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

Table of Contents

Nadaswaram

Main Trick/Hint: Now, the word for nadaswaram is “sound/song,” because “swaram” in nadaswaram is used for music and songs, so remember it like this.

1. T.N. Rajarathnam Pillai

Name of the musical instrument: Nadaswaram
Type of instrument: Wind (Double Reed – Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Tamil Nadu.
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: “Nagaswara Chakravarti” (Emperor of Nadaswaram).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Thirumarugal Natesa Pillai.
Nicknames/titles: Nagaswara Chakravarti.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is credited with transforming the Nadaswaram from a temple instrument to a sophisticated concert instrument. He was famous for his elaborate Raga Alapana, particularly in the raga Todi.
Trick/Hint: “Nam” in “Rajarathnam” sounds like “name.” To call a name, sound must come out, so remember it like this.

2. Karukurichi P. Arunachalam

Name of the musical instrument: Nadaswaram
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Tamil Nadu.
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Various state cultural honors.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: T.N. Rajarathnam Pillai.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was the most celebrated disciple of Rajarathnam Pillai and was famous for his playing in the classic Tamil film Konjum Salangai.
Trick/Hint: “Aru” in “Arunachalam” sounds like “aruvu,” which means shout in Telugu. To shout, a lot of sound comes out, so remember it like this.

3. Namagiripettai Krishnan

Name of the musical instrument: Nadaswaram
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Tamil Nadu.
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Padma Shri (1972), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1981).
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was known for his “Gayaki” style, where the instrument closely followed the nuances of vocal music. He was a regular performer at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.
Trick/Hint: “Nam” in “Namagiripettai” sounds like “name.” To call a name, sound must come out, so remember it like this.

4. Sheikh Chinna Moulana

Name of the musical instrument: Nadaswaram
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Andhra Pradesh / Tamil Nadu (Srirangam).
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Padma Shri (1977), Sangeetha Kalanidhi (1998).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Chilakaluripeta School.
Recent news/current affairs: His birth centenary (2024) saw many tribute concerts; his grandsons carry forward the “Srirangam” tradition.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was a legendary figure who settled in Srirangam and became an integral part of the temple tradition. He is credited with globalizing the Nadaswaram through his international tours.
Trick/Hint: “Chinna” means small in Telugu, so remember it like producing a small sound.

5. Thiruvizha Jayashankar

Name of the musical instrument: Nadaswaram
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Kerala.
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2013).
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is famous for his collaboration with violinists and his mastery over the “Tavil” (percussion) rhythmic cycles. He is one of the leading Nadaswaram exponents from Kerala.
Trick/Hint: “Shankar” sounds like “shankam.” When we blow a shankam, it produces a big sound, so remember it like this.

6. Semponnarkoil S.R.D. Vaidyanathan

Name of the musical instrument: Nadaswaram
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Tamil Nadu.
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Padma Shri (2007), Sangeetha Kalanidhi.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Semponnarkoil tradition.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was a master of the “Rakthi” style of playing, which involves complex rhythmic and melodic permutations unique to the Nadaswaram tradition.
Trick/Hint: “Pon” in “Semponnaarkoil” sounds like “phone.” Phones produce sounds like music and calls, so remember it like this.

7. M.P.N. Sethuraman & M.P.N. Ponnusamy

Name of the musical instrument: Nadaswaram
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Tamil Nadu (Madurai).
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Padma Shri (shared).
Recent news/current affairs: Their contribution to the cultural heritage of Madurai and the soundtrack of the film Thillana Mohanambal is a common trivia point in South Indian exams.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: They provided the actual Nadaswaram music for the famous film Thillana Mohanambal, which popularized the instrument among the general public.
Trick/Hint: “Set” in “Sethuraman” and “Pon” in “Ponnuswamy” sound like “phone.” So remember it like a phone that produces sound.

