Indian Culture MCQs

Notes:
Bishandas was a 17th-century portrait painter at the court of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Jahangir praised him as “unrivalled in the art of portraiture”. Though little is known of Bishandas’ life, his name can indicate that he was a Hindu. In 1613 he was sent on a diplomatic mission to Persia, to paint the Shah’s portrait. Here he was so successful that he remained until 1620, when he returned with the gift of an elephant.

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.

Notes:
Laughing Buddha, also known as Budai, is considered an incarnation of the Bodhisattva Maitreya. Maitreya is the Bodhisattva of the Future and is believed to be the fifth and final Buddha of the current kalpa. Maitreya is said to reside in the Tusita Heaven, a realm in Buddhist cosmology. The Laughing Buddha is a popular representation of Maitreya. Budai was a Chinese Zen monk who lived during the Later Liang Dynasty (907–923 CE). His name literally means “cloth sack” and refers to the bag he is often depicted carrying. His jolly nature and eccentric lifestyle distinguish him from most Buddhist masters. The Laughing Buddha is a symbol of happiness and good fortune.

Notes:
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.

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.

Notes:
The correct answer is “All are correct.” While baseball is often associated with the USA, it is not the official national sport. that title belongs to American football. Pakistan’s national sport is indeed field hockey, and table tennis is recognized as the national sport of China. Thus, the pairing for the USA is not correctly matched.

Notes:
The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, also known as the “Vailankanni Shrine,” is a famous Catholic pilgrimage site located in Vailankanni, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is renowned for its healing miracles and religious significance.

Notes:
Matrimandir is a spiritual center located in Auroville, in the Union Territory of Puducherry, which is also known as Pondicherry. It is situated in the southern part of India, about 160 kilometers south of Chennai. Auroville was founded in 1968 as an experiment in human unity and international understanding, and it is home to people from over 50 different countries. The Matrimandir is a central feature of Auroville and is considered a symbol of the town’s spiritual and philosophical ideals.

Notes:
Khudabaksh Oriental Library – Patna,
Library of Tibetan Works and Archives-Dharamsala,
Indira Gandhi Rastriya Manav sangrahalaya – Bhopal

Notes:
Lata Pada is associated with Bharatnatyam, a classical dance form from Tamil Nadu. It emphasizes intricate footwork and expressive hand gestures (mudras). Bharatnatyam is one of the oldest dance forms, with roots tracing back over 2,000 years, and is often performed in temples as a form of worship. Lata Pada, a prominent figure in this dance style, has contributed importantly to its teaching and promotion.