Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Karnataka celebrates the Bali Padyami festival today, marking the fourth day of Deepavali. The festival honors Asura king Bali Chakravarty, who visits Earth as per a boon from Lord Vishnu. Bali Padyami follows worship of Ganga Matha, Naraka Chaturdashi, and Lakshmi Pooja on the preceding days. Temples are decorated with colorful rangoli, and thousands of lamps are lit at night. Special Abhisheka rituals with milk and auspicious ingredients are performed for the deity. Houses display triangular images of King Bali, made from clay or cow dung and adorned with flowers, symbolizing prosperity and welfare.

Notes:
Ningol Chakkouba, a key festival in Manipur, was celebrated with enthusiasm. Traditionally held on the second lunar day of Hiyangei month, its origins trace back to King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba’s rule. “Ningol” means “married woman,” and “Chakouba” means “feast invitation,” where married daughters are invited by their parents for a family feast. The festival strengthens bonds among brothers, sisters, and parents. Initially celebrated by the Meitei community, it is now observed by many other communities as well.

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Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Abhay Prabhavana Museum in Pune, India’s largest museum dedicated to Jain philosophy and heritage. Set on 50 acres along the Indrayani river, it features 30 galleries showcasing the essence of Jain philosophy through interactive exhibits, artworks, and advanced technology. The museum aims to attract over 2,000 visitors daily and will include a separate children’s section to simplify complex concepts, making it a global cultural landmark.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 1st Bodoland Mahotsav in New Delhi, a two-day event celebrating Bodo culture, language, and heritage. The Mahotsav promotes peace and unity under the theme “Peace and Harmony for Prosperous Bharat.” It aims to strengthen ties among Bodo communities across Assam, West Bengal, Nepal, and border areas of the Northeast. The event highlights Bodoland’s cultural, linguistic, and ecological diversity and tourism potential.

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The Ustad Bismilliah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2022 and 2023 recently conferred to 82 young artists in a ceremony in New Delhi. It was instituted by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2006, it honors artists under 40 in music, dance, drama, folk arts, and puppetry. The award includes Rs 25,000, a plaque, and an angavastram. The award aims to encourage young artists in India. Ustad Bismillah Khan was a renowned Shehnai musician who performed at India’s first Republic Day in 1950 and was the first Indian at the Lincoln Centre in the USA.

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The Rengma Naga tribe celebrated the Ngada festival-cum-Mini Hornbill Festival at the Tseminyu RSA ground in Nagaland. The Rengma Nagas are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group living in Nagaland and Assam. As per the 2011 Census, their population is 62,951 in Nagaland and around 22,000 in Assam. They identify as “Njong” or “Injang” and belong to the Mongoloid racial stock. They migrated from Southeast Asia through the Yunnan Mountains to upper Burma before settling in Northeast India. Slavery was once practiced among them but had declined by the time the British arrived in the region.

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The Union government has approved loans under the Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme to develop the Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit in Telangana. The Ramappa Temple, also known as the Rudreshwara Temple, is a Kakatiya-style Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. Built in 1213 AD, it was commissioned by Kakati Ganapathi Deva and his Chief Commander Rudra Samani. The temple is named after its chief sculptor, Ramappa, making it unique as a temple named after an architect.

Notes:
Ningol Chakouba, a festival of the Meitei community in Manipur, was celebrated near Moodbidri. The event was organized by Alva’s Education Foundation with participation from Northeast students. It highlights and preserves the Meitei community’s rich cultural heritage. The festival symbolizes the bond between mothers, daughters, brothers, and sisters, emphasizing women’s importance in Manipuri society and strengthening family ties.

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The 2nd Edition of the Krishnaveni Sangeetha Neerajanam Music Festival celebrated at the Tummalapalli Kshetrayya Kalakshetra Auditorium in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The three-day festival features over 140 artists and 35 programs celebrating Carnatic music and Andhra Pradesh’s cultural legacy. The festival showcases GI-tagged handicrafts and handlooms from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Indian Culinary Institute (ICI), Tirupati, highlights Andhra Pradesh’s culinary traditions with regional delicacies. The event integrates music, crafts, and cuisine, promoting Music Tourism and celebrating the state’s cultural heritage and traditions.

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The Eklingji Temple in Udaipur has introduced new rules, including a dress code and a mobile phone ban, to maintain sanctity. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped as Ekling Nath, the ruling deity of the Mewar kingdom. The temple is located in Kailashpuri, 22 km from Udaipur, Rajasthan. It was built in the 8th century by Bappa Rawal, founder of the Mewar dynasty. The temple showcases intricately carved stone architecture and houses a four-faced Shiva Lingam made of black marble. Historically managed by the Mewar royal family, who consider Lord Ekling Nath the real ruler, with the Diwan of Mewar as the earthly representative.