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The 'Lalit Kala Akademi', India's National Academy of Art, was established in the year _____.
- 1954
- 1952
- 1956
- 1960
Answer: 1954
Lalit Kala Akademi (1954) promotes visual arts through exhibitions, grants, and artist residencies. One of three national academies (with Sangeet Natak and Sahitya), it fosters contemporary and traditional art practices.
The 'Sahitya Akademi Award' is conferred for outstanding literary work in any of the _____ languages listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution.
- 22
- 24
- 18
- 20
Answer: 22
Sahitya Akademi Award recognizes excellence in any of India's 22 scheduled languages. Instituted in 1954, it promotes multilingual literature and includes a cash prize, plaque, and shawl.
In 2024, India and _____ signed a cultural exchange agreement to promote joint exhibitions, artist residencies, and heritage conservation projects.
- France
- Japan
- Australia
- Brazil
Answer: France
India-France Cultural Exchange Agreement (2024) facilitates collaborative exhibitions, artist exchanges, and conservation expertise sharing. Builds on historical ties and mutual appreciation of artistic heritage.
The 'Konark Sun Temple' in Odisha is designed in the shape of a colossal _____ with 24 wheels and seven horses.
- chariot
- lotus
- lion
- elephant
Answer: chariot
Konark Sun Temple (13th century) is shaped like Surya's chariot with 24 carved wheels (representing hours) and seven horses (days of week). A UNESCO World Heritage Site exemplifying Kalinga architecture.
The 'Brihadeeswarar Temple' in Thanjavur, built by Raja Raja Chola I, features the world's first granite _____ over 200 feet tall.
- vimana
- gopuram
- shikhara
- mandapa
Answer: vimana
Brihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur, 1010 CE) has a 216-foot granite vimana (tower) over the sanctum, the world's tallest for its time. A UNESCO World Heritage Site exemplifying Chola architectural mastery.
The 'Khajuraho Group of Monuments', famous for erotic sculptures, was built by the _____ dynasty.
- Chandela
- Chola
- Pallava
- Rashtrakuta
Answer: Chandela
Khajuraho temples (Madhya Pradesh, 950-1050 CE) were built by Chandela rulers. They exemplify Nagara architecture and symbolize spiritual union through sensuous sculptures. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.
In 2025, the Ministry of Culture announced the '_____ Mission' to document and revive 100 endangered folk art forms across India.
- Lok Kala
- Jan Sanskriti
- Desaj Kala
- Parampara Suraksha
Answer: Lok Kala
Lok Kala Mission (2025) aims to document, train artists, and promote 100 endangered folk arts through digital archives, grants, and festival platforms. Focuses on intergenerational transmission and sustainable livelihoods.
The 'Ajanta Caves' are renowned for ancient paintings depicting stories from the _____ tales.
- Jataka
- Panchatantra
- Hitopadesha
- Kathasaritsagara
Answer: Jataka
Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra, 2nd century BCE-6th century CE) feature exquisite murals illustrating Jataka tales (Buddha's previous lives). These paintings are masterpieces of ancient Indian art and Buddhist narrative tradition.
The 'Charminar', built in 1591 in Hyderabad, exemplifies _____ architectural style blending Persian, Hindu, and Islamic elements.
- Indo-Islamic
- Dravidian
- Gothic
- Rajput
Answer: Indo-Islamic
Charminar (Hyderabad) combines Persian arches, Hindu floral motifs, and Islamic calligraphy. Built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, it symbolizes the syncretic Deccan culture and remains an iconic monument of Telangana.
The 'Sangeet Natak Akademi Award' is conferred in the fields of music, dance, and _____.
- theatre
- literature
- visual arts
- cinema
Answer: theatre
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award recognizes excellence in three performing arts: music, dance, and theatre. Instituted in 1952, it is India's highest recognition for practicing artists in these fields.
