Art Culture – Medium Level – GK Questions

Q: The 'National Digital Library of India' (NDLI), launched in 2018, provides free access to _____ educational resources.

multilingual – NDLI (IIT Kharagpur) offers over 80 million multilingual educational resources: e-books, journals, theses, and videos. It supports students, researchers, and lifelong learners across India with open-access digital content.

Q: The National Film Archive of India (NFAI), established in 1964, is located in Pune and preserves India's film heritage.

True – NFAI (Pune), under Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, collects, preserves, and restores Indian films. It holds over 12,000 feature films and documentaries, serving as a research resource for film scholars and historians.

Q: 'Bagurumba', a graceful dance imitating nature movements, is a traditional folk dance of which community?

Bodo (Assam) – Bagurumba is the Bodo tribe's folk dance from Assam, performed by women in colorful attire. Movements mimic birds, flowers, and flowing water, celebrating harmony with nature. Recognized for preserving Bodo cultural identity.

Q: Mumbai was designated a UNESCO Creative City for Film in 2019, recognizing its contribution to Indian cinema.

True – Mumbai joined UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2019 under Film category, acknowledging Bollywood's global influence, technical infrastructure, and cultural storytelling. It is the second Indian city after Jaipur (Crafts, 2015) to receive this designation.

Q: 'Theyyam', a ritual dance with elaborate makeup and deity impersonation, is predominantly practiced in which coastal region?

North Kerala – Theyyam is a ritual art of North Kerala (Kannur, Kasaragod) where performers embody deities through vibrant costumes, face painting, and trance. Rooted in ancestor worship and folk Hinduism, it preserves pre-Brahminical traditions.

Q: 'Navayana', a publishing house founded in 2003, specializes in books on _____ perspectives and social justice.

Dalit-Bahujan – Navayana publishes works on Dalit-Bahujan literature, anti-caste thought, and social justice. It has brought global attention to Indian writers like Bama, Omprakash Valmiki, and Kancha Ilaiah through translations and original works.

Q: Marathi cinema produced India's first sound film in a regional language: 'Ayodhyecha Raja' (1932).

True – 'Ayodhyecha Raja' (1932), directed by V. Shantaram, was India's first Marathi talkie. Produced by Prabhat Film Company, it featured songs and dialogue, establishing Marathi cinema's early leadership in sound technology.

Q: 'Wood carving' of intricate deities and motifs, using walnut and deodar wood, is a traditional craft of which Himalayan region?

Kashmir Valley – Kashmir's wood carving tradition uses walnut, deodar, and chinar wood to create furniture, panels, and decorative items. Intricate motifs include chinar leaves, paisleys, and floral patterns, reflecting Persian and Central Asian influences.

Q: The 'Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar' recognizes young artists below the age of _____ in music, dance, and drama.

40 – Instituted in 2006, this award (Sangeet Natak Akademi) honors artists under 40 for outstanding achievement in performing arts. Named after shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan, it encourages emerging talent and tradition preservation.

Q: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), established in 1952, is responsible for certifying films for public exhibition in India.

True – CBFC (formerly Censor Board) certifies films under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. It assigns ratings (U, UA, A, S) based on content guidelines. Headquartered in Mumbai, it has regional offices across India.