Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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India’s first digital museum, “Abhay Prabhavana,” made of Jaisalmer stones, has opened in Maharashtra. It is located on the banks of the Indrayani River on the Mumbai-Pune highway in Pune district. Built by the Firodia Institute of Philosophy Culture and History, it spans 50 acres near 2200-year-old Pale Jain caves. The museum showcases the life of 24 Jain Tirthankaras and their messages using advanced technology in 30 galleries. Construction took 12 years and cost over ₹400 crore, featuring a 100-foot tall pillar and manuscripts over 1,000 years old. The aim is to preserve Jain heritage, promote its teachings, and highlight Jain contributions to society.

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Ongoing excavation at Rakhigarhi, an ancient Harappan site in Haryana’s Hisar district, has revealed advanced water management systems and cultural practices from nearly 5,000 years ago. Rakhigarhi, the largest known Harappan-era site, spans 865 acres and is globally recognized for its historical significance. The excavation uncovered a water storage area between mounds, approximately 3.5 to 4 feet deep, showcasing advanced water management. A dried riverbed of the Chautang (Drishavati) River was also discovered, adding to the site’s historical importance.

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The Andhra Pradesh government has declared Ratha Saptami as a state festival to be celebrated at the Sri Suryanarayana Swamy temple in Arasavalli, Srikakulam district. The decision was made after the Endowments Commissioner proposed that the festival be recognized as a state event.  The festival will be celebrated for three days.  The decision was made to recognize the festival’s cultural and spiritual significance. The festival is also known as the Festival of the Sun and marks the Sun’s symbolic movement towards the northern hemisphere.

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The Toda tribe in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiri Hills celebrated their traditional Modhweth or Buffalo Festival to mark the New Year. The Toda tribe is among the oldest ethnic groups in the Upper Nilgiris plateau. They are divided into five clans: Paiki, Pekkan, Kuttan, Kenna, and Todi. The Toda people have their own language without a script. They live in closed communities called munds. The Modhweth Festival is an annual celebration held in late December or early January, highlighting their cultural significance.

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a $1 million prize for deciphering the ancient Indus Valley script. The announcement was made during the centenary celebration of the Indus Valley Civilization at an international conference in Chennai. The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of decoding the script to understand ancient history. Tamil Nadu is supporting archaeological research through initiatives like a dedicated research chair named after Iravatham Mahadevan. This move reflects the state’s commitment to promoting historical and archaeological studies.

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A bamboo weave box with Kalamkari paintings by Nimmalakunta artisans will be showcased at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Kalamkari is a popular hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile art form from Andhra Pradesh. The art originated during the reign of Qutb Shahis in the 16-17th century in the Tilang region, now part of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. “Kalam” means pen and “Kari” means craftsmanship, highlighting the skillful artistry involved.

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The Musi River Historic Buildings in Hyderabad and Bhuj Historic Water Systems in Gujarat are listed in the 2025 World Monuments Watch by the New York-based World Monuments Fund (WMF). These sites face risks from climate change and water crises, highlighting the need for advocacy and preservation. WMF emphasizes heritage as a pathway for rejuvenation, sustainability, and resilience amid Hyderabad’s environmental challenges and rapid change.

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The world’s first 52-foot Mahamrityunjaya Yantra has been installed at Tapovan Ashram, Jhunsi Havelis, Prayagraj, a sacred Maha Kumbh site. The Yantra is a spiritual marvel believed to connect devotees with the higher consciousness of Lord Shiva. It symbolizes “Victory over Death,” helping individuals overcome fears of death, disease, and danger. The Yantra enhances courage, positivity, and spiritual energy among devotees. This monumental installation holds immense significance for spiritual seekers and devotees of Lord Shiva.

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A scene featuring Lezim dance in the film, based on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has sparked controversy in Maharashtra. Lezim is a traditional folk dance of Maharashtra performed with a wooden stick fitted with jingling cymbals. It is both a dance and a rigorous physical drill, often performed in formations of twos, fours, or circles. The dance is accompanied by dhol or dholki, with no wind or string instruments. Lezim was traditionally used in all folk dances but is now mainly seen in Ganesha processions. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, took power in 1681 after a battle with his half-brother Rajaram.

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Araku Utsav titled “Chali” is organized in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh. The valley is part of the Eastern Ghats and sits between 600 m and 900 m above sea level. It houses the biodiverse Anantagiri and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forests, known for bauxite mining. Often called the “Ooty of Andhra,” it is home to various tribes, mainly the Araku Tribes. Araku Arabica Coffee, famous in the valley, earned a GI Tag in 2019. The valley is surrounded by mountains such as Galikonda, Raktakonda, Sunkarimetta, and Chitamogondi.