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Chhau dance, which incorporates martial movements, has three distinct styles associated with which regions?
- Seraikella, Mayurbhanj, Purulia
- Thanjavur, Kanchipuram, Madurai
- Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur
- Imphal, Kohima, Agartala
Answer: 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.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Folk Music was conferred on _____, a renowned Baul singer from West Bengal, in 2010.
- Parvathy Baul
- Lalan Fakir
- Paban Das Baul
- Kangalini Sufia
Answer: 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.
Which traditional water harvesting structure, common in Rajasthan, consists of a series of curved embankments to capture rainwater?
- Johad
- Baoli
- Kund
- Tank
Answer: 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.
The Kupgal petroglyphs in Karnataka depict Neolithic herders driving cattle, providing evidence of early pastoral communities.
- True
- False
Answer: 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.
Which contemporary Indian artist received the Padma Vibhushan in 2014 for contributions to modern art and sculpture?
- Krishen Khanna
- Ram V. Sutar
- Anish Kapoor
- Subodh Gupta
Answer: 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.
The 'Tirukkural', a classic Tamil ethical text, was traditionally transmitted through oral recitation before being committed to palm-leaf manuscripts.
- True
- False
Answer: 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.
Therukoothu, a street theatre form with vibrant makeup and social themes, is traditionally performed in which state?
- Tamil Nadu
- Kerala
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
Answer: 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.
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
- 24
- 18
- 20
Answer: 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.
Which traditional Indian agricultural practice involves growing multiple crops together to enhance soil fertility and pest control?
- Mixed cropping
- Shifting cultivation
- Terrace farming
- Hydroponics
Answer: 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.
Yakshagana performances traditionally last all night, combining dance, music, dialogue, and elaborate costumes.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Yakshagana from coastal Karnataka is an all-night theatre form featuring vibrant costumes, heavy makeup, and improvisation. Performers enact episodes from epics, accompanied by live music (chenda, maddale) and vocal narration.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, the highest honor in performing arts, is also known as _____.
- Ratna Sadsya
- Akademi Ratna
- Kalidas Samman
- Tagore Ratna
Answer: Akademi Ratna
Akademi Ratna (Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship) is the highest honor conferred by India's national academy for music, dance, and drama. Limited to 40 living recipients, it recognizes lifetime achievement in performing arts.
Traditional Indian manuscripts were often written on dried palm leaves using iron styluses, with ink rubbed into the incised letters.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Palm leaf manuscripts (ola-chuvadi) were the primary writing medium in South India. Scribes used iron styluses to incise text, then applied soot/oil to make letters visible. This technique preserved texts for centuries in tropical climates.
Kalaripayattu, one of India's oldest martial arts, originated in which state?
- Kerala
- Tamil Nadu
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
Answer: Kerala
Kalaripayattu from Kerala (c. 3rd century BCE) combines strikes, kicks, grappling, and weaponry. It influenced Ayurveda, dance forms, and possibly Asian martial arts. Recognized for preserving traditional combat and healing practices.
Sacred groves, known as 'Devrai' in Maharashtra and 'Kavu' in Kerala, are community-conserved forest patches dedicated to deities.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Sacred groves are traditional conservation practices where forest patches are protected due to religious beliefs. Found across India (Devrai-Karnataka/Maharashtra, Kavu-Kerala, Jahera-Jharkhand), they preserve biodiversity and indigenous knowledge.
Which Veda is primarily concerned with rituals, chants, and melodies used in sacrificial ceremonies?
- Rigveda
- Samaveda
- Yajurveda
- Atharvaveda
Answer: Samaveda
Samaveda, the 'Veda of Chants', contains melodies and musical notations derived from Rigveda hymns. It is foundational to Indian classical music, emphasizing the spiritual power of sound and ritual chanting.
_____ puppetry, a traditional string puppet form from Rajasthan, is known for elaborate costumes and folk narratives.
- Kathputli
- Togalu Gombeyaata
- Putul Nach
- Pavakoothu
Answer: Kathputli
Kathputli is Rajasthan's traditional string puppetry, featuring brightly colored wooden puppets with elaborate costumes. Performers narrate folk tales, ballads, and social themes accompanied by folk music. Recognized for preserving oral traditions.
The Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh contain some of the earliest evidence of human life in India, with paintings dating back to the Paleolithic era.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Bhimbetka rock shelters (Madhya Pradesh) feature over 750 rock paintings spanning Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and historic periods. Inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, they depict hunting, dancing, and community life.
Natural dyeing techniques used in traditional Indian textiles like Bandhani and Kalamkari are eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic dyes.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Traditional Indian textiles use natural dyes from plants (indigo, madder), minerals, and insects. Techniques like Kalamkari (vegetable dyes) and Bandhani (natural mordants) are sustainable, biodegradable, and support artisan livelihoods.
Which festival, inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2021, celebrates the victory of good over evil with effigy burning?
- Dussehra
- Diwali
- Holi
- Navratri
Answer: Dussehra
Dussehra (Vijayadashami) was inscribed on UNESCO's list in 2021, recognizing its pan-Indian celebrations of Rama's victory over Ravana. Effigy burning, Ramlila performances, and community processions embody cultural continuity.
Kalakshetra Foundation, established in 1936 for Bharatanatyam revival, is located in _____.
- Chennai
- Bangalore
- Hyderabad
- Kochi
Answer: Chennai
Kalakshetra Foundation was founded in 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale in Chennai (Adyar). It pioneered the revival and institutionalization of Bharatanatyam, emphasizing purity of style, ethics, and holistic arts education.