Question

Arrange the Tabla players in ascending order according to birth year :
A. Pandit Ram Sahai
B. Pandit Kanthe Maharaj
C. Ustad Ahmadjaan Thirakwa
D. Ustad Allahrakha Khan
E. Pandit Samta Prasad
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. B, A, C, D, E
• B. A, B, C, D, E
• C. E, D, C, B, A
• D. C, D, B, A, E

Hint:

Pandit Ram Sahai lived during the late 18th century, making him the earliest pioneer among the choices. In contrast, mid-20th century masters like Ustad Allahrakha and Pandit Samta Prasad represent more recent generations.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: Arranging historical masters in ascending order according to birth year means listing them chronologically from the earliest pioneer to the most recent artist.

Step 1: Identify the historical birth years for each master.
Let us review the historical timelines for these eminent percussion artists:
• A. Pandit Ram Sahai: Born in 1780. He was the legendary founder of the Banaras Gharana.
• B. Pandit Kanthe Maharaj: Born in 1880. He was a prominent pillar of the Banaras Gharana.
• C. Ustad Ahmadjaan Thirakwa: Born in 1892. He was an iconic master of the Farrukhabad Gharana, often celebrated as the king of modern solo performance.
• D. Ustad Allahrakha Khan: Born in 1919. He was a legendary maestro of the Punjab Gharana.
• E. Pandit Samta Prasad: Born in 1921. He was a dynamic virtuoso of the Banaras Gharana, also known as Gudai Maharaj.

Step 2: Arrange the artists chronologically.
Ordering these birth years from earliest to latest produces the following sequence: Ram Sahai (1780) \(\rightarrow\) Kanthe Maharaj (1880) \(\rightarrow\) Ahmadjaan Thirakwa (1892) \(\rightarrow\) Allahrakha Khan (1919) \(\rightarrow\) Samta Prasad (1921). This matches the chronological progression A, B, C, D, E, which corresponds to option (2).