Indian Culture MCQs

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.

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Mahabalipuram Temples: Pallava dynasty: The five monolithic rathas are square or oblong in plan, pyramidal in elevation and varying in their overall dimensions. the Dharmaraja ratha constructed in Pallava style is the largest of all, having huge pillats in the portico with statue of lions, pyramidal tower and turret roof.

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Madana Misra was defeated in a debate by his contemporary ,Adi Shankara. He is said to have become a disciple of Adi Sankara. Maṇḍana Miśra’s wife was Ubhaya Bharati.

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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.

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Vachaspati Puraskar, instituted by the KK Birla Foundation in 1992, is given to honour a writer’s work in Sanskrit published during the last 10 years.

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Ramanuja was an Indian theologian, philosopher, and one of the most important exponents of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism. His philosophical foundations for devotionalism were influential to the Bhakti movement.

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Darbhanga Castle is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in Prayagraj, next to Allahabad University. Interestingly, despite its name which might suggest a connection to Darbhanga in Bihar, it is in fact based in Uttar Pradesh. This castle illustrates the rich and diverse architectural history of India, with its stylistic influences drawn from a range of periods and locations.

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Chinnayya, Ponniah, Sivanandam and Vadivelu were teachers and composers of Bharatanatyam. Bharatanatyam is composed by Bharata Muni. It has Bhavam Ragam and Talam.

Notes:
Thang-ta
Thang-ta is a weapon-based Indian martial art created by the Meitei of Manipur. In the Manipuri language, thang means sword and ta means spear, referring to the art’s primary weapons. Thang Ta is also a popular form in Manipuri dance.
Silambam
Silambam is a weapon-based Indian martial art from Tamil Nadu, but also traditionally practised by the Tamil community of Sri Lanka and Malaysia. It is closely related to Keralan kalaripayat and Sri Lankan angampora.
Kalaripayattu
Kalaripayattu is an Indian martial art from Kerala. It is one of the most ancient fighting systems that are even practiced today. It was originally practised in Kerala and some parts of Karnataka. Today it is practiced in Kerala, Tamil Nadu as well as Karnataka and some parts of Shri Lanka.
Mudiyettu
Mudiyettu is the name of a dance drama of Kerala, which is based upon the mythological tale of battle, depicting glory and triumph of Bhagavathy over the demon Darika. This along with Koodiyattam, Ram Lila and Vedic Chanting have been recognized by the UNESCO as ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”.

Notes:
There are four books under this heading: The Valmiki-Ramayana, the Yogavasishtha, The Mahabharata and the Harivamsa. These embody all that is in the Vedas, but only in a simpler manner. These are called the Suhrit-Samhitas or the Friendly Treatises, while the Vedas are called the Prabhu-Samhitas or the Commanding Treatises with great authority. These works explain the great universal truths in the form of historical narratives, stories and dialogues. These are very interesting volumes and are liked by all, from the inquisitive child to the intellectual scholar.