Art Culture – Hard Level – GK Questions

Q: The script used in the Indus Valley Civilization remains undeciphered. Approximately how many distinct signs have been identified?

400-600 – Scholars have identified approximately 400-600 distinct signs in the Indus script (c. 2600-1900 BCE). Despite extensive research, the script remains undeciphered due to lack of bilingual texts and uncertain language affiliation.

Q: Which autonomous body under Ministry of Culture is responsible for promoting Indian literature and conferring the Sahitya Akademi Award?

Sahitya Akademi – Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters), established in 1954, promotes Indian literature in 24 languages. It confers annual awards, publishes journals (Indian Literature), and organizes literary festivals nationwide.

Q: In Indian classical music, instruments are classified into four categories based on sound production: Tat (stringed), Sushir (wind), Avanaddh (percussion), and _____.

Ghan (solid) – Indian music classifies instruments as: Tat (stringed: sitar, veena), Sushir (wind: bansuri, shehnai), Avanaddh (percussion: tabla, mridangam), and Ghan (solid/idiophones: jalra, manjira). This system originates from Natya Shastra.

Q: The 'Alha-Khand' is a medieval Hindi epic poem celebrating the valor of warriors Alha and Udal of the Chandela dynasty.

True – Alha-Khand is a medieval Hindi epic (12th century) narrating the exploits of warriors Alha and Udal serving Chandela king Paramardi. Composed in Bundeli dialect, it is performed as folk ballads in North India, preserving oral history.

Q: Which painting technique involves applying layers of natural pigments mixed with gum arabic on handmade paper?

Miniature painting – Indian miniature painting uses natural pigments (minerals, plants) bound with gum arabic, applied in fine layers on wasli (handmade paper). Techniques include meticulous brushwork, gold leaf application, and detailed narratives.

Q: The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act was first enacted in India in 1958.

False – The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act was first enacted in 1904 under Lord Curzon. It was replaced by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act in 1958, amended in 2010 for stricter heritage protection.

Q: Which classical dance form was recognized by Sangeet Natak Akademi in the 1950s, among the first to receive classical status?

Bharatanatyam – Bharatanatyam was among the first dance forms recognized as classical by Sangeet Natak Akademi in the 1950s, alongside Kathak and Kathakali. This recognition revived temple dance traditions and established institutional training.

Q: Which gharana is associated with the 'Kirana style' of khayal singing, emphasizing precise intonation and emotional depth?

Kirana Gharana – Kirana Gharana, founded by Abdul Karim Khan, emphasizes swara shuddhi (precise intonation), meend (glides), and bhava (emotion). Exponents include Bhimsen Joshi, Gangubai Hangal, and Sawai Gandharva.

Q: The 'Arthashastra', an ancient treatise on statecraft, was authored by _____ in Sanskrit.

Chanakya (Kautilya) – Arthashastra, attributed to Chanakya (Kautilya, 4th century BCE), is a comprehensive Sanskrit text on politics, economics, and military strategy. Rediscovered in 1905, it provides insights into Mauryan administration and ancient Indian polity.

Q: In Carnatic music, the 72 fundamental melakarta ragas are classified based on the arrangement of _____ notes.

swara (musical) – Melakarta ragas in Carnatic music are 72 parent scales classified by permutations of seven swaras (Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni). Each melakarta generates janya (derived) ragas, forming the theoretical foundation of Carnatic system.