Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
[pib] Janjatiya Gaurav Divas
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Janjatiya Gaurav Divas; Birsa Munda
Why in the News?
- Since 2021, November 15th is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to honor the contributions of tribal communities in India’s freedom struggle.
- This day commemorates the birth anniversary of the legendary Sri Birsa Munda.
Who was Birsa Munda?
Causes of the Rebellion:
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Historical Background:
- Birsa started the Birsait faith to counter Christian missionary conversions among tribals. It became a challenge to British conversion efforts.
- Members of the Munda and Oraon communities joined the Birsait sect.
- The Mundas honored him as Dharati Aaba (Father of the Earth).
- The Ulgulan Movement: Also known as the Munda Rebellion, led by Birsa Munda in 1899-1900.
- Concentrated in the Munda belt of Khunti, Tamar, Sarwada, and Bandgaon.
- The goal was to establish Munda Raj (self-rule) and independence, known as Ulgulan or the “Great Tumult.”
- The rebellion was ultimately suppressed by British forces, leading to Birsa Munda’s capture and death.
- Birsa Munda’s mobilization left a lasting impact, prompting government reforms like the repeal of the Begar system and enactment of the Tenancy Act (1903).
- The movement was violently suppressed, and Birsa Munda died in jail on June 9, 1900.
Significance:
- Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is significant in preserving the legacy of tribal resistance leaders and advocating for tribal rights.
- It promotes a more inclusive society that values the contributions of all communities in India’s historical and cultural fabric.
PYQ:[2020] With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events? (a) The Revolt of 1857 (b) The Mappila Rebellion of 1921 (c) The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60 (d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900 |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Jagannath Puri Temple
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Jagannath Puri Temple
Why in the News?
Odisha’s law minister recently clarified that there was no secret chamber inside the treasury of the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
About Jagannath Puri Temple
|
It’s Architecture:
- With its sculptural richness and fluidity of the Oriya style of temple architecture, it is one of the most magnificent monuments of India.
- The huge temple complex covers an area of over 400,000 square feet and is surrounded by a high fortified wall.
- This 20 feet high wall is known as Meghanada Pacheri.
- Another wall known as kurma bedha surrounds the main temple.
The temple has four distinct sectional structures, namely:
- Deula, Vimana or Garba griha (Sanctum sanctorum) where the triad deities are lodged on the ratnavedi (Throne of Pearls). In Rekha Deula style;
- Mukhashala (Frontal porch);
- Nata mandir/Natamandapa, which is also known as the Jagamohan (Audience Hall/Dancing Hall), and
- Bhoga Mandapa (Offerings Hall)
PYQ:[2012] The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are the: (a) Three main racial groups of the Indian subcontinent (b) Three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of India can be classified (c) Three main styles of Indian temple architecture (d) Three main musical Gharanas prevalent in India |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
First Asian Buddhist Summit
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: First Asian Buddhist Summit
Why in the News?
The Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), held the first Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS) in New Delhi.
About the Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS)
|
About Buddhism:
| Details | |
| Origin of Buddhism | • Originated in India over 2,600 years ago. • Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) around 563 BCE. • Born into the royal family of the Sakya clan in Lumbini, near the Indo-Nepal border. • At age 29, Gautama renounced a life of luxury and embraced asceticism. • Attained Bodhi (enlightenment) after 49 days of meditation under a pipal tree in Bodhgaya, Bihar. • Delivered his first sermon in Sarnath, known as Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana. • Died at 80 in Kushinagara (Mahaparinirvana) in 483 BCE. |
| Tenets of Buddhism | • Advocated the Madhyam Marg (Middle Path) between indulgence and asceticism. • Emphasized individual responsibility for happiness. • Four Noble Truths (ariya-sachchani): 1. Dukkha: Suffering is inherent. 2. Samudya: Every suffering has a cause. 3. Nirodha: Suffering could be extinguished. 4. Atthanga Magga: Achieved through the Eightfold Path. • Eightfold Path (astangika marg): Right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, mindfulness, effort, concentration. • Ultimate goal: Attaining Nirvana (Nibbana). • Five Precepts (Panchasil): Prohibitions against violence, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants. |
| Major Buddhist Texts | • Initially oral teachings, memorized by the Sangha. • Written down around 25 BCE in Pali. • Three Pitakas: 1. Vinaya Pitaka: Monastic rules. 2. Sutta Pitaka: Main teachings, divided into five Nikayas (Digha, Majjhima, Samyutta, Anguttara, Khuddaka). 3. Abhidamma Pitaka: Philosophical analysis of teachings. • Other important texts: Divyavadana, Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, Milind Panha. |
| Role of the Buddhist Councils | • Important turning points in early Buddhism, leading to sectarian clashes and the Great Schism. • Four Major Councils: 1. First Council (483 BCE): Presided by Mahakasyapa, aimed to preserve teachings. 2. Second Council (383 BCE): Addressed monastic discipline. 3. Third Council (250 BCE): Under Ashoka, focusing on spreading Buddhism. 4. Fourth Council (72 CE): Led to division into Mahayana and Hinayana. |
| Different Schools of Buddhism | • Mahayana: “Great Vehicle,” emphasizes Bodhisattva ideal and idol worship; spread to Central and East Asia. • Hinayana: “Lesser Vehicle,” focuses on individual salvation and original teachings; Theravada is a major branch. • Theravada: Closest to original teachings; dominant in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. • Vajrayana: “Vehicle of the Thunderbolt,” complex rituals; developed around 900 CE. • Zen: Focuses on meditation, developed in China and Japan. |
| Spread of Buddhism in Ancient India | • Monastic organization through Sangha for spreading teachings. • Rapid growth during Buddha’s lifetime. • Ashoka’s influence post-Kalinga conquest; adopted Dhamma conquest, sending missions to various regions, including Gandhara, Kashmir, Greece, Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Egypt, and Thailand. |
PYQ:[2020] With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: 1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. 2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. 3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
[pib] Rashtriya Ekta Diwas
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Rashtriya Ekta Diwas
Why in the News?
The ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ (National Unity Day) the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, will be held on 31st October.
About National Unity Day
|
Contributions made by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel:
| Details | |
| Who Was He? | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950) was an Indian independence activist, lawyer, and a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress.
He served as India’s first Deputy PM and Home Minister. |
| Role in the Freedom Struggle | • Kheda Satyagraha (1918): Led a non-violent campaign against unjust land revenue tax during a famine. • Bardoli Satyagraha (1928): Organized protests against increased land revenue, earning the title “Sardar.” |
| Integration of Princely States | Played a crucial role in integrating over 565 princely states into the Indian Union post-independence using diplomatic skills and firm leadership. |
| Establishment of All India Services | Advocated for a unified administrative framework, establishing the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), known as India’s “steel frame.” |
| Leadership in the Indian National Congress | Served as President during the Karachi session in 1931, where significant resolutions on Fundamental Rights were passed. |
| Constitutional Contributions | Headed committees of the Constituent Assembly on Fundamental Rights and minority rights, contributing to the framing of the Indian Constitution. |
| Promotion of National Unity | Advocated “Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat” (One India, Great India), emphasizing unity in diversity to build a cohesive nation. |
| Social Reforms | Worked against caste discrimination, untouchability, and alcohol consumption, promoting social justice and women’s rights. |
PYQ:[2011] What was the reason for Mahatma Gandhi to organize a satyagraha on behalf of the peasants of Kheda? 1. The Administration did not suspend the land revenue collection in spite of a drought. 2. The Administration proposed to introduce Permanent Settlement in Gujarat. Which of the statements given above is/ are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 or 2 |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
[pib] International Abhidhamma Divas
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Abhidhamma Divas
Why in the News?
PM has participated in the celebration of International Abhidhamma Divas and recognition of Pali as a classical language.
What is Abhidhamma?
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About International Abhidhamma Divas
- It is celebrated Ashwin Purnima (Full Moon), to commemorate Buddha’s descent from Tavatimsa-devaloka (a celestial realm) to Sankassiya (Sankisa Basantapur, UP).
- It actually marks the conclusion of a 3-month rain retreat, known as Varsavasa or Vasa, during which monks remain in a single location for meditation and prayer.
- The celebration involves Dhamma discourses, academic sessions, and exhibitions that connect ancient wisdom with modern spiritual practices.
- Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, hosts the event, organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).
Teachings of Abhidhamma
- The Abhidhamma provides a detailed framework for understanding the mind, matter, and existence.
- It addresses complex concepts like birth, death, and mental phenomena in a precise and abstract manner.
- Abhidhamma is known for its analytical approach:
- It categorizes mental states and emotions.
- It explains causal relationships that determine mental and material phenomena.
- The teachings cover topics like:
- Moral and mental states
- Aggregates (components of existence)
- Causal links
- Path to enlightenment.
Historical Background and Significance
- Abhidhamma Divas commemorates the day when Lord Buddha returned to earth after teaching the Abhidhamma in the Tavatimsa realm.
- The descent is marked by the Ashokan Elephant Pillar at Sankassiya, highlighting its historical significance.
- The celebration coincides with the end of the Rainy Retreat (Vassa), a period of monastic seclusion, and the Pavarana festival, a time of mutual reflection among monks.
Classical Status to Pali Language
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PYQ:[2020] With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only [2016] With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Who was Rani Durgavati?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Rani Durgavati and her contemporaries
Why in the News?
Madhya Pradesh CM chaired a meeting in honour of the 16th century tribal queen Rani Durgavati on her 500th birth anniversary.
Rani Durgavati (1524-1564)
- Rani Durgavati was born in 1524 in the Chandela dynasty of Mahoba (present-day Uttar Pradesh).
- She married Dalpat Shah, son of Gond King Sangram Shah of the Garha-Katanga kingdom.
- After her husband’s death in 1550, she ruled the kingdom as regent for her young son, Bir Narayan.
- Her role against the Mughals:
- Rani Durgavati expanded her kingdom and ruled with prosperity, shifting her capital to Chauragarh for strategic advantage.
- In 1564, the Mughal general Asaf Khan, under Emperor Akbar, attacked her kingdom.
- She led her forces bravely and initially defeated the Mughals in a strategic battle at Narhi.
- To avoid capture, she sacrificed her life, becoming a symbol of courage and resistance.
Her contributions
- Rani Durgavati is remembered for her bravery, administrative skills, and martyrdom.
- She carried out public works, including the construction of Ranital, a reservoir near Jabalpur.
- Celebrated as a symbol of self-determination, especially for tribal communities.
- She is honored in Indian history as a patriotic ruler who resisted Mughal expansion, with various political and cultural tributes dedicated to her legacy.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Why in the News?
Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty will be conferred with the 2022 Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Mithun Chakraborty to Receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award
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About Dadasaheb Phalke Award
| Details | |
| Organized by |
|
| First Presented | 1969 |
| Purpose | To honor individuals (filmmakers, actors, singers etc.) for their “great and outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema” |
| Named After |
|
| Notable Recipients | Devika Rani (1969), Prithviraj Kapoor (1971), Satyajit Ray (1985), Raj Kapoor (1987), Lata Mangeshkar (1989), Asha Bhosle (2000), Yash Chopra (2001), Rajinikanth (2019), Amitabh Bachchan (2018) , Waheeda Rehman (2021). |
| Components of the Award |
|
| Selection Criteria | Awarded to individuals for their “great and outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema”. |
| Selection Committee | A committee consisting of eminent personalities from the Indian film industry. |
PYQ:[2014] What do understand by the concept “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss. |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
How does the selection works at Oscar Awards?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Oscar Awards, Film Federation of India (FFI)
Why in the News?
India has announced its official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy (Oscar) Awards, set to take place early next year.
About the Film Federation of India (FFI)
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How does the FFI make the choice?
- Submission Process: The FFI invites filmmakers to submit their films for consideration. To be eligible, the film must:
- Be at least 40 minutes long.
- Have more than 50% of its dialogue in a non-English language.
- Have had a theatrical release of at least seven days between November 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024.
- Jury Selection: The FFI appoints a 13-member jury made up of experienced individuals from the creative field, who evaluate the films and select India’s entry.
- The jury chairperson is nominated by the FFI and oversees the selection process.
- Screening and Voting: The jury watches all the submissions and conducts discussions before making a final decision via voting.
Why has the FFI come under criticism?
- All-Male Jury: The FFI’s current jury has drawn criticism for being composed entirely of men. This led to public discussions about the absence of women on the jury, especially since India’s official entry for the 97th Oscars focuses on women’s issues.
- Arbitrary Process: FFI’s selection process can be arbitrary, and there have been calls for greater transparency and inclusiveness in choosing films for international awards like the Oscars.
PYQ:[2014] What do understand by the concept “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss. |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Ancient India Temple Music: Haveli Sangeet
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Haveli Sangeet
Why in the News?
Haveli Sangeet is a unique form of classical music rooted in ancient temple traditions in India.
About Haveli Sangeet:
| Details | |
| Origin | Linked to the Pushti Margiya temples of the Vaishnava Tradition; rooted in ancient temple music traditions. |
| Historical Background | Revived during the Bhakti movement; declined during the medieval period due to socio-political changes. |
| Founder | Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, 16th century, founder of Pushti Marg and proponent of devotional worship (Bhakti). |
| Key Elements | Involves Raga (melody), Bhog (offering), and Shringar (adornment) as part of sewa (service) in temples. |
| Musical Styles | Includes Prabandh, Dhrupad, Dhamar, Khyal, Kirtana, and Bhajan; not limited to Dhrupad style alone. |
| Languages Used | Songs are performed in Brij Bhasha, Sanskrit, Punjabi, and Marwari. |
| Significant Figures | Vallabhacharya, Shri Vitthalnathji (Shri Gusaiji), Astachaps poets (e.g., Kumbhandas, Surdas), Pandit Jasraj. |
| Role in Vaishnavism | Serves as a vehicle for Kirtan Bhakti, focusing on collective singing and emotional devotion to Lord Krishna. |
PYQ:[2014] A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their: (a) Martial arts in North-East India (b) Musical tradition in North-West India (c) Classical vocal music in South India (d) Pietra dura tradition in Central India |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
In news: Thanjavur Veena
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Thanjavur Veena
Why in the News?
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, is renowned for making the Veena, the first musical instrument in India to receive a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
About Thanjavur Veena:
| Details | |
| Type | Saraswati Veena (a classical stringed musical instrument) |
| GI Tag | Received in 2012. |
| Crafting Materials | Jackfruit wood, known for its resonance and tonal quality. |
| Production Process | – Wood is cut, carved, shaped, and assembled. – Takes 15-20 days to complete. – Involves three parts: resonator (kudam), neck (dandi), and tuning box. |
| Other Types of Veena | – Saraswati Veena (used in Carnatic classical music) – Rudra Veena and Vichitra Veena (used in Hindustani classical music) – Chitra Veena (used in Carnatic classical music) |
| PYQ:
[2021] With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to: (a) Dance forms of Northwest India (b) Musical instruments (c) Pre-historic cave paintings (d) Tribal languages |
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In news: Namdhari Sect
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Namdhari Sect
Why in the News?
Recently, followers of the two rival groups within the Namdhari religious sect clashed violently in Haryana.
About Namdhari Sect
| Details | |
| Founder | Satguru Ram Singh in 1857 (on Baisakhi)
Also known as Kuka Movement |
| Primary Beliefs | – Belief in a living human Guru; Also known as Kuka/Kukaism – Guru Granth Sahib is considered the Supreme Gurbani – Strict vegetarianism and teetotalism (alcohol is forbidden) |
| Key Practices | – Wearing white attire as a sign of mourning – Rejection of caste distinctions – Promotion of widow remarriage – Non-violent resistance– Cow is the sacred animal |
| Headquarters | Bhaini Sahib, Ludhiana, Punjab |
| Global Presence | – Deras across Punjab and Haryana – Presence in countries such as the UK, Canada, and Kenya |
| Role in Independence | – Early opposition to British rule – Adoption of non-cooperation and boycott of British goods – Victims of severe British reprisals |
| Notable Historical Event | Malerkotla Massacre (1872) – 66 Namdharis executed by the British |
| Leadership Succession | – After Ram Singh: His brother Satguru Hari Singh – Later Successors: Satguru Partap Singh, Satguru Jagjit Singh – Current leaders: Uday Singh and Dalip Singh (factional dispute) |
PYQ:[2013] Consider the following Bhakti Saints : 1. Dadu Dayal 2. Guru Nanak 3. Tyagaraja Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over? (a) 1 and 3 (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 2 |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
[pib] Project PARI
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Project PARI
Why in the News?
The Ministry of Culture recently launched Project PARI (Public Art of India) coincided with the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting, held in New Delhi.
About Project PARI
| Details | |
| Launched by | Ministry of Culture |
| Nodal Agency | Lalit Kala Akademi, National Gallery of Modern Art |
| Objective | Enhance New Delhi’s cultural and aesthetic outlook |
| Key Themes | Nature tributes, Natyashastra, Gandhi ji, Toys of India, Hospitality, Ancient knowledge, Naad (Primeval Sound), Harmony of Life, Kalpataru (Divine Tree). |
| Artist Participation | Over 200 visual artists; significant participation from women artists |
| Artforms included | Phad paintings (Rajasthan), Thangka painting (Sikkim/Ladakh), Miniature painting (Himachal Pradesh), Gond art (Madhya Pradesh), Tanjore paintings (Tamil Nadu), Kalamkari (Andhra Pradesh), Alpona art (West Bengal), Cheriyal painting (Telangana), Pichhwai Painting (Rajasthan), Lanjia Saura (Odisha), Pattachitra (West Bengal), Bani Thani Painting (Rajasthan), Warli (Maharashtra), Pithora Art (Gujarat), Aipan (Uttarakhand), Kerala Murals (Kerala), Alpana art (Tripura). |
PYQ:[2018] The well-known painting “Bani Thani” belongs to the: (a) Bundi school (b) Jaipur school (c) Kangra school (d) Kishangarh school |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
[pib] World Heritage Young Professionals Forum, 2024
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: World Heritage Young Professionals Forum
Why in the News?
- India is hosting the UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time in New Delhi.
- Theme: “World Heritage in the 21st Century: Building Capacities and Exploring Opportunities for Youth.”
About the World Heritage Young Professional Forum
- The World Heritage Young Professionals Forum is an initiative by UNESCO to engage young professionals in the field of heritage conservation.
- The first World Heritage Young Professionals Forum was organized in 1995.
- The primary aim is to engage young professionals in heritage conservation and management through capacity building, networking, and awareness-raising.
Back2Basics: UNESCO World Heritage Sites
| Description | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | Landmarks or areas selected by UNESCO for their cultural, historical, scientific, or other significant value, legally protected by international treaties. |
| Importance | World Heritage Sites represent collective and preservative interests of humanity, signifying remarkable accomplishments and intellectual history. |
| Selection Criteria | Sites must be already-classified landmarks, unique and significant culturally or physically, such as ancient ruins, historical structures, cities, monuments, etc. |
| Conservation | World Heritage Sites require practical conservation to protect them from risks like trespassing, uncontrolled access, or administrative negligence. |
| World Heritage Committee | Selects and monitors World Heritage Sites, manages the World Heritage Fund, and provides financial assistance. Composed of 21 states parties elected for a four-year term. |
| Membership | India is not a member of the World Heritage Committee. |
PYQ:[2014] Consider the following international agreements:
Which of the above has / have a bearing on the biodiversity? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Kozhikode awarded ‘City of Literature’ at UNESCO Creative Cities Network Conference
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: UCCN, Indian cities recognized by UCCN
Why in the News?
- “Kozhikode” was awarded the title of ‘City of Literature’ at the 16th annual conference of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in Braga, Portugal.
- The theme of this year’s UCCN conference is ‘Bringing youth to the table for the next decade’.
About UNESCO Creative Cities Network
| Purpose | To promote cooperation among cities for cultural and creative industry development |
| Initiation | Established by UNESCO in 2004 |
| Seven Categories/Criteria |
|
| Member Cities | Over 250 cities from around the world |
| Objectives | Foster innovation, cultural diversity, and sustainable urban development |
| Activities | Collaborative projects, cultural events, and initiatives |
| Selection Process | Cities apply and are designated by UNESCO based on criteria related to creativity |
| Network Coordination | UNESCO provides coordination and support |
| Impact | Enhances cities’ cultural identity, economy, and international visibility |
| Other Indian Cities in UCCN |
|
Reasons for Kozhikode’s Selection
- Rich Literary Tradition: Kozhikode has a deep and rich literary heritage that spans centuries, contributing significantly to the cultural and intellectual life of the region.
- Prominent Literary Figures: The city has been home to many renowned authors, poets, and scholars who have significantly contributed to Malayalam literature.
- Cultural Festivals and Events: Kozhikode hosts various literary festivals, book fairs, and cultural events that promote literature and reading among the community.
- Educational Institutions: The presence of several prestigious educational institutions that emphasise literature and the arts played a crucial role in its selection.
- Community Engagement: Active involvement of local communities in promoting and preserving literary culture through libraries, reading clubs, and literary societies.
- Literary Infrastructure: Well-established libraries, publishing houses, and bookshops that support and nurture the scholarly ecosystem.
Historic Contributions of Kozhikode
- Malayalam Literature: Kozhikode has been a centre for Malayalam literature and scholarly activities. It has produced notable literary figures and is a hub for literary festivals and cultural events.
- Astronomy and Mathematics: The region, under the patronage of the Zamorins, was a centre for advancements in astronomy and mathematics, contributing significantly to the fields through scholars like the 14th-century mathematician and astronomer Madhava of Sangamagrama.
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Nouka Baich: Boat Race festival of Bengal
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Nouka Baich
Why in the News?
With the southwest monsoon gradually setting in, Nouka Baich boat races will soon commence in West Bengal and Bangladesh.
About Nouka Baich
- Nouka Baich is the traditional boat race of Bengal.
- It is predominantly held in the rural pockets of West Bengal, including Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas.
- Historically male-dominated, recent years have seen increasing participation by women.
- Timing and Duration:
-
- Monsoon Season: The races commence with the onset of the south-west monsoon, usually starting in the middle of the rainy season.
- Extended Period: The events continue until September, with some races extending into October and November, depending on the region.
Types of Boats Used:
- Diverse Fleet: Unlike Kerala’s boat races, which typically feature a single type of boat, Bengal’s races use various traditional boats.
- Common Boat Types: Chhip, Kaile Bachhari, Chande Bachhari, Chitoi, Sorpi, and Sorengi are commonly used in the races.
- Unique Features: Each boat type has unique design features and historical significance, with some boats like the Sorengi being over 90 feet long and designed to mimic natural forms.
Similar festivals celebrated in other parts that highlight cultural similarities in India:
| Location | Occasion | Highlights | |
| Nehru Trophy Boat Race | Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha, Kerala | Second Saturday of August | Named after Jawaharlal Nehru; features snake boats (Chundan Vallams) accommodating over 100 rowers. |
| Champakulam Moolam Boat Race | Pampa River, Alappuzha, Kerala | June or July | One of the oldest boat races, commemorates the installation of Lord Krishna’s idol at Ambalappuzha Temple. |
| Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali | Pampa River, Aranmula, Kerala | Onam (August or September) | Features Palliyodams (large snake boats); significant for the Parthasarathy Temple. |
| Payippad Jalotsavam | Payippad Lake, Alappuzha, Kerala | Onam (August or September) | Celebrates the installation of deity at Subramanya Swamy Temple; features snake boats and canoes. |
| Indira Gandhi Boat Race | Ernakulam, Kochi, Kerala | Last week of December | Part of Cochin Carnival; attracts tourists, named after Indira Gandhi. |
| Pongal Boat Race | Bhuvanagiri, Tamil Nadu | Pongal festival (January) | Vibrant cultural displays; local fishermen participate. |
| Hiyang Tannaba | Manipur | Lai Haraoba festival | Traditional boat race with long narrow boats, reflecting the Meitei community’s traditions. |
| Sithargal Boat Race | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Pongal festival | Highlights the maritime culture of the region; attracts numerous participants and spectators. |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Controversy over Sengol in Lok Sabha
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sengol and its symbolic importance
Why in the News?
- An opposition parliamentarian has demanded the removal of the Sengol from the Lok Sabha, calling it a symbol of “rajdand/rajtantra (monarchy)”.This demand has become a point of contention between the government and the Opposition.
What is a Sengol?
|
Significance in the present context:
- Accountability and Legitimacy: Just as the Sengol legitimized ancient rulers by holding them accountable to higher moral standards, the institutions and practices in a parliamentary democracy ensure that elected representatives are accountable to the constitution and the people.
- Ethical Leadership: Leaders in a democracy are expected to uphold justice, integrity, and the rule of law, much like the dharmic kings of the past.
- Symbolic Representation: The Sengol, as a symbol of righteous rule, parallels the symbolic importance of democratic institutions that represent the will and welfare of the people.
1947 Sengol Ceremony Involving Nehru
|
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Srinagar gets tag of ‘World Craft City’, fourth from country
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Global Craft Cities in India, World Crafts Council International (WCCI)
Why in the News?
Srinagar has become the fourth Indian city to be recognised as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Craft Council (WCC), three years after it was designated as part of the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN) for crafts and folk arts.
Craft Sector in Kashmir
|
About World Craft Council (WCC International)
| Details | |
| What is it? | Non-profit, Non-governmental organization |
| Working |
|
| Founders | Kamaladevi Chattopadhay and Aileen Osborn Webb |
| Purpose | To promote fellowship among craftspersons worldwide, foster economic development through craft-related activities, organize exchange programs, workshops, conferences, seminars, and exhibitions, and offer encouragement and advice to artisans. |
| Legal Status |
|
| Meetings |
|
What is World Craft City (WCC) Designation?
- The WCC initiative was launched in 2014 by the World Crafts Council AISBL (WCC-International).
- It recognizes the pivotal role local authorities, craftspeople, and communities play in cultural, economic, and social development worldwide.
- India has only 3 cities designated as World Craft City:
- Jaipur (Kundan Jadai (Gem setting), Meenakari Jewellery, Lac-based craft, Gotta Patti Work etc. )
- Mysuru (Kinnal paintings, Sandalwood carvings, Rosewood Inlay etc. )
- Mamallapuram (Stone Carving continuing since Pallava dynasty (275 CE to 897 CE))
PYQ:[2018] Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Comment (10M) [2018] Consider the following pairs:
Craft Heritage of which of the pairs given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 3 only (d) 2 and 3 |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Cultural significance of Uttarakhand’s Joshimath and Kosiyakutoli
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Joshimath, Kosiyakutoli, Adi Shankaracharya
Why in the News?
- The Centre approved the Uttarakhand government’s proposal to rename Joshimath tehsil to Jyotirmath and Kosiyakutoli tehsil to Pargana Shri Kainchi Dham.
- This decision aims to enhance the religious and cultural significance of these areas, boosting their status as major destinations for religious tourism.
About Jyotirmath
- Jyotirmath, also known as Jyotir Peeth, is one of the four cardinal mathas established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century to promote Advaita Vedanta philosophy.
- Adi Shankaracharya performed penance under the Amar Kalpavriksha tree here, symbolising his attainment of divine knowledge (Jyoti).
- Evolution to Joshimath:
- Name Transition: Originally known as Jyotirmath, the town gradually adopted the name Joshimath over time, influenced by regional languages and dialects.
- Cultural Evolution: The shift from Jyotirmath to Joshimath reflects a cultural and linguistic evolution rather than a specific historical event.
About Adi Shankaracharya (c 788 CE-820 CE)
|
About Kosiyakutoli
- Kosiyakutoli, now renamed Pargana Shri Kainchi Dham, aligns with the identity of Neem Karoli Baba’s Kainchi Dham Ashram.
- “Kosi” refers to the river flowing through the Nainital district, which is crucial for the local ecology and economy.
- Association with Neem Karoli Baba:
- The ashram, founded in 1962, continues to draw thousands of visitors annually, including prominent figures like Steve Jobs and Ram Dass.
| PYQ:
[2014] Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy? (a) Mimamsa and Vedanta (b) Nyaya and Vaisheshika (c) Lokayata and Kapalika (d) Sankhya and Yoga |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
In news: Mohiniyattam Dance
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Mohiniyattam and Other Classical Dance forms
Why in the News?
A popular Mohiniyattam dancer in Kerala was refused bail against her alleged casteist remarks against the SC community.
About Mohiniyattam
| Description | |
| Name Meaning | Mohini – female enchantress avatar of Vishnu;
Aattam – rhythmic motion or dance (Malayalam) |
| Roots | Natya Shastra, ancient Hindu Sanskrit text on performance arts |
| Style | Lasya Style – delicate, eros-filled, and feminine |
| Performers | Traditionally women, but men also perform in contemporary times |
| Music | Includes Carnatic music, singing, and enactment of plays through dance |
| Language | Manipravalam: a Malayalam-Sanskrit hybrid |
| Posture | Parted feet, gentle swaying of body, soft footwork synchronized with music beats |
| Gestures | Follow the classical text of Hastha Lakshanadeepika with elaborate mudras (hand gestures) |
| Costumes | Plain white or off-white sarees with golden brocade, pleated sheets for freedom of movement, adorned with jewellery |
| Accessories | Jewellery on fingers, wrists, neck, and ears, ankle bells (for female performers), dhotis and similar accessories (for male performers) |
| Makeup | Natural with brilliant red lips, tikka (Gobi) on the forehead, lined eyes |
| Music | Various rhythms and compositions in Manipravalam, accompanied by instruments like Mridangam, Idakka, flute, Veena, and Kuzhitalam |
| Ragas | Rendered in the Sopana Style, a slow melodic style rooted in the Natya Shastra |
Back2Basics: Classification of Classical Dances in India
| Classical Dance Form | Origin | Key Features |
| Bharatanatyam | Tamil Nadu |
|
| Kathak | North India |
|
| Kathakali | Kerala |
|
| Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh |
|
| Odissi | Odisha |
|
| Sattriya | Assam |
|
| Manipuri | Manipur |
|
PYQ:[2012] How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances?
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
[pib] Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahrdayaloka-Locana enter ‘UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific regional register’
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: MOW register, ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahrdayāloka-Locana
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
The Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra and Sahrdayaloka-Locana have been included in ‘UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific regional register’.
About UNESCO’s ‘Memory of the World (MOW) Asia-Pacific regional register’
| Details | |
| History and Establishment | Initiated in 1992 by UNESCO.
Asia-Pacific Regional Committee (MOWCAP) was set up in 1998. |
| Parent Organization | Overseen by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). |
| Objective | To safeguard, preserve, facilitate access to, and increase awareness of documentary heritage. Focuses specifically on the Asia-Pacific region. |
| Examples of Inscribed Items | Includes items like Japan’s “Sugihara’s Visas for Life”, Australia’s “Mabo Case Manuscripts”, and Vietnam’s “Ba Chuc Massacre Archives”. |
| Impact and Outreach | Supports preservation, digitization, accessibility of documents; provides grants and organizes workshops, meetings, and exhibitions to promote knowledge sharing. |
Reference
About the Texts
-
Ramcharitmanas:
- Written by Tulsidas in the 16th century, the Ramcharitmanas is an epic poem in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi, and is a retelling of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana.
- It narrates the life of Lord Rama, his virtues, the ideals of Dharma, and his reign during Ram Rajya.
- Hanuman Chalisa is a combination of 40 verses from the same epic.
-
Panchatantra:
- The Panchatantra is a collection of ancient Indian animal fables that dates back to at least the 3rd century BCE.
- Originally written in Sanskrit by Vishnu Sharma.
- Its stories are crafted as simple yet vibrant narratives that aim to impart practical life lessons through the interactions of anthropomorphized animals.
-
Sahrdayaloka-Locana
- The Sahrdayaloka-Locana is a Sanskrit treatise on poetics written by Jagannatha Paṇḍitaraja in the 17th century.
- It is considered one of the most important works of Sanskrit literary criticism.
- The text discusses the concept of “Sahrdaya“, which refers to a sensitive or discerning reader or critic.
PYQ:[2016] With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorising of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales was the profession of who among the following? (a) Shramana (b) Parivraajaka (c) Agrahaarika (d) Maagadha |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Patachitra Scroll Paintings
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Patachitra, Patuas etc.
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
Patachitra Paintings of women in Paschim Medinipur’s Pingla block in West Bengal has become popular worldwide.
About Bengal Patachitra
- Patachitra, also spelled as Pattachitra, is a traditional form of scroll painting that originated in the eastern Indian states of Odisha and West Bengal, as well as parts of Bangladesh. The term “Patachitra” derives from Sanskrit, where “pata” means “cloth” and “chitra” means “picture.”
- These paintings are typically created on cloth canvas, palm leaves, or paper. Artists associated with Patachitra are known as Patuas.
- Origin: Bengal Patachitra is believed to have originated in rural Bengal, with some historical references suggesting its existence during the Pre-Pala period.
- Themes and Style:
- The themes of Bengal Patachitra are diverse, ranging from religious and mythological narratives to secular subjects.
- Religious themes often depict stories from Hindu epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, as well as folklore such as Manasha and Chandi.
- Secular themes include important news events, accidents, scandals, and social issues.
- Each Patachitra is accompanied by a song called Patua Sangeet, sung by the artists while unfurling the scroll.
- Aspects of Painting:
- Chalchitra: Background paintings associated with religious idols, such as Durga Pratima.
- Durga Pot: Special Patachitras worshiped during Durga Puja, often featuring images of gods and goddesses.
- Various Technique: Different districts have distinct techniques, colors, and designs. For example, Purulia Patachitras prefer burnt sienna with white and yellow patches, while Hooghly and Manbhum scrolls exhibit modernistic abstract linear treatment.
- Artists: Bengal Patua artists, also known as Chitrakars, are concentrated in villages like Naya in the Medinipur district.
- Colors: Bengal Patachitra typically uses natural colors derived from materials like chalk dust (for white), pauri (for yellow), cultivated indigo (for blue), bhushakali (for black), and mete sindur (for red).
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Unveiling of Raja Ravi Varma’s Indulekha Painting
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Raja Ravi Varma and his notable paintings
Mains level: NA
Why in the News?
The first true copy of Raja Ravi Varma’s painting “Indulekha” will be unveiled at Kilimanoor Palace, the birthplace of the legendary artist, on his 176th birth anniversary celebrations.
About the Indulekha Painting:
|
Who was Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906)?
- Raja Ravi Varma was born in April 1848 in Kilimanoor, Kerala, to a family which was very close to the royals of Travancore.
- Often referred to as the father of modern Indian art, he is widely known for his realistic portrayal of Indian gods and goddesses.
- While he majorly painted for the royalty, he is also credited for taking art to the masses with his prints and oleographs.
- Patronised by Ayilyam Thirunal, the then ruler of Travancore, he learnt watercolour painting from the royal painter Ramaswamy Naidu.
- He later trained in oil painting from Dutch artist Theodore Jensen.
Fame as a notable painter
- Following a portrait of Maharaja Sayajirao of Baroda, he has commissioned 14 Puranic paintings for the Durbar Hall of the new Lakshmi Vilas Palace at Baroda.
- Depicting Indian culture, Varma borrowed from episodes of Mahabharata and Ramayana for the same.
