Art and Culture

The 69th National Film Awards were announced by Chairperson of the  Feature Film Jury Ketan Mehta on 24 August in New Delhi.

69th National Film Awards:

1. Best Feature Film: “Rocketry: The Nambi Effect” directed by R. Madhavan.
2. Best Actor: Allu Arjun for “Pushpa: The Rise.”
3. Best Actress: Alia Bhatt for “Gangubai Kathiawadi” and Kriti Sanon for “Mimi.”
4. Best Supporting Actress: Pallavi Joshi for “Kashmir Files.”
5. Best Supporting Actor: Pankaj Tripathi for “Mimi.”
6. Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: “RRR.”
7. Best Film on National Integration (Nargis Dutt Award): “The Kashmir Files” directed by Vivek Agnihotri.
8. Best Non-Feature Film: “Ek Tha Gaon” directed by Srishti Lakhera.
9. Best Direction: Nikhil Mahajan for the Marathi film “Godavari.”
10. Best Female Playback Singer: Shreya Ghoshal for the song “Mayava Chayava” from “Iravin Nizhal.”
11. Best Male Playback Singer: Kaala Bhairava for the song “Komuram Bheemudo” from “RRR.”
12. Best Lyrics: Chandrabose for the Telugu film “Konda Palam.”
13. Best Choreography: Prem Rakshith for “RRR.”
14. Best Music Direction: Devi Sri Prasad for “Pushpa: The Rise” and M.M. Keeravaani for “RRR.”
15. Best Hindi Film: “Sardar Udham Singh” directed by Shoojit Sircar.
16. Other Awards for “Sardar Udham Singh”: Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design.
17. Best Child Artist: Bhavin Rabari for the Gujarati film “Chhello Show.”
18. Best Direction (Non-Feature Film): Bakul Matiyani for “Smile Please.”
19. Total Submissions: 280 films from 28 languages were submitted for the awards in the year 2021.

Q.: What film was awarded the “Best Feature Film” at the 69th National Film Awards?

a) Gangubai Kathiawadi
b) Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
c) Pushpa: The Rise
d) RRR

Ans : b) Rocketry: The Nambi Effect

The G20 Film Festival is a cultural event that showcases the diversity and creativity of the G20 countries through cinema. It is organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India, in collaboration with the Directorate of Film Festivals, as part of the G20 Summit 2023 from August 16 to September 3, 2023, in New Delhi, India.

The G20 Film Festival feature 16 award-winning films from different genres and languages, such as Pather Panchali by Satyajit Ray (India), We are Still Here by Warwick Thornton (Australia), Ana by Charles McDougall (Argentina), and The Cathedral by Ali Asgari (Iran) . The festival aims to reflect the soft power of India and the other G20 nations, as well as to promote dialogue and understanding among different cultures and societies .

Q.: Where is the G20 Film Festival being held?

a) Mumbai, India
b) Tokyo, Japan
c) New Delhi, India
d) Beijing, China

Ans : c) New Delhi, India

Parsi New Year, known as Navroz or Nowroz, is celebrated by the Indian Parsi community in Gujarat and Maharashtra. It marks the start of a new year according to the ‘Shahenshahi’ calendar and coincides with the Iranian New Year on the first day of spring. This year, Parsi New Year is being celebrated on August 16, 2023.

• It is named Jamshed-i-Nouroz after the legendary Persian king Jamshed, who introduced the Parsi calendar.
• The celebration involves wearing new clothes, decorating homes, visiting fire temples, offering prayers, exchanging greetings, and enjoying traditional dishes.
• The Parsi New Year promotes happiness and harmony among diverse cultures, with greetings of “Navroz Mubarak” or “Happy New Year.”

Q.: The Parsi New Year is celebrated according to which calendar?

a) Gregorian calendar
b) Lunar calendar
c) Shahenshahi calendar
d) Hijri calendar

Ans : c) Shahenshahi calendar

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Festival of Libraries 2023 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on July 5, 2023.The two-day Festival is organized by the Ministry of Culture and aims to highlight iconic libraries from around the world.

