Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Raja Ravi Varma.

Key Points

• Raja Ravi Varma -
  • Raja Ravi Varma was born on April 29, 1848, at Travancore Princely state of British India (Now Kerala).
  • He was best known for uniting Hindu mythological subject matter with European realist painting style. 
  • In addition to incidents in Hindu mythology, Varma painted many portraits of both Indians and British in India.
  • Some of his famous paintings are - Lady in the moonlight, Mother India, Harischandra in Distress, Jatayu Vadha, and Shri Rama Vanquishing the Sea. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

​Important Points

• Nandalal Bose -
  • He was associated with Shantiniketana.
  • He along with his students illustrated the constitution of India.Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• M. F. Husain - 
  • He was known for executing bold, vibrantly coloured narrative paintings in a modified Cubist style.
  • He was one of the most celebrated and internationally recognized Indian artists of the 20th century. 
  • His significant works include Man (1951), Vishwamitra (1973), and Passage Through Human Space. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• Abanindranath Tagore -
  • ​He was the leading artist from the Bengal school of modern art in the early 20th century AD.
  • He is known for his painting Bharta Mata. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.

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 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. 

• Lohri, the bonfire harvest festival of Punjab celebrated in the month of Magh, is symbolic of new beginnings.
• The festival is celebrated every year on January 13 with much enthusiasm and zeal.
• It is primarily the harvest festival of the Punjabis.
• This festival denotes the harvesting of the Rabi crops and hence all the farmers get together in order to thank god for giving them such a wonderful harvest.
• The rituals related to Lohri symbolize the attachment of the people with Mother Nature.

The correct answer is Assam.

Key Points

• Bihu songs are the most famous among music lovers in Assam and are based on themes like Assamese new year, farmers' daily life, love and more.
• Bihu music is played with instruments like dhol, mohor singor Pepe, cymbal, a bamboo instrument called gogona and a clapper made from bamboo known as toka.
• Bihu music is reflective of the Oriental influence on Assam's folk music.
• It is an absolute delight to sit and listen to heart-touching Bihu songs during the Bihu festival when the entire state is in a celebratory mood.
• The talented musicians of the state have been following this traditional form of music for generations and listening to them sing in joy is an unmatched experience for every tourist

Additional Information

• Bihu is one of the major festivals of Assam.
• There are three forms of Bihu.
• Bohag Bihu or Rangoli Bihu in April.
• Magh or Bhogali Bihu in January.
• Kati or Kongali Bihu in October/November.