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Answer: Marathi
Vijay Tendulkar (1928-2008) was a pioneering Marathi playwright whose works addressed social issues, power dynamics, and gender. His plays have been translated into multiple languages and adapted into acclaimed films.
Answer: Assam
Assam's Ikat (locally called 'Bandha') involves resist-dyeing warp/weft yarns before weaving. Practiced by communities like the Bodo and Mishing, it produces intricate geometric patterns on silk and cotton textiles.
Answer: False
UNESCO allows countries to nominate up to two elements annually: one from the 'urgent safeguarding' list and one from the 'representative' list. India has strategically nominated diverse elements since 2001.
Answer: 2010
The 2010 Amendment to the 1958 Act introduced stricter regulations: prohibiting construction within 100m of protected monuments, requiring permissions for archaeological excavations, and enhancing penalties for heritage damage.
Answer: Chorus Repertory
Ratan Thiyam founded Chorus Repertory Theatre (1976) in Imphal, Manipur. His productions blend Manipuri dance, martial arts (Thang-Ta), ritual, and contemporary themes, earning international acclaim for innovative Indian theatre.
Answer: True
Rigveda manuscript (Pune, Bhandarkar Institute) was inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2007. This ancient Vedic text (c. 1500 BCE) is humanity's oldest extant literary composition, preserved through oral and written traditions.
Answer: False
'Kisan Kanya' (1937), produced by Ardeshir Irani, was India's first indigenously processed color film (in Cinecolor). 'Jhansi Ki Rani' (1953) was an early Technicolor Hindi film, but not the first color film overall.
Answer: Himachal Pradesh
Nati is Himachal Pradesh's iconic folk dance, performed at festivals and weddings. Recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest folk dance, it features colorful costumes, rhythmic steps, and community participation.
Answer: False
India's first UNESCO Global Geoparks (2022) are: Lonar Lake (Maharashtra) AND St. Mary's Islands (Karnataka) AND Majuli (Assam) - three sites were designated together. Lonar is a meteorite impact crater with unique biodiversity.
Answer: 1989
NMI (1989) offers postgraduate programs in art history, conservation, and museology. Affiliated with National Museum, New Delhi, it trains professionals for heritage management and museum curation across India.
Answer: True
Kalidas (1931), directed by H.M. Reddy and produced by Imperial Film Company, was Tamil cinema's first sound film. It starred P.G. Venkatesan and T.P. Rajalakshmi, launching the Tamil film industry's sound era.
Answer: string, shadow, rod, glove
Sangeet Natak Akademi's project (since 2000s) documents India's four traditional puppetry forms: string (Kathputli), shadow (Togalu Gombeyaata), rod (Putul Nach), and glove (Pavakoothu). It supports master artists and youth training.
Answer: Monument Mitro
Monument Mitro (2017) invites public/private sector companies to adopt UNESCO/ASI monuments for developing visitor facilities (lighting, signage, cleanliness). Implemented by Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with ASI.
Answer: contemporary/Western
Theatre of Roots, led by directors like Ratan Thiyam and B.V. Karanth, blended traditional forms (Yakshagana, Chhau, Noh) with modern staging, lighting, and narrative structures to create a distinctive Indian contemporary theatre.
Answer: True
Tagore's Gitanjali manuscript (1912) was inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2011. The register preserves documentary heritage of outstanding universal value, including texts, manuscripts, and archives.
Answer: True
Alam Ara (1931) was India's first feature film with synchronized sound, featuring songs and dialogue. Its success launched the musical tradition that defines Indian cinema. Only one print survives today.
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: True
Mira Nair's 'Monsoon Wedding' (2001) won the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival, becoming the first Indian film to receive this honor. The film blends traditional Indian wedding customs with contemporary global themes.
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: True
Sangita Ratnakara (c. 1210-1247 CE) by Sharngadeva (Yadava court) systematized Indian performing arts theory. Covering ragas, talas, instruments, and dance, it remains a foundational text for Hindustani and Carnatic traditions.