8. Thiruvidaimarudur P.S. Veerusami Pillai

Name of the musical instrument: Nadaswaram
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Tamil Nadu.
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Classical
Important awards won: Sangeetha Kalanidhi (1962).
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was a senior master who served as the “Asthana Vidwan” (Court Musician) for various temples and was highly respected for his traditional and chaste style.
Trick/Hint: “PS” can be remembered as producing sound.

Guitar

Main Trick/Hint: Now, the word for guitar is “car,” because there is a car name “Thar” on guitar, so remember it like this.

1. Pandit Brij Bhushan Kabra

Name of the musical instrument: Spanish Guitar (Modified for Hindustani Classical)
Type of instrument: String (Plucked/Slide – Tata Vadya)
State associated: Rajasthan (Jodhpur).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2005), Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Ustad Ali Akbar Khan; Maihar Gharana.
Nicknames/titles: “Pioneer of the Indian Classical Guitar.”
Recent news/current affairs: His 1967 album Call of the Valley (with Shivkumar Sharma and Hariprasad Chaurasia) was recently highlighted in global music archives as one of the highest-selling Indian classical albums of all time.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was the first musician to introduce the guitar to Hindustani Classical music. He modified the Western guitar by adding sympathetic strings and using a slide technique to produce the “Meend” (glides) essential for Ragas.
Trick/Hint: “Brij” sounds like “bridge,” so remember it like a car moving on a bridge.

2. Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

Name of the musical instrument: Mohan Veena (Modified Slide Guitar)
Type of instrument: String (Slide – Tata Vadya)
State associated: Rajasthan (Jaipur).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Grammy Award (1994), Padma Bhushan (2017), Padma Shri (2002), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pandit Ravi Shankar; Maihar Gharana.
Nicknames/titles: Inventor of the Mohan Veena.
Recent news/current affairs: He was a featured performer at major 2025-26 cultural summits, representing the fusion of traditional Indian sounds with global string traditions.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He won a Grammy for the album A Meeting by the River. His instrument, the Mohan Veena, has 19 strings—including melody, drone, and sympathetic strings—and is played with a glass slide.
Trick/Hint: Remember like Mohan likes a sedan car.

3. Debashish Bhattacharya

Name of the musical instrument: Chaturangui, Gandharvi, and Anandi (Custom Slide Guitars)
Type of instrument: String (Slide)
State associated: West Bengal (Kolkata).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Two Grammy Nominations, BBC Radio 3 Award for World Music.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Brij Bhushan Kabra and Ajoy Chakrabarty.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is famous for inventing three distinct types of slide guitars: the Chaturangui (6 melody strings, 2 drone, 2 chicari, and 12 sympathetic strings), the Gandharvi, and the Anandi (a slide ukulele).
Trick/Hint: Remember it like this: first you need an acharya (trainer) to learn car driving.

4. R. Prasanna

Name of the musical instrument: Electric Guitar
Type of instrument: String (Plucked)
State associated: Tamil Nadu (Chennai) / USA.
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Jazz / Fusion
Important awards won: Various Berklee College of Music honors, prestigious cultural titles in Tamil Nadu.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: A. Kanyakumari (Violin maestro).
Nicknames/titles: “Guitar Prasanna.”
Recent news/current affairs: In 2026, he remains the leading global educator for applying Carnatic microtones (Gamakas) to the Western electric guitar.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is the pioneer of playing traditional Carnatic music on the electric guitar. He is noted for his ability to replicate the complex vocal nuances of South Indian music on a fretless-style playing technique.
Trick/Hint: “Prasanna” sounds like “peace.” While driving a car, we should be careful and stay in a peaceful mind.

5. Baiju Dharmajan

Name of the musical instrument: Electric Guitar
Type of instrument: String (Plucked)
State associated: Kerala.
Classical or folk category: Carnatic Rock
Important awards won: Multiple “Best Guitarist” awards at the Jack Daniel’s Rock Awards.
Nicknames/titles: “The God of Carnatic Rock.”
Recent news/current affairs: Continues to lead the “Baiju Dharmajan Syndicate,” bridging the gap between heavy metal and Indian classical music.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is widely credited for creating the “Carnatic Rock” genre, where he uses guitar processors to mimic the sound of the Vina and Nadaswaram in a rock band setting.
Trick/Hint: “Dhar” sounds like “Thar,” so remember it like this.