- He also received patronage from numerous other rulers, including the Maharaja of Mysore and Maharaja of Udaipur.
- As his popularity soared, the artist won an award for an exhibition of his paintings at Vienna in 1873.
- He was also awarded three gold medals at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.
- Viceroy Lord Curzon honoured him with the Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal for his service.
Nature of his artforms
- Much of his celebrated art also borrows heavily from Indian mythology.
- In fact, he is often credited with defining the images of Indian gods and goddesses through his relatable and more realistic portrayals often painted with humans as models.
- The depictions include Lakshmi as the goddess of wealth, Saraswati as the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, and Lord Vishnu with his consorts, Maya and Lakshmi.
- Raja Ravi Varma aspired to take his art to the masses and the intent led him to open a Lithographic Press in Bombay in 1894.
- The first picture printed at Varma’s press was reportedly The Birth of Shakuntala, followed by numerous mythological figures and saints such as Adi Shankaracharya.
Major works
- It is believed that he had made around 7,000 paintings before his death at the age of 58.
- But only one painting is now left in ‘Chithrashala,’ the artist’s studio at Kilimanoor Palace — an unfinished portrait of ‘Parsi lady’ which was his last work.
- Some of his popular works include ‘Lady in the Moonlight’, ‘Nair Lady Adorning Her Hair’, ‘Malabar Lady with Violin’, ‘Lady with Swarbat’, and ‘Maharashtrian Lady with Fruits’.
| [2018] The well-known painting “Bani Thani” belongs to the
(a) Bundi school (b) Jaipur school (c) Kangra school (d) Kishangarh school |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
In news: Yangli Festival
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Yangli Festival, Khelchawa Festival, Tiwa Tribe
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
Tiwa tribals dance recently celebrated the Yangli festival at Bormarjong village, in Karbi Anglong district, Assam.
About Tiwa Tribals
|
About Yangli Festival
- The Yangli festival is celebrated before starting the paddy sowing
- It is also known as the Lakshmi Puja of the Tiwa people.
- It is celebrated with traditional rituals, emphasizing the community’s strong ties to agriculture, their primary livelihood.
- It serves as an occasion for prayers seeking a bountiful harvest and divine protection for crops against pests and natural calamities.
- It is held once in 5 years.
- In April, Khelchawa festival is celebrated by Tiwa tribes marking close of the harvest season.
Celebratory Activities:
- Festivities commenced with traditional rituals and vibrant dances.
- It continues with a joyous gathering along the riverbanks.
- It draws participation from over five hundred individuals representing various groups like Amchi, Rangkhai, and Magrat.
- Ceremonial animal sacrifices, including poultry and goats, are performed to honour the goddess and ensure her benevolence upon the Tiwa people’s granary, known as “NoBaro.”
PYQ:[2014] Every year, a month long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/ tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes? (a) Bhutia and Lepcha (b) Gond and Korku (c) lrula and Toda (d) Sahariya and Agariya |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
[pib] 2550th Bhagwan Mahavir Nirvan Mahotsav
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Ancient History; Bhagwan Mahavir, Jainism and its principles
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
The Prime Minister has inaugurated the 2550th Bhagwan Mahavir Nirvan Mahotsav on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.
About Vardhaman Mahavir
| Description | |
| Birth | 540 B.C. |
| Birthplace | Kundagrama village near Vaishali |
| Family Background | Belonged to the Jnatrika clan; father Siddharta was the head of the Jnathrika Kshatriya clan, and mother Trishala was a sister of Chetaka, the king of Vaishali. |
| Renunciation | Renounced home at the age of 30 to become an ascetic. |
| Spiritual Practice | Practiced austerity for 12 years. |
| Attainment of Kaivalya | Attained the highest spiritual knowledge called Kaivalya (conquered misery and happiness) at the age of 42. |
| First Sermon | Delivered his first sermon at Pava. |
| Symbol | Associated with the symbol of a Lion.
Aliases include: Nayaputta, Muni, Samana, Nigantha, Brahman, and Bhagavan |
| Missions | Traveled to various regions including Koshala, Magadha, Mithila, Champa, etc. |
| Passing Away | Passed away at the age of 72 in 468 B.C. at Pavapuri in Bihar. |
| Legacy | Founded Jainism as it is known today; contributed significant teachings and principles to the religion. |
Everything you need to know about Jainism:
| Description | |
| Origin | Jainism gained prominence in the 6th century B.C. when Lord Mahavira propagated the religion. |
| Founder | Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, is the central figure |
| Tirthankaras |
|
| Main Principles | Jainism emphasizes the Three Jewels or Triratna:
|
| Five Doctrines | Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Aparigraha (non-attachment), and Brahmacharya (chastity) are the fundamental principles of Jainism. |
| Concept of God |
|
| Major Doctrines |
|
| Sects/Schools | Jainism is divided into two major sects:
|
| Spread |
|
| Literature | Jain literature comprises:
|
| Architecture |
|
| Jain Councils | Two significant Jain councils were held for compiling and preserving Jain scriptures and teachings:
|
| Difference from Buddhism |
|
| Thoughts on Rebirth | Acaranga Sutra: Jainism teaches the doctrine of rebirth (samsara) and various realms of existence (lokas) based on karma, with souls cyclically transmigrating through different life forms. |
PYQ:[2011] The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by (a) Universal Law (b) Universal Truth (c) Universal Faith (d) Universal Soul [2012] With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Srinagar vies for World Craft City Tag
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Global Craft Cities in India, World Crafts Council International (WCCI)
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
- The World Crafts Council International (WCCI) has identified Srinagar as a potential candidate for the prestigious World Craft City (WCC) designation from India.
- Artisans in Srinagar have uniquely preserved their traditional crafts such as Pashmina shawls, carpets, and papier mâché.
Craft Sector Statistics in Kashmir
|
About World Craft Council (WCC International)
| Details | |
| What is it? | Non-profit, Non-governmental organization |
| Working |
|
| Founders | Kamaladevi Chattopadhay and Aileen Osborn Webb |
| Purpose | To promote fellowship among craftspersons worldwide, foster economic development through craft-related activities, organize exchange programs, workshops, conferences, seminars, and exhibitions, and offer encouragement and advice to artisans. |
| Legal Status |
|
| Meetings |
|
What is World Craft City (WCC) Designation?
- The WCC initiative was launched in 2014 by the World Crafts Council AISBL (WCC-International).
- It recognizes the pivotal role local authorities, craftspeople, and communities play in cultural, economic, and social development worldwide.
- India has only 3 cities designated as World Craft City:
- Jaipur (Kundan Jadai (Gem setting), Meenakari Jewellery, Lac based craft, Gotta Patti Work etc. )
- Mysuru (Kinnal paintings, Sandalwood carvings, Rosewood Inlay etc. )
- Mamallapuram (Stone Carving continuing since Pallava dynasty (275 CE to 897 CE))
With inputs from: https://www.wccinternational.org/craft-cities/craft-cities-asia-pacific
PYQ:Consider the following pairs:
Craft Heritage of which of the pairs given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 3 only (d) 2 and 3 |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Sangeet Natak Akademi organizes ‘Shakti – Festival of Music and Dance’
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sangeet Natak Akademi, ShaktiPeeth
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
Sangeet Natak Akademi is set to host ‘Shakti, a festival of music and dance’ as part of its Kala Pravah series at 7 Shaktipeeths.
Shakti – Festival of Music and Dance
Events will be held at:
- Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati
- Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur, Maharashtra
- Jwalamukhi Temple, Kangada, Himachal Pradesh
- Tripura Sundari Temple, Udaipur, Tripura
- Ambaji Temple, Banaskantha, Gujarat
- Jai Durga Shaktipeeth, Deoghar, Jharkhand
- Shaktipeeth Maa Harsidhi Temple, Jaisinghpur, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
What are Shaktipeeths?
- Shaktipeeths are sacred sites in Hinduism associated with the Goddess Shakti or Devi, the divine feminine energy.
- According to Hindu mythology, these sites are believed to be where various body parts of the goddess Sati/ Shakti fell to the earth when her body was dismembered by Lord Vishnu’s.
- There are numerous Shaktipeeths spread across the Indian subcontinent and beyond, each considered highly sacred by devotees of the Goddess.
Here are some major Shaktipeeths often seen in news:
| Temple | Place (State/Country) |
| Shankari Devi Temple | Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) |
| Kamakshi Amman Temple | Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu) |
| Shrinkala Temple | Pradmunyee (Pandua, West Bengal) |
| Chamundeshwari Temple | Mysuru (Karnataka) |
| Jogulamba Devi | Alampuram (Telangana) |
| Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple | Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) |
| Mahalakshmi Temple | Kolhapur (Maharashtra) |
| Ekveera Temple | Mahur (Maharashtra) |
| Mahakaleswar Temple | Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) |
| Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple | Pithapuram (Andhra Pradesh) |
| Biraja Temple | Jajpur (Odisha) |
| Bhimeswara Temple | Draksharamam (Andhra Pradesh) |
| Kamakhya Temple | Guwahati (Assam) |
| Alopi Devi Mandir | Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) |
| Jwalamukhi Temple | Jwalamukhi (Himachal Pradesh) |
| Mangla Gauri Temple | Gaya (Bihar) |
| Vishalakshi Temple | Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) |
| Sharada Peeth | Sharda, Kashmir (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) |
About Sangeet Natak Akademi
- It is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.
- It was set up by the Indian education ministry on 31 May 1952 and became functional the following year, with the appointment of its first chairman, Dr. P. V. Rajamannar.
- Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, inaugurated it on 28 January 1953 in a special function held in the Parliament House.
Functions:
- The academy functions as the apex body of the performing arts in the country to preserve and promote the vast cultural heritage of India expressed in music, dance and drama.
- It also works with governments and art academies in states and union territories of the country.
Awards and fellowships:
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships (Ratna Sadsya)
- Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar
- Tagore Ratna and Tagore Puraskar
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Lalit Kala Akademi chief’s powers curbed by Culture Ministry
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Lalit Kala Academy
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
- The Ministry of Culture has restricted the powers of Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) Chairman, V Nagdas, preventing him from taking any administrative actions without prior consultation with the ministry.
- The directive was issued, citing rule 19(1) of General Rules and Regulations of LKA, empowering the central government to intervene in administrative matters.
About Lalit Kala Akademi
| Details | |
| Established | 1954
Inaugurated by then Education Minister Maulana Azad (Based on French Academy) |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, India |
| Founding Legislation | Lalit Kala Akademi Act, 1954
Registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860. |
| Type | Autonomous Institution under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India |
| Objective | Promotion and development of visual arts in India |
| Functions | Conducting exhibitions, workshops, seminars, and research programs
Granting scholarships, awards, and fellowships to artists Publishing journals, catalogues, and other art-related publications Collaborating with international art organizations and institutions |
| Programs | 1. National Exhibitions of Art
2. Rashtriya Kala Mela 3. International Exhibitions 4. Scholarships, Awards, and Fellowships 5. Workshops and Residencies 6. Seminars and Conferences |
| Key Initiatives | Triennale India
National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) Art camps and symposiums |
| Membership | Open to visual artists, art enthusiasts, and art scholars |
| Publications | 1. Lalit Kala Contemporary
2. Lalit Kala Series 3. Annual Reports 4. Catalogues and Journals |
| Awards | 1. Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowship
2. National Awards in various art categories 3. Kalidasa Samman |
| Gallery | Lalit Kala Akademi Galleries in New Delhi and regional centers |
PYQ:2021: Consider the following statements in respect of the Laureus World Sports Award which was instituted in the year 2000 : 1. American golfer Tiger Woods was the first winner of this award. 2. The award was received mostly by ‘Formula One’ players so far. 3. Roger Federer received this award maximum number of times compared to others. Which of the above statements are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Practice MCQ:Consider the following statement about the Lalit Kala Akademi: 1. It was inaugurated in 1954 by then-Education Minister Maulana Azad. 2. It is an autonomous Institution under the Ministry of Culture. Which of the given statements is/are correct? (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Artform in news: Mohiniyattam Danceform
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Mohiniyattam and its features
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
The Kerala Kalamandalam, a deemed university for arts and culture, has unanimously lifted gender restrictions allowing boys for learning Mohiniyattam, a classical dance form.
About Mohiniyattam
| Description | |
| Name Meaning | Mohini – female enchantress avatar of Vishnu;
Aattam – rhythmic motion or dance (Malayalam) |
| Roots | Natya Shastra, ancient Hindu Sanskrit text on performance arts |
| Style | Lasya Style – delicate, eros-filled, and feminine |
| Performers | Traditionally women, but men also perform in contemporary times |
| Music | Includes Carnatic music, singing, and enactment of plays through dance |
| Language | Manipravalam : a Malayalam-Sanskrit hybrid |
| Posture | Parted feet, gentle swaying of body, soft footwork synchronized with music beats |
| Gestures | Follow the classical text of Hastha Lakshanadeepika with elaborate mudras (hand gestures) |
| Costumes | Plain white or off-white sarees with golden brocade, pleated sheets for freedom of movement, adorned with jewellery |
| Accessories | Jewellery on fingers, wrists, neck, and ears, ankle bells (for female performers), dhotis and similar accessories (for male performers) |
| Makeup | Natural with brilliant red lips, tikka (Gobi) on forehead, lined eyes |
| Music | Various rhythms and compositions in Manipravalam, accompanied by instruments like Mridangam, Idakka, flute, Veena, and Kuzhitalam |
| Ragas | Rendered in the Sopana Style, a slow melodic style rooted in the Natya Shastra |
PYQ:
2012: How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances?
- Dancers occasionally speaking dialogues is found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatanatyam.
- Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its edges is a feature of Bharatanatyam but Kuchipudi dance does not have such a form of movements.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Practice MCQ:
Which of the following statements about Mohiniyattam is not true?
- Mohiniyattam derives its name from “Mohini,” the female enchantress avatar of Vishnu, and “Aattam,” meaning rhythmic motion or dance in Malayalam.
- Its roots can be traced back to the Natya Shastra, an ancient Hindu Sanskrit text on performance arts.
- Mohiniyattam is characterized by the Tandava style, known for its vigorous movements.
- Performances of Mohiniyattam typically include enactment of plays through dance, accompanied by singing and Carnatic music.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Why do we celebrate Women’s Day on March 8?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: International Women's Day
Mains level: NA
In the news
- March 8 marks International Women’s Day (IWD), a global observance celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
- Rooted in historical movements for women’s rights, IWD serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality.
Try this PYQ from CSE Mains 2019:Q. What are the continued challenges for Women in India against time and space? |
International Women’s Day: It’s Origin
- First National Woman’s Day: The precursor to IWD dates back to February 28, 1909, when the Socialist Party of America designated this day to honour the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York City, where women demanded better working conditions and voting rights.
- First Wave Feminism: These protests were part of the broader First Wave Feminist movement, advocating for women’s suffrage, equal pay, and fundamental rights.
- Global Initiatives: The call for an International Women’s Day gained momentum at the Second International Conference of Working Women in 1910, where Clara Zetkin proposed the idea of a global day of celebration to press for women’s demands.
Historical Milestones
- Russian Influence: March 8 gained prominence globally due to protests by Russian women on February 23, 1917 (according to the Julian calendar), demanding an end to war and food shortages. This date aligned with March 8 on the Gregorian calendar, becoming the symbolic date for IWD celebrations.
- Role in Russian Revolution: Women’s participation in the 1917 protests played a pivotal role in galvanizing public opinion against the monarchy, ultimately leading to the Russian Revolution and the establishment of a communist state.
- Global Recognition: Over the years, IWD has garnered international recognition, with governments and organizations commemorating the day to honor women’s contributions to society and advocate for gender equality.
Evolution and Contemporary Significance
- Continued Advocacy: Despite progress, challenges persist, necessitating ongoing advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality.
- Global Celebration: IWD serves as a platform to celebrate women’s achievements and address areas needing improvement, such as leadership representation and gender-based violence.
- Policy and Recognition: Governments and organizations worldwide recognize IWD’s importance, with initiatives like Women’s History Month emphasizing women’s contributions throughout history.
- Ongoing Struggle: The fight for gender equality continues, reaffirming the significance of IWD as a rallying point for collective action and solidarity.
Conclusion
- International Women’s Day is a testament to women’s resilience and activism throughout history.
- From its grassroots origins to its global recognition today, IWD embodies the progress made and the challenges that remain in achieving gender parity.
- As the world celebrates the achievements of women past, present, and future, IWD serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for a more inclusive and equitable world.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Venice Biennale: The Olympics of the Art World
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Venice Biennale
Mains level: NA
In the news
- The Venice Biennale, revered as “the Olympics of the art world,” is set to unveil its 60th edition on April 20.
- Under the theme “Stranieri Ovunque” or “Foreigners Everywhere,” curated by Adriano Pedrosa, the exhibition will feature 333 artists from around the world.
What is the Venice Biennale?
- Inception: Proposed by Venice’s city government in 1893, the Biennale aimed to commemorate the silver jubilee of King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Italy.
- Early Exhibitions: The inaugural exhibition in 1895 attracted over two lakh visitors, showcasing works by foreign and Italian artists without specific thematic constraints.
Structure of the Venice Biennale
- Central Pavilion: Serving as the focal point, the central pavilion hosts the main exhibition curated by the appointed curator, highlighting selected artworks.
- National Pavilions: Representing individual countries, these pavilions feature curated exhibitions managed by respective ministries of culture, with India having participated officially since 1954.
- Collateral Events: Independent exhibitions and events across Venice complement the Biennale, enriching the cultural landscape.
India’s Journey at the Venice Biennale
- Debut in 1954: India made its inaugural appearance with an exhibition organized by the Embassy of India in Rome, featuring eminent artists like M F Husain and Amrita Sher-Gil.
- Subsequent Engagements: Indian artists have participated in various editions, with official pavilions organized in 2011 and 2019, showcasing diverse artistic expressions.
- Continued Representation: In 2024, Indian artists will feature prominently in the central exhibition, alongside the Aravani Art Project, symbolizing India’s enduring presence on the global art stage.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
In news: Kalbeliya Dance
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kalbeliya Dance
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- Recently performers from Rajasthan showcased the Kalbeliya dance in Hyderabad.
What is Kalbeliya Dance?
- Kalbeliya Dance is a traditional Indian dance form that originated in the state of Rajasthan.
- It is a vibrant, energetic dance that is performed by members of the Kalbeliya, a nomadic tribe of snake charmers in Rajasthan.
- It is a highly sensuous dance, with the dancers performing intricate footwork and swaying movements of their arms and body.
- In 2010, the Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan were declared a part of its Intangible Heritage List by UNESCO.
Performance Details
- The dancers are women in flowing black skirts who dance and twirl, replicating the movements of a serpent.
- They wear an upper body cloth called an angrakhi and a headcloth known as the odhani; the lower body cloth is called a lehenga.
- All these clothes are of mixed red and black hues and embroidered.
- The male participants play musical instruments, such as the ‘pungi’, the dufli, been, the khanjari – a percussion instrument, morchang, khuralio and the dholak to create the rhythm on which the dancers perform.
- The dancers are tattooed in traditional designs and wear jewellery and garments richly embroidered with small mirrors and silver threads.
- As the performance progresses, the rhythm becomes faster and faster and so dances.
Features of the Kalbeliya Dance
- Rapid footwork: The fast, intricate footwork of the Kalbeliya dance is the highlight of this folk dance. The dancers move their feet in quick, sharp movements that form intricate patterns on the floor.
- Swirling skirts: The colorful skirts of the female dancers swirl gracefully as they move, adding to the beauty of the dance.
- Hand and arm movements: The dancers use their hands and arms to create graceful, fluid movements that are integral to the dance.
- Singing: Kalbeliya dancers often sing along to the music as they dance, adding to the atmosphere of the performance.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
In news: Theyyam Performance Art of Kerala
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Theyyam Dance, Its unique features
Mains level: NA
In the news
- This newscard is an excerpt from an image published in today’s edition of TH.
About Theyyam
- Theyyam is a traditional ritualistic performance art form native to the northern region of Kerala.
- It is believed to have evolved over centuries, combining elements of music, dance, and drama to honor various Hindu deities, especially Goddess Kali.
Key Features
- Unique format: Theyyam performances take place at village shrines or in joint-family homes rather than on stages.
- Lengthy duration: Performances can span from 12 to 24 hours, reflecting their importance within the community.
- Ritual: The chief dancers live near the shrine during the entire event and do not eat after sunset.
- Masks and costumes: Various types of masks and face paints are used, characterized by vibrant colors.
- Musical accompaniment: Traditional Kerala instruments like chenda (drum), tuti (flute), kuzhal (wind instrument), and veekni (percussion instrument) support the dancers.
- Dance steps: Specific dance steps called “Kalaasams” follow a structured sequence.
- Religious influence: Certain aspects of Theyyam, such as abstaining from eating after sunset, indicate religious influences from Jainism and Buddhism.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2017:
Q. With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:
- It is a song and dance performance.
- Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
- It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1 only
Post your answers here.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Paruveta Utsavam of Ahobilam
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Paruveta Festival
Mains level: NA
Why in the News?
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is spearheading efforts to secure UNESCO recognition for the annual ‘Paruveta’ Festival celebrated at the Sri Narasimha Swamy temple in Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh.
About Paruveta Festival
- The festival takes place at the Sri Narasimha Swamy temple in Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh, attracting devotees from diverse backgrounds.
- Celebrated by people of all castes, the festival fosters communal harmony, with devotees from various religious communities, including Muslims, offering prayers to Lord Narasimha.
- Folklore narrates that Lord Vishnu married Chenchulakshmi, a tribal girl, in Ahobilam, strengthening ties between the deity and the local Chenchu tribe.
- Unlike other temples where Paruveta rituals occur during Vijayadasami or Sankranti, at Ahobilam, the festival celebration spans a ‘mandala’ of 40 days.
- Rituals:
-
- The deity is ceremoniously taken to the 32 Chenchu tribal villages surrounding Ahobilam, signifying the community’s reverence.
- Chenchus demonstrate their protective devotion by symbolically aiming arrows at the deity’s palanquin.
- Chenchu devotees undertake ‘Narasimha Deeksha’, donning yellow robes and observing celibacy during the 40-day period.
- Temple staff reside in these hamlets, reflecting a historical casteless society devoid of untouchability.
UNESCO Criteria for Inclusion into the Cultural Heritage List:
- To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius;
- To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over some time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design;
- To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization that is living or which has disappeared;
- To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape that illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history;
- To be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land use, or sea use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change;
- To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria);
Try this PYQ from CSP 2014:
Every year, a month long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/ tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes?
a) Bhutia and Lepcha
b) Gond and Korku
c) lrula and Toda
d) Sahariya and Agariya
Post your answers here.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Medaram Jatara: Asia’s Largest Tribal Festival
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Medaram Jatara, Tribes gathered, historical background
Mains level: Read the attached story
Introduction
- People have started shopping ahead of Asia’s largest tribal festival, the Medaram Jatara. Devotees offer jaggery equivalent to their weight to the deities, Sammakka and Saralamma, during the festival.
About Medaram Jatara
| Description | |
| Origin | Rooted in the legend of Sammakka and Sarakka, a revered mother-daughter duo among the local tribal community. |
| Historical Significance | Commemorates the 13th-century battle of Sammakka and Sarakka against then local Kakatiya rulers’ taxation of the Koya people. |
| Location | Mulugu, Telangana, India |
| Frequency | Biennial festival |
| Attendance | Attracts around 1.5 crore devotees from various tribal and non-tribal communities from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh but also from as far as Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra |
| Political & Social Impact | Declared as a State Festival in 1996;
Receives active support from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Telangana state government. |
| Infrastructure Development | Funds allocated for community shelters and infrastructure in and around Medaram. |
| Ministry Support | Active participation and significant financial backing from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Telangana state government. |
| Tribal Circuit Development | Ministry of Tourism sanctions funds for the integrated development of the tribal circuit. |
Try this PYQ:
Consider the following pairs:
| Traditions | Communities |
| Chaliha Sahib Festivals | Sindhis |
| Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra | Gonds |
| Wari-Warkari | Santhals |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) None of the above
Post your answers here.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
390 YO Lamp Post in Nalgonda dedicated to Kasi Viswanatha
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Facts about the Deepastambham
Mains level: NA
Introduction
- The recent discovery of a Deepastambham (lamp post) and other archaeological findings along the River Krishna in Nalgonda district, Telangana, sheds new light on early medieval trade ties in the region.
Lamp Post and its Structure
- Unique Findings: Archaeologists unearthed a 20-foot tall lamp post with inscription and a small flat-roofed structure near the Krishna river bank in Telangana.
- Rare Artefacts: Lamp posts are uncommon in the Deccan region but are prevalent in temple architecture along the west coast, highlighting the uniqueness of this discovery.
- Historical Context: The lamp post, dated back to June 1635, bears a multilingual inscription in Telugu mixed with Tamil, indicating its dedication to Kasi Viswanatha.
- Functional Significance: Due to its height, the lamp post likely served as a lighthouse along the riverine trade route, facilitating navigation and trade activities.
Significance of Inscriptions
- Historical Documentation: Inscriptions provide valuable insights into the socio-cultural and economic landscape of the region during the early medieval period.
- Cultural Connections: The presence of inscriptions suggests a connection between the local community and wider trade networks, enriching our understanding of historical trade routes.
- Hyderabad Connection: The village’s proximity to Hyderabad, ruled by the Qutb Shahi dynasty, suggests its significance in the regional trade network.
- European Accounts: References by European travellers, such as Jean Baptiste Tavernier, hint at the existence of riverine trade routes alongside land routes during the same period.
Continuity of Trade Routes
- Longstanding Trade Connections: The discovery of an eighth-century inscription from the Badami Chalukya era underscores the village’s role as a vital trade hub over millennia.
- Cultural Exchange: Trade routes facilitated not only economic transactions but also cultural exchanges, shaping the region’s diverse heritage.
Try this PYQ:
Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines on India? (CSP 2018)
(a) Francois Bernier
(b) Jean Baptiste Tavernier
(c) Jean de Thevenot
(d) Abbe Barthelemy Carre
Post your answers here.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Kalaripayattu gains popularity in Haryana
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kalaripayattu
Mains level: Not Much
Introduction
- The introduction of Kalaripayattu, a southern Indian martial arts form, into the Khelo India games in 2021 has led to its growing popularity among boys and girls in Haryana.
About Kalaripayattu
- Originates from ancient knowledge of the human body.
- Originated in Kerala during the 3rd century BC, lasting until the 2nd century AD; currently practiced in parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- Practiced in a ‘Kalari’, a term in Malayalam indicating a gymnasium or a symbolic battlefield.
- The term ‘Kalari’ appears in Tamil Sangam literature, denoting both a battlefield and a combat arena.
- Considered one of the oldest martial arts in the world.
- Known as the precursor to modern Kung Fu, often referred to as the “Father of Modern Kung Fu.”
- Integrates Hindu rituals and philosophies, alongside medicinal practices derived from Ayurveda.
- Incorporates elements from yoga and finger movements from Nata dances.
Weapons used:
Weapons are categorized into four groups:
- Cutting, Slicing, and Piercing: Swords and daggers.
- Pole Weapons: Spears and axes.
- Bludgeoning Instruments: Sticks and maces.
- Projectiles: Arrows, discuses, catapults, boomerangs, and other hand-thrown weapons.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Artistic Richness of the Indian Constitution: A Visual Journey
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Indian Constitution and its drafting
Mains level: Read the attached story
Introduction
- The Indian Constitution, renowned as the world’s lengthiest written Constitution, is not just a legal document but a treasure trove of artistic richness.
- It features intricate hand-painted images and elaborate borders across all its 22 parts, making it the most visually appealing Constitution globally.
Narrative Scheme of Paintings
- Historical Representation: The paintings within the Constitution depict various periods in Indian history, from the Indus Valley civilization to the freedom struggle. Additionally, scenes from the epic tales of Ramayana and Mahabharata are featured.
- Geographical Diversity: These illustrations also capture India’s diverse geography, from the desert with marching camels to the grandeur of the Himalayas.
The Appointment of Artists
- Selection of Nandalal Bose: Nandalal Bose, a renowned artist and close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, was entrusted with the task of illustrating the Constitution in October 1949, just before the final session of the Constituent Assembly.
- Collaborative Effort: Bose collaborated with family members, students, and fellow artists, including Kripal Singh Shekhawat, A Perumal, and Direndrakrishna Deb Burman.
- Calligraphy: While the Constitution itself was handwritten by calligrapher Prem Behari Narain Raizada in a flowing italic style, the Hindi version’s calligraphy was masterfully crafted by Vasant Krishan Vaidya.
Notable Artistic Contributions
- Preamble and National Emblem: The Preamble page features intricate patterns sketched by Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and bears his signature, while Dinanath Bhargava sketched the National Emblem, the Lion Capital of Ashoka.
- Payment for Artists: Records suggest that the artists who painted the historical scenes were paid Rs 25 for each page.
Ideation of Artwork
- No Direct Correlation: Nandalal Bose’s artwork in the Constitution does not have a direct correlation with the text, as he did not illustrate the content of the Constitution itself. Instead, he crafted a visual narrative of India’s history as he envisioned it.
- Changes and Adjustments: A preliminary plan was drawn up for the artwork, which underwent changes with additions and deletions. For instance, a scene featuring ‘portraits of Akbar and Shahjahan with Mughal architecture’ was replaced with an image of Akbar.
Borrowing from History and Religion
- Diverse Representations: The artwork includes depictions of the Bull Seal from the Indus Valley region, scenes from the lives of hermits and ascetics, Buddha in meditation, Mahavir, sculptures from Mahabalipuram, and the descent of the Ganga to Earth.
- Incorporating Epics: Scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana are featured in the artwork, symbolizing India’s rich mythological heritage.
- Homage to Tagore: Three landscapes within the Constitution pay tribute to Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and his composition of the National Anthem, celebrating India’s diverse geographical landscapes.
Celebrating Monarchs and Freedom Fighters
- Emperor Ashoka: Part VII features Emperor Ashoka seated on an elephant, propagating Buddhism.
- King Vikramaditya and Tipu Sultan: Part IX showcases a scene from King Vikramaditya’s court, while Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi shares the page with Tipu Sultan in Part XVI.
- Gandhi and Freedom Fighters: Mahatma Gandhi appears twice, leading the Dandi March and visiting Noakhali in Bangladesh. Subhas Chandra Bose is depicted saluting the flag with members of the Azad Hind Fauj.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Batadrava Than: Understanding the Significance and Controversies
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Batadrava Than
Mains level: Read the attached story
Introduction
- A politician was recently denied entry to Assam’s Batadrava Than for his political campaigning.
About Batadrava Than
- Location: Situated in Nagaon district, Batadrava Than, also known as Bordowa Than, holds deep significance for Assamese Vaishnavites.
- Birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva: It stands at the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva (1449-1568), a revered Vaishnavite reformer-saint.
- Founder of Kirtan Ghar: Sankardeva established the first-ever Kirtan Ghar at Bordowa in 1494 AD, where he practiced and preached the neo Vaishnavite faith.
Sankardeva’s Philosophy
- Ek Saran Naam Dharma: Sankardeva’s philosophy centered on worship through bhakti (devotion) to Lord Krishna, emphasizing the singing and congregational listening of His name and deeds.
- Society Based on Equality: He advocated for a society free from caste distinctions, orthodox Brahmanical rituals, and sacrifices, promoting equality and fraternity.
- Devotion over Idol Worship: Sankardeva’s teachings favored prayer and chanting (naam) over idol worship.
- Four Components of Dharma: His dharma was founded on four components: deva (god), naam (prayers), bhakats (devotees), and guru (teacher).
Legacy of Sankardeva’s Movement
- Monastic Institutions: Sankardeva’s Neo-Vaishnavite reformist movement led to the establishment of monastic institutions known as Thans/Sattras across Assam.
- Religious, Social, and Cultural Reforms: These Thans/Sattras became centers for religious, social, and cultural reforms in the 16th century.
- “Worship Through Art” Approach: Today, the Sattras propagate Sankardeva’s unique approach of “worship through art” with music (borgeet), dance (xattriya), and theater (bhauna).
- Nucleus of Naamghar: Each Sattra has a naamghar (worship hall) as its nucleus and is led by an influential “Sattradhikar.”
Political Significance and Controversies
- Assamese Identity: Thans/Sattras are integral to Assamese identity, and Batadrava Than is frequently visited by politicians.
- Electoral Issue: The government has highlighted “land grabbing around Sattras by illegal settlers” as an electoral issue.
- Proposed Land Law: The CM has announced plans for a law preventing “non-indigenous people” from buying land within an eight-kilometer radius of Batadrava Than.
- Beautification Project: Home Minister Amit Shah launched a Rs 188 crore beautification project at Batadrava Than in 2021.
Also read:
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
How Ramayana became popular outside India?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Ramayana and its Spread
Mains level: Not Much
Introduction
- The epic narrative of the Ramayana, cherished in India for millennia, has transcended its geographical boundaries to become a cherished tale worldwide.
- This enduring journey of the Ramayana highlights how the Indian diaspora, including traders, preachers, and indentured laborers, played a pivotal role in its global dissemination.
Ramayana’s Path across Asia
- The Ramayana embarked on its Asian voyage during the early centuries of the Common Era. It traversed three distinct routes:
- Northern Route: From the regions of Punjab and Kashmir, the epic story ventured into China, Tibet, and East Turkestan overland.
- Southern Route: Originating from Gujarat and South India, it sailed across seas to reach Java, Sumatra, and Malaya, making it a significant part of these cultures.
- Eastern Route: Through the eastern overland route, the Ramayana entered Burma, Thailand, and Laos, reaching Vietnam and Cambodia via Java.
- This expansion was primarily attributed to Indian traders who embarked on their journeys for commerce, trading spices, gold, and aromatic wood.
- Many of these travelers eventually settled in these regions, contributing to the dissemination of Indian religion, culture, and philosophy.
Cultural Influence on Southeast Asia
- The Indian diaspora brought with them a profound influence on the native cultures of Southeast Asia.
- Brahmin priests, Buddhist monks, scholars, and adventurers played a crucial role in transmitting Indian traditions.
- Over time, the Ramayana became an integral part of these countries’ cultural fabric.
- Thailand: The Ayutthaya kingdom drew inspiration from the Ramayana, with Ayutthaya itself resembling the mythical city of Ayodhya. The Ramayana remains Thailand’s national epic, profoundly influencing its culture and royalty.
- Cambodia: The Angkor Wat temple complex, originally dedicated to Vishnu, features captivating murals narrating episodes from the Ramayana.
Contemporary Influence in Southeast Asia
- Even today, the Ramayana continues to hold a significant place in the cultures of Southeast Asian countries.
- Despite diverse dominant religions, ranging from Buddhism to Islam, the epic persists as a source of inspiration.
- Thailand: The Ramakien, a Thai version of the Ramayana, is Thailand’s national epic, with rulers of the Chakri dynasty adopting names from the Ramayana.
- Laos: The story of Phra Ram is considered the national epic, with unique interpretations reflecting Lao culture.
