Guides & contents

ProSyllabus Journal CBSE Class 8 Annual Assessment

Complete Solutions and Summary of Indian Classical Music – NCERT Class 8, Arts, Chapter 7 – Summary, Questions, Answers, Extra Questions

Detailed summary and explanation of Chapter 7 ‘Indian Classical Music’ with all question answers, extra questions, and solutions from NCERT Class VIII, Arts (Kriti).

Updated 2 weeks agoNCERT · Class VIII · Arts · Summary · Extra Questions · Indian Classical Music · Chapter 7 · Kriti

#Indian Classical Music#Summary#Class 8#NCERT#Arts#Chapter 7#Kriti#Answers#Extra Questions

Revision kitPercentages to area: 7 chapters of rules

Marks booster + cheatsheet: key concepts in 2 lines each, common traps
Profit, loss and GST, Ch 1
Baudhāyana's theorem and triples, Ch 2
Common traps that cost marks, listed
Inverse proportion, Ch 3
Fractals, nets and views, Ch 4

Page 1 free about 8 min read, Full kit about 55 min read

₹59

Read page 1 freeabout 8 minView details

Complete Solutions and Summary of Indian Classical Music – NCERT Class 8, Arts, Chapter 7 – Summary, Questions, Answers, Extra Questions

Indian Classical Music - Complete Study Guide (Chapter 7)

Chapter Overview

7Sapta Talas

3Tala Angas

1Raag Asavari

2Devotional Traditions

What you'll learn

Carnatic Talas

Dhruva, Matya, Rupaka, Jhampa, Triputa, Ata, Eka — their structure and jathis.

Kriti

Structure of pallavi, anupallavi and charanam; example: "Sri Gananatham Bhajare".

Raag Asavari

Origin, arohana/avarohana, vadi/samvadi, pakad and performance time.

Bhakti & Sufi

How Bhakti movement and Sufism shaped devotional music: bhajans and qawwalis.

Comprehensive Chapter Summary

1. Carnatic Talas

The Sapta Talas—Dhruva, Matya, Rupaka, Jhampa, Triputa, Ata and Eka—form the rhythmic backbone of Carnatic music. Each tala is made of combinations of laghu (clap + finger counts), drutam (clap + wave) and anudrutam (a single beat). The number of beats in a laghu depends on the jathi (e.g., chatushra = 4, khanda = 5, mishra = 7, thrisra = 3).

2. Alankaras & Exercises

Alankaras are pattern-based vocal exercises that combine swaras and tala. They strengthen rhythm sense and voice control. The sapta-tala alankaras practiced across grades build up technique; Grade 8 examples include Mishra Jathi Jhampa and Khanda Jathi Ata.

3. Kriti Structure

A kriti typically has three parts: pallavi (main refrain), anupallavi (subsequent line) and charanam (final stanza). Composers such as Muthuswami Dikshitar crafted kritis with specific ragam and talam — e.g., "Sri Gananatham Bhajare" (Ragam: Ishamanohari; Talam: Rupaka). Kriti performances often include tempo variations such as madhyama kala (a section sung twice as fast).

4. Raag Asavari (Hindustani)

Key features

Raag Asavari belongs to the Bhairavi thaat. It uses komal Gandhar (G), Dhaivat (D) and Nishad (N). The vadi (most prominent) is Dhaivat and samvadi (second prominent) is Gandhar.

Its arohana (ascending) and avarohana (descending) commonly used in teaching are:
Arohanam: S R M P D Ṡ Avarohanam: Ṡ N D P M G R S

Jati is often described as audav–sampoorna (5 notes up, 7 down). Typical singing time: late morning (around 11 AM–1 PM).

5. Bhakti Sangeet & Sufi Qawwali

The Bhakti movement (6th–17th CE) created devotional repertoires such as bhajans and kirtanas — poets include Tulsidas (North) and Purandara Dasa (South). Sufi traditions, led by saints like Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, used qawwali as a form of mystical devotion — group singing, repetitive refrains and strong rhythm.

