Question

Which of the following musical instruments is popular among the Mev People of Alwar?
A) Shahnai
B) Bhapang
C) Pungi
D) Ektaara

Answer 1

Hint: The given question asks us to find the traditional instrument of the Mev people of Alwar. Mev or Meo, also called Mewati is a Muslim community from North-Western India, especially in and around Mewat that includes Mewat district of Haryana and parts of Alwar and Bharatpur districts in Rajasthan. This community speaks Mewati.

Complete answer:
Even in this modern era, traditional folk songs and instruments used for it are popular. Other Indian instruments are related to Hindustani classical music.

Now let us analyze the given options:
Option A) Shehnai: This option is incorrect as ‘Shehnai’ is usually played at traditional North Indian weddings and in West India and Coastal Karnataka. Thus, as a Hindu community used instrument, it is not usually used by the Mev People of Alwar.
Option B) Bhapang: This option is correct as ‘Bhapang’ is played by nomadic saints of the Mev-Muslim community apart from the Bhat community in Rajasthan. Thus, ‘Bhapang’ is popular among the Mev People of Alwar. Bhapang resembles the conventional two-headed percussion instrument- Damru. Bhapang is a traditional folk string instrument from Rajasthan.
Option C) Pungi: This option is incorrect as ‘Pungi’ is is a wind instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent and is played by snake charmers, especially cobra charmers in Sindh, Pakistan, and Rajasthan states of India. Thus, it is not used by the Mev People of Alwar.
Option D) Ektaara: This option is incorrect as ‘Ektaara’ is a stringed instrument made of bamboo, parchment and steel which is found in Maharashtra. It is a traditional instrument that is used by traditional folk singers in various parts of Maharashtra. Thus, it is not used by the Mev People of Alwar.

Therefore the correct answer is option ‘B’.

Note: ‘Bhapang’, a single-stringed unconventional musical instrument is used by the folk musicians of Rajasthan as well as India. It has a string fixed at the centre of the skin that is alternately tautly stretched and relaxed by the player when playing the instrument and is used for solo performances and as a consequent instrument for bhajans, spiritual songs, poetic songs and folk songs. Due to its popularity among Jogis or saints, Bhapang is also called Jogia Sarangi.