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Answer: Vaishnavite
Sattriya dance originated in 15th-century Vaishnavite monasteries (sattras) of Assam, founded by Srimanta Sankardev. Combines dance, music, and drama for devotional worship. Recognized as eighth classical dance by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000.
Answer: Andhra Pradesh
Kuchipudi originated in Kuchipudi village (Andhra Pradesh) as a dance-drama tradition performed by Brahmin men. Recognized as classical dance in 1970, it combines dance, acting, and dialogue with devotional themes.
Answer: New Delhi
International Festival of Traditional Arts (New Delhi, 2025) showcased folk music, dance, and crafts from 50 nations. Organized by Ministry of Culture and ICCR, it promoted cultural diplomacy and artistic exchange.
Answer: Paleolithic
Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh) features over 750 rock paintings spanning Paleolithic to historic periods. Depicts hunting, dancing, and community life. Inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
Answer: Naga
Hornbill Festival (December 1-10) brings together Naga tribes (Angami, Ao, Sema, etc.) to celebrate music, dance, crafts, and indigenous games. Promotes inter-tribal harmony and cultural tourism in Nagaland.
Answer: 1952
Sangeet Natak Akademi (1952) was the first national academy of arts set up by independent India. It preserves intangible heritage through awards, documentation, training, and festivals across performing arts.
Answer: Bhasha Suraksha
Bhasha Suraksha Award (2025) honors individuals/organizations documenting and revitalizing endangered Indian languages. Includes grants for dictionaries, oral history archives, and community language programs.
Answer: Chandela
Khajuraho Dance Festival (Madhya Pradesh) features classical dances at Chandela temples (950-1050 CE). Organized by MP Tourism, it promotes cultural tourism and preserves India's classical dance heritage.
Answer: Dravida
Meenakshi Temple (Madurai, Tamil Nadu) is a masterpiece of Dravida architecture: pyramidical vimanas, ornate gopurams, and thousand-pillared hall. Continuously expanded since 12th century, it remains a living temple.
Answer: abhinaya
Kathak combines nritta (pure dance) with abhinaya (expression) to narrate stories from epics and folklore. Evolved from temple storytelling traditions, later influenced by Mughal court aesthetics.
Answer: Living Traditions
Living Traditions Project (2025) documents endangered practices: oral epics, ritual arts, craft techniques. Uses community-led digital archiving and intergenerational transmission programs to ensure cultural continuity.
Answer: 1969
Dadasaheb Phalke Award was instituted in 1969 to honor lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. First recipient was actress Devika Rani. Conferred annually by the President at National Film Awards ceremony.
Answer: stone
Great Stupa at Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh, 3rd century BCE) is among India's oldest stone structures. Originally brick, Ashoka encased it in stone. Features toranas (gateways) with exquisite Buddhist narrative reliefs.
Answer: Tamil Nadu
Bharatanatyam originated in Tamil Nadu temples, performed by Devadasis as devotional service. Revived in 20th century by Rukmini Devi Arundale, it is now India's most widely practiced classical dance form.
Answer: Shilp Shiksha
Shilp Shiksha (2025) offers MOOCs in pottery, weaving, embroidery, and woodwork via SWAYAM platform. Includes business skills, digital marketing, and GI tag awareness to enhance artisan livelihoods and market access.
Answer: performing arts
Natya Shastra (c. 200 BCE-200 CE) is the encyclopedic Sanskrit text on dance, music, drama, makeup, and stagecraft. It codifies rasa theory, mudras, and aesthetics central to Indian classical arts.
Answer: Jainism
Ellora Caves (Maharashtra, 6th-10th century CE) comprise 34 monasteries/temples: Buddhist (Caves 1-12), Hindu (13-29), Jain (30-34). The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is the world's largest monolithic structure.
Answer: red sandstone
Red Fort (Lal Qila, completed 1648) is built primarily of red sandstone with marble inlays. Designed by Ustad Ahmad Lahori, it exemplifies Mughal architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Answer: Varanasi
Global Cultural Heritage Summit (Varanasi, 2025) brought together UNESCO, ASI, and international experts to address climate threats to heritage sites and share digital conservation technologies. Resulted in the Varanasi Declaration on Sustainable Heritage.
Answer: Nashik
Kumbh Mela rotates every 3 years among four sites: Prayagraj (Ganga-Yamuna), Haridwar (Ganga), Ujjain (Shipra), Nashik (Godavari). The world's largest religious gathering, inscribed by UNESCO in 2017.