HorthooZ – Kerala GK, PSC Questions & Onam Quiz

Question 1

Who wrote the famous Malayalam play 'Ningalenne Communistakkyi' (You Made Me a Communist), which played a monumental role in the Kerala peasant movement?

A N. Krishna Pillai

B P. Kesavadev

C Thoppil Bhasi

D K. Damodaran

Question 2

Which folk art form of Kerala involves performers drawing colorful floor designs of deities using natural powders before wiping them away in a ritual?

A Pookkalam

B Kalamezhuthu

C Rangoli

D Kolam

Question 3

What is the name of the traditional Muslim wedding art form and folk dance prevalent in the Malabar region of Kerala?

A Oppana

B Margamkali

C Kolkkali

D Duffmuttu

Question 4

Which classical Carnatic music trinity composer composed the famous 'Pancharatna Kritis'?

A Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Syama Sastri

B Chembai, Palakkad Mani Iyer, and K. J. Yesudas

C Semmangudi, M. S. Subbulakshmi, and Balamuralikrishna

D Purandara Dasa, Swathi Thirunal, and Annamacharya

Question 5

Which famous festival held in Thrissur, Kerala, is renowned for its spectacular caparisoned elephant procession and traditional percussion ensemble (Pandi Melam)?

A Makara Vilakku

B Nehru Trophy Boat Race

C Attukal Pongala

D Thrissur Pooram

Question 6

Which epic Malayalam novel written by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai depicts the lives of fishermen in a coastal village of Kerala?

A Enippadikal

B Chemmeen

C Kayar

D Randidangazhi

Question 7

Which UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kerala features 16th-century Portuguese and Dutch colonial architecture alongside traditional Kerala structures?

A Fort Kochi and Mattancherry (Historic townscape)

B Thalassery Fort

C Padmanabhapuram Palace

D Bekal Fort

Question 8

Which famous temple in Kerala hosts the traditional 'Aranmula Uthrattathi' snake boat regatta on the Pampa river?

A Sabarimala Temple

B Mannarasala Temple

C Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

D Chengannur Mahadeva Temple

Question 9

Which famous Malayalam poem written by Vailoppilli Sreedhara Menon explores human greed, industrialization, and environmental destruction through the metaphor of a harvested field?

A Mambazha

B Sahityam

C Kannikkuyil

D Kudiyozhikkal (The Eviction)

Question 10

Who composed the immortal Malayalam lyric 'Manushyan Mathangale Srishtichu' (Man Created Religions)?

A Kumaran Asan

B Vallathol Narayana Menon

C Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer

D Changampuzha

Question 11

Which historic fort in Kerala, built by the Dutch and later captured by the British, is located near Kochi and houses old European cemeteries?

A Pallipuram Fort / Fort Kochi ramparts

B Palakkad Fort

C Bekal Fort

D St. Angelo Fort

Question 12

Who wrote the famous Malayalam novel 'Kayar', a monumental epic depicting the socio-economic transformation of Kuttanad over a century?

A Uroob

B Kesavadev

C M. Mukundan

D Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai

Question 13

What is the name of the traditional ritualistic harvest dance performed by women in Kerala during the Onam festival, moving in circles clapping hands?

A Margamkali

B Thiruvathirakali / Kaikottikali

C Oppana

D Duffmuttu

Question 14

Which historic temple in Kerala is globally famous for its monumental architecture, intricate stone carvings, and the 'Murajapam' festival?

A Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple

B Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple

C Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram

D Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur

Question 15

What is the name of the satirical art form created by Kunchan Nambiar, performed with rhythmic narration and dance movements?

A Koodiyattam

B Ottamthullal

C Chakyار Koothu

D Pathakam

Question 16

What is the name of the traditional ritualistic percussion art form of Kerala where a single drummer performs solo on a high pedestal surrounded by lighting?

A Panchavadyam

B Thayambaka

C Pandi Melam

D Chenda Melam

Question 17

What is the ancient Sanskrit theatrical art form of Kerala recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity?

