True/False – GK Questions

Kalidasa (4th-5th century CE) is regarded as the greatest Sanskrit poet and dramatist. His masterpieces include Abhijnanashakuntalam (play), Meghaduta (lyric poem), and Raghuvamsha (epic).

Banaras Gharana is one of the six major tabla gharanas, known for its robust style, intricate kayda patterns, and use of bol-baant. Prominent exponents include Pandit Kishan Maharaj.

Sahitya Akademi was founded in 1954 to promote literature in India's 24 recognized languages. It confers the annual Sahitya Akademi Award and publishes literary journals and translations.

Instituted in 1961, the Jnanpith Award recognizes outstanding contribution to Indian literature in any of the 22 scheduled languages or English. First recipient was G. Sankara Kurup (Malayalam) in 1965.

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.

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.

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).

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 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.

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.

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.

Kumbh Mela was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017. It is the world's largest religious gathering, held cyclically at four sacred river sites in India.

Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form from coastal Karnataka and parts of Kerala. It features elaborate costumes, vibrant makeup, and performances based on epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Sattriya dance originated in the 15th century in the Vaishnavite monasteries (sattras) of Assam, founded by Saint Srimanta Sankardev. It was recognized as a classical dance by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000.

Rani ki Vav (Queen's Stepwell) is located in Patan, Gujarat. Built in the 11th century by Queen Udayamati in memory of her husband King Bhima I, it is an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water.

Sangeet Natak Akademi was established by the Government of India in 1952 to preserve and promote India's intangible cultural heritage in performing arts. It is the first national academy of arts set up by the Republic of India.

Sangam literature was composed in Tamil, not Sanskrit, between 300 BCE and 300 CE. It is the earliest known literature of South India and provides valuable insights into ancient Tamil society.

The Taj Mahal, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 under cultural criteria for its outstanding universal value.

The Kirti Chakra can be awarded for acts of conspicuous bravery or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield, including during hostage rescue operations, counter-terrorism missions, and other high-risk peacetime scenarios.

The Padma Awards recognize distinguished service in any field, including media and journalism. Numerous journalists, editors, and media personalities have been honored with Padma Awards for their contributions to public discourse and information dissemination.