Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The National Book Trust (NBT) of India displayed a prestigious replica of the original handwritten Indian Constitution manuscript at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which took place from November 6 to 17, 2024. This event highlighted India’s literary contributions with participation from over 2,500 publishers worldwide. The fair also featured various workshops and international speakers, promoting cultural exchange and literary diversity.

Notes:
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was the chief guest at the 66th Akhil Bharatiya Kalidas Ceremony in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The Akhil Bhartiya Kalidas Samaroh is a seven-day annual festival in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It celebrates Sanskrit literary giants like Kalidas, Vatsyayana, and Bhartrihari. The festival also honors renowned Hindi writers, including Shivmangal Singh Suman, Prabhakar Machve, Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh, and Pandit Surya Narayan. This event serves as a tribute to India’s rich literary heritage and brings together scholars and enthusiasts of classical literature.

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The 10-day Jhiri Mela started in Jammu, celebrating the sacrifice of Baba Jitto, a 16th-century Dogra hero. Baba Jitto, a Brahmin farmer, died fighting injustice, promoting values like unity, honesty, and courage. his cultural event promotes values like unity and honesty and attracts around 20 lakh visitors. It serves as a platform for local craftsmen and showcases Jammu’s rich heritage while providing information on government schemes for farmers.

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Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Jauljibi Mela 2024 in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. Jauljibi is at the confluence of the Gori and Kali rivers and lies on the traditional Kailash Mansarovar route, adding religious and historical significance. The fair symbolizes cultural and economic unity between India and Nepal, drawing merchants from Tibet, Nepal, and India.

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Bali Jatra is the largest open-air trade fair in Asia, held annually on the banks of the Mahanadi River in Cuttack. It commemorates the maritime heritage of Odisha, where ancient traders ventured to Southeast Asia. This year, it features around 2,500 stalls and cultural performances from various countries. The fair, which begins on Kartika Purnima, has been recognized as a state festival, highlighting Odisha’s rich history and culture.

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.

Notes:
The Ustad Bismilliah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2022 and 2023 recently conferred to 82 young artists in a ceremony in New Delhi. It was instituted by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2006, it honors artists under 40 in music, dance, drama, folk arts, and puppetry. The award includes Rs 25,000, a plaque, and an angavastram. The award aims to encourage young artists in India. Ustad Bismillah Khan was a renowned Shehnai musician who performed at India’s first Republic Day in 1950 and was the first Indian at the Lincoln Centre in the USA.

Notes:
The Reang community, also known as Bru, demands a holiday in Tripura on Hojagiri Day, celebrating their traditional dance. Reangs are the second-largest tribal community in Tripura and the state’s only Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). They are found in Tripura, Mizoram, and Assam, with a population of around 188,080. The Reangs trace their origins to Shan State in Myanmar and migrated to Tripura in different waves.

Notes:
Narasapuram lace craft from Andhra Pradesh has received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The craft originated around 150 years ago, created by women from the farming community. It survived the Indian famine of 1899 and the Great Depression of 1929. By the early 1900s, over 2,000 women were involved in this craft. The lace is made with thin threads and crochet needles to create items like doilies, pillow covers, and bedspreads. Narasapur’s lace products are exported to the US, UK, and France.

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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.