A Theyyam

B Koodiyattam

C Chakyar Koothu

D Thiruvathirakali

Question 18

What is the name of the traditional martial art form practiced in Kerala, considered one of the oldest fighting systems in existence?

A Silambam

B Kalaripayattu

C Pari-Khanda

D Thang-Ta

Question 19

What is the name of the ancient ritualistic theatre art form performed in the Bhagavathi temples of Kerala, featuring intricate body paintings of deities?

A Padayani

B Thiyyattu

C Koodiyattam

D Mudiyettu

Question 20

Which classical instrument is Pandit Ravi Shankar world-famous for playing?

A Tabla

B Sarod

C Flute

D Sitar

Question 21

Which renowned composer and Maharaja of Travancore is credited with composing hundreds of Carnatic classical music krithis in multiple languages?

A Kunjan Nambiar

B Irayimman Thampi

C Vadasseri Ammachi

D Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma

Question 22

Who authored the socio-political satirical novel 'Oru Sankeerthanam Pole' (Like a Psalm), set against the backdrop of war-torn Yugoslavia?

A Benyamin

B Zacharia

C Perumbadavam Sreedharan

D Sethu

Question 23

Which iconic Malayalam novel by O. V. Vijayan portrays the existential disillusionment of Ravi in the remote village of Thasildar?

A Khasinte Ithihasam

B Dharmapuram

C Randamoozham

D Gurusagaram

Question 24

Who authored the biographical novel 'Aarachar' (Executioner), depicting the lineage of executioners from ancient Bengal?

A Balamani Amma

B Anand

C Sugathakumari

D K. R. Meera

Question 25

Who was the first-ever recipient of the prestigious Jnanpith Award for Malayalam literature, honored in 1965 for his poetry collection 'Odakkuzhal'?

A G. Sankara Kurup

B S. K. Pottekkatt

C O. N. V. Kurup

D Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai

Question 26

Which 1889 novel written by O. Chandu Menon is celebrated as the first major novel in the Malayalam language?

A Kandathil Varghese Mappillai

B Indulekha

C Sharada

D Premasagaram

Question 27

Who authored 'Oru Desathinte Katha' (The Story of a Locale), which won both the Sahitya Akademi and Jnanpith awards?

A M. T. Vasudevan Nair

B Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai

C S. K. Pottekkatt

D O. V. Vijayan

Question 28

Which ancient temple in Kerala is known for its exquisite wood carvings and mural paintings depicting the Ramayana on the temple ceilings?

A Guruvayur Temple

B Vadakkunnathan Temple

C Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) murals / Ramayana frescoes

D Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Question 29

Which classical percussion instrument of Kerala, made of jackfruit wood and animal hide, is the principal accompaniment in Kathakali and traditional temple rituals?

A Mridangam

B Tabla

C Edakka

D Chenda

Question 30

Who is the acclaimed author of the Malayalam novel 'Balyakalasakhi' (The Childhood Friend), a poignant tragedy of unfulfilled love?

A S. K. Pottekkatt

B Vaikom Muhammad Basheer

C Thakazhi

D P. Kesavadev

Question 31

What is the name of the traditional devotional dance form performed by women in Kerala holding oil lamps (Nilavilakku) during festive nights?

A Oppana

B Duffmuttu

C Margamkali

D Deepalakshmi / Thiruvathirakali

Question 32

Who is the legendary author of the classic Malayalam epic poem 'Marthandavarma', published in 1891?

A C. V. Raman Pillai

B O. Chandu Menon

C Kumaran Asan

D Vallathol Narayana Menon

Question 33

Who composed the touching Malayalam elegy 'Mambazha' (The Mango Fruit), lamenting the loss of a mischievous child?

A Vailoppilli Sreedhara Menon

B Changampuzha

C Kumaran Asan

D Edasseri Govindan Nair

Question 34

Who is the legendary Malayalam poet known as the author of the romantic masterpiece 'Ramanan', which sold record numbers of copies?