6. Salil Bhatt

Name of the musical instrument: Satvik Veena
Type of instrument: String (Slide)
State associated: Rajasthan.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Maharana Mewar Award, various youth icons in music titles.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (his father).
Nicknames/titles: Creator of the Satvik Veena.
Recent news/current affairs: Noted for being the first Indian musician to perform in several Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries on a slide guitar.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He modified his father’s design to create the Satvik Veena, which features a distinct block of wood to enhance the resonance of the sympathetic strings.
Trick/Hint: “Lil” sounds like “little,” and little means small. So remember it like this: always start with small cars when learning to drive.

7. Dr. Kamala Shankar

Name of the musical instrument: Shankar Veena (Modified Slide Guitar)
Type of instrument: String (Slide)
State associated: Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Rashtriya Kumar Gandharva Samman, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pandit Chhannulal Mishra (Vocal training).
Nicknames/titles: The leading female exponent of the Indian slide guitar.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: She is the first female slide guitarist of international repute in India. She developed the Shankar Veena, which is unique because it is a hollow wooden instrument without a sound hole, designed to provide a singing, vocal-like quality.
Trick/Hint: “Kamal” means beautiful, so remember it like this: you brought a beautiful car.

8. Amyt Datta

Name of the musical instrument: Electric and Acoustic Guitar
Type of instrument: String (Plucked)
State associated: West Bengal (Kolkata).
Classical or folk category: Jazz-Rock / Experimental Fusion
Important awards won: Multiple lifetime achievement awards in the independent music circuit.
Nicknames/titles: “The Guitarist’s Guitarist.”
Recent news/current affairs: He is a key mentor at several premier music conservatories in India, influencing the 2026 generation of jazz and session players.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is considered one of the most technically advanced guitarists in India. While not a “classical” artist in the Raga sense, his work in conceptual fusion and his complex harmonic language are essential studies in modern Indian music history.
Trick/Hint: “Datta” sounds like “data,” so remember it like this: before buying a car, you should know full data about the car.

Harmonium

Main Trick/Hint: Now, the word for harmonium is “peace.”

1. Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh

Name of the musical instrument: Harmonium (also a legendary Tabla maestro)
Type of instrument: Wind (Reed instrument – Sushira Vadya)
State associated: West Bengal (Kolkata).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Padma Bhushan (1984), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Farrukhabad Gharana (primarily for Tabla, but applied its aesthetics to Harmonium).
Nicknames/titles: “Guru of Gurus.”
Recent news/current affairs: His birth centenary celebrations continue to be a focal point for archival research into the “Kolkata style” of harmonium accompaniment.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was a multifaceted genius—a composer, pedal harmonium expert, and percussionist. He is credited with training a generation of superstars (including Ajay Chakrabarty and Anindo Chatterjee) and scoring music for several films.
Trick/Hint: “Jnan” means knowledge in Hindi, so remember it like this: when our mind is peaceful, we can learn new things easily and increase our knowledge.

2. Ustad Bhurji Khan

Name of the musical instrument: Harmonium
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Maharashtra / Karnataka.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana (Son of Ustad Alladiya Khan).
Recent news/current affairs: His technical approach to playing complex taans on the harmonium is a key study for students of the Jaipur-Atrauli style in 2026.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: Although the son of the founder of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana, he chose to master the harmonium to support the vocalists of his gharana. He is remembered for his incredible technical brilliance and his ability to replicate difficult vocal patterns on the keys.
Trick/Hint: “Bhura” means brain in Telugu, so remember it like this: we should keep our brain calm and peaceful.

