Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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An Ajmer court has admitted a petition to survey the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, leading to calls for a similar probe into the Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra. It is located in Ajmer, Rajasthan. It is one of India’s oldest mosques and the second oldest in North India, after Delhi’s Quwwat ul Islam mosque. The Deputy Mayor claims it was initially a Sanskrit college and Jain temple before being converted into a mosque in the 12th century. Commissioned by Qutubuddin Aibak in 1199 CE, it was later enhanced by Iltutmish in 1213 CE. The structure showcases early Indo-Islamic architecture.

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The Supreme Court will review a plea against the Kerala High Court order allowing the Guruvayur temple administration to stop the “udayasthamana pooja” on Ekadasi due to crowd management concerns. Guruvayur Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, located in Kerala, is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is one of the largest temples in India by daily devotees. It may be over 5000 years old, with its earliest records from the 17th century. The temple is known for its traditional Kerala architecture, ancient murals, and unique rituals like Thulabharam. It also houses the Punnathur Kotta elephant sanctuary with 56 elephants.

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The “Under the Sal Tree” Theatre Festival, held annually in Assam’s Goalpara district, celebrates its silver jubilee from December 15 to 17. The festival takes place in open space amid sal plantations, embracing simplicity and harmony with nature. The stage is made of mud, and chairs and walls are crafted from thin bamboo strips. Artists perform without artificial sound systems, relying on natural voice projection to focus on narratives. It began in 2008, organized by Badunduppa Kalakendra, founded by the late Sukracharjya Rabha in 1998. The festival highlights indigenous art forms, languages, and traditions, including Rabha and Bodo plays.

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India’s first digital museum, “Abhay Prabhavana,” made of Jaisalmer stones, has opened in Maharashtra. It is located on the banks of the Indrayani River on the Mumbai-Pune highway in Pune district. Built by the Firodia Institute of Philosophy Culture and History, it spans 50 acres near 2200-year-old Pale Jain caves. The museum showcases the life of 24 Jain Tirthankaras and their messages using advanced technology in 30 galleries. Construction took 12 years and cost over ₹400 crore, featuring a 100-foot tall pillar and manuscripts over 1,000 years old. The aim is to preserve Jain heritage, promote its teachings, and highlight Jain contributions to society.

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The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered copper plates and ancient inscriptions in the Ghantamandapam of Srisailam Temple. Srisailam Temple, also called Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, is located in Andhra Pradesh, surrounded by Nallamala Hills and Krishna River. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Shakti as Bhramarambha. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and a rare site combining Jyothirlingam and Mahashakthi in one campus. The temple, built in Dravidian style, showcases Vijayanagara architecture. Its origins trace back to the 2nd century AD, with contributions from the Satavahanas, Kakatiyas, and Vijayanagara kings. Aadi Sankara is said to have visited and composed Sivananda Lahiri here.

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Karnataka government announced a ₹100 crore plan to develop Yadgir Fort under the “One District, One Spot” initiative to boost tourism. ₹33 crore comes from the MLA grant, and ₹67 crore from the state government. Yadgir Fort is located in Yadgir district, one of the largest forts in Karnataka. The fort is built on a monolith, measuring 850m in length, 500m in width, and 100m in height. It has inscriptions from various dynasties like Kalyana Chalukyas, Yadavas, Bahmani Sultans, and others.

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Sevdalinka, a traditional Bosnian love song, has been included in UNESCO’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Originating in the 16th century, it blends South Slavic poetry with Ottoman music, reflecting a melancholic essence. Traditionally passed down through generations during family gatherings, it is often performed a cappella or with instruments like the lute. Younger musicians are revitalizing Sevdalinka, keeping its essence alive while reaching global audiences. UNESCO recognition highlights Sevdalinka’s cultural and historical significance.

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The ‘Sanskriti Utsava’ is set to celebrate Uttar Pradesh’s foundation day with the theme ‘Uttar Pradesh Parv: Hamari Sanskriti-Hamari Pehchaan’. Scheduled from January 2 to January 26, 2025, the festival aims to promote classical, semi-classical, and folk arts through competitions at various levels. It seeks to discover emerging talents and enrich the state’s cultural heritage, showcasing diverse genres like Khayal, Dhrupad, and various folk music styles, along with classical dance forms such as Kathak and Bharatnatyam.

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A three-foot statue of 13th-century saint Narahari Tirtha was discovered at Simhachalam Temple in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Narahari Tirtha was a Dvaita Vedanta philosopher and disciple of Madhvacharya, spreading the doctrine in eastern India, especially Kalinga (modern Odisha and Andhra Pradesh). He hailed from Chikakolu (now Srikakulam) and assisted Eastern Ganga dynasty kings for three decades, ensuring adherence to Sanatana Dharma and proper temple administration. His contributions are documented in inscriptions at Simhachalam and Srikurmam temples. He introduced Devaranamas in Kannada, Yakshagana Bayalata in Karnataka, and influenced Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh.

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Preparations for the Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple are nearing completion for January 15. ‘Makaravilakku’ is an annual festival held on Makar Sankranti at the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala. The festival begins with the Thiruvabharanam procession and ends with the Guruthi ritual. The Guruthi ritual is performed to please the deities of the forest.