UPSC Prelims 2005 Q28: Art & Culture – Music
Whose autobiography is the book “My Music, My Life”?
- (a) Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma
- (b) Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
- (c) Pandit Ravi Shankar
- (d) Ustad Zakir Hussain
Answer: (c) Pandit Ravi Shankar
Explanation
Autobiography 'My Music, My Life'
| Musician | Link to the book |
|---|---|
| Pandit Ravi Shankar | Author of *My Music, My Life* (1968) |
| Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma | Santoor maestro; not the author |
| Ustad Amjad Ali Khan | Sarod maestro; wrote *Master on Masters* |
| Ustad Zakir Hussain | Tabla maestro; not the author |
*My Music, My Life* is the autobiography of the sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, published in 1968.
Answer: (c) Pandit Ravi Shankar.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Shiv Kumar Sharma is a santoor player.
- (b) Incorrect. Amjad Ali Khan is a sarod player and wrote a different book.
- (c) CORRECT. Ravi Shankar wrote *My Music, My Life*.
- (d) Incorrect. Zakir Hussain is a tabla player.
Key point
Ravi Shankar: sitar; 'My Music, My Life' (1968); 'Raga Mala' (1997).
Remember
Ravi Shankar wrote 'My Music, My Life'.
Common mistakes
- Attributing the book to Amjad Ali Khan because of the similar subject.
- Confusing sitar and santoor players.
- Forgetting Ravi Shankar's other book Raga Mala.
Exam tip
Musician autobiographies: match instrument and name.
Sources
- Ravi Shankar — My Music, My Life (1968)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Ravi Shankar