1. Ghumura is an ancient folk dance that originated in which of the following states?
[A] Odisha
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
Ghumura is an ancient folk dance that originated from Odisha. As per ancient mythological texts, Ghumura was a war dance of the Gods and Demons. Over the course of time, Ghumurawas imbibed into performing arts and entertainment in Odisha.
2. Adya Dhara niradhara, niralamba Saraswati, thus lamented a poet at the demise of which among the following Kings?
[A] Chahmana Visaladeva
[B] Chandela Kirtivarma
[C] Mihira Bhoja
[D] Bhoja Paramara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bhoja Paramara]
Notes:
Raja Bhoja Of Dhar was a philosopher king and polymath of medieval India. He was from the Paramara dynasty of Arya, who ruled the kingdom of Malwa in Centra India from about 1010 to 1060. On his demise, a poet lamented “Adya Dhara niradhara, niralamba Saraswati Panditah khanditah sarve Bhojraje divam gate”. This means that Saraswati is now helpless, ll learned people have scattered, because the support of Dhara (Kingdom) Raja Bhoj has gone”.
3. 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.
4. The famous Nabakalebara festival belongs to which of the following states?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Odisha
[C] Bihar
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Odisha]
Notes:
Nabakalebara festival is an ancient ritual that is observed in most of the Jaganath temples, Odisha. In this festival, the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra and Sudarshan are replaced by new idols. Nabakalebara is usually comes in every twelve to nineteen years based on the auspicious two months of Ashadha as per the Hindu calendar.
5. Who among the following has written the famous Bangla book “Agni Vina”?
[A] Rabindra Nath Tagore
[B] Kazi Nazrul Islam
[C] Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
[D] Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kazi Nazrul Islam]
Notes:
Kazi Nazrul Islam was a famous Bengali poet, musician and revolutionary who pioneered poetic works invoking powerful spiritual rebellion against fascism and oppression. Accomplishing a plethora of highly praised works through his life, Nazrul is officially known as the ‘National poet of Bangladesh’ and celebrated in India.
6. Which of the following prizes is given by KK Birla Foundation for commendable work in Hindi?
[A] Acharya Tulsi Samman
[B] Vyas Samman
[C] Saraswati Samman
[D] Rajahasha Samman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vyas Samman]
Notes:
KK Birla Foundation awards the Vyas Samman to outstanding Hindi literature published in the last 10 years. The award was established in 1991 and carries a cash prize of Rs 4 lakh. The winner of the 2022 Vyas Samman was Gyan Chaturvedi for his satirical novel Pagalkhana.
The KK Birla Foundation also awards the Saraswati Samman and the Bihari Puraskar. The Saraswati Samman is given to literary works published in the last 10 years by Indian writers in languages included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The Bihari Puraskar recognizes outstanding work in Hindi or Rajasthani published in the last 10 years by a Rajasthani writer.
7. Brahma Sutra of Badrayan are the logical point of starting of which of the following philosophies?
[A] Vaisheshika
[B] Nyaya
[C] Vedanta
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vedanta]
Notes:
The Brahma Sutras is a Sanskrit text, attributed to Badarayana, estimated to have been completed in approx. 400-450 CE. It talks about the vedic philosophy of Vedanta.
8. The Saraswati Samman is an annual award for outstanding prose or poetry literary works in which of the following languages?
[A] Hindi Only
[B] Any Indian language or Dialect
[C] Any Indian Language included in 8th schedule of Indian Constitution
[D] Any Indo-Aryan language
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Any Indian Language included in 8th schedule of Indian Constitution]
Notes:
The Saraswati Samman is awarded for outstanding literary works in any Indian language included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This schedule recognizes 22 languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, and others, reflecting India’s linguistic diversity. Established in 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation, the award aims to promote and honor literary excellence across various Indian languages.
9. Which among the following is not correctly matched?
[A] Aga Khan Palace – Pune
[B] Bharat Bhawan – Bhopal
[C] Akal Takht – Amritsar
[D] All are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All are correct]
Notes:
All the above places are correctly matched.
10. Dr M Balmuralikrishna was a renowned artist of ______?
[A] Hindustani Vocal
[B] Carnatic Vocal
[C] Dhrupad Style
[D] Carnatic Instrumental
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Carnatic Vocal]
Notes:
Dr M Balmuralikrishna was a famous Carnatic vocalist. He belongs to Tamil Nadu. He died in 2016.