6. Teaching Activities & Assessment

Activities suggested in the chapter include accompanying a melody on a familiar instrument, singing pieces at varying tempi, and practicing tala with claps and finger counts. The chapter also emphasizes the ability to sing basic songs, keep tala, and understand bhakti influences as key learning outcomes.

Questions & Answers (from Chapter 7)

Short Questions (15 — 1 mark each)

Medium Questions (15 — 3 marks each)

Q1. Explain the three angas of tala.

Laghu: clap + finger counts (length varies with jathi). Drutam: clap + wave. Anudrutam: a single beat. These create the tala's internal structure. (3 marks)

Q2. What are alankaras and why are they important?

Model answer locked

Q3. Describe the structure of a kriti.

Model answer locked

Q4. Explain the terms arohanam and avarohanam.

Model answer locked

Q5. Why is Raag Asavari audav–sampoorna?

Model answer locked

Q6. State the role of vadi and samvadi notes.

Model answer locked

Q7. How did the Bhakti movement shape music?

Model answer locked

Q8. What features identify a kriti performance?

Model answer locked

Q9. Give examples of tempo variations used in the chapter.

Model answer locked

Q10. Describe Rupaka tala briefly.

Model answer locked

Q11. How are alankaras used in pedagogy?

Model answer locked

Q12. Mention two composers or poets referenced in the chapter.

Model answer locked

Q13. How do accompanists support a kriti?

Model answer locked

Q14. Explain the pedagogical activity of tempo change.

Model answer locked

Q15. What is the educational value of learning tala?

Model answer locked

Long Questions (15 — 5 marks each)

Q1. Explain the Sapta Talas and their significance in Carnatic music.

Answer: The Sapta Talas—Dhruva, Matya, Rupaka, Jhampa, Triputa, Ata and Eka—are foundational rhythmic cycles in Carnatic music. Each tala is built by combining laghu (variable beat count determined by jathi), drutam (clap + wave) and anudrutam (single beat) in different sequences. For example, Triputa often appears as 7 beats (1 laghu of 3 + 2 drutams), while Jhampa includes an anudrutam. These talas provide frameworks for composers and performers to structure compositions and improvisations, and they guide accompanists in rhythmic accompaniment. Understanding sapta talas is essential for tala-keeping, improvisation, and performing kritis correctly. (5 marks)

Q2. Describe the kriti “Sri Gananatham Bhajare” and its musical features.

"Sri Gananatham Bhajare" by Muthuswami… Model answer locked

Q3. Discuss the characteristics and teaching points of Raag Asavari.

Raag Asavari — from Bhairavi thaat — uses… Model answer locked

Q4. Analyze how the Bhakti movement influenced Indian classical and devotional music.

The Bhakti movement democratized devotional… Model answer locked

Q5. Evaluate the role of tempo changes (like madhyama kala) in a musical piece.

Tempo changes, such as madhyama kala, alter… Model answer locked

Q6. Explain how alankaras build a student's musical ability, giving examples.

Alankaras are systematic exercises where… Model answer locked

Q7. Discuss the ensemble instruments mentioned in the chapter and their roles.

Answer: Typical Carnatic ensembles include mridangam (primary percussion providing tala), violin (melodic support and improvisation), ghatam (percussive texture) and morsing (jaw harp-like rhythm). In Hindustani ensembles for devotional or classical forms, harmonium, tabla, and sarangi may appear. Each accompanist listens and responds to the lead performer — percussion maintains tempo and provides rhythmic interaction, while melodic accompanists echo and complement the main line. (5 marks)

Q8. How does the notation of bol and matra help in teaching talas?

'Bol' syllables denote rhythmic strokes… Model answer locked

Q9. Compare Carnatic and Hindustani approaches to devotion-inspired music.

Both traditions incorporate devotional music… Model answer locked

Q10. Provide a lesson-plan style activity using tempo change and accompaniment.

Activity: Choose a simple kriti. Step 1: Sing… Model answer locked

Q11. Discuss the cultural significance of Bhakti and Sufi songs in community life.

