Indian Culture MCQs

Notes:
The lamentation of the Roman writer Pliny in the 1st century A.D refers to heavy drain of Gold from Roman into India in payment of her imports from India. He writes that the drain of Gold is in return for unproductive luxuries. The Roman gold and silver were steadily drained into South India in exchange not only for spices, but also muslin, silk and other costly luxuries.

Notes:
Mattur Village, located in Karnataka, is notable for its inhabitants who speak Sanskrit as their primary language. This unique linguistic tradition is a rare phenomenon in India, where most people speak regional languages. Karnataka has a rich cultural heritage, and Mattur is often referred to as a “Sanskrit village,” reflecting its commitment to preserving this ancient language. The village is also known for its educational institutions that promote Sanskrit learning.

Notes:
Yakshagana, a distinct Indian theatre form, is predominantly seen and cultivated in the Karnataka state, more specifically in districts like Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and the western parts of Chikmagalur. This art form, characterized by a unique amalgamation of dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques, has also found its way to Kasaragod district in Kerala, further underlining its appeal and influence.

Notes:
Bageshwari Qamar is a woman player of Shehnai.

Notes:
The Ezhuthachan Puraskaram is the highest literary award conferred by the Government of Kerala. Established in 1993, it honors contributions to Malayalam literature and is named after Ezhuthachan, a revered poet often regarded as the father of the Malayalam language. The award aims to promote and recognize literary excellence in Kerala.

Notes:
The 13th century saint of Andhra, Acharya Nimbarka is known for propagating the Vaishnava Theology of Dvaitadvaita (duality in unity) also known as Bhedabheda (Difference in Non-difference). According to him, the Brahmans, the souls and the world are identical yet distinct. Even after merger, they remain distinct. He was the founder of Sanak Sampradaya of Vaishnavism. The works attributed to him are Vedanta Parijata Saurabha (a short story on Brahma Sutras) , Dashashloki, Shri Krishnastava raja and Madhvamukavardhana.

Notes:
Guru Ravidas, a renowned poet saint from the Bhakti movement in India, had several disciples, including Meerabai, Ramananda, and Kabir. However, Nanak Dev, who was the founder of Sikhism, was not a disciple of Guru Ravidas. There is evidence of Guru Ravidas and Nanak Dev being contemporaries and holding dialogues, but Nanak Dev was not his disciple, making option 4 the correct answer.

Notes:
Kathak is the Hindi name for one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance. The origin of Kathak is traditionally attributed to the traveling bards of ancient northern India known as Kathakars or storytellers.

Notes:
Rouff is a traditional folk dance that originates from Kashmir. It is usually performed by women during special occasions and festivals, particularly during harvest season. The dancers often wear colorful traditional Kashmiri clothing and move in a synchronized manner. The beauty of this dance form is amplified by the serene and scenic locales of Kashmir where it is often performed. Rouff not only serves as a form of entertainment and celebration, but also represents and reflects the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir.

Notes:
Puri—Jagannath temple – 1161
Meenakshi temple – 6^th century
Mahabalipuram temples – 7^th century
Qutab Minar – 1193