Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Bihar.

• Mithila painting (also known as Madhubani Painting) originated in a small village, known as Maithili, in the Bihar state of India.

Key Points

• Themes of the Maithili painting revolve around Hindu deities like Krishna, Rama, Lakshmi, Shiva, Durga, and Saraswati.
  • The natural themes that are used include the Sun, the Moon, and religious plants like tulsi.
• The painting was traditionally done by womenfolk on freshly plastered mud walls and floors of huts, but now they are also done on cloth, handmade paper, and canvas.
• One can also find paintings based on scenes from the royal courts and social events, like weddings.
  • If any empty space is left after painting the main theme, it is filled up with the motifs of flowers, animals, and birds or geometric designs.
• Mithila painting, as a domestic ritual activity, was unknown to the outside world until the massive India-Nepal border earthquake of 1934 when the houses and walls tumbled down.
  • Then British colonial officer in Madhubani District, William G. Archer, while inspecting the damage 'discovered' the paintings on the newly exposed interior walls of Mithila homes. 

The Correct Answer is Vaigai River.

Key Points

• Meenakshi Amman Temple is located on the Southern Bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai., Tamil Nadu. 
• This temple dedicated to Thirukamakottam Udaya Aaludaiya Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwar, a form of Shiva.
• In this temple, both God and Goddess are worshipped together in separate chambers.
• The temple is at the centre of the ancient temple city Madurai.
• It was built by King Kulasekara Pandya.
• It is a complex made in accordance with the Shilpa Shastra and has 5 main entrances with 14  gateway towers or 'gopurams', golden 'Vimanas', holy sanctums and shrines dedicated to the revered Goddess Meenakshi and many others. 
• It is a major tourist attraction, with thousands of devotees visiting the shrines every day.

Additional Information

The correct answer is the festival of harvesting.

• Makar Sankranthi is an important festival celebrated in most parts of India under different names. It is a festival of harvesting.

Key Points

• Makar Sankranti:
  • It is celebrated in January every year and marks the end of the Winter season and the beginning of a new harvest season.
  • The festival is dedicated to Lord Sun.
  • On this day, the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn or Makar which marks the end of winter months and the beginning of longer days.
• In different parts of the country, Makar Sankranti is celebrated by different names:
  • Lohri: Celebrated in Haryana and Punjab one day before Makar Sankranti.
  • Khichdi: Celebrated in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Pongal: Tamil Nadu
  • Kite Festival: Gujarat.
• Holi is called the festival of colours
• Diwali is called the festival of lights.

The correct answer is Raja Ravi Verma - Introduced oil painting in India.

Key Points

• Raja Ravi Varma is considered one of the greatest painters in the history of Modern Indian Art.
• He was the one who provides the vital link between traditional Indian art and contemporary art.
• He introduced oil painting in India. Hence, pair 3 is correct.
• He is particularly noted for his paintings depicting episodes from the story of Dushyanta and Shakuntala, and Nala and Damayanti, from the Mahabharata.

Additional Information

• Rabindranath Tagore started painting from 1893 onwards and emerged as a creative exponent of graphic art in 1928. Hence, pair 1 is incorrect.
  • Paintings and drawings of Rabindranath Tagore are generally of small sizes.
  • He used dominant black ink lines.
  • Bharat Mata depicted a young woman, portrayed with four arms in the manner of Hindu, deities, holding objects symbolic of India’s national aspirations is one of his best-known creations.
• Abanindranath Tagore was a gifted landscape and portrait painter.
  • Swadeshi values were reflected in the paintings of Abanindranath Tagore. Hence, pair 2 is incorrect.
  • His first expression of paintings was the Radhakrishna series.
  • Arabian Nights series of 1930 is among one of most renowned works Abanindranath Tagore. 
  • Indian Society of Oriental Art was founded in Calcutta in 1907 by Abanindranath Tagore and Gaganendranath Tagore.
• Jatin Das is an Indian painter, sculptor, and muralist from Orissa.
  • He is counted amongst the most contemporary artists of India.
  • His paintings are mainly involved in the expression of the man - women relationship and to some extent birds and animals. Hence, pair 4 is incorrect.

• 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.