Indian Culture MCQs

Notes:
There is embroidery of floral motifs on the phulkari fabric. Traditionally practiced as a pastime by the women of the Punjabi gharana, this embroidery is quite unique. Stitches are done on the back of the fabric so that the design takes shape at the front. Phulkari usually consists of bright colored floral threadwork on a light colored cloth.

Notes:
The origin of the Patola saree is in Patan, Gujarat, and is a woven, double ikat fabric.

Notes:
Nund Rishi 1377 – c. 1438 AD; Also known as “Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani” and with the honorary title of “Alamdar-i-Kashmir”, Kashmiri Sufi saint, mystic, poet and Islamic preacher. Rishi is also one of the founders of the Sufi traditional Rishi order in the region. He influenced many spiritual masters and sages, including Hanja Makhdoom, Resh Mir Saab and Shamas Fakir.

Notes:
The constituent Assembly adopted the national flag on 22 July 1947. The national flag was hoisted for the first time by Surendranath Banerjee in 1906 at Calcutta.

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Karnataka, Kerala and Jharkhand are those 3 Indian states which have Indian Elephants as their state animal. Elephas maximus indicus is the scientific name of the Indian elephant.

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Purandaradasa (1484–1564) is called the Father of Karnatic Music. He standardized teaching methods including Sarali Varisai and Alankaras. He introduced the Mayamalavagowla raga as the main beginner scale. He composed many Keerthanas blending Dvaita philosophy. His work paved the way for the Karnatic music Trinity: Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Syama Sastri.

Notes:
There are many composers in Carnatic music. Purandara Dasa (1484–1564) is referred to as the Pitamaha (the father or grandfather) of Carnatic music as he formulated the basic lessons in teaching Carnatic music, and in honour of his significant contribution to Carnatic music. He structured graded exercises known as Swaravalis and Alankaras, and at the same time, introduced the Raga Mayamalavagowla as the first scale to be learnt by beginners. He also composed Gitas (simple songs) for novice students.

Notes:
Surdas was an ardent devotee of Krishna. His compositions, compiled in the Sursagara, Surasaravali and Sahitya Lahari, express his devotion. Also contemporary was Shankaradeva of Assam (late fifteenth century) who emphasised devotion to Vishnu, and composed poems and plays in Assamese. He began the practice of setting up namghars or houses of recitation and prayer, a practice that continues to date.

Notes:
The Bamboo dance (Chiraw) is a traditional dance from Mizoram featuring rhythmic bamboo movements. The Bihu dance from Assam is performed during the Bihu festival, characterized by brisk steps and rapid hand movements. Singhi Chham is a lion dance from Sikkim, performed in snow lion costumes during the Panglapsool festival. Kamba Thoibi is a folk dance from Manipur, showcased during the Lai Haraoba religious festival.

Notes:
Kannauj has a long history of attar production, with references to agar wood oil in the 7th century. The industry employs a traditional, labor-intensive hydro-distillation method called ‘deg bhapka’ and produces notable attars like ‘shamama’ from various herbs and spices. Attar makers utilize a wide range of natural ingredients, including flowers, vetiver, and spices, typically harvested at dawn for optimal fragrance. However, the traditional process faces challenges from alcohol-based perfumes and rising raw material costs, leading to the use of substitutes like liquid paraffin. The industry supports several allied sectors, and Kannauj Perfumes received a Geographical Indication tag in 2014, though it has not become a major tourist destination like Grasse, France.