Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
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.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The 38th Surajkund International Crafts Fair 2025 held from February 7 to 23 in Surajkund, Faridabad, Haryana. It is organized by the Union Ministries of Tourism, Culture, External Affairs, Textiles, and the Haryana government. The fair showcases India’s and other countries’ crafts, textiles, culture, and cuisine. The 37th edition in 2024 saw participation from 45+ countries, 592 foreign artists, and 1.3 million visitors. For 2025, BIMSTEC is proposed as the partner organization, enhancing international collaboration.

Notes:
Tribal families in Neelabandha celebrated their first electricity supply since Independence with the ‘Dhimsa’ dance. Dhimsa is a popular tribal dance in Andhra Pradesh performed by Bagata, Valmiki, Poraja, Khond, Gadaba, Kondadora, Mukadora, and Kotia tribes. It symbolizes unity and cultural heritage, with themes based on mythology, folktales, economic activities, kinship, and marital life.

Notes:
Around 12 Bhil families have accused the Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) of trying to demolish their homes and displace them from ancestral land. Bhils are one of the oldest and most widely distributed tribal groups in India. The name ‘Bhil’ comes from the Dravidian word villu or billu, meaning bow. They belong to the Australoid group and are considered a Dravidian racial tribe of Western India. Bhils are divided into two main groups: central and eastern (Rajput Bhils). Central Bhils mainly live in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. The Baneshwar Fair is one of the most significant festivals for the Bhil community. It takes place during Shivratri.

Notes:
Assam will host the world’s largest Jhumur (Jhumoir) dance performance on February 24. The event aims to set a Guinness World Record with over 7,500 dancers. It is part of an investment summit in the state. The festival highlights Assam’s rich cultural heritage. It also serves as a global platform to attract investors.

Notes:
A study traces the Fulani people’s history back to the ‘Green Sahara’ period (12,000–5,000 years ago). The Fulani are among Africa’s largest pastoral populations, including nomadic herders and farmers. They mainly reside in Nigeria, Mali, Guinea, Senegal, and Niger but are spread across several other countries. Their language, Fula, belongs to the Atlantic branch of the Niger-Congo language family. The Fulani are divided into three groups: Makiyaya (herders), Fulanin Soro (town dwellers), and Bararo (forest dwellers with ancestral rituals).

Notes:
Three Kannada inscriptions from the Kalyana Chalukya era were discovered for the first time in Kankal village, Vikarabad district, Telangana. The Chalukyas ruled the Deccan plateau from the 6th to 12th centuries as three related dynasties. The Kalyana Chalukyas, also called Western Chalukyas, ruled from Kalyani (now in Bidar, Karnataka). Tailapa II founded the dynasty after overthrowing the Rashtrakutas. Their rule peaked under Vikramaditya VI (1076-1126 CE), known for military success and governance. He defeated northern feudatories and won battles against the Cholas, marking the ‘Chalukya Vikrama era.’

Notes:
Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first ‘Open-Air Art Wall Museum’ at Mausam Bhawan, New Delhi. The museum marks the 150-year journey of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It is developed in collaboration with ‘Delhi Street Art’. It transforms IMD’s Lodhi Road headquarters into a visual narrative. The artwork showcases India’s meteorological advancements and the role of weather science in society.

Notes:
Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) government has recognized Bathouism as an official religion option in application forms. The move has been praised by Bodo culture and faith experts. Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the initiative at the 13th Triennial Conference of All Bathou Mahasabha. The government has also declared a state holiday for Bathou Puja, emphasizing its commitment to nature-centric faiths. Bathouism is the traditional religion of the Bodos, Assam’s largest plains tribe, mainly living along the Brahmaputra’s north bank. The religion is deeply ancestral but has seen reform movements.