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Answer: Buddhist and indigenous
Khangchendzonga National Park (Sikkim) is India's first Mixed (Natural + Cultural) UNESCO World Heritage Site. Revered by Buddhist and indigenous Lepcha communities, it embodies sacred landscape conservation traditions.
Answer: long-form
JCB Prize for Literature (₹25 lakh) recognizes excellence in long-form fiction by Indian authors. It aims to elevate Indian literature globally and encourage translation across Indian languages.
Answer: Jaipur
Jaipur, the 'Pink City', was inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019 under cultural criteria. Founded in 1727 by Sawai Jai Singh II, it exemplifies late medieval Hindu town planning and Rajput architecture.
Answer: Culture
National School of Drama, New Delhi, was established in 1959 under Ministry of Culture. It offers training in theatre arts and has produced renowned artists like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, and Irrfan Khan.
Answer: 2011
Draft National Cultural Policy was released in 2011 to address contemporary challenges in cultural preservation, creative industries, and community participation. It emphasized decentralization and digital access to cultural resources.
Answer: political
IPTA, the cultural wing of the Communist Party of India, used theatre, music, and dance to raise political consciousness during the freedom struggle and post-independence era. It influenced progressive artists like Balraj Sahni and Ritwik Ghatak.
Answer: Indian Culture
Indian Culture portal (Ministry of Culture) provides digital access to manuscripts, artifacts, performing arts recordings, and intangible heritage. It promotes preservation and global dissemination of India's cultural wealth.
Answer: Vikrama Samvat
Bijak inscription (Rajasthan, 1177 CE) of Chauhan king Prithviraja II uses Vikrama Samvat calendar for dating land grants. Such inscriptions provide chronological frameworks for medieval Indian history and administrative practices.
Answer: 15-29
National Youth Festival (since 1995) promotes cultural exchange among youth aged 15-29 through folk performances, debates, and traditional sports. Held annually in different states, it fosters national integration and heritage awareness.
Answer: 8th-9th
Kutila script (c. 8th-9th century CE) represents the evolution from late Gupta Brahmi to early Nagari. Found in inscriptions across North India, it features angular letterforms that standardized into medieval Nagari script.
Answer: 150th
Tagore Ratna/Puraskar awards (2011) honor artists for exceptional contribution to performing arts, commemorating Tagore's 150th birth anniversary. They recognize innovation while preserving traditional forms, reflecting Tagore's artistic vision.
Answer: Telugu, Telugu-Kannada
Tirumalai inscription (Tirupati, 1517 CE) by Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya is in Telugu language using Telugu-Kannada script. It documents endowments to Venkateswara Temple, reflecting royal patronage of religion.
Answer: built heritage
INTACH Heritage Awards honor individuals and institutions for outstanding work in conserving India's built heritage: monuments, historic cities, and traditional architecture. They promote community participation and sustainable conservation.
Answer: Aramaic
Kandahar bilingual edict (c. 260 BCE) features Ashoka's message in Greek and Aramaic scripts, facilitating communication with Hellenistic and Persian-speaking populations. It exemplifies Mauryan diplomatic inclusivity.
Answer: Bharatanatyam
Nritya Choodamani (The Hindu newspaper) honors Bharatanatyam artists for artistic excellence and contribution to the art form. Awarded during December Music Season in Chennai, it is a prestigious recognition in classical dance circles.
Answer: Nastaliq
Nastaliq script, a flowing Persian calligraphic style, became prominent in Sultanate and Mughal inscriptions. Used for Persian-language decrees, it symbolized administrative sophistication and cultural synthesis in medieval India.
Answer: painting
Raja Ravi Varma Award (Kerala Lalit Kala Akademi) honors contemporary painters who emulate Ravi Varma's fusion of Indian themes and European techniques. It promotes academic realism and cultural storytelling in visual arts.
Answer: Nagari
Gwalior inscription (875 CE) of Pratihara king Mihir Bhoja is written in early Nagari script and Sanskrit. It documents the construction of a sun temple and provides insights into Pratihara patronage of art and religion.
Answer: handicraft
Shilp Guru award (Ministry of Textiles) honors master artisans in handicrafts for excellence, innovation, and mentorship. Recipients receive a cash prize, tamrapatra, and angavastram, supporting traditional craft livelihoods.
Answer: Brahmi
Hathigumpha inscription (1st century BCE, Odisha) by Kharavela is written in Prakrit using Brahmi script. It details his military campaigns, public works, and patronage of Jainism, serving as a key historical source for Kalinga.