Art and Culture Current Affairs

Indian Art and Culture for Competitive Affairs

“Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know,” selected for 77th Cannes Film Festival

Chidanand Naik, a student at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), has achieved recognition as his film “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” has been selected for the competitive section of the 77th Cannes Film Festival in France.

  1. The festival, scheduled from May 15th to May 24th, 2024, will showcase Naik’s film in the ‘La Cinef’ section, which promotes emerging talents and films from film schools worldwide.
  2. Naik’s film is one of the 18 shorts (14 live-action and 4 animated) selected from 2,263 submissions globally, making it the sole Indian film in the ‘La Cinef’ section.
  3. The film tells the story of an elderly woman causing upheaval in her village by stealing the community’s rooster, leading to chaos and the invocation of a prophecy resulting in her family’s exile.
  4. This selection marks the first time a film by a student from FTII’s one-year television course has been featured at Cannes.
  5. FTII’s teaching methodology, focusing on practice-based co-learning in cinema and television, has consistently produced students and alumni acclaimed at national and international film festivals.

Question : Which Indian film has been selected for the Cannes Film Festival in the ‘La Cinef’ category?

a) “The Rooster’s Prophecy”
b) “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Bloom”
c) “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know”
d) “The Elderly Woman’s Tale”

Correct answer: c) “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know”

Question: Who directed the film “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know”?

a) Suraj Thakur
b) Manoj V
c) Chidananda S Naik
d) Abhishek Kadam

Ans : c) Chidananda S Naik

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Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated on April 11, 2024

Eid-ul-Fitr is a significant festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide, marking the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. In 2024, Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated on April 11 in India.

  1. Ramadan involves fasting from dawn to dusk, and Eid-ul-Fitr signifies the culmination of this month-long spiritual practice.
  2. Celebrations include breaking the fast joyfully, performing special prayers, expressing gratitude to Allah, seeking forgiveness, and gathering with family.

Q: When does Eid-ul-Fitr occur?

A) At the beginning of Ramadan
B) In the third week of Ramadan
C) At the end of Ramadan
D) Last Friday of Ramadan

Ans : C) At the end of Ramadan

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Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba

Chaitra Sukladi: Beginning of Vikram samvat 2081. Chaitra Sukladi marks the New Year’s Day according to the Hindu calendar in parts of North India. It falls on the first day of the Chaitra month, which is the first month of the Hindu calendar.

Ugadi: Ugadi is celebrated as the New Year’s Day in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. On this day, people clean their homes, decorate doorways with mango leaves, and prepare a special dish called “Ugadi Pachadi,” which symbolizes the various flavors of life.

Gudi Padwa: Gudi Padwa is the New Year celebration in the state of Maharashtra. People raise a “Gudi” (a decorated pole) outside their homes, signifying victory and good fortune.

Cheti Chand: Cheti Chand is the New Year for the Sindhi community. People visit temples, offer prayers, and partake in community feasts. It celebrates the birth anniversary of the Sindhi patron saint, Jhulelal.

Navreh: Navreh is the Kashmiri Hindu New Year. People observe fasting, visit temples, and seek blessings for the year ahead. It signifies the renewal of life and the awakening of nature after winter.

Sajibu Cheiraoba: Sajibu Cheiraoba is the Manipuri New Year. People clean their homes, light lamps, and offer prayers. It’s a time for cultural performances, traditional dances, and feasting.

Q: Which event marks the beginning of Vikram Samvat 2081?

a) Ugadi
b) Gudi Padwa
c) Chaitra Sukladi
d) Cheti Chand

Correct answer: c) Chaitra Sukladi

Q: In which states is Ugadi celebrated as the New Year’s Day?

a) Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka
b) Maharashtra
c) Punjab
d) Manipur

Correct answer: a) Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka

Q: What is raised outside homes during Gudi Padwa celebrations?

a) A decorated pole
b) A rangoli design
c) A traditional flag
d) A garland of mango leaves

Correct answer: a) A decorated pole

Q: Which community celebrates Cheti Chand as their New Year?

a) Bengali
b) Sindhi
c) Punjabi
d) Gujarati

Correct answer: b) Sindhi

Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba Read More »

Ponkaliamman Festival in Tamil Nadu

The Sri Ponkaliamman temple in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district radiated with the enthusiasm of over 50,000 devotees during the revered Ponkaliamman festival. Thousands of worshippers took part in a magnificent procession on 3 April 2024 (Wednesday) evening, carrying fire torches as a symbol of their unwavering faith.

Important Facts about the Ponkaliamman Festival

  • Celebrated: In honor of Goddess Ponkaliamman (Parvati/Mariamman)
  • Location: Primarily in rural Tamil Nadu
  • Time: Tamil month of Panguni (March-April), lasting 2-3 days
  • Purpose: To seek blessings for health, prosperity, and protection
  • Key Activities:
    • Procession with fire torches (symbol of devotion)
    • Bathing the idol with holy offerings
    • Cultural events, music, dance
    • Food offerings (Pongal, fruits, flowers)
  • Highlights of Sri Ponkaliamman Temple Festival (Erode):
    • Over 50,000 devotees participated in a fire torch procession on April 3, 2024.
    • Devotees believe walking on burning pits during the festival brings blessings.
    • The temple is associated with the legendary Vel Pari, a patron known for his generosity.

