Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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Karnataka’s Tourism Department is set to elevate the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Somanathapur, especially the Keshava Temple, as a key attraction in Mysuru’s tourism circuit before Dasara this year. Located in Somanathapura town along the River Kaveri, the temple, completed in 1268 AD under Hoysala King Narasimha III, features a unique star-shaped platform with three sanctums. Recognized alongside Halebidu and Belur temples, it holds cultural significance as part of the Hoysala heritage.

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Bone remains from the Baishiya Karst Cave on the Tibetan Plateau, 3,280 meters above sea level, reveal that Denisovans, an extinct human species, survived there for millennia. The study, published in Nature, found a rib bone dated between 48,000 and 32,000 years ago. This discovery highlights Denisovans’ resilience to climatic fluctuations and suggests their interbreeding with Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. The remains also indicate their diverse diet, including blue sheep and woolly rhinos.

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The world’s largest Ramayan temple is being built in East Champaran, Bihar. It will be three times larger than the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and taller than Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The temple features a 33-foot tall shivling, made of black granite from Mahabalipuram, and includes 22 smaller temples dedicated to key deities from the Ramayana. The main shikhar rises to 270 feet, with architectural inspiration drawn from notable temples in India and Cambodia.

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On July 29, 2024, Delhi unveiled India’s first sunken museum at the UNESCO World Heritage site, Humayun’s Tomb. This innovative museum will offer a unique view of Mughal history and architecture by integrating advanced technology with historical displays. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has spearheaded the project in collaboration with various stakeholders, aiming to enhance the preservation and presentation of India’s rich historical legacy.

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The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has started copying stone inscriptions at the Thalishwarar temple in Tamil Nadu using the estampage method. This involves cleaning the stones, transferring the engravings to maplitho paper, inking it, and recording details. The replicated inscriptions, including those in ancient Tamil scripts from the 9th and 12th centuries, offer insights into historical lifestyles and the temple’s construction by a Chera ruler.

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Gotipua is a traditional dance form from Odisha, performed by young boys who dress as women to honor Lord Jagannath and Lord Krishna. This dance, a precursor to Odissi classical dance, involves acrobatic movements inspired by the life of Radha and Krishna. The boys wear a bright blouse called “Kanchula” and an embroidered silk cloth called “Nibibandha.” Gotipua emerged in the 16th century during King Rama Chandra Dev’s reign, replacing female temple dancers known as Devadasis. However, the future of these young dancers becomes uncertain as they age and leave the tradition.

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The Maharashtra government has declared the geoglyphs and petroglyphs in Ratnagiri as protected monuments under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960. This move addresses concerns about preserving these important cultural artifacts. Geoglyphs and petroglyphs are ancient art from the Mesolithic era, featuring animal figures and footprints that offer insights into prehistoric life and creativity. Over 1,500 artworks are found at around 70 sites in Ratnagiri, covering 210 square meters, with seven sites on UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list.

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Mysuru Dasara is a grand 10-day festival in Mysuru, Karnataka, celebrated during Navratri and culminating on Vijayadashami. It features vibrant processions, illuminated palaces, and cultural activities, attracting thousands of visitors. The festival began in 1610 with Raja Wadiyar I, symbolizing the victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari over a demon. The Wadiyars of Mysore have enriched the festival’s traditions over centuries, with the Mysore Palace as a central attraction. As a prelude, the Dasara Gajapayan event involves a ceremonial procession of elephants from Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, leading to the Jamboo Savari procession.

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A Kalamezhuthu workshop was recently organized by the Malayalam Department in Kochi, Kerala. Kalamezhuthu, also known as Dhulee Chithram or Kalam Pattu, is a traditional floor painting art form in Kerala. It is performed during rituals to worship gods like Kaali, Ayyappan, and Vettakkorumakan. The drawings are erased at the end of rituals with musical accompaniment. Natural colors from plants are used for the drawings. Artists usually come from communities like the Kurups, Theyyampadi Nambiars, and Theeyadi Unnis.

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Visitors are imitating the Temple Run game at Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, raising concerns about damage to the 900-year-old site. Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument, covering 200 acres. It was built in the 12th century by Khmer King Suryavarman II. It was originally a Hindu temple for Vishnu, later becoming Buddhist. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. The temple features intricate carvings, five towers symbolising Mount Meru, and thousands of bas-reliefs. It is located in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It was part of the Khmer Empire’s capital, Angkor, which thrived from the 9th to 15th centuries.