1. Which of the following bodies organizes the ‘Bharat Rang Mahotsav’?
[A] Indian Council for Cultural Relations
[B] Ministry of Culture
[C] National School of Drama
[D] Sahitya Academy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [National School of Drama]
Notes:
Bharat Rang Mahotsav’ was established in 1999 as an annual theatre festival of National School of Drama (NSD). Originally it was founded to show case, works of Indian theatre practitioners but later it got international fame and attracted international performers. Now it is acknowledged as the largest theatre festival of Asia.
National School of Drama (NSD) is India’s premier theatre training institute operating under the aegis of Union Ministry of Culture
2. Dappu Dance is a famous dance form of which among the following states?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Assam
[C] Gujarath
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Dappu Dance belongs to Andhra Pradesh.The Dappu is made of goatskin, a tambourine-like drum is beaten with sticks creating a rhythm that is softened only by the ankle bells that the 16 to 20 dancers wear.
3. Bohag Bihu is a festival in North East India, mainly in the state of ____?
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Tripura
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
Bihu is the name of the biggest festival of the Assam. The people in Assam celebrate three Bihus as follows:
Bohag Bihu: In mid-April, this is the largest festival and also the state festival of Assam. Related to spring season. It is also known as Rongali Bihu. This festival celebrates the onset of the Assamese New Year and the coming of Spring. It continues for seven days which is called Haat Bihu ( Saat (seven) for Hindi). These are called Chot Bihu, Goru Bihu, Manuh Bihu, Kutum Bihu, Senehi Bihu, Mela Bihu and Chera Bihu
4. Hornbill festival is celebrated in which state_?
[A] Manipur
[B] Nagaland
[C] Mizoram
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nagaland]
Notes:
Hornbill Festival is celebrated annually in Nagaland from December 1st to 10th. It is also known as the “Festival of Festivals” because it represents all of Nagaland’s ethnic groups. The festival is organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, and is supported by the Union Government. The festival is celebrated to encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote the cultural heritage of Nagaland. The festival is a powerful expression of Naga culture through traditional music, dance, and performances. All of the Nagaland tribes contribute to making the festival more colorful, vibrant, and enjoyable. The festival includes daily cultural events such as: Music festivals, Photo fest, Fashion shows, Adventure sports, Night carnivals. The 23rd Hornbill Festival was held in 2022 at Naga Heritage Village Kisama.
5. Which among the following are called Dharamchakra ?
[A] The chakra which is a weapon of lord Vishnu in Hindu Mythology
[B] The first sermon of Mahavira Jain
[C] The chakra which has 24 spokes in the central white band in Indian Flag
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [The chakra which has 24 spokes in the central white band in Indian Flag]
Notes:
The Ashoka Chakra is a depiction of the Dharma Chakra which has 24 spokes in the central white band in Indian Flag. The circular Ashoka Chakra represents the progressiveness of the country.
6. Polo originated in which of the following Indian states?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Manipur
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Manipur]
Notes:
Manipur believes it is the place from where polo originated. The first polo club was established in the town of Silchar in Assam, India, in 1833. The origins of the game in Manipur are traced to early precursors of Sagol Kangjei.
7. Tamil is also an important language of which of the following countries?
[A] Indonesia
[B] Malaysia
[C] Singapore
[D] Thailand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Singapore]
Notes:
Tamil’s connection to Singapore actually goes way back, even beyond the Indian labourers who came to work in the British rubber plantations. Tamil is the most spoken Indian language in Singapore and the only Indian language among Singapore’s four official languages, alongside Mandarin, (the language of trade) Malay (the national language) and English (the language of administration), and 3.1% of Singapore residents speak Tamil at home.
8. Which one of the following temples figured in the news regarding the institution of the Devadasis? (UPSC Prelims 1996)
[A] Jagannath temple, Puri
[B] Pasupatinath temple, Kathmandu
[C] Kandariyamahadev temple, Khajuraho
[D] Chaunsathyogini temple, Bheraghat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jagannath temple, Puri]
Notes:
Devadasis were a common feature in almost all the major brahmanical temples. The devadasi or temple women was one, who was a dancer and one who is associated with temple, either by having some kind of regular service function in a temple or because her primary social identity is defined with reference to a temple. Devadasi is a girl “dedicated” to worship and service of a deity or a temple for the rest of her life. They were considered the human wife of Lord Jagannath.
9. Which one of the following dances involves solo performance? (UPSC Prelims 1997)
[A] Bharatanatyam
[B] Kuchipudi
[C] Mohiniattam
[D] Odissi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bharatanatyam]
Notes:
Bharatanatyam is a major form of Indian classical dance that originated in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of eight forms of dance recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi and it expressed South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas, particularly of Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism.
10. Who was the first woman in India to receive the Jnanpith Award?
[A] Arati Saha
[B] Durga Banerjee
[C] Ashapurna Devi
[D] Bachendri Pal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ashapurna Devi]
Notes:
Ashapurna Devi was the first woman in to get Jnanpith Award in 1976 for her contributions in literature as a novelist and a poet. She also won Padam Shri and Sahitya Akademi Fellowship.