Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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Tribal communities in several Indian states recently celebrated the harvest festival of Karma or Karam Parv. Karma Puja honors the Karam tree, symbolizing fertility, prosperity, and auspiciousness. The festival began with the start of agriculture by tribal communities. A week before, young women plant seven types of grains in clean sand. On the festival day, a Karam tree branch is planted in a courtyard, and the priest worships the Karam Raja. The celebration includes traditional dancing, singing, and offerings. The Karam branch is later immersed in water, and Jawa flowers are distributed. It is mainly celebrated by Munda, Ho, Oraon, and other tribes in states like Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha.

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Seiyhama village in Nagaland celebrated the Naga king chili festival, showcasing community farming. Naga King Chili, also known as Bhoot Jolokia or Ghost Pepper, is one of the world’s hottest chillies. It was certified by Guinness World Records in 2006, with heat exceeding 1 million Scoville Heat Units. It received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2008. The chili is primarily cultivated in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, and to a lesser extent in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya. Peak harvest months are August-September, and it is grown in large bamboo groves.

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The 10th World Free Zones Organisation Congress organized in Dubai, from September 23-25, 2024. It gathers experts and stakeholders from the free zones, logistics, and multilateral sectors. The theme is “Zones and the Shifting Global Economic Structures – Unlocking New Investment Avenues.” The congress focuses on trends, technologies, and innovations in the free zones sector. Over 35 speakers participated in sessions and workshops. Indian companies and free zones are actively involved, with Srikanth Badiga representing India. It offers Indian businesses opportunities to explore new investments and global economic impacts on free trade zones.

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Borra Caves, located in the Eastern Ghats in Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh, are among the deepest and largest caves in India. They were discovered by William King George of the Geological Survey of India. Formed millions of years ago by the Gosthani River, the caves are made of karstic limestone and extend to a depth of 80 meters. A naturally formed Shivling inside the caves is worshipped by local tribal communities. Stone tools from the Paleolithic age (30,000-50,000 years ago) were found, indicating early human habitation. The caves will get a facelift under Swadesh Darshan 2.0.

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Two people died due to a boundary wall collapse near Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, following heavy rainfall.
The Mahakaleshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and located on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and dates back to at least the 6th century BC, though it was reconstructed in the 18th century.
The five-storied temple features architecture influenced by Chalukya, Maratha, and Bhumija styles. The temple houses sculptures of Lord Shiva, Ganesh, Parvati, and Karttikeya and includes a tank built in sarvatobhadra style.

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The Thirukurungudi Temples, including the Nambi Rayar Temple, Thirumalai Nambi Temple, and Aniliswarar Temple, are situated in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recently documented inscriptions from these temples, dating back to the 9th Century during the Pandya period. These inscriptions reveal historical donations, including sheep for temple lamps and tax-free land for gardens, highlighting the region’s rich cultural heritage and religious practices during the Vijayanagara reign.

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A silver crown, gifted by Prime Minister Modi in March 2021 to the Jeshoreshwari Temple in Bangladesh, was stolen during Durga Puja. The Jeshoreshwari Temple is significant as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas located across India and neighboring countries. Despite being damaged in the 1971 conflict, its sacred pillars remain significant. The Goddess’ palm, in Abhaya mudra, is believed to hold immense spiritual power, attracting devotees seeking blessings.

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The Maring community in Tengnoupal district, Manipur, celebrated the annual Lamlai pre-harvest festival. The festival began with the traditional Khousab (war dance) procession through the village. It is significant for the Maring tribe, honoring ancestors and promoting unity. Villagers clean their surroundings, including drains, roads, and pathways during the celebration. The Lamlai Festival marks the start of preparations for the harvest season.

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The Union Ministry of Culture plans to revive the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) and may create an autonomous National Manuscripts Authority. Currently, NMM operates under the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts. NMM was launched in 2003 by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture with the motto “Conserving the past for the future.” Its goals include documenting, conserving, and sharing India’s vast manuscript heritage, estimated at ten million manuscripts.
NMM maintains a National Electronic Database of four million manuscripts. The mission involves national surveys, conservation training, digitization, public engagement, and has set up over 100 Manuscript Resource and Conservation Centers nationwide.

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The Ministry of Culture’s Amrit Parampara series celebrates India’s shared art and culture legacy. The series began with “Kaveri Meets Ganga,” inaugurated on 2nd November and held till 5th November 2024. The event, inspired by Chennai’s Margazhi Festival, featured traditional and folk arts, representing India’s cultural diversity. The event was held at Kartavya Path and CCRT Dwarka. It showcased South Indian music and dance for North Indian audiences. Organized by Sangeet Natak Akademi, Kalakshetra, and CCRT, the festival aligns with the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat initiative, promoting unity through cultural exchange.