The 'Progressive Artists' Group' (1947) sought to break from colonial academic art by blending Indian themes with _____ modernism.
- Western
- Eastern
- African
- Latin American
Answer: Western
Progressive Artists' Group (M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza, S.H. Raza, etc.) fused Indian subject matter with Western modernist techniques (Cubism, Expressionism). They shaped post-independence Indian art's global identity.
The 'Hornbill Festival' is held annually in the state of _____ to showcase Naga tribal culture.
- Nagaland
- Manipur
- Mizoram
- Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: Nagaland
Hornbill Festival (December 1-10) in Nagaland promotes inter-tribal interaction and preserves Naga heritage through music, dance, crafts, and indigenous games. Named after the hornbill bird, revered in Naga folklore.
The 'Tripitaka', the canonical texts of Buddhism, were compiled in the _____ language after the First Buddhist Council.
- Pali
- Sanskrit
- Prakrit
- Magadhi
Answer: Pali
Tripitaka (Three Baskets) - Vinaya, Sutta, Abhidhamma - were compiled in Pali after the First Buddhist Council (c. 483 BCE) at Rajagriha. Pali Canon remains foundational to Theravada Buddhism across South and Southeast Asia.
'Badal Sircar's 'Third Theatre' movement emphasized _____ performances in non-proscenium spaces to reach mass audiences.
- street/arena
- classical proscenium
- digital virtual
- elite gallery
Answer: street/arena
Badal Sircar (1925-2011) pioneered 'Third Theatre' (Anganmancha), rejecting commercial and proscenium conventions. His minimalist, participatory performances in public spaces addressed social issues and democratized theatre access.
'Samkaleen Bharatiya Sahitya', a quarterly journal of Sahitya Akademi, publishes critical essays and creative writing in _____ languages.
- multiple Indian
- English only
- Hindi only
- Sanskrit only
Answer: multiple Indian
Samkaleen Bharatiya Sahitya features literary criticism, poetry, and fiction across India's scheduled languages. It promotes scholarly discourse and creative expression, serving as a platform for emerging and established writers.
The 'National Monuments Authority' (NMA), established under the AMASR Act, regulates construction activities within _____ meters of protected monuments.
- 100
- 50
- 200
- 500
Answer: 100
NMA (2011) enforces the 100-meter prohibited zone and 200-meter regulated zone around ASI-protected monuments. It grants permissions for construction, ensuring heritage sites are preserved from urban encroachment and damage.
The 'Bharat Rang Mahotsav', organized by National School of Drama, is India's largest annual _____ festival.
- theatre
- dance
- music
- film
Answer: theatre
Bharat Rang Mahotsav (since 1999) showcases Indian and international theatre productions in Delhi and touring cities. It provides a platform for experimental, traditional, and contemporary performances, fostering artistic exchange.
The 'Katha Prize for Translation', instituted in 1999, recognizes excellence in translating Indian literature into _____ language.
- English
- Hindi
- regional
- classical
Answer: English
Katha Prize (New Delhi-based NGO) honors translators who render Indian regional language literature into English. It promotes cross-linguistic access and has introduced global readers to diverse Indian voices.
The 'National Digital Library of India' (NDLI), launched in 2018, provides free access to _____ educational resources.
- multilingual
- English-only
- regional-language only
- technical subjects only
Answer: multilingual
NDLI (IIT Kharagpur) offers over 80 million multilingual educational resources: e-books, journals, theses, and videos. It supports students, researchers, and lifelong learners across India with open-access digital content.
Vijay Tendulkar, known for plays like 'Ghashiram Kotwal' and 'Sakharam Binder', wrote primarily in _____ language.
- Marathi
- Hindi
- Bengali
- Gujarati
Answer: Marathi
Vijay Tendulkar (1928-2008) was a pioneering Marathi playwright whose works addressed social issues, power dynamics, and gender. His plays have been translated into multiple languages and adapted into acclaimed films.