Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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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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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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The Supreme Court refused to hear a petition against ‘VIP darshan’ at Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple, saying courts should not act as gatekeepers for temple entry. Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple is a Hindu temple located on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (sacred Shiva shrines) in India. The temple is mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures, Puranas, and works of poet Kalidas.

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Kheechna (Bhagoria) Festival is a tribal festival celebrated by the Bhil and Garasia communities. It is observed mainly in western Madhya Pradesh and southern Rajasthan, annually for about seven days in March (Phalguna), before Holi. The festival traditionally allows young men and women to choose partners freely for informal unions. These unions are without formal marriage rituals, priests, dowry, or written documentation. Recent reports highlight adverse impacts on underage girls in rural areas due to the practice.

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President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Bastar Pandum festival at Jagdalpur in Bastar division of Chhattisgarh. This festival takes place in the Bastar district to showcase traditional tribal arts, handicrafts, folk costumes, cuisine, and culture, featuring tribes like the Gond, Maria, and Muria. The festival hosts divisional-level competitions till 9 February, with more than 700 artists from 84 teams performing tribal dances, handicrafts, traditional cuisine, and indigenous music.

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A world record was created at the Koya Krushi Kumbh festival in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, by preparing 1,111 kilograms of finger millet (ragi) pudding. The record-setting event was led by noted chef Vishnu Manohar. Koya Krushi Kumbh is a five-day agricultural exposition aimed at empowering tribal farmers and promoting farm and forest products. The festival is held at the Agriculture College campus in Sonepur, Gadchiroli district. The achievement was registered with the India Book of Records, Asia Book of Records, and World Record Book of India.

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Sekrenyi is a ten-day post-harvest festival celebrated in Nagaland. It is the major annual festival of the Angami Naga tribe and is primarily observed during the month of February. The festival focuses on cleansing, renewal and spiritual sanctification of individuals and community. Rituals begin with people bathing at village wells as a symbol of purity. Angami tribe is a major Naga tribe of Nagaland mainly living in Kohima region and known for rich cultural traditions.

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Seven day International Shivratri Festival of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh has begun and will continue till 21 February 2026. More than 216 palanquins of local deities have been invited to stay in Mandi during the week. The festival started with worship and first Jaleb ceremony at Shri Raj Madhav Rai Temple. The grand procession includes local deities, Gurus, folk artists and thousands of devotees. International Cultural Parade on 20 February will feature troupes from France, United States, Nigeria, Tanzania, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka. The festival showcases Mandi Dev culture, folk traditions and global cultural exchange.

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The lost city of Charax Spasinou has been discovered in the deserts of Iraq. It was an ancient port city located at the meeting point of the Tigris and Choaspes rivers near the Iraq–Iran border. It was founded in 324 Before Common Era during the Hellenistic period, initially by Alexander the Great. Later, Hyspaosines rebuilt it and founded the Kingdom of Characene with Charax as its capital. Its strategic location made it a major trade hub between Mesopotamia and India through the Persian Gulf. Its importance declined around 224–228 After Death with the rise of the Sassanian Empire.

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The North East Spring Festival 2026, also known as the Festival of the North East, is inaugurated at the NEZCC Complex in Dimapur, Nagaland. The festival is organised by the North East Zone Cultural Centre in collaboration with the South-Central Zone Cultural Centre under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It is celebrated alongside Madhya Dakshini Festival 2026, creating cultural exchange between Northeastern and South-Central regions. The event promotes and preserves folk and tribal heritage and strengthens national integration. Around 130 folk artistes from eight Northeastern states present traditional art forms.