Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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The Kumaranallur Devi temple in Kottayam, Kerala, is undergoing a restoration project. The temple dates back to the 10th century during King Cheraman Perumal’s reign and features a rare ‘Sree Chakra’ style in its architecture. Its murals, spread across 14 sections, depict scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, starting with an image of Karthyayani Devi.
Renowned mural artist Gopi Chavayur is restoring the murals, which had faded over time. The first restoration in 1997 recreated 12 panels using traditional colours like red, yellow, green, white, and black, with emphasis on lines. Unique elements include Goddess Parvathy depicted in modern attire.

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Tribal communities in several Indian states recently celebrated the harvest festival of Karma or Karam Parv. Karma Puja honors the Karam tree, symbolizing fertility, prosperity, and auspiciousness. The festival began with the start of agriculture by tribal communities. A week before, young women plant seven types of grains in clean sand. On the festival day, a Karam tree branch is planted in a courtyard, and the priest worships the Karam Raja. The celebration includes traditional dancing, singing, and offerings. The Karam branch is later immersed in water, and Jawa flowers are distributed. It is mainly celebrated by Munda, Ho, Oraon, and other tribes in states like Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha.

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Seiyhama village in Nagaland celebrated the Naga king chili festival, showcasing community farming. Naga King Chili, also known as Bhoot Jolokia or Ghost Pepper, is one of the world’s hottest chillies. It was certified by Guinness World Records in 2006, with heat exceeding 1 million Scoville Heat Units. It received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2008. The chili is primarily cultivated in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, and to a lesser extent in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya. Peak harvest months are August-September, and it is grown in large bamboo groves.

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The Gingee Fort, situated in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district, has been nominated for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. The fort is part of the Maratha Military Landscapes nomination for UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2024-25. The nomination includes 12 components, with 11 sites in Maharashtra and Gingee Fort as the only site from Tamil Nadu. Known as the ‘Troy of the East’, Gingee Fort located atop three hillocks- Rajagiri, Krishnagiri and Chandragiri. It was built by Ananta Kon of the Konar Dynasty in 1,200 CE. It has seen rule by the Vijayanagar Nayaks, Marathas, Mughals, Nawabs, French, and British.

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At least 46 people, including 37 children, drowned during the Jivitputrika festival in Bihar while taking a holy dip.
Jivitputrika, or Jitiya Vrat, is a Hindu festival mainly observed in northern and eastern part of India especially in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Nepal. Mothers fast for three days for the well-being and long life of their children, with a strict ‘nirjala’ fast on the second day. The festival is linked to the mythological story of King Jimutavahana. It starts with a purifying bath (Nahai-Khai) and ends with breaking the fast (Paaran).

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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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Bathukamma is a festival celebrated in the state of Telangana and some parts of Andhra Pradesh. It is a floral festival that celebrates the beginning of the Sarad or Sharath Ruthu season. It is celebrated for nine days during Durga Navratri, usually in September or October. Bathukamma is a symbol of Telangana’s cultural identity and is celebrated with vibrant flowers, songs, and communal harmony.

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Manipur celebrated the annual Mera-Hou-Chongba festival, a cultural event symbolizing the state’s commitment to unity between its hill and valley communities. It is observed annually on the 15th lunar day of the Mera month in the Meitei calendar. The event began with a flag-hoisting ceremony led by titular king and MP Leishemba Sanajaoba at Sana Konung. Traditional rituals, Men Tongba and Yenkhong Tamba, were performed at Kangla Uttra. Participants from remote hill areas joined in, exchanging gifts and showcasing cultural dances.

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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.