Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Assam.

• Bihu is a set of three important festivals observed in the Indian state of Assam which are-
  • Rongali or Bohag Bihu observed in April
  • Kongali or Kati Bihu observed in October
  • Bhogali or Magh Bihu observed in January
• The Rongali Bihu is the most important of the three, the Bhogali Bihu is a harvest festival and the Kongali Bihu is an animistic festival.
• It is celebrated with great joy and abundance by all Assamese people regardless of caste, creed, and religion. 

The correct answer is Meghalaya.

Key Points

Nongkrem dance festival:

• Period: Generally, in the month of November, every year.
• Venue: Smit, the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya.
• The Nongkrem dance festival is celebrated during Autumn at Smit, the cultural centre of the Khasi Hills.
• It is a five day long religious festival of the Khasis, Ka Pomblang Nongkrem dance is popularly known as Nongkrem dance.
• Nongkrem Dance Festival is performed to appease the all-powerful Goddess Ka Blei Synshar for a rich bumper harvest and prosperity of the people.

Additional Information

• Other major festivals of Meghalaya:
  • Shad Suk Mynsiem, Wangala, Laho dance festival, etc.
  • The state is also known for its popular modern festivals such as Autumn festival, Strawberry festival, Cherry blossom festival etc. 

The correct answer is Kerala.

• Ottamthullal is an art form performed only in Kerala.
• The meaning of Ottamthullal is 'poor man's Kathakali'.
• Kunchan Nambiar created this dance form, as an alternative to the Chakyar koothu.
• To protest against the prevalent socio-political structure and prejudices of the society, Kunchan Nambiar used it as a medium.
• Now it is a famous folk art presented in the temples of Kerala.
• Some other dance forms of Kerala:
  • Theyyam
  • Thiruvathirakali
  • Chakyar Koothu
  • Koodiyattam
  • Kathakali(Classical)
  • Mohiniattam(Classical).

The correct answer is Ellora Caves.

Key Points

• Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.
• It is located nearly 100 km away from Ajanta caves in the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra.
• The temples and monasteries extending over more than 2 km, were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff.
• The structures were excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills.
• Ellora Caves are one of the largest rock-cut Hindu temple cave complexes in the world.
• Ellora caves are a group of 100 caves at the site of which 34 caves are open to the public.
  • 17 caves out of these 34 are themed around Hinduism, 12 caves depict the themes of Buddhist, and 5 caves are of Jain faith.
• The set of caves in Ellora were developed during the period between the 5th century and 11th century A.D.
• The most remarkable of the Ellora cave temples is Kailasa Temple (Kailasanatha; cave 16).
• It features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world.
• It is named for the mountain in the Kailasa Range of the Himalayas where the Hindu god Shiva resides.

The correct answer is Humayun.

• Miniature painting in India was started by Humayun.

Key Points

• Miniature paintings were brought to India by the Mughals.
• Mughals were assisted by Persians.
• These paintings depicted the events and lifestyles of the Mughals.
• Humayun appointed Persian artist Mir sayid Ali and Khawaja Abdus Samad to his court.
• A typical miniature painting has a phrase or poetry written in the Urdu script on the upper or cover end.

Additional Information

• The earliest Miniature paintings in India can be traced back to the 7^th century AD when they flourished under the patronage of the Palas of Bengal.
• Buddhist texts and scriptures were illustrated on 3-inch-wide palm leaf manuscripts, with images of Buddhist deities. Pala art was defined by subdued colors and sinuous lines, evocative of the murals in Ajanta.
• It was Jainism that inspired the miniature artistic movement of the Western Indian style of miniature painting. This form prevailed in the regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Malwa, from the 12^th-16^th century AD.
• Jain manuscripts were illustrated using exaggerated physical traits, vigorous lines, and bold colors.
• Miniature Art in India truly thrived under the Mughals (16th-18th century AD), defining a rich period in the history of Indian art.
• The Mughal style of painting was an amalgamation of religion, culture, and tradition. Persian styles melded with local Indian art to create a highly detailed, rich art form.