UPSC 2017 Art and Culture Questions with Answers

Explanation

Sun temples in India, dedicated to the Sun God Surya, are renowned for their architectural grandeur and symbolic representation of cosmic order. Famous Sun temples in India are Konark Sun Temple (Odisha), Dakshinaarka Temple at Gaya (Bihar), Bhramanya Dev Temple at Unao (Madhya Pradesh), Sun Temple at Modhera (Gujarat).

Option 1 is correct: Arasavalli located in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh is famous for the Suryanarayana Temple is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya). This temple is one of the few ancient Sun temples in India and is believed to have been built in the 7th century CE by the Kalinga king Devendra Varma. The temple is designed in such a way that the sun’s rays fall directly on the feet of the Sun God’s idol twice a year, during the months of March and September.

Option 2 is incorrect: Amarkantak is a pilgrimage town in Madhya Pradesh which marks the origin of the Narmada River. Here Lord Shiva is worshiped as Narmadeswar Amarkantak.

Option 3 is incorrect: Omkareshwar located in Madhya Pradesh is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is famous for the Omkareshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated on an island in the Narmada River and is a major pilgrimage site for Shaivites. Arasavalli Temple

Explanation

A Bodhisattva in Buddhism is a being who has attained enlightenment but chooses to remain in the cycle of birth and death to help others achieve liberation. Bodhisattvas embody compassion and selflessness, exemplified by figures like Avalokiteshvara and Manjushri.

Option (a) is correct: The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is in Ajanta Cave no 1 located in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra which dates back to the 5th century AD. The fresco depicts Bodhisattva Padmapani (the compassionate one holding a lotus) with a calm and meditative expression. Other paintings of Bodhisattvas include Vajrapani (protector and guide, a symbol of Buddha’s power) and Manjusri (manifestation of Buddha’s wisdom). In this painting, Bodhisattva is holding a lotus in his hand in a Tribhanga pose. Fig.: Bodhisattva Padmapani in

Explanation

Sankirtana is a Meitei cultural performance art which includes a wide range of artistic expressions carried out to commemorate special religious occasions and different phases in the lives of the Vaishnava people of the Manipur plains. Sankirtana rituals are centered around temples and domestic spaces, where dancers and singers narrate stories of Lord Krishna’s life and actions through dance and song. In 2013, UNESCO added Manipur’s distinctive cultural legacy to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Statement 1 is correct: Manipuri Sankirtana is a vibrant combination of song and dance. It is a form of devotional performance that involves singing, drumming, and dancing, often performed in a circular formation. The performers sing hymns and devotional songs, accompanied by rhythmic movements and drumming.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While cymbals (kartal) are an essential part of Manipuri Sankirtana but they are not the only instruments used. The primary instrument in Sankirtana is the Pung, a traditional Manipuri drum. Other instruments such as the harmonium and flute may also be used in some performances.

Statement 3 is correct: Manipuri Sankirtana is deeply connected to the Vaishnavite tradition and its themes often revolve around the life and deeds of Lord Krishna. The lyrics of the songs are usually devotional praising Krishna and recounting episodes from his life such as his childhood exploits (Bal Leela) and his divine love for Radha.

Explanation

India’s cultural landscape is marked by a wide array of religious traditions that include the Chaliha Sahib Festival (Sindhis), Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra (Garhwalis), Wari-Warkari (Maharashtrians), Baisakhi (Punjabis), Bohag Bihu (Assamese), and Onam (Keralites)

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Chaliha Sahib Festival is a significant religious festival celebrated by the Sindhi community. It is dedicated to Jhulelal the patron saint of the Sindhis and involves 40 days of fasting, prayers, and rituals.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra is a major pilgrimage in Uttarakhand associated with Garhwali and Kumaono community, not Gond community. It is a traditional yatra (pilgrimage) that takes place every 12 years, and involves a journey to the Nanda Devi peak.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: The Wari-Warkari tradition is associated with the Warkari sect of Maharashtra, not the Santhal community. The Warkari sect is a devotional movement centered around the worship of Lord Vitthal (a form of Lord Krishna) and involves an annual pilgrimage to the Pandharpur temple.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Buddhism.

Statement 2 is correct: Sarvastivadin considers everything empirical to be impermanent, they maintain that the dharma factors are eternally existing realities. Sarvastivadin:

Believes in the eternal existence of dharma factors Affirms the presence of past, present, and future Criticized by Sautrantikas for violating the Buddhist idea of impermanence. Sautrantika:

Descended from the Sarvastivadins Relies on sutras rather than Abhidharma commentaries Adheres to extreme momentariness, believing only the current moment exists Criticizes Sarvastivadin’s belief in the existence of past, present, and future phenomena Sammitiya and other sub-schools:

Branches off from Vatsiputriya, a parent school Well-known in Gujarat and Sindh during the Maitraka dynasty Split into two sub-schools: Avantakas and Kurukulas