A P. Kunhiraman Nair

B Edasseri Govindan Nair

C Changampuzha Krishna Pillai

D N. V. Krishna Warrier

Question 35

Who wrote the classic Malayalam novel 'Naalukettu', exploring the disintegration of the traditional matrilineal joint family system (Taravad)?

A M. T. Vasudevan Nair

B K. Surendran

C P. Kesavadev

D O. Chandu Menon

Question 36

Which famous poet composed the patriotic nationalist poem 'Ente Bhoomi' and was honored with the title 'Mahakavi'?

A Kumaran Asan

B Vailoppilli Sreedhara Menon

C Vallathol Narayana Menon

D Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer

Question 37

Who among the following is renowned as one of the triumvirate poets (Kavithrayam) of modern Malayalam literature alongside Ulloor and Vallathol?

A Changampuzha Krishna Pillai

B Balamani Amma

C Kumaran Asan

D G. Sankara Kurup

Question 38

What is the name of the traditional folk art of Kerala where performers dress up with painted tiger bodies and dance during Onam processions?

A Puli Kali (Tiger Dance)

B Therukoothu

C Kavadi Attam

D Mayil Attam

Question 39

What is the name of the traditional ritualistic dance-drama performed in the temples of central Kerala during the Malayalam month of Medam, depicting the story of Daksha yaga?

A Theyyam

B Padayani

C Mudiyettu

D Kootiyattam / Krishnanattam / Pavakathakali

Question 40

Who is the legendary author of 'Randamoozham' (The Second Turn), a retelling of the Mahabharata from the perspective of Bhima?

A M. T. Vasudevan Nair

B P. Valsalan

C Kakkanadan

D M. Mukundan

Question 41

Which classical dance of Kerala is traditionally performed solo by women, characterized by graceful, swaying body movements and white-and-gold kasavu attire?

A Kathakali

B Ottamthullal

C Koodiyattam

D Mohiniyattam

Question 42

What is the name of the wooden royal palace located in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, built by the kings of Travancore using traditional Kerala architecture?

A Hill Palace, Tripunithura

B Padmanabhapuram Palace

C Mattancherry Palace

D Kanakakunnu Palace

Question 43

What is the primary theme of the traditional Malayalam folk songs known as 'Vaddakkan Pattukal' (Ballads of North Malabar)?

A Heroic ballads celebrating martial prowess, honor, and legends of Chekavar warriors like Thacholi Othenan

B Agricultural sowing seasons and monsoon rains

C Maritime fishing expeditions in the Arabian Sea

D Philosophical Vedanta teachings of ancient sages

Question 44

Which traditional percussion ensemble of Kerala features a grand assembly of drums like Chenda and Ilathalam, performed in temple festivals?

A Pandi Melam / Panchavadyam

B Kombu Pattu

C Thayambaka

D Nadaswaram Melam

Question 45

Which ritualistic dance-cum-worship form of North Kerala involves vibrant body costumes, elaborate headgears, and intense trance-like performances?

A Thira

B Theyyam

C Kavadiyattom

D Pullyattom

Question 46

What is the traditional mural art style of Kerala, prominently seen on the inner walls of ancient temples and palaces, characterized by rich natural pigments?

A Madhubani Art

B Pattachitra

C Warli Painting

D Kerala Mural Painting

Question 47

Which classical dance form of Kerala is famous for its elaborate facial makeup, colorful costumes, and storytelling based on Hindu epics?

A Mohiniyattam

B Bharatanatyam

C Kuchipudi

D Kathakali

Question 48

What is the primary musical instrument accompanying the traditional devotional songs known as 'Sopana Sangeetham' in Kerala temples?

A Harmonium

B Edakka

C Mridangam

D Flute

Question 49

Which famous traditional boat race of Kerala is held annually in the Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha?

A Nehru Trophy Boat Race

B Aranmula Uthrattathi Vallamkali

C Payippad Boat Race

D Champakulam Moolam Boat Race

Question 50

What is the name of the traditional copper drum instrument of Kerala played extensively during temple festivals alongside the Chenda?

A Mridangam

B Udukku

C Ghatam

D Idakka