History, Art & Culture - 2 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Ministry of Culture’s Initiative to Promote of Art and Culture

Context 

• The details of the ongoing schemes run by the Ministry of Culture to promote and disseminate the art & Culture has been highlighted.

Major Schemes 

• Centenaries and Anniversaries Scheme: To commemorate centenary and special anniversaries such as 125th/150th/175th etc. of eminent personalities and events of historical importance to the country. 
  • The commemoration starts on completion of 100/125/150 etc. years and continues for a period of one year.
• Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana: To promote and disseminate the art & culture of the country by providing financial support to drama, theatre groups, dance groups, music ensembles, folk theatre & music and other genres of performing art activities.
• Development of Museum: To set up new Museums and to Strengthening & modernization of the existing museums by Central Government, State Governments, Societies, Autonomous bodies, Public Sector Undertakings, Local Bodies and Trusts registered under the Societies Act at the regional, state and district level.
  • Digitization of art objects in the museums across the country for making their images/catalogues available over the website and 
  • Capacity Building of Museum professionals.
• Development of Libraries & Archives: National Mission on Libraries (NML) has an objective of establishing a National Virtual Library of India, establishment of Model Libraries, quantitative/ qualitative survey of Libraries and capacity building. 
  • All National, State and district level libraries are to be developed as model libraries, with emphasis on developing these libraries in economically backward districts. Further, district libraries across the states would be provided network connectivity.
• Global Engagement and International Cooperation:
• Promote Indian Cultural abroad
• Strengthen bonds of foreign countries with India.
• Promote bilateral cultural contacts
• Project India’s cultural image abroad; and
• Promote inbound tourism.
•  National Mission on Manuscripts:
  • To locate manuscripts through national level Survey and Post-Survey.
  • Document each and every manuscript and manuscript repository, for a National Electronic Database that currently contains information on four million manuscripts making this the largest database on Indian manuscripts in the world.
  • Conserve manuscripts incorporating both modern and indigenous methods of conservation and training a new generation of manuscript conservators.
  • To train the next generation of scholars in various aspects of Manuscript Studies like languages, scripts and critical editing and cataloguing of texts and conservation of manuscripts.
  • To promote access to manuscripts by digitising the rarest and most endangered manuscripts.
  • To facilitate the public’s engagement with manuscripts through lectures, seminars, publications and other outreach programmes.

India’s Traditional New Year Festivals

Context

What are the Traditional New Year Festivals in India?

• Chaitra Sukladi:
  • It marks the beginning of the new year of the Vikram Samvat also known as the Vedic [Hindu] calendar.
  • Vikram Samvat is based on the day when the emperor Vikramaditya defeated Sakas, invaded Ujjain and called for a new era.
  • It is the first day during the waxing phase (in which the visible side of moon is getting bigger every night) of the moon in the Chaitra (first month of Hindu calendar).
• Gudi Padwa and Ugadi:
  • These festivals are celebrated by the people in the Deccan region including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
  • A famous concoction served is jaggery (sweet) and neem (bitter), called bevu-bella in the South, signifying that life brings both happiness and sorrows.
  • Gudi is a doll prepared in Maharashtrian homes.
    • For Ugadi, doors in homes are adorned with mango leaf decorations called toranalu or Torana in Kannada.
• Cheti Chand:
  • Cheti Chand is the new year festival of the Sindhi community.
  • The festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Jhulelal, the patron saint of the Sindhi community.
• Vaishakhi:
  • It is also pronounced as Baisakhi, observed by Hindus and Sikhs.
  • It commemorates the formation of Khalsa panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
  • Baisakhi was also the day when colonial British empire officials committed the Jallianwala Bagh massacre at a gathering, an event influential to the Indian movement against colonial rule.
• Navreh:
  • Navreh is the Kashmiri New Year's Day.
  • The day is marked by performing various rituals, decorating houses with flowers, preparing traditional dishes, and offering prayers to the deities.
• Sajibu Cheiraoba:
  • It is considered one of the most important festivals of Manipur.
  • It is celebrated with great pomp and joy, especially by the Meiteis of the state.
• Vishu:
  • It is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala, Tulu Nadu region in Karnataka, Mahé district of Union Territory of Pondicherry, neighbouring areas of Tamil Nadu and their diaspora communities.
  • The festival marks the first day of Medam (falls in the middle of April in the Gregorian calendar), the 9^th month in the solar calendar in Kerala.
• Puthandu:
  • Also known as Puthuvarudam or Tamil New Year, is the first day of the year on the Tamil calendar and traditionally celebrated as a festival.
  • The festival date is set with the solar cycle of the lunisolar Hindu calendar, as the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai.
  • It therefore falls on or about 14^th April every year on the Gregorian calendar.
• Bohag Bihu:
  • Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu also called Xaat Bihu (seven Bihus) is a traditional aboriginal ethnic festival celebrated in the state of Assam and other parts of northeastern India by the indigenous ethnic groups of Assam.
  • It marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year.
  • It usually falls in the 2^nd week of April, historically signifying the time of harvest.

