ICSE Class 10 Question Paper 2026 Hindustani Music

ICSE | Class 10

Hindustani Music
Question Paper 2026

Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

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HINDUSTANI MUSIC

Maximum Marks: 100

Time allowed: Two hours

1. Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.

2. You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.

3. This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.

4. The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.

5. Attempt five questions in all.

6. Section A is compulsory. Answer any four questions either from Section B (Vocal Music
and Instrumental Music) or from Section C (Tabla).

7. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets[ ].

Instruction for the Supervising Examiner

Kindly read aloud the Instructions given above to all the candidates present in the
Examination Hall.

This paper consists of 11 printed pages and 1 blank page.
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© Copyright reserved.

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SECTION A (20 Marks)

(Answer all questions from this Section.)

Question 1

Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options. [20]

(Do not copy the questions, write the correct answers only.)

(i) The Taals having Khali on 9th matra are:

(a) Ektaal, Chartaal

(b) Jhumra, Deepchandi

(c) Teentaal, Tilwara

(d) Sooltaal, Jhaptaal

(ii) Dugun means two bols in one beat.

(a) True

(b) False

(iii) Dhi Na | Dhi ...... is the starting bol of which Taal?
x 2
(a) Roopak Taal

(b) Jhaptaal

(c) Teentaal

(d) Deepchandi Taal

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(iv) A Taal having twelve matras is:

(a) Teentaal

(b) Deepchandi

(c) Roopak

(d) Ektaal

(v) Dugun of Keharwa Taal is completed within __________.

(a) 2 matras

(b) 3 matras

(c) 4 matras

(d) 5 matras

(vi) Identify the Taal having two Khali:

(a) Dadra

(b) Chartaal

(c) Teentaal

(d) Roopak

(vii) The Taal having Khali on 1st matra is ____________.

(a) Keherwa

(b) Roopak

(c) Dadra

(d) Jhaptaal

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(viii) The name of a Taal having 3/4/3/4 division is:

(a) Ektaal

(b) Chartaal

(c) Jhaptaal

(d) Deepchandi

(ix) In the Taal notation system, the Khali is denoted as __________ Sam as
__________.

(a) 0, 0

(b) X, 0

(c) X, 2

(d) 0, X

(x) The musical notation system that we are following till date, has been
contributed by __________.

(a) Pt. Vinayak Patwardhan

(b) Vidwan Venkat Mukhi

(c) Dr. Ashok Ranade

(d) Pt. Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande

(xi) __________ instrument is not used for Raag improvisation.

(a) Phakhawaj

(b) Flute

(c) Sitar

(d) Violin

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(xii) Shyam is a vocalist and Ram, his friend is a Tabla player. Shyam wants to sing
a chota khayal in 7 beat cycle, so which taal should be selected by Ram to
accompany?

(a) Rupak

(b) Teevra

(c) Sool taal

(d) Dhamar

(xiii) Identify the following instruments:

(a) Tabla and Sitar

(b) Sarangi and Tabla

(c) Khol and Pakhawaj

(d) Tabla and Violin

(xiv) One bol found in one matra is called __________.

(a) Ekgun

(b) Dugun

(c) Tigun

(d) Chaugun

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(xv) Identify the following musicians:

(a) Pt. Kishan Maharaj and Pt. Samta Prasad

(b) Pt. Bhimsen Joshi and Ustad Zakir Hussain

(c) Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Pt. Jasraj

(d) Pt. Vinayak Rao Patwardhan and Pt. Kumar Gandharv

(xvi) 2-3-2-3 Pattern is used in:

(a) Kaherwa

(b) Jhaptaal

(c) Roopak

(d) Ektaal

(xvii) Assertion (A): Bada Khayal is sung in a slow speed.

Reason (R): Tilwada is played only in Vilambit laya and is suitable for
Vilambit Khayal.

(a) (A) is true and (R) is false.

(b) (A) is false and (R) is true.

(c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

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(xviii) Dadra has seven maatras.

(a) True

(b) False

(xix) Match List I with List II.

List I List II

A. Dadra 1. 14

B. Chartaal 2. 6

C. Teentaal 3. 12

D. Deepchandi taal 4. 16

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(a) A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1

(b) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1

(c) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1

(d) A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2

(xx) Dugun laya is half of:

(a) Dugun

(b) Tigun

(c) Chougun

(d) Adi

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SECTION B (80 Marks)

(For candidates offering Vocal / Instrumental Music excluding Tabla)

(Attempt any four questions from this Section.)

Question 2 [20]

Explain the term Shruti and write the placement of 7 Shudha Swaras on 22 Shruties.

Question 3 [20]

Write the complete notation of a Drut Khayal or Razakhani Gat in a Raag of Odava –
Odava Jati.

Question 4 [20]

Differentiate between any one of the following:

(i) Raag Kaphi and Raag Bageshwari

(ii) Raag Bhairavi and Raag Malkauns

Question 5 [20]

Give a brief account of the life, work and contributions of Vishnu Digambar Paluskar.

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Question 6 [20]

Write short notes on any four of the following terms:

(i) Gamak

(ii) Chaugun

(iii) Meend

(iv) Khatka

(v) Razakhani Gat

(vi) Thumri

(vii) Sound

(viii) Kan Swar

Question 7 [20]
Identify the note combination and name each raga and write Aroha-Avaroha:
(i) Ga Pa Dha Pa GaRe Sa

(ii) Dha Ni Dha Ma Ga Sa
|
(iii) Ni-Re-Ga,
. Re-Sa, Ni-Re-Sa,
. Pa-Ma-Ga-Re, Ni-Re-Sa
.
(iv) Re Ma pa, Ni Dha pa, Dha Ma Ga Re, Ga Ni
. Sa

Question 8 [20]
Draw a well-labelled diagram of your musical instrument. Indicate all the parts and write
the functions of each part of the musical instrument.

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SECTION C (80 Marks)
(For candidates offering Tabla)

(Attempt any four questions from this Section.)

Question 9 [20]
Give the complete notation in Dugun and Chaugun Laya of the following Taals:

(i) Taal of 10 matras

(ii) Taal of 16 matras

Question 10
Draw a well-labelled diagram of Tabla (Dahina and Bayan). Indicate the parts and write [20]
the utility of each part.

Question 11 [20]
Identify the following taals and write their Theka:
(i) Dha Dhin S | Dha Dha Tin S
x 2
(ii) TiNa |
0
(iii) Dhage Tirkit | Dhi Na
3 4
(iv) Dha Dha | Din Ta | Kit Dha | Tit Kat
x 0 2 3
(v) Dha Tin Tin Ta
0

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Question 12 [20]
Explain any two of the following:
(i) Chakkardar Tukda

(ii) Damdar and Bedam Tihai

(iii) Paran

Question 13 [20]
What do you understand by Varna? Explain in detail.

Question 14 [20]
Explain any two of the following with examples:

(i) Tukra

(ii) Kayda

(iii) Tigun

Question 15
Give a brief account of the life, contributions and achievements of a globally famous Tabla [20]
player of your choice.

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