UPSC 2018 Art and Culture Questions with Answers

Explanation

Mughal and Nawabi architecture is marked by the use of red sandstone, white marble, and intricate brickwork. This choice reflects cultural influences seen in monuments like the Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Bara Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, and the Taj Mahal.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Buland Darwaza (Gate of Magnificence) and Khankah (Sufi monastery) at Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. It is made of red sandstone, with some white marble used for decorative inlays. White marble is not the primary material.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Bada Imambara, located in Lucknow was built by Asaf-ud-daula in 1784. It was built to give employment and revenue to the public This structure has been made by interlocking bricks without the use of mortar in its construction. Rumi Darwaza is also located in Lucknow, built by Nawab of Awadh Asaf-ud-daula. It is built using lakhauri bricks, coated with lime. It does not use red sandstone or marble. Stucco ornamentation (gajkari) was used to decorate the monuments, giving it a deep relief effect even on flat walls.

Explanation

Rajput regional paintings, flourishing in Rajasthan from the 16th to 19th centuries, are known for their vibrant colors, detailed depictions of court life, and themes from Hindu mythology. Styles like Mewar, Marwar, and Bundi showcase ornate portraits, landscapes, and historical events with a distinctive blend of Persian and Indian artistic traditions.

Option (d) is correct: Bani Thani paintings are a distinctive style of Indian miniature art that originated in the 18th century in the Rajput kingdom of Kishangarh, Rajasthan. Bani Thani painted by artist Nihal Chand is often referred to as the "Mona Lisa of India" and depicts a courtesan who was the muse and beloved of Raja Sawant Singh. The painting is characterized by its graceful curves, large eyes, and delicate features.

Explanation

Carnatic music is a classical music tradition of South India, characterized by its intricate ragas (melodies) and talas (rhythms), with a strong emphasis on vocal performance and improvisation. Prominent early singers include Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syama Sastri, and Tyagaraja, who significantly contributed to its development through their compositions and performances.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Tyagaraja is known for his devotional songs (Kritis) to Lord Rama and not Lord Krishna.

Statement 2 is correct: He innovated the technique of structural variations of musical lines and created new Ragas.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Annamacharya belonged to the 15th century whereas Tyagaraja belonged to the 18th century and so they are non-contemporary.

Statement 4 is correct: Annamacharya is renowned for his keertanas (devotional songs), most of which are dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, the deity of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correct: Chapchar Kut is a spring festival of Mizo people in Mizoram. It is celebrated in March after they complete their jhum cultivation (Jungle clearing).

Pair 2 is correct: The Khongjom Parba is a traditional ballad form from Manipur. It commemorates the bravery of Manipuri warriors, particularly the Battle of Khongjom fought during the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891. The ballad is performed with a combination of singing and storytelling with the accompaniment of instruments like the dholak (a type of drum).

Pair 3 is incorrect: Thang-Ta is an ancient Manipuri Martial Art dance developed from the war environment of Manipur by the Meitei community. Thang-Ta was also known as Huyen Lallong which means ‘The art of sword and the spear’.

Explanation

Sthanakvasi is a branch of Svetambara Jainism that was started in 1653 AD by a merchant named Lavaji. It holds that the path to soul purification and achieving Nirvana/Moksha does not include idol worship.

Option (b) is correct:

The Sthanakvasi sect is a reformist sect within Jainism. It emerged in the 15th century CE as a reaction against the perceived ritualism and temple-centric practices of the Murtipujaka (idol-worshipping) Jains.mThe Sthanakvasis emphasize asceticism, non-violence (ahimsa), and meditation. They reject the worship of idols and instead focus on spiritual practices and the study of Jain scriptures.mThe sect derives its name from the term "Sthanak", meaning a place of worship, which is typically a simple hall rather than an ornate temple.

Explanation

A Bodhisattva in Buddhism is an enlightened being who, out of compassion, chooses to remain in the cycle of birth and death (samsara) to help all sentient beings attain liberation. The Bodhisattva path emphasizes the cultivation of perfections (paramitas) like generosity, wisdom, and patience to achieve Buddhahood. According to Buddhist tradition, Maitreya is a Bodhisattva who will appear on earth in future, attain enlightenment and teach pure dharma. He will be the future Buddha. Avalokiteshvara (The Lord Who Looks Down), also called Padmapani (The Lotus-Bearer) and Lokesvara in Sanskrit (The Lord of the World) is believed to hear the cries of suffering beings and assist in their liberation, offering help and comfort. The Bodhisattva is often depicted with multiple arms, symbolizing the ability to reach out and help countless beings simultaneously.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Puthukkuli shawls are a traditional craft of the Toda tribe in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu. The shawls are adorned with intricate Toda embroidery, locally called "Pugur," meaning flower. This craft has been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status and is a significant cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Sujni embroidery originates from Bihar, not Maharashtra. It is a traditional form of embroidery from the Bhusura village in Bihar, often used to create quilts and other textile products. It has also received a GI tag.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Uppada Jamdani saris are woven in Uppada, East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, not Karnataka. These saris are known for their fine silk and intricate weaving patterns and have been granted a GI tag.