Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Prime Minister’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ recently mentioned Odissi dance and the Konark Sun Temple. Located on the Odisha coastline in Puri district, it is also known as Surya Devalaya, dedicated to the Hindu god Surya. It was built by Narasimha I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty in 1250. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The temple showcases Odisha architecture, resembling a solar chariot with 24 stone wheels and six horses. Oriented eastward, it captures sunrise rays at the entrance. Its wheels serve as sundials, and it features intricate carvings of animals and mythology.

Notes:
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) epigraphists recently found a Telugu inscription above a Lord Hanuman statue at the 13th-century Simhachalam temple. Simhachalam Temple, also called Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, is in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Dedicated to Vishnu’s Narasimha avatar, it was initially built in the 11th century by Odisha’s Gajapati rulers. The temple was renovated by Vengi Chalukyas and later by Narasimha I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty in the 13th century. Its architecture blends Kalinga and Dravidian styles, with a stone chariot, intricate carvings, and sculptures of Vishnu’s avatars and royal figures.

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.

Notes:
Six Viragallu (hero stones) were discovered near the Anjaneya Temple between Rukmapur and Kupagal villages in Shorapur, Karnataka. Viragallu are memorial stones honoring heroes who died in battle. The discovery was made by the Surapura Hitarakshana Samiti team, led by Shravanakumar Nayak and researcher Rajgopal Vibhuti, who are working to protect the inscriptions. Shorapur, also known as the Surpur Empire, was a princely state in present-day Yadgir district, Karnataka. The region was ruled by the Nayak Dynasty, with Raja Venkatappa Nayak as its last ruler.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The first Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav will be held in Delhi from December 6 to 8 at Bharat Mandapam, showcasing Northeast India’s crafts, art, and culture. It is organized by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), it will feature eight state pavilions and a rural haat bazaar with 320 artisans and farmers. The event is expected to generate ₹20 million from pavilions and ₹10 million from a buyer-seller meet involving 40 buyers and 50 artisans.

Notes:
The Me·Gong Festival 2024 is celebrated in Meghalaya. It celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Meghalaya, particularly the Garo tribe. Under the theme ‘Echoes of Traditions’, the festival features international and national artists, traditional games, and exhibitions of handloom and handicrafts. More than 3 lakh visitors attended the event. It aims to spotlight local talent and promote the vibrant culture of the Garo people, preserving their traditions for future generations.

Notes:
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.