Art and Culture of Rajasthan Questions

The correct answer is 1-d, 2-a, 3-b, 4-c.

Important Points

• Virat Nagar inscription is located at Jaipur.
• Maanmori inscription is located at Chittorgarh.
• Mandore inscription is located at Jodhpur.
• Barli inscription is located at Ajmer.

Additional Information

• Virat Nagar inscription is located at Jaipur.
  •  Here Ashoka's 2 inscriptions are found.
    • Bhabru
    • Bairath
  • Captain Burt is credited for Bhabru inscription's discovery.
  • These were found in Beejak Hills.

The correct answer is Suratkhana.

Additional Information

• Most influence of the Mughal style can be seen in Jaipur style, therefore, it has pictures of Kamasutra, Beggars, Laila-Majnu, elephant horses, rioters.
• The golden period of this style is considered to be the reign of Sawai Pratap Singh.
• Full Lenght stature portraits are unique features of the Jaipur style of painting.
• In this style, a painter named Sahib Ram made the portrait of Ishwar Singh the first Full-length portrait in Rajasthan.
• The artist of Jaipur state where he used to make paintings and miniatures was called Surat Khana.

Additional Information 

• Other important painting styles of Rajasthan
  • Marwar style
  • Mewar Style - This is the most ancient style of painting in  Rajasthan.
  • Hadoti style

The correct answer is Karthik.

• Chandrabhaga Festival:
  • Organized in the Kartik month (October/November) according to the Hindu calendar, the Chandrabhaga Fair is a prominent fair of Rajasthan.
  • This fair is held in the heritage town of Jhalrapatan, situated 6 km away from Jhalawar, in Rajasthan.
  • The Chandrabhaga Fair adds to the spiritual charm of this 'City of Bells' and makes this place an ideal site for a heavenly experience.

Key Points

• The Chandrabhaga Fair is renowned for its huge cattle fair which is organized on the last day of the Kartik month.
• The cattle fair is similar to the world-famous Pushkar Mela and it allows traders from all over the country to sell their livestock.
• The fair also offers visitors the chance to interact with the locals and familiarize themselves with the rituals and customs of this region.
• The other major attractions of this fair are its mesmerizing folk music performances and colourful traditional Rajasthani arts and crafts. 

The correct answer is Sheikh Hamiduddin.

• Dargah of Sufi Saint Hamiduddin Chisti Faruqui Nagauri is located in Nagaur.
  • He was one of the chief disciples of Khwaja Moinuddin.

Additional Information

• Nagaur is also the birthplace of Saint Poetess Meera Bai and Abul Fazal.
  • This city was known as Jangladesh in the Mahabharata era.
  • Its fort stands testament to the great battles and rulers who fought them.
  • This town was granted to Raja Amar Singh Rathore by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
  • It is an area with a forest belt of thorn scrubs that circles the Thar Desert.

The correct answer is I-d, II-c, III-b, IV-a.

Key Points

• Kolayat:
  • It is located in Bikaner.
  • This is a natural lake, where the Kapil Muni fair is held every year on the Kartik Purnima.
  • The lake is located on National Highway 15.
  •  It is also known as the 'Beautiful garden of the arid desert'. 
• Deeg:
  • Deeg is the ancient capital of Bharatpur.
  • This town is famous for its magnificent water palaces.
  • Prominent among them are Suraj Bhawan, Gopal Bhawan, Nand Bhawan, Haridev Bhawan, Krishi Bhavan, etc.
  • Dig is called the city of Water Palaces.
• Soni Ji ki nasiyan:
  • Soni Ji ki nasiyan temple is located in Ajmer.
  • It was built by Seth Moolchand Ji Soni.
  • It is a famous temple of the Jain community.
  • In this, the idol of the first Jain Tirthankara Adinath Lord and the composition of the Samavasaran is the main attraction.
• Pandupol:
  • Pandupol Hanuman Ji's temple is located in Alwar.
  • Here, the temple has a statue of Hanuman Ji in the sleeping posture.
  • It is located in the Sariska Tiger Reserve.

The correct answer is Panihari.

Key Points

• Panihari
  • Panihari song composed by Rajasthani women.
  • This folk is sung when women find difficulty in finding water in arid areas like deserts.
  • Panihari praises water and rain highlighting its importance.
  • Song describes the joy of rivers, rains, and water.
  • In the villages of beautiful mud houses in the Thar Desert.
  • The Thar desert is the largest desert of India also called the Great Indian Desert. 

Additional Information

• Pabuji Ki Phad​:
  • Pabuji Ki Phad​ is the folk music of Rajasthan.
  • Pabuji is worshipped as the deity of the desert.
  • Phad means long screen made of cloth with heroic stories of Pabuji.
  • Bhopas of Pabusar narrates the story to the community singing folk of Pabuji.
  • Pabuji the great folk hero of 14th century AD.
• Pandavani:
  • Folk music of Chhattisgarh.
  • Folk music is based on the epic Mahabharata.
  • Pandavani is sung by women narrating the story of Pandava.
  • Bhima is the main hero of the story.
  • Teejan Bai is the most famous singer of this style.
• Maand
  • ​Maand is the folk music of Rajasthan.
  • Maand folks are songs describing the glory of Rajput rulers.
  • Thumri or Ghazal are considered close to Maand.
  • Famous song Kesariya Balam is in Maand style.

