Easy2Siksha Sample Paper
GNDU Most Repeated (Important) Quesons
B.A 1st Semester
MUSIC (Vocal) (2021–2024)
Must-Prepare Quesons (80–100% Probability)
SECTION–A (Basic Music Theory & Instruments)
1. Denion / Diagram / Tuning of Tanpura – (Appeared 2021, 2022)
2. Saptak – Denion, Types, Explanaon – (Appeared 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
3. Naad / Sahayak Naad – Meaning & Importance – (Appeared 2021, 2023, 2024)
2025 Smart Predicon Table
Based on 4-Year GNDU Paper Analysis (2021–2024)
Secon
Queson Topic
Repeats
Years Appeared
Priority
A
Denion & Tuning of Tanpura
2 Times
2021, 2022
High
A
Saptak – Denion, Types
4 Times
2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Very High
A
Naad / Sahayak Naad
3 Times
2021, 2023, 2024
Very High
Easy2Siksha Sample Paper
2025 GUARANTEED QUESTIONS (100% Appearance)
TOP 5 MUST-PREPARE QUESTIONS
1. Contribuon of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Music – (4/4 Years)
2. Mohalla and Rababi in Gurmat Sangeet – (4/4 Years)
GNDU Most Repeated (Important) Answer
B.A 1st Semester
MUSIC (Vocal) (2021–2024)
Must-Prepare Quesons (80–100% Probability)
SECTION–A (Basic Music Theory & Instruments)
1. Denion / Diagram / Tuning of Tanpura – (Appeared 2021, 2022)
Ans: The Magical Tanpura: The Soul of Indian Classical Music
Imagine a serene evening by the riverside in ancient India. The sky is painted with
shades of orange and pink, and a young disciple sits cross-legged before his Guru. The
master begins to sing — his voice steady, divine, and full of depth. But before he even
sings a single note, another sound fills the air: a soft, continuous “Om-like” hum that
seems to wrap everything in peace.
That sound comes from a Tanpura, the humble instrument that doesn’t play melodies or
rhythms, yet holds the very foundation of Indian classical music. It is like the heartbeat
that keeps the music alive, the invisible thread that ties everything together.
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Definition of Tanpura
The Tanpura (or Tambura) is a long-necked string instrument used in Indian classical
music to provide a continuous harmonic drone. Unlike the sitar or veena, it is not used
for playing tunes or melodies. Instead, its main purpose is to create a constant
background sound (the drone) that supports the main performer — whether it’s a
vocalist or an instrumentalist.
In simpler words:
The Tanpura is the musical foundation of every Indian raga performance — it sets the
mood, gives the pitch reference, and maintains the atmosphere of purity in sound.
Its soft, continuous sound helps the singer or instrumentalist stay in perfect sur (pitch)
and swar (note accuracy) throughout the performance. Without it, the music would feel
incomplete, like a bird trying to fly without wind beneath its wings.
Origin and Cultural Importance
The Tanpura has been an essential part of Indian music for centuries. Its name is derived
from two Sanskrit words — “tana” meaning “musical phrase” and “pura” meaning
“complete.” Together, Tanpura literally means “that which completes the tone.”
In every musical performance, the Tanpura symbolizes balance, harmony, and
spirituality. It represents the concept of “Nada Brahma” — the belief that the universe
itself is made of sound. The continuous humming of the Tanpura reminds both the artist
and listener of the divine essence of sound.
No matter how skilled the performer is, the purity of a performance depends on the
perfectly tuned Tanpura in the background.
Structure and Diagram of the Tanpura
Before we dive into how it’s tuned, let’s understand what it looks like.
The Tanpura is a beautifully crafted wooden instrument, long and graceful, often about
3 to 5 feet in length. It has a gourd (tumba) at the bottom which acts as a resonator,
and a hollow wooden neck extending from it.
Here’s a simple labeled diagram to help you visualize it:
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Main Parts of Tanpura
1. Resonator (Tumba) –
The large round base, made of a dried and polished gourd, helps amplify the
sound. In some modern Tanpuras, it’s made of wood or fiberglass.
2. Neck (Dandi) –
The long hollow wooden part attached to the resonator. Frets are not present
here (unlike in sitar or veena) because the Tanpura doesn’t play melodies.
3. Bridge (Jawari) –
The flat surface near the resonator over which the strings rest. The bridge gives
the Tanpura its characteristic “buzzing” sound called the jivari or jawari. The
shape and curve of the bridge determine how smooth or bright the sound will be.
4. Strings (Taar) –
Usually, there are four or five metal strings. Each is plucked gently in a repeated
cycle to create the continuous drone.
