Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Maring community in Tengnoupal district, Manipur, celebrated the annual Lamlai pre-harvest festival. The festival began with the traditional Khousab (war dance) procession through the village. It is significant for the Maring tribe, honoring ancestors and promoting unity. Villagers clean their surroundings, including drains, roads, and pathways during the celebration. The Lamlai Festival marks the start of preparations for the harvest season.

Notes:
Manipur celebrated the annual Mera-Hou-Chongba festival, a cultural event symbolizing the state’s commitment to unity between its hill and valley communities. It is observed annually on the 15th lunar day of the Mera month in the Meitei calendar. The event began with a flag-hoisting ceremony led by titular king and MP Leishemba Sanajaoba at Sana Konung. Traditional rituals, Men Tongba and Yenkhong Tamba, were performed at Kangla Uttra. Participants from remote hill areas joined in, exchanging gifts and showcasing cultural dances.

Notes:
Karnataka celebrates the Bali Padyami festival today, marking the fourth day of Deepavali. The festival honors Asura king Bali Chakravarty, who visits Earth as per a boon from Lord Vishnu. Bali Padyami follows worship of Ganga Matha, Naraka Chaturdashi, and Lakshmi Pooja on the preceding days. Temples are decorated with colorful rangoli, and thousands of lamps are lit at night. Special Abhisheka rituals with milk and auspicious ingredients are performed for the deity. Houses display triangular images of King Bali, made from clay or cow dung and adorned with flowers, symbolizing prosperity and welfare.

Notes:
Ningol Chakkouba, a key festival in Manipur, was celebrated with enthusiasm. Traditionally held on the second lunar day of Hiyangei month, its origins trace back to King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba’s rule. “Ningol” means “married woman,” and “Chakouba” means “feast invitation,” where married daughters are invited by their parents for a family feast. The festival strengthens bonds among brothers, sisters, and parents. Initially celebrated by the Meitei community, it is now observed by many other communities as well.

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Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was the chief guest at the 66th Akhil Bharatiya Kalidas Ceremony in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The Akhil Bhartiya Kalidas Samaroh is a seven-day annual festival in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It celebrates Sanskrit literary giants like Kalidas, Vatsyayana, and Bhartrihari. The festival also honors renowned Hindi writers, including Shivmangal Singh Suman, Prabhakar Machve, Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh, and Pandit Surya Narayan. This event serves as a tribute to India’s rich literary heritage and brings together scholars and enthusiasts of classical literature.

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Bali Jatra is the largest open-air trade fair in Asia, held annually on the banks of the Mahanadi River in Cuttack. It commemorates the maritime heritage of Odisha, where ancient traders ventured to Southeast Asia. This year, it features around 2,500 stalls and cultural performances from various countries. The fair, which begins on Kartika Purnima, has been recognized as a state festival, highlighting Odisha’s rich history and culture.

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The Ustad Bismilliah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2022 and 2023 recently conferred to 82 young artists in a ceremony in New Delhi. It was instituted by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2006, it honors artists under 40 in music, dance, drama, folk arts, and puppetry. The award includes Rs 25,000, a plaque, and an angavastram. The award aims to encourage young artists in India. Ustad Bismillah Khan was a renowned Shehnai musician who performed at India’s first Republic Day in 1950 and was the first Indian at the Lincoln Centre in the USA.

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The Reang community, also known as Bru, demands a holiday in Tripura on Hojagiri Day, celebrating their traditional dance. Reangs are the second-largest tribal community in Tripura and the state’s only Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). They are found in Tripura, Mizoram, and Assam, with a population of around 188,080. The Reangs trace their origins to Shan State in Myanmar and migrated to Tripura in different waves.

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Narasapuram lace craft from Andhra Pradesh has received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The craft originated around 150 years ago, created by women from the farming community. It survived the Indian famine of 1899 and the Great Depression of 1929. By the early 1900s, over 2,000 women were involved in this craft. The lace is made with thin threads and crochet needles to create items like doilies, pillow covers, and bedspreads. Narasapur’s lace products are exported to the US, UK, and France.

Notes:
The Hornbill Festival, celebrated annually since 2000 in Nagaland, marks its 25th year. Named after the Hornbill bird, symbolizing boldness in Naga folklore, it takes place at Kisama Heritage Village, showcasing 17 indigenous houses representing Nagaland’s tribes. The festival promotes inter-tribal interaction, preserving the state’s rich heritage. Nagaland, known as the “Land of Festivals,” is home to 17 major tribes, each with its unique traditions. The festival highlights India’s unity in diversity, where diverse cultural practices coexist, strengthening the nation’s identity.