1. Who was the first Indian to receive an Oscar?
[A] Bhanu Athaiya
[B] Shabana Azmi
[C] Satyajit Ray
[D] Naseeruddin Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bhanu Athaiya]
Notes:
Bhanu Athaiya, an eminent costume designer in Indian cinema, became the first Indian to clinch an Oscar. Her ideation and implementation of costumes grace over 100 films and spans over several decades from the 1950s. She collaborated with proficient filmmakers such as Guru Dutt, Yash Chopra, Raj Kapoor, Ashutosh Gowariker, including international directors like Conrad Rooks and Richard Attenborough. She also won two prestigious National Film Awards, in 1991 and 2002, demonstrating her exceptional skills and contribution to the film industry.
2. 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.
3. Veda which is partly in prose and partly in verses is ___ ?
[A] Rigveda
[B] Samaveda
[C] Yajurveda
[D] Atharvaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Yajurveda]
Notes:
Adhyayas of Yajur Veda, made up partly of verses and partly of prose, contain a number of prayers and sacrificial formulae. Extensive details for carrying out different sacrifices are given in the chapters of the Yajur Veda.
4. The Sangai Festival is organized in __:
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] Bihar
[D] Nagaland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Manipur]
Notes:
The Sangai festival is an annual cultural festival organised by Manipur Tourism Department on every year from November 21 to 30. The festival as named as the Sangai Festival to stage the uniqueness of the shy and gentle brow-antlered deer popularly known as the Sangai Deer, which is the state animal of Manipur.
5. Who among the following was known as Bengal’s Greata Garbo?
[A] Suchitra Sen
[B] Amaravati
[C] Kanan Devi
[D] Bharathi Shirodkor
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Suchitra Sen]
Notes:
Legendary actress Suchitra Sen was popularly known as Bengal’s Greata Garbo. Sen began her career with the Bengali film “Shesh Kothay” in 1952. She is well known for her role in Devdas and Aandhi. She died at the age of 82.
6. In field of Music, which among the following state Governments gives Tana Riri Award every year?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gujarat]
Notes:
In Gujarat, Vadnagar is famous for two Mughal time sisters “Tana” and “Riri” who sacrificed their lives for maintaining a tradition of singing only before village deity. They were forced to sing in the court of Emperor Akbar but committed suicide by drowning in a well. Gujarat government gives Tana-Riri award in their honor.
7. Which among the following states leads in Handloom and Handicrafts clusters in India?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Maharastra
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The correct answer is Uttar Pradesh. It is a leading state in India for handloom and handicrafts, particularly known for its rich tradition of weaving, including the famous Banarasi sarees. Uttar Pradesh has numerous clusters, such as Varanasi for silk weaving and Bhadohi for carpets, contributing importantly to the state’s economy and cultural heritage. The state also supports artisans through various government initiatives and schemes aimed at preserving traditional crafts.
8. The famous Kolayat Fair is celebrated in which state of India?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Rajasthan]
Notes:
Kolayat fair is annually held on Kartik Purnima tithi, or the full moon day, in Kartik month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar in Rajasthan. The fair is held on the banks of a lake located at Kolayat near Bikaner in Rajasthan.
9. N Gopalaswami committee has been to set up for the promotion of which language?
[A] Sakskrit
[B] Urdu
[C] Sindhi
[D] Tamil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sakskrit]
Notes:
The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry has set up a 13-member expert committee exclusively for promotion of the Sanskrit language. The committee is headed by N Gopalaswami, the former chief election commissioner (CEC) and now Chancellor of Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth in Tirupati. Other members of the panel include Bibek Debroy (NITI Aayog member), V V Bhat (former government of India secretary), Dr Ramadorai (Chairman of National Skill Development Corporation), Ramesh Bharadwaj (professor at Delhi University), Ved Prakash (UGC Chairman) and Chamu Krishna Shastri of the RSS-affiliated Samskrita Bharti. The committee will recommend measures to integrate the study of the Sanskrit language with other disciplines such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, medical science and law, and suggest changes in Sanskrit education in schools and universities and recommend ways to impart Sanskrit education through modern tools. The committee is also tasked with draw an action plan to develop the Sanskrit language in the next 10 years.
10. In which of the following areas, “Garba” dance form is common?
[A] Punjab
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Gujarat]
Notes:
Garba is a form of dance which originated in the state of Gujarat in India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term Garbha and Deep. Many traditional garbas are performed around centrally lit lamp or a picture or statue of the Goddess Shakti.