Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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The government recently celebrated Uttarakhand’s rich folk culture at the Jagar Lok Sanskriti Utsav. A book titled Uttarakhand ka Lok Putra Pritam Bharatwan by Sachidanand Semwal was released, honoring Pritam Bharatwan as the brand ambassador of the state’s folk culture. Jagar Lok Sanskriti Utsav highlights Uttarakhand’s folk traditions. Jagar, a Hindu form of Shamanism practiced in Uttarakhand, involves rituals where gods and deities are awakened for favors or remedies. Pritam Bharatwan is recognized for promoting Uttarakhand’s traditional culture and folk arts.

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Two people died due to a boundary wall collapse near Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, following heavy rainfall.
The Mahakaleshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and located on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and dates back to at least the 6th century BC, though it was reconstructed in the 18th century.
The five-storied temple features architecture influenced by Chalukya, Maratha, and Bhumija styles. The temple houses sculptures of Lord Shiva, Ganesh, Parvati, and Karttikeya and includes a tank built in sarvatobhadra style.

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The Thirukurungudi Temples, including the Nambi Rayar Temple, Thirumalai Nambi Temple, and Aniliswarar Temple, are situated in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recently documented inscriptions from these temples, dating back to the 9th Century during the Pandya period. These inscriptions reveal historical donations, including sheep for temple lamps and tax-free land for gardens, highlighting the region’s rich cultural heritage and religious practices during the Vijayanagara reign.

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The Ustad Allauddin Khan Festival was recently organized in Madhya Pradesh. The festival is held in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh, and is dedicated to the renowned musician Ustad Allauddin Khan. The three-day event features performances by many renowned personalities from across the country. It is organized by the Madhya Pradesh Culture Department, Ustad Allauddin Khan Music and Art Academy, and the Maihar District Administration, running until October 10. Ustad Allauddin Khan was a prominent figure in music, known for his efforts to promote Madhya Pradesh’s musical tradition and engage the younger generation.

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A silver crown, gifted by Prime Minister Modi in March 2021 to the Jeshoreshwari Temple in Bangladesh, was stolen during Durga Puja. The Jeshoreshwari Temple is significant as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas located across India and neighboring countries. Despite being damaged in the 1971 conflict, its sacred pillars remain significant. The Goddess’ palm, in Abhaya mudra, is believed to hold immense spiritual power, attracting devotees seeking blessings.

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The Sangeet Natak Akademi hosted its first International Festival on Indian Dance, featuring global artists. The six-day event was held at NASC Complex, New Delhi, celebrating India’s rich dance traditions. The festival promotes cultural exchange and showcases Indian dance forms to artists, scholars, and students. It highlights dance’s importance in India’s cultural heritage and its role in engaging the youth. The event fosters global understanding through music and dance, which transcend borders. The festival aims to inspire future generations by connecting them to India’s ancient arts and cultural values.

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Copper plate inscriptions from the 16th century were found at Sri Singeeswarar temple in Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and located in Mappedu Village. It was originally built by Aditya Karikalan II in 976 AD, father of Chola emperor Rajaraja Cholan. Krishnadevaraya’s viceroy, Dalavai Ariyanadha Mudaliar, added the Rajagopuram, compound wall, and 16-pillar Mandap in 1501. The temple features Dravidian architecture with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. The main deity, Singeeswarar, is worshipped in the form of a large Shiva Lingam.

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The Union Ministry of Culture plans to revive the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) and may create an autonomous National Manuscripts Authority. Currently, NMM operates under the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts. NMM was launched in 2003 by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture with the motto “Conserving the past for the future.” Its goals include documenting, conserving, and sharing India’s vast manuscript heritage, estimated at ten million manuscripts.
NMM maintains a National Electronic Database of four million manuscripts. The mission involves national surveys, conservation training, digitization, public engagement, and has set up over 100 Manuscript Resource and Conservation Centers nationwide.

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Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) epigraphists recently found a Telugu inscription above a Lord Hanuman statue at the 13th-century Simhachalam temple. Simhachalam Temple, also called Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, is in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Dedicated to Vishnu’s Narasimha avatar, it was initially built in the 11th century by Odisha’s Gajapati rulers. The temple was renovated by Vengi Chalukyas and later by Narasimha I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty in the 13th century. Its architecture blends Kalinga and Dravidian styles, with a stone chariot, intricate carvings, and sculptures of Vishnu’s avatars and royal figures.

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An Iron Age menhir, known locally as ‘Niluvu Rayi,’ was found in Kamasanpalli village, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana. Menhirs are large, upright stones, sometimes seen alone or in groups. They are found in Europe, Africa, and Asia, with Western Europe having the most. Shapes vary but generally taper at the top, often arranged in circles or rows, like the Carnac alignments in France with 2,935 menhirs. Menhirs sometimes feature engravings, such as spirals or axes. Their purpose is uncertain, but they may have been used for fertility rites or seasonal cycles.