Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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The Korowai tribe is being re-examined as earlier myths about cannibalism are being challenged. The tribe lives in the southeastern region of Papua, Indonesia, and remained isolated until the 1970s. The Korowai people are known for building treehouses high above the ground for safety and survival. They depend on forests for hunting, gathering, and daily livelihood. Their culture reflects a deep connection with nature and traditional practices. The tribe was often sensationalised in media for alleged cannibalism. Historical evidence suggests such practices were limited and linked to social and spiritual beliefs.

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Somnath Amritparv-2026 began on 9th May in Gujarat to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the reconstruction of Somnath Temple. The five-day celebration has attracted devotees from across India with Vedic rituals and spiritual ceremonies. Somnath Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located at Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gujarat. It is considered the first among the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva in India.

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Tughlaqabad Fort, one of Delhi’s historic medieval forts, has again come into focus due to delays in a court-monitored survey aimed at identifying encroachments and preserving the monument. Tughlaqabad Fort is a historic fort located in South Delhi. It was built in 1321 by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, founder of the Tughlaq dynasty. Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, also known as Ghazi Malik, overthrew the Khilji ruler and established the city of Tughlaqabad. The fort represented the third historic city of Delhi.

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Rupa Tarakasi, the famous silver filigree craft of Cuttack, is facing challenges due to rising silver prices and new import restrictions on silver. Rupa Tarakasi is a centuries-old art form known for delicate silver wire craftsmanship and intricate designs. In Odia, “tara” means wire and “kasi” means to design or work with wire. The craft is believed to have existed since the 12th century and received strong patronage during the Mughal period. The craft received a Geographical Indication Tag in 2024, recognising its cultural and traditional importance.

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Government of Madhya Pradesh partnered with Google Cloud to deploy Artificial Intelligence-based solutions for Simhastha Kumbh 2028. The initiative aims to improve crowd management, traffic prediction, emergency response, and pilgrim assistance during the mega religious event. Ujjain hosts the Simhastha Kumbh once every 12 years on the banks of the Shipra River. Simhastha Kumbh is one of the largest Hindu pilgrimages, where devotees gather for ritual bathing believed to cleanse sins.

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India gifted a special variety of sandalwood to Nepal for use at the Pashupatinath Temple. Pashupatinath Temple is a famous Hindu temple situated on the banks of the Bagmati River near Kathmandu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Pashupati, meaning “protector of animals.”

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Archaeologists recently discovered remains of a 12th-century hydraulic system and architectural structures within the ancient royal palace complex of Angkor Thom in Cambodia. Angkor Thom is located in Cambodia within the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province. It was the last and longest-lasting capital of the ancient Khmer Empire. Angkor Thom was established in the late 12th century by Jayavarman VII.

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The traditional Tripura Sarinda, an indigenous stringed musical instrument from Tripura, has recently received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. With this recognition, Tripura now has four GI-tagged products. Other GI-tagged products from Tripura include Queen Pineapple, Risha/Pachra (Rignai) traditional attire, and Matabari Peda. Matabari Peda is a dairy-based sweet traditionally offered at the Tripura Sundari Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.

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Recently, the Prime Minister gifted a Kalamkari Mahabharata painting to the French President, highlighting India’s rich textile heritage. Kalamkari painting is a traditional hand-painted and block-printed cotton textile art form mainly practised in Andhra Pradesh. It developed during the Qutb Shahi rule of Golconda in the 16th–17th century. The term Kalamkari is derived from Kalam meaning pen and Kari meaning craftsmanship. It uses natural dyes extracted from plants, minerals, and metals.

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The annual Mela Kheer Bhawani is recently celebrated in Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, on the occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami. It is one of the most important festivals of the Kashmiri Pandit community dedicated to Mata Ragnya Devi. The main celebrations are held at the shrine in Tulmulla, attracting thousands of devotees. Devotees offer kheer, milk, flowers, and sacred leaves as part of rituals. The festival symbolizes faith, cultural identity, resilience, and communal harmony among Kashmiri Pandits.