1. Dhanu Jatra is currently celebrated in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Telangana
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
The famous 11-day Dhanu Jatra, the annual drama-based open-air theatrical performance is conducted in and around the city of Bargarh in Western Odisha. It is based on mythological story of Lord Krishna and his Uncle, King Kansa. In November 2014, it was conferred with the National Festival Status.
2. The Ransthamb that was recently in the news is in which state?
[A] Bihar
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Ransthamb is a memorial to the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Maharashtra. It is also known as Jaistambh or victory pillar. It is located in Bhima Koregaon village in Pune. It was visited by many in light of the 202nd anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle that was fought in 1818.
3. Who received the famous ‘Sangita Kalanithi’ award of the Music Academy, recently?
[A] S. Sowmya
[B] Sudha Ragunathan
[C] Bombay Jeyashree
[D] Aruna Sairam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [S. Sowmya]
Notes:
The leading Carnatic vocalist S.Sowmya was selected for the ‘Sangita Kalanithi’ award instituted by the Music Academy and recently received the award. Sowmya, a recipient of various awards and titles in her music career, is a visiting faculty at the Madras Advanced School of Carnatic Music, run by the Music Academy. She also serves as the member of the Academic Council of the Tamil Nadu Music and Fine Arts University.
4. The birth anniversary of which social reformer was celebrated on January 3?
[A] Narayana Guru
[B] Vinoba Bhave
[C] Pandita Ramabhai
[D] Savitribai Phule
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Correct Answer: D [Savitribai Phule]
Notes:
The birth anniversary of the social reformer and the first female teacher of India, Savitribai Phule was observed across the country on January 3. The Prime Minister of India and various other leaders paid tributes to her on her birth anniversary. Savitribai Phule along with her husband Jyotirao Phule founded the country’s first girls’ school in Pune in 1848. Born in Maharashtra, Phule worked hard to abolish discrimination against women and suppressed classes of people.
5. The ancient festival of ‘Lai Haraoba’ is recently celebrated in which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Tripura
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tripura]
Notes:
The ancient ritualistic festival observed by the people of ‘Meiti’ community of Manipur is recently celebrated in the capital city of Tripura, Agartala. Department of Information and Cultural Affairs of the Tripura state Government jointly organised this festival along with the cultural committees of the state. The festival is celebrated for five days, hosting many cultural events that include folk dance, oral literature and music.
6. Ratna Ojha, who recently passed away was a theatre artist and activist of which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Assam
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Assam]
Notes:
Veteran Theatre artist and Social Activist of Assam, Ratna Ojha passed away at Guwahati. He played an instrumental role in reviving the theatre play movement of the state. He had also actively participated and addressed demonstrations in several social issues of the country including those against Citizenship amendment act. For his great contribution towards the theatre art, he was honoured with the ‘Natasurya Award’ by the Assam Government.
7. Nankana Sahib Gurdwara, recently seen in news is situated in which country?
[A] India
[B] Pakistan
[C] Nepal
[D] Bhutan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pakistan]
Notes:
The Nankana Sahib Gurdwara is a highly revered gurdwara located in the city of Nankana Sahib near Lahore in Pakistan. The gurdwara is built at the place where the first Sikh Guru was believed to born and preached Sikhism. It is also called as the Janam Asthan Gurdwara. It is seen in news recently as there was a severe mob attack and vandalism in the Gurdwara.
8. Which state Government is to organise the tribal cultural festival called ‘Zo Kutpui’?
[A] Assam
[B] Sikkim
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Mizoram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mizoram]
Notes:
The state government of Mizoram is to organise the cultural festival ‘Zo Kutpui’ in many states of India as well as in some countries including the USA, Bangladesh and Myanmar. The first edition of the festival will begin in Tripura and will be celebrated in other states, that are home to the people of Mizo tribe.
The festival will witness several cultural programmes and traditional events of the Mizo tribe thereby increasing their unity and fraternity. Chief Minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga is to inaugurate the first edition of the festival.
9. Akbar Padamsee, who passed away recently, belonged to which profession?
[A] Politician
[B] Artist
[C] Writer
[D] Sportsperson
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Artist]
Notes:
Veteran Indian artist and painter Akbar Padamsee passed away recently. Akbar is considered as the fore runner of Modern Painting. He was also a Padma Bhushan awardee and a fellow of Lalit Kala Akademi.
Akbar had worked in Paris with another renowned artist S.H.Raza in his art studio ‘Atelier 17’. He had conducted various art exhibitions of his art creations both in India and in other countries. Besides being a painter, he was also a sculptor, photographer and film maker. He settled in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu during the later years of his life.
10. Madhavpur Mela is a famous attraction of which state of India?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Gujarat ]
Notes:
Madhavpur Mela is a weeklong cultural festival of Gujarat to be held at Madhavpur Ghed in Porbandar district in April, 2020, a day after Ram Navami festival. This year, eight states of the Northern Eastern region will participate.
