Art and Culture: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

The rock-cut elephant situated in Dhauli was constructed during the reign of Ashoka, who ruled from 272 to 231 BC (3rd Century AD). Varaha Image at Udayagiri Hill was built in the 5th century AD by Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) to commemorate the victory over the foreign Shaka. The rock-cut monuments in Mahabalipuram were constructed during the 7th and 8th centuries AD mainly by the Pallava king Narasimha. On the other hand, the Lingaraj Temple was built in the 11th century AD, under the reign of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The temple is a major Shaivite temple, a prime example of Kalinga architecture and is one of the largest temples in Odisha

Explanation

Indian folk paintings are traditional art forms rooted in local culture, depicting daily life, nature, and religious themes using vibrant colors and symbolic motifs. Examples include Madhubani from Bihar, known for its intricate patterns and mythological themes, Warli art from Maharashtra, which features tribal life and nature, and Pattachitra from Odisha.

Option (a) is correct: Kalamkari cotton textile is made in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and is either hand-painted or block-printed. The kalam (pen) is used for freehand drawing of the subject and filling in the colors is entirely done by hand. Kalamkari was first used to depict scenes from sacred texts such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Bhagavatam. It is practiced in two distinct styles: Srikalahasti (freehand drawing) and Machilipatnam (block-printing). The Srikalahasti style is more intricate and involves hand-painting while the Machilipatnam style uses wooden blocks for printing. Artists use natural dyes derived from plants, minerals, and other organic sources. The process involves multiple steps including dyeing, washing, and painting.

Explanation

Kosala was one of the 16 Mahajanapadas (Great Kingdoms) during Buddha’s time. Buddha was born in Lumbini which was under the rule of the Kosala kingdom at that time. His father, King Suddhodana was the leader of the Shakya clan which a vassal state under Kosala. King Prasenajit (Pasenadi) of Kosala was a major contemporary of Buddha and a patron of Buddhism. Magadha was the most powerful Mahajanapada during Buddha’s lifetime. Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, which was in Magadha. King Bimbisara of Magadha was one of Buddha’s earliest royal patrons and donated the Venuvana monastery in Rajgir.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra) are famous for their rock-cut Buddhist architecture including sculptures and paintings from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE. The Mahaparinirvana of Buddha (his final passing away) is depicted in Cave 26 where a huge reclining Buddha (over 23 feet long) is shown lying on his right side, with his disciples mourning below and celestial beings above. They were built under the patronage of Satavahana and Vakataka rulers.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The Varaha Avatar sculpture is not located at Mount Abu. It is found at Udayagiri Caves near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. The Udayagiri Caves are famous for their early Gupta period rock-cut sculptures, including the iconic Varaha panel depicting Vishnu rescuing Goddess Earth (Bhudevi) from the ocean. Mount Abu (Rajasthan) is primarily known for its Dilwara Temples (11th-13th century CE) of Jain architecture.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Arjuna’s Penance or Descent of the Ganges is a massive open-air rock relief located at Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) in Tamil Nadu. It depicts scenes from Hindu mythology such as the story of Arjuna’s penance and the descent of the Ganges to earth. It is one of the largest open-air rock reliefs in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explanation

The Ibadat Khana was built by Emperor Akbar in 1575 as a place for holding discussions with scholars of various religions, including Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism. These discussions were part of Akbar’s efforts to promote religious tolerance and understand different faiths, which eventually led to the formulation of his Din-i-Ilahi (Divine Faith)-a synthesis of various religious principlesand a syncretic religious doctrine.

Option (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

The mosque at Fatehpur Sikri is the Jama Masjid which was built for public worship and is one of the largest mosques in India. The Ibadat Khana was not Akbar’s private prayer chamber. Akbar’s private prayer chamber was likely located within the palace complex. While the Ibadat Khana was a place for religious discussions but it was not specifically a room for nobles.

Explanation

Indian temple architecture is diverse, with distinct regional styles such as the Nagara (northern), Dravida (southern), and Vesara (a blend of both). The Panchayatan style is a sub-school of Nagara architecture, specifically prevalent in North India.