Q: In which Tamil month is the Ponkaliamman festival typically celebrated?

a) Masi (February-March)
b) Panguni (March-April)
c) Vaikasi (May-June)
d) Aadi (July-August)

Ans : b) Panguni (March-April)

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Prabha Varma Selected For Saraswati Samman For The Year 2023 for his Malayalam language poetry work, Roudra Sathwikam

Prabha Varma, the celebrated poet and litterateur, has been honored with the prestigious Saraswati Samman for 2023 for his Malayalam language poetry work, Roudra Sathwikam and also for his contribution to the literature during the period 2013 to 2022.

About Prabha Varma

Born in Thiruvalla, Kerala, in 1959, Prabha Varma has made significant contributions as a bilingual writer, excelling in both Malayalam and English literature. His work beautifully weaves together tradition and modernity, making him one of the most influential voices in contemporary Malayalam literature.

Prabha Varma has authored more than 30 books, including collections of poems, novels in verse, sociopolitical commentaries, and essays. His literary prowess has garnered him over 70 awards, including the National Sahitya Akademi Award and the National Film Award.

About Roudra Sathwikam

His novel “Roudra Sathwikam”, published in 2022, delves into the intricate conflict between power, politics, and individual morality. Written in poetic verse, it transcends time and space, addressing the eternal struggle of dharma (righteousness) versus adharma (wrongdoing) in a creatively philosophical manner.

About Saraswati Samman

The Saraswati Samman, instituted in 1991, recognizes outstanding literary works written in any Indian language by Indian citizens and published within the last 10 years. Prabha Varma’s achievement is marked by a citation, a plaque, and a cash prize of ₹15 lakh. The selection committee, currently led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri, carefully chooses the recipient each year.

Q: What prestigious award was Prabha Varma honored ?

A) Jnanpith Award
B) Saraswati Samman
C) Sahitya Akademi Award
D) Padma Bhushan

Answer: B) Saraswati Samman

Q: Which novel by Prabha Varma received the Saraswati Samman?

A) “Roudra Sathwikam”
B) “Malayalam Musings”
C) “Verse Chronicles”
D) “Eternal Echoes”

Answer: A) “Roudra Sathwikam”

Prabha Varma Selected For Saraswati Samman For The Year 2023 for his Malayalam language poetry work, Roudra Sathwikam Read More »

Oscar Awards: “Oppenheimer” bags six awards including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director

96th Oscar Awards was held on March 10, 2024 at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

  • Best Picture: “Oppenheimer” won the award.
  • Best Actor: Cillian Murphy received the trophy.
  • Best Director: Christopher Nolan won for his work on “Oppenheimer.”
  • Emma Stone won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “Poor Things,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.
  • “Oppenheimer” won a total of six awards, including Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr.
  • The film also won awards for Best Film Editing, Cinematography, and Original Score.
  • “Oppenheimer” had 13 nominations, indicating its significant presence and recognition at the Oscars.

Q: Who won the Best Actor Oscar award at the 96th Academy Awards?

A) Cillian Murphy
B) Robert Downey Jr.
C) Christopher Nolan
D) Emma Stone

Answer: A) Cillian Murphy

Q: Which film received the Best Oscar Picture award?

A) “Oppenheimer”
B) “American Fiction”
C) “How Do You Live?”
D) “Barbie”

Answer: A) “Oppenheimer”

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PM Modi presented first ever “National Creators Award” in New Delhi

The National Creators Award, a prestigious recognition, was presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 8 March 2024. This inaugural award aims to celebrate excellence and impact across various domains, including storytelling, social change advocacy, environmental sustainability, education, and gaming. It serves as a launchpad for using creativity to drive positive change.

The award witnessed remarkable public engagement, with over 1.5 lakh nominations received across twenty categories. In the subsequent voting round, approximately 10 lakh votes were cast for digital creators in various award categories. The winners, including three international creators, were selected based on this overwhelming public participation, truly reflecting the people’s choice.

Here are some of the twenty award categories:

  1. Best Storyteller Award
  2. Disruptor of the Year
  3. Celebrity Creator of the Year
  4. Green Champion Award
  5. Best Creator for Social Change
  6. Most Impactful Agri Creator
  7. Cultural Ambassador of the Year
  8. International Creator Award
  9. Best Travel Creator Award
  10. Swachhta Ambassador Award
  11. The New India Champion Award
  12. Tech Creator Award
  13. Heritage Fashion Icon Award
  14. Most Creative Creator (Male & Female)
  15. Best Creator in Food Category
  16. Best Creator in Education Category
  17. Best Creator in Gaming Category
  18. Best Micro Creator
  19. Best Nano Creator
  20. Best Health and Fitness Creator

Q: Which “National Creators Award” category honors creators making a significant contribution to environmental sustainability?

a) Best Storyteller Award
b) Disruptor of the Year
c) Green Champion Award
d) Tech Creator Award

Ans : c) Green Champion Award

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Sahityotsav, the world’s largest literary festival from March 11th to 16th 2024

Sahityotsav, the world’s largest literary festival organized by Sahitya Akademi, will be held from March 11th to 16th 2024.

