Art Culture – Medium Level – GK Questions

Q: 'Losar', the Tibetan New Year festival, is celebrated with masked dances and butter lamp offerings in which regions?

Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh – Losar marks the Tibetan Buddhist New Year, celebrated in Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Rituals include Cham dances, prayer flag hoisting, and community feasts, following the Tibetan lunar calendar.

Q: The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), established in 1952, is Asia's oldest film festival and is held annually in Goa.

True – IFFI, founded in 1952 (first held in Mumbai), is Asia's oldest international film festival. Since 2004, it has been permanently held in Goa. It showcases global cinema and promotes Indian films internationally.

Q: 'Eri silk', known as 'Ahimsa silk' because it is harvested without killing silkworms, is traditionally produced in which state?

Assam – Eri silk (Endi) from Assam is produced by domesticating Samia ricini silkworms that feed on castor leaves. As pupae are not killed during harvesting, it is called Ahimsa silk. Received GI tag in 2007.

Q: 'Oppana', a song-and-dance tradition performed at Muslim weddings, is predominantly practiced in which coastal state?

Kerala – Oppana is a celebratory folk art of Kerala's Mappila community, performed by women at weddings. Dancers clap and move in circles while singing poetic songs in Arabi-Malayalam, blending Islamic and local traditions.

Q: The 'National Translation Mission', launched in 2008, aims to make knowledge texts accessible in all _____ languages of India.

22 scheduled – National Translation Mission (under Central Institute of Indian Languages) promotes translation of knowledge texts across India's 22 scheduled languages. It supports linguistic diversity and equitable access to education.

Q: Pashmina shawls, woven from fine cashmere wool, are traditionally crafted in which Himalayan region?

Kashmir – Pashmina shawls are handwoven in Kashmir using wool from Changthangi goats of Ladakh. The intricate craftsmanship, passed through generations, received GI tag in 2008 for authenticity and quality assurance.

Q: The 'e-Sampada' portal, launched by Ministry of Culture, provides online services for booking _____ and cultural facilities.

government guest houses – e-Sampada (2020) is a unified digital platform for booking government accommodation (guest houses, holiday homes) and cultural venues. It streamlines access to Ministry of Culture assets for citizens and officials.

Q: The 'Pung', a traditional drum, is the primary instrument accompanying which classical dance form of Manipur?

Manipuri – Pung ( Manipuri drum) is integral to Manipuri classical dance, providing rhythmic foundation for Ras Lila and other devotional performances. Pung cholom (drum dance) is a dynamic solo performance showcasing virtuosity.

Q: Nautanki, a popular folk theatre of North India, traditionally features all-male casts including female roles.

True – Nautanki, originating in Uttar Pradesh, historically featured all-male casts with men enacting female roles. Known for rhythmic dialogue, folk songs, and social satire, it remains popular in rural North India.

Q: Which music director, known as 'Pancham Da', revolutionized Hindi film music with innovative orchestration in the 1970s?

R.D. Burman – Rahul Dev Burman (1939-1994) revolutionized Bollywood music by blending Indian classical, Western jazz, rock, and Latin rhythms. Iconic scores include 'Sholay', 'Amar Prem', and '1942: A Love Story'.