Sandalwood Buddha Statue

About the Sandalwood Buddha statue

• The Buddha figure, made of pure sandalwood, has hand carvings along with traditional designs and natural scenes.
• In this posture, Buddha is sitting in ‘dhyana mudra’ under the Bodhi tree.
  • The ‘dhyana mudra’ is the mudra of meditation and the attainment of spiritual perfection.
  • According to tradition, this mudra derives from the one assumed by the Buddha when meditating under the Bodhi tree before his enlightenment.
  • The obverse of the image has an intricate carving of the Bodhi tree.
• The Kadamwood Jali Box in which the statue was encased is also considered auspicious in Indian culture.
• The art of sandalwood carving is an exquisite and ancient craft that has been practised in Karnataka for centuries.

Key facts about the sandalwood tree

• Indian Sandalwood is a dry deciduous forest species native to China, India, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines
• It has been an important part of Indian culture for centuries and is widely regarded as one of the most valuable and prized woods in the world.
• Major Growing areas in India: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

Menace of Missing Antiquities in India

Context

• One of the important outcomes of the Indian PM’s state visit to the US was the decision by the Biden administration to return several statues and antiquities to India, which were smuggled out of the country.
• It shows the government’s zeal to revive and restore India’s rich, diverse, and multidimensional cultural heritage, in which, every Indian takes immense pride.

What is Antiquity?

• The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act of 1972, which came into effect on April 1, 1976, defines an "antiquity" as any object or work of art that has been in existence for at least 100 years.
• This includes coins, sculptures, paintings, epigraphs, detached articles, and other items that reflect science, art, literature, religion, customs, morals, or politics from a bygone era.
• For manuscript, record or other document which is of scientific, historical, literary or aesthetic value, this duration is “not less than 75 years.”

Protection Mechanism of Antiquities at National and International Level

• At National Level
  • In India, Item-67 of the Union List,Item-12 of the State List, and Item-40 of the Concurrent List of the Constitution deal with the country’s heritage.
  • Before Independence, the Antiquities (Export Control) Act was passed in April 1947 to ensure that no antiquity could be exported without a license.
  • The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act1958 was enacted to protect ancient monuments and archaeological sites from destruction and misuse.
• At Global Level
  • UNESCO formulated the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.
  • The UN Security Council also passed resolutions in 2015 and 2016 calling for the protection of cultural heritage sites in conflict zones.

 Issue of Missing Antiquities in India

• According to ASI, 292 antiquities have been brought back to India from abroad since 2014 and 13 between 1976 and 2013.
• The ASI’s list of missing antiquities belongs to 17 states and 2 UTs. It includes 139 from MP, 95 from Rajasthan and 86 from UP.
• The Parliament committee flagged that“ number of antiquities retrieved” by the ASI from abroad are not even the tip of the iceberg in comparison to the huge number of antiques smuggled out from the country.
• Monuments and sites maintained by the ASI is only a “small percentage” of the total number of archaeological sitesand monuments across the country.
• The menace of missing antiquities is also illustrated by UNESCO. It estimates that “more than 50,000 art objects have been smuggled out of India till 1989”.

The Procedure of Bringing Back the Antiquities

• The Procedure is categorised into the three parts:
  • Antiquities taken out of India pre-independence;
  • Antiquities which were taken out since independence until March 1976;
  • Antiquities have been taken out of the country since April 1976.
• For Antiquities taken out of India before independence, requests for their retrieval must be raised bilaterally or on international fora.
• For example, in November 2022, the Maharashtra government announced that it was working to bring back the sword of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from London.
• Antiquities in the second and third categories can be retrieved easily by raising an issue bilaterally with proof of ownership and with the help of the UNESCO convention.

