DAY – 62 : Insta 75 Days Revision Plan-2026 : ART & CULTURE

Answer: (b)

Explanation

The National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) was established in February 2003 by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India. Its primary mandate is to survey, locate, and conserve India’s vast heritage of manuscripts.

• Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA): This institution serves as the nodal agency for the implementation of the Mission. The IGNCA provides the administrative and logistical framework required to coordinate with various “Manuscript Resource Centres” (MRCs) and “Manuscript Conservation Centres” (MCCs) across the country.
• India is estimated to possess around five million manuscripts—possibly the largest collection in the world. The NMM works to create a national database of these manuscripts (named ‘Kritishampada’), provide training in conservation, and promote access to these texts through digitization and publication.

Answer: (d)

Natya Shastra of Bharata is another important landmark in the history of Indian music. It is supposed to have been written sometime between the 2nd century B.C. and the 2nd century A.D. Some scholars are even doubtful whether it is the work of one author and the work might well have been a compendium – at least, the version which is available to us. The Natya Shastra is a comprehensive work mainly dealing with dramaturgy. But a few chapters of this deal with music.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Answer: (a)

Explanation

Traditional theatre in India is deeply rooted in local folklore, religious myths, and social themes, with each region having its distinct style of performance.

• Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Dashavatar is a traditional theatre form popular in the Konkan region (Maharashtra and Goa), not Madhya Pradesh. It is based on the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The performers typically wear wooden masks and the performance is a staple of temple festivals in coastal India.
• Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Bhand Pather is the traditional theatre form of Kashmir, not Uttarakhand. It is a unique blend of dance, music, and acting. It often incorporates satire and farcical elements to comment on social and political issues, and it is primarily performed by the farming community.
• Pair 3 is correctly matched: Nautanki is indeed the most popular traditional theatre form of Uttar Pradesh (particularly in the regions of Kanpur, Lucknow, and Hathras). It is characterized by its operatic nature, featuring intense dialogue delivery and soulful singing accompanied by the Nagara (kettle drum).

Answer: (b)

Explanation

Sattriya is one of the eight major Indian classical dance forms, and its origins are deeply rooted in the socio-religious history of Assam.

• Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev: In the 15th century, the great saint and reformer Sankardev introduced Sattriya as a powerful medium for propagation of the Bhakti movement. He created the dance to be performed in the Sattras (monastery-like institutions), which is where the dance gets its name.
• It was originally part of Ankia Naat (a type of one-act play) created by Sankardev. The dance is characterized by its devotional theme, primarily centering on the life of Lord Krishna.

For centuries, the dance was preserved exclusively by male monks (Bhokots) in the Sattras. It was only in the 20th century that the dance moved from the monasteries to the metropolitan stage and was officially recognized as a “Classical Dance” by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in the year 2000.

Answer: (c)

Explanation

Mudiyettu is a ritual dance-drama from Kerala that was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.

• Statement 1 is correct: It is a traditional ritual theatre and folk dance-drama performed in the Bhagavati temples of Kerala, specifically in the districts of Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thrissur, and Idukki. It is usually performed after the harvest season.
• Statement 2 is correct: The performance centers on the mythological tale from the Puranas involving the fierce battle between the Goddess Kali and the demon Darika. The ritual culminates in the symbolic killing of the demon, representing the victory of good over evil.
• Statement 3 is correct: Like many traditional art forms of Kerala (such as Kathakali), Mudiyettu is known for its highly stylized and elaborate make-up. The performer playing Kali wears a massive, tall headgear (mudi), intricate facial paintings, and heavy ornaments to evoke a supernatural and divine presence.

Answer: (c)

Explanation

Buddhism and Jainism are both “Sramanic” traditions that emerged as heterodox (Nastika) movements against the Vedic orthodoxy, but they differ significantly on core metaphysical concepts.

• Statement-1 is correct: Both Buddhism and Jainism are classified as Nastika schools of Indian philosophy. They both challenged the ritualistic dominance of the Brahmins and explicitly rejected the divine authority of the Vedas. They argued that knowledge and liberation could be achieved through personal effort and ethical living rather than through Vedic sacrifices or the mediation of priests.
• Statement-2 is incorrect:
  • Buddhism subscribes to the doctrine of Anatta (or Anatman), which literally means “no-soul.” The Buddha taught that there is no permanent, unchanging individual soul; instead, what we perceive as the “self” is a collection of changing physical and mental aggregates (Skandhas).
  • Jainism, on the other hand, strongly believes in the existence of an individual soul, which they call Jiva. They believe that every living being—including plants, animals, and even inanimate objects like rocks and water—possesses a soul that is eternal and capable of achieving infinite knowledge and bliss once freed from karma.

Answer: (c)

Explanation

The Mimamsa (or Purva Mimamsa) school of Indian philosophy, founded by Sage Jaimini, focuses primarily on the interpretation of the Vedas and the philosophy of language and rituals.

• Statement 1 is correct: The Mimamsa school is known for expanding the list of valid sources of knowledge (Pramanas). Both the Prabhakara and Kumarila sub-schools of Mimamsa accept Arthapatti (Presumption or Postulation). Arthapatti occurs when we assume a fact to explain a perceived phenomenon that otherwise seems contradictory (e.g., if a fat person does not eat during the day, we “presume” they must eat at night).
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Shabda (Verbal Testimony) is actually the most important Pramana for the Mimamsa school. They believe the Vedas are Apaurusheya (not created by man) and eternal. Therefore, the “Word” or verbal testimony of the Vedas is considered the supreme and infallible source of knowledge.
• Statement 3 is correct: Mimamsa proponents are the chief advocates of the doctrine of Svatah-Pramanya (Intrinsic Validity of Knowledge). They argue that all knowledge is inherently valid as soon as it arises. It does not need an external test to prove it is true; rather, it is only set aside if it is later contradicted by a subsequent, more powerful piece of knowledge or if the source is proven defective.

Answer: (b)

Explanation

The Sitar is perhaps the most iconic example of the synthesis between Indian and Persian musical traditions.

• The word “Sitar” is derived from the Persian words Seh (meaning three) and Tar (meaning strings). Historically, it evolved from the Persian Setar, though it was significantly modified in India to suit the local classical music system.
• Credit for the development of the Sitar is traditionally given to Amir Khusrau, the 13th-century Sufi poet and musician in the Delhi Sultanate. He is believed to have adapted the Persian Tanbur and the Indian Veena to create an instrument that could bridge the two cultures.
• Other Options:
  • Veena (a): One of the oldest Indian stringed instruments, mentioned in Vedic literature long before Persian influence.
  • Mridangam (c): An ancient percussion instrument of South India, deeply rooted in the Carnatic tradition.
  • Flute (d): The Bansuri (bamboo flute) has been a staple of Indian music since ancient times and is associated with Lord Krishna.

Answer: (a)

Explanation

Kalamkari is a celebrated ancient Indian textile art that involves a meticulous process of hand-painting or block-printing on cotton fabrics. The name is derived from the Persian words Kalam (pen) and Kari (craftsmanship).

• Statement 1 is correct: It is a traditional art form that combines both hand-painting and block-printing techniques. The process is entirely organic, involving up to 23 rigorous steps, including bleaching, softening, and drying the fabric in running water.
• Statement 2 is correct: The Srikalahasti style (from Andhra Pradesh) is characterized by freehand drawing using a bamboo pen (kalam). The themes are almost exclusively religious, depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas, often used as temple hangings or scrolls.
• Statement 3 is correct: The Machilipatnam style (also from Andhra Pradesh) is distinct because it primarily uses hand-carved wooden blocks to print the designs onto the fabric. Like the Srikalahasti style, it relies entirely on natural dyes derived from plants, roots, and minerals (e.g., indigo for blue, madder for red).
• Statement 4 is incorrect: While the kalam (pen/brush) is central to the Srikalahasti style, Kalamkari as a whole is not limited to a “single brush technique.” As noted above, the Machilipatnam school relies heavily on block-printing. Furthermore, the process involves various “brushes” made of bamboo and coconut fiber for different levels of detail and color filling.

