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Art & Culture

219 questions asked in UPSC Prelims.

2014 · Q83Art & CultureClassical Dance Formsmoderate

With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements : 1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama. 2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam. 3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)1 and 2 only
  3. (c)2 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 1 and 2 only

2014 · Q85Art & CultureSculpture & Iconographymoderate

With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs : Famous work of sculpture 1. A grand image of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below : Ajanta 2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock : Mount Abu 3. “Arjuna’s Penance”/“Descent of Ganga” sculpted on the surface of huge boulders : Mamallapuram Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2014 · Q87Art & CultureFestivals, Crafts & Folk Traditionseasy

With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is ‘Kalaripayattu’?

  1. (a)It is an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India
  2. (b)It is an ancient style bronze and brasswork still found in southern part of Coromandel area
  3. (c)It is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar
  4. (d)It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India
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Official answer(d) It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India

2013 · Q4Art & CultureArchitecture & World Heritagemoderate

With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements: 1. The caves at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India. 2. The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. 3. At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 3 only

2013 · Q36Art & CultureArchitecture & World Heritageeasy

Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two?

  1. (a)Vihara is a place of worship, while Chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks
  2. (b)Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
  3. (c)Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it
  4. (d)There is no material difference between the two
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Official answer(b) Chaitya is a place of worship, while Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks

2013 · Q58Art & CulturePhilosophy & Religionmoderate

With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Sankhya school : 1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of soul. 2. Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(b) 2 only