- Variations in these narratives often mirror local cultures and traditions, emphasizing the enduring appeal of the Ramayana across Southeast Asia.
Ramayana beyond Asia
- The 19th century witnessed another phase in the global dissemination of the Ramayana, propelled by the movement of indentured laborers, known as girmitiyas, from India to regions such as Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname.
- These laborers carried with them the cultural heritage of India, prominently featuring Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas, an iconic religious text in North India.
Preservation amidst Adversity
- Girmitiya Migration: Indentured laborers, primarily from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, were sent abroad to work on plantations after the abolition of slavery.
- Preservation of Culture: Despite their modest means, the girmitiyas preserved their culture and religion. The Ramcharitmanas became a symbol of their homeland in an unfamiliar land.
- Cultural Sustenance: The Ramayana offered solace and nostalgia, fostering a sense of belonging and connection to their roots.
Conclusion
- Remarkable journey of the Ramayana from India’s heartland to distant shores underscores the enduring power of storytelling, culture, and tradition.
- Whether in the ancient temples of Southeast Asia or the hearts of indentured laborers in faraway lands, the Ramayana continues to inspire and resonate, bridging the geographical gaps of our diverse world.
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What is the Nagara Style, in which Ayodhya’s Ram temple is being built?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Nagara Architecture
Mains level: Not Much
Introduction
- The upcoming inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya designed by Chandrakant Sompura and his son Ashish in the Nagara style of temple architecture has piqued interest in the rich architectural heritage of India.
Emergence of Nagara Architecture
- Historical Context: Nagara architecture originated in northern India during the late Gupta period, around the 5th century CE.
- Contrasting Styles: It stands in contrast to the Dravida style prevalent in southern India, both evolving around the same period.
“Languages” of Architecture
- Debating Terminology: While commonly referred to as “styles,” Nagara and Dravida are more accurately described as “languages” of temple architecture.
- Architectural Vocabulary: Each language provides a unique vocabulary and a set of rules for assembling architectural elements.
Distinctive Features of Nagara Temples
- Raised Plinth: Nagara temples are built on elevated plinths, with the sanctum sanctorum (garbha griha) as the most sacred part.
- Towering Shikhara: The shikhara, or tower, is the hallmark of Nagara temples and symbolizes the natural and cosmological order in Hindu tradition.
- Circumambulatory Passage: A path encircles the garbha griha, allowing devotees to circumambulate the inner sanctum.
- Mandapas and Ornamentation: Nagara temples often feature multiple halls (mandapas) and intricate murals and reliefs on their walls.
Modes of Nagara Architecture
- Five Modes: Nagara architecture has evolved over time, leading to five distinctive modes: Valabhi, Phamsana, Latina, Shekhari, and Bhumija.
- Early Nagara Style: Valabhi and Phamsana are associated with the early Nagara style, resembling barrel-roofed structures and multi-eave towers.
- Dominance of Latina: Latina, a single curved tower with equal sides, reigned supreme for three centuries starting in the 7th century.
- Later Developments: Shekhari introduced attached sub-spires, while Bhumija featured miniature spires in horizontal and vertical rows, creating a grid-like effect.
Diversity within Modes
- Simplified Classifications: These modes are scholastic classifications, and actual temple architects didn’t consciously adhere to a particular mode.
- Variation Abounds: Temples often exhibit variations within these modes, with multiple shikharas atop a single structure.
Contrasting Dravida Architecture
- Vimana vs. Gopuram: In Dravida style temples, the vimana (tower) is smaller than the prominent gopurams (gatehouses).
- Boundary Walls: Dravida temples often feature boundary walls, a unique feature not commonly seen in Nagara style temple complexes.
- Ayodhya’s Unique Blend: Ayodhya’s Ram temple combines elements of both styles, featuring a boundary wall but not elaborate gopurams.
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Assam’s Sattras and their Political Significance
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sattras
Mains level: Not Much
Introduction
- Ahead of a general elections rally, a politician has paid a visit to the Sri Sri Auniati Satra, a 350-year-old Vaishnavite monastery located in Assam’s Majuli district.
- These Sattras, rooted in the Neo-Vaishnavite reformist movement, play a crucial role in Assamese culture, encompassing religious, social, and cultural aspects.
Spread of Sattras
- Founding: Srimanta Sankaradeva established the first Satra in 1494 in Bardowa, his native village in Nagaon district.
- Expansion: As Sankaradeva preached, Satras were established across the Brahmaputra Valley, including Coochbehar in West Bengal.
- Current Count: There are nearly 900 Satras today, with significant ones located in Majuli island, Barpeta, Nagaon, and Dhubri.
Composition of a Sattra
- Central Worship Hall: Each Sattra has a central worship hall known as “naamghar,” which serves as its nucleus.
- Sattradhikar: A Sattra is headed by an influential leader known as the “Sattradhikar.”
- Bhakats: Monks, referred to as bhakats, are initiated into Sattras at a young age, and their celibacy status varies depending on the Sattra they belong to.
Diverse Sattra Denominations
- Samhatis: Satras fall into four major Samhatis or denominations: Brahma-samhati, Kal-samhati, Nika-samhati, and Purush-samhati.
- Brahma-samhati: Exclusively led by Satradhikars from Brahmin families.
- Celibate Monks: Some Satras, like Dakhinpaat, Auni-ati, Bhogpur, Uttar Kamalabari, and Natun Kamalabari, practice celibacy.
- Varied Succession: Smaller Satras, often family-run, pass leadership from father to son, with monks not necessarily observing celibacy.
Legacy of Srimanta Sankaradeva
- Neo-Vaishnavite Reform: Sattras are monastic institutions that trace their origins to the 16th-century Neo-Vaishnavite reformist movement initiated by Saint-Reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva.
- Spreading Teachings: As Sankaradeva traveled across Assam, his teachings aimed at fostering an egalitarian society, and the establishment of Sattras or Thans played a pivotal role in realizing this vision.
- Cultural and Religious Centers: These institutions are the heart of Assamese culture and serve as centers for religious, social, and cultural reforms.
- Worship Through Art: Sattras propagate Sankardeva’s unique approach of “worship through art” through practices like music (borgeet), dance (sattriya), and theatre (bhauna).
Sankardeva’s Philosphy: Eka-sharana-naam-dhrama
- Bhakti Form: Sankardeva promoted a form of Bhakti known as “eka-sharana-naam-dhrama.”
- Equality and Fraternity: His teachings aimed at establishing a society characterized by equality and fraternity, free from caste distinctions, orthodox rituals, and sacrifices.
- Focus on Prayer and Chanting: Sankardeva’s dharma emphasized prayer and chanting (naam) instead of traditional idol worship.
Sattras and Their Relationship with the State
- Historical Patronage: During the Ahom reign, Sattras received significant donations in the form of land and money from the kings.
- Self-Sufficiency: Unlike temples, Sattras were self-sufficient, producing their own food and sustaining themselves.
- Contemporary Support: In contemporary times, Sattras receive annual grants from both state and central governments, often associated with political motives.
Political Influence of Sattras
- Influence in Elections: While Sattra votes may not be the sole determinant of election outcomes, Sattras and Sattradhikars wield substantial influence.
- Sattra-Based Constituencies: Several constituencies in Assam, like Nagaon, Kaliabor, Majuli, Barpeta, Bartadadrva, have a significant Sattra presence.
- Family Ties: Many Assamese families maintain close ties with one Sattra or another.
- Political Visits: Politicians from various parties frequently visit Sattras, recognizing their importance in the political landscape.
Conclusion
- Sattras, deeply rooted in Assam’s cultural and religious heritage, represent the teachings of Srimanta Sankaradeva and his vision of an egalitarian society.
- These institutions continue to exert political influence in Assam, particularly in Sattra-based constituencies, making them a significant force in the state’s political landscape.
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In news: Thiruvalluvar Day
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Thiruvalluvar Day
Mains level: NA
Introduction
- Thiruvalluvar, an eminent figure in Tamil culture, has recently stirred controversy over the representation of his image and attire by TN Governor and the CM.
About Thiruvalluvar Day
- Thiruvalluvar Day is usually celebrated either on the 15th or 16th of January in the state of Tamil Nadu.
- The day is quite similar to Raksha Bandhan where women pray for the well-being of their brothers.
- The women perform the rituals in the morning. Rice is put at the centre of a leaf as a part of the ritual while the women ask for the well-being of their brothers.
- This is followed by an Arati and turmeric water is sprinkled on the “kolam”.
Who was Thiruvalluvar?
- Thiruvalluvar, also known as Valluvar, is a revered Tamil poet-saint who holds a special place in the hearts of Tamils, transcending caste and religious boundaries.
- The exact period during which he lived and his religious affiliation remain subjects of debate.
- Some place him in the third or fourth century, while others date him to the eighth or ninth century.
- His religious identity varies, with some considering him a Hindu, some associating him with Jainism, and Dravidian groups regarding him as a saint due to his rejection of the caste system.
- Thirukkural, his principal work, consists of 1330 couplets (kurals) and is categorized into three parts, offering teachings on dharma (virtue), artha (wealth), and kama (love).
Significance of Robes
- Political Influence: Depictions of Thiruvalluvar, including his attire, have been molded by various political groups over time, despite limited historical information.
- Scholar Insights: Scholars suggest that Thiruvalluvar’s affiliation was likely Jain, not Hindu or Dravidian. His appearance, including white robes, is a relatively recent interpretation.
- Disputed Symbolism: The controversy surrounding the color of Thiruvalluvar’s robes stems from differing political agendas and interpretations of his verses.
Thiruvalluvar’s Relevance Today
- Archaeological Discoveries: Recent excavations at Keeladi near Madurai have pushed the history of Tamilagam (Sangam Era) back by at least 300 years, bolstering Dravidian historians’ assertions of their ancient heritage.
- Keeladi Context: The Keeladi findings have ignited debates between supporters of Hindutva and those upholding the Dravidian perspective. While no Hindu idols were found at Keeladi, interpretations vary on the presence of ‘Hindu’ elements.
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Shree Mandira Parikrama Project in Puri
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Shree Mandira Parikrama Project
Mains level: Not Much
Introduction
- In a bid to elevate the spiritual experience of devotees and bolster the infrastructure for pilgrims, the Odisha government is all set to inaugurate the grand Shree Mandira Parikrama project.
What is Shree Mandira Parikrama Project?
- This Rs 800-crore heritage corridor, encircling the iconic Jagannath Temple in Puri, is a pivotal part of a broader initiative aimed at rejuvenating this holy city.
- It entails the creation of a 75-meter corridor that encircles the revered Jagannath Temple complex.
- This designed corridor aims to provide pilgrims with a “visual connect” to the temple, enriching their spiritual journey.
About Jagannath Puri Temple
- The Jagannath Temple is an important Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Sri Krishna in Puri in Odisha.
- The present temple was rebuilt from the 10th century onwards, on the site of an earlier temple, and begun by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, the first king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
- The Puri temple is famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three principal deities are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars.
Its architecture
- With its sculptural richness and fluidity of the Oriya style of temple architecture, it is one of the most magnificent monuments of India.
- The huge temple complex covers an area of over 400,000 square feet and is surrounded by a high fortified wall.
- This 20 feet high wall is known as Meghanada Pacheri.
- Another wall known as kurma bedha surrounds the main temple.
The temple has four distinct sectional structures, namely:
- Deula, Vimana or Garba griha (Sanctum sanctorum) where the triad deities are lodged on the ratnavedi (Throne of Pearls). In Rekha Deula style;
- Mukhashala (Frontal porch);
- Nata mandir/Natamandapa, which is also known as the Jagamohan (Audience Hall/Dancing Hall), and
- Bhoga Mandapa (Offerings Hall)
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Adi Shankara’s Legacy: Explained
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Shankaracharyas, Adi Shankara
Mains level: Read the attached story
Introduction
- The four Shankaracharyas’ decision to abstain from the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22 has raised questions and garnered attention.
- To understand this decision and the significance of Shankaracharyas, it’s crucial to delve into the context and explore the life of Adi Shankara, a pivotal figure in Hinduism.
Who are the Shankaracharyas?
- Religious Leaders: Shankaracharya, meaning ‘teacher of the way of Shankara,’ is a title held by the heads of four cardinal mathas or peeths, believed to be established by Adi Shankara (c 788 CE-820 CE).
- Legacy of Adi Shankara: These religious teachers are said to belong to a lineage dating back to Adi Shankara, a revered scholar and philosopher.
- Historical Context: The existence of these mathas before the 14th century CE is disputed, with evidence suggesting retrospective establishment to legitimize these centers of knowledge and learning.
Adi Shankaracharya: A Brief Overview
- Adi Shankaracharya was a prominent Indian philosopher and theologian, often referred to as Sankara (Jagatguru). He was a staunch advocate of ancient Hinduism.
- His birthplace Kaladi in Ernakulam, Kerala, is poised to be declared a national monument.
- He received guidance from his guru, Govinda Bhagavatpada, under whom he diligently studied texts like ‘Gaudapadiya Karika,’ ‘Brahmasutra,’ Vedas, and Upanishads.
- Shankara propagated the philosophies of ‘Advaita Vedanta’ and ‘Dashanami Sampradaya,’ earning him the title ‘Shankaracharya’ among his disciples.
His Philosophy: Advaita Vedanta
- Non-Dualism: Shankaracharya’s philosophy, known as ‘Advaita Vedanta,’ espouses non-dualism.
- Ultimate Reality: It asserts that the world exists due to the creative energy (Maya) of Brahman, the ultimate, transcendent, and immanent God of the later Vedas.
- Identity of Self: In Advaita Vedanta, the transcendental self of the universe (Atman) and the experiencing self (Jiva) are both identical in truth – both are Brahman. However, the individual self appears different, akin to space inside a container seeming distinct from space as a whole.
- Overcoming Error: Mistakes and ignorance lead to a plurality (Avidya), but understanding Brahman eliminates these errors, resulting in liberation from the cycle of reincarnation and worldly servitude.
Disciples of Adi Shankaracharya
Shankaracharya’s four closest disciples played pivotal roles in propagating his teachings:
- Padmapada: Known for his deep devotion and poetry.
- Totakacharya: Devoted to Shankaracharya’s mission and revered for his poetry “Totakashtakam.”
- Hasta Malaka: A child prodigy who astounded Shankaracharya with his understanding of Advaita philosophy.
- Sureshwara: Initially a householder, he became a disciple after losing a philosophical debate to Shankaracharya.
Contributions of Adi Shankaracharya
- Shankaracharya introduced the ‘Shanmata’ system, which emphasized worship of the five principal deities and restored the Dashanami structure.
- He composed numerous devotional and meditative hymns and authored key texts on Advaita Vedanta, including commentaries on major scriptures.
- Adi Shankaracharya revitalized Hinduism at a time when it faced challenges from Jainism and Buddhism, promoting unity and re-establishing traditions.
- He established four monastic institutions (Mathas) in different corners of India, unifying the nation and codifying leadership roles:
- Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetam in Chikmaglur in Karnataka
- Jyotir Matha in the Garhwal region in Uttarakhand
- Kalika Matha in Dwarka in Gujarat
- Govardhana Matha in Puri in Odisha
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Ayodhya Grand Mosque to be ‘better than the Taj Mahal’
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Ayodhya Grand Mosque
Mains level: Not Much
Introduction
- The Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF), entrusted with the construction of the mosque in Ayodhya, is embarking on a renewed effort to fund and develop the project.
- The project’s scope has expanded significantly, with plans to build one of India’s largest mosques and other unique features, making it distinct from its initial design.
Ayodhya Grand Mosque
- From Modest to Grand: The original plan, conceived by Prof. S.M. Akhtar, included a hospital, community kitchen, library, and research center. However, the new vision aims to create one of India’s grandest mosques, surpassing the Taj Mahal in grandeur.
- Redesigned Architecture: The earlier design was deemed inadequate for a mosque, and a new design by Pune-based architect Imran Shaikh will be revealed soon.
- Five Minars: The Ayodhya mosque will boast five minarets, a distinctive feature among Indian mosques.
- Water-and-Light Show: Plans include synchronizing water displays with prayer times and automated lighting that mimics sunset and sunrise.
- Giant Fish Aquarium: A massive fish aquarium, larger than Dubai’s, will be added to attract youth and visitors.
Project Background
- Land Allocation: The mosque project was allocated a five-acre plot in Dhannipur, Ayodhya, in February 2020, following the Supreme Court’s decision allowing the construction of both the temple and mosque.
- Cultural Significance: The mosque construction aims to promote harmony and cultural exchange, paralleling the construction of the Ram temple nearby.
Path to Construction
- Commencement Date: Construction is anticipated to begin in the second half of 2024, following the holy month of Ramzan.
- Symbolic Brick: A brick inscribed with Quranic verses will travel to prominent dargahs in India and Madina, Saudi Arabia, before being placed at the construction site.
- Media Campaign: Special songs and videos related to the mosque are being produced, featuring notable artists and voices to generate awareness.
Fundraising Approach
- Digital Fundraising: Instead of door-to-door fundraising, IICF plans to launch a website with QR codes for easy and convenient donations, aiming to replicate the success of the Ram temple fundraising campaign.
- Broad Appeal: The goal is for Ayodhya to become a symbol of cultural diversity and coexistence, attracting visitors to both the temple and mosque.
Conclusion
- The Ayodhya mosque project is undergoing a significant transformation, evolving into a grand and iconic structure.
- With a focus on architectural magnificence, innovative features, and a modern fundraising approach, the mosque aims to contribute to Ayodhya’s cultural richness and serve as a symbol of unity and harmony.
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Republic Day Tableaux Selection Process and Recent Controversies
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Republic Day Tableaux
Mains level: Not Much
Introduction
- The Defence Ministry’s proposal for a rollover plan for States and UTs to showcase their tableaux at the Republic Day parade comes amid ongoing controversies and complaints from various states.
- The plan aims to ensure that every State and UT gets an opportunity to participate within a three-year cycle, addressing the issue of limited slots (approximately 15) available each year.
Selection Process for Republic Day Tableaux
- Participants: State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Ministries/Departments are eligible to send tableaux.
- Application Process: Interested parties submit a concept note and design blueprints to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) by a specified deadline.
- Expert Committee Evaluation: The MoD appoints a committee of experts in art, culture, and related fields to evaluate the proposals in two stages:
-
- Stage 1: Initial assessment of proposals and design sketches, with possible rejections or suggestions for modifications.
- Stage 2: Evaluation of three-dimensional models, leading to final selection or further modifications.
Criteria for Selection
- Factors Considered: Visual appeal, thematic relevance, detailing, accompanying music, use of local artists, and adherence to the year’s overarching theme.
- 2024 Theme: “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) and “Bharat: Loktantra ki Matrika” (India: the Mother of Democracy).
- Guidelines: The MoD specifies guidelines, including the use of young designers, electronic displays, robotics, 3D printing, augmented/virtual reality, and eco-friendly materials. Conformity to these guidelines is encouraged.
Controversies and Rejections
- Opposition-Ruled States’ Concerns: States like Karnataka, Punjab, and West Bengal have expressed dissatisfaction over their tableaux being rejected.
- Centre’s Stance: The Centre has maintained its decision without providing specific reasons for rejection.
- Possible Reasons for Rejection: Misalignment with the broader theme, as suggested by MoD sources regarding Punjab and West Bengal’s proposals.
- Political Allegations: A politician claimed that the Delhi government’s exclusion lacked justification, intending to showcase the state’s governance model.
Conclusion
- Navigating Challenges: The new rollover plan and selection process aim to balance equitable state representation with adherence to thematic and aesthetic guidelines.
- Addressing Discontent: While the plan seeks to mitigate annual complaints, it also raises questions about transparency and political considerations in the selection process.
- Future Prospects: Ensuring a transparent, inclusive, and theme-compliant selection process is crucial for maintaining the integrity and celebratory spirit of the Republic Day parade.
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Festivals: Kateel Yakshagana Mela
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kateel Yakshagana Mela
Mains level: NA
Introduction
- The Karnataka High Court has allowed the century-old Kateel Durgaparameshwari Prasadita Yakshagana Mandali to resume all-night shows, adhering to noise pollution norms.
About Kateel Yakshagana Mela
- It refers to a traditional form of theater performance known as Yakshagana, which is predominantly found in the state of Karnataka, India.
- Specifically, “Kateel” refers to the town of Kateel in Karnataka, which is known for its own unique troupes or ‘Melas’ performing this art form.
- It includes stories from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
- They are usually performed on open-air stages at night and can last up to several hours.
Back2Basics: Yakshagana
| Details | |
| Origin and Meaning | Originates from Karnataka, India. The word “Yakshagana” literally means the song (gana) of the yaksha (nature spirits). |
| Performance Style | A blend of dance, music, dialogue, elaborate costumes, makeup, and stage techniques. |
| Music | Accompanied by traditional music, predominantly with the ‘chande’ and ‘maddale’ drums. |
| Narrative Source | Based on epic and puranic stories, often depicting scenes from Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Bhagavata. |
| Types | Badagu Thittu: Predominant in the northern parts of Karnataka, characterized by vigorous dance movements and elaborate costumes.
Tenku Thittu: Found in the southern parts, known for its relatively more subdued dance and dialogue delivery. |
| Costumes and Makeup | Elaborate and colorful, with significant emphasis on facial expressions. Characters are often adorned with headgear. |
| Modern Adaptations | Contemporary themes are being incorporated, and performances are adapted for global audiences. |
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Assam’s Chandubi Festival
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Chandubi Festival
Mains level: NA
Introduction
- The 14th Chandubi Festival was recently held near the Chandubi Lake in Assam’s Kamrup district from January 1 to January 5.
About Chandubi Festival
- The Chandubi Festival happens every year for five days, starting on New Year’s Day, by the Chandubi Lake in Assam.
- Chandubi Lake was formed by a earthquake in 1897.
- The name “Chandubi” comes from “Chand” meaning “five” and “Dubi” meaning “sinking” in the Khasi language.
- At the festival, one can enjoy local culture, try ethnic food, see handcrafted clothes, and go boating.
- The festival’s main goal is to encourage eco-tourism and protect the lake, which has been losing water.
- Preserving the lake and helping the tribes like Rabhas, Garos, Gorkhas, and tea tribes are reasons for holding the festival.
Course of events
- During the festival, many attractive ethnic sports competitions were organized by the festival celebration committee which includes the Baghbol competition, Chagalchari competition, Khutikhel, Lewatana etc.
- Performances of different tribe’s folk dances are held including Garo, Boro, Hajpong, Bihu, Rabha and many others.
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In news: Veer Bal Diwas
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Veer Bal Divas
Mains level: Not Much
Introduction
- The Prime Minister paid homage to the courage and sacrifice of the Sahibzade, the sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.
- This day, announced on January 9, 2022, commemorates the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh.
Veer Bal Divas: A Day of Remembrance
- Inception: Veer Bal Divas was established to honor the young Sahibzade who were martyred at the ages of 6 and 9.
- Guru Gobind Singh’s Legacy: Guru Gobind Singh, as the tenth Guru of Sikhs and founder of the Khalsa, holds a significant place in Sikh history.
The Legend of the Sahibzades
- Meaning of Sahibzada: In Punjabi, “Sahibzada” means “son,” referring to the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh.
- Sacrificial Week: The week from December 21 to 27 is observed in memory of the Sahibzades’ sacrifices for Sikhism and Hinduism.
- Martyrdom for Faith: The Sahibzades, Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh, and Fateh Singh, were martyred defending their faith against forced conversion.
Backstory of Their Martyrdom
- Khalsa Panth and Anandpur Sahib: After establishing the Khalsa Panth, Guru Gobind Singh left Anandpur Sahib with his family in December 1704 amidst Aurangzeb’s invasion.
- Capture and Martyrdom: The younger Sahibzades were captured by Subedar Wazir Khan of Sirhind and faced pressure for religious conversion, leading to their tragic martyrdom.
- Elder Sahibzades’ Sacrifice: The elder Sahibzades, Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, were martyred in the battle of Chamkaur in 1705.
Implications and Historical Impact
- Guru Gobind Singh’s Response: Upon learning of their martyrdom, Guru Gobind Singh wrote the ‘Zafarnama’ to Aurangzeb, declaring the Khalsa’s readiness to challenge his empire.
- Baba Banda Singh Bahadur’s Revenge: He avenged the Sahibzades’ martyrdom, punishing Wazir Khan and establishing Sikh dominance in the region.
- Emergence of the Sikh Empire: This sacrifice paved the way for the later establishment of a vast Sikh empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Significance in Indian History
- A Watershed Moment: The martyrdom of the Sahibzades is a pivotal event in Indian history, remembered with both respect and sorrow.
- Legacy in Sikh Tradition: The Sahibzades’ names are honored in the Sikh Ardas, symbolizing their enduring legacy in Sikh faith and history.
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Goa’s Konsachem Festival and St. Bartholomew’s Feast
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Konsachem Festival
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- In Goa, August marks the formation of new rice grains, celebrated through the festival of Konsachem.
Konsachem Festival and Its Traditions
- Background: Konsachem, observed by Goan Hindus and Catholics, honors the new rice grains, known as konxeo in Konkani.
- Shared Rituals: The first harvested rice sheaves are taken for blessings – to deities by Hindus and to saints by Catholics.
- Catholic Celebrations: For Goan Catholics, the festival peaks on August 24, the Feast Day of St. Bartholomew, one of Jesus Christ’s 12 Apostles.
- Observances: The celebration includes a procession, ritual cutting of grain, and a thanksgiving mass, with offerings made to St. Bartholomew.
Bartholomew’s Legacy and Christian Faith in India
- Missionary Journey: Bartholomew is believed to have landed in Kallianpur and preached along the Konkan coast, reaching as far as Karachi.
- Lesser-Known Apostles: While St. Thomas’s mission in Kerala and Tamil Nadu is well-documented, St. Bartholomew’s contributions in India are less known but significant.
- Martyrdom and Influence: He is revered for his martyrdom in Azerbaijan and his role in the Christianization of Armenia and Georgia.
- Pre-Portuguese Christian Origins: Research by scholars underscores Christianity’s roots in India dating back to the Apostles, reinforcing its integral place in Indian faith traditions.
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How India chooses its Republic Day chief guest?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: R-Day Guests
Mains level: Significance of the event
Central Idea
- France’s President Emmanuel Macron is set to be the chief guest for India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations.
- The invitation extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi signifies a high diplomatic honor and reflects the strong ties between India and France.
Honor of Republic Day Chief Guest
- Ceremonial Significance: Being the chief guest at India’s Republic Day is a top diplomatic honor, involving participation in various ceremonial activities.
- Activities and Protocol: The chief guest receives a guard of honor, attends a presidential reception, lays a wreath at Rajghat, and is honored with a banquet and lunch.
- Symbolism and Friendship: As per Ambassador Manbir Singh, the visit symbolizes participation in India’s pride and reflects the friendship between the two nations.
Selection Process for the Chief Guest
- Advance Planning: The process begins about six months prior, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) playing a central role.
- Key Considerations: The decision is driven by political, commercial, military, and economic interests, aiming to strengthen ties with the invitee’s country.
- Historical Factors: The Non-Aligned Movement’s legacy has also influenced past selections, with an emphasis on mutual support and nation-building.
Procedure Post-Selection
- Approval and Discretion: After MEA’s selection, approvals are sought from the Prime Minister and President, followed by discreet confirmation of the invitee’s availability.
- Official Communications and Planning: Post-confirmation, official communications and detailed planning for the visit and ceremonies are undertaken.
Challenges and Contingencies
- Potential for Unplanned Events: Organizers prepare for various contingencies, including health issues or weather disruptions.
- Protocol Challenges: Incidents like the one recounted by Ambassador Singh, involving the ADC of a chief guest, highlight the importance of strict adherence to protocol.
Broader Implications of the Visit
- Ceremonial and Strategic Importance: The role of the Republic Day chief guest blends ceremonial honor with strategic diplomacy, playing a key role in India’s international relations and foreign policy.
- Media Coverage and Perception: The visit is closely monitored by international media, influencing perceptions of the guest’s nation.
- Cultural and Diplomatic Impact: The hospitality and ceremonies reflect India’s traditions and culture, enhancing diplomatic relations.
- Beyond Ceremonial Significance: The visit of the chief guest holds potential for opening new avenues in international relations and advancing India’s global interests.
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Vipassana: the Ancient Buddhist Meditation Practice
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Vipassana
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- A political leader is set to attend a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat in Punjab, skipping a summons by the Enforcement Directorate.
About Vipassana
| Details | |
| Meaning | “To see things as they really are” |
| Origin | Rooted in Buddhism, attributed to Gautama Buddha, rediscovered and refined by him over 2,500 years ago. |
| Historical Roots | Preserved in Theravada Buddhism, especially in Myanmar; based on teachings in the “Satipatthana Sutta.” |
| Technique | Mindfulness or insight meditation focusing on the interconnection between mind and body through physical sensations. |
| Practice | Observing natural breath and bodily sensations, understanding their impermanent nature, typically taught in 10-day retreats. |
| Goal | Self-transformation through self-observation, leading to improved mental clarity and insight. |
| Non-Sectarian | Taught as a universal practice, suitable for all backgrounds. |
| Global Spread | Popularized globally by S.N. Goenka and others in the 20th century. |
| Retreats | Offered worldwide, often free of charge, funded by donations. |
| Scientific Research | Studies show benefits in stress reduction, mental health, and treatment of substance abuse. |
| Code of Discipline | Includes abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual activity, false speech, and intoxicants during courses. |
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Guru Teg Bahadur: Martyrdom and Legacy
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Guru Teg Bahadur
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- PM paid homage to Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, on his martyrdom day, highlighting his bravery, moral integrity, and teachings that foster unity and peace.
- His sacrifice, especially his defence of Kashmiri Pandits against Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s forced religious conversions in the 17th century, stands as a pivotal moment in Indian history.
Guru Teg Bahadur’s Life and Contributions
- Extensive Travels: Guru Teg Bahadur, born on April 1, 1621, was known for his extensive travels across India, akin to Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.
- Reviving Sikh Centers: His journeys were instrumental in revitalizing Sikh centers beyond Punjab, setting the stage for the formation of the Khalsa by his son, Guru Gobind Singh, in 1699.
- Poetic Legacy: A prolific poet, Guru Teg Bahadur’s hymns are an integral part of the Guru Granth Sahib, the central religious scripture of Sikhism.
- Founder of Anandpur Sahib: He founded Anandpur Sahib in 1665, a city of great religious and historical significance for Sikhs.
Execution by Aurangzeb
- Protection of Kashmiri Pandits: In 1675, Kashmiri Pandits approached Guru Teg Bahadur for protection against Aurangzeb’s religious persecution.
- Arrest and Martyrdom: Guru Teg Bahadur was arrested and later executed in Delhi on November 24, 1675, in Chandni Chowk, for refusing to convert to Islam and standing up for religious freedom.
- Memorials in Delhi: Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib marks the place of his execution, and Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib commemorates the site where his body was cremated.
Try this PYQ:
Q.Consider the following Bhakti Saints:
- Dadu Dayal
- Guru Nanak
- Tyagaraja
Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2
Post your answers here.
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In news: Gandabherunda Art
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Gandabherunda Art
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has secured legal rights for the unique artistic representation of Gandabherunda Art as symbol of their corporate identity.
About Gandabherunda Art
| Details | |
| Cultural Origin | Ancient motif found in various cultures including Hittites, Egyptians, Sumerians, and Indians. |
| Introduction to India | Suggested by John Marshall to be introduced by the Shakas (Scythians), but also found in ancient Indian texts. |
| Ancient Indian References | Appears in Panchatantra, Mahabharata, Panini’s grammar, and Jain texts like Kalpa Sūtra. |
| Archaeological Sites | Found in Sirkap near Taxila and the Sanchi Stupa. |
| Literary Appearances | Featured in Buddhist literature and Panchatantra, often symbolizing unity and vigilance. |
| Karnataka Temple Sculptures | Prominently depicted in Hindu temples in Karnataka, linked to Vishnu’s Narasimha avatar in Narasimha Purana. |
| Contemporary Significance | State symbol of Karnataka; associated with the Mysuru royal family and the Order of Gandabherunda. |
| Historical Usage | Earliest depiction in the Mathura art period (1st century CE). Significant use in the Vijayanagara Empire (1336–1646 CE). |
| Karnataka Emblem | Official state emblem of Karnataka, adopted in 1956. |
| Architectural Presence | Common in South Indian temple architecture, especially in Karnataka. Notable at the Chennakesava Temple at Belur. |
| Symbolism | Represents material and spiritual power, strength, and fearlessness. |
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Garba makes it to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Garba, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Garba, a traditional dance form from Gujarat, was included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- This recognition makes Garba the 15th cultural item from India to be featured on the UNESCO list, following Kolkata’s Durga Puja, which was added two years ago.
About Garba
- What is it? Garba is a traditional dance form from Gujarat, India, primarily performed during the Navratri festival to worship the Hindu goddess Durga.
- Origins and Meaning: The term “Garba” comes from “Garbha” (womb) and “Deep” (lamp). The dance is performed around a central lamp or a representation of the Goddess, symbolizing life, death, and rebirth.
- Dance Style: Garba is characterized by energetic, circular movements, clapping hands, and intricate footwork, reflecting the cyclical nature of life.
- Music and Instruments: The dance is accompanied by rhythmic music, traditionally using instruments like the dhol (drum), harmonium, and flute, with modern adaptations including electronic instruments.
- Traditional Attire: Women wear a chaniya choli (a colorful, embroidered skirt set) and men don a kediyu and dhoti or pajama, often embellished with mirrors and embroidery.
- Dandiya Raas Association: Garba is often followed by Dandiya Raas, another dance form using sticks (dandiyas), especially after the Aarti (worship ritual).
- Inclusivity and Community Aspect: The dance is inclusive, attracting people of all ages and backgrounds, and emphasizing community participation.
About UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)
- ICH means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated with them that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as a part of their cultural heritage.
- Furthermore, its importance is not in the cultural manifestation itself, but in the wealth of knowledge, know-how and skills that are transmitted from one generation to the next.
- The adoption of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the ICH by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2003 was a crucial step towards preserving intangible heritage.
- UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was established in the year 2008.
Criteria for the selection
- There are three criteria for an intangible cultural heritage to be inscribed in the United Nations list.
- The entity must-
- be recognized by communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals as part of their cultural heritage,
- be transmitted from generation to generation and be constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history and
- provide them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity
India’s ICH on the UNESCO list
- Sangeet Natak Akademi is the nodal organisation which looks after this function, and files nominations of intangible cultural entities from India, for evaluation by the international body.
- ICG from India include Kolkata’s Durga Puja (2021), Kumbh Mela (2017), Navroz (2016), Yoga (2016), traditional brass and copper craft of utensil-making among coppersmiths of Punjab (2014), Sankirtana, a ritual musical performance of Manipur (2013), and the Buddhist chanting of Ladakh (2012).
- Before 2011, the list included Chhau dance, Kalbelia folk songs and dance of Rajasthan, and Mudiyettu, a dance drama from Kerala (2010), Ramman, a religious festival and theatre performance of Garhwal in the Himalayas (2009), and Kutiyattam or Sanskrit theatre, and Vedic chanting (2008).