Current Government’s Effort to Bring Our Heritage Home

• The PM took it upon himself to address the issue. The results were soon evident, for example, the US returned the 11th-century statue of the poet-saint Manikkavachakar.
• Under the present government, so far over 351 ancient artefacts and items of historical importance have been brought back.
• Countries like the US, Britain, France, Canada, Netherlands, Germany, Australia, and Singapore have helped us in retrieving them.
• Bringing back India’s rare artefacts, ancient statues and antiquities has become an integral part of our foreign policy. This is linked to PM’s commitment to restoring India’s rich cultural heritage.
• There is also a major drop in incidents of smuggling of Indian artefacts and antiquities.
• On August 15, 2022, while addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the PMsought “Panch Pran” (five pledges) from the citizens which included “taking pride in India’s heritage and legacy”.
• Recently, while inaugurating the International Museum Expo 2023 in Delhi, the PM raised the issue of smuggling and appropriation of artefacts from India.
• Also, the government has been meticulously building cultural infrastructure across the country, creating huge historical wealth for future generations.

Returns of Important Statues and Antiquities in Recent Years

• The 18th-century Maa Annapurna statue, which was stolen some 100 years ago from Varanasi and was spotted in Canada, was brought back in 2021.
• The 10th-century statue of Natraj was also repatriated from London the same year.
• The 900-year-old “Parrot Lady” sculpture from Khajuraho was brought back from Canada.
• Recently, 29 ancient items of archaeological importance, which were inspected by PM Modi during his visit in March 2022, were brought back from Australia.
• The statues of Shri Devi from the Chola dynasty and the terracotta statue of a woman from the Maurya period have been returned.
• Similarly, during his visit to the US in September 2021, PM Modi was presented with 157 articles of historical and archaeological importance belonging to the 11th-14th century by the American government.

Way Forward: Nationwide Survey of Antiques and Soon to Be Antiques

• The problem, for India, is that the government lacks any reliable database on antiquities and their locations.
• Also, the Indian citizens do not value the real worth of their own cultural properties.
• In such a scenario, it is time the Union government undertakes a nationwide survey of antiques and soon-to-be antiques spread across the country.
• The process should be scientific and time-bound with participation from experts and scholars.
• Each item needs to be examined closely, photographed from all angles, 3Dscanned and geotagged before being listed in the official database.
• The system will be foolproof only if a unique identification number (UIDN) is issued against each property.

Conclusion

• While the government is working to preserve the rich history of every state, region, and society, it is high time that all citizens come together to preserve India’s rich cultural heritage and take a pledge to strengthen the hands of government in this noble cause.
• There has been a success but such random gains will have no meaning if India continue to lose other thousands of such antiques every year.
• India needs to devise better ways to deal with private collectors, auction houses and museums that trade in Indian stolen antiques.

Thirunelli Temple

Context

Recently, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has urged the government to conserve the 600-year-old ‘Vilakkumadom’, at the Sree Mahavishnu Temple at Thirunelli, Kerala.

What are the Concerns?

• The 600-year-old Vilakkumadom structure, made of exquisite granite, is located at the Sree Mahavishnu Temple in Thirunelly, Wayanad district.
  • The ongoing renovation of the temple has raised concerns about the preservation of its heritage.
• The structure has a rich history dating back to the 15^th century AD, and its key elements have not been given due consideration during the renovation process.
• The potential completion of the Vilakkumadom structure and the destruction of the Chuttambalam (rectangular structure covering the temple) has resulted in a loss of heritage and created a gap in its value and importance that could be forgotten or misinterpreted in the future.
• The incomplete structure had stood as a testimony to a rich cultural heritage but has been remodeled in an insensitive way.
  • It is said that the work was launched by the king of Coorg without the permission of the temple’s custodian, Kottayam Raja. Later, the Kottayam Raja ordered the construction work, and the structure remained untouched afterwards.

What are the Key Points Related to Thirunelli Temple?

• About:
  • Thirunelli Temple, also known as Amalaka or Sidha Temple, is a Vishnu temple in Wayanad district, Kerala.
  • The temple gets its name from an idol of Lord Vishnu resting on an amla tree in a valley, which was discovered by Lord Brahma while circling the globe.
• Architecture of Thirunelli Temple:
  • The Thirunelli temple's architecture follows the traditional Kerala style. The temple has an inner sanctorum, surrounded by a tile roof structure, and an open courtyard around it.
  • The east entrance of the temple is decorated with a granite lamp post. The outer wall of the temple is bound by granite pillars that are cut in cubicle style, which is not commonly seen in Kerala.