Option (c) is correct:

Panchayatan is a temple architecture style where the main shrine (garbhagriha) is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines, forming a quincunx (four smaller shrines at the corners and one main shrine in the center). The term comes from the Sanskrit words Pancha (five) and ayatana (containing). The Dashavatara Vishnu Temple in Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh, built in the early 6th century AD, follows this style, with the main shrine on a rectangular plinth and four subsidiary shrines at the corners, totaling five shrines. Other temples that follow the Panchayatan style are Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (Khajuraho, MP), built during the Chandela period and the Lakshmana Temple (Khajuraho, MP).

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Tabo Monastery situated in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India is a historically and culturally significant Buddhist monastery. It was founded in 996 CE and is one of the oldest continuously functioning Buddhist monasteries in India and is renowned for its exquisite murals, sculptures, and architecture reflecting a blend of Tibetan and Indian artistic influences.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Lhotsava Lhakhang is located in Nako village which is part of Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Alchi Temple Complex located in the village of Alchi in Ladakh, India and was built in the 12th century is another important Buddhist site. It is particularly famous for its unique and well-preserved wall paintings which showcase a fusion of Indian and Kashmiri artistic styles.

Explanation

Sattriya is a classical dance form from Assam which was developed in the 15th-16th century by Srimanta Sankardev as part of the Vaishnavite movement. The dance follows a codified sequence, beginning with Ramdani (pure dance), followed by Gayan Bayan (percussive music and dance), and includes Krishna Nritya and Gopi Nritya, depicting Krishna’s tales. It is accompanied by Borgeet (devotional songs) composed by Sankardev and Madhavdev and often features Ankia Naat (one-act plays).

Statement 1 is correct: Sattriya was traditionally performed in sattras (Vaishnavite monasteries) and combined dance, music, and drama. Sattriya dance tradition is governed by strictly laid down principles in respect of hasta mudras, footwork, aharyas, music etc.

Statement 2 is correct: The Sattriya dance form was introduced in the 15th century A.D by the great Vaishnava saint and reformer of Assam, Mahapurusha Sankaradeva as a powerful medium for the propagation of the Vaishnava faith.

Statement 3 is incorrect: It is based on the songs composed by Sankaradeva and Madhvadeva not Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai.

Explanation

India’s rich cultural heritage boasts a variety of folk dance forms, each reflecting regional traditions. Garba from Gujarat is performed during Navratri with rhythmic clapping and circular movements. Mohiniattam, though a classical dance from Kerala, often incorporated folk elements. Yakshagana from Karnataka combines dance, music, and theatrical storytelling. Other notable folk dances include Bhangra from Punjab, Kathakali from Kerala, Lavani from Maharashtra, and Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh. These dances, often performed during festivals, celebrate local folklore, deities, and seasonal transitions, blending music, drama, and vibrant costumes.

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Garba is a famous dance form of Gujarat, performed to honor the Hindu Deity, Goddess Durga. It is a sacred practice in Gujarat to perform this joyful folk dance on practically all important occasions.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Mohiniattam is a classical dance form from Kerala, characterized by its graceful, soft, and feminine style. It is classified under the Lasya category, which emphasizes elegance and gentle movements. Although Mohiniattam has evolved over time, its foundations are rooted in the ancient Sanskrit text Natya Shastra, which outlines the principles of classical Indian dance.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Yakshagana is a musical dance theater form of Karnataka. The dance form includes players dressed in costumes with vivid colors and shapes, singing, drumming, and dancing, as well as players who interpret words with gestures.

Explanation

Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial art form which originated in Kerala, a state in the southern part of India. Its name derives from the Malayalam words "Kalari," meaning training ground or battlefield and "Payattu," meaning practice or fight. This martial art is renowned for its comprehensive training regimen which includes strikes, kicks, grappling, weaponry, healing methods, and meditation. Practitioners begin their training with an oil massage to enhance body agility and suppleness. The art also emphasizes knowledge of "Marmas" or vital points by integrating traditional healing practices into its system.