Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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Pakistani archaeologists unearthed rare coins and decorative stones at the Bhir Mound, a UNESCO-listed site near Takshashila, revealing insights into ancient urban settlements. The decorative stones date to the 6th century BCE, while the coins are from the 2nd century CE, belonging to the Kushan dynasty. Coins depict Emperor Vasudeva on the obverse and a female religious deity on the reverse, highlighting Kushan-era religious pluralism. Lapis lazuli fragments, a prized semi-precious stone, indicate long-distance trade, likely sourced from Badakhshan (present-day Afghanistan).

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The Centre has granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Nagauri Ashwagandha, recognising its unique regional identity. It is mainly grown in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan. The dry climate and sandy soil of Nagaur are ideal for Ashwagandha cultivation. This variety has longer and thicker roots rich in medicinal compounds, especially alkaloids. Its berries have a dark, bright red colour, which indicates superior quality. The roots are brittle and starchy in nature. Nagauri Ashwagandha is considered the best Ashwagandha variety in arid regions.

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In Jaipur, nearly 250 families continue to preserve Kathputli, one of Rajasthan’s oldest folk art traditions. Kathputli is a traditional string puppet theatre form that originated in Rajasthan. Historically, travelling performers used Kathputli shows to narrate stories of Rajput kings, brave warriors, folk heroes, and moral tales to village audiences. The word Kathputli comes from kath meaning wood and putli meaning doll, highlighting its simple wooden structure. A Kathputli puppet is made using wood, cloth, thread, and metal wire, with a wooden upper body and cotton and fabric below.

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Recently, the Prime Minister of India witnessed a performance of the traditional Bagurumba dance in Assam, with over 10,000 artistes participating. Bagurumba is a folk dance of the Bodo community, inspired by nature and associated with peace, fertility, joy, and collective harmony. It is performed during festivals like Bwisagu (Bodo New Year) and Domasi. The dance symbolises blooming flowers and the harmony between humans and nature.

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The 151-year-old Umbilo Shree Ambalavaanar Alayam temple in Durban, South Africa, may face discontinuation of civic services due to a pending bill amid fraud allegations. It was built in 1875 by Indian indentured labourers. It is the oldest Hindu temple in Africa. Also called the Cato Manor Second River Temple, it is located on a hill in Cato Manor amidst lush vegetation. The temple complex houses three deities: Ambalavaanar (Lord Shiva), Sri Draupadi Alayam (Mother Goddess), and Phutu/Phutuvan Temple. Its architecture reflects traditional South Indian style with intricate carvings and vibrant colors.

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A rare 233-year-old Sanskrit manuscript of the Valmiki Ramayana, dating back to 1792 CE (Vikrama Samvat 1849), has been permanently gifted to the Antarrashtriya Ram Katha Sangrahalaya (International Ram Katha Museum) in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The manuscript was authored by Ādi Kavi Vālmīki and contains a classical commentary (ṭīkā) by Maheshvara Tīrtha, written in Sanskrit using the Devanāgarī script. This gift aims to support the development of the museum as a global centre for Rāmāyaṇa heritage while ensuring wider public access and preservation of the manuscript.

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World’s oldest known rock art discovered in Liang Metanduno cave, Muna Island, Indonesia. The artwork is a hand stencil with fingers deliberately narrowed to resemble a claw or animal feature. Uranium-series dating shows the calcium carbonate layer covering the artwork is at least 67,800 years old. This surpasses the previous record of 51,200 years for a wild pig painting in Leang Karampuang cave, South Sulawesi.

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Recent excavations at Lakkundi, Karnataka have uncovered Neolithic-era artefacts, supporting the push for UNESCO World Heritage Site inclusion. Excavation is supervised by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the Kote Veerabhadreshwar Temple to uncover buried structures and cultural layers. Lakkundi, formerly Lokkigundi, was known as the “village of hundred wells and temples”. It had historical significance under the Chalukya, Yadava, and Hoysala rulers, serving as the capital of Hoysala king Eradane Ballala in 1192 A.D.

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Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is at Ujjain, an important pilgrimage centre on the Kshipra.

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Bhagoria is closely associated with Bhil and Bhilala communities of western Madhya Pradesh. Its fair traditions include markets, music and dance.