Global Buddhist Summit 2023

Context

• The two-day Global Buddhist Summit 2023 concluded successfully in New Delhi with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration. It saw the participation of delegates from nearly 30 countries, including Taiwan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Mongolia.
• In this context, this edition of the Burning Issue will talk about this summit and its significance for India.

About International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)

• IBC is the biggest religious Buddhist confederation in the world.
• The body was formed in New Delhi in 2011 and is headquartered also here.
• The goal of IBC is to create a role for Buddhism on the global stage so as to help to preserve heritage, share knowledge, and promote values.
• It also aims to represent a united front for Buddhism to participate in the current global happenings.

About Global Buddhist Summit

• It was the first-ever Global Buddhist Summit organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).
• Eminent scholars, Sangha leaders Dharma practitioners and Buddhist monks from all over the world attended the conference.
• The focus of the Global Buddhist Summit was on modes of disseminating and internalizing universal values and finding ways to work together, to address the burning challenges both within and globally and offer a sustainable model for the future of the world.
• THE MAIN THEME of the summit was Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis.
• Sub Themes of the summit were:
• Buddha Dhamma Pilgrimage, Living Heritage and Buddha Relics: a resilient foundation to India’s centuries-old cultural links to countries in South, Southeast and East Asia.
• Buddha Dhamma and Peace
• Buddha Dhamma: Environmental Crisis, Health and Sustainability
• Preservation of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition

Objectives of the summit

There has been general agreement that the  basic fundamental which can provide inspiration and guidance in the light of Buddha’s message of Peace, Well-being, Harmony and Compassion for Universal Peace need to be highlighted and worked upon  as follows:

• Aim: The texts, doctrines and philosophy of Buddha Dhamma are the best  guide for inter-faith dialogue, harmony and universal peace.
• Peace:  happiness and well-being, and conflicts and violence are significant threat to peace. We call upon all nations, organizations and individuals to work towards creating a world free from conflict, violence and war.
• Environment Sustainability: We urge governments and individuals to take action to reduce carbon emissions, protect biodiversity, and preserve natural resources for future generations.
• Wellbeing: We acknowledge that true happiness arises from inner peace and contentment. We encourage individuals to cultivate mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom, which are essential for promoting happiness and well-being.
• Buddhist Pilgrimage as Living Heritage: We call upon governments to preserve and protect the sacred sites of Buddhism and promote their accessibility to people of all backgrounds.
• Recommendations: Drawing upon the Teachings of the Buddha for the welfare of all sentient beings, Members of the Sangha, Buddhist leaders, Scholars, followers and institutions can play a significant and effective role in addressing this multi-faceted crisis. The continuation of the annual Global Buddhist Summit is one such important step in this direction.
• Nalanda: one of the greatest seats of Dhamma education for nearly 700 years between the 5th and 12th centuries AD, precedes the modern system of university education. It was famous for value education and character building. These values need to be inculcated among youths to rejuvenate the society towards “Vasudeva Kuṭumbakam”.

Significance of  Buddhism for India

• Importance of India in Buddhism: in Buddhism: Because Buddhism was founded in India, this global summit will highlight the significance and importance of India in Buddhism.
• Strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties: Additionally, this summit will serve as a vehicle for strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties with other nations, particularly those that adhere to the Buddhist ethos.
• Cultural Significance: Buddhism is an integral part of India’s cultural heritage. It played a significant role in shaping India’s art, architecture, literature, and philosophy. Today, India’s rich heritage in Buddhism attracts millions of tourists from all over the world.
• Social Significance: Buddhism’s emphasis on social justice, equality, and non-discrimination has relevance in India’s diverse and complex social context. Its teachings on the importance of community, interdependence, and mutual respect can help bridge social divides and promote social harmony.
• Environmental Significance: Buddhism’s emphasis on compassion toward all living beings can inspire individuals to take responsible actions toward environmental protection.

How Buddhism can play a role in enhancing India’s Soft Power projection?

Through Cultural Diplomacy

• Promoting Indian culture, which includes Buddhism, through festivals, art, music, literature, and other media.
• For instance, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has put on a number of cultural events in Buddhist nations like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Bhutan to show off India’s cultural heritage and make cultural ties stronger.

