Medium Level – GK Questions

Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize (since 1989) honors translators who render literary works between any two of India's 22 scheduled languages. It promotes linguistic diversity and cross-cultural literary appreciation.

Fatma Begum (1892-1983) was India's first woman director, producer, and screenwriter. Her film 'Bulbul-e-Paristan' (1926) was a fantasy adventure. She founded Fatma Film Company, pioneering women's participation in early cinema.

Jhora is Uttarakhand's communal folk dance performed during festivals like Harela and Baisakhi. Dancers form circles, clap rhythmically, and sing folk songs celebrating nature, harvest, and community bonds.

India has co-production treaties with countries including France, Germany, UK, Canada, Brazil, and South Korea. These agreements enable shared financing, talent exchange, and access to international markets for Indian filmmakers.

Pena is Manipur's traditional string instrument, played by Meitei communities. Its melancholic sound accompanies folk songs, epics, and ritual performances. Master artists like Ningthoujam Khelchandra have revived this endangered craft.

Kerala's coir industry, centered in Alappuzha, uses coconut husk fiber to make mats, ropes, and handicrafts. The eco-friendly craft supports rural livelihoods and received GI tag for specific regional products.

Digital Library of India (2000) digitized over 50,000 out-of-copyright books, manuscripts, and rare texts in multiple Indian languages. It promotes open access to India's literary heritage for research and education.

Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (Ministry of Culture) provides grants for training workshops, documentation, and performances in traditional performing and visual arts. It targets rural artists and endangered art forms.

Bengali film industry is colloquially called Tollywood (from Tollygunge, Kolkata). It pioneered artistic cinema in India with directors like Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, and Mrinal Sen, influencing global film aesthetics.

Sekrenyi is the Angami Naga tribe's festival of renewal (February), involving rituals, feasting, and traditional dances. It symbolizes cleansing of the community and preparation for the agricultural cycle.

Koodiyattam, Kerala's ancient Sanskrit theatre, was inscribed by UNESCO in 2001 (India's first Intangible Heritage). Performed in temple theatres (Koothambalams), it combines acting, music, and elaborate hand gestures.

Lavani is Maharashtra's energetic folk dance performed by women to dholki beats. Known for expressive gestures and social commentary, it was historically performed by female artists in royal courts and rural gatherings.

Indian Literature (since 1958) features translations of poetry, fiction, and essays from India's 22 scheduled languages into English, and vice versa. It promotes multilingual literary exchange and critical discourse.

K.K. Kapil's 'An Encounter with Faces' (1978) was India's first documentary Oscar nomination (Best Documentary Short). It portrayed children's expressions across cultures, showcasing Indian documentary filmmaking's global potential.

Changthangi goat, native to Ladakh's Changthang plateau, produces ultra-fine Pashmina wool (12-15 microns). The wool is hand-spun and woven in Kashmir, creating shawls prized globally for warmth and softness.

A.R. Rahman won two Oscars in 2009 for 'Slumdog Millionaire': Best Original Score and Best Original Song ('Jai Ho'). He also won two Grammys for the same soundtrack, marking a historic achievement for Indian cinema music.

North-East states (Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, etc.) excel in bamboo/cane craft: baskets, furniture, musical instruments. The craft is eco-friendly, supports rural livelihoods, and received GI recognition for specific regional styles.

Janam, affiliated with CPI(M), pioneered political street theatre in India. Plays like 'Hatyare' (on communal violence) and 'Machine' (on labor rights) use minimal props and public spaces to reach mass audiences.

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (1986) was India's first UNESCO MAB site. It encompasses diverse ecosystems: tropical forests, grasslands, and sholas. Home to tribal communities like Toda, Kota, and Kurumba, it exemplifies eco-cultural conservation.

Bhoota Kola is a ritual art of Tulu Nadu (Dakshina Kannada, Udupi) where performers embody local deities through dance, music, and trance. It preserves pre-Brahminical folk traditions and community justice mechanisms.