Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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India’s Deepavali (Diwali) has recently been added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising its cultural significance at the global level. The UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is designed to highlight and preserve living cultural traditions, practices, and expressions that communities consider an essential part of their identity. The list recognises and safeguards cultural practices that are actively performed and upheld by communities across the world. It aims to promote cultural diversity, strengthen community identity, and ensure the continuity of traditional knowledge.

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UNESCO has inscribed Pakistan’s Boreendo on the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding list, recognising its cultural fragility and the need for immediate preservation efforts. The Boreendo is a spherical clay vessel-flute that produces soft, mellow and breathy tones traditionally used in folk melodies, pastoral songs and winter gatherings in Sindh. It originated in Keti Mir Muhammad Lund in Sindh, and its lineage traces back to musical artefacts from Mohenjo-daro, linking it to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. The instrument is handcrafted from terracotta, using sun-dried and kiln-fired clay, which makes it an environmentally sustainable musical craft.

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Madhya Pradesh is developing a unique sustainability plan for the Simhastha Kumbh 2028 in Ujjain, with the goal of making the event environmentally responsible and eligible for carbon credits. The Kumbh is expected to attract nearly 30 crore pilgrims, requiring systems to manage the massive footfall while reducing environmental impact, improving hygiene, and ensuring safety. The Simhastha Kumbh Mela is a Hindu religious festival held every 12 years in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It is called “Simhastha” because the festival occurs when Jupiter (Brihaspati) enters the Leo constellation (Simha Rashi).

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University of Patanjali has been designated a Cluster Center under the Gyan Bharatam Mission, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. University of Patanjali is the first yoga and Ayurveda-based university to receive this distinction. The university has preserved 50,000+ ancient texts, digitized 42 lakh+ pages, and republished 40 manuscripts. As a Cluster Center, it will mentor 20 associated institutions and strengthen nationwide cultural preservation efforts. The university will support research, education, and dissemination of Yoga and Ayurveda manuscripts, linking traditional wisdom with contemporary scholarship.

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The Department of Posts recently transported a priceless Thanjavur painting of Shri Ram from Bengaluru to Ayodhya via Logistics Post. Thanjavur (Tanjore) paintings originate from Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, around 1600 AD, flourishing under the Nayakas of Thanjavur. It is created on wooden panels (palagai padam), usually jackfruit or teak, affixed with canvas and bound with Arabic gum. It is known for vibrant colors, including bright red, blue, green, and extensive gold leafwork.

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Recently, the Prime Minister of India praised Narsapuram Lace Craft made by self-help groups of Narsapur in Andhra Pradesh during the “Man Ki Baat” programme. Narsapuram Lace Craft is primarily made in Andhra Pradesh. Narsapur is located on the banks of the Godavari River. About 150 years ago, women from farming families began making decorative items using colourful lace. It mainly uses fine cotton threads, along with silk, rayon, synthetic threads, beads, and sequins. The main tool used is a crochet hook of different sizes. It has received the Geographical Indication tag.

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A 2,000-year-old Buddhist site was discovered in Zehanpora village, Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir. Excavations revealed stupas, monastic buildings, and other structures from the Kushan period. The discovery highlights Kashmir’s deep-rooted Buddhist history, previously less known. The find was prompted by old blurry photographs of three stupas preserved in a French museum. Archaeologists conducted fresh surveys in Zehanpora, leading to the excavation of the Buddhist complex. The site provides new insights into the ancient civilisation and religious traditions of the Kashmir Valley.

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Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple to reopen on 30 December for Makaravilakku festival, marking the second phase of the annual pilgrimage season. Makaravilakku festival is one of the most sacred events in Kerala, attracting devotees from across India. It is celebrated on the first day of Makara Masam in the Malayalam calendar, coinciding with Makara Sankranti.

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The Aiyanoor Ammanoor festival of the Kota tribe was celebrated at Solur Kokkal village near Udhagamandalam in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. The Kota tribe is classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Tamil Nadu. The festival is a traditional annual or periodic event reflecting the living cultural heritage of the community. Aiyanoor Amman is worshipped as the central village and guardian deity. Women play a central role by performing ritual dances in traditional white attire with distinctive borders.

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Somnath Swabhiman Parv is observed at Somnath, Gujarat from 8–11 January. The event marks 1,000 years since the first recorded attack on the Somnath Temple. It aims to convey the message of continuity, resilience and revival of Sanatan culture to future generations. The Somnath Mahadev Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, represents India’s spiritual and cultural legacy. Despite repeated attacks, the temple was rebuilt every time, symbolising endurance and civilisational strength. The observance highlights the unbroken spirit and renewal of Sanatan tradition.