Education and Capacity-Building:

• To promote Buddhist studies and research, India has established a number of Buddhist institutions and centers of excellence, including Nalanda University and the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies.
• In 2022, the foundation stone for the Dhamma Dipa International Buddhist University (DDIBU) in Tripura was laid,
• India also offers scholarships and training programs to Buddhist students and monks from other countries, such as Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Nepal, to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Bilateral Exchanges and Initiatives:

• Through a variety of initiatives, India has sought to strengthen its ties with Buddhist nations like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Bhutan in terms of bilateral relations.
• In order to strengthen economic cooperation, India and Sri Lanka have signed a number of agreements, including the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPA).
• In addition, India has helped Buddhist nations restore and protect their cultural heritage sites, such as the Stupa in Nepal and the Bagan temples in Myanmar.
• India and Mongolia also renewed the Cultural Exchange Program until 2023 under which 10 dedicated ICCR scholarships for studying ‘Tibetan Buddhism’ have been allocated for Mongolians to study in specialized institutes of CIBS, Leh and CUTS, Varanasi.

How Buddhism Is Significant For Indian Diplomacy?

• Ties with East and Southeast Asia: India’s historical and cultural ties with East and Southeast Asia, where Buddhism is widely practiced, have helped to strengthen diplomatic relations with these countries. India has established several cultural and economic initiatives with these countries, such as the Look East Policy, which aims to enhance economic and strategic relations with Southeast Asia, and the Act East Policy, which seeks to expand India’s ties with East Asian countries.
• Relationship with China: Buddhism has been a significant factor in India’s relationship with China. Buddhism originated in India but spread to China and became a major influence on Chinese culture and philosophy. India and China have established several cultural and religious exchanges, including the annual India-China Buddhist Dialogue and the China-India Yoga College, which promotes Indian culture and yoga in China.
• Cultural Diplomacy: Buddhism has been an important tool of India’s cultural diplomacy. India has established several Buddhist study centers and universities in different parts of the world to promote Indian culture and Buddhism. India also hosts several international conferences and seminars on Buddhism and its philosophy to facilitate cultural exchanges and strengthen diplomatic ties with other countries.
• International Cooperation: Buddhism’s emphasis on nonviolence, peace, and harmony has contributed to India’s active participation in international forums and organizations that promote these values. India has been a strong supporter of the United Nations International Day of Vesak, which celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha, and has hosted the event several times.

Why India And China Are Competing For Buddhist Legacies?

• Soft Power: Buddhism is an important element of soft power, which refers to the ability of a country to influence other countries through its culture, ideology, and values. Both India and China are interested in promoting their cultural and religious heritage to enhance their soft power in the region and the world.
• Tourism: Buddhism is a major tourist attraction, and both India and China are competing to attract Buddhist pilgrims and tourists to their respective countries. India’s Buddhist tourism industry is estimated to be worth billions of dollars, and China has also invested heavily in developing its Buddhist tourism industry.
• India also held a first-of-its-kind conference of SCO on “Shared Buddhist Heritage”.

Conclusion

• The summit could be seen as an attempt by India to flex its soft power in the region. While it’s definitely not the first time a country has used Buddhism to this end, events like the Global Buddhist Summit do offer India “political mileage”.

Context

• Prime Minister paid tributes to the hero of Sepoy Mutiny Mangal Pandey on his birth anniversary.
  • He spearheaded the 1857 sepoy mutiny against unjust British rule and inspired many to join the freedom struggle. 

About Mangal Pandey

• Early Life:
  • He was born on July 19, 1827, in a town near Faizabad, what is now eastern Uttar Pradesh state in northern India, although some give his birthplace as a small village near Lalitpur (in present-day southwestern Uttar Pradesh). 
  • He was from a high-caste Brahman landowning family that professed strong Hindu beliefs. 
• Became part of British Army:
  • He joined the army of the British East India Company in 1849 and he was made a soldier (sepoy) in the 6th Company of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry, which included a large number of Brahmans.
• Rebellion against EIC:
  • He revolted against the East India Company for introducing cartridges that were greased with animal fat as it hurt the religious sentiments of the soldiers.
  • Eventually, this movement of rebels reached other parts of India and which led to a mass revolt against the government.
  • The movement of protest and rebellion came to be known as the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, also known as the First War of Independence.
  • On March 29, 1857, Pandey and his fellow sepoys rose up in rebellion against the British officers and even attempted to shoot them. As a result of this, he was executed on April 7, 1857, in Barrackpore.
  • On May 6th, the entire  34th Bengal Native Infantry was disbanded ‘with disgrace’. 
• Remembrance:
  • In India, Pandey has been remembered as a freedom fighter against British rule. 
  • A commemorative postage stamp with his image on it was issued by the Indian government in 1984. 
  • In addition, a movie and stage play that depicted his life both appeared in 2005.