Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The 9th Ganga Utsav was celebrated by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, focusing on partnership and people’s participation for river rejuvenation. Two key publications—“Status of Waterbirds in the Ganga River Basin” and “Status of Island Nesting Report”—were released to assess ecological health. At Amity University, Noida, the theme “Voices and Rhythms of River: Technical and Cultural Expressions” highlighted data-driven and LiDAR-based river management. Resources like “Preventing Solid Waste Flow into Water”, “The Colors of Ganga”, and LiDAR Data Release for Riverathon 1.0 were launched.

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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.

Notes:
In November 2025, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) banned tourist entry into the ‘Nata Mandap’ of the Konark Sun Temple in Puri district, Odisha. The Konark Sun Temple is located on the coastline of Odisha. It is also known as Surya Devalaya and is dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya. Historical texts show that King Narasimha I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty built it around 1250 CE.

Notes:
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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Recently, the Sangai Festival in Manipur began amid protests by internally displaced persons (IDPs) and NGOs, which affected public attendance. The festival is celebrated annually in Manipur. It is named after the Sangai, the state animal of Manipur. The festival aims to showcase Manipur’s rich cultural heritage and indigenous traditions. It highlights music, dance and native art forms of various Manipuri tribes and communities. The classical dance form ‘Ras Leela’ is the main attraction of the festival. The theme for 2025 is “Where blossoms breathe harmony.”

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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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Chief Minister (CM) Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the 36th Konark Festival, 15th International Sand Art Festival, and Subhadra Shakti Mela at Chandrabhaga beach, Odisha. The events were held near the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Konark Sun Temple. Classical dances like Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Manipuri, and Kathak are performed. 143 sand artists from India and abroad are participating in the sand art festival. The festival runs from 1 to 5 December 2025

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UNESCO has inscribed Pakistan’s Boreendo on the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding list, recognising its cultural fragility and the need for immediate preservation efforts. The Boreendo is a spherical clay vessel-flute that produces soft, mellow and breathy tones traditionally used in folk melodies, pastoral songs and winter gatherings in Sindh. It originated in Keti Mir Muhammad Lund in Sindh, and its lineage traces back to musical artefacts from Mohenjo-daro, linking it to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. The instrument is handcrafted from terracotta, using sun-dried and kiln-fired clay, which makes it an environmentally sustainable musical craft.

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Italy has become the first country in the world to receive UNESCO recognition for its entire national cuisine. UNESCO inscribed “Italian cooking” on its Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Recognition was awarded by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage during its 20th session in New Delhi. The official title of the recognition is “Italian cooking: Between sustainability and biocultural diversity.”

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Madhya Pradesh is developing a unique sustainability plan for the Simhastha Kumbh 2028 in Ujjain, with the goal of making the event environmentally responsible and eligible for carbon credits. The Kumbh is expected to attract nearly 30 crore pilgrims, requiring systems to manage the massive footfall while reducing environmental impact, improving hygiene, and ensuring safety. The Simhastha Kumbh Mela is a Hindu religious festival held every 12 years in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It is called “Simhastha” because the festival occurs when Jupiter (Brihaspati) enters the Leo constellation (Simha Rashi).