Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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The ‘Sanskriti Utsava’ is set to celebrate Uttar Pradesh’s foundation day with the theme ‘Uttar Pradesh Parv: Hamari Sanskriti-Hamari Pehchaan’. Scheduled from January 2 to January 26, 2025, the festival aims to promote classical, semi-classical, and folk arts through competitions at various levels. It seeks to discover emerging talents and enrich the state’s cultural heritage, showcasing diverse genres like Khayal, Dhrupad, and various folk music styles, along with classical dance forms such as Kathak and Bharatnatyam.

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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.

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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.

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Ayodhya will host the Pratishtha Dwadashi festival from January 11 to 13, marking the first anniversary of Ram Lalla’s installation in the grand temple. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will perform Ram Lalla’s ‘abhishek’ on January 11 and inaugurate a cultural programme at Angad Tila. A three-day Shri Ram Raag-Seva programme will feature music, dance, and instrumental performances near the temple’s sanctum. Renowned artistes like Usha Mangeshkar, Rakesh Chaurasia, and Shobhana Narayan will perform throughout the festival.

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The Gangasagar Mela organizers introduced initiatives like certificates for pilgrims, e-Anushandhan for facilities access, and e-Parichay QR code identity bands. The Gangasagar Mela is an annual Hindu festival held on Sagar Island, West Bengal, at the confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. It includes rituals like the sacred bath and Deepdan and is celebrated during Makar Sankranti, marking the Sun’s transition into Capricorn. It is the second-largest religious gathering in India after the Kumbh Mela. The mela has ancient roots, with mentions in the Mahabharata’s Vana Parva (1500–2000 BC).

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The Musi River Historic Buildings in Hyderabad and Bhuj Historic Water Systems in Gujarat are listed in the 2025 World Monuments Watch by the New York-based World Monuments Fund (WMF). These sites face risks from climate change and water crises, highlighting the need for advocacy and preservation. WMF emphasizes heritage as a pathway for rejuvenation, sustainability, and resilience amid Hyderabad’s environmental challenges and rapid change.

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Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) from Andaman and Nicobar recently received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, boosting its recognition. Women are receiving specialized training in marketing and branding to enhance the product’s reach. VCO is made traditionally, unrefined, unbleached, and free of chemicals or preservatives.

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A rare Umamaheshwara metal sculpture was found in Taggunje, Ajri village, Udupi district, Karnataka. Likely made in the 17th century using a 12th-century style, the idol is crafted from five metals. The sculpture uniquely combines Shaiva-Shaktha and Naga cult traditions. Lord Shiva is depicted seated with Parvati on his lap, Ganesha on the right, Shanmukha on the left, and Nandi below. Shiva’s features include Jatamukuta, a third eye, a parashu, a deer, and a five-headed serpent umbrella. The platform inscription in 17th-century Kannada mentions the use of 3 gadhyanas of gold (14% gold content).

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Nepal organized its first three-day International Pashmina Festival to highlight Chyangra Pashmina, sourced from Pashmina goats. Nepal is a major producer of authentic Pashmina, known for its high quality. The wool is hand-combed, hand-spun, and woven using traditional methods with natural dyes and embroidery. The exhibition featured 150 stalls, including 40 showcasing pure Nepali Pashmina. Nepali Pashmina competes internationally, with strong markets in the US, Japan, and Europe. Challenges include raw material supply and the need for policy improvements to expand the market. Fake and blended Pashmina pose a challenge globally, especially in India.

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Andhra Pradesh’s Etikoppaka toys were prominently featured at the Republic Day parade. They are traditional wooden toys made by artisans from Etikoppaka village, Andhra Pradesh, near the Varaha River. Natural dyes from seeds, bark, roots, leaves, and lacquer are used to color these toys. The softwood from ‘ankudu’ trees (Wrightia Tinctoria) is primarily used. The toys are rounded with no sharp edges, ensuring safety. Etikoppaka toys received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2017.