Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Jadayaswamy festival was recently celebrated in Tamil Nadu. It is observed by the Badagas, an aboriginal tribe of the Nilgiris. The Badagas live in villages called Hattis and speak the Badugu language. The festival is dedicated to Jadayaswamy, a revered deity, symbolizing faith and tradition. Eight villages organize a procession to the Jadayaswamy temple and perform a firewalk every year.

Notes:
Attukal Pongala is a 10-day festival in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, dedicated to Goddess Attukal Devi. It is the world’s largest gathering of women, emphasizing peace, prosperity, and community spirit. The most auspicious day, Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam, falls on March 13. The festival began on March 5 and concludes on March 15, 2025. It is a grand religious and cultural event celebrated with devotion across South India.

Notes:
Hola Mohalla is an important festival for the Sikh community which is celebrated after Holi.   This festival promotes unity, bravery and brotherhood. The festival was organized in Roopnagar district, with the first three days in Kiratpur Sahib and the last three days in Anandpur Sahib. This festival includes processions, sports and cultural programs.

Notes:
Artists performed the ‘Gomira’ dance during the Chanchala Kali Mata Puja in West Bengal. In West Bengal, the Chanchala Kali Mata Puja, a 300-year-old tradition, is celebrated after Holi (Dol). The Gomira masked dance is a traditional folk performance of the Rajbongshi and Polia communities in North Bengal. It is influenced by Mahayana Buddhism, Tantric Buddhism, and Shaivite and Shakta traditions. The dance originated from a fusion of these spiritual influences. Masks used in the dance are made from papier-mâché, sholapith, bamboo, wood, sponge wood, clay, and paper. The dance is performed to the rhythmic beats of traditional percussion instruments like Dhak and Kansar.

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India has a vast tangible heritage, including monuments, sites, and antiquities from prehistoric to colonial times. Many organizations like Archaeological Survey of India and State Archaeology Departments have documented heritage, but much remains scattered or undocumented. The absence of a unified database makes research, conservation, and management difficult. The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) was established in 2007 to document and digitize India’s built heritage and antiquities. Rs. 20 lakh was allocated for NMMA in FY 2024-25. NMMA aims to create a national database and enhance collaboration between ASI, state departments, and stakeholders.

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Bagad Rath Yatra is a vibrant festival in Wai, Maharashtra, celebrated on Rang Panchami. It honors Lord Bhairavnath with a unique ritual where a devotee, ‘Bagadya,’ is suspended from a tall wooden chariot. The festival symbolizes community unity and deep-rooted cultural traditions. It has a 350-year-old history, showcasing seamless collaboration among participants. Powerful invocations and rituals reflect the strength and inspiration drawn from cultural heritage. The festival’s demanding tasks appear effortless due to devotion and collective spirit.

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The Ministry of Culture is dedicated to preserving public art installations created under the Public Art of India (PARI) project. PARI, launched by the Ministry of Culture, aims to celebrate and enhance India’s public art scene. It is executed by the Lalit Kala Akademi and the National Gallery of Modern Art. The project showcases diverse regional art forms like Phad, Thangka, Gond, and Warli through over 200 artists. Currently, PARI is implemented only in Delhi. The project blends India’s cultural heritage with contemporary themes, fostering dialogue and reflection in public spaces.

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President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Purple Fest 2025 at Amrit Udyan, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on March 21, 2025. Purple Fest celebrates the talents, achievements, and aspirations of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), also called Divyangjan in India. The first Purple Fest was held in Panjim, Goa, in January 2023. Organized by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in association with Rashtrapati Bhavan. The event is becoming a flagship programme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for Divyangjan in India.

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The North and South Blocks in New Delhi will house the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum. This project is part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. The museum will showcase India’s thousands-year-old civilizational and cultural heritage. An agreement was signed on 19th December 2024 between the National Museum and France Museums Development for technical cooperation. The project timeline and budget depend on the feasibility study and further formalities. The museum aims to celebrate India’s heritage, connect the past with the present, and inspire the future. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared this information in Lok Sabha.

Notes:
Goa is celebrating the Shigmo Festival from March 15 to March 29. This two-week cultural event marks the arrival of spring in the Konkan region with colorful parades, folk dances, and cultural performances. Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte highlighted its cultural importance as part of Goa’s heritage alongside Carnival. The festival, also called Shigmotsav, is a Hindu celebration coinciding with Phalgun, the month of spring. It is celebrated across 18 constituencies in Goa, honoring both cultural and spiritual traditions.