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. Bobbili veena, also known as Saraswathi Veena or the Ekanda Veena, is a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic classical music. It is made from which of the following trees?
[A] Sandalwood
[B] Jackwood
[C] Bamboo
[D] Rosewood
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jackwood]
Notes:
Bobbili veena, also known as Saraswathi Veena or the Ekanda Veena, is a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic classical music. It is carved from a single piece of Jackwood. Jackwood is a rainforest tree.
3. The Varkari sect in Maharashtra was founded by __?
[A] Tukaram
[B] Namdev
[C] Visoba Khechar
[D] Dhyaneshwar
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Correct Answer: D [Dhyaneshwar]
Notes:
The sect is believed to have originated in Karnataka and migrated to Maharashtra later. The followers of the sect believe that Dnyaneshwar laid the foundation stone, which is evident from the saying “Dnyanadev rachila paya”
4. Jagdish Khebudkar was a renowned poet and lyricist of which among the following languages?
[A] Marathi
[B] Konkani
[C] Kanada
[D] Gujarathi
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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.
5. Sant Kabir Award has been launched for the people who are related to ___?
[A] Cotton Textile Industry
[B] Woolen Industry
[C] Handloom Industry
[D] Village Industries
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Correct Answer: C [Handloom Industry]
Notes:
The Sant Kabir Award is conferred by Government of India every year on outstanding weavers who have made valuable contribution in keeping alive the handloom heritage and also for dedication in building up linkages between the past, present and future through dissemination of knowledge on traditional skills and designs.
6. Which of the following religions “Tower of Silence ” is related to in India?
[A] Zoroastrians
[B] Christians
[C] Jews
[D] Muslims
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Zoroastrians]
Notes:
“Tower of Silence ” is related to Zorastrians. It is a circular, raised structure built by Zoroastrians for excarnation – that is, for dead bodies to be exposed to carrion birds, usually vultures.
7. Gathas are most sacred of the texts of which of the following faiths?
[A] Zoroastrianism
[B] Jainism
[C] Confucianism
[D] Buddhism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Zoroastrianism]
Notes:
The Gathas are 17 Avestan hymns believed to have been composed by Zarathushtra himself. They are most sacred of the texts of Zorastrianism. They form the core of the Zoroastrian liturgy. They are arranged in five different modes or metres.
8. Which among the following material was used in Mathura School of Art?
[A] Granite
[B] White marble
[C] Slate
[D] Red Sandstone
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Correct Answer: D [Red Sandstone]
Notes:
Red Sandstone is the material used in Mathura School of Art. The Gandhara School of art is made of grey sandstone.
9. The Muslim festival ‘Barawafat’, where the word ‘barah’ stands for the twelve days of the Prophet’s sickness, refers to which among the following events of life of Prophet Mohammad?
[A] Birth of Prophet Mohammad
[B] Marriage of Prohet Mohammad
[C] Prophet Mohamad’s travel from Mecca to Medina
[D] Farewell Pilgrimage of Prophet Mohammad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Birth of Prophet Mohammad]
Notes:
‘Barawafat’, where the word ‘barah’ stands for the twelve days of the Prophet’s sickness, refers to the birth of prophet Mohammad.
10. The annual “Royal Kathima Ceremony” is associated with which of the following religions?
[A] Jainism
[B] Buddhism
[C] Parsi
[D] Sikhism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Buddhism]
Notes:
The Royal Kathina Ceremony is observed every year by Buddhist. It is observed in only one Buddhist temple outside Thailand and this year the Namphake Buddhist temple of Assam was selected. Kathina offering is an ancient Buddhist Tradition of offering special robe and other necessities to monks who maintain strict discipline of retreat during the rainy season. The main purpose of the ceremony is not merely for religious belief but also to strengthen the relationship between Thailand and other countries.