Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, the Prime Minister of India witnessed a performance of the traditional Bagurumba dance in Assam, with over 10,000 artistes participating. Bagurumba is a folk dance of the Bodo community, inspired by nature and associated with peace, fertility, joy, and collective harmony. It is performed during festivals like Bwisagu (Bodo New Year) and Domasi. The dance symbolises blooming flowers and the harmony between humans and nature.

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A rare 233-year-old Sanskrit manuscript of the Valmiki Ramayana, dating back to 1792 CE (Vikrama Samvat 1849), has been permanently gifted to the Antarrashtriya Ram Katha Sangrahalaya (International Ram Katha Museum) in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The manuscript was authored by Ādi Kavi Vālmīki and contains a classical commentary (ṭīkā) by Maheshvara Tīrtha, written in Sanskrit using the Devanāgarī script. This gift aims to support the development of the museum as a global centre for Rāmāyaṇa heritage while ensuring wider public access and preservation of the manuscript.

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Recent excavations at Lakkundi, Karnataka have uncovered Neolithic-era artefacts, supporting the push for UNESCO World Heritage Site inclusion. Excavation is supervised by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the Kote Veerabhadreshwar Temple to uncover buried structures and cultural layers. Lakkundi, formerly Lokkigundi, was known as the “village of hundred wells and temples”. It had historical significance under the Chalukya, Yadava, and Hoysala rulers, serving as the capital of Hoysala king Eradane Ballala in 1192 A.D.

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The Supreme Court refused to hear a petition against ‘VIP darshan’ at Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple, saying courts should not act as gatekeepers for temple entry. Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple is a Hindu temple located on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (sacred Shiva shrines) in India. The temple is mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures, Puranas, and works of poet Kalidas.

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Kheechna (Bhagoria) Festival is a tribal festival celebrated by the Bhil and Garasia communities. It is observed mainly in western Madhya Pradesh and southern Rajasthan, annually for about seven days in March (Phalguna), before Holi. The festival traditionally allows young men and women to choose partners freely for informal unions. These unions are without formal marriage rituals, priests, dowry, or written documentation. Recent reports highlight adverse impacts on underage girls in rural areas due to the practice.

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The Union Minister of State announced plans for the comprehensive development of Kondaveedu Fort. Kondaveedu Fort, also called Kondavid Fort, is located in Andhra Pradesh. It was built during the Telugu Choda period and later strengthened by the Kakatiya dynasty. Prolaya Vema Reddy made it his capital in 1323 CE. The fort was later ruled by the Gajapathis of Odisha, Bahmani Sultans, Vijayanagara Empire, Golconda Sultanate, Mughals, French, and British. Its architecture shows a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles using granite and lime mortar. It has an advanced water conservation system with ponds and recent findings of ancient Buddhist stupa remains.

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The Prime Minister’s new office complex Seva Teerth is inspired by the architecture of the Chennakeshava Temple. The temple, also called Keshava or Vijayanarayana Temple, is a 12th century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Karnataka. It was commissioned in 1117 CE by King Vishnuvardhana after his victory over the Cholas at Talakkad. The temple is located on the banks of the Yagachi River in Belur, also known as Velapura. It was built over three generations and took 103 years to complete. It is an important example of Hoysala architecture and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Seven day International Shivratri Festival of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh has begun and will continue till 21 February 2026. More than 216 palanquins of local deities have been invited to stay in Mandi during the week. The festival started with worship and first Jaleb ceremony at Shri Raj Madhav Rai Temple. The grand procession includes local deities, Gurus, folk artists and thousands of devotees. International Cultural Parade on 20 February will feature troupes from France, United States, Nigeria, Tanzania, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka. The festival showcases Mandi Dev culture, folk traditions and global cultural exchange.

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The Rajkiya Itkhori Mahotsav (Itkhori State Festival) is celebrated annually in Chatra, Jharkhand. During the inauguration, the ministers launched the official website of Bhadrakali Temple and released a coffee table book. The first day of the festival featured vibrant cultural performances, including traditional folk dances. This three-day festival showcases cultural, musical, and religious harmony.

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Gyan Bharatam, announced in Union Budget 2025-26, is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture (MoC), India, aimed at safeguarding and preserving India’s manuscript heritage. Standing Finance Committee (SFC) sanctioned Rs.491.66 crore for 2025-2031 for activities including survey, registration, documentation, conservation, digitization, publication, technology infrastructure, partnerships, and capacity building. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) uses advanced technologies like LiDAR, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), and drone surveys before excavations at sites like Rajgir (Bihar), Rakhigarhi (Haryana), Bhismaknagar (Arunachal Pradesh), and Warangal Fort (Telangana). Information was shared by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Lok Sabha.