- Ramlila, a traditional performance of Ramayana, was also included in 2008.
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Second phase of Kashi Tamil Sangamam
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kashi Tamil Sangamam
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- The Centre announced the schedule for second phase of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam from December 17 to 30.
Kashi Tamil Sangamam
- Kashi Tamil Sangamam celebrates the historical and cultural ties between North and South India.
- It is managed by IIT Madras and BHU (Banaras Hindu University).
- Its main goal is to bring together the knowledge and cultural traditions of North and South India, helping people understand our shared history and strengthen connections between these regions.
- The Ministry of Education organizes this event with help from other ministries like Culture, Textiles, Railways, Tourism, Food Processing, Information & Broadcasting, and the Uttar Pradesh Government.
- This effort aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, which focuses on combining traditional Indian knowledge with modern knowledge systems.
Cultural Significance
- In the 15th century, King Parakrama Pandya from the Madurai area wanted to build a Lord Shiva temple, so he went to Kashi (Uttar Pradesh) to get a lingam.
- On his way back, he rested under a tree, but the cow carrying the lingam wouldn’t move when he tried to continue his journey.
- Parakrama Pandya took this as a divine sign and set up the lingam there, in what is now known as Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu.
- The Pandyas built the Kasi Viswanathar Temple in present-day Tenkasi, southwestern Tamil Nadu, near the Kerala border, for those who couldn’t travel to Kashi.
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In news: Guru Nanak Jayanti
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Guru Nanak and his teachings
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- Guru Nanak Jayanti commemorates the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and the first of its ten Gurus.
- It is celebrated worldwide as Guru Nanak Gurpurab on Kartik Poornima, the full-moon day in the month of Katak (October–November).
Five Key Aspects of Guru Nanak’s Life
[1] Early Life and Philosophical Inclination:
- Born on April 15, 1469, in a Hindu family in Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan).
- Displayed an early interest in philosophical and spiritual questions.
- Worked as an accountant before embarking on a spiritual journey with a Muslim minstrel, Mardana.
[2] Mystical Experience at Age 30:
- Had a transformative spiritual experience during an early morning ablution by a river.
- Received a divine mission to spread a message of unity and devotion.
- Emerged after three days with the profound declaration, “There is no Hindu, there is no Mussalman.”
[3] Extensive Travels and Interfaith Dialogue:
- Traveled widely, including to Sri Lanka, Baghdad, and Mecca, on journeys called ‘udaasis’.
- Engaged with various religious figures, including Hindu pandits and Sufi saints.
- Advocated for the oneness of God and universal brotherhood.
[4] Preaching the Oneness of God:
- Emphasized the unity of humanity and the presence of one God in all.
- Challenged religious orthodoxy and rituals, promoting a direct connection with the divine.
- His teachings laid the foundation for Sikhism, attracting followers from diverse backgrounds.
- His teachings and hymns are compiled in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism.
- He wrote in Punjabi, using a script known as Gurmukhi.
[5] Succession and Legacy:
- Spent his final years in Kartarpur, establishing a community with daily prayers and hymns.
- Introduced the practice of ‘langar’, a communal kitchen serving free meals.
- Chose Lehna (later Guru Angad) as his successor, bypassing his own sons.
- Passed away on September 22, 1539, leaving behind a legacy of spiritual and social reform.
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A short treatise on Indian Materialism
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Materialism's Names in India
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- This article explores materialism’s origins, its various cultural names, and its ethical implications.
Introduction to Materialism
- Philosophy as a Life Theory: Known as ‘Darshan’ in Sanskrit, philosophy seeks to explain the universe and guide human actions with a comprehensive worldview.
- Materialism – Bhautikvad: This perspective, called ‘Bhautikvad’ in Sanskrit, views everything as fundamentally material, dismissing the supernatural and valuing empirical observation and perception for knowledge.
Origins of Materialism
- Ancient Beginnings: Materialism has deep roots and appears in different forms across cultures.
- Indian Lokāyata: In India, materialism, known as Lokāyata, was championed by thinkers like Brhaspati, Ajita, and Jābāli. It focused on the physical world, rejecting theism.
- Greek Atomism: Greek philosophers such as Democritus and Epicurus adopted materialism, with Democritus introducing the idea of atoms as reality’s basic elements.
Materialism’s Names in India
- Lokāyata: Meaning ‘worldly philosophy’, it emphasizes worldly objects and entities.
- Chárváka: From ‘charv’, meaning ‘to chew’, it highlights materialism’s hedonic aspects.
- Bhautikvad: From ‘Bhautika’, meaning ‘physical or material’, it underscores the importance of materiality.
- Jadavāda: Focuses on the ‘jada’ or essence of existence.
- Dehātmavāda: Highlights the unity of the self (‘atman’) with the body (‘deha’).
Materialist Ontology
- Perception as Knowledge Basis: Materialists view perception as the cornerstone of knowledge.
- Use of Inference: Contrary to some beliefs, materialists did employ logical inference based on perceptual evidence.
- Disregarding Divine Agency: They dismissed the idea of divine providence and supernatural realms, focusing on the human world.
Ethics of Materialism
- Emphasis on Pleasure: Materialism is often linked with enjoying life’s pleasures.
- Living in the Present: The principle “yāvat jīvēt sukham jīvēt” advocates for a fulfilling present life.
- Human-Created Values: Materialists view values as human constructs, independent of divine morality.
- Action and Responsibility: They stress the impact of one’s actions on themselves and the world, highlighting ethical conduct.
Materialist Views on Heaven and Hell
- Earthly Heaven and Hell: Materialists redefined heaven and hell in worldly terms.
- Heaven as Earthly Enjoyment: Heaven was perceived as enjoying life’s luxuries, akin to the gods’ enjoyment in mythological heavens.
- Hell as Earthly Suffering: Hell was seen as earthly suffering, like diseases and hunger.
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Who was Lachit Borphukan?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Lachit Borphukan
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- An animation film on an iconic Ahom general Lachit Borphukan has been selected for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2023 to be held in Goa.
Lachit Borphukan
- Lachit Borphukan was a legendary military commander from the northeastern region of India, specifically from the state of Assam. Here are some facts related to him:
| Description | |
| Timeline | 1622-1672 |
| Dynasty | Ahom Dynasty |
| Mughal Threat | Faced the Mughal Empire’s expansion into Assam |
| Battle of Saraighat | Led Ahom forces to victory against the Mughals in 1671
Defended Assam against the Aurangzeb’s forces led by Ram Singh |
| Leadership | Known for strategic brilliance and guerrilla tactics |
| Legacy | Revered as a symbol of Assamese pride and resistance |
| INS Lachit | Indian Navy’s guided-missile destroyer named in honor |
| Lachit Divas | Celebrated annually on November 24th in Assam |
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Legacy of B.N. Goswamy in Indian Miniature Paintings
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Miniature Paintings of India
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- N. Goswamy, a Padma Bhushan recipient and former IAS officer, left an indelible mark on the realm of Indian miniature paintings.
- His groundbreaking work in the field uncovered the rich history and family lineages of artists who contributed significantly to this intricate art form.
Indian Miniature Painting: A Rich Tradition
- Characteristics: Indian miniature painting is known for its intricate, highly detailed artwork on a small scale. It features vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and elaborate detailing.
- Historical Roots: The tradition traces its origins to the Buddhist Pala dynasty, which ruled Bengal and Bihar from the 8th to the 11th century. Initially, these paintings illustrated religious texts on Buddhism and Jainism and were crafted on palm leaves.
- Mughal Era: The art form flourished with the rise of the Mughal Empire in the early 1500s, becoming synonymous with sophistication and elegance. Mughal miniatures, often no larger than a few square inches, depicted bright and accurate paintings used for illustrating manuscripts and art books.
- Post-Mughal Period: With the decline of the Mughal Empire during Aurangzeb’s reign, skilled miniaturists migrated to regions like Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Tehri-Garhwal, and the plains of Punjab, giving birth to the Pahari painting tradition. Deccan painting, influenced by European, Iranian, and Turkish styles, also emerged in the Deccan region between the 16th and 19th centuries.
B.N. Goswamy’s Contributions
- Family-Centric Approach: In his 1968 article on Pahari painting, Goswamy revealed that the style of these paintings depended not on the region but on the family of painters. He emphasized the role of family networks in shaping artistic styles.
- Reconstructing Family Networks: Goswamy embarked on a mission to reconstruct the family networks of renowned Indian miniature painters. Notable examples include Pandit Seu and his sons Nainsukh and Manaku, who dominated the Pahari painting scene. Goswamy used a blend of detective work and intuition, leveraging inscriptions on the back of miniatures and 18th-century pilgrim records from Haridwar.
- Expanding Research Scope: Over time, Goswamy broadened his research to encompass various regions across northern to southern India. His work resembled that of Bernard Berenson, who unearthed historical bills of exchange to attribute anonymous canvases.
Back2Basics: Miniature Paintings in India
| History | Characteristics | Prominent Schools/Regions | Notable Patrons | |
| Rajput Miniature Painting | Centuries-old tradition in Rajput courts | Vibrant colors, intricate details, gold leaf | Mewar, Marwar, Bundi | Rajput rulers, nobility |
| Mughal Miniature Painting | Flourished during the Mughal Empire (16th-19th century) | Realistic portrayal, fine lines, historical themes | Mughal Empire | Emperors like Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan |
| Pahari Miniature Painting | Emerged in the Himalayan region, centuries-old | Lyrical, delicate, Radha-Krishna love stories | Basohli, Chamba, Kangra | Regional rulers and nobility |
| Deccani Miniature Painting | Developed under the Deccan Sultanates (late 15th-17th century) | Fusion of Persian and Indian styles, court scenes | Deccan Sultanates | Golconda, Bijapur, Ahmadnagar |
| Bengal Patachitra | Traditional art form of West Bengal | Scroll painting, mythological stories, folklore | West Bengal | Traditional artists |
| Kangra Miniature Painting | Flourished in the Kangra region, 18th century | Soft colors, lyrical compositions, love stories | Kangra | Rulers of Kangra, Nainsukh |
| Tanjore Painting | Originated in the Maratha court of Thanjavur (17th century) | Gold leaf, semi-precious stones, Hindu deities | Tamil Nadu (Thanjavur) | Maratha court of Tanjore |
| Mysore Painting | Flourished in the Kingdom of Mysore, 17th-19th century | Intricate details, bright colors, religious themes | Mysore | Kingdom of Mysore |
| Gond Painting | Traditional art of the Gond tribal community | Vibrant depictions of nature, tribal folklore | Central India (Madhya Pradesh) | Gond tribal community |
| Kalamkari Painting | Centuries-old art form from Andhra Pradesh | Hand-painted or block-printed fabric art | Andhra Pradesh (Tamil Nadu) | Traditional Kalamkari artists |
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Gwalior, Kozhikode join UNESCO Creative Cities Network
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: UNESCO Creative Cities Network
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- Gwalior and Kozhikode from India are among the 55 new cities which have joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
- Earlier, Srinagar was designated the creative city in the field of Crafts and Folk Arts.
Inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network
[A] Gwalior’s Musical Heritage
- Category: Gwalior, located in Madhya Pradesh, earned its spot in the ‘Music’ category, showcasing its rich musical heritage.
- Cultural Significance: Gwalior, home to the Gwalior Gharana and synonymous with musicians like Baiju Bawra and Tansen was acknowledged for being a popular destination for learning Indian classical music from musicians in the Guru-Shishya Parampara.
[B] Kozhikode’s Literary Excellence
- Category: Kozhikode, situated in Kerala, made its mark in the ‘Literature’ category, highlighting its literary achievements.
- Literary Legacy: Kozhikode carried the distinction of of being home to over 500 libraries.
About UNESCO Creative Cities Network
| Purpose | To promote cooperation among cities for cultural and creative industries development |
| Initiation | Established by UNESCO in 2004 |
| Seven Categories | Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, Music, and Crafts & Folk Art |
| Member Cities | Over 250 cities from around the world |
| Objectives | Foster innovation, cultural diversity, and sustainable urban development |
| Activities | Collaborative projects, cultural events, and initiatives |
| Selection Process | Cities apply and are designated by UNESCO based on criteria related to creativity |
| Network Coordination | UNESCO provides coordination and support |
| Impact | Enhances cities’ cultural identity, economy, and international visibility |
| Other Indian Cities in UCCN |
|
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Kathaprasangam: An Art Form’s Century-Long Journey
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kathaprasangam
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- Kathaprasangam began as a medium to narrate stories of oppression, untouchability, and human resilience.
- Today, it finds a place of relevance and renewal in the digital age, captivating audiences, both young and old.
Kathaprasangam
- Kathaprasangam is a stage art form of Kerala, which was popular in the mid-twentieth century.
- Kathaprasangam owes its inception to Kumaranasan (1873-1924), a Malayalam poet who aimed to educate and inspire underprivileged sections of society.
- He sought to propagate the principles of Sree Narayana Guru and his poems.
- It started a century ago, touching on themes of oppression, untouchability, and human triumphs.
- It uses a blend of prose and song, accompanied by a harmonium and tabla, to retell stories.
- Young performers compete in this art form, earning marks that influence their promotions.
- It is celebrated for its ability to communicate with urgency and directness, addressing societal issues.
Relevance in Modern Context
- Kathaprasangam, born out of the fight against casteism and superstitions, holds even more significance today as religious identities are asserted with violence, posing a threat to societal harmony.
- While newer forms of entertainment have gained popularity, they still attract young audiences eager to learn and share stories using new media platforms.
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Colonial and Anti-Colonial Roots of Durga Puja
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Durga Puja
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- India is joyously celebrating the festival of Navratri and Durga Puja.
- While this festival holds deep religious significance, its roots in modern times are intertwined with the colonial era.
Robert Clive and the Mythical Beginning
- Multiple Origin Stories: Durga Puja has various origin stories, with one popular tale linked to the aftermath of the Battle of Plassey in 1757.
- Robert Clive’s Role: Following his victory over Nawab Siraj ud Daula, Robert Clive wished to express gratitude to God. In the absence of a church, Nabakishan Deb, Clive’s Persian translator, suggested offering prayers to Goddess Durga. This marked the initiation of Calcutta’s first Durga Puja.
- Historical Scrutiny: While this narrative is widely known, historical records raise doubts about its accuracy. Nevertheless, it symbolizes the social beginnings of Durga Puja in Calcutta, driven by the connections between Bengali zamindars, merchants, and the East India Company.
Sociological Changes under Colonial Rule
- Rise of Zamindars: With the decline of the Mughal Empire, Bengal’s zamindars, hereditary landowners, gained authority, effectively governing their territories. The Permanent Settlement Act of 1793 formalized their role as intermediaries.
- Emergence of Prosperous Merchants: Calcutta, as a growing urban center, witnessed the swift rise of affluent Bengali merchants during Company rule. Economic opportunities led to rapid wealth accumulation by families like the Tagores and the Mullicks.
- Conspicuous Consumption: Durga Puja became a platform for the nouveau riche to flaunt their affluence. Lavish celebrations, gold-adorned idols, and entertainment from nautch girls characterized these grand events, fostering competition among rival families.
Durga Puja Takes a Nationalistic Turn
- Late 19th-Century Nationalism: In the late 19th century, feelings of nationalism began to surge among the Bengali intelligentsia. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s “Ananda Math,” published in 1882, popularized the phrase “Bande Mataram” and introduced the concept of the “mother” nation.
- Durga as a Symbol: Goddess Durga, revered as “Ma” (mother) Durga, came to symbolize the nation and its potential saviour from foreign rule. Durga Puja became an integral part of the burgeoning nationalist movement.
- Response to Partition: Lord Curzon’s decision to Partition Bengal in 1905 fueled the Swadeshi Movement, with “Bande Mataram” as its rallying cry. Communal festivities, including Durga Puja, played a pivotal role in forging collective consciousness and action.
- Swadeshi Symbolism: Durga Puja underwent a transformation during this period, with advertisements promoting indigenous products and festivities emphasizing indigenous values. British elites became less welcome at the pujas, reflecting a growing sense of nationalism.
Shift towards Public Celebrations
- 1920s Transformation: In the 1920s, public Durga Pujas emerged, marking a shift from exclusive festivals for the wealthy elite to inclusive celebrations for all. The first “sarbojanin” or “universal” Puja was organized in 1926 in Calcutta’s Maniktala area.
- Inclusive Tradition: These public Pujas, organized by locality, welcomed people regardless of their caste or residence. Temporary temples, known as pandals, sprung up in public spaces, making the festivities accessible to a broader audience.
Conclusion
- The evolution of Durga Puja, from its colonial-era origins to a celebration of nationalism and inclusivity, reflects the dynamic nature of culture and society.
- It has transformed from an occasion for the elite to showcase wealth to a festival that unites people across backgrounds, embracing unity in diversity.
- Durga Puja continues to be a cherished tradition that weaves together history, culture, and the essence of Bengal.
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Sammakka-Sarakka University: A Tribute to Tribal Legends
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sammakka-Sarakka Tribal University
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to set up a central Sammakka-Sarakka Tribal University in Telangana.
- The establishment of this University was a commitment made by the Central government under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, of 2014.
- Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were promised support to establish a tribal university each.
Legend of Sammakka and Sarakka
- Sammakka-Sarakka: The university is named after Sammakka-Sarakka, a revered mother-daughter duo among the local tribal community.
- Historical Significance: Sammakka was married to Pagididda Raju, a feudal chief of the Kakatiyas dynasty, and had two daughters, Sarakka and Nagulamma, along with a son named Jampanna. The legend revolves around their battle against local rulers in protest against taxing the Koya people.
- Sammakka Saralamma Jatara: This biennial festival, held in Mulugu, commemorates the 13th-century battle of the mother-daughter duo. It is considered one of the world’s largest tribal gatherings.
- Evolution of the Festival: Initially, only around 2,000 people, primarily from the Koya tribe, attended the festival. However, over time, it transformed into a large Hindu religious event, with millions of devotees attending.
- Political and Social Impact: The festival gained immense political and social significance, leading to its declaration as a state festival in 1996. Infrastructure development, including a motorable road, further boosted its popularity.
Significance of Sammakka and Sarakka
- Massive Footfall: The festival attracts around 1.5 crore devotees from various tribal and non-tribal communities, including those from multiple states such as Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Jharkhand.
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs Participation: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Telangana state government actively participate in the festival, with significant financial support.
- Infrastructure Development: Funds have been allocated for community shelters and infrastructure in and around Medaram, the festival’s location.
- Tribal Circuit Development: The Ministry of Tourism sanctioned funds for the integrated development of the tribal circuit, including the temple of Sammakka-Sarakka.
Significance of Mulugu
- Population and Demographics: Mulugu, a reserved Scheduled Tribes (ST) assembly seat, has a population of approximately 2.6 lakhs, with a 75% ST population as per the 2011 Census.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ramappa Temple, located about 15 km from Mulugu, adds to the area’s cultural richness.
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[pib] Nuakhai Festival
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Nuakhai
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- The Prime Minister has greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Nuakhai.
About Nuakhai
- Nuakhai, also known as Nuakhai Parab or Nuakhai Bhetghat, is alternatively referred to as Navakhai Parv in Chhattisgarh.
- Nuakhai is predominantly an agricultural festival celebrated by tribal communities and Hindus residing in Western Odisha.
- It is also observed in the adjacent regions of Simdega in Jharkhand, where the cultural influence of Western Odisha is prominent.
- Nuakhai is observed to mark the arrival of the new rice harvest.
- The term “nua” signifies new, and “khai” represents food, symbolizing the farmers’ possession of the freshly harvested rice.
- This festival falls on the panchami tithi (the fifth day) of the lunar fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada (usually August- September).
- It occurs the day following the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
Historical Roots
- Nuakhai traces its origins back to ancient times, with its roots in the Pralambana Yajna, which involves harvesting the first crop and making a reverential offering to the mother goddess.
- In its present form, the festival is linked to the time of the first Chauhan King Ramai Deva of Patnagarh in western Odisha.
Course of Celebrations
- Nuakhai festivities encompass a series of nine rituals commencing with Behrana and culminating in Juhar Bhet.
- Beheren: This marks the announcement of the scheduled meeting date.
- Nuakhai: The highlight of the celebration involves partaking in the freshly harvested crop after offering it to the deity, accompanied by lively dancing and singing.
- Juhar bhet: It involves seeking blessings from elders and exchanging gifts with them as a gesture of respect and affection.
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Reviving the Seethakali Folk Art
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Seethakali Folk Art
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Seethakali folk dance of Kerala has been fading from the public domain, and around three decades ago, it was on the verge of extinction.
Seethakali Folk Art
- Seethakali is a traditional folk dance that originates from the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.
- It is performed primarily by Dalit artists from the Veda and Pulaya communities.
Key Features
- Seethakali is a unique form of folk art that combines elements of storytelling dance, drama, and song.
- The central narrative revolves around the epic Ramayana, particularly focusing on the characters of Sita, Ram, and Laxman.
- Artists adorn themselves with eye-catching makeup, traditional ornaments, and elaborate costumes, enhancing the visual appeal of the performance.
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Festivals in news: Pulikkali
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Pulikkali Celebrations, Onam
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- The culmination of Onam festivities witnessed the Pulikkali celebration, a traditional folk art form from Kerala, where humans dressed as tigers and leopards paraded through the streets.
About Pulikkali
- Pulikkali, also known as Tiger Dance, is a unique folk art of Kerala.
- Celebrated on the fourth day of Onam, artists adorn themselves as tigers with distinctive yellow, red, and black stripes, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of traditional percussion instruments like thakil, udukku, and chenda.
- The central theme revolves around tiger hunting, with individuals playing the roles of both the tiger and the hunter.
- It was introduced by Maharaja Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran, the former ruler of Cochin, Pulikkali reflects a rich cultural heritage.
Onam Festival: Key Highlights
- Onam, the most significant celebration in Kerala, holds great cultural importance.
- Occurring at the onset of Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam Calendar, it’s a harvest festival celebrating prosperity.
- The Onam Carnival extends for four to ten days, with Atham (first day) and Thiruonam (tenth day) as the most pivotal.
- A popular belief holds that Onam welcomes King Mahabali’s spirit, who is believed to visit Kerala during this period.
- The festival includes Vallamkali, a thrilling snake boat race ‘Vallamkali’ conducted on the Pampa River.
- Onam showcases Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal, graceful dances performed by women, adding elegance to the celebrations.
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Festivals in news: Muharram and Ashura
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Muharram
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- For the first time in over three decades, the Jammu and Kashmir government permitted a Muharram procession in Srinagar, drawing thousands of Shia mourners on the 8th of Muharram.
- The decision has been widely hailed.
What is Muharram?
- Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and it holds significant religious and historical importance for Muslims worldwide.
- The word “Muharram” itself means “forbidden” in Arabic, signifying the sacred nature of this month.
- It is considered one of the four sacred months in Islam, during which warfare and conflicts are traditionally prohibited.
- It is observed by both Sunni and Shia Muslims (and even Hindus), though it holds different historical and religious significance for each group.
Celebration of Ashura
Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram and is the most significant day within the month.
- Shia Muslims: They commemorate the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, Imam Hussain, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. The prophet’s son-in-law, Ali, and Ali’s elder son, Hassan, are also remembered during this period as having suffered and died. On Ashura, Shia Muslims observe unique mourning rituals, including self-flagellation, chest-beating, and in some cases, forehead cutting using sharpened knives and chains with attached blades. ‘Taziya’, a tableaux procession is also held by the Shia Community.
- Sunni Muslims: Ashura marks the day when Prophet Moses and the Children of Israel were saved from Pharaoh’s tyranny by crossing the Red Sea.
- Hindu community: Some Hindus also observe Muharram by getting themselves painted in tiger stripes, visiting households and performing “huli kunita” as part of their “harake” (vow).
Ashura Celebration in Kashmir
- Ban under Dogra Rulers: During the reign of Dogra rulers, Muharram processions were either prohibited or allowed only at night, citing tensions between Shia and Sunni communities.
- 1920s: In the 1920s, despite the Dogra order for morning processions, mourners marched during the day, with both Shias and Sunnis joining the procession. This became associated with the Muslim freedom struggle in Kashmir.
- Selective Permits: Later, certain individuals and families were issued permits to take out processions, but the main Muharram procession was banned when militancy began.
Significance of allowing processions
- The permission for the Muharram procession in Srinagar after a long ban is a significant milestone, signifying progress towards religious freedom in the region.
- It emphasizes the need to respect the religious sentiments of the people and uphold the values of inclusivity and unity among different communities in the valley.
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Meri Maati Mera Desh Initiative
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Meri Maati Mera Desh Initiative
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- The Union government has launched the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign as a grand culmination of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,’ celebrating 75 years of Indian Independence.
Meri Maati Mera Desh
- This initiative aims to honor and commemorate the sacrifices of martyrs.
- It includes freedom fighters, defense personnel, and members of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and State Police, who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
Five-Point Agenda
- Shilaphalakam Installation: Memorials will be erected, adorned with the names of those who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. The veers (bravehearts) will be remembered and respected for their immense contribution to the country’s freedom, unity, and integrity.
- Pledge of Commitment: A solemn pledge will be taken by people at the memorial sites, reaffirming their unwavering commitment to the nation and its values.
- Vasudha Vandhan: Every gram panchayat or village will participate in ‘Vasudha Vandhan’ by planting 75 saplings of indigenous species, rejuvenating Mother Earth, and developing Amrit Vatikas (Eternal Gardens).
- Veeron Ka Vandan: Freedom fighters and the families of deceased freedom fighters will be honored and felicitated. Retired defense personnel, CAPF, and State Police personnel, along with the families of those who lost their lives in the line of duty, will also receive recognition for their invaluable service to the nation.
- National Flag Hoisting: The National Flag will be proudly hoisted, and the National Anthem will resonate in unison, filling the air with patriotism and pride.
Implementation and Events
- Events will be organized at various levels, from panchayat and village to block, urban local bodies, state, and national levels.
- Soil from every panchayat/village will be collected by young volunteers and brought to the block, from where ‘Mitti Kalash’ (pots of soil) will be ceremoniously transported to Delhi.
- The collected soil will be utilized to create a unique garden, the Amrit Vatika, at the Kartavya Path in Delhi, honoring the heroes of Indian freedom struggle and national integrity.
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Kanwar Yatra: What is it?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kanwar Yatra
Mains level: NA
Central Idea: The Kanwar Yatra, a significant annual pilgrimage, commenced on July 4 and will continue until July 15.
What is Kanwar Yatra?
- This pilgrimage sees millions of devotees, known as Kanwariyas or Kriyas, undertaking a journey to collect water from the Ganga River and offer it to Lord Shiva.
- The Kanwar Yatra symbolizes the unbreakable bond between devotees and Lord Shiva and is considered an act of faith and devotion.
Mythological Origins of Kanwar Yatra
- Samudra Manthan: Kanwar Yatra is believed to have originated from the mythological story of Samudra Manthan, where Lord Shiva consumed poison to save the world. To alleviate the effects of the poison, all the gods poured water from the Ganga River on Lord Shiva.
- King Rama’s Offering: Another version suggests that the ritual of Kanwar Yatra began when King Ram offered water from the Ganga to a statue of Lord Shiva (shivalinga) in an earthen pot.
Customs and Rituals Performed
- Collection of Ganga Water: Devotees, dressed in saffron attire, embark on foot to collect water from the Ganga River at Haridwar, Gomukh, and Gangotri. They carry two earthen pots filled with water, hung on a decorated bamboo stick, which they balance on their shoulders.
- Significance of Purity: Devotees consider it essential to keep the pots from touching the ground or getting contaminated by dust, as it may impure the sacred water.
- Challenging Journey: Kanwariyas undertake the yatra barefoot, covering long distances in challenging terrains and extreme weather conditions.
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The ‘largest’ Hajj Pilgrimage in history begins
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Hajj Yatra
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Historic pilgrimage in Mecca: More than two million Muslims are expected to participate in the annual Hajj pilgrimage, making it a significant religious event.
- Participation of over two million Muslims: The Hajj pilgrimage attracts a massive gathering of Muslims from various countries, all converging in Mecca to fulfill their religious obligations.
What is Hajj Yatra?
- Religious obligation: Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims who possess the physical ability and financial means to undertake the pilgrimage.
- Purpose: Cleanse sins and foster a closer connection with God: The Hajj pilgrimage is seen as a means of purifying oneself from sins and seeking spiritual growth through a profound connection with Allah.
- Dates: 8th to 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Muslim calendar: The Hajj pilgrimage takes place during specific dates in the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, known as Dhu al-Hijjah.
- Variations in date: Since the Islamic lunar calendar is shorter than the Gregorian calendar, the dates of the Hajj pilgrimage vary from year to year.
Historical Background
- Tracing back to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham): The origins of the Hajj pilgrimage can be traced back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim, who was instructed by Allah to build the Kaaba in Mecca, establishing its significance as a sacred site.
- Commanded by Allah to build the Kaaba in Mecca: Prophet Ibrahim received a divine command to construct the Kaaba, a cubic-shaped structure considered the most sacred site in Islam, laying the foundation for the Hajj pilgrimage.
- Gradual dilution of monotheistic nature: Over time, the original monotheistic essence of the Hajj pilgrimage was influenced by various cultural practices and customs, deviating from its original purpose.
- Re-consecration by Prophet Muhammad in 630 AD: Prophet Muhammad, during the conquest of Mecca, reinstated the monotheistic principles of the Hajj pilgrimage, cleansing it from polytheistic elements and restoring its true significance.
Rituals and Ceremonies
- State of ihram: Symbolizing spiritual purity and detachment: Pilgrims enter a state of ihram, a state of ritual consecration, by wearing simple white garments, signifying purity and detachment from worldly distractions.
- Tawaf ritual: Circling the Kaaba seven times while reciting prayers: Pilgrims perform the tawaf, which involves circling the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction, accompanied by recitation of specific prayers and supplications.
- Sa’i: Reenacting Hagar’s search for water for her son Ismail: Pilgrims engage in sa’i, walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah, replicating the journey of Hagar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, in her search for water for her son Ismail.
- Mount Arafat: Seeking forgiveness for sins: Pilgrims gather at the plains of Mount Arafat, spending the day in prayer and reflection, seeking forgiveness for their sins and supplicating to Allah for blessings and mercy.
- Jamarah ritual: Symbolically stoning the devil in the valley of Mina: Pilgrims engage in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing Satan, casting pebbles as a symbolic act of resistance against evil temptations and following the example of Prophet Ibrahim.
- Final circling of the Kaaba and symbolic hair removal: The pilgrimage concludes with a final circumambulation of the Kaaba and the symbolic removal of a lock of hair, symbolizing the completion of the Hajj journey.
Significance of the Event
- Logistical marvel: The Hajj pilgrimage is a massive logistical undertaking, with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah organizing facilities and services to accommodate the millions of pilgrims who arrive in Mecca.
- Quotas based on Muslim population and diplomatic relationships: Quotas are allocated to each country based on factors such as the size of their Muslim population and diplomatic relationships with Saudi Arabia.
- Once in life experience: Participating in the Hajj pilgrimage requires significant financial resources, and many pilgrims save for years to afford the associated costs. They often rely on authorized travel agents who arrange travel, lodging, and food arrangements.
Significance for Saudi Arabia
- Pride and legitimacy: Organizing the Hajj pilgrimage gives Saudi Arabia a sense of pride and legitimacy, as it serves as the custodian of the two holiest sites in Islam, Mecca and Medina.
- Control over sacred mosques: Saudi Arabia’s control over the sacred mosques in Mecca and Medina enhances its position as a leader in the Islamic world and grants the country religious influence.
- Major revenue source: The Hajj pilgrimage serves as a major source of revenue for Saudi Arabia. The influx of pilgrims contributes billions of dollars to the country’s economy through various channels, such as transportation, accommodation, food services, and religious tourism.
- Huge revenues: In recent years, Hajj-related revenues have reached significant levels, with estimates surpassing $150 billion in 2022 alone, making it a crucial economic driver for Saudi Arabia.
Organizing the Pilgrimage: Hajj Quotas
- Logistical challenge for Saudi Arabia: Organizing the Hajj pilgrimage poses a monumental logistical challenge for Saudi Arabia due to the immense scale of the event and the need to ensure the well-being and safety of millions of pilgrims.
- Quotas determined by country-wise allocations: Quotas, or the number of pilgrims allowed from each country, are determined through country-wise allocations, taking into account various factors such as the size of the Muslim population in each country.
- Allocations based on population: The allocation of quotas is influenced by factors such as the size of the Muslim population and an agreement reached in 1987 among member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
- Diplomatic considerations: Diplomatic considerations, such as bilateral relations and negotiations between Saudi Arabia and other countries, also play a role in determining the quotas allocated to each country.
India’s Hajj Quota
- Record number of 175,025 Indian pilgrims in Hajj 2023: India, with the world’s largest Muslim population, has historically received a significant quota for the Hajj pilgrimage.
- Involvement of the Ministry of Minority Affairs and HCoI: The Ministry of Minority Affairs, along with the Haj Committee of India (HCoI), plays a crucial role in managing and coordinating the Hajj pilgrimage for Indian pilgrims.
- 70% quota allocation to HCoI, 30% to private operators: The HCoI is allocated 70% of India’s Hajj quota, allowing them to organize and oversee a significant portion of the pilgrimage. The remaining 30% is allocated to private operators who provide services and packages for Indian pilgrims.
- Abolition of the discretionary quota: Previously, there was a ‘Government discretionary quota’ that reserved 500 slots for government allocation. However, this quota was abolished in January, returning those seats to the general pool for distribution among the pilgrims.
- Draw of lots conducted by states for available slots: In cases where the number of applicants exceeds the available slots, states in India conduct a draw of lots to determine which individuals will be able to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage.
Conclusion
- The Hajj pilgrimage holds immense religious and historical significance for Muslims.
- It represents a journey of faith, unity, and spiritual renewal.
- Saudi Arabia’s role in organizing the Hajj provides the country with pride, legitimacy, and economic benefits.
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Rath Yatra in Puri
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Rath Yatra
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- The Rath Yatra (Chariot Procession), a grand festival held in Puri, Odisha, attracts millions of visitors from around the world.
- This article explores the significance and key elements of the Rath Yatra Festival.
What is Rath Yatra?
- Divine pilgrimage: According to mythology, Lord Jagannath embarks on a nine-day sojourn along with his siblings to his birthplace, the Gundicha Temple.
- The idols’ stay: The deities, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, reside at the Gundicha Temple until the “Bahuda Yatra” (returning car festival) on June 28.
- Procession: The Rath Yatra takes place on the second day of the Odia month of Ashadha Shukla Tithi. It involves a procession of the deities from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
Key attractions
- Decorated chariots: The three enormous chariots, Taladhwaja Rath for Lord Balabhadra, Darpadalan Rath for Goddess Subhadra, and Nandighosa Rath for Lord Jagannath, are crafted with specific colors, dimensions, wooden horses, guardian deities, and charioteers. Skilled artisans use traditional techniques to build these chariots.
