remember it like this: in South Asia, people worship Lord Krishna, and “Asia” is in “Chaurasia.”

2. Pandit Pannalal Ghosh (Amal Jyoti Ghosh)

Name of the musical instrument: Bansuri (Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: West Bengal (Born in Barisal, now Bangladesh).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (Posthumous recognition in various honors).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Ustad Allauddin Khan; Maihar Gharana.
Nicknames/titles: “The Father of Classical Flute.”
Recent news/current affairs: His birth anniversary is frequently marked by the Indian Ministry of Culture as the pioneer of the modern Bansuri.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is the person who introduced the flute into Hindustani Classical music. Before him, the flute was a tiny folk instrument; he developed the larger 32-inch bamboo flute with a seventh hole to play classical ragas.
Trick/Hint: “Ghosh” sounds like “ghost,” and “lal” sounds like “lol.” So, when you see a ghost, don’t say “lol”; just pray to Lord Krishna, and the ghost will go away.

3. Pandit Ronu Majumdar

Name of the musical instrument: Bansuri (Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Maharashtra (Born in Varanasi, based in Mumbai).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical & Fusion
Important awards won: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2014), Grammy Nomination (for the album Tabula Rasa).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pandit Vijay Raghav Rao and Pandit Lakshman Prasad Jaipurwale; Maihar influence.
Nicknames/titles: A “Giant of the Bansuri.”
Recent news/current affairs: Frequently performs at the G20 cultural summits and major international jazz festivals representing Indian wind instruments.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is famous for his “Sankha Bansuri” and for being a pioneer in New Age and Fusion music, collaborating with international artists like Ry Cooder and George Harrison.
Trick/Hint: “Jum” sounds like “jam.” Just like jam, Lord Krishna is loved by everyone.

4. Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia

Name of the musical instrument: Bansuri (Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Maharashtra (Mumbai).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: 2 Grammy Awards (2024) (for the album As We Speak with Zakir Hussain).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia (his uncle).
Nicknames/titles: The torchbearer of the Chaurasia lineage.
Recent news/current affairs: He made national headlines in early 2024 for his Grammy wins alongside Ustad Zakir Hussain and Shankar Mahadevan.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is recognized for his technical ability to play complex rhythmic patterns (Taals) on the flute, which was traditionally a melodic instrument.
Trick/Hint: Remember it like this: in South Asia, people worship Lord Krishna, and “Asia” is in “Chaurasia.”

5. Pandit Vijay Raghav Rao

Name of the musical instrument: Bansuri (Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Andhra Pradesh / Maharashtra.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Padma Shri (1970), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1982).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pandit Ravi Shankar; Maihar Gharana.
Nicknames/titles: A multifaceted genius (Director, Composer, and Flautist).
Recent news/current affairs: His compositions for the Films Division of India are still studied for their innovative use of the flute in orchestral settings.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was the Music Director for the Films Division of India and worked closely with Ravi Shankar on the score for the film Gandhi.I apologize for missing those names. Here is the complete breakdown for the remaining 4 flute players from your list, following the exact format for your exam guides.
Trick/Hint: “Vijay” means victory. Lord Krishna helped the Pandavas win, so remember it like this.

6. Pandit Raghunath Seth

Name of the musical instrument: Bansuri (Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow)
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1994).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Panna Lal Ghosh (Influence).
Nicknames/titles: “Innovator of the Modern Flute.”
Recent news/current affairs: His technical modifications to the flute, specifically the addition of a key to play the “Teevra Madhyam,” are widely discussed in musicology circles.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was a legendary composer for the Films Division of India and provided music for many award-winning documentaries. He is credited with creating a specialized flute that allows for easier fingering in complex ragas.
Trick/Hint: “Raghunath” sounds similar to “Jagannath.” In Odisha, there is a famous Lord Krishna temple called Jagannath Temple, so remember it like this.

