1. Kandyan dance which is a form of dance depicting the scenes from Ramayana is a national dance of which of the following countries?
[A] Thailand
[B] Indonesia
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sri Lanka]
Notes:
Kandyan dance is a famous dance in Sri Lanka. It encompasses various dance forms popular and native to the area called Kandy of the Central hills region known as Udarata in Sri Lanka, which have today spread to other parts of the country.
2. Sant Kabir Award has been instituted to honor which of the following?
[A] Weavers
[B] Hindi Writers
[C] Mystic poets
[D] Hindi teachers
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Correct Answer: A [Weavers]
Notes:
The Sant Kabir Award was established in 2009 to honor textile craftspeople for their contributions to the revival of Indian handloom traditions. The award is presented by the President of India.
The award includes a grant of 6 lakh rupees to each recipient to create 10 new products of high quality and aesthetic value. The recipient has one year to complete the project.
The award was established along with the Shilp Guru Awards and National Awards to Master Craftspersons and master weavers, which were introduced in 1965.
3. Chinnayya, Ponniah, Sivanandam and Vadivelu were teachers and composers related to which of the following dance in India?
[A] Kathakali
[B] Bharatnatyam
[C] Mohiniattam
[D] Kuchipudi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bharatnatyam]
Notes:
Chinnayya, Ponniah, Sivanandam and Vadivelu were teachers and composers of Bharatanatyam. Bharatanatyam is composed by Bharata Muni. It has Bhavam Ragam and Talam.
4. Watson’s Hotel or Esplanade Mansion, which is India’s oldest surviving cast Iron Building is located in which of the following cities?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Kolkata
[C] Surat
[D] Chennai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mumbai]
Notes:
Watson’s Hotel, also known as Esplanade Mansion, is located in Mumbai. Built in 1867, it is recognized as India’s oldest surviving cast iron building. The structure showcases Victorian Gothic architecture and was originally a luxury hotel. Its unique cast iron framework was sourced from the UK, reflecting the colonial era’s architectural trends.
5. Who among the following propounded the Dvaitadvaita philosophy?
[A] Sankaradeva
[B] Madhvacharya
[C] Nimbarka
[D] Ramanuja
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nimbarka]
Notes:
The 13th century saint of Andhra, Acharya Nimbarka is known for propagating the Vaishnava Theology of Dvaitadvaita (duality in unity) also known as Bhedabheda (Difference in Non-difference). According to him, the Brahmans, the souls and the world are identical yet distinct. Even after merger, they remain distinct. He was the founder of Sanak Sampradaya of Vaishnavism. The works attributed to him are Vedanta Parijata Saurabha (a short story on Brahma Sutras) , Dashashloki, Shri Krishnastava raja and Madhvamukavardhana.
6. Which of the following paintings involves the art of creating images on cotton cloth using the wax resist method?
[A] Kalighat
[B] Batik
[C] Kalamkari
[D] Madhubani
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Correct Answer: B [Batik ]
Notes:
The art of Batik painting is practised mainly in West Bengal, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. It involves the art of creating images on cotton clothes using the wax resist method.
7. Which among the following term correctly represents the religious and belief systems in which items in nature such as animals, trees or mountains can have spiritual value?
[A] Animism
[B] Syncretic religion
[C] Tribalism
[D] Hybrid religion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Animism]
Notes:
Animistic religions such as voodoun are based on items in nature having spiritual value. Syncretic religions are ones that have integrated the beliefs of two or more other religions. An example would be Sikhism, drawing from both Hinduism and Islam. Please don’t confuse with tribalism. Although many of the world’s tribal groups have animistic beliefs, they are identified as a social unit, not a religion. Hybrid religious practices can describe the syncretic or involve the worship of two or more religions simultaneously
8. Anekantavada is a core theory and philosophy of which one of the following?
[A] Buddhism
[B] Jainism
[C] Sikhism
[D] Vaishnavism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jainism]
Notes:
Anekantavada refers to the Jain doctrine about metaphysical truths that emerged in ancient India. It states that the ultimate truth and reality is complex and has multiple aspects.
9. Which among the following is a folk dance of India? (UPSC Prelims 1989)
[A] Manipuri
[B] Garba
[C] Kathakali
[D] Mohiniattam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Garba]
Notes:
Garba Dance is a popular folk Dance of Gujarat. It is a circular form of dance performed by ladies on the Navaratri days, Sharad Purnima, Vasant Panchami, Holi and such other festive occasions. The basics of the dance are singing and clapping rhythmically while going round the goddess.
10. Which one of the following is not a part of early Jains literature? (UPSC Prelims 1996)
[A] Therigatha
[B] Acarangasutra
[C] Sutrakritanga
[D] Brihatkalpasutra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Therigatha]
Notes:
Therigatha is not a part of early Jains literature. The Therigatha is a Buddhist scripture, a collection of short poems supposedly recited by early members of the Buddhist Sangha in India around 600 BC.