GK Questions

Dokra is an ancient metal casting craft using the lost-wax technique, practiced by tribal communities in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal. Known for tribal motifs and rustic finish.

Rabindra Sangeet comprises over 2,000 songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali. They blend Indian classical and folk traditions and are integral to Bengali cultural identity.

Nautanki is a folk theatre form from Uttar Pradesh and North India, known for its rhythmic dialogue, folk songs, and social themes. It was popularized by performers like Gulab Bai.

The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) at Ellora, Maharashtra, is the world's largest monolithic structure, carved top-down from a single basalt rock in the 8th century by Rashtrakuta King Krishna I.

Tamil was declared India's first Classical Language in 2004, followed by Sanskrit (2005), Kannada and Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014). Criteria include ancient texts and literary tradition.

Pattachitra is a traditional cloth-based scroll painting from Odisha and West Bengal. Themes revolve around Jagannath and Vaishnava lore, using natural colors and intricate borders.

Onam is Kerala's biggest festival, marking the mythical return of King Mahabali. Celebrations include Vallamkali (boat race), Pookalam (flower rangoli), and Sadya (grand feast).

Kuchipudi originated in the village of Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh. It combines dance, acting, and dialogue, traditionally performed by Brahmin men. Recognized as classical dance by Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Lucknow is renowned for Chikankari and Zardozi embroidery. Zardozi, meaning 'gold embroidery', uses metallic threads, pearls, and precious stones, and received GI tag for Lucknow Zardozi in 2013.

Pandit Ravi Shankar, a legendary sitar maestro, played a pivotal role in introducing Indian classical music to Western audiences through collaborations with The Beatles and international performances.

The iconic stone chariot is part of the Vittala Temple complex in Hampi, Karnataka. Hampi was the capital of Vijayanagara Empire and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.

Garba is a traditional folk dance of Gujarat performed during Navratri festival. Dancers move in concentric circles around a lamp or image of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the cycle of life.

The Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, is traditionally attributed to Sage Vyasa. It contains the Bhagavad Gita and is considered the longest epic poem ever written.

Tanjore paintings from Tamil Nadu are known for rich surface creation using gold foil, precious stones, and glass beads. They typically depict Hindu deities and were patronized by Nayakas and Marathas.

Odissi is a classical dance form from Odisha, characterized by tribhanga posture and sculpturesque movements. It traces its roots to temple traditions and was recognized as classical in 1970.

Qutub Minar in Delhi stands 73 meters tall and was started by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1199. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and exemplifies Indo-Islamic architecture.

Baul music is a mystic folk tradition of Bengal (both West Bengal, India and Bangladesh). Baul singers, known for their eclectic philosophy and one-stringed ektara, were recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2005.

Lalit Kala Akademi was established by the Government of India in 1954 to promote and preserve visual arts in India. It is one of the three national academies of arts, alongside Sangeet Natak and Sahitya Akademi.

Kabir Das, a 15th-century Bhakti saint, composed his poetic verses (dohas and sakhis) in vernacular languages like Awadhi and Braj Bhasha to make spiritual teachings accessible to common people, rejecting Sanskrit elitism.

While Humayun brought Persian artists to India, it was Akbar who established a formal imperial atelier (kitabkhana) at Fatehpur Sikri, fostering the synthesis of Persian and Indian styles that defined Mughal miniature painting.