1. Chakan Gaan-Ngai, a post-harvest festival is celebrated in __:
[A] Manipur
[B] Sikkim
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Manipur]
Notes:
Celebration of the biggest post-harvest festival of the Zeliangrong community, Chakan Gaan-Ngai, also popularly known as Gaan-Ngai was kick-started in Manipur recently with different organizations celebrating the festival in their own manner with traditional gaiety and religious fervour. The State Level celebration of the festival was organized by State Level Gaan Ngai-2013 Committee at Langol Tarung village with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh as Chief Guest.
2. Jagdish Khebudkar was a renowned poet and lyricist of which among the following languages?
[A] Marathi
[B] Konkani
[C] Kanada
[D] Gujarathi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Marathi]
Notes:
Jagdish Khebudkar was a Marathi poet and lyricist. He is known known for his songs in films like Pinjra, Sadhi Manse, Samna, Chandra Hota Sakshila and Ashtavinayak.
3. In which Indian state are 838 temples of a distinctive faith located on a single mountain?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Gujarat
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
Notes:
The state of Gujarat, specifically in the city of Palitana, holds a remarkable distinction of having 838 Jain temples located on a single mountain. Jainism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has a strong community still in India. These temples are a major pilgrimage site for Jains and are a testament to the architectural prowess of ancient artisans.
4. “Matrimandir” is located in:
[A] Pondicherry
[B] Chennai
[C] Panaji
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pondicherry]
Notes:
Matrimandir is a spiritual center located in Auroville, in the Union Territory of Puducherry, which is also known as Pondicherry. It is situated in the southern part of India, about 160 kilometers south of Chennai. Auroville was founded in 1968 as an experiment in human unity and international understanding, and it is home to people from over 50 different countries. The Matrimandir is a central feature of Auroville and is considered a symbol of the town’s spiritual and philosophical ideals.
5. Sant Kabir Award has been instituted to honor which of the following?
[A] Weavers
[B] Hindi Writers
[C] Mystic poets
[D] Hindi teachers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Weavers]
Notes:
The Sant Kabir Award was established in 2009 to honor textile craftspeople for their contributions to the revival of Indian handloom traditions. The award is presented by the President of India.
The award includes a grant of 6 lakh rupees to each recipient to create 10 new products of high quality and aesthetic value. The recipient has one year to complete the project.
The award was established along with the Shilp Guru Awards and National Awards to Master Craftspersons and master weavers, which were introduced in 1965.
6. In which of the following Central Asian countries, the “Sharq Taronalari” film festival is held biennially, in which many Indian artists also take part?
[A] Kazakhstan
[B] Uzbekistan
[C] Kyrgyzstan
[D] Tajikistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uzbekistan]
Notes:
The “Sharq Taronalari” film festival is held biennially in Uzbekistan, specifically in the city of Samarkand. Established in 1997, it aims to promote cultural exchange and showcase films from various countries, including important participation from Indian artists. Uzbekistan has a rich cinematic history and is known for its contributions to the arts, making it a fitting host for such an international event.
7. Who among the following authors wrote “Nuskha-i-Dil Khusha”?
[A] Bhimsen Burhanpuri
[B] Sujan Rai
[C] Khafi Khan
[D] Jagannatha Pandit
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bhimsen Burhanpuri]
Notes:
During Aurangzeb’s reign, Nuskha-i-Dil Khusha written by Bhimsen Burhanpuri, a Bundela officer in the Mughal service.
8. Bardo Chham is a folk dance from which Indian state?
[A] Assam
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Jammu & Kashmir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Arunachal Pradesh]
Notes:
Bardo Chham is a folk dance of Sherdukpens, a small community which are residents of Arunachal Pradesh
9. For the first time, Indian Music genres were divided into Marga Sangeet (Classical Music) and Desi Sangeet (Folk Music) by __?
[A] Natyashashtra
[B] Brihaddeshi
[C] Sangeet Ratnakara
[D] Sangeet Martand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Brihaddeshi]
Notes:
In post Gupta period, a great treatise only after Natya Shastra was composed in Sanskrit as Brihaddeshi by Matanga Muni. Brihaddeshi is the first text that speaks about raga and distinguishes the music genres into Marga Sangeet (Classical Music) and Desi Sangeet (Folk Music). Brihaddeshi was also the important work on Indian music before the Islam came and influenced the Indian music. Brihaddeshi was based upon the Natya Shastra itself and has clarified many things which were unclear in the Bharata’s text.
10. The terms “Shachi” and “Shruti” that were in news recently are:
[A] the names of the twin sisters that were separated with the help of first venous bypass surgery performed in India
[B] newly discovered archaeological sites in southern India
[C] India’s first private sector-made warships
[D] two new contraceptives introduced by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the Mission Parivar Vikas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [India’s first private sector-made warships]
Notes:
Recently, Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited (RDEL)- a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure launched first two offshore naval petrol vessels (NOPVs) at their shipyard in Pipavav in Gujarat. The two NOPVs – ‘Shachi’ and ‘Shruti’ – are among five ships being constructed by RDEL under the P-21 project of the Indian Navy. These are the first set of warships that have been manufactured by the private defence sector for the Indian Navy. The new ships will help the Indian Navy in its surveillance activities across India’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone. The ships, Shachi and Shruti will also perform tasks such as fleet support operations, maritime security of offshore assets, anti-piracy patrols, coastal security operations, and protection of shipping lanes. These ships are armed with 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount system along with two 30mm AK-630M guns. These are meant to provide medium and short range offensive and defence capabilities to the Indian Navy. The ship’s operations are controlled by an Intelligent Integrated Platform Management System. This has interfaces for all operational activities onboard the ship.