The correct answer is 4 only.

• Surani, Algoja, and Nagfani are the Aerophone instrument.
• Kamaycha comes under the string category.

Key Points

• Stringed
  • Kamaycha:
    • It is played by the Manganiyar caste.
    • The large circular belly of the Kamaycha is covered with parchment, a peg system, and a fingerboard.
    • The Kamaycha is also incorporated with 27 sympathetic strings that are made of steel and played with a curved bow made of horse tail hair.
• Aerophone
  • Nagfani:
    • It is used by monk, saints and in the temple.
    • This is a brass tube in a serpent-like shape with a hole in its end.
  • Algoja:
    • It is used by Meena and Alwar, Kota, Ajmer's Gurjar and Dhakad.
    • It has two flutes of with four holes in it.
    • It is played simultaneously in the mouth.
  • Surnai:
    • It is played by Dholi, Langa and Manganiyar caste on marriage and auspicious occasions.
    • It is made from Date trees’ wood.
    • It is the second form of Sahnai.
    • Pepe khan manganiyar is famous for it.

The correct answer is Pali.

• Bullet Baba temple is in the ​Pali district of Rajasthan.

Key Points

• This temple is also known as Om Banna, or, Bullet Baba temple.
• It is dedicated to a motorcycle (Royal Bullet) of Om Banna.
• Located on the Pali-Jodhpur highway, near Chotila village.
• This shrine is named after Om Banna (Om Singh Rathore) who met an accident.
• His bullet bike reappeared on the same spot two-three times from police custody.
• Hundreds of devotees come here every day with their vehicles to pray for their safe journey.

Additional Information ​​

• Banna is an honorary token of respect used for Rajputs.
• The motorcycle is Royal Enfield Bullet with number plate RNJ 7773.
• It is believed that Om Banna helps distressed travellers.
• People offer flowers, liquor, coconut, red thread, and sweets.
• An everlasting flame is kept at the spot.

The correct answer is 3 only.

• Kathak is the classical dance of Uttar Pradesh.
• Kathakali is the classical dance of Kerela.
• Sattariya is the classical dance of Assam.
• Hence the correct answer is 3 only.

Key Points

• Kuchipudi
  • ​Kuchipudi is a classical dance of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Origin from the group of dancers going in the villages to perform known as Kusselavas.
  • Kuchipudi derives its name from the village Kusselavapuri in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Vijayanagar and Golconda rulers patronized the dance form.
  • Famous dance Tarangam where the dancer performs with his feet on edge of brass plate and pot of water on the head.
  • Stories from Bhagvat Purana on secular themes.
  • Lasya(Soft element) and Tandava(Hard element) are important in Kuchipudi dance.
• Kathak
  • ​Kathak is a classical dance of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Origin from Ras Leela of Brajbhoomi.
  • Kathak's name comes from the word 'Kathika' which means storytellers from epics.
  • Mughal courts patronized Kathak and accepted it as court entertainment.
  • Famous Gharana is based on Hindustani Music-Lucknow, Jaipur, and Banaras Gharana.
• Kathakali
  • ​Kathakali is a classical dance of Kerela.
  • Origin from temples of Kerela two forms of dance and drama.
  • Kathakali's name comes from the word 'Katha' which means story and 'Kali' means drama.
  • Initially evolved under the patronage of feudal lords later revived by Kathakali artists.
  • Generally, male groups dance with heavy makeup and traditional costume.
  • Narrating episodes from Ramayana and Mahabharat with facial movement, eye expression, and hand movement.
• Sattriya
  • ​Sattariya is a classical dance of Assam.
  • Introduced by Vaishnava Saint Sankaradeva in 15th century AD in Assam.
  • Sattriya derives its name from Vaishnava monasteries known as 'Sattras'.
  • Dance form inspired by the Bhakti Movement reciting stories of Lord Vishnu.
  • Famous dance form 'Bhaona' is based on stories of Lord Krishna.

Additional Information

Presently Sangeet Natak Academy recognized 8 classical dances of India.

Important Points

• Note: There is no classical dance recognized for Rajasthan.

The correct answer is Alwar.

• Alibakshi Khayal is associated with Alwar, Rajasthan.

Key Points

• Alibakhsh was born to the Jagirdar family of Mundavar in 1854 but had an affinity for Hindu and Sufi music.
  • He used to describe himself as Tekavat Rajput.

Additional Information

• Alibakhsh wrote the events of Sri Krishna Leela in a mixed dialect of Ahirwati and Mewati and presented them with music.
  • This is what his Ali Bakshi khayal singing is called.
  • He was also considered an exclusive devotee of Krishna.
  • Among the major compositions of Alibakhsh, Padmavat, Nihalde, Chandrawal and Shivdan Singh's travelogue were famous.
  • The state government is making Alibakhs Panorama in Mundavar in his memory.