Test: Ancient, Medieval and Art & Culture- 4 - UPSC MCQ

Answer: c

Explanation: Zenda Avesta is the religious scripture of the Parsis. It contains the teachings, sermons and prayers composed by Prophet Zoroaster and his disciples and followers. Avestha is also the name of the language in which it is composed.

Answer: d

Explanation: It has originated in Kerala. It literally means “Story Play” known for its heavy, elaborate makeup and costumes. It represents theme derived from Ramayana, the Mahabharata & other Hindu epics, mythologies & legends. It is a group presentation, in which dancers take various roles in performances traditionally based on themes from Hindu mythology

Answer: c

Explanation: Madhubani painting is a style of painting, practised in the Mithila region of Bihar state. Themes revolve around Hindu Gods and mythology, along with scenes from the royal court and social events like weddings. Generally no space is left empty; the gaps are filled by paintings of flowers, animals, birds, and even geometric designs.In this painting, artist uses leaf, Herbs, Flowers to make the colour which is used to draw paintings.

Answer: c

Explanation: Two famous style of it are – Pandanallur & Tanjure style Recital usually begins with Alarippu.

Answer: d

Explanation: A culture is a way of life of a group of people – the ideas, behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and those ideas are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation

Answer: b

Explanation: The oldest surviving text of Hinduism is the Rigveda, produced during the Vedic period (1700–1100 BCE). The Veda centers on worship of deities such as Indra, Varuna and Agni, and on the Soma ritual.

Answer: d

Explanation: Harsha (Harshavardhana), who established an empire in the 7th century AD, was a playwright himself. Three of his plays are Ratnavali, Nagananda and Priyadarsika.

Answer: b

Explanation: Vaishanava bhakti literature was an all-India phenomenon, which started in the 6th-7th century A.D. in the Tamil-speaking region of South India, with twelve Alvar (one immersed in God) saint-poets, who wrote devotional songs. They revitalized Hinduism and checked the spread of Buddhism and Jainism, while absorbing some of their features. The religion of Alvar poets, which included a woman peot, Andal, was devotion to God through love (bhakti), and in the ecstasy of such devotions they sang hundreds of songs which embodied both depth of feeling and felicity of expressions.

Answer: d

Explanation: This style was known as Indo-Islamic style. Indo-Islamic architecture begins with the Ghurid occupation of India at the close of the 12th century A.D. The Muslims having inherited a wealth of varied designs from Sassanian and Byzantine empires, both Persian, and being naturally endowed with good taste for buildings, never failed to adapt to their own requirements the indigenous architecture of almost every foreign country that they conquered.

Answer: b

Explanation: People worship Devi Durga on this day. Durga Puja is the most popular in West Bengal. An idol of Devi Durga is placed in various pandals. Devi Durga is seen holding weapons in her ten hands to kill Mahisasura (evil demon). The priest worships the idol of Devi Durga and chant traditional mantras. People wear new clothes and move out of their homes to see the beautifully decorated Pandals.

Answer: b

Explanation: The three days Desert Festival brings out the spirit of the people of Jaisalmer who have to survive in a difficult region. The festival is an opportunity for these people to discard all their worries and become a part of a marvellous festival.

Answer: a

Explanation: A 1913 Indian silent film, directed and produced by Dadasaheb Phalke.

Answer: a

Explanation: In Mural paintings, the technique involved is Fresco.

Firstly, A layer mixed with cow dung and rice husks was first spread on the rough surface of the rock. Secondly, A coating of lime plaster is done. Thirdly, Surface was kept moist until the colour was applied (Hence they are called Fresco paintings).

Answer: d

Explanation: The Hornbill Festival is perhaps the most renowned and largest of the North East India festivals and its certainly Nagaland’s huge draw card. Named after the state’s most admired bird, the festival showcases the heritage of the 16 tribes there, which in addition to dancing the Hornbill National Rock Concert, which attracts bands from all over India to complete and a night market

Answer: c

Sonepur Mela is known world over for its cattle fair which is the largest one in the world. The mela happens in Sonepur on the banks of River Ganga. Sonepur is not more than 25 Km from the capital city of Patna. The mela starts on the day of Karthik Purnima, in the month of November. The cattle fair attracts traders from not only India, but other countries in Asia. Nowhere else you will see such a huge number of elephants at one place. The elephants are generally bought by forest department or traders into log business. Apart from elephants, there are cows, horses and camels that are sold here.

Answer: a

• Explanation: It is based on Sanskrit theatre traditions. Sanskrit language is used. It is a temple theatre.

Answer: b

Explanation: Ghoomar is a traditional women’s folk dance of Rajasthan. It is performed by groups of women in swirling robes, and accompanied by men and women singing together.

Answer: b

Explanation: M.F. Hussainis an Indian painter whose theme has been ‘Personification of Romance’.

Answer: a

Explanation: According to the Natyasastra of Bharatha, there are four classes of musical instruments: Tata or Tantu (stringed), Avanaddha (percussion or drums), Ghana (bells, cymbals and gongs), and Sushira (wind).

Answer: b

Explanation: In the beginning music was devotional in content and was purely used for ritualistic purposes and was restricted to temples. Between 2 to 7 AD a form of music called Prabandh Sangeet, which was written in Sanskrit, became very popular. In the 15th century AD, as a result of the patronage given to the classical music by the rulers, the devotional Dhruvapad transformed into the Dhrupad form of singing.