Art Culture – Medium Level – GK Questions

Q: The 'Navalratna' (nine gems) tradition at ancient Indian courts included scholars specializing in literature, astronomy, and philosophy.

True – Navalratna tradition refers to nine eminent scholars patronized by rulers like Vikramaditya and Akbar. They excelled in diverse fields: poetry, grammar, astronomy, medicine, etc., fostering interdisciplinary knowledge production.

Q: Chhau dance, which incorporates martial movements, has three distinct styles associated with which regions?

Seraikella, Mayurbhanj, Purulia – Chhau dance has three styles: Seraikella (Jharkhand, uses masks), Mayurbhanj (Odisha, no masks), Purulia (West Bengal, elaborate masks). All blend martial arts, folk traditions, and mythology. UNESCO Intangible Heritage since 2010.

Q: The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Folk Music was conferred on _____, a renowned Baul singer from West Bengal, in 2010.

Parvathy Baul – Parvathy Baul, a prominent female Baul singer and practitioner, received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2010. She promotes Baul philosophy through performances and workshops, preserving this intangible cultural heritage.

Q: Which traditional water harvesting structure, common in Rajasthan, consists of a series of curved embankments to capture rainwater?

Johad – Johads are earthen check dams in Rajasthan that capture rainwater, recharge groundwater, and support agriculture. Revived by organizations like Tarun Bharat Sangh, they exemplify community-based traditional water management.

Q: The Kupgal petroglyphs in Karnataka depict Neolithic herders driving cattle, providing evidence of early pastoral communities.

True – Kupgal petroglyphs (Bellary district, Karnataka) feature Neolithic rock carvings (c. 2000 BCE) showing cattle herding, human figures, and geometric patterns. They offer insights into early agro-pastoral societies of South India.

Q: Which contemporary Indian artist received the Padma Vibhushan in 2014 for contributions to modern art and sculpture?

Ram V. Sutar – Ram V. Sutar, renowned sculptor of the Statue of Unity (Sardar Patel), received Padma Vibhushan in 2014. His works include statues of national leaders and historical figures, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.

Q: The 'Tirukkural', a classic Tamil ethical text, was traditionally transmitted through oral recitation before being committed to palm-leaf manuscripts.

True – Tirukkural by Thiruvalluvar (c. 1st-5th century CE) was preserved through oral tradition (guru-shishya parampara) before being transcribed on palm leaves. This dual transmission ensured textual accuracy across generations.

Q: Therukoothu, a street theatre form with vibrant makeup and social themes, is traditionally performed in which state?

Tamil Nadu – Therukoothu ('street play') is Tamil Nadu's folk theatre featuring elaborate costumes, music, and improvisation. Performances based on epics and local legends are held in village squares during festivals, preserving oral narrative traditions.

Q: The Saraswati Samman, instituted in 1991, is awarded annually for outstanding prose or poetry literary work in any of the _____ languages listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution.

22 – Saraswati Samman recognizes literary excellence in any of the 22 scheduled languages. Conferred by KK Birla Foundation, it includes a citation, plaque, and cash prize. First recipient was Harivansh Rai Bachchan (Hindi) in 1991.

Q: Which traditional Indian agricultural practice involves growing multiple crops together to enhance soil fertility and pest control?

Mixed cropping – Mixed cropping (polyculture) is a traditional practice where compatible crops are grown together to optimize resources, reduce pests, and improve soil health. Examples: millets with pulses, rice with fish cultivation in wetlands.