- Chhera Panhara Ritual: Before the chariots are pulled, the scion of the erstwhile Puri royal family performs the Chhera Panhara ritual. The king sweeps the chariot floors with a golden broom, emphasizing the dignity of labor and equality before the Lord.
- Present pulling: Puri’s (ceremonial) king, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, has been performing the Chhera Panhara ritual since 1971, highlighting the long-standing tradition.
Significance of the festival
- Devotee participation: The Rath Yatra draws a massive crowd, including foreigners, who flock to witness the grand spectacle.
- Touching the chariot ropes: Devotees strive to touch the ropes of the chariots, as it is believed that the Lord bestows blessings upon those who participate in pulling the chariots.
Return Festival: Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha
- Bahuda Yatra: The return festival takes place on Ashadha Shukla Dasami. The deities are offered a special cake called “Poda Pitha” at the Mausimaa Temple before their journey back to the Jagannath Temple.
- Suna Besha: Following the Bahuda Yatra, the deities are adorned with gold ornaments during the Suna Besha ceremony. Devotees flock to witness this spectacle, where the lords are beautifully decorated with gold.
- Homecoming: Niladri Bije marks the end of the Rath Yatra and symbolizes the homecoming of the deities to the Jagannath Temple.
- Offering to Goddess Laxmi: Devotees offer Rasagola, a sweet dish made of cheese, to appease Goddess Laxmi on behalf of Lord Jagannath. This ritual seeks to pacify the goddess, who is believed to be upset for not being taken on the chariots.
Also read:
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Festivals in news: Pandharpur Wari
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Wari, Warkari
Mains level: Not Much
The Sant Tukaram and Sant Dyaneshwar Palkhi processions started their three-week-long journeys from the temple towns of Dehu and Alandi in Pune.
Pandharpur Wari
- Tradition: The Wari tradition is an 800-year-old pilgrimage in Maharashtra, where devotees, known as Warkaris, undertake a foot journey to the Vithoba temple (Incarnation of Vishnu) in Pandharpur.
- Largest walking event: The event is said to be one of the world’s largest and oldest movements where people gather on one day each year and walk a distance of around 250 km.
- Guinness Record: The Wari has been classified by the World Book of Records as “one of the most visited places in a day”
- Essence of Wakari Panth: The Wari is a ritualistic practice and a distinctive part of Maharashtrian culture, representing the essence of the Wakari Panth, which is a sect within the Bhakti tradition.
- Four Processions: The Wari takes place in four months – Chaitra, Ashadh, Kartik, and Magh. The Ashadhi Ekadashi Wari is the most popular and significant among these processions.
Historical Evolution
- Changed over time: Over the years, the Wari procession has evolved with changing practices, associated legends, and unique systems of organization and management.
- Influence of Sant Dyaneshwar: The Wari tradition can be traced back to Sant Dyaneshwar, the father of Sant Dyaneshwar, who played a pivotal role in promoting the pilgrimage to Pandharpur.
- Legacy of Sant Namdev: Sant Namdev (whose verses find mention in Guru Granth Sahib), a contemporary of Sant Dyaneshwar, also followed the tradition and composed devotional compositions expressing his devotion to Lord Vitthala.
Rituals and Cultural Aspects
- Dindi and Musical Fervor: Dindis, comprising groups of devotees, accompany the palkis during the Wari, singing, chanting, and dancing. Musical instruments like the veena and mridangam enhance the devotional fervor.
- Seva Dindis and Social Initiatives: Seva Dindis perform selfless service along the Wari route, including annadana (donation of food), medical assistance, and rural infrastructure development.
- Social Messaging and Initiatives: The Wari has been utilized as a platform for social messaging and initiatives such as promoting cleanliness through the ‘Nirmal Wari’ campaign and women-centric drives like ‘Wari Nari Shakti’ focusing on menstrual hygiene.
Try this PYQ:
Consider the following pairs:
Traditions Communities
- Chaliha Sahib Festival — Sindhis
- Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra — Gonds
- Wari-Warkari — Santhals
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None of the above
Post your answers here.
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Bihan Mela of Kondh Tribals
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Bihan Mela
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: Since 2019, the Kondh tribe in Nayagarh district, Odisha has been celebrating the Bihan Mela, or the seed festival, to promote the revival of indigenous farming.
Bihan Mela
- This event involves the collection and preservation of indigenous seeds, and farmers from 40 villages in Dasapalla block participate in the festival.
- After harvesting kharif crops, women collect the seeds of indigenous varieties and store them in earthen pots.
- On a designated day in December, they decorate the pots with red and white motifs, place them in a bamboo basket and carry them on their heads to the village where the fair is being organized.
- Men accompany them, beating drums and other traditional instruments.
Objectives
- The seed festival was introduced to help farmers return to their traditional ways of farming, like mixed-cropping, which is more resilient to erratic rainfall and pest attacks.
- In recent years, farmers have abandoned native crops and varieties that are naturally resistant to pests and better suited to the region’s climate.
Commercialization through this festival: Seed Bank
- To facilitate access to indigenous seeds, Nirman, a non-profit that works with the tribe on forest rights and agro-ecological farming, set up a seed bank in Raisar village in 2019.
- The bank collects and preserves indigenous seeds from across Kondh villages and lends those out to farmers.
- The bank now boasts of 62 varieties of paddy, four varieties of millets, five varieties of pulses, and eight vegetables.
- The bank is open to all Kondh farmers and has benefitted 750 families so far.
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Pushkaralu Festival returns to the Ganga after 12 years
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Pushkaran/Pushkarlu Festival
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea: The 12-day Pushkaralu festival of Telugu-speaking people began on April 22 in Varanasi.
Pushkaralu Festival
- Pushkaram is an Indian festival dedicated to worshiping of 12 sacred rivers.
- The celebration happens annually, once in 12 years along each river.
- Each river is associated with a zodiac sign, and the river for each year’s festival is based on which sign Bruhaspathi (Jupiter) was in at the time.
- It is believed that bathing in the sacred river during Pushkaram cleanses the devotees of their sins.
- This year festival involves worshipping ancestors and the river Ganga and is being organised in Kashi after a gap of 12 years.
Why is it celebrated once in 12 years?
- In India, we have 12 major rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Saraswathi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Bhima, Tapati, Tungabhadra, Sindhu, Pranhita for which the Pushkaram festival is celebrated for each river according to the zodiac sign of that river.
- The 12 days after the Jupiter enters that particular zodiac sign will be the Pushkaram/Pushkaralu which is a 12-day festival for that river.
- Hence Pushkaralu comes for every 12 years.
Legend of the Festival
- According to legend, after severe penance, the devotee Pushkara was blessed by Lord Shiva with the ability to live in water and purify holy rivers
- On a request from Bruhaspati (Jupiter), Pushkara decided to enter one of the 12 sacred rivers, including Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, and Krishna, among others
- The river for each year’s festival is decided in accordance with Brihaspati travel from one zodiac sign to another
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Program
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Mera Gaon Mera Dharohar
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea: The government has identified and documented the unique cultural heritage of more than one lakh villages across the country under the National Mission for Cultural Mapping’s Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar programme.
Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar
- The National Mission for Cultural Mapping aims to develop a comprehensive database of art forms, artists, and other resources across the country.
- The programme was launched by the Culture Ministry in 2017 but was handed over to the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) in 2021.
- The programme aims to cover all the 6.5 lakh villages in the country.
Why such a program?
- The program seeks to document the cultural identity at the village level by involving citizens to share what makes their village, block, or district unique.
- The villages have been classified into seven-eight categories based on ecological, developmental, scholastic, historical, and mythological importance.
- The mapping aims to develop a comprehensive database of art forms, artists, and other resources across the country.
Survey process
- The survey process involves a CSC Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) conducting meetings with locals and then uploading interesting facts about their village, its places of interest, customs and traditions, famous personalities, festivals and beliefs, art and culture, etc., on to a special application.
- The IGNCA plans to create special films on 6,500 village clusters showcasing their unique heritage.
- Short films have been made on 750 cluster villages, which have been shot using drones, and the VLEs would upload these videos on the application as well.
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Artform in news: Bidri Crafts
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Bidri Craft
Mains level: NA
Bidri craft artist from Karnataka Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri Award.
Bidri Crafts
- Bidri ware is a traditional form of handicraft that originated in Bidar, Karnataka.
- It involves the crafting of metal wares using a unique technique that incorporates zinc and copper.
Its history
- Bidri ware has a long history that can be traced back to the 14th century.
- It was introduced to Bidar by Persian artisans during the reign of the Bahmani Sultans.
- The craft flourished under the patronage of the Mughal emperors, and it became a symbol of wealth and status.
Crafting process
- The process of making Bidri ware involves several stages. First, a mould is made of the object to be crafted.
- Next, the object is cast in an alloy of zinc and copper.
- The cast object is then filed and polished to remove any rough edges.
- The design is then etched onto the surface of the object using a sharp chisel.
- The etched areas are then filled with a blackened paste made from a mixture of copper sulphate and mud.
- Finally, the object is polished again to remove any excess paste and to create a smooth finish.
Designs and motifs
- Bidriware is known for its intricate designs and motifs, which are often inspired by nature, Islamic art, and Persian calligraphy.
- Common motifs include flowers, leaves, and geometric patterns.
- Many pieces also feature verses from the Quran or other Islamic texts.
Recognition and awards
- Bidri ware has received several awards and recognition for its craftsmanship and cultural significance.
- In 2006, it was awarded the Geographical Indication status by the Indian government, which recognizes its unique origin and traditional crafting techniques.
- Bidriware has also been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
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What are Oscar Awards?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Oscar Award
Mains level: India's cultural prowess and acceptance in the west
A notable Indian song and a documentary has won the Oscar Award this year.
What are Oscar Awards?
- The Oscar Awards, also known as the Academy Awards, are an annual awards ceremony honouring excellence in the film industry.
- The awards are presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), a professional honorary organization of over 9,000 members.
- The first Oscars ceremony was held in 1929, and the awards are now widely considered to be the most prestigious awards in the film industry.
- The ceremony typically takes place in late February or early March, and is broadcast live on television in over 225 countries and territories worldwide.
How are the winners decided?
- Awards are given out in various categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and many more.
- Nominees and winners are chosen by AMPAS members who work in various branches of the film industry, including actors, directors, writers, and producers.
- Winning an Oscar can have a significant impact on a filmmaker’s career, as it is widely seen as a mark of prestige and can lead to increased funding and opportunities for future projects.
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Yaoshang festival begins in Manipur
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Yaoshang Festival
Mains level: NA
The Yaoshang festival, which is Manipur’s version of Holi, has begun.
Yaoshang Festival
- Yaoshang festival is celebrated every year on the full moon of Lamta (February-March) of the Meitei lunar calendar.
- It begins just after sunset followed by Yaosang Mei thaba, also known as Burning of the Straw Hut.
- Children visit neighbours to ask for monetary donations, called nakatheng.
- Yaoshang, unlike Holi, is celebrated with a traditional twist in Manipur.
- During these five days, Manipur comes alive with sporting events during the day and traditional “thabal chongba” dance in the night.
Key feature: Thabal Chongba Dance
- The thabal chongba is a traditional dance of the Meitei, where boys and girls gathered in an open ground and dance in a circle.
- But these days thabal chongba is performed throughout the month of Lamta.
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Folk dance in news: Lavani
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Lavani
Mains level: NA
Central idea: The article is based on the controversy surrounding the Maharashtra folk dance form, Lavani, which has come under criticism for being ‘vulgar’ and ‘obscene’.
What is the Lavani folk art form?
- The word Lavani comes from ‘lavanya’ or beauty.
- Lavani is a traditional folk art form in which women dancers wearing nine-yard-long sarees in bright colours, make-up, and ghunghroos perform on dholak beats on a stage before a live audience.
- As an indigenous art form, Lavani has a history going back several centuries, and it attained particular popularity in the Peshwa era in the 18th century.
- Traditionally, performances were held in front of kings or lords, and for the entertainment of tired soldiers resting during breaks in fighting.
Genres of Lavani
- There are several types of Lavani, of which the most popular is the Shringarik (erotic) kind, in which the lyrics are often teasing, with sensuous dance steps and delicate gestures employed to convey erotic meaning.
- Over the years, Lavani has gained more acceptability among the people, even though certain taboos around it continue.
- The audience has historically been all-male, but in recent years, some women too have begun to attend performances.
Why is it under fire these days?
- Lost its original form: Some also argue that the commercialization of Lavani has led to a loss of authenticity and cultural significance.
- Objectifying women: The criticism of Lavani dance centres on the traditional dance form’s alleged objectification and commodification of women’s bodies.
- Public obscenity: It has been accused of promoting obscenity and vulgarity and reinforcing patriarchal attitudes towards women.
- Communalizing/Stereotyping: Critics have also argued that the dance form perpetuates negative stereotypes of women from marginalized communities, such as the notion that Dalit women are “loose” or sexually promiscuous.
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What are Shaligram Stones?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Shaligram Stone
Mains level: NA
Two sacred Shaligram stones arrived in Ayodhya for crafting the idols of Lord Ram and Janaki at the Ram Temple.
What is a Shaligram Stones?
- Shaligram stones are fossils of ammonite, which is a type of mollusk that lived between 400 million and 65 million years ago.
- They are found in the Shaligram Pilgrimage in the Nepal Himalayas.
- They date specifically from the Early Oxfordian to the Late Tithonian Age near the end of the Jurassic Period some 165-140 million years ago.
- Mostly found in riverbeds or banks of the Kali Gandaki, a tributary of the Gandaki River in Nepal, this stone is revered as a representation of Lord Vishnu.
- The stone is considered to have divine powers and is seen as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Mythological significance
- Historically, the use of shaligrama shilas in worship can be traced to the time of Adi Shankara through the latter’s works.
- Specifically it finds mention in the Taittiriya Upanishad.
- The statue of Vishnu in the Padmanabhaswamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram and Badrinath Temple of Garhwal region, and that of Krishna in Krishna Matha of Udupi and Radha Raman Temple of Vrindavana are also believed to be made from shaligrama shilas.
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Artform in news: Shumang Leela
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Shumang Leela
Mains level: NA
This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in TH.
Shumang Leela
- Shumang Leela is a unique traditional form of theatre in Manipur.
- The tradition is believed to be descended from Lai Haraoba, a ritual of the Meitei community of Manipur.
Types of this dance
Shumang Leela is of two types:
- Nupa Shumang Leela: It performed only by men. Here the roles of women are all played by men, called Nupi Shabis.
- Nupi Shumang Leela: It performed only by women and the roles of men are played by women.
Performance details
- The plays serve as a medium to spread awareness among people of social, political and economic issues. Shumang Leelas may also discuss moral values, unity and integrity.
- This theatre form has for long been trying to strengthen the bond of brotherhood and friendship among various communities in the State.
Significance of the art
- In a society marked by heteronormativity, the gender-bending nature of Shumang Leela makes it a unique art form that is fraught with complexity.
- The men who take up female roles or vice versa are highly appreciated and laughed at.
- The traditional theatre form has preserved its original form, and its aim to inform and entertain has remained unchanged.
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Why was January 26 chosen to be India’s Republic Day?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Poorna Swaraj Declaration
Mains level: Not Much
Since 1950, January 26, Republic Day has marked the day India’s Constitution came into effect.
However, the Constitution was prepared the way before the chosen date, adopted officially by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949.
Why do we celebrate our Republic Day on January 26, then?
- The answer lies in the history of the Indian freedom struggle during which the date held significance since 1930.
- On January 26, 1930, the historic “Poorna Swaraj” declaration was officially promulgated, beginning the final phase of India’s freedom struggle where the goal would be complete independence from British rule.
Republic Day: The context of the 1920s
- The Non-Cooperation Movement ended unceremoniously in February 1922 after the Chauri Chaura incident.
- Mahatma Gandhi, at the time, felt that the country was “not yet ready” for his non-violent methods of protest.
- Thus, the 1920s did not see further mobilisation at the scale that was seen during the Non Cooperation Movement and the anti-Rowlatt Satyagraha.
Precursor to the Poorna Swaraj Demand
- 1920s saw the rise of revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad.
- It witnessed the coming of age of a new generation of Congress leaders such as Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Vallabhai Patel and C Rajagopalachari,
- Hence the 1920s laid the ground for the future course of India’s freedom struggle.
- Notably, in 1927, British Authorities appointed the Simon Commission – a seven-man, all European team under Sir John Simon – to deliberate on political reforms in India.
- This sent a wave of outrage and discontentment across the country.
Nehru Report and its protagonism for Dominion Status
- For the first time since 1922, protests against the Simon Commission spread nationwide, with chants of “Simon Go Back” echoing across the country.
- In response, the INC appointed its own commission under Motilal Nehru.
- The Nehru Report demanded that India be granted dominion status within the Empire.
- In the Balfour Declaration of 1926, dominions were defined as “autonomous communities within the British Empire, equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs.
- Dominions were to be united by a common allegiance to the Crown and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations.
Do you know?
In 1926, countries like Canada, Australia and New Zealand were granted dominion status.
Internal disagreement within the Congress over Dominion Status
- Crucially, even within Congress, the (Motilal) Nehru Report did not enjoy universal support.
- Young leaders such as Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru wanted India to break all ties with the British Empire.
- They argued that under dominion status, while India would enjoy a certain level of autonomy, the British Parliament and Crown would still have the ability to meddle in Indian affairs.
- Importantly, for both Bose and Nehru, attaining dominion status would make India party to colonial exploitation elsewhere in the British Empire, mainly Africa.
- With a far more radical worldview than their predecessors, Bose and Nehru looked at anti-colonialism not only as a local political issue for India but in a more global lens.
- However, Gandhi was still very much for dominion status, arguing that it would be a welcome step in India’s anti-colonial struggle. His views would soon change.
Irwin’s retreat from the Dominion status promise
- In 1929, Viceroy Irwin had vaguely announced that India would be granted dominion status in the future.
- Known as the Irwin Declaration, it was warmly welcomed by Indians but faced massive backlash back in Britain.
- The British population was still pro-Empire and India was seen as the Empire’s Crown Jewel.
- Importantly, as the world economy went into a recession, India was arguably Britain’s most valuable colony with its vast land, resources, and population crucial for its economy.
- Thus, under pressure from back home, Irwin went back on his word.
Realizing the bluff
- In a meeting with Gandhi, Muslim League’s Jinnah and a few other leaders, he said that he could not promise India dominion status any time soon.
- This would be a turning point as the Congress grew increasingly united on the issue.
- With the British unable to follow through on even reasonable reforms, Indians supported increasingly “radical” goals – a fully independent republic being one of the first.
Declaration of Poorna Swaraj
- The Lahore Session of the INC convened in December 1929.
- On December 19, the historic “Poorna Swaraj” resolution was passed in the session.
- This declaration of Independence was officially promulgated on January 26, 1930.
- The Congress urged Indians to come out and celebrate “independence” on that day.
- The Indian tricolour was hoisted across the country by Congress party workers and patriotic songs were sung as the country reconfigured its strategy for Independence.
- It is with this declaration that India’s national movement “shifted from the language of charity to the language of justice.”
Republic Day in post-Independence India
- From 1930 till India finally won its independence in 1947, January 26 was celebrated as “Independence Day” or “Poorna Swaraj Day” with Indians reaffirming their commitment towards sovereignty on that day.
- However, India won independence from the British on August 15, exactly two years after the Japanese surrendered to the Allies to end World War II.
- When leaders had to decide on a day to promulgate India’s new constitution, January 26 was thought to be ideal.
- Not only did this date already hold nationalist significance, the Constitution in many ways reflected the “Poorna Swaraj” declaration of two decades back.
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[pib] Channapatna Toys
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Channapatna Toys
Mains level: NA
Augmented Reality of Channapatna Toys were displayed at First Movers Coalition (FMC) Leadership Meeting of the World Economic Forum.
Channapatna Toys
- Channapatna toys are a particular form of wooden toys (and dolls) that are manufactured in the town of Channapatna in the Ramanagara district of Karnataka.
- This traditional craft is protected as a geographical indication (GI) under the World Trade Organization, administered by the state govt.
- As a result of the popularity of these toys, Channapatna is known as Gombegala Ooru (toy-town) of Karnataka.
- Traditionally, the work involved lacquering the wood of the Wrightia tinctoria tree, colloquially called Aale mara (ivory-wood).
- Their manufacture goes back at least 200 years according to most accounts and it has been traced to the era of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the 18th century.
- The toys are laced with vegetable dyes and colours devoid of chemicals and hence they are safe for children.
Back2Basics: Geographical Indication (GI)
- A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
- Nodal Agency: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 w.e.f. September 2003.
- GIs have been defined under Article 22 (1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
- The tag stands valid for 10 years.
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Ancient Votive Stupas found near Nalanda
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Stupa Art
Mains level: Not Much
The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered two 1200-year-old miniature votive stupas during landscaping activities near Sarai Tila mound on the premises of ‘Nalanda Mahavihara’, a world heritage site in Nalanda district.
What has ASI found?
- The stupas, carved from stone, depict Buddha figures.
- These two votive stupas (offered in fulfillment of a vow) were discovered by the ASI officials during landscaping near Sarai Tila mound within the premises of ‘Nalanda Mahavihara on January 4.
- These, carved from stone depicting Buddha figures, must be around 1200 year old.
What are Stupas?
- The Sanskrit word stupa signifies “heap, mound, and pile” and is derived from the root ‘stup’ “to pile up.”
- The ashes of Buddha collected were divided into eight parts and stupa was erected on them.
- The legend of relic sharing has been imagined latter on, after the establishment of relic worship and stupa.
- This belief was raised only when the Buddha was considered as a God, a Chakravartin.
Types of Stupa
- Buddha himself distinguished three kinds of stupa (Chaitya): (i) Sariraka, (ii) Paribhogika and (iii) Uddesika (according to Mahaparinibbanasutta).
- Beside all these, there are also the sculpted, engraved painted stupas intended to procure merit for the donors.
- Mostly stupa is containing a relic, that the stupa must have been considered from ancient times as a substitute of the Buddha.
- In Buddhist history, the Buddha was considered to be a Chakravartin, a universal monarch.
How votive stupas were erected?
- As his ashes were no longer available, they were replaced by his written law –i.e. factitious body of the Buddha (Niramanakaya), the relic stupas contain the spiritual relics (Dharama Sarira) and the body of law (Dharamakaya) of these represented as Buddha.
- These stupas erected over relics are called Sariraka Stupas.
- Other stupas called Paribhogika were erected over objects used by the Buddha, such as his bowl, girdle, clothes etc.
- Others called Uddesika(votive) were raised over places which were made famous by the presence of Buddha (Buddha’s presence). These are commemorative stupas.
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Maghi Mela in Punjab
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Maghi Mela
Mains level: Read the attached story
Maghi Mela is being celebrated from January 14.
Maghi Mela
- Maghi Mela is held in the holy city of Sri Muktsar Sahib every year in January, or on the month of Magh according to the Nanakshahi calendar.
- It is one of the most important festivals for Sikhs.
- Today, the Mela starts on Maghi day and continues for another day or two.
- People from different parts of the state and even outside come to Muktsar to take a holy dip in the sarovar (lake) of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib and enjoy the festivities.
- The festival marks the martyrdom of 40 Sikh soldiers in the Battle of Khidrana against the Mughals.
- In the 1700s, the Mughals and Sikhs were at constant war with each other.
About Battle of Khidrana
- In 1704, during the siege of Anandpur Sahib by the Mughals, 40 Sikh soldiers deserted their posts and fled.
- Upon arriving at their village near Amritsar, a woman named Mai Bhago scolded them and rallied the fighters to return to Anandpur Sahib in the service of their Guru.
- The freshly motivated soldiers along with Mai Bhago set off towards Anandpur Sahib to help Guru Gobind Singh hold fort against the Mughals.
- They met the Guru at Khidrana where they took on a large Mughal army, sacrificing their lives in the process.
Political significance of the Maghi Mela
- Back in the day, people would arrive in the city days before the actual Maghi day.
- In the evenings, there would be kavi darbars (poetry sessions) where politicians would speak.
- This is likely how the political conferences, which can be traced back to the mid-1950s, started.
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In news: Gangasagar Mela
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Gangasagar Festival
Mains level: Not Much
Lakhs of pilgrims are descending on Sagar Island in the southernmost tip of West Bengal for the annual Gangasagar Mela, being held between January 12 and 14, to celebrate Makar Sankranti.
What is Gangasagar Mela?
- Every year during Gangasagar mela, devotees from all over the country gather at the confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal to take a sacred dip during Makar Sankranti (mid-January).
- The mela is said to be India’s second largest pilgrimage gathering after the Kumbh Mela.
- Gangasagar, the largest and the oldest living tradition in Bengal, has been mentioned in Indian epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata, putting its existence as early as 400 BCE.
- Legends suggest that the first Kapil Muni’s temple was constructed by Queen Satyabhama in 430 AD, and the present idol was established by Swami Ramanand in 1437, marking the beginning of a pilgrimage that remains timeless till today.
About Sagar Island
- Sagar Island is an island in the Ganges delta, lying on the Continental Shelf of Bay of Bengal about 100 km (54 nautical miles) south of Kolkata.
- This island forms the Sagar CD Block in the Kakdwip subdivision of South 24 Parganas district in the Indian State of West Bengal.
- Although Sagar Island is a part of the Sundarbans, it does not have any tiger habitation or mangrove forests or small river tributaries as is characteristic of the overall Sundarban delta.
- This island is a place of Hindu pilgrimage.
- Every year on the day of Makar Sankranti (14 January), hundreds of thousands of Hindus gather to take a holy dip at the confluence of river Ganges and Bay of Bengal and offer prayers (puja) in the Kapil Muni Temple.
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Discretionary Haj Quota in India
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Haj Pilgrimage
Mains level: Promoting religious tourism
The Union Minister for Minority Affairs has done away with the discretionary Haj quota for pilgrims, in keeping with Prime Minister’s resolve to end VIP culture in the country.
About Haj Pilgrimage
- The holy Haj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims.
- It is considered to be a mandatory religious duty for all adult Muslims physically and financially capable of doing so.
- The rites of pilgrimage are performed over five to six days, in Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.
How is it managed?
- For the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the pilgrimage poses a massive logistical challenge.
- Housing, feeding and facilitating safe pilgrimages for millions of pilgrims who descend upon Mecca from across the world during a brief period of time is difficult, to say the least.
- Thus, Saudi Arabia allots country-wise quotas which determine the total number of pilgrims who can make a journey from a particular country.
- These quotas are broadly allotted on the basis of the number of Muslims a country houses. However, the quotas are also major diplomatic issues.
- Every year, countries lobby Saudi Arabia for more slots. After a Covid-19-related lull, the pilgrimage will resume at its full scale in 2023.
How India manages this?
- India signed the Haj 2023 bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia.
- According to the agreement, a total of 1,75,025 Indian Haj pilgrims will be able to perform Haj, reportedly the highest in history.
- This quota allotted to India is then further distributed by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) to various stakeholders.
- According to the 2018-22 policy document, 70 per cent of India’s total quota goes to the HCoI and 30 per cent goes to private operators.
Distribution of Quotas
- Out of the total number of slots with the HCoI, 500 are held under the Government discretionary quota whereas the rest are distributed to different states on the basis of their Muslim population.
- A draw of lots is conducted in each state to determine who makes the journey in case the number of applicants exceed the number of slots available.
What are the haj discretionary quotas?
- The “Government discretionary quota” is further divided in two, 200 seats are with the Haj Committee itself and 300 are with people holding important offices at the Centre. These include,
- 100 with the President
- 75 with the Prime Minister
- 75 with the Vice President
- 50 with the Minister of Minority Affairs
- As per the old policy, these seats could be allocated to individuals who applied for the pilgrimage through normal means but were unsuccessful in getting a slot for the pilgrimage.
- This quota has now been abolished with these seats being added back to the general pool.
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Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Root bridges of Meghalaya
Mains level: Not Much
This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in TH.
Living Root Bridges
- A living root bridge is a type of simple suspension bridge formed of living plant roots by tree shaping.
- They are common in the southern part of the Northeast Indian state of Meghalaya. Such a bridge is locally called jingkieng jri.
- They are handmade from the aerial roots of rubber fig trees (Ficus elastic) by the Khasi and Jaintia peoples of the mountainous terrain along the southern part of the Shillong Plateau.
- Most of the bridges grow on steep slopes of subtropical moist broadleaf forest between 50m and 1150m above sea level.
Why is it so unique?
- As long as the tree from which it is formed remains healthy, the roots in the bridge can naturally grow thick and strengthen.
- New roots can grow throughout the tree’s life and must be pruned or manipulated to strengthen the bridge.
- Once mature some bridges can have as many as 50 or more people crossing, and have a lifespan of up to 150 years.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Ottanthullal Artform of Kerala
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Ottanthullal
Mains level: NA
A renowned folk artist has expressed his angst over the fading participation of students in Ottanthullal Artform.
What is Ottanthullal?
- Ottanthullal (or Thullal, in short) is recite-and-dance art-form of Kerala.
- It was introduced in the 18th century by the famous Malayalam poet Kunchan Nambiar (1705 – 1770).
- It is famous for its humour and social satire, and marked by its simplicity as opposed to more complex dance-forms like Kathakali and Koodiyattam.
Unique features
- Ottanthullal follows the classical principles of Natyasasthra (a treatise on art compiled in the 2nd century B.C.E).
- It is enacted into three separate versions
- Ottanthullal
- Seethankan thullal
- Parayan thullal
- The Ottanthullal is the most popular among the three varieties of Thullal.
How is it performed?
- The performance uses elaborate expressions and stories recited in verses to bring important mythological tales and stories to life.
- The costume and makeup of the performer are similar to that of a Kathakali artist.
- It is performed at temple festivals and cultural programmes.
- The performer is supported by a singer who repeats the verses and is accompanied by an orchestra of mridangam or thoppimaddalam (percussions) and cymbals.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Sagol Kangjei: Ancient Polo of Manipur
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sagol Kangjei
Mains level: Not Much
It is believed that Sagol Kangjei, the modern-day Polo game originated in Manipur.
Sagol Kangjei
- Modern polo is said to have originated from Sagol Kangjei, a sport indigenous to Manipur.
- In this players ride horses, specifically the Manipur Ponies, which are referenced in records dating back to the 14th century.
Conserving the breed: Manipur Pony
- The Manipur Pony is one of five recognised equine breeds of India, and has a powerful cultural significance for Manipuri society.
- The pony has been indispensable with Manipuri society for its socio-cultural association for centuries.
- Its antecedents, however, are not clear, as one source stated Tibetan ponies as its ancestors while another source stated its origin to be a cross between Mongolian wild horse & Arabian.
- The 17th Quinquennial Livestock Census 2003 had recorded 1,898 Manipur Ponies; the number fell to 1,101 in the 19th Quinquennial Livestock Census in 2012.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Dhokra Art of West Bengal
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Dhokra Art
Mains level: Not Much
This newscard is an excerpt from the articles published in TH.
Do you know?
The dancing girl from Mohenjo-Daro (c. 2300 – 1750 BCE) is not just the most famous piece of art from the Harappan Civilisation, it is also one of the finest examples of metal art from that period.
But did you know that this world-famous figurine is also the oldest example of a unique metal casting tradition called Dhokra that survives to this day in parts of India?
Dhokra Art
- Named after a nomadic tribe called ‘Dhokra Damar’, the art of Dhokra was originally found in the region from Bankura to Dariapur in Bengal, and across the metal-rich regions of Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.
- Today, it is practiced in the tribal belt across present-day Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.
- The Dhokra artistes first make a clay model out of wax, which is then replaced with molten metal, either brass or bronze, through a lost-wax metal cast.
What is Dhokra?
- Dhokra is a metal casted art that uses the ancient lost-wax casting technique.
- This art is said to be the first of its kind to use a non-ferrous metal like copper and its alloys – brass (a mix of zinc and copper) or bronze (tin and copper) which do not contain iron.
- It uses the process of annealing, where a metal is heated to very high temperatures and allowed to cool slowly.
- The casting is done using two kinds of processes – the traditional, hollow-casting method and solid casting. Solid casting is predominant in Telangana, whereas hollow casting is used in Central and Eastern India.
Symbolism of Dhokra
- With its roots in ancient civilisations, Dhokra represents a primitive lifestyle and the beliefs of people, going back to the age of hunting.
- This is why figures of elephants, owls, horses and tortoises are commonly seen in Dhokra art.
- The elephant symbolises wisdom and masculinity; the horse motion; owl prosperity and death; and the tortoise femininity.
- In Hindu mythology, these iconic symbols also have stories behind them.
- The world is imagined to rest on four elephants, standing on the shell of a tortoise.
- The tortoise, considered as an avatar of Lord Vishnu, carries the world on his back, holding up the earth and the sea.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
In news: Hornbill Festival
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Hornbill Festival
Mains level: NA
The logo for India’s upcoming G20 presidency was officially unveiled recently at the Hornbill festival in Nagaland.
What is Hornbill Festival?
- The Hornbill Festival is a celebration held every year from 1 – 10 December, in Kohima, Nagaland.
- The festival was first held in the year 2000.
- It is named after the Indian hornbill, the large and colourful forest bird which is displayed in the folklore of most of the state’s tribes.
- Festival highlights include the traditional Naga Morungs exhibition and the sale of arts and crafts, food stalls, herbal medicine stalls, flower shows and sales, cultural medley – songs and dances, fashion shows etc.
About Great Indian Hornbill
IUCN status: Vulnerable (uplisted from Near Threatened in 2018), CITES: Appendix I
- The great hornbill (Buceros bicornis) also known as the great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill, is one of the larger members of the hornbill family.
- The great hornbill is long-lived, living for nearly 50 years in captivity.
- It is predominantly fruit-eating, but is an opportunist and preys on small mammals, reptiles and birds.
- Its impressive size and colour have made it important in many tribal cultures and rituals.
- A large majority of their population is found in India with a significant proportion in the Western Ghats and the Nilgiris.
- The nesting grounds of the birds in the Nilgiris North Eastern Range are also believed to support some of their highest densities.
Their ecological significance
- Referred to as ‘forest engineers’ or ‘farmers of the forest’ for playing a key role in dispersing seeds of tropical trees, hornbills indicate the prosperity and balance of the forest they build nests in.
Threats
- Hornbills used to be hunted for their casques — upper beak — and feathers for adorning headgear despite being cultural symbols of some ethnic communities in the northeast, specifically the Nyishi of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Illegal logging has led to fewer tall trees where the bird’s nest.
Try this PYQ:
In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the ‘Great Indian Hornbill’ in its natural habitat? (CSP 2016)
(a) Sand deserts of northwest India
(b) Higher Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir
(c) Salt marshes of western Gujarat
(d) Western Ghats
Post your answers here.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
‘French Baguette’ gets UNESCO heritage status
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: UNESCO ICH, Baguette
Mains level: NA
Baguette the staple French bread has been inscribed into the UN’s list of intangible cultural heritage (ICH).