3. Appa Jalgaonkar

Name of the musical instrument: Harmonium
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Maharashtra (Pune).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2000).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Disciple of Pt. Balkrishnabuwa Kapileshwari.
Nicknames/titles: Master of the “Gayaki Ang.”
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was the pioneer of the “Gayaki Style” on harmonium, which involves playing the instrument in a way that mimics the human voice’s slides and emotional nuances. He was the preferred accompanist for legends like Bhimsen Joshi and Kishori Amonkar.
Trick/Hint: “Jal” means water, and we feel peace near water, so remember it like this.

4. Pandit Tulsidas Borkar

Name of the musical instrument: Harmonium
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Goa / Maharashtra.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Padma Shri (2016), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2005).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pt. P. Madhukar (Madhukar Pednekar).
Recent news/current affairs: His research on the structural modifications of the harmonium (to achieve better tuning for Indian ragas) remains a standard reference in 2026.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is credited with establishing the Harmonium as a solo instrument in the Hindustani tradition. He developed unique fingering techniques and bellows control to overcome the instrument’s inherent limitations in playing microtones (shrutis).
Trick/Hint: “Kar” means car, so remember it like this: to get peace, go on car trips.

5. Pandit Manda Fatarpekar

Name of the musical instrument: Harmonium
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Goa / Maharashtra.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Various state-level cultural honors and “Sangeet Teertha.”
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pandit Tulsidas Borkar.
Nicknames/titles: One of the foremost female harmonium soloists.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: She is a leading exponent of the Borkar school, known for her precision and ability to perform full-length solo classical recitals, a rarity for the harmonium.
Trick/Hint: “Manda” sounds like “munda,” which means friend in Punjabi. So remember it like this: when we talk to friends, we feel happy and peaceful.

6. Pandit Vyasamurti Katti

Name of the musical instrument: Harmonium
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Karnataka (Bangalore).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Several prestigious youth and senior awards from Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pt. R.K. Bijapure.
Recent news/current affairs: In 2025-26, he is frequently seen accompanying top-tier vocalists across India and is noted for his subtle and supportive “Sangat” (accompaniment).
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is highly respected for his “intuitive accompaniment,” where he anticipates the vocalist’s movements perfectly. He represents the rich harmonium tradition of Northern Karnataka.
Trick/Hint: “Vyasa” sounds like “swasa,” which relates to breathing and meditation. So remember it like this: when we do meditation, we get peace.

7. Sudhir Nayak

Name of the musical instrument: Harmonium
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Maharashtra (Mumbai).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pandit Tulsidas Borkar.
Recent news/current affairs: He is a key researcher and educator in 2026, actively working on digital archives and documenting the history of the harmonium in India.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: Apart from being a stellar solo performer and accompanist, he is known for his academic contributions to the instrument’s history and for organizing festivals specifically dedicated to harmonium music.
Trick/Hint: “Nayak” means leader, so remember it like this: a leader should have a calm, clear, and peaceful mind so he can think properly.

8. Pandit Purushottam Walawalkar

Name of the musical instrument: Harmonium
Type of instrument: Wind (Sushira Vadya)
State associated: Maharashtra (Mumbai).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2012).
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pt. Govindrao Patwardhan.
Recent news/current affairs: His recordings with Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi are considered essential listening for any student of Indian percussion and melody in 2026.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was one of the most sought-after accompanists in the history of Indian music. His style was noted for its “non-intrusive” yet enriching support, especially during fast-paced drut khyals.
Trick/Hint: Remember it like this: if we go for a daily walk, we get peace.

Jal Tarang

Main Trick/Hint: Now, the word for jal tarang is “water.”

1. Pandit Seetharam Sharma

Name of the musical instrument: Jal Tarang
Type of instrument: Percussion (Idiophone – Ghan Vadya)
State associated: Tamil Nadu / Delhi.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, various state honors.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Traditional learning.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is one of the most senior exponents who kept the instrument alive during a period when it was rarely seen on the concert stage. He is noted for his precision in tuning the water levels.
Trick/Hint: Lord Rama is like water—calm and peaceful.

