Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Japan will be the official ‘Partner Country’ for the 25th Hornbill Festival in Nagaland. The festival is held annually from December 1–10, showcasing Nagaland’s culture through music, dance, art, and indigenous games. Started in 2000, its goal is to promote the state’s culture, encourage inter-tribal interaction, and preserve Naga heritage. Organized by the state’s Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, with support from the Union Government. It is named after the Indian Hornbill, a colorful bird central to the folklore of many Naga tribes.

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Six Viragallu (hero stones) were discovered near the Anjaneya Temple between Rukmapur and Kupagal villages in Shorapur, Karnataka. Viragallu are memorial stones honoring heroes who died in battle. The discovery was made by the Surapura Hitarakshana Samiti team, led by Shravanakumar Nayak and researcher Rajgopal Vibhuti, who are working to protect the inscriptions. Shorapur, also known as the Surpur Empire, was a princely state in present-day Yadgir district, Karnataka. The region was ruled by the Nayak Dynasty, with Raja Venkatappa Nayak as its last ruler.

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The first Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav will be held in Delhi from December 6 to 8 at Bharat Mandapam, showcasing Northeast India’s crafts, art, and culture. It is organized by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), it will feature eight state pavilions and a rural haat bazaar with 320 artisans and farmers. The event is expected to generate ₹20 million from pavilions and ₹10 million from a buyer-seller meet involving 40 buyers and 50 artisans.

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Ningol Chakouba, a festival of the Meitei community in Manipur, was celebrated near Moodbidri. The event was organized by Alva’s Education Foundation with participation from Northeast students. It highlights and preserves the Meitei community’s rich cultural heritage. The festival symbolizes the bond between mothers, daughters, brothers, and sisters, emphasizing women’s importance in Manipuri society and strengthening family ties.

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The Hornbill Festival, celebrated annually since 2000 in Nagaland, marks its 25th year. Named after the Hornbill bird, symbolizing boldness in Naga folklore, it takes place at Kisama Heritage Village, showcasing 17 indigenous houses representing Nagaland’s tribes. The festival promotes inter-tribal interaction, preserving the state’s rich heritage. Nagaland, known as the “Land of Festivals,” is home to 17 major tribes, each with its unique traditions. The festival highlights India’s unity in diversity, where diverse cultural practices coexist, strengthening the nation’s identity.

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The “halwa ceremony” is a traditional event that signifies the commencement of the printing process for Union Budget. This ritual involves serving ‘halwa’ to finance ministry officials and signifies the initiation of budget document printing. Following this ceremony, officials are confined to ministry premises to prevent any leaks before the Budget is officially presented in Parliament, typically on February 1 each year.

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After 48 years, the Kalyan civil court dismissed a Muslim trust’s suit claiming ownership of an idgah inside Durgadi Fort, ruling in favor of the state government. Durgadi Fort is located in Kalyan, near Mumbai, Maharashtra, on the banks of the Ulhas River, offering scenic views of Kalyan. Kalyan was a vital international harbor during the Satvahan era and remains a key historical location. The fort was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj after capturing Kalyan and Bhiwandi from Adilshah on October 24, 1654. It marked the beginning of the Maratha Navy and served as a dock for shipbuilding.

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The Gadhimai Mahotsav, held every five years at the Gadhimai Temple in Bariyarpur, Nepal, is known for the world’s largest animal sacrifice. More than two crore people attended the festival this year, despite decades of criticism from animal activists. The festival features the largest animal sacrifice, with devotees sacrificing buffaloes, goats, cocks, and ducks during Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami. Devotees also release doves in the temple when their wishes are believed to be fulfilled. The festival takes place at the Gadhimai Temple in Bara district, near the Indo-Nepal border.

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The Surajkund International Craft Fair will take place from February 7–23, 2025, in Faridabad. Around ₹1.50 crore is allocated for repair work to prepare for the event. The fair serves as both an art exhibition and a business hub, connecting craftsmen with art enthusiasts. It highlights India’s rich handicrafts, handlooms, and cultural heritage. The 2025 fair will expand with weather-proof huts to accommodate growing participation, though the number is yet to be finalized. In 2024, 1,150 huts hosted 1,500 indigenous and 250 foreign artisans. BIMSTEC countries are partner nations, with Northeastern states receiving special focus.

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The Prime Minister has invited people to experience Rann Utsav, which runs until March 2025. Rann Utsav is an annual cultural festival organized by Gujarat Tourism in the Great Rann of Kutch, India’s largest salt desert. The festival showcases Kutch’s rich cultural and artistic heritage, drawing tourists from India and abroad. The Rann of Kutch is a vast salt marsh spanning the India-Pakistan border, mainly in Gujarat’s Kutch district, with a smaller part in Pakistan’s Sindh province.