  • Commemorating 70 years of Sahitya Akademi, the festival will feature over a hundred renowned writers and scholars.
  • More than 190 sessions will take place, representing over 175 languages of India.
  • The Sahitya Akademi Awards 2023 presentation ceremony will be a highlight on March 12th in New Delhi, with distinguished Odia writer Pratibha Rai as the Chief Guest.
  • Renowned Urdu writer and lyricist Gulzar will deliver the Samvatsar lecture on March 13th.
  • Key highlights of the festival include multilingual poetry reading, short story reading, panel discussions on various literary topics like Bhakti Literature, Children’s Literature, Tribal Poets’ and Writers’ Meet, etc.
  • Special programs include All India Differently Abled Writers’ Meet, LGBTQ Writers’ Meet, Seminar on the birth centenary of Mir Taqi Mir, and a symposium on Gopichand Narang.
  • Activities for children include painting competitions, literary quizzes, and other competitions expected to involve over a thousand participants from Delhi and NCR.

Q: What is the name of the world’s largest literary festival organized by Sahitya Akademi in March 2024 in New Delhi?

a) Sahitya Mahotsav
b) Kavyotsav
c) Sahityotsav
d) Kathautsav

Correct answer: c) Sahityotsav

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President Droupadi Murmu Conferred Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards To Ninety-Four Eminent Artists

President Droupadi Murmu conferred Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for the Years 2022 and 2023 to ninety-four eminent artists in New Delhi on 6 March 2024.

  • Awards were given in various fields such as music, dance, drama, folk and tribal arts, puppetry, and allied theatre art forms.
  • Seven eminent artists were bestowed with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna).
  • Union Minister for Culture G Kishan Reddy hailed the awards as an honor for the entire field of art and praised the Akademi’s efforts in promoting and protecting Indian arts.
  • Notable recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship included Vinayak Khedekar, R Visweswaran, Nitu Kumari Nootan, Shailesh Shrivastava, and Maddali Usha Gayatri.
  • The fellowship is the highest honor in the performing arts field, recognizing exceptional contributions with a purse money of three lakh rupees, while the Akademi Award carries a purse money of one lakh rupees.

Q: What fields were the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards given in?

a) Music only
b) Dance only
c) Multiple fields including music, dance, drama, and folk arts
d) Literature

Ans : c) Multiple fields including music, dance, drama, and folk arts

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Six eminent personalities named Akademi Fellows or Akademi Ratna by Sangeet Natak Akademi

The Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s national academy for music, dance, and drama, confers two prestigious awards to recognize and celebrate excellence in the performing arts:

  • Akademi Ratna (Akademi Fellow): This is the highest honor bestowed by the Akademi, limited to a maximum of 40 living individuals.
  • Akademi Puraskar (Akademi Award): This award recognizes outstanding contributions from artists across various performing arts disciplines.

On February 21-22, 2024, the General Council of the Sangeet Natak Akademi selected six eminent personalities as Akademi Fellows (Akademi Ratna):

  1. Vinayak Khedekar (Hindustani classical vocalist): A renowned exponent of the Agra gharana of Hindustani classical music, known for his soulful renditions and mastery of intricate taals.
  2. R. Visweswaran (Kathakali exponent): A prolific Kathakali artist and scholar, he has significantly contributed to the preservation and propagation of this classical dance form from Kerala.
  3. Sunayana Hazarilal (Odissi dancer): A leading Odissi dancer and choreographer, known for her grace, innovative interpretations, and dedication to promoting the dance form globally.
  4. Raja & Radha Reddy (Kuchipudi dancers): This husband-and-wife duo are legendary Kuchipudi dancers and teachers who have revolutionized the art form through their innovative choreography and dedication to its propagation.
  5. Dulal Roy (Folk singer and researcher): A renowned Baul singer and researcher from West Bengal, known for his evocative renditions and commitment to preserving and promoting Baul music, a mystical Bengali folk tradition.
  6. D.P. Sinha (Scholar and administrator): A distinguished scholar and administrator who has made significant contributions to the field of Indian theatre and performing arts through research, writing, and leadership roles.

These six individuals have enriched the Indian cultural landscape through their exceptional talent, dedication, and contributions to their respective art forms. They serve as an inspiration to aspiring artists and a testament to the vibrancy and diversity of India’s performing arts tradition.

Q. What is the highest honor bestowed by the Sangeet Natak Akademi?

  • a) Sangeet Natak Ratha
  • b) Akademi Purana
  • c) Akademi Ratna (Akademi Fellow)
  • d) Natya Natak Samman

Ans : c) Akademi Ratna (Akademi Fellow)

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