Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Dance.

Key Points

• Ottan Thullal is a Kerala dance-drama performance art form developed by Kunchan Nambiar as a substitute for Chakyar koothu.
• Kunchan Nambiar used it to express his dissatisfaction with society's socio-political framework and prejudices at the time.
• It went on to become the most widely displayed folk art in Kerala temples.
• Ottanthullal is distinguished by the performer himself singing and playing the narrative, which is a difficult undertaking.
• The accompanying instruments for Ottanthullal are Mridangam and Idakka.

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 Gupta.

Key Points

• Gupta Dynasty:
  • ​The Gupta empire was founded by Sri Gupta. 
  • The Gupta Empire rose in Magadha around the 4th century AD and covered the greater part of Northern India.
  • The Gupta Period is popularly known as the ‘Golden Age of India’.

Additional Information

• Nanda Dynasty:
  • Nanda Dynasty ruled during 344 BC-323 BC.
  • Nanda dynasty was founded by Mahapadma Nanda.
  • Mandivardhana the last ruler of the Shishunaga dynasty was overthrown by Mahapadma Nanda and started the Nanda dynasty.
  • It is considered to be the first non-Kshatriya dynasty and ruled for 100 years. 
  • Dhanananda was The last king of the Nanda Dynasty.
• Maurya Dynasty:
  • ​Brihadratha was the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty.
  • Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan dynasty. He defeated the Nanda king Dhanananda with the help of Chanakya/Kautilya.
  • Ashoka was the son of Bindusara and one of the greatest rulers of the Mauryan Empire. Ashoka fought the battle of Kalinga.
• Sunga Dynasty:​
  • ​Devabhuti was the last ruler of the Sunga dynasty.
  • He was assassinated by his minister Vasudeva.
  • Pushyamitra sunga was the founder of the Sunga dynasty.
  • Pushyamitra Sunga assassinated the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha and established the Sunga dynasty.
  • Agnimitra Sunga was the son and successor of Pushyamitra Sunga.
  • Agnimitra Sunga was the main protagonist in the play Malvikagnimitram written by Kalidasa.

The Sculpture of Mathura school were influenced by the stories and imageries of all three religions- Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

Key Points

Mathura School of Art:

• Mathura was a great centre of art and culture during the period of the Kushans.
• In Gandhara art the Greco- Roman influence is strongly present.
• In Mathura art, the important religions of India, such as Brahmanism, Jainism and Buddhism are represented. It is believed that the first Buddha images were carved at Mathura at the same time as in the Gandhara School.
• Mathura has produced Buddha images of various dimensions. The Mathura style evolved with native spirit and elements.
• There are quite a number of female figures on the railings of the stupas, and these are beautifully attired according to Indian taste.
• The spirit of Mathura sculpture displays the peaceful atmosphere. The features are naturalistic rather than realistic.
• The Indian elements derived from the ideal yogi type, namely the lotus feet and the meditative gaze.
• Mathura artists rejected the Greco- Roman realistic features and chose naturalistic features to create the sculptures. The entire figure clothed with refinement. 

 Additional InformationAmaravati School of Sculpture: 

• During the Satavahana period, an aesthetic movement of greater magnitude developed in Andhra Pradesh.
• Several stupas with refined sculptures of exceptional beauty are the contributions of this period.
• The sculptures belonging to Amaravati school are found in the valley of Krishna on the sites and museums of Jaggayyapetta, Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda. 
• The Amaravati style is more elegant and sophisticated. The sculptured panels of Amaravati are characterised by delicacy of forms, and linear grace.
• Numerous scenes of dance and music adorn these reliefs displaying joy of life. The sculptural remains of Amaravati, known as the 'marbles' are created by using white limestone. It creates the illusion of marble and is as fresh as when it was carved.
• It reflects narratives theme based on life of Buddha and Jataka stories Buddha is depicted both in human as well as in animal form
• Both religious and secular images were present in this style.

Gandhara School 

• It was based on Greco-Roman norms encapsulating foreign techniques and an alien spirit.
• The foreign influence is evident from the sculptures of Buddha in which they bear resemblance to the Greek sculptures.
• Grey sandstone (Blue-grey Mica schist to be precise) is used in Gandhara School of Art.
• The Gandharan Buddha image was inspired by Hellenistic realism, influenced by Persian, Scythian, and Parthian models. 
• In this art, Buddha’s curls were altered into wavy hair.
• The head of the Buddha matched very much with Greek God Apollo.
• Gandharan sculptures show strong Greek influences in the depiction of a ‘man-god’ and of wavy hair, sandals and extensive drapery.
• The depiction of Buddha as a ‘man-god’ in Gandharan sculpture is believed to be inspired from Greek mythology.
• Some examples of Gandharan art depict both Buddha and the Greek god, Hercules.