Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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Around 12 Bhil families have accused the Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) of trying to demolish their homes and displace them from ancestral land. Bhils are one of the oldest and most widely distributed tribal groups in India. The name ‘Bhil’ comes from the Dravidian word villu or billu, meaning bow. They belong to the Australoid group and are considered a Dravidian racial tribe of Western India. Bhils are divided into two main groups: central and eastern (Rajput Bhils). Central Bhils mainly live in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. The Baneshwar Fair is one of the most significant festivals for the Bhil community. It takes place during Shivratri.

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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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President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Aadi Mahotsav 2025 at Major Dhyanchand Stadium, New Delhi. The event celebrates tribal entrepreneurship, crafts, culture, cuisine, and commerce. It provides a platform for tribal artisans and entrepreneurs from different states to showcase their creations. Cultural and traditional programs will be featured, promoting unity and diversity in the nation.

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Three Kannada inscriptions from the Kalyana Chalukya era were discovered for the first time in Kankal village, Vikarabad district, Telangana. The Chalukyas ruled the Deccan plateau from the 6th to 12th centuries as three related dynasties. The Kalyana Chalukyas, also called Western Chalukyas, ruled from Kalyani (now in Bidar, Karnataka). Tailapa II founded the dynasty after overthrowing the Rashtrakutas. Their rule peaked under Vikramaditya VI (1076-1126 CE), known for military success and governance. He defeated northern feudatories and won battles against the Cholas, marking the ‘Chalukya Vikrama era.’

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Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) government has recognized Bathouism as an official religion option in application forms. The move has been praised by Bodo culture and faith experts. Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the initiative at the 13th Triennial Conference of All Bathou Mahasabha. The government has also declared a state holiday for Bathou Puja, emphasizing its commitment to nature-centric faiths. Bathouism is the traditional religion of the Bodos, Assam’s largest plains tribe, mainly living along the Brahmaputra’s north bank. The religion is deeply ancestral but has seen reform movements.

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The Prime Minister of India attended Jhumoir Binandini 2025, a grand cultural event featuring 8,000 performers. Jhumoir, also known as Jhumur, is a traditional folk dance of Assam’s Adivasi tea tribes, performed during the harvest season. It is accompanied by instruments like the Madal, Dhol, Taal, and Flute. Dancers perform in a circular formation with rhythmic footwork and swaying movements. Women wear colorful sarees, while men wear dhotis and kurtas. The dance symbolizes unity, inclusivity, and Assam’s rich cultural heritage, fostering social bonding and community celebration.

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Auroville recently celebrated its 57th anniversary with bonfire meditation at the Matrimandir Amphitheatre. It is an experimental international township in Tamil Nadu, near Pondicherry, with residents from over 60 countries. It was founded by Mirra Alfassa (‘The Mother’) on February 28, 1968, as an international cultural township. It was designed by architect Roger Anger, it is the world’s largest and oldest intentional community. Auroville has transformed from barren land into a 3,000-acre green township with biodiversity, schools, and social enterprises. UNESCO endorsed Auroville through resolutions in 1966, 1968, 1970, and 1983. It is administered by the Ministry of Education under the Auroville Foundation Act, 1988.

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Supreme Court directed Forest Research Institute (FRI) to conduct a tree census in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ). TTZ covers 10,400 sq km around the Taj Mahal to protect it from pollution. It includes three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri. 1996 Supreme Court ruling banned coal/coke use in TTZ industries, mandating a switch to natural gas or relocation. Centre formed TTZ Pollution Prevention Authority under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. TTZ has four zones: Red, Green, Orange, and White.

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The Jalanatheswarar Temple in Thakkolam, Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu, is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Jalantheeswarar, represented by a sand lingam known as Theenda Thirumeni. The temple was originally built by the Pallavas and later expanded by the Cholas, with its current structure dating back to the 16th-century Nayak period. It covers 1.5 acres, featuring a three-tiered gopuram and granite walls. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, glorified in the Tevaram hymns by Tamil Saivite Nayanars like Sambandar.

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Attukal Pongala is a 10-day festival in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, dedicated to Goddess Attukal Devi. It is the world’s largest gathering of women, emphasizing peace, prosperity, and community spirit. The most auspicious day, Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam, falls on March 13. The festival began on March 5 and concludes on March 15, 2025. It is a grand religious and cultural event celebrated with devotion across South India.