Art and Culture Current Affairs

The Hoysala temples in Belur, Halebidu, and Somanathapur, Karnataka, have been designated as India’s 42nd UNESCO World Heritage Site. These temples, constructed during the 12th to 13th centuries, are renowned for their remarkable architecture and showcase the sculptural and artistic achievements of the Hoysala dynasty.

1. The UNESCO recognition, known as the “Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas in Karnataka, India,” emphasizes their cultural significance and universal value.
2. The decision to include this site on the World Heritage List was made during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
3. The site had been on UNESCO’s Tentative List since 2014 and has now received official recognition, covering an area of about 10.47 hectares with a buffer zone spanning 195.87 hectares.
4. These temples represent the architectural brilliance and intricate carvings characteristic of Hoysala art, featuring unique star-shaped platforms, detailed sculptures, and reliefs depicting various mythological stories.

Q.: What is the official UNESCO designation for Hoysala temples in Belur, Halebidu, and Somanathapur, Karnataka?

A) Hoysala Heritage Temples
B) Temples of Karnataka Excellence
C) Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas in Karnataka
D) Karnataka’s Ancient Temples

Answer: C) Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas in Karnataka, India

Shantiniketan has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list as announced by UNESCO on September 18, 2023. The decision to include Shantiniketan in the UNESCO World Heritage list was made during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Saudi Arabia.

1. Shantiniketan was established in 1901 by Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, the father of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. It is located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India.
2. Shantiniketan was originally founded as a residential school and an art center, based on ancient Indian traditions and the idea of the unity of humanity transcending religious and cultural boundaries.
3. In 1921, it evolved into a ‘world university’ known as “Visva Bharati,” emphasizing the unity of humanity.
4. Shantiniketan’s architectural style is distinct from the British colonial and European modernist trends of the early 20th century. Instead, it represents a pan-Asian modernity, drawing inspiration from ancient, medieval, and folk traditions across the region.

Q.: Who founded Shantiniketan?

a) Jawaharlal Nehru
b) Mahatma Gandhi
c) Rabindranath Tagore
d) Sardar Patel

Ans : c) Rabindranath Tagore

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, falls on September 19, 2023. It is a Hindu festival celebrating Lord Ganesha, the god of prosperity and wisdom.

1. The festival starts on the fourth day (chaturthi) of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, which usually falls in August or September.
2. During Ganesh Chaturthi, clay idols of Lord Ganesha are installed both in homes and on public pandals (temporary stages).
3. The festival spans ten days, culminating with the immersion of Ganesha idols on the final day.
4. Devotees observe rituals such as prayers, aarti (worship rituals), and singing devotional songs to seek blessings from Lord Ganesha.
5. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm in various regions of India, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, and Telangana.
6. Lord Ganesha is revered as the god of wisdom, wealth, and fortune, making this festival auspicious for seeking his blessings.

Q.: On which day of the Hindu calendar does Ganesh Chaturthi begin?

a) Fourth day (Chaturthi) of Shravana
b) Second day (Dwitiya) of Bhadrapada
c) Third day (Tritiya) of Kartika
d) Fourth day (Chaturthi) of Bhadrapada

Ans : d) Fourth day (Chaturthi) of Bhadrapada

The Ministry of Culture awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards to 84 performing artists in New Delhi. The special achievement award was given to artists above the age of 75 from all over India who had not been bestowed any national honor yet.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi mentioned that their selection showcased the rich and diverse culture of India.

The honor carried purse money of one lakh rupees along with Tamrapatra and Angavastra. Talking to Akashwani News, Akademi Chairperson Sandhya Purecha said the awards were conferred by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar at Vigyan Bhawan.

List of Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards 2023 winners

•  Amrit Award Citation 2023 .pdf
•  State wise list of Amrit Awardees (3).pdf

Q.: What is the significance of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards?

a) Recognizing young talent in the performing arts
b) Celebrating international artists
c) Honoring artists above the age of 75
d) Showcasing the diverse culture of India

d) Showcasing the diverse culture of India

“Jawan” is a Hindi action film starring Shah Rukh Khan and Nayanthara, directed by Atlee was released on September 7, 2023. “Jawan” has achieved significant success at the box office, breaking several records.

• It became the highest-grossing Hindi film on its opening day, with a worldwide collection of Rs 129.6 crore.
• It is the third Hindi film to cross the Rs 100 crore mark in just two days, following “Pathaan” and “KGF 2.”

The movie revolves around a father-son duo, both of whom are soldiers, facing a ruthless enemy named Kaalie. “Jawan” offers a mix of action, drama, emotion, and intriguing plot twists. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Shah Rukh Khan (playing both the father and the son), Nayanthara (portraying the son’s wife), Vijay Sethupathi (as the villain), Deepika Padukone (making a special appearance as the father’s wife), and other notable actors like Priyamani, Sanya Malhotra, Sunil Grover, and more.

Q.: What record did “Jawan,” the Hindi action film starring Shah Rukh Khan, achieve upon its release?

A) It became the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time.
B) It was the first Hindi film to cross Rs 100 crore in one day.
C) It broke the record for the highest worldwide collection on its opening day.
D) It featured a never-before-seen cast ensemble in Bollywood.

Answer: C) It broke the record for the highest worldwide collection on its opening day.

The 48th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is a major event that showcases the best of world cinema in Canada. It started on September 7 and will end on September 17, 2023. This year, the festival features a diverse selection of films from different genres, languages, and countries, including seven Indian films that highlight the talent and creativity of Indian cinema.

This year, six Indian films have been shortlisted in the official selection at TIFF. The films include Dear Jassi directed by Tarsem Singh Dhandwar, Kill, directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhatt, and Thank You For Coming, directed by Karan Boolani. 

Q.: When does the 48th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) start and end in 2023?

a) September 1 to September 10
b) September 7 to September 17
c) August 30 to September 5
d) September 15 to September 25

Ans : b) September 7 to September 17

The world’s tallest Nataraja statue has been installed at Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the G20 summit 2023 in Delhi. The 28-foot-tall statue weighing 20 tonnes was made in a record time of 7 months by sculptor Radhakrishnan Sthapathy and his team at Swamimalai in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu.

The Nataraja statue was built in Ashtadhatu (8 metals) using the traditional casting method. The statue was reached Delhi in four days via a dedicated green corridor.

Q.: The world’s tallest Nataraja statue has been installed at which place?

a) Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
b) Swamimalai, Tamil Nadu
c) Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu
d) Mumbai, Maharashtra

Answer: a) Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi