Insights Static Quiz -261, 2019–Art and Culture

Solution: d)

Statement 1:  Padmapani, Bodhisattva are some of the major examples.

Statement 2:  The paintings from Bagh caves in Madhya Pradesh correspond to some paintings of Ajanta. However, these paintings are materialistic rather than spiritualistic.

Statement 3: The rock shelters and caves of Bhimbetka have a large number of paintings. The oldest paintings are considered to be 30,000 years old, but some of the geometric figures date to as recently as the medieval period. The colours used are vegetable colors which have endured through time

Solution: b)

In this Chola period bronze sculpture shiva has been shown balancing himself on his right leg and suppressing the apasmara, the demon of ignorance or forgetfulness, with the foot of the same leg. At the same time he raises his left leg in bhujangatrasita stance, which represents tirobhava that is kicking away the veil of maya or illusion from the devotee’s mind.

His four arms are outstretched and the main right hand is posed in abhaya hasta or the gesture suggesting. The upper right holds the damaru his favourite musical instrument to keep on the beat tala. The upper left hand carries a flame while the main left hand is held in dola hasta and connects with the abhaya hasta of the right hand. His hair locks fly on both the sides touching the circular jvala mala or the garland of flames which surrounds the entire dancing figuration.

Solution: d)

• Satyameva Jayate is a mantra from the ancient Indian scripture Mundaka Following the independence of India, it wasadopted as the national motto of India in 26 January 1950.
• It is inscribed in script at the base of the national emblem. The emblem and the words “Satyameva Jayate” are inscribed on one side of all Indian currency.
• The emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka which was erected around 250 BCE at Sarnath, near Varanasi in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Solution: b)

Tasawwuf is another name for Sufism, as it is known in the Muslim world.

• In Sufism, self-discipline was considered an essential condition to gain knowledge of God by sense of perception.
• While orthodox Muslims emphasise external conduct and rituals, the Sufis lay stress on inner purity.
• According to them one must have the guidance of a pir or guru, without which spiritual development is impossible.

Solution: c)

Pattachitra is a general term for traditional, cloth-based scroll painting based in Odisha.

• Most of these paintings depict stories of Hindu deities.
• These paintings are based on Hindu mythology and specially inspired by Jagannath and Vaishnava sect.
• All colours used in the Paintings are natural. The ‘pattachitra’ resemble the old murals of Odisha especially religious centres of Puri, Konark and Bhubaneshwar region, dating back to the 5th century BC.