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'Losar', the Tibetan New Year festival, is celebrated with masked dances and butter lamp offerings in which regions?
- Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh
- Uttarakhand, Himachal only
- Nepal, Bhutan only
- All Himalayan states
Answer: Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh
Losar marks the Tibetan Buddhist New Year, celebrated in Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Rituals include Cham dances, prayer flag hoisting, and community feasts, following the Tibetan lunar calendar.
The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), established in 1952, is Asia's oldest film festival and is held annually in Goa.
- True
- False
Answer: True
IFFI, founded in 1952 (first held in Mumbai), is Asia's oldest international film festival. Since 2004, it has been permanently held in Goa. It showcases global cinema and promotes Indian films internationally.
'Eri silk', known as 'Ahimsa silk' because it is harvested without killing silkworms, is traditionally produced in which state?
- Assam
- Nagaland
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
Answer: Assam
Eri silk (Endi) from Assam is produced by domesticating Samia ricini silkworms that feed on castor leaves. As pupae are not killed during harvesting, it is called Ahimsa silk. Received GI tag in 2007.
'Oppana', a song-and-dance tradition performed at Muslim weddings, is predominantly practiced in which coastal state?
- Kerala
- Karnataka
- Goa
- Maharashtra
Answer: Kerala
Oppana is a celebratory folk art of Kerala's Mappila community, performed by women at weddings. Dancers clap and move in circles while singing poetic songs in Arabi-Malayalam, blending Islamic and local traditions.
The 'National Translation Mission', launched in 2008, aims to make knowledge texts accessible in all _____ languages of India.
- 22 scheduled
- 18 regional
- 14 classical
- 10 major
Answer: 22 scheduled
National Translation Mission (under Central Institute of Indian Languages) promotes translation of knowledge texts across India's 22 scheduled languages. It supports linguistic diversity and equitable access to education.
Pashmina shawls, woven from fine cashmere wool, are traditionally crafted in which Himalayan region?
- Kashmir
- Sikkim
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
Answer: Kashmir
Pashmina shawls are handwoven in Kashmir using wool from Changthangi goats of Ladakh. The intricate craftsmanship, passed through generations, received GI tag in 2008 for authenticity and quality assurance.
The 'e-Sampada' portal, launched by Ministry of Culture, provides online services for booking _____ and cultural facilities.
- government guest houses
- theatre tickets
- museum entries
- festival passes
Answer: government guest houses
e-Sampada (2020) is a unified digital platform for booking government accommodation (guest houses, holiday homes) and cultural venues. It streamlines access to Ministry of Culture assets for citizens and officials.
The 'Pung', a traditional drum, is the primary instrument accompanying which classical dance form of Manipur?
- Manipuri
- Bharatanatyam
- Kathak
- Odissi
Answer: Manipuri
Pung ( Manipuri drum) is integral to Manipuri classical dance, providing rhythmic foundation for Ras Lila and other devotional performances. Pung cholom (drum dance) is a dynamic solo performance showcasing virtuosity.
Nautanki, a popular folk theatre of North India, traditionally features all-male casts including female roles.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Nautanki, originating in Uttar Pradesh, historically featured all-male casts with men enacting female roles. Known for rhythmic dialogue, folk songs, and social satire, it remains popular in rural North India.
Which music director, known as 'Pancham Da', revolutionized Hindi film music with innovative orchestration in the 1970s?
- R.D. Burman
- R. Rahman
- Laxmikant-Pyarelal
- Shankar-Jaikishan
Answer: R.D. Burman
Rahul Dev Burman (1939-1994) revolutionized Bollywood music by blending Indian classical, Western jazz, rock, and Latin rhythms. Iconic scores include 'Sholay', 'Amar Prem', and '1942: A Love Story'.
The 'JCB Prize for Literature', instituted in 2018, is awarded annually for the best work of _____ fiction published in India.
- long-form
- short-story
- poetry
- non-fiction
Answer: long-form
JCB Prize for Literature (₹25 lakh) recognizes excellence in long-form fiction by Indian authors. It aims to elevate Indian literature globally and encourage translation across Indian languages.
India has seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) established to preserve and promote regional cultural heritage.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Seven Zonal Cultural Centres were established between 1985-1990: North, South, East, West, North-Central, North-East, and Uttar Pradesh zones. They organize festivals, workshops, and documentation projects to sustain regional arts.
Yakshagana, a traditional theatre form with elaborate costumes and makeup, is predominantly performed in which coastal region?
- Coastal Karnataka
- Konkan Coast
- Coromandel Coast
- Malabar Coast
Answer: Coastal Karnataka
Yakshagana is a traditional theatre of Coastal Karnataka (Dakshina Kannada, Udupi) and parts of Kerala. It combines dance, music, dialogue, and elaborate costumes to enact episodes from epics and Puranas.
Which city in Rajasthan, known for its pink-colored buildings, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019?
- Jaipur
- Jodhpur
- Udaipur
- Bikaner
Answer: Jaipur
Jaipur, the 'Pink City', was inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019 under cultural criteria. Founded in 1727 by Sawai Jai Singh II, it exemplifies late medieval Hindu town planning and Rajput architecture.
Cham dance, a masked ritual dance depicting Buddhist deities, is traditionally performed in which Himalayan regions?
- Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh
- Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu
- Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet only
- All of these
Answer: All of these
Cham dance is a sacred masked dance of Tibetan Buddhism, performed in monasteries across Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. It enacts moral stories and purifies the environment through ritual movement.
The National School of Drama (NSD), established in 1959, is an autonomous institution under the _____ Ministry.
- Culture
- Education
- Information & Broadcasting
- Youth Affairs
Answer: Culture
National School of Drama, New Delhi, was established in 1959 under Ministry of Culture. It offers training in theatre arts and has produced renowned artists like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, and Irrfan Khan.
Satyajit Ray's 'Pather Panchali' (1955) launched the Indian Parallel Cinema movement, emphasizing realism and social themes.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Pather Panchali, the first film of Ray's Apu Trilogy, pioneered Indian Parallel Cinema with its neorealist style, non-professional actors, and focus on rural life. It won the Best Human Document award at Cannes 1956.
Bihu dance, performed during the Bihu festival, is a traditional folk dance of which state?
- Assam
- Nagaland
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
Answer: Assam
Bihu is Assam's quintessential folk dance performed during Rongali (spring), Kongali (autumn), and Bhogali (winter) Bihu festivals. Characterized by brisk steps, rapid hand movements, and vibrant traditional attire.
Kumbh Mela was the first Indian element to be inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Kutiyattam (Sanskrit theatre of Kerala) was India's first UNESCO Intangible Heritage inscription in 2001. Kumbh Mela was inscribed later in 2017. India now has 14 elements on the list.
Which regional film industry is known as 'Tollywood', producing films primarily in Telugu language?
- Hyderabad
- Chennai
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
Answer: Hyderabad
Telugu film industry, based in Hyderabad (Ramoji Film City), is colloquially called Tollywood. It is one of India's largest film industries by number of films produced and box office revenue.