Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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Chandrakant Sompura, the chief architect of Ayodhya Ram Mandir, comes from a renowned lineage of temple architects in Ahmedabad. With a legacy spanning generations, the Sompuras have crafted over 200 temples, including iconic structures like Somnath Temple, Swaminarayan Temple, Akshardham complex, and Birla Temple. The Ayodhya Ram Mandir epitomizes Nagara architecture, showcasing intricate carvings, majestic spires, and sacred sanctums, honoring India’s cultural diversity. It stands as a harmonious blend of spirituality and architectural brilliance, reflecting Lord Ram’s revered abode.

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The Jagannath Temple in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir hosts the “Gole Mela” festival twice a year. The festival is a cultural and religious celebration that brings together devotees from the Udhampur district and beyond. The festival venue features stalls and is a place for families to enjoy the festivities. The festival is a spiritual gathering that fosters a sense of community among devotees. The festival venue is adorned with diversity and echoes with devotion and cultural exchange.

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The Mamani Ethnic Food Festival is celebrated in Ladakh, India. It is a festival celebrated by both Buddhist and Muslim communities in the majority of Kargil district blocks and the Skurbuchan block of Leh district. It is also celebrated in Kargil and Leh cities. The festival is a testament to the commitment of Ladakh communities to preserve their cultural heritage. It celebrates traditions and promotes communal harmony, bringing together diverse communities in a shared celebration of their heritage.

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A recent incident saw an Indian politician being barred from visiting Batadrava Than, a sacred site in Assam’s Nagaon district, also known as Bordowa Than. This temple complex holds significance for Assamese Vaishnavites as the birthplace of revered saint Srimanta Sankardeva, who founded the first Kirtan Ghar in 1494 AD. Sankardeva played a pivotal role in propagating the neo-Vaishnavite faith during the fifteenth century in Assam, emphasizing the Ek Saran Naam Dharma.

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Union Culture and Tourism Minister, G. Kishan Reddy, unveiled five new galleries at Hyderabad’s Salar Jung Museum. Reddy praised the museum’s efforts to modernize, reorganizing old galleries and introducing new collections. The Indian Sculpture Gallery boasts 40 sculptures dating back to the 2nd century B.C., including an ‘Anantsayana Vishnu.’ The Bidriware Gallery features 300 unique objects like ‘Huqqa’ bases, while The Lamp and Chandelier Gallery displays 180 antique items. The European Bronze Gallery exhibits over 100 bronze statues, and The European Marble Gallery showcases 50 marble sculptures.

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Tamil Nadu’s Republic Day Parade 2024 featured the Kudavolai System, an ancient electoral method dating back to the 10th century Chola era. Documented in Uthiramerur inscriptions, it was employed to elect village administration representatives. The system involved dividing villages into wards, with residents choosing their representatives through a unique process: contestants’ names on palm leaf tickets (volai) placed in a pot (kuda), and a boy selecting tickets to declare elected leaders. Tamil Nadu’s tableau showcasing this historical system earned the third-best award.

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The 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2024 will feature Gujarat as the theme state. The fair will take place from February 2–18, 2024 in Surajkund, Faridabad. The fair complex, including decorations and stalls, will reflect the rich heritage of Gujarati culture. The event will also feature artists and cultural groups from 20 Indian states and multiple countries. The Surajkund Mela is organized annually by the Haryana Tourism Department. The town of Surajkund is known for its picturesque surroundings and is easily accessible from Delhi and other major cities in the region.

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Union Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the foundation stone for India’s digital National Museum of Epigraphy at the Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad. Managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, the museum aims to digitize one lakh ancient inscriptions from various periods and languages, aligning with the Bharat Shared Repository of Inscriptions initiative. Reddy praised the development as a key stride in the Modi government’s “Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi” commitment, underscoring the role of technology in providing universal access to cultural heritage and highlighting the museum’s transformative potential for scholars.

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The Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE) permits both Roman and Bengali scripts for the Kokborok exam in Tripura. Kokborok, the mother tongue of Borok people, including Tripuris, is a Tibeto-Burman language and a lingua franca for most of Tripura’s tribal communities. Borok communities are found in Tripura, other North-Eastern States, and Uttarakhand. Kokborok holds official state language status in Tripura.

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Chhattisgarh’s Ocher Studio is championing the preservation of India’s 4,000-year-old craft, Dhokra Shilpkala. Derived from the Dhokra Damar tribes, traditional metal smiths of Central India, this art form originated in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. Dhokra Shilpkala stands out for its unique metal casting technique, employing the lost wax casting method. Artisans draw inspiration from nature and mythology, creating intricate designs featuring animals, birds, deities, and tribal symbols. However, the craft faces threats from urbanization and mechanized production, endangering traditional livelihoods.