2. Milind Tulankar

Name of the musical instrument: Jal Tarang
Type of instrument: Percussion (Ghan Vadya)
State associated: Maharashtra (Pune).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: “Jal-Tarang Ratna,” and various national fellowships.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pt. Dattatreya Jalgaonkar (Grandfather).
Recent news/current affairs: In 2025-26, he is the most globally active Jal Tarang soloist, frequently performing in international festivals to demonstrate the acoustic physics of the instrument.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He is credited with bringing the Jal Tarang back to the mainstream solo concert platform. He uses a unique set of porcelain bowls and is known for playing at a very high speed (Drut Laya).
Trick/Hint: “Lanka” means an island surrounded by water, like Sri Lanka.

3. Dr. Ragini Trivedi

Name of the musical instrument: Jal Tarang (also Sitar and Vichitra Veena)
Type of instrument: Percussion (Ghan Vadya)
State associated: Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi) / Madhya Pradesh.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Various academic and state cultural honors.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pandit Lalmani Misra (Father); Misrabani style.
Recent news/current affairs: She is a leading digital archivist of Indian music in 2026, focusing on the preservation of rare instruments.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: She is an expert in the Misrabani style, which focuses on unique rhythmic structures. She is also a noted musicologist who has authored several works on instrumental techniques.
Trick/Hint: “Vedi” in “Trivedi” means heat. We cool heat with water, so remember it like this.

4. Pandit Anant Jwala Prasad

Name of the musical instrument: Jal Tarang
Type of instrument: Percussion (Ghan Vadya)
State associated: Uttar Pradesh / Delhi.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was renowned for his technical command over the “sticks,” allowing him to produce a staccato sound that was very clear even in large auditoriums.
Trick/Hint: “Jwala” also means fire, and we cool fire with water, so remember it like this.

5. Vidushi Shashikala Dani

Name of the musical instrument: Jal Tarang
Type of instrument: Percussion (Ghan Vadya)
State associated: Karnataka (Hubli).
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important awards won: Karnataka Kalashri Award, Kittur Rani Chennamma Award.
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Pt. D.R. Bendre.
Nicknames/titles: One of the few female Jal Tarang “A” grade artists of All India Radio.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: She is a pioneer for women in this field and is noted for being a multi-instrumentalist who also plays the Harmonium and Violin. She is a key figure in the musical heritage of North Karnataka.
Trick/Hint: “Dan” sounds like “dam,” and a dam holds water, so remember it like this.

6. Ranjana Pradhan

Name of the musical instrument: Jal Tarang
Type of instrument: Percussion (Ghan Vadya)
State associated: Madhya Pradesh.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important facts commonly asked in exams: She is recognized for her academic approach to the instrument and her performances that often emphasize the meditative aspects of the Vilambit (slow) tempo.
Trick/Hint: “Ran” sounds like “run,” so remember it like this: we don’t run on the water surface.

7. Brij Bihari Gaharwar

Name of the musical instrument: Jal Tarang
Type of instrument: Percussion (Ghan Vadya)
State associated: Uttar Pradesh.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Important facts commonly asked in exams: A veteran staff artist of All India Radio, he was instrumental in documenting the traditional repertoire of the Jal Tarang during the mid-20th century.
Trick/Hint: “Brij” sounds like “bridge,” so remember it like this: water flows below a bridge.

8. Pandit Dattatreya Jalgaonkar

Name of the musical instrument: Jal Tarang
Type of instrument: Percussion (Ghan Vadya)
State associated: Maharashtra.
Classical or folk category: Hindustani Classical
Guru or musical tradition/gharana: Traditional family lineage.
Important facts commonly asked in exams: He was a legendary teacher who is remembered for his efforts in “propagating” the instrument when it was on the verge of extinction. He is the grandfather and guru of Milind Tulankar.
Trick/Hint: “Jal” means water.

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