What is a Baguette?
- The baguette is a long and thin loaf made of flour, water, salt and yeast, and is consumed as a staple in France.
- Some believe that it was invented by August Zang, a baker and an entrepreneur from Vienna in 1839, who introduced the world to the taste of crusty bread with softer insides, using a steam oven.
- It gained its official name in 1920.
- The history of the bread is uncertain, some also believe that Napoleon Bonaparte ordered thin sticks of bread for consumption by his soldiers as they could be carried from one place to another more conveniently.
Why did France nominate it for the UN list?
- About 10 billion baguettes are consumed every year in France by a population of 67 million.
- It drew attention to the steady decline in the number of bakeries in the country as around 20,000 of them have closed down since 1970.
- In March 2021, France nominated the baguette as its candidate for consideration within the UNESCO ICH list.
- In 1970, there were 55,000 artisanal bakeries (one for every 790 residents) compared with 35,000 today (one for every 2,000), often in favour of baguettes produced industrially.
Back2Basics: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)
- ICH means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated with them that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as a part of their cultural heritage.
- Furthermore, its importance is not in the cultural manifestation itself, but in the wealth of knowledge, know-how and skills that are transmitted from one generation to the next.
- The adoption of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the ICH by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2003 was a crucial step towards preserving intangible heritage.
- UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was established in the year 2008.
Criteria for the selection
- There are three criteria for an intangible cultural heritage to be inscribed in the United Nations list.
- The entity must-
- be recognized by communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals as part of their cultural heritage,
- be transmitted from generation to generation and be constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history and
- provide them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity
India’s ICH on the UNESCO list
- Sangeet Natak Akademi is the nodal organisation which looks after this function, and files nominations of intangible cultural entities from India, for evaluation by the international body.
- ICG from India include Kolkata’s Durga Puja (2021), Kumbh Mela (2017), Navroz (2016), Yoga (2016), traditional brass and copper craft of utensil-making among coppersmiths of Punjab (2014), Sankirtana, a ritual musical performance of Manipur (2013), and the Buddhist chanting of Ladakh (2012).
- Before 2011, the list included Chhau dance, Kalbelia folk songs and dance of Rajasthan, and Mudiyettu, a dance drama from Kerala (2010), Ramman, a religious festival and theatre performance of Garhwal in the Himalayas (2009), and Kutiyattam or Sanskrit theatre, and Vedic chanting (2008).
- Ramlila, a traditional performance of Ramayana, was also included in 2008.
- This year, India nominated Garba, a traditional dance form that originated in the state of Gujarat, for inscription on UNESCO’s ICH list.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Festival in news: Cuttack Baliyatra
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Bali Yatra
Mains level: Not Much
In his address to the Indian diaspora in Bali on the sidelines of the G20 summit, PM Modi mentioned the annual Baliyatra on the banks of the Mahanadi in Cuttack, which celebrates the ancient trade relations between India and Indonesia.
Baliyatra
- Baliyatra/ Balijatra, literally ‘voyage to Bali’, is one of India’s largest open-air fairs.
- It is organised every year to commemorate the 2,000-year-old maritime and cultural links between ancient Kalinga (today’s Odisha) and Bali and other South and Southeast Asian regions.
Origins of the festival
- The origins of the festival, which begins on Kartik Purnima (full moon night in the month of Kartik) can be traced back more than 1,000 years.
- The Bay of Bengal region had several ports, and sadhavas (traders) traditionally began their voyage across the sea on this auspicious day, when the winds were favourable for the boats, known as boita, to sail.
- The traders would set sail to distant lands of Bali, as well as Java (at the time of the voyage known as “Yawadvipa”), Sumatra, Borneo (all in Indonesia), and Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) for trade and cultural expansion.
- According to historians, popular items of trade between Kalinga and Southeast Asia included pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, silk, camphor, gold, and jewellery.
- Even today, thousands of people across Odisha sail decorative miniature boats made of banana stems, paper, or thermocol to celebrate boita bandana, or the worshipping of the boats.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Handloom in news: Patan Patola
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Patan Patola
Mains level: Not Much
At the G20 summit, Prime Minister gifted traditional artworks from Gujarat- the ‘Patan Patola’ scarf to his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni.
What is Patan Patola?
- The ancient art of double ikat or Patola woven in pure silk dates back to the 11th century.
- The Patola fabrics bear an equal intensity of colours and design on both sides.
- This peculiar quality has its origins in an intricate and difficult technique of dyeing or knot dyeing, known as ‘bandhani’, on the warp and weft separately before weaving.
How is it woven?
- Patola is woven on primitive hand-operated harness looms made out of rosewood and bamboo strips. The loom lies on a slant.
- The other commonly worn Patola is the Rajkot Patola, woven on a flat loom.
- The process involves warp and weft silk threads that are tied with cotton thread on portions marked with the proposed design.
- This tied portion then remains unexposed to colours while dyeing, which is followed by tying, untying, redyeing and dyeing in different shades.
- Single and primary colours are applied one after another as mixed shades develop by overlapping. This makes the design stand out.
Who weaves it?
- The last surviving family into Patola weaving is the Salvi family in Patan.
- From the oldest 70-year-old Rohit to the youngest 37-year-old Savan, the entire nine member-family of five men and four women is engaged with this art form.
- The Salvi family shared that before World War II, Indonesia was the major buyer of Patolas.
- Legend has it that King Kumarpal of the Solanki dynasty invited some 700 families of Patola weavers from Jalna (Maharashtra) to settle in Patan in North Gujarat, and the Salvis are among them.
- The family has also been honoured with several national awards.
How costly it is?
- While possessing and wearing a Patola is considered a matter of pride, the fabric has largely remained inaccessible to common people because of its high price.
- The base price of a Patola saree in the Patan weave starts from Rs 1.5 lakh up and can go up to Rs 6 lakh.
- A typical 46-inch dupatta or scarf sells in the range of Rs 80,000, depending on the intricacy of the design.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
In news: Wangala Dance of Garo Tribe
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Wangala Dance, Harvest festivals of India
Mains level: Not Much
This newscard is an excerpt from a picture in the print edition of TH.
Wangala Dance
- Wangala is also called the festival of “The Hundred Drums“.
- It is a harvest festival celebrated by the Garo tribe in Meghalaya, Nagaland and Assam and Greater Mymensingh in Bangladesh.
- In this post-harvest festival, they give thanks to Misi Saljong the sun god, for blessing the people with a rich harvest.
- Wangala is celebrated in the months from September to December, with different villages setting different dates for the occasion.
Course of celebration
- The ceremony performed on first day is known as “Ragula” is performed inside the house of the chief.
- On the second day is known as “Kakkat“.
- Folks dressed in their colorful costumes with feathered headgears dance to the tune of music played on long oval-shaped drums.
- While the men beat the drums, the line moves forward in rhythmic accord.
- The ‘orchestra’ of men includes drums, gong and flutes, punctuated by the sonorous music of an primitive flute made of buffalo horn.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Arts in news: Tambo Art
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Tambo Art
Mains level: NA
Wayanad farmer creates Ashoka Chakra using Tambo art.
What is Tambo Art?
- Tambo art is an artistic technique that consists of creating a design with different varieties of rice directly in a rice field.
- The origin of this art can be traced to Japan where people plant paddy of various varieties and hues to create the desired images.
- The image of Ashoka Chakra has been created using four varieties of paddy seeds such as Nazar bath, Kala bath, Kaki sala and Ramlee.
- They will ripen in shades that range from brown to golden, light brown to black, green to black and green to white and black.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
The Art of Bhoota Kola
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Bhoota Kola
Mains level: NA
There has been a controversy over the folk art of Bhoota Kola recently depicted in a famous Kannada movie.
What is Bhoota Kola?
- Bhoota Kola is an animistic ritual dance performance where local spirits or deities are worshipped.
- It is believed that a person performing the ritual has temporarily become a god himself.
- This performer is both feared and respected in the community and is believed to give answers to people’s problems, on behalf of the god.
- There are several ‘Bhootas’ who are worshipped in the Tulu-speaking belt of Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi districts.
- It is usually performed in small local communities and rural areas.
How is it performed?
- The Kola (or dance performance for the Gods) is basically performed in an area near the temple of the village deity which is usually close to large open fields.
- The ritual involves music, dance, recital, and elaborate costumes.
- Recitals in Old Tulu recount the origins of the deity and tell the story of how it came to the present location.
- The divine medium start their traditional performances as the local folklore called ‘paddanas’ are recited.
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Artforms in news: Yakshagana dance
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Yakshagana
Mains level: Not Much
This newscard is an excerpt of the original article published in TH.
What is Yakshagana?
- Yakshagana is a traditional theater, developed in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and western parts of Chikmagalur districts, in the state of Karnataka and in Kasaragod district in Kerala.
- It emerged in the Vijayanagara Empire and was performed by Jakkula Varu.
- It combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form.
- Towards the south from Dakshina Kannada to Kasaragod of Tulu Nadu region, the form of Yakshagana is called as ‘Thenku thittu’ and towards north from Udupi up to Uttara Kannada it’s called as ‘Badaga Thittu‘.
- It is sometimes simply called “Aata” or āṭa (meaning “the play”). Yakshagana is traditionally presented from dusk to dawn.
- Its stories are drawn from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata and other epics from both Hindu and Jain and other ancient Indic traditions.
Try this question from CSP 2017:
Q.With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:
- It is a song and dance performance.
- Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
- It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3.
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 only
Post your answers here.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
What is ‘Mandala’ in Art?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Mandala Art
Mains level: Not Much
Some residents of Liverpool in the UK are marveling over a mandala art the size of one and a half football pitches in length created by artist James Brunt with materials such as leaves and rocks.
What is Mandala Art?
- Literally meaning “circle” or “centre” in Sanskrit, a mandala art is defined by a geometric configuration that usually incorporates the circular shape in some form.
- Mandala patterns are a centuries-old motif that are used to depict the cosmos, and have been adapted by artists the world over, each of whom have added their own interpretation and painted it as their own.
- While it can also be created in the shape of a square, a mandala pattern is essentially interconnected.
Its origin
- It is believed to be rooted in Buddhism, appearing in the first century BC in India.
- In Hinduism, the mandala imagery first appeared in Rig Veda (1500 – 500 BCE).
- Over the next couple centuries, Buddhist missionaries travelling along the Silk Road took it to other regions.
- By the sixth century, mandalas have been recorded in China, Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Tibet.
The meaning of the motif
- It is believed that by entering the mandala and moving towards its center, one is guided through the cosmic process of transforming the universe .
- It depicts transition from one of suffering to that of joy.
- A traditional Buddhist mandala, a circular painting drawn with coloured sand, aided in meditation, with the main objective of aiding its creator to discover their true self.
- In Hinduism, a mandala or yantra is in the shape of a square with a circle at its center.
- There are various elements incorporated within the mandala, each of which has its own meaning.
- For instance, the eight spokes of the wheel (the dharmachakra) represent the eightfold path of Buddhism, the lotus flower depicts balance, and the sun represents the universe.
- Facing up, triangles represent action and energy, and facing down, they represent creativity and knowledge.
Mandala in modern Indian art
- Deep-rooted in ancient philosophy, the mandala has attained varied forms in the hands of modern and contemporary Indian artists.
- While it continues to appear in thangka paintings, it has a central place in the practice of mainstream artists associated with the tantric and neo-tantric spiritual movements.
- Choosing to transition from the more figurative depictions of the previous generations of Indian artists, in the 1960s Sohan Qadri and Prafulla Mohanty gained widespread recognition for their works.
- Their work is imbibed in tantric symbolism, such as mandalas that are also used in the rituals of tantric initiation.
- Geometric compositions also dominated works of artists such as Biren De, GR Santosh, Shobha Broota, and famously SH Raza, who visualised the bindu as the center of his universe and the source of energy and life.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Historical and cultural connections between India and Thailand
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Read the attached story
Mains level: India- SE Asia Cultural Linkages
As part of his visit to Thailand for the ninth India-Thailand joint commission meeting, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited a temple in Bangkok.
Why in news?
- The temple is the Royal Brahmin Office of the Thai Royal Court and is the official centre of Hinduism in Thailand.
- It highlights the long history of cultural contacts between India and Thailand.
Making of ‘Greater India’ in Southeast Asia
- India and the Southeast Asia region share a long history of cultural and commercial relations.
- The classical Sanskrit and Pali texts from India carry references of the region using various names such as Kathakosha, Suvarnabhumi (the land of god) or Suvarnadvipa (the golden island), indicating that this was a region that attracted Indian merchants.
- Trade in spices, aromatic wood and most importantly gold is known to have flourished.
- In more recent times, European and Indian scholars have referred to Southeast Asia as ‘Farther India’, ‘Greater India’, or ‘Hinduised or Indianized states’.
What one mean by ‘Farther India’?
- The first person to do an in-depth study of the process of ‘Indianisation’ in Southeast Asian countries was a French scholar named George Coedes.
- He coined the term ‘Farther India’ to refer to those states that experienced “the civilizing activity of India’.
- Geographically, it refers to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and the Malay states.
- The Sanskrit, Buddhist, and Jain texts indicate that interactions between the two regions go back more than two thousand years ago, mainly through sea voyages and that trade played an important role.
- They were also accompanied by Brahmin priests, Buddhist monks, scholars and adventurers and all of them played an important role in the transmission of Indian culture to the natives of Southeast Asia.
- Some of the merchants and Brahmin priests married the local girls and were often employed by the local rulers.
Limitations to Indian influence
- Indian expansion into Southeast Asia cannot be compared to European colonization since Indians were not complete strangers to the population of Southeast Asia and had pre-existing trade relations.
- In the early 20th century, the nationalist historians of India frequently referred to the ancient Indian kingdoms in Southeast Asia as its ‘colony’.
- Historian RC Majumdar noted that the Hindu colonists brought with them the whole framework of their culture and civilization.
- This was transplanted in its entirety among the people who had not emerged from their primitive barbarism.
- More recently the colonization theory has been rejected on the ground that there is very little evidence of conquest or direct political influence in the ancient Southeast Asian kingdoms.
Visible cultural influence
- The first Indian kingdom to come up in Southeast Asia was Funan, which is the predecessor of modern Cambodia and Lin-yi in southern Vietnam, both of which came up in the second century CE.
- Contemporary Southeast Asian society carries several pieces of evidence of the cultural impact of these interactions.
- Many local languages in the region, including Thai, Malay, and Javanese contain words of Sanskrit, Pali and Dravidian origin in significant proportions.
- The Thai language is written in script derived from Southern Indian Pallava alphabet.
- Perhaps the most important influence of India on Southeast Asia was in the field of religion and how Shivaism, Vaishnavism, Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism and later Sinhalese Buddhism came to be practised in the region.
- The political and administrative institutions and ideas, especially the concept of divine authority and kingship, are largely shaped by the Indian practices.
- For example, the Thai king is considered as an incarnation of Vishnu.
- The episodes of Ramayana and Mahabharata are regularly featured in puppet shows and theatre events.
- In terms of architecture, monuments like Borobodur Stupa in Java, the Angkor Vat temple in Cambodia, My Son temple in Vietnam are some of the best examples of Indian influence in the region.
India’s religious links to Thailand
- In the early centuries of the Common Era, Thailand, which was historically known as Siam, was under the rule of the Funan Empire.
- Following the decline of the Funan Empire in the sixth century CE, it was under the rule of the Buddhist kingdom of Dvaravati.
- In the 10th century, the region came under Khmer rule, which is also known to have links with India.
- A Tamil inscription found in Takua-pa testifies to trade links between the Pallava region of South India and southern Thailand.
- A mercantile corporation of South Indians called Manikarramam had established a settlement here and built its own temple and tank, and lived as a ‘self-contained’ colony.
- It is important to note that Brahmanism and Buddhism existed alongside each other in Thailand in the pre-Sukhothai period of the 13th century.
Cult of Rama
- The Ramayana known in Thailand as Ramakriti (the glory of Rama) or Ramakien (the account of Rama) — has provided an outlet of cultural expression in Thailand for both the elite and the common man.
- Episodes from the epic are painted on the walls of Buddhist temples and enacted in dramas and ballets.
- Although there is no archaeological evidence of the story of Rama in Thailand, certain towns in the country have legends related to Rama’s life connected with them.
- For instance, Ayutthaya in Central Thailand, which emerged in the 10th century CE, is derived from Ayodhya, birthplace of Lord Rama.
- Desai writes that “from the 13th century onwards, several Thai kings assumed the title Rama, which has become hereditary during the present dynasty.”
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: National flag
Mains level: Read the attached story
The Centre is set to launch a large-scale campaign to encourage Indians to fly the National Fag at their homes to mark the 75th Independence Day under the Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign.
Also, August 2 marks 146th birth anniversary of Pingali Venkayya, the designer of Pingali Venkayya.
Har Ghar Tiranga
- ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ is a campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India’s independence.
- The campaign aims to have citizens hoisting our National Flag in their homes between August 13 and 15.
Why such move?
- Our relationship with the flag has always been more formal and institutional than personal.
- Bringing the flag home collectively as a nation in the 75th year of independence thus becomes a symbolic act of personal connection to the Tiranga.
- The idea behind the initiative is to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and to promote awareness about the National Flag.
Story of our National Flag
- On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly adopted our National Flag.
- The flag that was finally chosen underwent several changes since it was originally designed by Pingali Venkayya in 1923.
- Venkayya was not just the architect of the flag but also a freedom fighter.
- He was known as Jhanda Venkayya as he published a book in 1916 on 30 designs for the Indian flag.
- August 2 marks his 146th birth anniversary and citizens across this country will now know more of his contributions in designing the flag that we have today.
How this was made possible?
- First, the Flag Code was changed to make the flag more accessible and thus give every Indian the unique opportunity to hoist the flag at their homes.
- Subsequently, the government has taken various steps to ensure the supply of flags across the country.
- Flags are now available in all post offices in the country.
- State governments have tied up with various stakeholders for the supply of flags.
- The flag will be available on the government’s e-market marketplace (GEM) portal, on e-commerce portals, and with various self-help groups (SHGs).
What is the Flag Code of India?
- The Flag Code of India is a set of laws, practices and conventions that apply to the display of the national flag of India.
- The Code took effect from 26 January 2002 and superseded the “Flag Code-India” as it existed earlier.
- It permits the unrestricted display of the tricolour, consistent with the honour and dignity of the flag.
The Flag Code of India has been divided into three parts:-
- First Part: General Description of the National Flag.
- Second Part: Display of the National Flag by members of public, private Organisations & educational institutions etc.
- Third Part: Display of National Flag by Union or State Governments and their organisations and agencies.
Disposing of the national flag
- A/c to the Flag Code, such paper flags are not to be discarded or thrown on the ground after the event.
- Such flags are to be disposed of, in private, consistent with the dignity of the flag.
Do you know?: Hoisting the national flag is a fundamental right
- The bench headed by Chief Justice of India V. N. Khare said that under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India, citizens had the fundamental right to fly the national flag on their premises throughout the year.
- However, it provided that the premises do not undermine the dignity of the national flag.
About Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act
- The law, enacted on December 23, 1971, penalizes the desecration of or insult to Indian national symbols, such as the National Flag, the Constitution, the National Anthem, and the Indian map, as well as contempt of the Constitution of India.
- Section 2 of the Act deals with insults to the Indian National Flag and the Constitution of India.
Do you know?
Article 51 ‘A’ contained in Part IV A i.e. Fundamental Duties asks:
To abide by the constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem in clause (a).
Back2Basics: Story of our National Flag
(1) Public display for the first time
- Arguably the first national flag of India is said to have been hoisted on August 7, 1906, in Kolkata at the Parsee Bagan Square (Green Park).
- It comprised three horizontal stripes of red, yellow and green, with Vande Mataram written in the middle.
- Believed to have been designed by freedom activists Sachindra Prasad Bose and Hemchandra Kanungo, the red stripe on the flag had symbols of the sun and a crescent moon, and the green strip had eight half-open lotuses.
(2) In Germany
- In 1907, Madame Cama and her group of exiled revolutionaries hoisted an Indian flag in Germany in 1907 — this was the first Indian flag to be hoisted in a foreign land.
(3) During the Home Rule Movement
- In 1917, Dr Annie Besant and Lokmanya Tilak adopted a new flag as part of the Home Rule Movement.
- It had five alternate red and four green horizontal stripes, and seven stars in the saptarishi configuration.
- A white crescent and star occupied one top corner, and the other had Union Jack.
(4) Final version by Pingali Venkayya
- The design of the present-day Indian tricolour is largely attributed to Pingali Venkayya, an Indian freedom fighter.
- He reportedly first met Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa during the second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), when he was posted there as part of the British Indian Army.
- Years of research went into designing the national flag. In 1916, he even published a book with possible designs of Indian flags.
- At the All India Congress Committee in Bezwada in 1921, Venkayya again met Gandhi and proposed a basic design of the flag, consisting of two red and green bands to symbolise the two major communities, Hindus and Muslims.
(5) During Constituent Assembly
- On July 22, 1947, when members of the Constituent Assembly of India, the first item on the agenda was reportedly a motion by Pandit Nehru, about adopting a national flag for free India.
- It was proposed that “the National Flag of India shall be horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (Kesari), white and dark green in equal proportion.”
- The white band was to have a wheel in navy blue (the charkha being replaced by the chakra), which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Who was Raja Ravi Varma?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Raja Ravi Varma
Mains level: Evolution of modern indian art
Ahead of the 175th birth anniversary fete of the legendary artist Raja Ravi Varma, erstwhile royal family of Kilimanoor has urged the Union government to posthumously confer the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award, on him.
Raja Ravi Varma
- Raja Ravi Varma was born in April 1848 in Kilimanoor, Kerala, to a family which was very close to the royals of Travancore.
- Often referred to as the father of modern Indian art, he is widely known for his realistic portrayal of Indian gods and goddesses.
- While he majorly painted for the royalty, he is also credited for taking art to the masses with his prints and oleographs.
- At a young age, he would draw animals and everyday scenes on the walls in indigenous colours made from natural materials such as leaves, flowers and soil.
- His uncle, Raja Raja Varma, noticed this and encouraged his talent.
- Patronised by Ayilyam Thirunal, the then ruler of Travancore, he learnt watercolour painting from the royal painter Ramaswamy Naidu, and later trained in oil painting from Dutch artist Theodore Jensen.
How he become an artist of the royals?
- Varma became a much sought-after artist for the aristocrats and was commissioned several portraits in late 19th century.
- Arguably, at one point, he became so popular that the Kilimanoor Palace in Kerala opened a post office due to the sheer number of painting requests that would come in for him.
- He travelled across India extensively, for work and inspiration.
Fame as a notable painter
- Following a portrait of Maharaja Sayajirao of Baroda, he has commissioned 14 Puranic paintings for the Durbar Hall of the new Lakshmi Vilas Palace at Baroda.
- Depicting Indian culture, Varma borrowed from episodes of Mahabharata and Ramayana for the same.
- He also received patronage from numerous other rulers, including the Maharaja of Mysore and Maharaja of Udaipur.
- As his popularity soared, the artist won an award for an exhibition of his paintings at Vienna in 1873.
- He was also awarded three gold medals at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.
Nature of his artforms
- Much of his celebrated art also borrows heavily from Indian mythology.
- In fact, he is often credited with defining the images of Indian gods and goddesses through his relatable and more realistic portrayals often painted with humans as models.
- The depictions include Lakshmi as the goddess of wealth, Saraswati as the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, and Lord Vishnu with his consorts, Maya and Lakshmi.
How he took Indian art to the masses?
- Raja Ravi Varma aspired to take his art to the masses and the intent led him to open a Lithographic Press in Bombay in 1894.
- The idea, reportedly, came from Sir T Madhava Rao, former Dewan of Travancore and later Baroda, in a letter where he pointed out to Varma that since it was impossible for him to meet the large demand for his work, it would be ideal for him to send some of his select works to Europe and have them produced as oleographs.
- Varma, instead, chose to establish a printing press of his own.
- The first picture printed at Varma’s press was reportedly The Birth of Shakuntala, followed by numerous mythological figures and saints such as Adi Shankaracharya.
Major works
- It is believed that he had made around 7,000 paintings before his death at the age of 58.
- But only one painting is now left in ‘Chithrashala,’ the artist’s studio at Kilimanoor Palace — an unfinished portrait of ‘Parsi lady’ which was his last work.
- Some of his popular works include ‘Lady in the Moonlight’, ‘Nair Lady Adorning Her Hair’, ‘Malabar Lady with Violin’, ‘Lady with Swarbat’, and ‘Maharashtrian Lady with Fruits’.
Try this PYQ:
There are only two known examples of cave paintings of the Gupta period in ancient India. One of these is paintings of Ajanta caves. Where is the other surviving example of Gupta paintings?
(a) Bagh caves
(b) Ellora caves
(c) Lomas Rishi cave
(d) Nasik caves
Post your answers here.
Back2Basics: Bharat Ratna
- Bharat Ratna – ‘Jewel of India’ is the highest civilian award of the country.
- It is conferred for exceptional Service to the nation in various fields such as Science arts, literature and recognition of public service of the highest order.
- The award can be granted posthumously and since its establishment, seven awards were granted posthumously.
- The award was established by formal President of India Rajendra Prasad on 2nd January 1954.
- The concept of awarding this award posthumously was not there in the original statute declared in January 1954.
- Provision to award posthumously was finally added in January 1966 statute of this prestigious award.
- The medallion is cast in Bronze.
- The medallion is designed like the leaf of a pipal tree with a sunburst in the centre and Bharat Ratna is engraved underneath it.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Anayoottu Ritual of Kerala
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Anayoottu
Mains level: Not Much
Anayoottu, an annual ritual at the Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur was recently held.
Why in news?
- There is a history behind this annual ritual at the temple.
- Kerala’s elephant pooram was selected, along with other cultural forms of the country, for display at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games held in Delhi in 1982.
- Elephants were transported all throughout the country to New Delhi.
What is Anayoottu?
- The Aanayoottu (gaja pooja/ feeding of elephants) is a festival held in the precincts of the Vadakkunnathan temple in City of Thrissur, in Kerala.
- The festival falls on the first day of the month of Karkkidakam (timed against the Malayalam calendar), which coincides with the month of July.
- It involves a number of unadorned elephants being positioned amid a multitude of people for being worshipped and fed.
- Crowds throng the temple to feed the elephants.
Mythology behind
- It is believed that offering poojas and delicious feed to the elephants is a way to satisfy Lord Ganesha—the god of wealth and of the fulfillment of wishes.
- The Vadakkunnathan temple, which is considered to be one of the oldest Shiva temples in southern India, has hosted the Aanayottoo event for the past few years.
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Festivals in news: Puri Rath Yatra
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Rath Yatra
Mains level: NA
Lakhs of devotees thronged the coastal town of Puri town to witness the annual Rath Yatra with three decorated chariots of sibling deities Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra towed in front of the 12th century Shree Jagannath Temple.
About Jagannath Rath Yatra
- Ratha Jatra, the Festival of Chariots of Lord Jagannatha is celebrated every year at Puri, the temple town in Orissa, on the east coast of India.
- It involves a public procession with a chariot with deities Jagannath (Vishnu avatar), BalaBhadra (his brother), Subhadra (his sister) and Sudarshana Chakra (his weapon) on a ratha, a wooden deula-shaped chariot.
- The huge, colourfully decorated chariots, are drawn by hundreds and thousands of devotees on the bada danda, the grand avenue to the Gundicha temple, some two miles away to the North.
- It attracts over a million Hindu pilgrims who join the procession each year.
Back2Basics: Puri Temple Architecture
- Jagannath Temple is a very big temple and covers an area of 37000m2. The height of the outer wall is 6.1m.
- It is surrounded by a high fortified wall 6.1 m high is known as Meghanada Pacheri.
- The main portion of the temple is also surrounded by a wall known as Kurma Bheda.
- The temple is built in Rekha Deula style and has four distinct sectional structures, namely –
- Deula, Vimana or Garba griha (Sanctum sanctorum) where the triad deities are lodged on the ratnavedi (Throne of Pearls)
- Mukhashala (Frontal porch)
- Nata mandir/Natamandapa, which is also known as the Jagamohan (Audience Hall/Dancing Hall), and
- Bhoga Mandapa (Offerings Hall)
Try this question from CSP 2019:
Q.Building ‘Kalyaana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of-
(a) Chalukya (b) Chandela (c) Rashtrakuta (d) Vijayanagara
Post your answers here.
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Festival in news: Sao Joao Festival
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sao Joao Festival
Mains level: Not Much
As in every monsoon, Catholics in Goa will celebrate Sao Joao, the feast of St John the Baptist.
Note: The name typically sounds like a North-Eastern festival, but it is not.
What is Sao Joao and where is it celebrated in Goa?
- In Goa, Catholics celebrate all the feasts of the Roman Catholic Church, which include the feast of St John the Baptist on June 24.
- John the Baptist is the person who he had baptised Jesus Christ on the river Jordan.
- Traditionally, there are spirited Sao Joao festivities in the villages of Cortalim in South Goa and Harmal, Baga, Siolim and Terekhol in North Goa.
- However, over the years, pool parties and private Sao Joao parties in Goa have been a “complete package of merriment and joy” for tourists.
Course of celebration
- The celebrations will include revellers sporting crowns made of fruits, flowers and leaves, and the major draw of the feast is the water bodies – wells, ponds, fountains, rivers – in which the revellers take the “leap of joy”.
- Enjoyed by children and adults alike, the festival also includes playing the traditional gumott (percussion instrument), a boat festival, servings of feni, and a place of pride for new sons-in-law.
What does jumping into water bodies symbolise?
- The youngsters in Goa celebrate this occasion with revelry and perform daredevil feats, by jumping into over flowing wells or rivulets.
- The boys are found merrily jumping into the water to commemorate the leap of joy, which St John is said to have taken in the womb of his mother St Elizabeth when virgin Mary visited her.
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Festivals in news: Mela Kheerbhawani
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Mela Kheerbhawani
Mains level: NA
Kashmiri Hindus, locally known as Pandits, will celebrate the Zyestha Ashtami at the Mata Kheerbhawani temple at Tulmulla in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal.
Kheerbhawani Temple
- The temple is dedicated to the goddess Ragnya Devi.
- The festival, known as Mela Kheerbhawani, is the largest gathering of Hindus in Kashmir after the annual Amarnath Yatra.
- Situated 30 km from Srinagar city, it is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Kashmiri Hindus.
- The temple gets its name from kheer, or milk and rice pudding that pilgrims pour into the spring inside the temple complex as an offering to the goddess.
- Hundreds of local Muslims, too, traditionally join the celebrations.
Legend of the festival
- Legend has it that the water of the temple’s spring changes colour from white to red and black.
- The colour of the water is said to predict the impending future.
- If it changes to black, it is seen as inauspicious or an impending disaster.
- Kashmiri Pandits say that the water had turned black before they were forced to flee Kashmir during the militancy of 1990.
Tap to read more about:
Try this PYQ:
Q.Consider the following pairs:
Traditions- Communities
- Chaliha Sahib Festival- Sindhis
- Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra- Gonds
- Wari-Warkari- Santhals
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None of the above
Post your answers here.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Festivals in news: Karaga Festival
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Karaga Festival
Mains level: NA
The centuries-old Karaga (temple fair) festival was recently held at the Dharmaraya Swamy Temple in Bengaluru.
Karaga Festival
- It is celebrated annually in the Chaitra month (March/April) according to the Hindu calendar.
- The festival has found its roots in the epic Mahabharata.
- It honours Draupadi as the ideal woman and Goddess Shakti.
- The word ‘Karaga’ translates to an earthen pot, supporting a floral pyramid and an idol of Goddess.
- The Karaga is carried on the head of the bearer without touching it.
- The carrier wears a woman’s attire with bangles, mangal-sutra, and vermillion on his forehead.
Cultural significance of Karaga
- The Karaga procession makes a customary halt at Astana e-Hazrath Tawakkal Mastan Shah Saharwardi Dargah to pay obeisance to Tawakkal Mastan.
- The Dargah, a symbol of syncretic Sufism, has been taken care by the Muzavvar family for several generations.
- According to them, the history of the Dargah goes back to at least 300 years when Tawakkal Mastan, who came to Bengaluru with his horses looking for business opportunities, was adored as a saint.
- Hyder Ali, who was the ruler then, was a patron of Mastak for his good deeds.
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Festivals in news: Madhavpur Mela
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Madhavpur Mela
Mains level: Not Much
The Madhavpur Mela was recently inaugurated by the President of India.
In the entire country, there is no other fair which the President and host of Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of a number of states visit.
What is the Madhavpur Mela?
- The Mela is a religio-cultural fair taking place every year in Madhavpur, a village on the Porbandar coast, also known as Madhavpur Ghed.
- The village has temples of Madhavraiji, or Lord Krishna, and his consort Rukmini, believed to have been built in the 15th century.
- It is also known for its sandy sea beach, the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea, a sea turtle hatchery and the Osho Ashram
- The fair begins on Ram Navami, Lord Rama’s birth anniversary falling on the ninth day of the month of Chaitra in the Hindu calendar, and culminates on Tryodashi, the 13th day of the month.
Mythology behind the fair
- The fair celebrates the marriage of Lord Krishna with Rukmini around 4,000 years ago, as per Hindu mythology.
- The fair begins on Ram Navami, Lord Rama’s birth anniversary falling on the ninth day of the month of Chaitra in the Hindu calendar, and culminates on Tryodashi, the 13th day of the month.
- According to mythology, Lord Krishna had established his kingdom in Dwarka near Porbandar.
- Rukmini, daughter of King Bhimak of the present-day Arunachal Pradesh, wanted to marry Krishna, while her brother wanted to marry her off to Shishupal, Krishna’s cousin.
- Therefore, Krishna abducted Rukmini, brought her to Gujarat and tied the knot with her at Madhavpur village.
- Today, to mark the wedding, marriage rituals go on for five days.
- They culminate with the idols of Lord Krishna and Rukmini being taken out in a procession through Madhavpur for ‘samaiya’, a ritual to welcome the bridegroom back home with his bride.
Significance of the fair
- The President observed that fairs and festivals have bonded the people of India for ages and that Madhavpur Mela also integrates Gujarat to the Northeast of India.
- This fair reflects that, despite our languages, dialects and lifestyles being different, Indians, since time immemorial, have been one culturally.
Do you know?
There is one such festival called ‘Pushkaram’ which is celebrated by the people of Tamil Nadu. Devotees from Tamil Nadu perform rituals at the banks of Brahmaputra River.
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Artform in news: Yakshagana
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Yakshagana
Mains level: Not Much
Many students from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Rajasthan are enrolling for training of Yakshagana theatre.
What is Yakshagana?
- Yakshagana is a traditional theater, developed in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and western parts of Chikmagalur districts, in the state of Karnataka and in Kasaragod district in Kerala.
- It emerged in the Vijayanagara Empire and was performed by Jakkula Varu.
- It combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form.
- Towards the south from Dakshina Kannada to Kasaragod of Tulu Nadu region, the form of Yakshagana is called as ‘Thenku thittu’ and towards north from Udupi up to Uttara Kannada it’s called as ‘Badaga Thittu‘.