7. Pandit Devendra Murdeshwar

Name of the musical instrument: Bansuri (Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Karnataka / Maharashtra.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pandit Pannalal Ghosh (He was his top disciple and son-in-law).
Nicknames/titles: “Carrier of the Pannalal Legacy.”
Recent news/current affairs: His playing style is preserved through the Gayan Samay archives as the purest representation of the early classical flute style.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was the most prominent artist to keep the “Pannalal Ghosh school” of flute alive, which focuses on a deep, resonant bass sound produced by larger bamboo flutes.
Trick/Hint: Lord Krishna is “Deva,” which means God. Remember it like this.

8. Pandit Nityanand Haldipur

Name of the musical instrument: Bansuri (Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Maharashtra (Mumbai).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2010).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Annapurna Devi and Pannalal Ghosh; Maihar Gharana.
Nicknames/titles: A “Purist” of the Bansuri.
Recent news/current affairs: He is highly sought after as a guru in the 2020s for students wishing to learn the spiritual and meditative “Dhrupad-ang” style of playing.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is unique for having been trained by Annapurna Devi, which gives his flute playing a style similar to the Surbahar (bass sitar), characterized by long, gliding notes (Meend).
Trick/Hint: In Lord Krishna’s kingdom, everyone is happy. “Happy” means “Anandham” in Telugu, so remember it like this.

9. Rupak Kulkarni

Name of the musical instrument: Bansuri (Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Maharashtra (Mumbai).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: ITC Sangeet Research Academy Award, various state honors.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia; Maihar influence.
Nicknames/titles: “The Flute Prodigy.”
Recent news/current affairs: He is a frequent performer at the Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav and is known for using technology to teach flute globally.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was a child prodigy who started performing at the age of 11. He is famous for incorporating the “Dhrupad” style of singing into the flute, making his performances very distinct from fusion or light classical styles.
Trick/Hint: “Kul” sounds like “cool.” Lord Krishna handles everything silently and calmly, so remember it like this.

10. T.R. Mahalingam (Flute Mali)

Name of the musical instrument: Venu (Carnatic Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Tamil Nadu (Born in Tiruvidaimarudur)
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Padma Bhushan (1986 – famously refused it, citing it was “too late”).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Jalra Gopala Ayyar; developed his own revolutionary style.
Nicknames/titles: “Flute Mali”; often called the “Father of Modern Carnatic Flute.”
Recent news/current affairs: His birth centenary (1926–2026) is being commemorated across South India as the musician who revolutionized flute fingering techniques.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is the most important figure in Carnatic flute history. Before him, the flute had no gamakas (oscillations). He introduced a new fingering technique and a “cross-fingering” style that allowed the flute to perfectly imitate the human voice (Gayaki Ang).
Trick/Hint: “Maha” reminds us of Mahabharatam, in which Lord Krishna is present. Remember it like this.

11. Dr. N. Ramani

Name of the musical instrument: Venu (Carnatic Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Tamil Nadu (Born in Tiruvarur).
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Sangeetha Kalanidhi (1996), Padma Shri (1987), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1984).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: T.R. Mahalingam (Flute Mali – his maternal uncle).
Nicknames/titles: Often referred to as “N. Flute Ramani.”
Recent news/current affairs: The Ramani Academy of Flute (RAF) continues to be a premier institution for wind instrument research in Chennai.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is credited with introducing the long flute (bass flute) into Carnatic music and popularizing the “flute trio” concept. He bridged the gap between the revolutionary style of Mali and traditional orthodox playing.
Trick/Hint: The movie Karthikeya 2 is about Lord Krishna and finding a mani, like a sacred stone. So, remember it like that.

12. Sarabha Sastri

Name of the musical instrument: Venu (Carnatic Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Tamil Nadu (Kumbakonam).
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Historical figure (Pre-dates modern civilian awards).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Manambuchavadi Venkatasubbayyar (disciple of Saint Tyagaraja).
Nicknames/titles: The first great Brahmin flautist to bring the flute to the mainstream concert stage.
Recent news/current affairs: His legacy is preserved through the “Sarabha Sastri Style,” which is still studied for its rhythmic purity.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was the first musician to elevate the flute from a folk instrument to a primary solo instrument in Carnatic music. He was visually impaired but was known as an “Eka Chandra Graahi” (one who learns by hearing once).
Trick/Hint: The movie Rabhasa is of NTR. In his film Brindavanam, NTR holds a flute in the poster. So remember it like this—we always link things to help us remember.

