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Answer: True
Vande Mataram, from Anandamath, was first sung at 1896 Congress session. Though controversial for its Hindu imagery, it became a powerful nationalist symbol. First two verses are India's national song (adopted 1950).
Answer: True
Bidriware (Bidar) uses zinc-copper alloy blackened with ammonium chloride, with silver inlay. Dokra uses lost-wax casting with brass/bronze. Both are GI-tagged crafts representing distinct regional metallurgical traditions.
Answer: True
National Cultural Data Repository (2024) integrates databases from ASI, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, etc. Enables cross-ministerial planning, research access, and evidence-based cultural policy formulation.
Answer: True
Raga Chikitsa (music therapy) links ragas to times, seasons, and healing: Bhairav for morning calm, Malkauns for anxiety relief. Ancient texts like Sangita Ratnakara document ragas' physiological and psychological effects.
Answer: True
Mandapa is common to both styles for rituals and gatherings. Gopuram (ornate gateway tower) is characteristic of Dravida temples (South India), while Nagara temples (North India) emphasize curvilinear shikhara over sanctum.
Answer: True
Culture Startup India (2024) supports startups developing AR/VR heritage experiences, artisan marketplaces, and sustainable cultural tourism. Part of Startup India's sector-specific verticals to boost creative economy.
Answer: True
Early inscriptions (Ashoka, Satavahanas) used Prakrit for mass communication. Later Gupta-era inscriptions adopted Sanskrit, signaling its association with elite culture, religious authority, and pan-Indian political legitimacy.
Answer: True
Jnanpith Award (since 1965) honors one author annually for outstanding contribution to Indian literature. Sahitya Akademi Award recognizes multiple authors yearly across 22 languages. Both promote multilingual literary excellence.
Answer: True
Varanasi joined UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2024 under Music category, acknowledging its gharanas, instruments, and spiritual musical traditions. It is the third Indian city after Jaipur (Crafts) and Mumbai (Film).
Answer: True
Arikamedu (2nd century BCE-2nd century CE) was a major Indo-Roman trading port. Excavations revealed Roman pottery, beads, and coins, confirming ancient maritime networks between India and the Mediterranean.
Answer: True
Bharatanatyam: pleated Kanchipuram silk saree with gold zari, temple jewelry. Kathak: anarkali/ghagra-choli with churidar, emphasizing spins. Costume aesthetics reflect each dance form's regional and stylistic evolution.
Answer: True
Sanskriti School (2024) is a Ministry of Education-Culture collaboration embedding traditional arts in CBSE/State board curricula. Aims to foster cultural literacy, creativity, and intergenerational knowledge transmission among youth.
Answer: True
Jantar Mantar (Jaipur, Delhi, etc., 1724-1730) features massive stone instruments (samrat yantra, jai prakash) for astronomical observations. Combines Indian, Islamic, and European astronomical knowledge in architectural form.
Answer: True
Nautanki and Jatra are North/East Indian folk theatres featuring rhythmic dialogue, folk songs, minimal sets, and social commentary. Both historically addressed contemporary issues and preserved regional narratives.
Answer: True
Thirukkural by Thiruvalluvar (c. 1st-5th century CE) was inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2024. This ethical classic of 1,330 couplets is revered for universal wisdom on virtue, wealth, and love.
Answer: True
Indian music theory defines 22 shrutis within an octave based on precise frequency ratios (e.g., 3:2 for perfect fifth). Ancient texts like Natya Shastra and Sangita Ratnakara document this mathematical foundation of melody.
Answer: True
Sangam poetry (Tamil, 300 BCE-300 CE) and Sanskrit kavya share advanced literary aesthetics: metaphor (upama), alliteration (anuprasa), and complex meters. Both traditions influenced pan-Indian literary culture.
Answer: True
This Ministry of Culture scheme (revised 2025) supports veteran artists in music, dance, theatre, and visual arts. Applicants must demonstrate contribution to cultural preservation and financial need.
Answer: True
Nasik cave inscription by Gautami Balashri, mother of Gautamiputra Satakarni, records Satavahana achievements in Prakrit using Brahmi script. It is a key source for Deccan history and early Indian epigraphy.
Answer: True
Abhinaya (facial expression, hand gestures) and nritta (rhythmic pure dance) are fundamental to all Indian classical dances. Bharatanatyam emphasizes geometric precision; Kuchipudi integrates dance with dramatic dialogue.