Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Parshuram Kund Mela has started in Arunachal Pradesh. Parshuram Kund is a Hindu pilgrimage site on the Brahmaputra plateau near the Lohit River. It is also known as the “Kumbh of the Northeast,” the festival attracts thousands of devotees from India and abroad.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sri Sri Radha Madanmohanji Temple of ISKCON in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, on January 15, 2025. The temple is now the second-largest ISKCON temple in Asia. The design of the temple blends spirituality and knowledge, with various facilities reflecting ISKCON’s mission to serve society.

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Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu inaugurated the three-day Pangsau Pass International Festival (PPIF). The event celebrates heritage through folk songs, sports, and historic site expeditions. It offers a platform for local artisans, traders, and entrepreneurs to showcase their talent. The festival aims to foster economic growth and self-reliance. The festival is held annually in Nampong, Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh.

Notes:
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism inaugurated the ‘Bhagwat’ exhibition at the Prayagraj Museum, showcasing miniature paintings. The exhibition blends art, culture, Lord Ram and Krishna, and Kumbh traditions. The exhibition highlights India’s unity, serving as proof against historical divisions. The Minister emphasized the Kumbh as a symbol of India’s unity, bringing together people of various faiths and cultures.

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Nepal organized its first three-day International Pashmina Festival to highlight Chyangra Pashmina, sourced from Pashmina goats. Nepal is a major producer of authentic Pashmina, known for its high quality. The wool is hand-combed, hand-spun, and woven using traditional methods with natural dyes and embroidery. The exhibition featured 150 stalls, including 40 showcasing pure Nepali Pashmina. Nepali Pashmina competes internationally, with strong markets in the US, Japan, and Europe. Challenges include raw material supply and the need for policy improvements to expand the market. Fake and blended Pashmina pose a challenge globally, especially in India.

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Andhra Pradesh’s Etikoppaka toys were prominently featured at the Republic Day parade. They are traditional wooden toys made by artisans from Etikoppaka village, Andhra Pradesh, near the Varaha River. Natural dyes from seeds, bark, roots, leaves, and lacquer are used to color these toys. The softwood from ‘ankudu’ trees (Wrightia Tinctoria) is primarily used. The toys are rounded with no sharp edges, ensuring safety. Etikoppaka toys received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2017.

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Tribal families in Neelabandha celebrated their first electricity supply since Independence with the ‘Dhimsa’ dance. Dhimsa is a popular tribal dance in Andhra Pradesh performed by Bagata, Valmiki, Poraja, Khond, Gadaba, Kondadora, Mukadora, and Kotia tribes. It symbolizes unity and cultural heritage, with themes based on mythology, folktales, economic activities, kinship, and marital life.

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Dashavatar performances recently started in Maharashtra. Dashavatar is a traditional theatre form with an 800-year history. It represents the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu: Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vaman, Parashuram, Ram, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki. Performers use bright makeup and costumes, accompanied by a paddle harmonium, tabla, and zanj (cymbals). It is popular in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra’s South Konkan region and North Goa district of Goa.

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The Geographical Indications (GI) Registry Chennai has granted a new logo for the Kashmir hand-knotted carpet to preserve its exclusivity. Kashmir hand-knotted carpets, locally called “Kal baffi”, date back to the 15th century. Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin introduced carpet weaving in Kashmir by bringing artisans from Persia and Central Asia. Farsi baff and Persian Sehna knots are traditionally used in Kashmir carpets. Simple tools like wooden or metal combs and short scissors are used in weaving. Other GI-tagged Kashmir crafts include Papier Mache, Pashmina, Kani, Sozni, Khatamband, and Walnut Wood Carving.

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Assam will host the world’s largest Jhumur (Jhumoir) dance performance on February 24. The event aims to set a Guinness World Record with over 7,500 dancers. It is part of an investment summit in the state. The festival highlights Assam’s rich cultural heritage. It also serves as a global platform to attract investors.