- It is sometimes simply called “Aata” or āṭa (meaning “the play”). Yakshagana is traditionally presented from dusk to dawn.
- Its stories are drawn from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata and other epics from both Hindu and Jain and other ancient Indic traditions.
Try this question from CSP 2017:
Q.With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:
- It is a song and dance performance.
- Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
- It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3.
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 only
Post your answers here.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
[pib] Festivals in news: Gudi Padwa
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Hindu new year , Gudi Padwa
Mains level: NA
The President of India has sent his greetings to fellow citizens on the eve of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba.
Gudi Padwa
- Gudi Padwa is a spring-time festival that marks the traditional New Year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus, but is also celebrated by other Hindus as well.
- It is celebrated in and around Maharashtra, Goa, and the union territory of Damaon on the first day of the Chaitra month, to mark the beginning of the New Year according to the luni-solar method of the Hindu calendar.
- Padava or paadvo comes from the Sanskrit word pratipada, which is the first day of a lunar fortnight.
- The spring festival is observed with colourful floor decorations called rangoli, a special Gudhi dvaja (flag garlanded with flowers, mango and neem leaves, topped with upturned silver or copper vessels), street processions, dancing& festive foods.
Significance
- Gudhi Padva signifies the arrival of spring and to the reaping of Rabi crops.
- The festival is linked to the mythical day on which Hindu god Brahma created time and universe.
- To some, it commemorates the coronation of Rama in Ayodhya after his victory over evil Ravana, or alternatively the start of Shalivahan calendar after he defeated the Huns invasion in the 1st century.
State-wide celebrations
- Bihu among the Assamese of Assam.
- Cheti Chand among the Sindhi people
- Navreh among the Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Pahela Baishakh among the Bengalis in West Bengal and Bangladesh.
- Puthandu among the Tamils in Tamil Nadu.
- Samvatsar Padvo among Hindu Konkanis of Goa and Konkani diaspora in Kerala
- Vaisakhi or Baisakhi among the Punjabis in Punjab.
- Vishu or among the Malayalis in Kerala.
- Ugadi among the south-Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
- Sajibu Cheiraoba in Manipur
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Art-form in news: Santhali Sohrai Murals
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sohrai Murals
Mains level: NA
Santhali communities of Odisha and Jharkhand are changing their ways of painting traditional Sohrai murals to modernity.
What is Sohrai?
- Sohrai is a harvest festival of the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal.
- It also called cattle festival. It is celebrated after harvest and coincide with festival of Diwali.
What are Sohrai Murals?
- Sohrai Mural is an indigenous art form is practised by the women of Santhal Community.
- Ritualistic art is done on mud walls to welcome the harvest and to celebrate the cattle.
- The women clean their houses and decorate their walls with murals of Sohrai arts.
- This art form has continued since 10,000-4,000 BC. It was prevalent mostly in caves, but shifted to houses with mud walls.
Features of this art
- This Sohrai art form can be monochromatic or colorful.
- The people coat the wall with a layer of white mud, and while the layer is still wet, they draw with their fingertips on it.
- Their designs range from flowers and fruits to various other nature-inspired designs.
- The cow dung that was earlier used to cake the walls of the house is used to add colour.
- The dark outline is visible due to the previously applied contrasting white mud coat.
- The artists are spontaneous in their drawing. The designs are usually drawn from the artist’s memory.
- The personal experience of the artist and their interaction with nature are the biggest influence.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
What is Agni Kandakarnan Theyyam?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Theyyam ritual dance
Mains level: NA
Ritual dance Agni Kandakarnan Theyyam performing at the Kaliyattam festival has begun in Kannur, Kerala.
What is Theyyam?
- Theyyam is a popular thousand-year-old ritual form of dance worship in Kerala and Karnataka, India.
- The people of these districts consider Theyyam itself as a channel to a god and they thus seek blessings from Theyyam.
- There are about 456 types of Theyyam.
- Theyyam is performed by males, except the Devakoothu theyyam; the Devakoothu is the only Theyyam ritual performed by women.
- It is performed only in the Thekkumbad Kulom temple.
Major types of performances
- Vishnumoorthi: It is the most popular Vaishnava Theyyam. This theyyam narrates and performs the story of Hiranyakashipu’s death by the Lord Vishnu in his avatar of Narasimham.
- Sree Muthappan Theyyam: It consists of two divine figures is considered as the personification of two divine figures— the Thiruvappana or Valiya Muttapan (Vishnu) and the Vellatom or Cheriya Muttapan (Shiva).
- Padikutti Amma: It is believed to be the mother of Muthapan. The Padikutti Amma Theyyam is performed in the Palaprath Temple in Kodallur near Parassini Kadavu in the Meenam (a Malayalam month)
Thee
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
What is Perini Dance?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Perini Dance
Mains level: NA
A Perini dance performance by artistes in Hyderabad has left the audience awestruck.
Perini Dance
- Perini Sivathandavam is an ancient dance form, from Telangana, which has been revived in recent times.
- It originated and prospered in Telangana, during the Kakatiya dynasty.
- It is performed in honour of Lord Siva, the hindu god of destruction and it is believed that in ancient times this was performed before the soldiers set to war.
- One can find evidence of this dance in the sculptures near Garbha Gudi (Sanctum Sanctorum) of the Ramappa Temple at Warangal.
Performance details
- The Perini siva Thandavam is a dance form usually performed by males.
- It is called ‘Dance of Warriors’. Warriors before leaving to the battlefield enact this dance before the idol of Lord Śiva (Siva).
- The dance form, Perini, reached its pinnacle during the rule of the ‘Kakatiyas’ who established their dynasty at Warangal and ruled for almost two centuries.
- It is believed that this dance form invokes ‘Prerana’ (inspiration) and is dedicated to supreme dancer, Lord Siva.
Answer this PYQ in the comment box:
Q.Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom? (CSP 2017)
(a) Kakinada
(b) Motupalli
(c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)
(d) Nelluru
Post your answers here.
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Kodiyal Theru Festival
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kodiyal Theru
Mains level: NA
The annual Kodiyal Theru car (chariot) festival has begun in Mangalore, Karnataka.
Kodiyal Theru
- It falls in late January or early February in the Hindu month of Magha.
- It begins on Tritiya or the third day of the bright moon and ends on the seventh to be followed by Holi (Okuli) after the festival.
- For these six days, the Car Festival rules in the Car Street in front of the Venkatramana Temple in Mangalore.
- The Festival begins with the Dwajarohana or hoisting of the ‘flag’ – actually a framed picture of Garuda.
- This is done ceremoniously on the first day of the festival amidst the clanging of bells and the reverberation of drumbeats.
- The Garuda stays aloft for the rest of the festival until he is again lowered in an equally ceremonial manner on the day of the Holi and this is the concluding event of the festival.
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What is Beating Retreat Ceremony?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Beating Retreat Ceremony
Mains level: Important national festivals and their significance
There are 26 tunes that will be played at Beating Retreat this year on January 29 skipping the “Abide with Me” tune.
What is the Beating Retreat function?
- ‘Beating Retreat’ marks a centuries old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat.
- The military tradition began in 17th century England, when King James II ordered his troops to beat drums, lower flags and organise a parade to announce the end of a day of combat.
- The ceremony was then called ‘watch setting’ and took place at sunset after firing a single round from the evening gun.
- The ceremony is currently held by Armed Forces in the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and India, among others.
How did it begin in India?
- Beating the Retreat’ has emerged as an event of national pride when the Colours and Standards are paraded.
- The ceremony traces its origins to the early 1950s when Major Roberts of the Indian Army indigenously developed the unique ceremony of display by the massed bands.
- Section D (Ceremonials) at the Ministry of Defence conducts the event.
- The ceremony consists of musical performances by the bands, who each year play Indian and western tunes.
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UNESCO tag sought for Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Root Bridges
Mains level: NA
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has underlined some green rules for the living root bridges of Meghalaya to get the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag.
Living Root Bridges
- A living root bridge is a type of simple suspension bridge formed of living plant roots by tree shaping.
- They are common in the southern part of the Northeast Indian state of Meghalaya. Such a bridge is locally called jingkieng jri.
- They are handmade from the aerial roots of rubber fig trees (Ficus elastic) by the Khasi and Jaintia peoples of the mountainous terrain along the southern part of the Shillong Plateau.
- Most of the bridges grow on steep slopes of subtropical moist broadleaf forest between 50m and 1150m above sea level.
Why is it so unique?
- As long as the tree from which it is formed remains healthy, the roots in the bridge can naturally grow thick and strengthen.
- New roots can grow throughout the tree’s life and must be pruned or manipulated to strengthen the bridge.
- Once mature some bridges can have as many as 50 or more people crossing, and have a lifespan of up to 150 years.
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Telangana’s Tribal Fair: Sammakka-Sarakka Jatara
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sammakka-Sarakka Jatara
Mains level: Not Much
Medaram, a tiny village in Telangana’s tribal heartland of Mulugu district, is getting ready to host the Sammakka-Sarakka jatara, billed as the country’s biggest tribal fair.
Sammakka-Sarakka Jatara
- The mega four-day jatara, scheduled to begin on February 16 in Medaram. It takes place once in two years.
- It is perhaps the only tribal fair devoted to pay tribute to tribal warriors who made supreme sacrifices defending the rights of aboriginal tribal people.
- It symbolises the traditions and heritage of the Koya tribal people.
- The sacred site in Medaram and its surrounding Jampanna vagu, named after tribal martyr Jampanna, son of Sammakka, comes alive with lakhs of devotees during the four-day jatara.
Why do tribals come to Medaram?
- This festival commemorates a tribal revolt led by Sammakka and Saralamma, a mother-daughter duo, against levy of taxes on tribal people during drought conditions by the then Kakatiya rulers in the 12th century.
- Tribals (and others) flock to Medaram during the jatara not just from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh but also from as far as Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
- Sammakka and Saralamma are revered by devotees as tribal goddesses, and devotees make offerings to propitiate them to bestow health and wealth.
- All the rituals at the jatara site are held in tune with tribal traditions under the aegis of tribal priests.
Features of the celebrations
- One of the striking features of the tribal fair is the offering of jaggery to the tribal goddess at the altars (bamboo poles).
- It encompasses common features of tribal fairs – die-hard devotees going into a trance, the sacrifice of fowls and goats, besides pulsating traditional drum beats accompanying folk songs.
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AP govt bans Chintamani Padya Natakam: A noted Telugu folk play
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Chintamani Padya Natakam
Mains level: Not Much
The Andhra Pradesh government has brought the curtains down on the popular Telugu play ‘Chintamani Padya Natakam’, which has enthralled people for almost 100 years.
Chintamani Padya Natakam
- It is a stage play penned by social reformer, writer and poet Kallakuri Narayana Rao about 100 years ago.
- In the play, the writer explains how people neglect their families by falling prey to certain social evils.
- It was aimed to create awareness on the Devadasi system and how the flesh trade was ruining many families at that particular period.
- Subbisetty, Chintamani, Bilvamangaludu, Bhavani Shankaram, and Srihari are some of the characters in the play.
Its performance
- The play is named after the main character, Chintamani, a woman born into a family involved in the flesh trade.
- The play focuses on how she attained salvation after repentance.
- Subbi Shetty, a character in the play, loses his wealth to Chintamani and his character is utilised in a way that engages the audience.
- Chintamani play is popular across the state. It has been performed at thousands of places.
- The play continues to engage the audience even today and has become a must stage play in villages during Dasara celebrations.
Why it got banned?
- Began as a social sermon, this play has been increasingly going vulgar.
- Subbi Shetty, who resembles a person of a transgender community, is used to portray the social group in a bad way.
- Obscene dialogues are added to the play in the name of creativity.
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How Republic Day tableaux are designed and selected
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Republic Day celebration
Mains level: Not Much
Recently, West Bengal’s tableau for the Republic Day parade was rejected without assigning any reasons or justifications.
Who manages the R-Day Parade?
- The Defence Ministry is the responsible authority for the Republic Day parade and the celebrations.
- Around September, it invites all the states, the UTs, Central Government departments, and a few constitutional authorities to participate in the parade through tableaux.
Managing Tableaux
- The Defence Ministry shares the basic guidelines about what all the tableaux can or should include.
- The tableaux of two different states/ UTs cannot be too similar, as the tableaux, together, should showcase the diversity of the country.
- The tableaux cannot have any writing or use of logos, except for the name of the state/ UT/ department, which should be written in Hindi on the front, English on the back, and a regional language on the sides.
- The Ministry also asks the participants to use eco-friendly material for the tableaux, and avoid the use of plastic or plastic-based products.
How are the tableaux selected?
- The selection process is elaborate and time-consuming.
- The Defence Ministry constitutes an expert committee of distinguished persons from fields like art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography, etc.
Process of selection
(1) Submission of sketches
- First, the submitted sketches or designs of the proposals are scrutinised by this committee, which can make suggestions for any modifications in the sketch or design.
- The sketch should be simple, colourful, easy to comprehend and should avoid unnecessary detail.
- It should be self-explanatory, and should not need any written elaboration.
(2) Music and Visuals
- If there is a traditional dance involved with the tableau, it should be a folk dance, and the costumes and musical instruments should be traditional and authentic.
- The proposal should include a video clipping of the dance.
(3) 3D Models
- Once approved, the next stage is for the participants to come up with three-dimensional models for their proposals.
- These are again examined by the expert committee for final selection, taking in view several criteria.
- In making the final selection the committee looks at a combination of factors, looking at the visual appeal, impact on the masses, idea/ theme of the tableaux, degree of detail involved.
Do they have to be of a particular size?
The Defence Ministry provides each participant with one tractor and one trailer, and the tableau should fit on that.
- The ministry prohibits use of any additional tractor or trailer, or even any other vehicle to be part of it.
- However, the participant can replace their ministry-provided tractor or trailer with other vehicles, but the total number should not be more than two vehicles.
- The tractor has to be camouflaged in harmony with the tableau’s theme, and the ministry stipulates a distance of around six feet between the tractor and the trailer for turning and manoeuvering.
- The dimensions of the trailer on which the tableau will be placed is 24 feet, 8 inches long; eight feet wide; four feet two inches high; with a load-bearing capacity of 10 tonnes.
- The tableaux should not be more than 45 feet long, 14 feet wide and 16 feet high from the ground.
(Republic Day celebrations from this year will start on January 23 instead of January 24 to include the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.)
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Art-form in news: Kathak
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kathak
Mains level: NA
Kathak legend Pandit Birju Maharaj has recently passed away.
About Kathak
- Kathak is one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance.
- The origin of Kathak is traditionally attributed to the traveling bards in of ancient northern India known as Kathakars or storytellers.
- The term Kathak is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word Katha which means “story”, and Kathakar which means “the one who tells a story”, or “to do with stories”.
- Wandering Kathakars communicated stories from the great epics and ancient mythology through dance, songs and music.
Its origin
- Kathak dancers tell various stories through their hand movements and extensive footwork, their body movements and flexibility but most importantly through their facial expressions.
- It evolved during the Bhakti movement, particularly by incorporating the childhood and stories of the Hindu god Krishna, as well as independently in the courts of north Indian kingdoms.
- Kathak is unique in having both Hindu and Muslim gharanas and cultural elements of these gharanas.
- Kathak performances include Urdu Ghazals and commonly used instruments brought during the Mughal period.
Major gharanas
- Kathak is found in three distinct forms, called “gharanas”, named after the cities where the Kathak dance tradition evolved – Jaipur, Banaras and Lucknow.
- While the Jaipur gharana focuses more on the foot movements, the Banaras and Lucknow gharanas focus more on facial expressions and graceful hand movements.
Performance details
- It involves both Nritta (pure dance) and Nritya (expressive dance).
- Stylistically, the Kathak dance form emphasizes rhythmic foot movements, adorned with small bells (Ghungroo) and the movement harmonized to the music.
- The legs and torso are generally straight, and the story is told through a developed vocabulary based on the gestures of arms and upper body movement, facial expressions, neck movements, eyes and eyebrow movement, stage movements, bends and turns.
- The main focus of the dance becomes the eyes and the foot movements.
- The eyes work as a medium of communication of the story the dancer is trying to communicate. With the eyebrows the dancer gives various facial expressions.
- A Kathak performance can be solo, duo or team. In a technical performance, the speed and energy the dancers exchange with the audience increases in multiples, that is the tempo doubles or quadruples.
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[pib] Harvest Festivals in India
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Makar Sankranti
Mains level: NA
The President has greeted the people of India on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and Pongal festivals.
Makar Sankranti
- Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan or Maghi or simply Sankranti is considered as the transition day of Sun into the Capricorn.
- Now the sun moves northwards in the Hindu calendar.
- Dedicated to the deity Surya, many native festivals are organized all over India.
- It mostly falls at the end of Kharif harvests.
Statewise festivals celebration
- Pongal: In South India and particularly in Tamil Nadu, it’s the festival of Pongal which is being celebrated over 4 days at harvest time.
- Lohri: It is celebrated in North India particularly in Punjab as a traditional winter folk festival or as a popular harvest festival of farmers.
- Bhogi: In Andhra Pradesh, it is celebrated as a four day festival with a bonfire with logs of wood, other solid-fuels, and wooden furniture at home that are no longer useful.
- Magha Bihu: In Assam and many parts of the North East, the festival of Magha Bihu is celebrated. It sees the first harvest of the season being offered to the gods along with prayers for peace and prosperity.
- Uttarayan: Gujarat celebrates it in the form of the convivial kite festival of Uttarayan.
- Saaji: In Shimla District of Himachal Pradesh, Makara Sankranti is known as Magha Saaji. Saaji is the Pahari word for Sankranti, start of the new month. Hence this day marks the start of the month of Magha.
Try this question from our AWE initiative:
Do we have cultural pockets of small India all over the nation? Elaborate with examples. (15 Marks)
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‘Chillai Kalan’ begins in Kashmir
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Chillai Kalan
Mains level: Not Much
Kashmir is in a deep freeze as the 40-day harshest spell of winter, locally called ‘chillai kalan’ has started with the minimum temperature already sub-zero in the entire Valley.
Chillai Kalan
- Chillai Kalan is the coldest 40-day period of harsh winter of winter in the Jammu and Kashmir region.
- It is traditionally defined as a seasonal period of harsh winter accompanied by a change in increase in both frequency and quantity of precipitation usually snow.
- It begins from December 21 and ends on January 31 next year.
- It is followed by a 20-day long Chillai-Khurd (small cold) that occurs between January 31 and February 19 and a 10-day long Chillai-Bachha (baby cold).
- According to Persian tradition, the night of 21st December is celebrated as Shab-e Yalda-“Night of Birth”, or Shab-e Chelleh “Night of Forty”.
Its’ celebration
- In the Persian tradition, the night of December 21, the longest of the year, is celebrated as Shab-e-Yalda (night of birth) or Shab-e-Chelleh.
- Dozens of netizens from Kashmir named it the ‘Pheran Day’, after the long woollen gown worn during the winters in Kashmir.
- Use of a traditional firing pot called Kangri increases.
- Tap water pipelines partially freeze during this period. The Dal Lake also freezes.
- The famous tourist resort of Gulmarg receives heavy snow which attracts skier’s from every part of the world.
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Langa-Manganiyar Folk Music
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Langa-Manganiyar
Mains level: NA
Considered the repository of the Thar region’s rich history and traditional knowledge, the ballads, folklore and songs of the Langa-Manganiyar artistes are being preserved through an initiative for documentation and digitisation.
Who are the Langa-Manganiyar?
- The Langas and Manganiyars are hereditary communities of Muslim musicians residing mostly in western Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer and Barmer districts and in Pakistan’s Tharparkar and Sanghar districts in Sindh.
- The music of the two marginalised communities, who were supported by wealthy landlords and merchants before Independence, forms a vital part of Thar desert’s cultural landscape.
- The performances are in multiple languages and dialects including Marwari, Sindhi, Saraiki, Dhatti and Thareli.
- The romantic tales revolving around legendary lovers such as Umar-Marvi, Heer-Ranjha, Sohni-Mahiwal, Moomal-Rana and Sorath-Rao Khangar have traditionally captivated audiences.
Instruments used
- The Langa’s main traditional instrument is the sindhi sarangi; Manganiyar’s is the kamaicha.
- Both are bowed stringed instruments with skin membrane sounding boards and many sympathetic strings.
- Both Langas and Manganiyars sing and play the dholak (double-headed barrel drum), the kartal(wooded clappers), the morchan (jaws harp), and the ubiquitous harmonium.
Try answering this PYQ:
Q. Consider the following pairs:
Tradition: State
- Chapchar Kut: festival Mizoram
- Khongjom Parba ballad: Manipur
- Thang Ta dance: Sikkim
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3
Post your answers here.
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Festival in news: Nuakhai
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Nuakhai
Mains level: Not Much
In Odisha, Nuakhai, an important agrarian festival in the State is being celebrated today.
Nuakhai
- Nuakhai or is an agricultural festival mainly observed by people of Western Odisha and Southern Chhattisgarh in India.
- It is observed to welcome the new rice of the season.
- As per the customary practice, people offer the new grains of crops to the deities before their own consumption.
- According to the calendar it is observed on Panchami tithi (the fifth day) of the lunar fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada or Bhadraba (August–September), the day after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
- This is the most important social festival of Western Odisha and adjoining areas of Simdega in Jharkhand, where the culture of Western Odisha is much predominant.
- It is also a festival of social cohesion as all the members of the family come together to celebrate Nuakhai.
Try this PYQ:
Consider the following pairs:
Tradition State
- Chapchar Kut Festival — Mizoram
- Khongjom Parba ballad — Manipur
- Thang-Ta Dance — Sikkim
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 2 and 3
Post your answers here.
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Saroop of the Sikh Holy Book
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sri Guru Granth Sahib
Mains level: Not Much
A union minister has received one of the Saroops of the holy Guru Granth Sahib flown in from Afghanistan.
What is Saroop?
- Saroop is a physical copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, also called Bir in Punjabi.
- Every Bir has 1,430 pages, which are referred to as Ang. The verses on every page remain the same.
- The Sikhs consider the Saroop of Guru Granth Sahib a living guru and treat it with utmost respect.
- They believe that all the 10 Gurus were the same spirit in different bodies, and the Guru Granth Sahib is their eternal physical and spiritual form.
Compilation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib
- It was the fifth Sikh master, Guru Arjan Dev, who compiled the first Bir of the Guru Granth Sahib in 1604, and installed it at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
- Later, the tenth Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh, added verses penned by the ninth master, his father Guru Tegh Bahadur, and compiled the Bir for the second and last time.
- It was in 1708 that Guru Gobind Singh declared the Guru Granth Sahib the living Guru of the Sikhs.
- Guru Granth Sahib is a compendium of hymns written by six Sikh gurus,15 saints, including Bhagat Kabir, Bhagat Ravidas, Sheikh Farid and Bhagat Namdev, 11 Bhatts (balladeers) and four Sikhs.
- The verses are composed in 31 ragas.
What does the act of carrying the saroop on one’s head signify?
- The installation and transportation of Guru Granth Sahib is governed by a strict code of conduct called rehat maryada.
- As a mark of respect, the Bir of the Guru Granth Sahib is carried on the head, and the person walks barefoot.
- Whenever a devout sees the Bir of Guru Granth Sahib passing by, s/he removes her shoes and bows.
- A ceremonial whisk is waved high over the Guru Granth Sahib either on the move or while reading from it.
- Gurdwaras have a separate resting place for the Saroop, called ‘Sukh Asan Sthan’ or ‘Sachkhand’ where the Guru rests at night.
- This takes place at the end of the day when the holy book is ceremoniously shut and rested. In the morning, the saroop is again installed in a ceremony called ‘prakash’.
- Many tourists specially come to watch the prakash and sukha asan ceremony of the Guru Granth Sahib at the Golden Temple.
Where are copies of the Guru Granth Sahib published?
- There was a tradition among Punjabis, both Sikhs and Hindus, to copy the Guru Granth Sahib by hand and produce multiple copies.
- The Udasi and Nirmla sects also played a role in making handwritten copies of the Birs until the British introduced the printing press.
- Nowadays, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has the sole rights to publish the Birs of the Guru Granth Sahib, and this is done at Amritsar.
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Try answering this PYQ:
Consider the following Bhakti Saints:
- Dadu Dayal
- Guru Nanak
- Tyagaraja
Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over? (CSP 2018)
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2
Post your answers here:
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Festival in news: Harela Festival
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Harela Festival
Mains level: Paper 1- Festivals in India
Villagers across Uttarakhand celebrated Harela, a festival of greenery, peace, prosperity and environmental conservation.
Harela Festival
- Harela means ‘day of green’ and is celebrated in the month of Shravan (the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar) to worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
- People across Uttarakhand, especially the Kumaun region, associate greenery with prosperity.
- The seeds of five to seven types of crops — maize, til (sesame), urad (black gram), mustard, oats — are sown in donas (bowl made of leaves) or ringalare (hill bamboo baskets) nine days before the festival.
- They are harvested on the ninth day and distributed to neighbours, friends and relatives.
- The flourish of the crops symbolizes prosperity in the year ahead.
- People make clay statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, known as Dikare, and worship them a day before the festival.
- Harela is also linked to the Barahnaza system (12 types of crops), a crop diversification technique followed in the region.
Answer this PYQ in the comment box:
Q.Consider the following pairs:
Tradition: State
1. Chapchar Kut: festival Mizoram
2. Khongjom Parba ballad: Manipur
3. Thang Ta dance: Sikkim
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3
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Appointments to the Kalakshetra Foundation
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kalashetra, Bharatanatyam
Mains level: Classical dances of India
The Central government has appointed 12 eminent artists and musicians to the board of the prestigious institution.
Kalakshetra Foundation
- It is an arts and cultural academy dedicated to the preservation of traditional values in Indian art and crafts, especially in the field of Bharatanatyam dance and Gandharvaveda music.
- Based in Chennai, India, the academy was founded in January 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale and her husband George Arundale.
- Under Arundale’s guidance, the institution achieved national and international recognition for its unique style and perfectionism.
- In January 1994, an Act of the Parliament of India recognized the Kalakshetra Foundation as an “Institute of National Importance.”
Who was Rukmini Devi Arundale?
- Devi (1904 –1986) was an Indian theosophist, dancer, and choreographer of the Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam, and an activist for animal welfare.
- She was the first woman in Indian history to be nominated a member of the Rajya Sabha.
- The most important revivalist of Bharatanatyam from its original ‘sadhir’ style prevalent amongst the temple dancers, the Devadasis, she also worked for the re-establishment of traditional Indian arts and crafts.
- She espoused the cause of Bharata Natyam which was considered a vulgar art.
- She ‘sanitised’ and removed the inherent eroticism of Sadhir to make it palatable to Victorian British morality and Indian upper-caste elites.
Back2Basics: Bharatanatyam
- Bharatanatyam previously called Sadhir Attam is a major form of Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu.
- It is one of the oldest classical dance traditions in India.
- It has been nurtured in the temples and courts of southern India since the ancient era.
- It is one of eight forms of dance recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (the others being Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Manipuri, and Sattriya).
- The word Bharata is a mnemonic, consisting of “bha”–”ra”–”ta”.
- According to this belief, bha stands for bhava (feelings, emotions), ra stands for raga (melody, framework for musical notes), and ta stands for tala (rhythm).
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Shigmo Festival of Goa
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Shigmo Festival
Mains level: NA
The Shigmo or the Goan Carnival celebrations may be terminated this year due to rising covid cases.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2017:
Q.Consider the following pairs:
Traditions Communities
- Chaliha Sahib Festival — Sindhis
- Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra — Gonds
- Wari-Warkari — Santhals
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None of the above
What is Shigmo or Shigmotsav?
- Shigmo is the celebration of a ‘rich, golden harvest of paddy’ by the tribal communities of Goa.
- Agricultural communities including the Kunbis, Gawdas and Velips celebrate the festival that also marks the onset of spring.
- Shigmo celebrations last over a fortnight in the months of Phalgun-Chaitra months of the Hindu calendar that correspond with March-April every year.
Various activities in celebrations
- The festival begins with ‘Naman’ that is the invocation of the local folk deities on the village ‘maand’ or the village stage.
- It is held to the beats of percussion instruments like the Ghumat, Dhol, Mhadle and Tashe by the male folk.
- This is called the ‘romta mell’ that moves from one village to another.
- The celebration is replete with traditional, colourful costumes, mythological installations, painted faces and costumes of various hues.
- Folk dances like Ghodemodini (a dance of equestrian warriors), Gopha and Phugadi are among the many dances performed by the participating communities.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Jaapi, Xorai and Gamosa in Assam
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Jaapi, Xorai and Gamosa
Mains level: NA
As the polling date draws closer, decorative jaapis (field hats), hand-woven gamosas and bell-metal xorais are making frequent appearances in Assam.
Primarily used to felicitate important people and guests, these important symbols of Assamese identity and culture are abundantly seen in political campaigns across the state.
Jaapi
- The jaapi is a conical hat made of bamboo and covered with dried tokou (a palm tree found in rainforests of Upper Assam) leaves.
- It is most often used in official functions to felicitate guests.
- The landscape of rural Assam features a more utilitarian version, which farmers wear to protect themselves from the harsh weather, both sun and rain, while working in the fields.
- The first possible recorded use of jaapi dates back to the Ahom-era buranjis, or chronicles. Kings and ministers would wear them then.
Gamosa
- The Gamosa, which literally translates to a cloth to wipe one’s body, is omnipresent in Assam, with wide-ranging uses.
- It can be used at home as a towel (uka gamosa) or in public functions (phulam/floral gamosa) to felicitate dignitaries or celebrities.
- The popularity of the gamosa has now traveled beyond Assam and is often used by a number of public figures.
- It was during the anti-foreigner Assam Agitation of the early 1980s, when Assamese nationalism reached its crescendo, that the gamosa assumed a new role.
Xorai
- Made of bell-metal, the xorai — essentially a tray with a stand at the bottom, with or without a cover — can be found in every Assamese household.
- While it is primarily used as an offering tray during prayers, or to serve tamale-paan (betel-nut) to guests, a xorai is also presented along with the jaapi and gamosa while felicitating someone.
- The bulk of xorais in Assam are made in the state’s bell metal hub Sarthebari in Bajali district.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
[pib] Conservation of Ancient Folk Cultures
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Various folk arts mentioned
Mains level: Not Much
To protect, preserve & promote various forms of folk art and ancient folk cultures throughout the country including Jharkhand, Bihar and Kerala, the GoI has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur.
What is the news?
- Jharkhand is the member state of Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Kolkata.
- Bihar is the member state of North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj and
- Kerala is the member state of South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), Thanjavur.
Note the various folk arts mentioned and their respective states:
What are the various folk arts covered?
There is no dedicated scheme to preserve these particular folk art forms-
Jharkhand
- Ancient folk cultures being preserved in Jharkhand are Faguwa Nritya, Turi Nritya, Faguwa Nritya, Turi Nritya, Paika Nritya, Hodopathy, Tribal dance (Karam Nritya).
Bihar
- Ancient folk cultures being preserved in Bihar are Lok Gatha “Reshma Chuharmal” (Begusarai), Lok Gatha, Godana Painting (Madhubani), Lok Natya “Hirni-Birni” (Magadh region) etc.
Kerala
- Ancient folk cultures being preserved in Kerala are: Poorakali, Malayankettu & Kannerpattu (Kannur), Daffumuttu (Malabar), Kanyarkali (Thrissur) and Arabanaumuttu (Kozhikode).
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Art in news: Tholpavakkoothu
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Tholpavakkoothu
Mains level: India's puppetry
A shadow leather puppet in Kerala’s famous temple art Tholpavakkoothu is being animated by a robot in Palakkad.
Tholpavakkoothu
- Tholpavakkoothu or shadow puppetry is a temple art form which is prevalent in the Bhagavathy temples (mother Goddess) in Palakkad district and nearby regions in Kerala.
- Tholppava (Thol means leather, Pava means puppet) are moved with the help of strings, and their shadows are depicted on a screen with the help of a row of oil lamps in the background.
- The story of Tholpavakkoothu performance is from the Indian epic, Ramayana.
- In the olden days, it was performed elaborately over a period of forty-one days.
- The narrative used for the performance is a mixture of prose and poetry called Adalpattu.
Try this PYQ:
Q.With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:
- It is a song and dance performance.
- Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
- It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3.
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 only
Setup of the art
- Tholppavas are made of the skin of deer and the puppet forms are made by making small holes in the leather that is then attached vertically to a bamboo stick.
- Accompanying instruments include Ezhupara, Chenda and Maddalam.
- The artists have to undergo several years of rigorous training to master this art form.
- The puppetry is staged on a special structure in temple premises called Koothumadam.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
[pib] Monpa Handmade Paper of Tawang
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Monpa Handmade Paper
Mains level: Not Much
PC: East Mojo
The sale of the 1000-years old heritage Monpa handmade paper or “Mon Shugu” is quickly catching pace after a special mention by PM in his Mann ki Baat.
Monpa Handmade Paper
- Monpa paper is made from the bark of tree Shugu Sheng grown locally in Tawang and is identified by its distinctive translucent fibrous texture.
- The paper is weightless but its natural fibres add great tensile strength to this paper making it apt for various artworks.
- It has been used for writing Buddhist scriptures, manuscripts and for making prayer flags.
- Writing on this paper is also known to be tamper-proof.
Note: This paper is yet to be awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Revitalized by KVIC
- Khadi and Village Industries Commission, which revived this ancient art at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh on 25th December 2020.
- It has made Monpa Handmade paper available online through its e-portal.
- The revival of this art assumes significance as Monpa Handmade paper was once produced in every household in Tawang and the paper was exported to many countries like Tibet, Bhutan, Myanmar and Japan among others.
- However, with the new technologies coming in, the handmade paper industry almost disappeared in the last 100 years.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
What is a Tripuri Risa?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Tripuri Handloom
Mains level: Not Much
Tripura CM has of late made a statement to sport the Risa, a customary hand-woven cloth used by Tripura’s indigenous tribal communities.
Try this PYQ:
Q.Consider the following pairs:
Sr. Tradition State 1. Chapchar Kut festival : Mizoram 2. Khongjom Parba ballad : Manipur 3. Thang-Ta dance : Sikkim Which of the pairs given above is/are correct? (CSP 2018)
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2
c) 3 only
d) 2 and 3
What is Risa?
- Risa is one of the three parts of customary Tripuri female attire, the other two being the Rignai and Rikutu.
- The Risa, which is essentially a customary hand-woven cloth, is used as headgear, stole, female upper cloth or presented to honour a distinguished recipient.
- The Rignai is primarily used to cover the lower part of the body and literally translates into ‘to wear’. The Rituku covers the upper half of the body, wrapping it all around.
- However, it is also used as a ‘chunri’ or a ‘pallu’ of the Indian saree. It is also used to cover the head of newly married Tripuri women.
Its cultural significance
- Apart from its beautiful designs, the Risa plays a host of crucial social utilities.