1. The main objective is to initiate discussions on the modernization and digitization of libraries in India.
2. The Festival is a part of the second phase of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,’ aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision to promote library development and digitization, and to foster a reading culture in India.
3. The event aims to facilitate the formulation of action-oriented policies for the development of Model Libraries across India, including at the village and community levels.
4. It also marks the launch of a special ranking system for libraries in India, aiming to promote excellence and innovation in the library sector.
5. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will attend the valedictory ceremony of the Festival.

Question: What is the main objective of the Festival of Libraries 2023 held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi from 5 to 6 July 2023?

A) To showcase iconic libraries from across the world
B) To promote cultural events at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
C) To celebrate India’s independence anniversary
D) To initiate a conversation on modernization and digitization of libraries in India

Answer: D) To initiate a conversation on modernization and digitization of libraries in India

President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated two festivals – “Utkarsh,” India’s folk and tribal expressions festival, and “Unmesh,” an international literature festival in Bhopal on 3 August 2023.

1. The event is organized by the Culture Department of Madhya Pradesh in collaboration with Sangeet Natak Akademi and Sahitya Akademi of the Union Ministry of Culture.
2. The festivals will take place from 3rd to 5th August.
3. Governor Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan were present at the inaugural ceremony.
4. The President emphasized the significance of literature in reflecting and advancing humanity. Literature serves as a connection and takes society forward.
5. The President highlighted the “Amrit Kaal Mein Unmesh” program, which focuses on the contemporary literary creations and their impact on readers.
6. The term “Utkarsh” means progress, and the President emphasized that the progress of tribal communities will contribute to the overall progress of the nation.
7. The President called upon everyone to take responsibility for preserving tribal traditions, languages, and cultures.

Q.: Who inaugurated the national festival of India’s folk and tribal expressions “Utkarsh” and the international literature festival “Unmesh” in Bhopal?

a) Governor Mangubhai Patel
b) Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
c) President Draupadi Murmu
d) Culture Department of Madhya Pradesh

Ans : c) President Draupadi Murmu

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in a recent report, has recommended adding the city of Venice to the list of world heritage sites in danger.

1. The report cites several factors putting the city at risk, including overwhelming tourism, over development, and rising sea levels due to climate change.
2. The aim of including Venice in the endangered list is to encourage better preservation of the city for the future.
3. The UNESCO report criticizes the Italian authorities for lacking a strategic vision to address the issues faced by the picturesque city.
4. The Venice municipality plans to discuss the report with the Italian government.
5. The report reflects concerns over the failure to protect the historic city and its surrounding lagoon.

Venice, Italy

• Venice is a historic and iconic city located in northeastern Italy, built on 118 small islands in a lagoon.
• It is renowned for its intricate network of canals, picturesque waterways, and stunning architecture.
• The city is often referred to as the “City of Canals” and the “Floating City.”

History and Culture:

• Venice has a rich history dating back to the 5th century when it was a major maritime power and trading center.
• During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Venice flourished as a prominent cultural and artistic hub.
• The city is renowned for its Venetian Gothic architecture, exemplified by landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

Unique Transportation:

• Instead of roads, Venice relies on an intricate network of canals and waterways for transportation.
• Gondolas, water taxis, and vaporettos (water buses) serve as the primary means of getting around the city.

World Heritage Status:

• Venice has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural and historical significance.
• However, in recent times, concerns have been raised about the impact of mass tourism, climate change, and over-development on the city’s preservation.

Question: What risks does UNESCO’s report highlight as reasons for recommending Venice to be added to the list of world heritage sites in danger?

A) Economic instability and unemployment.
B) Pollution and environmental degradation.
C) Overwhelming tourism and over development.
D) Political unrest and social conflicts.

Answer: C) Overwhelming tourism and over development.