Question Discussion & Solution

• The famous bronze image of Nataraja is an example of Chola art.
• The Chola Dynasty was one of the greatest dynasties in the southern Indian part.
• They defeated the Pallavas to come into power.
• Their dynasty originated in the fertile valley of River Kaveri.
• Society and culture saw great developments during the reign of Cholas.
• Also, during this period Temples were the epicentre of all the social and religious gatherings. Temples and mutts were the centres of learning as well.
• Several Gods and goddesses were worshipped.
• Among these Shiva was the popular source of strength for the faithful ones. Quite a lot of Shiva temples were built along the banks of the river Kaveri.

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• Nataraja (Lord of the Dance), the Hindu god Shiva in his form as the cosmic dancer, is represented in metal or stone in many Shaivite temples, particularly in South India.
• It is an important piece of Chola sculpture.
• Some of the features of the Nataraja sculpture are:
  • The upper right-hand holds the drum, which signifies the sound of creation. All creations spring from the great sound of the damru.
  • The upper left-hand holds the eternal fire, which represents destruction. Destruction is the precursor and inevitable counterpart of creation.
  • The lower right hand is raised in the gesture of Abhay mudra signifying benediction and reassuring the devotee to not be afraid.
  • The lower left-hand points towards the upraised foot and indicates the path of salvation.
  • Shiva is dancing on the figure of a small dwarf. The dwarf symbolises ignorance and the ego of an individual.
  • The matted and flowing locks of Shiva represent the flow of the river Ganges.

The correct answer is Ustad Bismillah Khan

Important Points

• Ustad Bismillah Khan was born on 21 March 1916 in Dumraon village, Bihar.
• He settled in Varanasi with his father Prophet Bakhsh Khan at a very young age.
• Bismillah Khan was awarded the "Bharat Ratna" in 2001 by the Government of India.
• Ustad Bismillah Khan played the clarinet from the Red Fort when the country became independent in 1947.
• He died on 21 August 2006 at the age of 90.
• Anant Lal was a famous shehnai player from the Banaras Gharana.
• Pandit Ram Sahay was the shehnai player of the Banaras Gharana and was a royal musician in the court of Nawab Asafuddaula of Lucknow.
• Ali Ahmed Hussain Khan was a famous shehnai player. He was awarded the 'Bangbhushan Award' by the Government of Bengal.

The correct answer is These are the main two styles of temple architecture in India.

Key Points

• The main component of the Indian temple architecture are the following:
  • Garbhagriha (womb-house):. It is a cave-like structure housing the chief deity of the temple.
  • Mandapa: It is the entrance of the temple.
  • Shikhara/Vimana: It is a mountain-like structure on top. In north India, it is called Shikhara.
    • Shape: Curve.
    • In south India, it is called Vimana.
    • Shape: Pyramidal tower.
  • Amalaka: Notched stone disk at the top of the temple. Mostly seen in north Indian temples.
  • Pedestal: It is a raised platform of stone on which temples are built.

Important Points

Additional Information

• Vesara Architecture:
  • E.g: Ladkhan temple of Aihole.
  • It has two principal components Vimana & Mandapa joined by Antrala.
  • It is a mixture of both Nagara & Dravidian style of temple architecture.
  • It is also known as Chalukya style or Karnataka style.
  • It follows mostly Dravida style up to the boundaries and then Nagara style features in the superstructure.

The correct answer is (A)-(4), (B)-(3), (C)-(1), (D)-(2).

Key Points

• Onam:
  • It is a harvest festival of Kerala.
  • It is celebrated to commemorate the arrival of King Mahabali.
  • The festival lasts for ten days.
  • It is also a harvest festival and falls on the 22nd Nakshatra Thiruvonam in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam, which in the Gregorian calendar overlaps with August–September.
• Hornbill:
  • ​Hornbill festival is the premier festival of Nagaland held every year in the first week of December.
  • The festival is named after the hornbill, the globally respected bird and which is displayed in folklore in most of the state’s tribes.
  • This festival usually takes place in Kohima.
  • The Festival's highlights include the Traditional Naga Morungs Exhibition and sale of Arts and crafts, flower shows, cultural medley etc.
• Losar:
  • ​Losar is a festival in Tibetan Buddhism.
  • The holiday is celebrated on various dates depending on location (Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, India) tradition.
  • It marks the Tibetan New year that resonated with the large Tibetan and Buddhist communities that inhabit the region.
  • In India, it is celebrated in places like Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
• Ugadi:
  • ​Ugadi also referred to as Yugadi is a major festival that is celebrated in the southern states of Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
  • As per the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated as the beginning of a new year.
  • Famous festivals of Karnataka are Kanakadasa Jayanti and Karaga.

The correct answer is A - 1, B - 2, C - 3, D - 4.

Key Points

• Folk dances of Uttar Pradesh:
  • Charakula is a pitcher dance which is the folk dance of Brajbhoomi.
  • Pai Danda dance is performed by Aheers of Bundelkhand.
  • Rai Nritya is a peacock dance of the women of Bundelkhand. It is performed on the occasion of Shrikrishna Janmashtami.
  • Shara Dance is popular in the districts of Hamirpur, Jhansi, and Lalitpur in the Bundelkhand region. This dance is done by the young boys and girls of the farming community in the rainy season. In this dance, worship, and blessings of Vedic deity Indra is sought for the successful harvesting of the crop
  • Deepawali dance is done by Bundelkhandi Aheers, on the occasion of Deepawali, with lightened lamps held on the head.
  • Kartik's song-dance is prevalent in the Bundelkhand region of the state. Kartik's song is a description of the relationship between Krishna and Gopis.
  • Dhobiya Raga is performed by the Dhobi castes of the state.
  • The dance performed on the occasion of auspicious events by kahar is called Natwari Nritya.
  • Chaurasia Dance is a dance performed by Kahars in the Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Karma dance is a dance jointly organized by women and men of Coal tribes in the Mirzapur and Sonbhadra districts of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Hence, Option 1 is correct.