Prelims 2009 · archive
EasyThe brothers Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha are
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) Dhrupad vocalists
The Gundecha Brothers, Umakant and Ramakant of Bhopal, are Hindustani classical singers known for Dhrupad. They were disciples of Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar. The Sangeet Natak Akademi lists their concerts as Dhrupad, and its 2017 award to them was a joint award in Hindustani Vocal.
- ✓ (a) They are Dhrupad vocalists. The Sangeet Natak Akademi lists their concert as 'Gundecha Brothers, Bhopal – Dhrupad'. The Akademi's 2017 awards name them under Hindustani Vocal as a joint award.
- ✗ (b) They are not Kathak dancers. Their art is singing, not dance. Their guru, Zia Fariduddin Dagar, was a Dhrupad vocalist, not a dancer.
- ✗ (c) They are not Sarod players. The sarod is an instrument, whereas the Gundechas are vocalists. The Akademi places their award under Hindustani Vocal, not Instrumental.
- ✗ (d) They are not Tabla players. In the same 2017 award list, Yogesh Samsi is the one named under Hindustani Instrumental – Tabla.
Remember · Gundecha Brothers (Umakant and Ramakant, Bhopal) = Dhrupad vocalists, disciples of Zia Fariduddin Dagar. Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2017 (joint), Hindustani Vocal.
Sources
- PIB – Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for 2017 ↗ “Umakant Gundecha and Ramakant Gundecha (Gundecha Brothers) (Joint Award) - Hindustani Vocal, Yogesh Samsi - Hindustani Instrumental- Tabla”
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Annual Report 2011–12 (Dhrupad Mahotsav, Kolkata) ↗ “17 April, 6.00 p.m. Gundecha Brothers, Bhopal – Dhrupad”
- Sangeet Natak Akademi – Awardee profile, Zia Fariduddin Dagar ↗ “Among his disciples are Saroashri Ritwik Sanyal, Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha, and Uday Bhawalkar.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2009, General Studies paper. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·