- Adolescent Tripuri girls are first given Risa to wear when she reaches 12-14 years in an event called Risa Sormani.
- The event involves prayers to a Lampra god, where her elder women pray for her wellbeing throughout her life.
- However, it is also used in religious festivals like the Garia Puja, a customary festival of the tribal communities, or as a head turban by male folks during weddings and festivals, as a cummerbund over dhoti or headscarf.
- The cloth is even used as a makeshift baby carrier on the mother’s back.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
[pib] Who was Thiruvalluvar?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Thiruvalluvar
Mains level: Sangam Literature
The Prime Minister has extended his venerations to Thiruvalluvar on the Thiruvalluvar Day.
Read everything about Sangam Literature from your basic sources.
Who was Thiruvalluvar?
- Thiruvalluvar is fondly referred to as Valluvar by Tamils was born during 4th -5th century CE.
- His ‘Thirukkural’, a collection of 1,330 couplets (‘kurals’ in Tamil), are an essential part of every Tamil household.
- It holds importance in the same way the Bhagavad Gita or the Ramayana are in traditional North Indian Hindu households.
- Thiruvalluvar is revered as an ancient saint, poet, and a philosopher by Tamils, irrespective of their religion.
- He is an essential anchor for Tamils in tracing their cultural roots; Tamils are taught to learn his couplets word-for-word and to follow his teachings in their day-to-day living.
Also read:
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Kashmir’s ancient art of papier-mache
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kashmiri papier-mache
Mains level: NA
This newscard is an excerpt of the original article published in The Hindu.
Kashmiri papier-mache
- It is a handicraft of Kashmir that was brought by Muslims saint Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani from Persia in the 14th century to medieval India.
- It is based primarily on paper pulp, and is a richly decorated, colourful artefact; generally in the form of vases, bowls, or cups (with and without metal rims), boxes, trays, bases of lamps, and many other small objects.
- These are made in homes, and workshops, in Srinagar, and other parts of the Kashmir Valley, and are marketed primarily within India, although there is a significant international market.
- The product is protected under the Geographic Indication Act 1999 and was registered by the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks.
Back2Basics: Geographical Indication (GI)
- The World Intellectual Property Organisation defines a GI as “a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin”.
- GIs are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, handicrafts, industrial products, wines and spirit drinks.
- Internationally, GIs are covered as an element of intellectual property rights under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
- They have also covered under the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
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Festivals in news: Chillai Kalan
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Chillai Kalan
Mains level: Not Much
People in the Kashmir valley are finding unique ways to celebrate the start of ‘Chillai Kalan’, a local term for the 40-day period of harshest winter that begins annually from December 21.
Tap here to read all about:
Chillai Kalan
- Chillai Kalan is the coldest 40-day period of harsh winter of winter in the Jammu and Kashmir region.
- It is traditionally defined as a seasonal period of harsh winter accompanied by a change in increase in both frequency and quantity of precipitation usually snow.
- It begins from December 21 and ends on January 31 next year.
- It is followed by a 20-day long Chillai-Khurd (small cold) that occurs between January 31 and February 19 and a 10-day long Chillai-Bachha (baby cold).
- According to Persian tradition, the night of 21st December is celebrated as Shab-e Yalda-“Night of Birth”, or Shab-e Chelleh “Night of Forty”.
Its’ celebration
- In the Persian tradition, the night of December 21, the longest of the year, is celebrated as Shab-e-Yalda (night of birth) or Shab-e-Chelleh.
- Dozens of netizens from Kashmir named it the ‘Pheran Day’, after the long woollen gown worn during the winters in Kashmir.
- Use of a traditional firing pot called Kangri increases.
- Tap water pipelines partially freeze during this period. The Dal Lake also freezes.
- The famous tourist resort of Gulmarg receives heavy snow which attracts skier’s from every part of the world.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Thanjavur Art Plates
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: GI tags in news
Mains level: Not Much
The makers of the Thanjavur Art Plate, with its roots in a craft that dates back to the Marathas of the 1800s, are banding together for its cultural and commercial rejuvenation.
Must read:
Thanjavur Art Plates
- The Thanjavur Art Plate is an artefact which is exclusively made in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.
- It is a circular plate made as a gift item. It is a handicraft consisting of metals such as silver, bronze, and copper embossed with figures of gods and goddesses at its centre.
- Patronised by Maratha ruler Serfoji II (1777-1832), Thanjavur Kalai craftsmen were kept busy with orders for royal gifts, mostly decorative salvers, jewel boxes and vessels like water pots and ewers.
- In its contemporary version, the craft has been commercially reinterpreted as ‘Thanjavur kalai thattu’ or Thanjavur Art Plate, a ceremonial platter made with silver, copper and brass layers in three stages.
- The base is plated with alternate copper and silver panels, a bigger embossed silver motif on the central section, and the setting of globular jigna or sequins in the secondary relief.
- It was given a Geographical Indications (GI) tag in 2007, as a proof of its long heritage.
Back2Basics: Geographical Indications in India
- A Geographical Indication is used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
- Such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to its origin in that defined geographical locality.
- This tag is valid for a period of 10 years following which it can be renewed.
- Recently the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry has launched the logo and tagline for the Geographical Indications (GI) of India.
- The first product to get a GI tag in India was the Darjeeling tea in 2004.
- The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (GI Act) is a sui generis Act for the protection of GI in India.
- India, as a member of the WTO, enacted the Act to comply with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.
- Geographical Indications protection is granted through the TRIPS Agreement.
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National Hispanic Heritage Month
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: National Hispanic Heritage Month
Mains level: NA
The National Hispanic Heritage Month has begun in the US.
Try this MCQ:
Q.The event National Hispanic Heritage Month recently seen in news is primarily celebrated in which of the following countries?
(a) US (b) Spain (c) Mexico (d) Cuba
National Hispanic Heritage Month
- The annual event honours the history, culture and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors hailed from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
- It is marked every year from September 15 to October 15.
- The observation was started by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and was extended to an entire month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, the year it was enacted into law.
Hispanics in the US
- With a population of over 5.7 crores, Hispanic Americans are currently the largest minority group in the US, making up a fifth of the total US population.
- More than half– 3.5 crore– are of Mexican origin, followed by Puerto Rican (53 lakh), and about 10 lakh each of Salvadorans, Cubans, Dominicans, Guatemalans and Colombians.
- The community is referred to as Hispanic, Latino or Latinx– terms that refer to a person’s origin or culture, without considering their race.
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Festival in news: Nuakhai Juhar
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Nuakhai Juhar
Mains level: NA
The PM has greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Nuakhai Juhar.
Try this PYQ:
Q.Consider the following pairs:
Tradition State 1. Chapchar Kut festival : Mizoram 2. Khongjom Parba ballad : Manipur 3. Thang-Ta dance : Sikkim Which of the pairs given above is/are correct? (CSP 2018)
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2
c) 3 only
d) 2 and 3
Nuakhai Juhar
- Nuakhai or Nuakhai is an agricultural festival mainly observed by people of Western Odisha and Southern Chhattisgarh.
- It is celebrated at the time when the newly grown Kharif crop (autumn crop) of rice started ripening.
- According to the calendar it is observed on Panchami tithi (the fifth day) of the lunar fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada or Bhadraba (August–September), the day after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
- This is the most important social festival of Western Odisha and adjoining areas of Simdega in Jharkhand, where Odia culture is much predominant.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
In news: Lingaraj Temple
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Temple architecture in news
Mains level: Temple Architecture of India
The Odisha government has announced to give a facelift to the 11th century Lingaraj Temple, akin to its pre-350-year structural status.
Try this PYQ:
Q. Building ‘Kalyaana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of- (CSP 2019)
(a) Chalukya
(b) Chandela
(c) Rashtrakuta
(d) Vijayanagara
About Lingaraj Temple
- Lingaraja Temple is a temple dedicated to Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- It represents the quintessence of the Kalinga Architecture and culminating the medieval stages of the architectural tradition at Bhubaneswar.
- The temple is believed to be built by the kings from the Somavamsi dynasty, with later additions from the Ganga rulers.
- It is built in the Deula style that has four components namely, vimana (structure containing the sanctum), jagamohana (assembly hall), natamandira (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings), each increasing in the height to its predecessor.
- Bhubaneswar is called the Ekamra Kshetra as the deity of Lingaraja was originally under a mango tree (Ekamra) as noted in Ekamra Purana, a 13th-century Sanskrit treatise.
- The temple has images of Vishnu, possibly because of the rising prominence of Jagannath sect emanating from the Ganga rulers who built the Jagannath Temple in Puri in the 12th century.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Why August 7th is called National Handloom Day?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Handloom, Swadeshi Movement
Mains level: India's handloom sector
Yesterday, August 7th was celebrated as the National Handloom Day. It was in 2015, the first National Handloom Day was celebrated.
Try this PYQ:
What was the immediate cause for the launch of the Swadeshi movement? (CSP 2010)
(a) The partition of Bengal done by Lord Curzon.
(b) A sentence of 18 months rigorous imprisonment imposed on Lokmanya Tilak.
(c) The arrest and deportation of Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh; and passing of the Punjab Colonization Bill.
(d) Death sentence pronounced on the Chapekar brothers.
Why 7th August?
- With the partition of Bengal, the Swadeshi Movement gained strength.
- It was on August 7, 1905, that a formal proclamation was made at the Calcutta Town Hall to boycott foreign goods and rely on Indian-made products.
What is handloom?
- While different definitions for the word have evolved since the Handloom (Reservation and Articles for Production) Act, 1985, where ‘handloom’ meant “any loom other than power loom”, in recent years it has become more elaborate.
- In 2012, a new definition was proposed: “Handloom means any loom other than power loom, and includes any hybrid loom on which at least one process of weaving requires manual intervention or human energy for production.”
Back2Basics: Swadeshi Movement
- Credit to starting the Swadeshi movement goes to Baba Ram Singh Kuka of the Sikh Namdhari sect, whose revolutionary movements which heightened around 1871 and 1872.
- It gained momentum with the partition of Bengal by the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon in 1905 and continued up to 1911.
- It was the most successful of the pre-Gandhian movements.
- Its chief architects were Aurobindo Ghosh, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai, V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, Babu Genu.
- Swadeshi, as a strategy, was a key focus of Mahatma Gandhi, who described it as the soul of Swaraj (self-rule). It was strongest in Bengal and was also called the Vandemataram movement in India.
Important phases of the Movement
- 1850 to 1904: developed by leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gokhale, Ranade, Tilak, G. V. Joshi and Bhaswat K. Nigoni. This was also known as the First Swadeshi Movement.
- 1905 to 1917: Began in 1905, because of the partition of Bengal ordered by Lord Curzon.
- 1918 to 1947: Swadeshi thought shaped by Gandhi.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
In news: Madhubani/Mithila Paintings
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Madhubani paintings
Mains level: Not Much
An artist known as the ‘mask man’ of Bihar dispatches masks with hand-painted Madhubani motifs all over India.
Also read:
Madhubani Paintings
- Madhubani art (or Mithila painting) is a style of Indian painting, practised in the Mithila region of Bihar.
- This painting is done with a variety of tools, including fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks and using natural dyes and pigments.
- It is characterized by its eye-catching geometrical patterns.
- It was traditionally created by the women of various communities in the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent.
- This painting as a form of wall art was practised widely throughout the region; the more recent development of painting on paper and canvas mainly originated among the villages around Madhubani.
- It is these latter developments that led to the term “Madhubani art” being used alongside “Mithila Painting.”
Its features
- It uses two-dimensional imagery, and the colours used are derived from plants. Ochre, Lampblack and Red are used for reddish-brown and black, respectively.
- It mostly depicts people and their association with nature and scenes and deities from the ancient epics.
- Natural objects like the sun, the moon, and religious plants like tulsi are also widely painted, along with scenes from the royal court and social events like weddings.
- Generally, no space is left empty; the gaps are filled by paintings of flowers, animals, birds, and even geometric designs.
- Madhubani art has five distinctive styles: Bharni, Kachni, Tantrik, Godna and Kohbar.
- This painting has also received a GI (Geographical Indication) status.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Festival in news: Bahuda Yatra
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Bahuda Yatra, Puri Temple Architecture
Mains level: Temple Architecture of India
The Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of the deities to the Puri Jagannath temple after the annual Rath Yatra, was recently concluded amid permitted restrictions.
Bahuda Yatra
- A/c to folk stories Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Goddess Shubhadra and Lord Balabhadra, returns from their aunt’s place at Gundicha Temple to Jagannath Temple.
- This journey is known as Bahuda Yatra.
- Nine days after the Rath Yatra, the yatra or the return journey takes place.
About Jagannath Rath Yatra
- Ratha Jatra, the Festival of Chariots of Lord Jagannatha is celebrated every year at Puri, the temple town in Orissa, on the east coast of India.
- It involves a public procession with a chariot with deities Jagannath (Vishnu avatar), BalaBhadra (his brother), Subhadra (his sister) and Sudarshana Chakra (his weapon) on a ratha, a wooden deula-shaped chariot.
- The huge, colourfully decorated chariots, are drawn by hundreds and thousands of devotees on the bada danda, the grand avenue to the Gundicha temple, some two miles away to the North.
- It attracts over a million Hindu pilgrims who join the procession each year.
Back2Basics: Puri Temple Architecture
- Jagannath Temple is a very big temple and covers an area of 37000m2. The height of the outer wall is 6.1m.
- It is surrounded by a high fortified wall 6.1 m high is known as Meghanada Pacheri.
- The main portion of the temple is also surrounded by a wall known as Kurma Bheda.
- The temple is built in Rekha Deula style and has four distinct sectional structures, namely –
- Deula, Vimana or Garba griha (Sanctum sanctorum) where the triad deities are lodged on the ratnavedi (Throne of Pearls)
- Mukhashala (Frontal porch)
- Nata mandir/Natamandapa, which is also known as the Jagamohan (Audience Hall/Dancing Hall), and
- Bhoga Mandapa (Offerings Hall)
Try this question from CSP 2019:
Q.Building ‘Kalyaana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of-
(a) Chalukya (b) Chandela (c) Rashtrakuta (d) Vijayanagara
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
What is Axone?
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Axone
Mains level: NA
A movie named Axone — also spelt akhuni —soya bean dish of Nagaland has been recently released.
The traditional ‘Axone’ dish is very unique in itself. However, one must note that it does NOT carry any GI tag. Still, there is a possibility of it being asked in match the pair type questions.
What is Axone?
- Axone — also spelt akhuni — is a fermented soya bean of Nagaland, known for its distinctive flavour and smell.
- As much an ingredient as it is a condiment, Axone used to make pickles and chutneys, or curries of pork, fish, chicken, beef etc.
- While it is called ‘axone’ in parts of Nagaland, fermented soya bean is cooked with, eaten and known by different names in different parts of Northeast India, including Meghalaya and Mizoram, Sikkim, Manipur as well in other South, Southeast and East Asian countries.
- Axone is prepared and eaten across Nagaland but is particularly popular among the Sumi (also Sema) tribe. They use it in every meal.
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Traditional art of Talamaddale
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Yakshagana, Talamaddale
Mains level: NA
The traditional art of ‘Talamaddale’, a variant of Yakshagana theatre, has gone virtual in times of COVID-19.
Try this question from CSP 2017:
Q.With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:
- It is a song and dance performance.
- Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
- It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3.
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 only
Talamaddale theatre
- Tala-Maddale is an ancient form of performance dialogue or debate performance in Southern India in the Karavali and Malnad regions of Karnataka and Kerala.
- The plot and content of the conversation is drawn from popular mythology but the performance mainly consists of an impromptu debate between characters involving sarcasm, puns, philosophy positions and humour.
- The main plot is sung from the same oral texts used for the Yakshgana form of dance- drama.
- Performers claim that this was a more intellectual rendition of the dance during the monsoon season.
How it is different from Yakshagana?
- Unlike the Yakshagana performance, in the conventional ‘talamaddale,’ the artists sit across in a place without any costumes and engage in testing their oratory skills based on the episode chosen.
- If music is common for both Yakshagana performance and ‘talamaddale’, the latter has only spoken word without any dance or costumes.
- Hence it is an art form minus dance, costumes and stage conventions.
- It has an ‘arthadhari’ who is an orator, a ‘bhagavatha’ (singer-cum-director), and a ‘maddale’ player.
Back2Basics: Yakshagana
- It is the oldest theatre form popular in Karnataka.
- It emerged in the Vijayanagara Empire and was performed by Jakkula Varu
- It is a descriptive dance drama.
- It is presented from dusk to dawn.
- The stories are drawn from Ramayana, Mahabharata and other epics from both Hindu and Jain tradition.
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In news: Raja Parba Festival
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Raja Parba
Mains level: NA
The Prime Minister has extended his greetings to the people of Odisha for the unique Raja Parba festival.
Match the pair based question can be asked from festivals as such with pairs of name and celebrating state. Recently, the following festivals were also in the news: Ambubachi Mela, Thrisoor Puram, Meru Jatara, Nagoba Jatara etc.
Also, note the similarities between the Raja Parba and Ambubachi Mela …
About Raja Parba Festival
- Raja Parba is Odisha’s three-day unique festival celebrating the onset of monsoon and the earth’s womanhood.
- As a mark of respect towards the earth during her menstruation days, all agricultural works, like ploughing, sowing is suspended for the three days.
- Raja Sankranti is the first day of the Ashara month.
- It is celebrated on the day prior to the Sankranti, (Pahili Raja), the day of Sankranti, and the day after, known as Bhu Daha or ‘Basi Raja.
- The festival is essentially the celebration of the earth’s womanhood.
- It is believed that during this time the Mother Earth or Bhudevi undergoes menstruation.
- The fourth day is the day of the ‘purification bath’.
- As it is a celebration of womanhood, a lot of the focus is on young women, who wear new clothes, apply ‘Alata’ on their feet and enjoy folk songs while swinging on decorated rope swings.
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Festivals in news: Kheer Bhawani Mela
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kheer Bhawani Mela
Mains level: NA
In the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, the Annual Kheer Bhawani Mela in Tulmulla village of Ganderbal district has been cancelled by its religious trust.
Match the pair based question can be asked from festivals as such. Recently, the following festivals were in the news: Ambubachi Mela, Thrisoor Puram, Meru Jatara, Nagoba Jatara etc.
Try this:
Q. Consider the following pairs:
Traditions Communities
1. Chaliha Sahib Festival — Sindhis
2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra — Gonds
3. Wari-Warkari — Santhals
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ? (CSP 2017)
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None of the above
Kheer Bhawani Mela
- The festival witnesses lakhs of Hindu pilgrims from across the country largely the Kashmiri Pandit Community, who throngs the famous Ragyna Devi Temple which is popularly known as “Mata Kheer Bhawani”.
- The festival falls on the auspicious day of “Zeshta Ashtami”.
- The term kheer refers to rice pudding that is offered in the spring to propitiate the Goddess, which became part of the name of the temple.
- The devotees have been asked to cooperate with the authorities and perform the worship of the Goddess at their homes only.
- However, the holy rituals and Aarti of the Deity will be conducted as per the tradition which will be shared with the devotees via social media.
Significance
- Kheer Bhawani Mela is one of the biggest religious functions of Kashmiri Pandit Community.
- It is believed and rather has been seen that the colour of the water in the spring around the Kheer Bhawani Temple changes its colour with the change in the circumstances of the Kashmir valley.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Rail adukku pathiram Utensils of Tamil Nadu
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Rail adukku pathiram
Mains level: NA
The rail adukku pathiram a traditional set of kitchen utensils in Tamil Nadu has become the gathered attention of all over the past few days.
The traditional ‘rail adukku pathiram’ set of utensils are very unique in itself. However, one must note that it does NOT carry any GI tag and is completely out of use. Still, there is a possibility of it being asked in match the pair type questions asking – Q) Which among the following artefacts from Tamil Nadu carries a GI Tag?
Rail adukku pathiram
- The rail adukku pathiram consists of 14 vessels of different sizes, neatly placed in a compact manner inside the largest container.
- The vessels were earlier used by families to carry groceries and cook food during train journeys.
- These vessels were used to cook food for a mini-wedding. The interesting aspect is the compact size and easy to carry.
- It has two vessels to cook vegetables, a sippal plate to boil rice, a frying pan, a sombu, a bronze pot to carry water and vessels of varying sizes to cook food.
- Many in Tamil Nadu had forgotten about the existence of these multi-layered vessels until a video surfaced online recently.
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Toda Embroidery of the Nilgiris
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Toda embroidery
Mains level: Not Much
Many women and indigenous Toda artisans from the Nilgiris are producing thousands of stylish, embroidered masks for local residents, police, and sanitary workers.
Recently, the Assamese Gamosa was in new. Now the Pukhoor Embroidery has made it into the list. Keep a note of all such handicrafts. We can expect a match the pair based prelim question.
Toda Embroidery
- The Toda Embroidery, also locally known as “pukhoor” is an artwork among the Toda pastoral people of Nilgiris, in Tamil Nadu, made exclusively by their women.
- The embroidery, which has a fine finish, appears like a woven cloth but is made with the use of red and black threads with a white cotton cloth background.
- Both sides of the embroidered fabric are usable and the Toda people are proud of this heritage.
- This handicraft product is listed as a geographically tagged product and is protected under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act (GI Act) 1999.
Related facts
- The local terms used to describe the embroidery work are ‘kuty’ or ‘awtty’ meaning “stitching” and ‘kutyvoy’ meaning the embroidered piece.
- The materials used in this work are roughly woven white cloth, woollen black and red threads with use occasionally of blue threads and manufactured needles.
- The designs developed relate to nature and the daily cycle of life.
- The patterns used in Toda embroidery do not cover many floral motifs but generally cover celestial bodies (like Sun and Moon), reptiles, animals, and horns of buffaloes, made in crimson and black colours.
- Rabbit ears are a constant depiction on the boundary of the embroidered cloth. Another common design in the form of black triangles in a box design is done in honour of their first priest.
- Women who do embroidery consider their work as a “tribute to Nature”.
- As a traditional garment, it is worn by both men and women at all ceremonial occasions and also at funerals. Elderly people of the community wear this cloth daily.
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Festival in news: Chithirai Festival
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Chithirai Festival
Mains level: Not Much
For the first time, in place of Madurai’s Chithirai Festival, a simple celestial union is set to take place that will be streamed online.
Match the pair based question can be asked from festivals as such. Recently, the following festivals were in the news: Ambubachi Mela, Thrisoor Puram, Meru Jatara, Nagoba Jatara etc.
Chithirai Festival
- Chithirai Festival or Chithirai Thiruvizha is an annual celebration celebrated in the city of Madurai during the month of April.
- It is celebrated during the Tamil month of Chithirai.
- It lasts for one month of which the first 15 days mark the celebrations of the coronation of Goddess Meenakshi and the Marriage of Lord Sundareswara and Goddess Meenakshi.
- The next 15 days mark the celebrations of the Journey of Lord Alagar from Kallazhagar temple in Alagar Koyil to Madurai.
About Meenakshi Temple
- The ancient city of Madurai, more than 2,500 years old, was built by the Pandyan king, Kulashekarar, in the 6th century B.C.
- But the reign of the Nayaks marks the golden period of Madurai when art, architecture and learning flourished expansively.
- The most beautiful buildings in the city including its most famous landmark, the Meenakshi temple, were built during the Nayak rule.
- Located in the heart of the city, the Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar temple is dedicated to goddess Meenakshi, the consort of lord Shiva.
- The sculpted pillars are adorned with the exquisite murals that celebrate the ethereal beauty of princess Meenakshi and the scenes of her wedding with Lord Shiva.
- The pillars depict scenes from the wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar. There are 985 richly carved pillars here and each one surpasses the other in beauty.
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Raja Ravi Varma, the painter who helped Indians bring their gods home
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Europeanized school of painting in India
Mains level: NA
April 29 is the birth anniversary of the famed Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906), remembered for giving Indians their western, classical representations of Hindu gods and goddesses.
Raja Ravi Varma
- Varma was born into aristocracy at Kilimanoor in the erstwhile Travancore state of present-day Kerala and was closely related to its royal family.
- At the age of 14, Varma was patronised by Ayilyam Thirunal, the then ruler of Travancore, and went on to receive training in watercolours from Ramaswamy Naidu, the royal painter.
- Later, Varma studied oil painting with the British painter Theodore Jensen.
- Apart from Travancore, Varma also worked for other wealthy patrons such as the Gaekwad of Baroda.
Major works
- A prolific artist, Varma is believed to have made around 7,000 paintings before his death.
- Varma worked on both portrait and landscape paintings and is considered among the first Indian artists to use oil paints.
- Apart from painting Hindu mythological figures, Varma also made portraits of many Indians as well as Europeans.
- His most famous works include Damayanti Talking to a Swan, Shakuntala Looking for Dushyanta, Nair Lady Adorning Her Hair, and Shantanu and Matsyagandha.
His legacy
- He continues to be regarded as the most important representative of the Europeanized school of painting in India.
- His 1873 painting, Nair Lady Adorning Her Hair, won Varma prestigious awards including Governor’s Gold Medal when it was presented in the Madras Presidency and Certificate of Merit at an exhibition in Vienna.
- In 1904, the British colonial government awarded Varma with the Kaiser-i-Hind Gold Medal.
- In 2013, a crater on the planet Mercury was named in his honour.
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Festivals in news: Ambubachi Mela
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Ambubachi Mela
Mains level: NA
The Ambubachi Mela at Guwahati’s Kamakhya Temple has been cancelled this year due to COVID-19.
Many festivals this year have been cancelled for the first time in their recorded history. Few of them were – Thrisur Pooram Festival, Pandharpur Jatara and now, the Ambubachi Mela. Do read about the Medaram Jatara (held in February) as well. Take note of each of them and their speciality along with the respective state of celebration.
Ambubachi Mela
- Ambubachi Mela, a four-day fair to mark the annual menstruation of the goddess at Kamakhya temple in Guwahati has begun.
- Legends say the temple atop the Nilachal Hills, whose northern face slopes down to the Brahmaputra River, was built by the demon king Narakasura.
- But records are available only from 1565 when Koch king Naranarayana had the temple rebuilt.
- Kamakhya is one of 51 shaktipeeths or holy sites for the followers of the Shakti cult, each representing a body part of the Sati, Lord Shiva’s companion.
- The temple’s sanctum sanctorum houses the yoni – female genital – symbolised by a rock.
Significance
- Temple priests said the ritualistic fair celebrating the Goddess’ period is one of the reasons why taboo associated with menstruation is less in Assam compared to other parts of India.
- The attainment of womanhood of girls in Assam is celebrated with a ritual called Tuloni Biya, meaning small wedding.
Similar place
- A similar custom is followed at the Devi Temple at Chengannur town in Alleppey district of Kerala.
- The temple is shut for the days the Goddess there is believed to undergo her period.
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Festival in news: Thrissur Pooram
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Thrissur Pooram
Mains level: NA
For the first time since its inception, Thrissur Pooram, considered as mother of all poorams in Kerala, has been cancelled earlier this month.
Note the cultural terms in the newscard. As the name itself suggests the state of celebration, it very unlikely to be asked in the ‘fest-state’ format. Rather UPSC can ask – “The terms X, Y, Z …. are associated with which of the following reknown festival?”
Thrissur Pooram
- Thrissur Pooram is an annual Hindu festival held in Kerala.
- It is held at the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur every year on the Pooram day – the day when the moon rises with the Pooram star in the Malayalam Calendar month of Medam.
- It is the largest and most famous of all poorams.
- Thrissur Pooram was the brainchild of Raja Rama Varma, famously known as Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of Cochin (1790–1805).
Actual course of the festival
- The Pooram is centred on the Vadakkunnathan Temple, with all these temples sending their processions to pay obeisance to the Shiva, the presiding deity.
- The Pooram officially begins with a flag hoisting ceremony (Kodiyettam).
- All the participating temples of Thrissur Pooram are present for the ceremony, and there is a light firework to announce the commencement of the festival.
- The seventh day of the pooram is the last day. It is also known as “Pakal Pooram”.
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[pib] National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: UNESCO heritages in India
Mains level: Not Much
The Union Ministry for Culture has launched the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India.
Various art forms (either tangible or intangible) are hotspots for Prelims. We can expect a direct description based question. For example, a question based on Manipuri Sankirtana was asked in CSP 2017.
National List of ICH
Following UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, this list has been classified into five broad domains in which intangible cultural heritage is manifested:
- Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage
- Performing arts
- Social practices, rituals and festive events
- Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe
- Traditional craftsmanship
Why need such a list?
- India houses a repository of unique ICH traditions, 13 of which have also been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
- The National ICH List is an attempt to recognize the diversity of Indian culture embedded in its intangible heritage.
- The list aims to raise awareness about the various intangible cultural heritage elements from different states of India at the national and international level and ensure their protection.
- This initiative is also a part of the Vision 2024 of the Ministry of Culture.
Pls go through this link for complete details of 13 ICH : https://www.indiaculture.nic.in/national-list-intangible-cultural-heritage-ich
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Meru Jatra Festival
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Meru Jatra
Mains level: NA
Odisha’s Ganjam district administration has banned the Meru Jatra festival and congregations related to it at temples on the occasion of Mahavishub Sankranti.
Festive fairs in India are known for their age-old traditions and some historic background. Meru Jatra is one of such fairs. We can expect a match the pairs question on such fairs.
Meru Jatra
- In Southern Odisha, the Meru Yatra festival is celebrated as the end of the month-long Danda nata dance festival.
- Thousands of devotees gather at the Shakti Pitha shrine in the Taratarini Temple because it is one of the auspicious days during the Chaitra Yatra.
- People from all over the state eat festive chhatua and drink Bel Pana to mark the occasion.
What is Danda nata?
- Danda as the name implies, is self-inflicted pain, which the danduas (people who participate in the festival) undergo to pay their obeisance to the lord Kali.
- It is also a form of worshipping the lord Shiva and his consort Parvati.
- The origin of the festival is generally traced to 8th and 9th AD after the decadence of Buddhism in Orissa.
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[pib] Diverse names of harvesting festival
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Harvesting festivals across India
Mains level: Not Much
The nation today celebrates the festival of harvest, Vaishakhi under diverse names. Vaisakhi celebrates the solar new year, based on the Hindu Vikram Samvat calendar.
Vaishakhi
- Vaisakhi also known as Baisakhi is a historical and religious festival in Sikhism.
- It is usually celebrated on 13 or 14 April every year which commemorates the formation of Khalsa panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
- In Sikhism, Vaisakhi marks the start of the Khalsa in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh.
Other names
- Maha Bishuba Pana Sankranti (Odisha)
- Bikhu or Bikhauti (Kumaon region of Uttarakhand)
- Bisu (Tulu region of Karnataka)
- Bohag Bihu (Assam)
- Puthandu (Tamil Nadu)
- Vishu (Kerala)
Note: Harvest festivals are significant events. Do try to remember their names as one can expect a match the pair question.
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Assamese Gamosa
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Assamese Gamosa
Mains level: Not Much
The COVID-19 pandemic has made the Assamese gamosa, a decorative cotton towel, evolve from memento to mask.
Gamosa
- The Gamosa is an article of significance for the people of Assam.
- It is generally a white rectangular piece of cloth with primarily a red border on three sides and red woven motifs on the fourth (in addition to red, other colors are also used).
- Although cotton yarn is the most common material for making/weaving gamosas, there are special occasion ones made from Pat silk.
Types
- Assam has traditionally had two types of gamosas the uka and the phulam.
- The uka or plain kind is used to wipe sweat or dry the body after a bath.
- The phulam is decorated with floral motifs to be gifted as a memento or during festivals such as Bihu.
Significance
- Cultural historians say the gamosa came to symbolise Assamese nationalism in 1916 when the Asom Chatra Sanmilan, a students’ organisation was formed, followed by the Assam Sahitya Sabha, a literary body.
- Wearing the phulam gamosa around the neck became a standard for cultural identity.
- Thegamosa’s graph as a symbol of protest rose during the anti-foreigners Assam Agitation from 1979 to 1985.
- The gamosa staged a comeback as a political statement with the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act from mid-December 2019.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
[pib] National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Mains level: Cultural heritage of India and its intergration
Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) is preparing the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage
- SNA is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture is the nodal agency for the Scheme for ‘Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India’.
- As of now, SNA is collaborating with Zonal Cultural Centers of Ministry, collating and preparing a list of ICH elements for National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- List of ICH elements is being compiled and at least 100 elements will be documented by March, 2020 and the aim is to document at least 20 new elements in ICH list every year.
- Along with this establishment of an ‘Indian Institute for Culture’ is at conceptual stage and a mission called National Culture Mapping portal is being conceptualized for aggregating art forms and artists. It is in pilot phase.
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
Nagoba Jatara
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Nagoba Jatara
Mains level: Not Much
The month long Nagoba Jatara recently concluded in Adilabad dist. of AP.
Nagoba Jatara
- Nagoba Jatara is a tribal festival held in Keslapur village, Inderavelly Mandal[1] Adilabad district, Telangana, India.
- It is the second biggest tribal carnival and celebrated by Mesaram clan of Gond tribes for 10 days.
- Tribal people from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh belonging to the Mesram clan offer prayers at the festival.
- It starts in pushya masam. A ceremony of ‘bheting’ is it’s integral part where the new brides are introduced to the clan god during first jatra afer their marriage
- The few hundred Raj Gond and Pardhan Adivasis, men clad in pure white dhoti-kurta and the pagdi headgear and women in the traditional colourful nau-vari Maharashtrian style saree.
- The temple for which a new structure is coming up is dedicated to the serpent god, known as Shri Shek to the aboriginal people, and is the centre of all activities during the week long festivities.
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Epiphany festival
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Epiphany Festival
Mains level: NA
The Epiphany festival was celebrated in parts of India, such as Goa and Kerala. In Goa, the celebration is known by its Portuguese name ‘Festa dos Reis’, and in parts of Kerala by its Syriac name ‘Denha’.
Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day
- Epiphany is among the three oldest and major festival days in Christianity, the two others being Christmas and Easter.
- It is celebrated on January 6 by a number of Christian sects, including Roman Catholics, and on January 19 by some Eastern Orthodox churches.
- In the West, the duration between December 25 and January 6 is known as the Twelve Days of Christmas.
- Epiphany is a feast day, or a day of commemoration, which in Christianity marks the visit of the Magi (meaning the Three Wise Men or Three Kings) to the Infant Jesus (Christ from his nativity until age 12).
- According to Christian belief, the Magi — Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar (or Casper), the kings of Arabia, Persia, and India, respectively — followed a miraculous guiding star to Bethlehem to paid homage to the Infant Jesus.
- The day also commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.
Celebrations in India
- In Goa, the Magi or Three Kings are called ‘Reis Magos’ in Portuguese.
- The Reis Magos fort, and church, in Bardez, and the Three Kings Chapel in Cansaulim, get their name from the belief.
- Communities in Bardez, Chandor, Cansaulim, Arossim, and Cuelim are known to celebrate Epiphany.
- In Kerala, at the St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral in Piravom, ‘Denha’ is an important annual celebration, in which a big congregation takes part.
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