13. Palladam Sanjeeva Rao

Name of the musical instrument: Venu (Carnatic Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Tamil Nadu (Coimbatore).
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Sangeetha Kalanidhi (1943).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Sarabha Sastri.
Nicknames/titles: Prime proponent of the “Sarabha Sastri School.”
Recent news/current affairs: His recordings from the early 20th century are cited as the benchmark for the pre-Mali era of flute playing.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was the most famous disciple of Sarabha Sastri and maintained the traditional style characterized by “discrete bursts” of notes rather than the continuous fluid style seen today.
Trick/Hint: “Sanjeevini” reminds us of Lord Rama when we hear the name. So, think like this: “Palla” has Pandavas, then we can remember Lord Krishna.

14. T.S. Sankaran

Name of the musical instrument: Venu (Carnatic Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Tamil Nadu.
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1999), Kalaimamani.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Flute Mali (T.R. Mahalingam).
Nicknames/titles: A “Venerable Veteran” of the flute.
Recent news/current affairs: Recognized for his lifelong dedication to the Tanjavur style of playing.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was one of the foremost disciples of Mali and was known for maintaining the technical complexities of his guru’s style while keeping it accessible to the general public.
Trick/Hint: “Sankaran” has 8 letters, and the 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu is Lord Krishna.

15. Shashank Subramanyam

Name of the musical instrument: Venu (Carnatic Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Karnataka (Born in Rudrapatna).
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical & Fusion
Important awards won: Chevalier (Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France – 2022), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Trained under his father and later R.K. Srikantan.
Nicknames/titles: A child prodigy who debuted at age 12.
Recent news/current affairs: He continues to be a global face for the Indian flute, recently featured in a BBC World TV documentary titled “Destination Music.”
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is known for a unique multi-flute technique, where he switches between flutes of different pitches mid-concert. He is one of the few Carnatic flautists with a massive international following in the Jazz and World music circuits.
Trick/Hint: The Subramanyam Swami temple is very mysterious, and “dwara” also sounds mysterious, and it is associated with Lord Krishna’s place. So remember it like that.

16. Sikkil Sisters (Kunjumani & Neela)

Name of the musical instrument: Venu (Carnatic Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Tamil Nadu.
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Padma Shri (2004), Sangeetha Kalanidhi (2002), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1989).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Azhiyur Narayanaswami Iyer.
Nicknames/titles: The “Flute Duo.”
Recent news/current affairs: Following the passing of Sikkil Neela in late 2023, tributes were held nationwide acknowledging them as the first female duo to dominate the wind instrument category.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: They were pioneers as female flautists in a male-dominated field. They were known for their “unison playing,” where two flutes sounded like a single, powerful instrument.
Trick/Hint: “Sik” sounds like “sick.” You won’t get sick when you pray to Lord Krishna.

17. Sikkil Mala Chandrasekar

Name of the musical instrument: Venu (Carnatic Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Tamil Nadu (Chennai).
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Kalaimamani, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Sikkil Sisters (Her mother Neela and aunt Kunjumani).
Nicknames/titles: The successor to the Sikkil lineage.
Recent news/current affairs: Active in the 2020s for her “Vande Bharatam” performances and her work in promoting music through digital education.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: She represents the merger of the Sikkil style with the vocal influence of M.S. Subbulakshmi (having joined that family by marriage). She is known for her “neat and chaste” (orthodox) style of rendering ragas.
Trick/Hint: “Sik” sounds like “sick.” You won’t get sick when you pray to Lord Krishna.

18. K.S. Gopalakrishnan

Name of the musical instrument: Venu (Carnatic Flute)
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram).
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (1999), Veena Sheshanna National Award.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: K. Sankaranarayana Iyer.
Nicknames/titles: Often noted for his “inspired” playing style.
Recent news/current affairs: His contributions as a staff artist at All India Radio (AIR) are frequently highlighted in archives concerning the growth of classical music in Kerala.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is famous for his ability to play in a style heavily inspired by N. Ramani, focusing on clear, crisp notes and a wide range of varnams and krithis.
Trick/Hint: In the name itself, there is “Krishna,” so you can easily remember it.

