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Bengali cinema, known as 'Tollywood', is based in the Tollygunge area of Kolkata.
- True
- False
Answer: True
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', a purification festival marking the new year, is celebrated by which Naga tribe?
- Angami
- Ao
- Sema
- Lotha
Answer: Angami
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', recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Heritage, is a Sanskrit theatre tradition from which state?
- Kerala
- Tamil Nadu
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
Answer: Kerala
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', a powerful folk dance combining song and rhythmic movement, is traditionally performed in which state?
- Maharashtra
- Goa
- Karnataka
- Kerala
Answer: Maharashtra
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', the bilingual journal of Sahitya Akademi, publishes creative writing and criticism in English and _____ languages.
- 22 scheduled
- 18 regional
- 14 classical
- 10 major
Answer: 22 scheduled
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.
'An Encounter with Faces' (1978), directed by K.K. Kapil, was the first Indian documentary nominated for an Academy Award.
- True
- False
Answer: True
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.
'Pashmina' wool, used for luxury shawls, is obtained from which high-altitude goat breed?
- Changthangi
- Bakarwal
- Gaddi
- Chegu
Answer: Changthangi
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 was the first Indian to win two Academy Awards (Oscars) for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for 'Slumdog Millionaire' (2009).
- True
- False
Answer: True
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.
'Bamboo and Cane craft', recognized for intricate weaving and utility items, is a traditional specialty of which region?
- North-East India
- Coastal Kerala
- Rajasthan Desert
- Punjab Plains
Answer: North-East India
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.
'Jana Natya Manch' (Janam), founded in 1973, is renowned for using _____ theatre to address social and political issues.
- street
- classical
- experimental
- digital
Answer: street
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.
The 'Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve', India's first UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve (1986), spans three states: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
- True
- False
Answer: True
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', a spirit worship ritual with dance and oracle, is predominantly practiced in which coastal region?
- Tulu Nadu (Coastal Karnataka)
- Konkan Coast
- Coromandel Coast
- Malabar Coast
Answer: Tulu Nadu (Coastal Karnataka)
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.
'Rabab', a plucked string instrument with a wooden body and skin membrane, is central to the folk music of which region?
- Kashmir
- Sikkim
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
Answer: Kashmir
Rabab is Kashmir's traditional lute-like instrument, used in Sufiana Mausiqi and folk songs. Its soulful sound accompanies poetry of Lal Ded and Habba Khatoon, reflecting Kashmir's syncretic musical heritage.
The 'Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Rashtriya Sanskriti Puraskar' provides financial assistance to artists aged _____ years and above.
- 60
- 50
- 55
- 65
Answer: 60
This scheme (Ministry of Culture) provides monthly pension of ₹2,000 to eminent artists in music, dance, theatre, and visual arts aged 60+ with limited income. It honors contribution to cultural preservation.
Mira Nair was the first Indian woman director to have a film screened in competition at Cannes Film Festival.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Aparna Sen was the first Indian woman director with a film ('36 Chowringhee Lane', 1981) screened at Cannes. Mira Nair's 'Salaam Bombay!' (1988) won Camera d'Or at Cannes, but was not the first Indian woman entry.
'Thang-Ta', a martial art combining armed and unarmed combat, is traditionally practiced in which state?
- Manipur
- Nagaland
- Assam
- Meghalaya
Answer: Manipur
Thang-Ta (Manipuri martial art) uses sword (thang) and spear (ta) alongside unarmed techniques. It is performed as ritual dance (Sarit Sarak) and competitive sport, preserving Manipur's warrior heritage.
Jaipur was designated a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts and Folk Arts in 2015.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Jaipur joined UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2015 under Crafts and Folk Arts category, recognizing its legacy of block printing, blue pottery, gem cutting, and traditional handicrafts. Mumbai was designated for Film in 2019.
'Kath-Kuni' architecture, using interlocked wood and stone without mortar, is traditional to which Himalayan state?
- Himachal Pradesh
- Kerala
- Goa
- Odisha
Answer: Himachal Pradesh
Kath-Kuni is a seismic-resistant architectural style of Himachal Pradesh, using alternating layers of wood and stone. It provides insulation against cold and flexibility during earthquakes, reflecting indigenous engineering wisdom.
The 'Project Muse' initiative by Sahitya Akademi promotes digital access to Indian literature through _____ platforms.
- e-books/audiobooks
- printed anthologies
- theatre adaptations
- film scripts
Answer: e-books/audiobooks
Project Muse (Sahitya Akademi) digitizes award-winning literary works into e-books and audiobooks in multiple Indian languages. It enhances accessibility for visually impaired readers and global diaspora.
'Hanuman' (2005), India's first 3D animated feature film, was produced by ISRO's animation unit.
- True
- False
Answer: False
'Hanuman' (2005) was produced by Percept Picture Company, not ISRO. It was India's first successful 3D animated feature, spawning a franchise. ISRO's animation work focuses on educational content, not commercial films.