Bhakti and Sufi songs offered accessible… Model answer locked

Q12. Analyze a pedagogical progression from alankaras to kriti performance.

Pedagogy starts with basic swara exercises… Model answer locked

Q13. Explain the role of pakad in distinguishing ragas using Asavari as example.

Pakad is a characteristic phrase that… Model answer locked

Q14. Describe how notation and oral tradition complement each other in this chapter.

Notation (sargam, bols, matras) captures… Model answer locked

Q15. Propose assessment criteria for the chapter's learning outcomes.

Criteria: ability to sing a basic composition… Model answer locked

3 of 45 model answers are free on this page. Unlock the other 42 answers with the Class 8 pack of all available revision kits

This article has been published in CBSE Class 8 Annual Assessment. Explore everything related to it here.

CBSE Class 8 kits

Revision kitPercentages to area: 7 chapters of rules

Marks booster + cheatsheet: key concepts in 2 lines each, common traps
Profit, loss and GST, Ch 1
Baudhāyana's theorem and triples, Ch 2
Common traps that cost marks, listed
Inverse proportion, Ch 3
Fractals, nets and views, Ch 4

Page 1 free about 8 min read, Full kit about 55 min read

₹59

Read page 1 freeabout 8 minView details

Revision kit13 chapters: cells to Our Home: Earth

Marks booster + cheatsheet: key concepts in 2 lines each, common traps
Cells and microbes, Ch 2
Magnetic and heating effects, Ch 4
Common traps, corrected
Pressure, winds and cyclones, Ch 6
Mirrors and lenses, Ch 10

Page 1 free about 8 min read, Full kit about 55 min read

₹59

Read page 1 freeabout 8 minView details

Revision kit7 chapters: square roots to rule of three

Marks booster + cheatsheet: key concepts in 2 lines each
Exponent laws, Ch 2
Quadrilateral property matrix, Ch 4
Divisibility tests, Ch 5
Base-n numerals, Ch 3
Identities by distributivity, Ch 6

Page 1 free about 8 min read, Full kit about 55 min read

₹59

Read page 1 freeabout 8 minView details

Revision kitAll 10 मल्हार lessons + 3 extra readings

Marks booster + cheatsheet: key concepts in 2 lines each
Author, form and summary for every पाठ
5 कविताएँ and 2 कहानियाँ, each with its भाव
Every भाषा-बिंदु the book teaches, together
रचनाकार table for the whole book
12 भूलें students make, corrected

Page 1 free about 8 min read, Full kit about 55 min read

₹59

Read page 1 freeabout 8 minView details

Revision kit7 chapters: Sultanate to Parliament

Marks booster + cheatsheet: key concepts in 2 lines each
Sultanate, Vijayanagara and Mughals, Ch 2
Rise of the Marathas, Ch 3
Colonial era: famines, the drain, 1857
Universal franchise and elections, Ch 5
Factors of production, Ch 7

Page 1 free about 8 min read, Full kit about 55 min read

₹59

Read page 1 freeabout 8 minView details

Revision kitAll 15 Poorvi texts across 5 units

Marks booster + cheatsheet: key concepts in 2 lines each
12 exam traps, listed
Plot, characters and themes for each text
5 poems compared side by side
11 writing formats in one place
Grammar point of each lesson, page-numbered

Page 1 free about 8 min read, Full kit about 55 min read

₹59

Read page 1 freeabout 8 minView details

Get alerts for CBSE Class 8 Annual Assessment

Dates, results and cutoffs, by email when they are announced. Free.

Google, Apple, or a code to your phone or email. It is saved to your account.

This chapter is part of the CBSE Class 8 Annual Assessment Board ExaminationExplore every chapter — summary, notes, extra questions & MCQ quizzes

Topic tests for CBSE Class 8 Annual Assessment

Short tests, one topic at a time, with every answer explained.

Double-checked questions Real exam pattern 1 free test every month, then ₹9 per test

Exploring Forces

Start here

Science 10 Qs · ~10 min