Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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The famous Karthigai Deepam festival began at Sri Arunachaleshwar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. The ten-day festival is held during the Tamil month of Karthigai and attracts huge public participation. Karthigai Deepam festival is primarily celebrated in Tamil Nadu.

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India’s Deepavali (Diwali) has recently been added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising its cultural significance at the global level. The UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is designed to highlight and preserve living cultural traditions, practices, and expressions that communities consider an essential part of their identity. The list recognises and safeguards cultural practices that are actively performed and upheld by communities across the world. It aims to promote cultural diversity, strengthen community identity, and ensure the continuity of traditional knowledge.

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Scientists have discovered the oldest known evidence of fire-making by prehistoric humans in England, providing crucial insights into early human technological abilities. The discovery includes a patch of heated clay, heat-shattered flint handaxes, and two pieces of iron pyrite, indicating deliberate fire production rather than natural burning. Iron pyrite was likely struck against flint to produce sparks, which could ignite tinder, showing early mastery of fire-making techniques. The findings highlight the advanced survival skills and cognitive development of prehistoric humans, as controlled use of fire was essential for cooking, warmth, protection, and tool-making.

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A Sikh Nagar Kirtan in South Auckland, New Zealand, was recently protested using the traditional Māori haka dance. Haka is a traditional dance of the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand. It features powerful energy, fierce facial expressions (pukana), stamping, hand gestures, and chanting. Haka varies by tribal region and often tells stories of significant tribal events. Traditionally, it was performed for war, achievements, or welcoming guests. Today, it is performed at sporting events, weddings, funerals, and other important occasions. It symbolizes tribal pride, strength, and unity. Haka gained global recognition through New Zealand’s rugby team, the All Blacks, and was used in parliamentary protests in November 2024.

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The Department of Posts recently transported a priceless Thanjavur painting of Shri Ram from Bengaluru to Ayodhya via Logistics Post. Thanjavur (Tanjore) paintings originate from Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, around 1600 AD, flourishing under the Nayakas of Thanjavur. It is created on wooden panels (palagai padam), usually jackfruit or teak, affixed with canvas and bound with Arabic gum. It is known for vibrant colors, including bright red, blue, green, and extensive gold leafwork.

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The 150th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan was inaugurated at Shree Devi Talab Temple, Jalandhar, Punjab. It is India’s oldest Hindustani classical music festival, organised with North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala, under the Union Ministry of Culture, and supported by the Punjab government. The 3-day festival (26–28 December) is dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Pt Chhannu Lal Mishra, Banaras Gharana vocalist.

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Imoinu Eratpa festival was recently celebrated in Manipur. The festival was observed on December 31, 2025, which corresponds to the 12th day of the Meitei lunar month. It is a significant religious festival for the Meitei community, honoring Goddess Imoinu (Ema Imoinu Ahongbi), the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and the hearth.

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Pakistani archaeologists unearthed rare coins and decorative stones at the Bhir Mound, a UNESCO-listed site near Takshashila, revealing insights into ancient urban settlements. The decorative stones date to the 6th century BCE, while the coins are from the 2nd century CE, belonging to the Kushan dynasty. Coins depict Emperor Vasudeva on the obverse and a female religious deity on the reverse, highlighting Kushan-era religious pluralism. Lapis lazuli fragments, a prized semi-precious stone, indicate long-distance trade, likely sourced from Badakhshan (present-day Afghanistan).

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The Bhadrakali inscription is a major 12th-century record confirming the history, development, and royal patronage of the Somnath Temple. It is located at Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, on the wall of the Bhadrakali Temple. It was carved in 1169 Common Era (CE), corresponding to Valabhi Samvat 850 and Vikram Samvat 1255, and is protected by the State Department of Archaeology. It records Somnath Temple’s construction across four yugas: gold in Satya Yuga by Chandra (Soma), silver in Treta Yuga by Ravana, wood in Dvapara Yuga by Shri Krishna, and stone in Kali Yuga by King Bhimdev Solanki.

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Makaravilakku, also called Makara Jyothi or Makara Vilakku, is the most sacred festival of Sabarimala Temple in Kerala. It is celebrated on Makara Sankranti, usually on 14–15 January, marking Lord Ayyappa’s divine presence. Devotees believe a holy light appears on Ponnambalamedu hills, symbolising Lord Ayyappa’s blessings. Lord Ayyappa is believed to have settled in Sabarimala after defeating demoness Mahishi. Makaravilakku represents victory of light over darkness and spiritual self-realisation.