Question

Choose the correct statements:
I. Jodi strings are tuned with Shadaj Swara of Madhya Saptak in Tanpura.
II. There are four Vibhagas in Dhamar Tal.
III. Komal Swara of Raga Bhairav are Re Ga Dha Ni.
IV. Sangeet Ratnakar is written by Pt. Ahobal.

• A. I and III
• B. I and II
• C. II and III
• D. III and IV

Hint:

To easily remember Dhamar Tal's structure, memorize the sequence of beats per division: 5-2-3-4. Adding these gives the total $14$ matras across $4$ vibhagas.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Evaluating Statement I (Tanpura Tuning):
A standard four-stringed Tanpura (which provides the harmonic drone during classical singing) is tuned as follows:
• 1st String: Tuned to Mandra Saptak Pancham ($Pa$), Madhyam ($Ma$), or Nishad ($Ni$) depending on the raga.
• 2nd String (Jodi/Pair): Tuned to Madhya Saptak Shadaj ($Sa$).
• 3rd String (Jodi/Pair): Tuned to Madhya Saptak Shadaj ($Sa$).
• 4th String: Tuned to Mandra Saptak Shadaj ($Sa$) (known as the Kharaj string). Since the middle two strings (known as "Jodi") are indeed tuned to the Shadaj ($Sa$) of the middle octave (Madhya Saptak), Statement I is correct.

Step 2: Evaluating Statement II (Dhamar Tal Vibhagas):
Dhamar Tal is a classic rhythmic cycle containing exactly $14$ beats (Matras). It is partitioned into $4$ divisions (Vibhagas) in a structural pattern of $5 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 14$ beats. Claps (Tali) are played on the 1st, 6th, and 11th beats, while the wave (Khali) is on the 8th beat. Since it contains 4 vibhagas, Statement II is correct.

Step 3: Evaluating Statement III (Raga Bhairav Komal Swaras):
Raga Bhairav (belonging to the Bhairav Thaat) has Shuddha Gandhar ($Ga$) and Shuddha Nishad ($Ni$). It only uses Komal Rishabh ($\underline{Re}$) and Komal Dhaivat ($\underline{Dha}$). The statement's claim that Re, Ga, Dha, Ni are Komal is false (this describes the scale of Thaat Bhairavi). Thus, Statement III is incorrect.

Step 4: Evaluating Statement IV (Authorship of Sangeet Ratnakar):
Sangeet Ratnakar was written by Pandit Sarangadeva in the 13th century. Pandit Ahobal wrote the treatise "Sangeet Parijat" in the 17th century (c. 1650 CE). Thus, Statement IV is incorrect.

Step 5: Matching the Correct Options:
Statements I and II are correct, which corresponds to option (B).