Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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A 16-day Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF) began on November 4, 2025, in Thimphu, Bhutan, to pray for world peace and healing of humanity amid global conflicts. The festival was launched by Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Chief Abbot Trulku Jigme Choedra at Changlimithang ground. It is organized by the Royal Government of Bhutan with support from the Government of India. The event marks the 70th birth anniversary of the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who introduced democracy in Bhutan.

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The President of India was recently presented with a Ramman mask at a special session of the Uttarakhand Assembly. Ramman is an annual religious festival celebrated in late April in the twin villages of Saloor-Dungra, Uttarakhand, honouring the local deity Bhumiyal Devta. It features rituals, Ramayana recitations, songs, and masked dances, with each caste having specific roles. The performances combine Rama Katha stories with local legends through dance and drama. It is held in the courtyard of the Bhumiyal Devta temple.

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Shad Nongkrem, also known as Nongkrem Dance, is a major indigenous religious and cultural festival of the Khasi tribe in Meghalaya. It is celebrated annually during autumn at Smit, the headquarters of Hima Khyrim, about 20 km from Shillong. The five-day festival, called Ka Pomblang Nongkrem, is dedicated to Ka Blei Synshar, seeking blessings for a good harvest and people’s prosperity. The Syiem (king) of Khyrim and high priests perform rituals and offer oblations to Lei Shyllong, the presiding deity of Shillong Peak.

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Government of India has granted Geographical Indication (GI) registration to two traditional Lepcha musical instruments — Tungbuk and Pumtong Pulit. The instruments were registered on 5th November 2025 under the Musical Instrument category of the GI Registry. The certificates were presented during the 1st Tribal Business Conclave in New Delhi, organised by the Ministries of Culture, Tribal Affairs, and Commerce & Industry. Tungbuk is a three-string instrument, and Pumtong Pulit is a bamboo flute, both central to Lepcha folk music and spirituality.

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The recent kumbabishekam (consecration) of the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple in Tamil Nadu highlighted its unique stone nagaswaram, a rare ancient wind instrument. The temple is located in Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Adi Kumbeswarar in lingam form. It is a major example of Dravidian architecture. It was originally built during the Chola period (9th century CE) and later renovated by the Nayak rulers. It is one of the 12 Shiva temples linked to the Mahamaham festival, held every 12 years.

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Bugle, a traditional military instrument, recently received a GI (Geographical Indication) tag, marking a major revival for Meerut’s century-old craft. Meerut has made bugles since the late 19th century, supplying the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, police units, and academies. Cheap machine-made and imported bugles had earlier pushed artisans into decline due to rising brass prices and falling orders. The GI tag prevented fake instruments from being sold as Meerut bugles and increased their brand value

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Hilly villages of Garhwal in Uttarakhand celebrate Mangsir Bagwal, a post-Diwali folk festival rooted in agrarian life and local history. It is held in the lunar month of Mangsir (Margashirsha), about one month after Kartik Diwali, marking a delayed festival of lights. The celebration honours Garhwali commander Madho Singh Bhandari, who returned victorious from battle against Tibetan forces after Diwali. The festival coincides with the end of the winter-harvest season, when villagers gather for feasting, music and dance.

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Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) marked World Heritage Week with a heritage walk and clean-up drive at Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur. Brihadeeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Tamil Nadu and is also called Periya Kovil, RajaRajeswara Temple and Rajarajesvaram. It is one of India’s largest temples and a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture from the Chola period. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Great Living Chola Temples”.

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The famous Karthigai Deepam festival began at Sri Arunachaleshwar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. The ten-day festival is held during the Tamil month of Karthigai and attracts huge public participation. Karthigai Deepam festival is primarily celebrated in Tamil Nadu.

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India’s Deepavali (Diwali) has recently been added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising its cultural significance at the global level. The UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is designed to highlight and preserve living cultural traditions, practices, and expressions that communities consider an essential part of their identity. The list recognises and safeguards cultural practices that are actively performed and upheld by communities across the world. It aims to promote cultural diversity, strengthen community identity, and ensure the continuity of traditional knowledge.