Answer: (b)

Explanation

Jain literature is a vast corpus of religious and secular texts primarily written in Prakrit (Ardhamagadhi), Sanskrit, and Tamil.

• Statement 1 is correct: The Jain Agamas (or canonical texts) are the sacred scriptures based on the discourses of the Tirthankaras. They were compiled by the Gandharas (immediate disciples) of Lord Mahavira. These texts form the philosophical and ethical foundation of Jainism.
• Statement 2 is correct: Silappadikaram (The Tale of an Anklet) is one of the Five Great Epics of Tamil literature. Its author, Ilango Adigal, is widely believed to have been a Jain prince-turned-monk. The epic reflects many Jain principles, such as the law of Karma and the virtues of asceticism, making it a cornerstone of the Jain literary tradition in South India.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The Digambara sect rejects the authority of the Agamas compiled at the Council of Vallabhi (5th/6th Century A.D.). They believe that the original teachings of Mahavira were lost over time. Instead, they rely on later works like the Shatkhandagama and the Kashayapahuda. It is the Svetambara sect that accepts the Vallabhi Agamas as authoritative.

Answer: (b)

Solution:

A is the mother-in-law of D, which means D is married to one of A’s children.
B is the daughter of P and sister-in-law of D. Since A has only two children, the other child must be C.

Thus:

• A and P are the first generation couple.
• Their children are B and C.
• D is married to C.

E is the son of D, and F is the granddaughter of A, confirming that E and F are children of C and D.

C is the father of G, and G is female. Therefore, G is also the daughter of C and D.

Since B is the sister of C, B is the paternal aunt of G.

Hence, G is the niece of B.

Answer: (c)

Solution:

Vikram’s father’s only sister is Vikram’s paternal aunt.

The son of that aunt is Vikram’s cousin.

That person is described as the brother of the woman in the photograph. Therefore, the woman is also the child of Vikram’s paternal aunt.

Hence, the woman is the daughter of Vikram’s father’s sister.

Therefore, the woman is the niece of Vikram’s father.

Answer: (b)

Solution:

Place V at a middle-side position.

P sits second to the right of V and occupies a corner.

W is an immediate neighbor of both P and T, so W must sit between them.

S sits third to the left of T.

R sits second to the left of S.

After arranging all positions according to the conditions, the only valid arrangement is:

R – V – S – P – W – T – Q – U

Opposite pairs are:

• R and W
• V and T
• S and Q
• P and U

Thus, Q sits opposite S.

Hence, the correct answer is (b).

Answer: (c)

Solution:

R takes the test on Wednesday.

Q takes the test three days after R, so Q takes the test on Saturday.

S takes the test immediately before Q, so S takes the test on Friday.

There are four persons before S (Monday to Thursday). Therefore, N must have four persons after him, placing N on Tuesday.

The remaining days are Monday, Thursday, and Sunday for O, M, and P.

M takes the test after O but before P.

Thus:

• O = Monday
• M = Thursday
• P = Sunday

Final arrangement:

• Monday: O
• Tuesday: N
• Wednesday: R
• Thursday: M
• Friday: S
• Saturday: Q
• Sunday: P

Hence, Q takes the test on Saturday.

Answer: (b)

Solution:

The passage argues that viewing the green transition only as a technological issue is insufficient.

It emphasizes:

• socio-economic transformation,
• decoupling growth from resource use,
• and structural inequalities between developed and developing countries.

The central message is that sustainability requires addressing broader economic and global inequities, not merely technological advancement.

Option (b) captures this core idea accurately.

Options (a), (c), and (d) are either too narrow, extreme, or unsupported by the passage.