5. Tuning Pegs (Mundri or Gulu) –
These are the knobs at the top of the neck used to tighten or loosen the strings,
thereby tuning the instrument.
6. Beads (Manka) –
Small movable beads at the bottom of each string, used for fine-tuning. Moving
these beads slightly changes the pitch.
7. Body Material –
Traditionally, Tanpuras are made from teak or tun wood. The natural materials
give it a warm and organic tone.
Types of Tanpura
Tanpuras come in different sizes and varieties based on who uses them:
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1. Male Tanpura –
Larger in size (around 4.5 to 5 feet) and tuned to a lower pitch (like C or D). Used
by male vocalists.
2. Female Tanpura –
Slightly smaller (about 3.5 to 4 feet) and tuned higher (like F or G). Used by
female vocalists.
3. Instrumental Tanpura –
Used as a background for instruments like sitar, sarod, or violin. Usually tuned
differently depending on the raga and the instrument’s pitch.
4. Electronic Tanpura –
In modern times, musicians use digital or electronic Tanpuras (or mobile apps)
that can replicate the continuous drone sound when a physical instrument isn’t
available.
Tuning of Tanpura (The Art of Perfection)
Tuning a Tanpura is like setting the soul of the performance. It requires patience,
sensitivity, and a good ear. Even a small difference in tuning can change the entire mood
of the raga.
A Tanpura with four strings is most common, and its tuning depends on the raga and
the performer’s pitch.
Standard Tuning for Vocal Tanpura (4 Strings)
Usually, the four strings are tuned as follows:
1. 1st String (lowest) → Pa (Pancham) or Ma (Madhyam) or Ni (Nishad) —
depending on the raga.
2. 2nd String → Sa (the tonic note)
3. 3rd String → Sa (again, tonic note)
4. 4th String (highest) → Sa (upper octave)
So, for example, if the artist’s pitch is Sa = C, the Tanpura may be tuned as:
Pa – Sa – Sa – Sa (Upper Sa) → G – C – C – C.
Sometimes, instead of Pa, the first string is tuned to Ma or Ni depending on the raga
mood.
For Instrumental Tanpura (used with sitar, sarod, etc.)
The tuning can vary but often follows this pattern:
Sa – Pa – Sa – Sa (or sometimes Sa – Ma – Sa – Sa).
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Steps to Tune a Tanpura
1. Set the basic note (Sa):
Decide your main note based on the performer’s voice or instrument. This
becomes the reference tone.
2. Adjust the first string (Pa/Ma/Ni):
Using the tuning peg, tighten or loosen the first string until it harmonizes
perfectly with the Sa.
3. Tune the second and third strings (Sa and Sa):
These should match each other exactly in pitch. When plucked alternately, there
should be no “wobbling” or beats in sound.
4. Tune the fourth string (higher Sa):
This should sound one octave higher than the base Sa, giving the Tanpura its rich,
resonant vibration.
5. Fine-tuning with the beads (Manka):
Slightly move the small beads up or down to achieve micro-level accuracy.
6. Check the Jivari (Buzz Effect):
The strings should touch the bridge just enough to create a smooth buzzing
sound — not too sharp or too dull. Adjusting the bridge curvature gives the
perfect jawari tone.
The Science Behind the Sound
The Tanpura’s sound is unique because of sympathetic resonance — the vibration of
one string causes others to resonate naturally, creating a continuous harmonic field of
sound. This resonance produces overtones that make the music feel meditative and
infinite.
When played properly, the Tanpura’s sound contains hundreds of subtle frequencies,
forming a perfect blend of harmony and energy.
This is why listening to a Tanpura alone can feel calming, almost spiritual — it aligns both
the performer’s mind and the listener’s mood.
Spiritual and Psychological Impact
The Tanpura is not just an instrument; it’s a symbol of balance in music and life.
• Its four strings represent the four states of consciousness — waking, dreaming,
deep sleep, and transcendence.
• The continuous drone teaches discipline and focus, reminding musicians that all
creativity must rest on a foundation of stability.
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• Many musicians say that before singing, when they sit quietly tuning the Tanpura,
it feels like they are tuning themselves — their mind, breath, and soul — to the
rhythm of the universe.
Conclusion
The Tanpura may seem simple because it doesn’t play fast notes or fancy tunes, but in
truth, it is the heart of Indian classical music. Without it, even the most skilled singer
would find it difficult to stay in perfect pitch.
It teaches us a beautiful lesson — that greatness often lies in quiet support. The Tanpura
doesn’t seek attention; it simply creates the background for others to shine. Yet, its
presence is so powerful that without it, the music loses its soul.