Sarod

Main Trick/Hint: Now, the keyword for sarod is actor Allu Arjun. Here, we link every sarod player to Allu Arjun so we can remember it. Allu Arjun is connected because there is a movie called Sarrainodu, and it sounds similar.

1. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan

Name of the musical instrument: Sarod
Type of instrument: String (Plucked – Fretless)
State associated: Madhya Pradesh (Born in Gwalior).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Padma Vibhushan (2001), Padma Bhushan (1991), Padma Shri (1975), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Ustad Haafiz Ali Khan; Senia Bangash Gharana.
Nicknames/titles: “Sarod Samrat.”
Recent news/current affairs: In 2025-26, he has been a vocal advocate for including Indian classical music in school curriculums and performed at the United Nations to promote global peace.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He represents the 6th generation of his lineage. He is credited with modifying the Sarod to make it more melodic and capable of complex tantrakari (instrumental techniques). He often collaborates with his sons, Amaan and Ayaan.
Trick/Hint: There are two A’s, like in Amjad Ali, so “AA” means Allu Arjun.

2. Ustad Ali Akbar Khan

Name of the musical instrument: Sarod
Type of instrument: String (Plucked – Fretless)
State associated: West Bengal (Born in East Bengal, now Bangladesh).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Padma Vibhushan (1989), MacArthur “Genius” Grant (First Indian to receive it).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Ustad Allauddin Khan (his father); Maihar Gharana.
Nicknames/titles: “Swar Samrat.”
Recent news/current affairs: The Ali Akbar College of Music in California continues to be the primary global hub for preserving the Maihar tradition.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was instrumental in popularizing Indian classical music in the West alongside Ravi Shankar. Yehudi Menuhin once called him “the greatest musician in the world.”
Trick/Hint: There are two A’s, like in Ali Akbar, so “AA” means Allu Arjun.

3. Ustad Allauddin Khan

Name of the musical instrument: Sarod (also a multi-instrumentalist)
Type of instrument: String (Tata Vadya)
State associated: Madhya Pradesh (Maihar Court).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Padma Vibhushan (1971), Padma Bhushan (1958).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Wazir Khan (Senia Gharana); Founder of the Maihar Gharana.
Nicknames/titles: “Baba” Allauddin Khan.
Recent news/current affairs: His residence in Maihar (Madina Bhavan) is a protected heritage site and a place of pilgrimage for musicians.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was the guru of Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Annapurna Devi. He founded the Maihar Band, which was the first of its kind in Indian classical music to use an orchestral format.
Trick/Hint: There are two A’s, like in Allauddin, so “AA” means Allu Arjun.

4. Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan

Name of the musical instrument: Sarod
Type of instrument: String (Tata Vadya)
State associated: Madhya Pradesh (Gwalior).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Padma Bhushan (1960).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Wazir Khan; Bangash/Senia Gharana.
Nicknames/titles: A legendary court musician of Gwalior.
Recent news/current affairs: The Sarod Ghar in Gwalior, a museum of musical instruments, was established in his ancestral home.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was the father and guru of Amjad Ali Khan. He is known for a style that was extremely technical and powerful, rooted in the dhrupad tradition.
Trick/Hint: “Hafiz” and “fiz” sound like “fees.” In the Allu Arjun movie Son of Satyamurthy, he works at weddings to pay his nephew’s school fees.

5. Pandit Buddhadev Das Gupta

Name of the musical instrument: Sarod
Type of instrument: String (Tata Vadya)
State associated: West Bengal (Kolkata).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Padma Bhushan (2012), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1993).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Radhika Mohan Maitra; Shahjahanpur Gharana.
Nicknames/titles: Known for his academic and analytical approach to music.
Recent news/current affairs: His style is preserved as a distinct alternative to the Maihar and Bangash styles, noted for its intricate “Bol-kaari.”
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was a mechanical engineer by profession, proving that one could excel in both a technical career and classical music at the highest level.
Trick/Hint: “Gup” in “Gupta” sounds like “cup,” which can mean an award. Allu Arjun won a National Award for Pushpa, the first in the Telugu film industry.

