Question:

The Qasr al-Farid Tomb (The Lonely Castle) in the archaeological site of Mada'in Saleh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located in

A. Saudi Arabia
B. Egypt
C. Israel
D. Jordon

Answer: A

Explanation:
• The Qasr al-Farid is located in the archaeological site of Mada'in Saleh in the north of Saudi Arabia. It is one of the 111 monumental tombs scattered around the Mada'in Saleh, a site which was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2008.

Consider the following statements about the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which was in news recently:

1. ASI is an attached office in the Ministry of Earth Science.

2. ASI is the successor of Asiatic Society of India and was formed in current form by James Prinsep.

3. It regulates the archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

Choose the correct answer from the code given below:

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1, 2 and 3

D. 3 only

Ans: D

Explanation:

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is an attached office in the Ministry of Culture. It was set up in 1861 with the primary object of surveying antiquarian remains in this country and their study.
• ASI is the successor of Asiatic Society of India and was formed in current form by Sir Alexander Cunningham with the help of the then Viceroy Canning. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• ASI regulates all the archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Purpose of the Question:

ASI has constantly been in the news recently for various reasons; most recently due to the excavations at Lalitgiri in Odisha which has yielded the remains of Buddhist Monasteries and chaityas, and has been converted into a museum. Also, ASI will soon begin the exercise of identifying unauthorised constructions around the 14th-century Tughlaqabad Fort.

Source: TH

Question :

Consider the following statements:

1. The Meena Tribe is listed as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and is settled in the state of Odisha.

2. Mandana art are wall and floor paintings of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

3. Chalk powder is used to make motifs in Mandana art.

Choose the correct answer from the code given below:

A. 3 only

B. 2 only

C. 1, 2 and 3

D. 2 and 3 only

Answer: D

Explanation: The Meena Tribe is not listed as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and are mainly found in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
Mandana Art is a form of folk painting created by the Meena Tribe.

What is Mandana Art?
Mandana art are paintings created on walls and floors of houses, usually done by women. The wall is first coated with clay made of cow-dung and water. It is later beautified using white paint (khadiya–chalk solution) and red paint (geru–red clay). The central theme of Mandana involves religious and wildlife elements which comprises of gods, goddesses, flowers, plants, animals and birds.

Question:

Consider the following statements about “Kalamezhuthu”:

1. It refers to the pictorial representation of deities on the floor (kalam) using coloured powders in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
2. The drawing is done with bare hands without the use of any tools.
3. This art form is a harmonious blend of Aryan, Dravidian and Tribal traditions.

Choose the correct statement from the code given below?
A. 1 only
B. 3 only
C.1, 2 and 3
D. 2 and 3 only

Answer: D

Explanation: Kalam (Kalamezhuthu) is a unique form of art found in Kerala. It is essentially a ritualistic art practiced in temples and sacred groves of Kerala where the representation of deities like Kali and Lord Ayyappa are made on the floor. This art form is a harmonious blend of Aryan, Dravidian and Tribal traditions.
The drawing is done with bare hands without the use of tools and natural colors are used for the paintings. The pigments are extracted from plants- rice flour (white), charcoal powder (black), turmeric powder (yellow), powdered green leaves (green), and a mixture of turmeric powder and lime (red).

Question:

This Temple is made up of “Granite” and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples" & is sometimes called as “Dakshina Meru”. It is also famed for the quality of its sculpture, as well as being the location that commissioned the brass Nataraja– Shiva as the lord of dance in 11th century. These references are with respect to which temple?

A. Brihadisvara Temple,

B. Gangaikonda cholapuram temple

C. Airavatesvara Temple.

D. Meenakshi Temple.

Answer : A

Explanation: Brihadishvara Temple, also called Rajarajesvaram Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thanjavur. It is one of the largest South Indian temples and an exemplary example of a fully realized Dravidian architecture. It is called as Dhakshina Meru (Meru of South). Built by Raja Raja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 AD, the temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples", along with the Chola dynasty era Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and Airavatesvara temple.

It is made up of Granite and has one of the largest Vimmana in South India. It was at this temple that “Nataraja” was commissioned.

Purpose of the Question:
Recently, High Court has stayed the Art of Living event at Brihadishvara Temple seeing the historical importance and other factors related to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Students must have a fair idea about this temple which falls under the Art & culture syllabus.

Source: CCRT, TH