Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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A geospatial analysis using satellite images and ground surveys revealed “huge architectural wealth” buried in the Mahabodhi temple complex in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, marks the Buddha’s Enlightenment spot. Built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C., the current structure dates to the 5th-6th centuries and is a key example of early brick architecture and sculptural reliefs.

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The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports announced in the Lok Sabha that the Indian Kalarippayattu Federation has been recognized as the Regional Sports Federation to promote Kalarippayattu in India. This traditional martial art, originating in Kerala, is believed to have been established by the warrior sage Parasurama. The term “Kalaripayattu” combines “kalari” (place of combat) and “payattu” (fighting) in Malayalam.

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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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Archaeologists recently uncovered a 2,700-year-old Etruscan cult temple at the Sasso Pinzuto necropolis in Tuscany, Italy, shedding light on the ancient Etruscan civilization. This discovery, which includes over 120 chamber tombs, highlights the cultural and architectural significance of the Etruscans, who flourished in central Italy from the 8th to 3rd centuries BCE. The Etruscan temples, built on elevated tuff foundations, often featured polychrome clay slabs with religious reliefs.

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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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Archaeologists at Göbekli Tepe in Turkey discovered a pillar that may be the world’s oldest calendar, dating back nearly 13,000 years. The pillar is located at the ancient site of Göbekli Tepe in the Şanlıurfa province, which is one of the oldest known farming communities in the world. The markings on the pillar appear to show solar and lunar cycles, and may have been used to record dates by ancient humans using precession, the wobble in Earth’s axis that affects the movement of constellations. The markings also depict the summer solstice as a special day, represented by a “V” around the neck of a bird-like beast.

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Vishalgad Fort, also known as Khelna, is facing tensions as right-wing groups target local Muslim residents over alleged encroachments. The fort, built in 1058 by Shilahara king Marsinh, is located on a hilltop in the Sahyadri mountain ranges, Maharashtra. It was captured by the Seuna Yadavas in 1209 and later fell under the Khilji dynasty, the Vijayanagar Empire, and the Adilshahi dynasty. Shivaji captured the fort in 1659 and renamed it Vishalgad, meaning “grand fort.”

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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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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.