6. Ustad Ashish Khan

Name of the musical instrument: Sarod
Type of instrument: String (Plucked – Fretless)
State associated: West Bengal / International (Born in Maihar).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical & Fusion
Important awards won: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2004), Grammy Nomination.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Ustad Ali Akbar Khan (father) and Annapurna Devi (aunt); Maihar Gharana.
Nicknames/titles: A pioneer of Indo-Jazz fusion.
Recent news/current affairs: He is frequently recognized for his work with the band “Shanti,” which was one of the earliest groups to blend Indian classical music with rock and jazz.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is the grandson of Baba Allauddin Khan. He was the first project leader for the “World Music” department at various international universities, significantly spreading the Maihar style globally.
Trick/Hint: “Ash” in “Ashish” is like after fire (ash). In Allu Arjun’s Pushpa, there is a famous dialogue: “Pushpa means fire,” so remember it like this.

7. Amaan Ali Bangash

Name of the musical instrument: Sarod
Type of instrument: String (Plucked – Fretless)
State associated: Delhi / Madhya Pradesh.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Rajiv Gandhi Foundation Award, various national youth honors.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (father); Senia Bangash Gharana.
Nicknames/titles: One half of the “Sarod Brothers.”
Recent news/current affairs: Recently performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert and is active in digital concerts promoting Indian heritage to Gen-Z.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He represents the 7th generation of the Bangash lineage. He is known for a very aggressive and technically fast style of playing, often performing duets (Jugalbandi) with his brother Ayaan.
Trick/Hint: Same aa trick/hint.

8. Ayaan Ali Bangash

Name of the musical instrument: Sarod
Type of instrument: String (Plucked – Fretless)
State associated: Delhi / Madhya Pradesh.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Gladrags Manhunt Award (notable for his versatile public profile), Sanskriti Award.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (father); Senia Bangash Gharana.
Nicknames/titles: One half of the “Sarod Brothers.”
Recent news/current affairs: Collaborative projects with international orchestras and electronic music producers in 2025-26 to modernize the appeal of the Sarod.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: Younger son of Amjad Ali Khan. Like his brother, he is credited with making the Sarod popular among younger audiences through television appearances and fusion albums like Reincarnation.
Trick/Hint: Same AA trick/hint.

9. Abhishek Lahiri

Name of the musical instrument: Sarod
Type of instrument: String (Plucked – Fretless)
State associated: West Bengal (Kolkata).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (Sangeet Natak Akademi).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pandit Alok Lahiri (father); Shahjahanpur / Maihar influences.
Nicknames/titles: A “Rising Star of Sarod.”
Recent news/current affairs: Frequently invited to perform at the Darbar Festival in London, representing the younger generation of Indian instrumentalists.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is noted for his ability to blend the technical intricacies of the Shahjahanpur Gharana with the melodic sweetness of the Maihar style.
Trick/Hint: “Shek” in “Abhishek” sounds like “shake.” Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2 collected so much money that it shook all the film industries, so remember it like this.

10. Sharan Rani Backliwal

Name of the musical instrument: Sarod
Type of instrument: String (Plucked – Fretless)
State associated: Delhi.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Padma Vibhushan (2000), Padma Bhushan (1968).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Ustad Allauddin Khan and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan; Maihar Gharana.
Nicknames/titles: “Sarod Rani” (The Queen of Sarod).
Recent news/current affairs: Her massive collection of rare musical instruments (the Sharan Rani Backliwal Gallery) is a permanent exhibit at the National Museum in New Delhi.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: She was the first prominent female Sarod player in India, breaking a long-standing gender barrier in a field previously dominated by men.
Trick/Hint: “Back” in “Backiwal” is like moving backwards. In Allu Arjun’s Pushpa, there is a famous dialogue “Thaggedhe Le,” which means not going backwards, so remember it like this.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6