So, next time you listen to a classical performance, close your eyes and focus on that
soft, endless humming in the background. That’s the Tanpura — silently whispering the
eternal truth of music:
“Harmony is not in loudness, but in balance. Beauty lies not in being heard alone, but in
making others sound divine.”
2. Saptak – Denion, Types, Explanaon – (Appeared 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Ans: The Story of Saptak – Definition, Types & Explanation
The Palace of Seven Notes
Imagine walking into a palace where seven royal siblings live. Each has a unique voice:
one bold, one soft, one playful, one serious. When they sing together, they create
melodies that touch the soul. This palace is called the Saptak, and the seven siblings are
the seven swaras (notes) of Indian music:
• Sa (Shadja)
• Re (Rishabh)
• Ga (Gandhar)
• Ma (Madhyam)
• Pa (Pancham)
• Dha (Dhaivat)
• Ni (Nishad)
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These seven notes form the foundation of every raga, every song, every tune in Indian
classical music.
Definition of Saptak
Saptak is the series of seven musical notes (Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni) arranged in
order of pitch, forming the basic scale of Indian classical music.
• The word “Saptak” comes from Sapta (seven) + ak (collection).
• Just as the alphabet is the foundation of language, the Saptak is the foundation of
music.
Story Analogy: Think of Saptak as a rainbow of sound. Just as a rainbow has seven colors
blending into each other, the Saptak has seven notes blending into melodies.
The Flow of Notes
The seven notes are not isolated—they flow like steps on a staircase:
• Starting from Sa, the base note, the singer climbs step by step to Ni.
• After Ni, the cycle repeats at a higher pitch with another Sa.
This journey from Sa to Ni and back is called an Octave in Western music, but in Indian
music, it is the Saptak.
Types of Saptak
Just as the same story can be told in different tones—whispered, spoken, or shouted—
the Saptak also exists in three main types, depending on pitch.
1. Mandra Saptak (Lower Octave)
• Notes are sung in a deep, low pitch.
• Used to create calm, serious, or meditative moods.
• Example: The soothing alap at the beginning of a raga often starts in Mandra.
Analogy: Like the deep voice of an elder telling a story by the fireplace.
2. Madhya Saptak (Middle Octave)
• Notes are sung in the natural, medium pitch.
• Most compositions are sung in this range.
• It is the “comfort zone” of the human voice.
Analogy: Like a conversation between friends—neither too soft nor too loud.
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3. Taar Saptak (Higher Octave)
• Notes are sung in a high pitch.
• Used to express excitement, intensity, or climax in music.
• Example: Fast taans (runs of notes) often soar into the Taar Saptak.
Analogy: Like a child shouting with joy on a swing, reaching higher and higher.
The Role of Saptak in Music
1. Foundation of Ragas: Every raga is built on the framework of the Saptak.
2. Expression of Emotion: Low notes create depth, middle notes create balance,
high notes create excitement.
3. Training Tool: Students practice Saptak daily to strengthen their voice and
control.
4. Bridge to Infinity: Since the cycle of Sa to Ni repeats endlessly, the Saptak
symbolizes the infinite nature of music.
Storytelling Through Saptak
Let’s imagine a singer preparing for a performance:
• She begins in the Mandra Saptak, her voice deep and steady, like dawn breaking.
• She moves into the Madhya Saptak, where the raga unfolds like the warmth of
the morning sun.
• Finally, she soars into the Taar Saptak, her voice shining like the midday sun at its
peak.
The audience feels carried on a journey—calm, balanced, and then uplifted. This is the
power of the Saptak.
Comparative Table – Types of Saptak
Type of
Saptak
Pitch
Range
Mood/Effect
Example Use
Mandra
Low
Calm, serious, meditative
Alap, devotional
songs
Madhya
Medium
Natural, balanced,
conversational
Most compositions
Taar
High
Intense, joyful, dramatic
Taans, climaxes
Saptak and Western Music
• In Western music, the octave also has seven basic notes: Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti.
• These correspond to Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni.
• The concept is universal: seven steps of sound forming the ladder of music.
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Analogy: Just as different languages have different alphabets but the same purpose,
Indian and Western notes differ in names but serve the same role.
Wrapping the Story
So, the Saptak is not just a technical term—it is the soul of Indian classical music.
• Its definition: a collection of seven notes forming the musical scale.
• Its types: Mandra (low), Madhya (middle), Taar (high).
• Its explanation: the journey of sound from depth to height, from calmness to
intensity.
The Saptak is like a staircase of emotions. Each step (note) takes us higher or lower, and
together they create the architecture of ragas. Without the Saptak, music would be like
a story without words, a rainbow without colors.
When a singer practices the Saptak, they are not just repeating notes—they are
polishing the jewels of sound that have been shining in Indian tradition for centuries.
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