Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
India’s UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List has reached 78 sites after the addition of five new heritage proposals. The five additions are Bagh Cave Paintings, Group of Temples of the Chambal Valley, Udaigiri Caves, Ginnorgarh Fort, and Sites of Satyagraha. Bagh Caves are ancient rock-cut Buddhist monuments located in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, on the southern slopes of the Vindhya Range near the Baghani River. They date mainly to the 5th–6th century CE and are known for their Buddhist murals, which show strong stylistic similarities with the paintings of Ajanta Caves. Originally, there were nine caves, but only five have survived.

Notes:
More than 18 mementos from Andhra Pradesh are featured in the PM Mementos collection, showcasing the state’s cultural heritage, traditional crafts and public achievements. The collection includes a Kondapalli wooden bullock cart, representing rural life and traditional craftsmanship. Kondapalli wooden bullock cart is a traditional handcrafted toy and decorative showpiece originating from Kondapalli village near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. The craft has a history of approximately 400 years and is known for its traditional wooden carving techniques. Kondapalli toys have a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognising their regional identity.

Notes:
The world-famous International Kullu Dussehra begins with the Rath Yatra of Lord Shri Raghunath Ji in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. Deities and their devotees arrive in Kullu from different parts of the district to participate in the celebrations. Goddess Hidimba, the presiding deity of Manali, has also arrived in Kullu. This year’s special attractions include laser shows, drone shows and cultural performances by Indian and international troupes. More than 1,200 police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order and manage crowds. The festival showcases Himachal Pradesh’s rich Dev Sanskriti, folk traditions and cultural heritage and attracts tourists from India and abroad.

Notes:
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the Tagi Raja War Memorial Park at Gohaintan in West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh. The memorial honours Tagi Raja and Medhi Raja for their resistance to British colonial expansion. The inauguration highlighted the importance of preserving tribal heritage and recognising the historical contributions of indigenous communities. The programme featured traditional Aka cultural performances, the release of a souvenir and a tree plantation drive.

Notes:
The historic Rajee Padha Rajkiya Murma Jatra fair was held at Mandar in Ranchi district, Jharkhand. The two-day, state-level fair celebrates Jharkhand’s rich tribal culture, religious traditions and historical heritage. The fair commemorates a centuries-old traditional agreement between the Munda and Oraon tribes, symbolising brotherhood, social harmony and unity. A major attraction is the gathering of Sarna flags representing 40 Padhas.

Notes:
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar inaugurated the Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi. The Mela is organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and has been conducted annually since 2022. It provides a dedicated marketing platform to artisans and beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Safai Karamcharis and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). The initiative brings traditional artisans, creative talent and persons with disabilities together under Bharat TULIP and Purple Fest. The main objective is to promote traditional craftsmanship, improve market access and ensure equal opportunities for disadvantaged communities.

Notes:
The First World Konkani Music Mega Convention was inaugurated by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall in Mangaluru, Karnataka, on 3 November 2026. The convention marks the 40th anniversary (Ruby Jubilee) of the Konkani cultural organisation Mandd Sobhann. It aims to unite Konkani-speaking communities worldwide and promote Konkani language, culture and musical traditions. The event is dedicated to the memory of Eric Ozario, founder of Mandd Sobhann. A major highlight is the Guinness World Records attempt titled ‘Konko’nni Niro’nto’ri – So’msar So’raso’ri’ (Eternal Konkani – Unto the World’s End). The record attempt involves a continuous singing marathon featuring 300 performing teams over 12 continuous days.

Notes:
The Ranivas Mound at Kesariya, located in East Champaran district, Bihar, has been declared an archaeological site of national importance by the Central Government. The archaeological site covers an area of 1.63 acres and is owned by the Bihar Government. The initial recommendation to include Ranivas Mound as a centrally protected monument was sent to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) headquarters in 2021. With this addition, Bihar has 71 centrally protected sites, compared with 70 previously. These sites are protected and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the AMASR Act, 1958.

Notes:
Igas Bagwal, also known as Budhi Diwali, is a traditional festival celebrated in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, eleven days after the main Diwali festival. In 2026, it is celebrated on 20 November. The festival falls on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, according to the traditional Hindu calendar. Villagers tie dry pine wood, locally known as Chhilla, and tree bark with ropes, light them and swing them in circles while singing folk songs. People celebrate with traditional music and dance accompanied by instruments such as the Dhol and Damau. Cows and oxen are bathed, decorated and worshipped in mountain households.

Notes:
The Lambani community celebrated Mera, its traditional Deepavali festival, at Madakaripura Hosa Lambanihatti in Chitradurga district, Karnataka. Community members who had migrated to other places for work returned to their tandas (traditional settlements) to celebrate the festival. On the first day, residents made figures of cow dung outside their homes and decorated them with flowers and plants collected from forests. The community performed Govardhan Puja as part of the celebrations.