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Rouf is a traditional folk dance of Kashmir performed by women during spring and Eid celebrations.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Rouf is a graceful folk dance of Kashmir performed by women in groups, featuring rhythmic footwork and swaying movements. Accompanied by folk songs, it celebrates spring harvest and festive occasions like Eid.
The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) was launched by the Ministry of Culture in which year?
- 2007
- 2005
- 2010
- 2012
Answer: 2007
NMMA was launched in 2007 to document, conserve, and create awareness about India's monuments and antiquities. It maintains a national database and promotes community participation in heritage preservation.
Warli paintings traditionally depict themes of nature, daily life, and _____ rituals.
- marriage/fertility
- warfare
- royal coronation
- astronomical
Answer: marriage/fertility
Warli art from Maharashtra's tribal communities uses simple geometric shapes to depict marriage ceremonies (Lagnacha Chauk), harvest, dancing, and nature worship. White pigment on red ochre background is characteristic.
The Jaipur-Atrauli gharana is primarily associated with the vocal style of Dhrupad.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Jaipur-Atrauli gharana is known for Khayal singing, not Dhrupad. Founded by Alladiya Khan, it emphasizes complex ragas, intricate taans, and precise sur. Dhrupad is associated with Dagar, Betia, and Darbhanga gharanas.
Which building in New Delhi, designed by Edwin Lutyens, serves as the official residence of the President of India?
- Rashtrapati Bhavan
- North Block
- South Block
- Parliament House
Answer: Rashtrapati Bhavan
Rashtrapati Bhavan (1929) was designed by Edwin Lutyens blending classical European and Indian architectural elements. It features 340 rooms, Mughal Gardens, and symbolizes India's democratic heritage.
The Hornbill Festival is held annually from December 1-10 in _____, Nagaland.
- Kisama
- Kohima
- Dimapur
- Mokokchung
Answer: Kisama
Hornbill Festival takes place at Kisama Heritage Village, 12 km from Kohima, Nagaland. It showcases Naga tribal culture through music, dance, crafts, and indigenous games, promoting tourism and cultural preservation.
Pichwai paintings, large devotional artworks depicting Krishna, are traditionally created in Nathdwara, Rajasthan.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Pichwai (meaning 'behind the curtain') paintings adorn the sanctum of Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. Created with natural colors on cloth, they depict Krishna's leelas and change with seasons/festivals.
Who composed the 'Ramcharitmanas', the Awadhi version of the Ramayana?
- Tulsidas
- Surdas
- Kabir
- Mirabai
Answer: Tulsidas
Tulsidas (16th century) composed Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi, making the Ramayana accessible to common people. It is central to North Indian devotional culture and influences art, music, and theatre.
In Kathak, the rhythmic footwork patterns are called _____.
- Tatkar
- Tihai
- Paran
- Amad
Answer: Tatkar
Tatkar refers to the basic footwork in Kathak, producing rhythmic sounds with ankle bells (ghungroo). It forms the foundation for complex compositions like tihai (repeated phrase) and paran (rhythmic pattern).
The Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) was designed by British architect F.W. Stevens in Gothic Revival style.
- True
- False
Answer: True
F.W. Stevens designed CST (1887) blending Victorian Gothic Revival with Indian architectural elements like domes, turrets, and traditional motifs. It symbolizes Mumbai's colonial heritage and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Manganiyar community, known for folk music using kamayacha and khartal, primarily resides in which region?
- Rajasthan and Gujarat
- Punjab and Haryana
- Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
- Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
Answer: Rajasthan and Gujarat
Manganiyars are hereditary Muslim musicians from Rajasthan's Thar Desert and Gujarat's Kutch. Their repertoire includes folk songs, Sufi poetry, and historical ballads, performed with instruments like kamayacha, khartal, and morchang.
The Chishti Sufi order in India was established by _____ in the 12th century.
- Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
- Nizamuddin Auliya
- Baba Farid
- Salim Chishti
Answer: Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti founded the Chishti order in India, settling in Ajmer (Rajasthan) in the late 12th century. The order emphasizes love, tolerance, and service to humanity, with dargahs as cultural centers.
Amrita Sher-Gil, known as India's Frida Kahlo, primarily painted in the Impressionist style.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Amrita Sher-Gil blended Post-Impressionism with Indian miniature traditions and Ajanta frescoes. Her works like 'Three Girls' and 'Bride's Toilet' depict Indian rural life with emotional depth, not pure Impressionism.
Which Naga tribe is associated with the 'Sekrenyi' festival, a purification ceremony?
- Angami
- Ao
- Sema
- Lotha
Answer: Angami
Sekrenyi is the Angami Naga tribe's festival of purification and renewal, celebrated in February. It involves rituals, feasting, and traditional dances, marking the transition to a new agricultural cycle.
In Hindustani classical music, the most common tala with 16 beats is called _____.
- Teental
- Jhaptal
- Rupak
- Ektaal
Answer: Teental
Teental (or Trital) is the most widely used tala in Hindustani music, comprising 16 matras (beats) divided into four vibhags of four beats each. It provides the rhythmic foundation for many compositions.
Yoga was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Yoga was inscribed by UNESCO in 2016, recognizing its holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. India proposed the nomination, highlighting yoga's ancient roots and global practice.
Which Bhakti saint from Maharashtra composed the 'Abhangas' dedicated to Lord Vitthala?
- Sant Tukaram
- Sant Dnyaneshwar
- Sant Eknath
- Sant Namdev
Answer: Sant Tukaram
Sant Tukaram (17th century) composed over 5,000 Abhangas (devotional poems) in Marathi dedicated to Vithoba of Pandharpur. His works emphasize devotion, social equality, and rejection of ritualism.
In classical Indian dance, 'Nritta' refers to pure dance movements without _____, while 'Nritya' combines movement with expression.
- music
- expression/costume
- rhythm
- footwork
Answer: expression/costume
Nritta is abstract, rhythmic dance focusing on form and technique without emotional expression. Nritya combines nritta with abhinaya (expression) to convey meaning. This distinction is fundamental in Natya Shastra.
Indo-Saracenic architecture blends Indian, Islamic, and Gothic elements, exemplified by Chennai's Victoria Memorial Hall.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Indo-Saracenic architecture does blend Indian, Islamic, and Gothic styles, but Victoria Memorial Hall is in Kolkata, not Chennai. Chennai's example is the Madras High Court. The style was popularized by British architects like Robert Fellowes Chisholm.
Gond painting, characterized by dotted patterns and vibrant colors, originates from which tribal community?
- Gond
- Bhil
- Santhal
- Munda
Answer: Gond
Gond painting is practiced by the Gond tribe of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra. Artists use fine lines and dots to depict nature, mythology, and daily life. Received GI tag in 2023.