Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Prime Minister has invited people to experience Rann Utsav, which runs until March 2025. Rann Utsav is an annual cultural festival organized by Gujarat Tourism in the Great Rann of Kutch, India’s largest salt desert. The festival showcases Kutch’s rich cultural and artistic heritage, drawing tourists from India and abroad. The Rann of Kutch is a vast salt marsh spanning the India-Pakistan border, mainly in Gujarat’s Kutch district, with a smaller part in Pakistan’s Sindh province.

Notes:
The Tanot Mata Temple, situated in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, is not only a religious site but also a cultural symbol. Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma announced plans to modernize the temple, aiming to enhance its appeal as a world-class tourist destination. The initiative includes improving facilities for pilgrims and creating economic opportunities for the local community. The temple is expected to attract tourists while instilling a sense of pride and patriotism among visitors.

Notes:
Hanukkah, Judaism’s “festival of lights,” is celebrated for eight nights by lighting an additional candle each evening on the menorah. The term “Hanukkah” means “dedication” in Hebrew and commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC after liberation from foreign forces. The holiday is observed during the Hebrew month of Kislev, aligning with November-December in the Gregorian calendar. In 2024, Hanukkah is celebrated from December 25, 2024, to January 2, 2025. It marks only the fifth time since 1900 that Hanukkah begins on Christmas Day.

Notes:
The countdown for the 813th Urs begins. It is an annual festival held at Ajmer, Rajasthan. It commemorates the death anniversary of Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, also called Garib Nawaz. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti arrived in India with Sultan Illtuttmish and promoted the Chishtiyya Order of Sufism. The festival celebrates his life and teachings, drawing thousands of devotees to Ajmer each year.

Notes:
Sikkim celebrated the Kagyed Dance Festival, a Buddhist festival held annually on the 28th and 29th days of the 10th month of the Tibetan calendar, corresponding to December. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang extended greetings, highlighting the festival’s symbolism of victory over negativity and promoting peace and prosperity. The festival features masked Lamas performing dances at monasteries like Old Rumtek, Phodong, and Tshuklakhang Palace. The dances honor eight tantric gods and goddesses, narrating tales from Buddhist mythology, especially about Guru Padmasambhava. Effigies are burned as part of the celebration, believed to bring good health and wealth to spectators.

Notes:
Karnataka government announced a ₹100 crore plan to develop Yadgir Fort under the “One District, One Spot” initiative to boost tourism. ₹33 crore comes from the MLA grant, and ₹67 crore from the state government. Yadgir Fort is located in Yadgir district, one of the largest forts in Karnataka. The fort is built on a monolith, measuring 850m in length, 500m in width, and 100m in height. It has inscriptions from various dynasties like Kalyana Chalukyas, Yadavas, Bahmani Sultans, and others.

Notes:
Sevdalinka, a traditional Bosnian love song, has been included in UNESCO’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Originating in the 16th century, it blends South Slavic poetry with Ottoman music, reflecting a melancholic essence. Traditionally passed down through generations during family gatherings, it is often performed a cappella or with instruments like the lute. Younger musicians are revitalizing Sevdalinka, keeping its essence alive while reaching global audiences. UNESCO recognition highlights Sevdalinka’s cultural and historical significance.

Notes:
Preparations for the Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple are nearing completion for January 15. ‘Makaravilakku’ is an annual festival held on Makar Sankranti at the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala. The festival begins with the Thiruvabharanam procession and ends with the Guruthi ritual. The Guruthi ritual is performed to please the deities of the forest.

Notes:
The Toda tribe in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiri Hills celebrated their traditional Modhweth or Buffalo Festival to mark the New Year. The Toda tribe is among the oldest ethnic groups in the Upper Nilgiris plateau. They are divided into five clans: Paiki, Pekkan, Kuttan, Kenna, and Todi. The Toda people have their own language without a script. They live in closed communities called munds. The Modhweth Festival is an annual celebration held in late December or early January, highlighting their cultural significance.

Notes:
A bamboo weave box with Kalamkari paintings by Nimmalakunta artisans will be showcased at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Kalamkari is a popular hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile art form from Andhra Pradesh. The art originated during the reign of Qutb Shahis in the 16-17th century in the Tilang region, now part of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. “Kalam” means pen and “Kari” means craftsmanship, highlighting the skillful artistry involved.