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Home , Anasuya Sarabhai, Aranmula Boat Race, Ashaval, Bathukamma, Battle of Koregaon, Chavundaraya

CULTURE (May 2017 – February 2018) Table of Contents

1. DANCES & MUSIC ______3 6.1. Kumbh ______16 1.1. ______3 6.2. List of World Heritage in Danger______17 1.2. ______3 6.3. World Heritage City ______17 1.3. Other Classical Dances ______3 6.4. UNESCO Asia Pacific Award of Merit __ 18 1.4. Sangrai Dance ______4 6.5. Creative Cities Network ______18 1.5. Thumri______5 6.6. UNESCO’s Endangered List ______19 2. PAINTINGS & OTHER ART FORMS ______6 6.7. Conference on Tourism and Culture ___ 19 2.1. Modern Painting ______6 7. RELIGION AND CULTURAL FESTIVALS __ 20 2.2. Puppetry ______6 7.1. ______20 2.3. Theatre Olympics ______7 7.2. Kandhei Jatra ______20 3. SCULPTURE AND ARCHITECTURE ______8 7.3. Thakurani Jatra Festival ______21 3.1. Buddhist Monasteries ______8 7.4. Medaram’s Jatara ______21 3.2. Hoysala Temple architecture ______8 7.5. Cauvery Maha Pushkaram______21 3.3. Ananda Temple ______9 7.6. Wari ______21 3.4. ______9 7.7. Festival ______22 3.5. Post-Independence Architecture _____ 10 7.8. Nabakalebar Festival ______22 4. LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE ______11 7.9. ______22 4.1. Prakrit ______11 7.10. Ambubachi Festival ______23 4.2. Konkani ______11 7.11. Chapchar Kut ______23 4.3. Nobel Prize in Literature: Kazuo Ishiguro11 7.12. North East Calling Festival ______23 4.4. Padmaavat ______11 7.13. Hornbill Festival ______23 4.5. Sahitya Akademi Awards______12 7.14. Regatta ______24 4.6. International Conference on Demetrios 7.15. Saddula ______24 Galanos ______13 7.16. Movement ______24 5. TRIBE ______14 8. HISTORICAL EVENTS ______25 5.1. Bonda Tribe ______14 8.1. History of Indian Navy ______25 5.2. Toda Tribe ______14 8.2. Paika Rebellion ______25 5.3. Soliga Tribe ______14 8.3. Champaran Satyagrah ______25 5.4. Reang Tribe______14 8.4. ______26 5.5. Siddi Tribe ______14 8.5. Bengali Newspapers______26 5.6. Jarawa Tribe ______15 8.6. Quit Movement ______26 5.7. Koya Tribe ______15 8.7. ______27 6. INITIATIVES OF UNESCO ______16 9. PERSONALITIES ______28

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9.1. Basaveshwara ______28 10.3. Other government initiatives ______34 10.3.1. Swachh Iconic Place ______34 9.2. Saint Tyagraja ______28 10.3.2. National Zonal Cultural Centres ______35 9.3. Ram Mohan Roy ______28 10.3.3. Promotion of Traditional Sports______35 10.3.4. Aadi Mahotsav ______36 9.4. Sri Ramanujacharya ______28 10.3.5. Deen Dayal Sparsh Yojana ______36 9.5. Baba Farid ______29 11. MISCELLANEOUS ______37 9.6. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ______30 11.1. Moncoes do Reino ______37 9.7. Birsa Munda ______31 11.2. INTACH to document heritage sites along 9.8. Anasuya Sarabhai______31 Mahanadi River ______37 10. GOVERNMENT SCHEMES ______33 11.3. Indira Gandhi Prize______37 10.1. Schemes of Ministry of Tourism _____ 33 11.4. ICOMOS General Assembly ______37 10.1.1. Swadesh Darshan ______33 11.5. Prasar Bharti ______38 10.1.2. Special Tourism Zone ______33 10.1.3. Paryatan Parv ______33 11.6. Sabrimala ______38 10.1.4. Adopt A Heritage Scheme ______33 11.7. International Dialogue on Civilisation 38 10.1.5. Iconic Tourist Sites Project ______33 10.1.6. PRASAD Scheme ______34 11.8. GI Tag ______39 10.2. Schemes of Ministry of Culture______34 11.9. Miscellaneous titbits ______39 10.2.1. National Mission on Cultural Mapping and Roadmap ______34

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1. DANCES & MUSIC • Natyashastra of Bharat Muni describes three About Odissi aspects of dance: o Natya highlights the dramatic element • Odissi is the classical dance form of . o is essentially expressional, • It symbolises the element of water. performed specifically to convey the • It was originally performed by maharis who meaning of a theme or idea. were temple dancers. Later group of boys o Nritta on the other hand, is pure dance named were trained in this art. They where body movements do not express danced in temples and for public any mood (bhava), nor do they convey entertainment. any meaning. • Facial expressions, hand gestures and body movements in Odissi are used to suggest a 1.1. KATHAK certain feeling, an emotion or one of the nine rasas. It is similar to Bharatnatyam in Why in news? the use of mudras. th • Google celebrated the 97 birth anniversary • The dancers create intricate geometrical of legendary Kathak dancer Sitara with shapes and patterns with her body. Hence, it a doodle. is known as “mobile sculpture” About Sitara Devi • The techniques of movement are built • She was described as Nṛitya Samrajni, around the two basic postures of the Chowk meaning “Empress of Dance” by and the Tribhanga. Rabindranath Tagore o The chowk is a position imitating a • She was conferred with prestigious honours square - a very masculine stance with the like Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Padma weight of the body equally balanced. Shree, Kalidas Samman and the India Lifetime The tribhanga is a very feminine stance Achievement Award. where the body is deflected at the neck, torso and the knees About Kathak • Musical instruments used in Odissi are • It is a traditional dance form of pakhwaj, sitar, manjira and flute. which traces its origin back to the Ras Leela of Brajbhoomi. It derives its name from 1.3. OTHER CLASSICAL DANCES “kathika” meaning story tellers. • The dance form is characterized by intricate Dance Key features footworks and is generally accompanied with form dhrupad music. Other music such as Taranas, • classical dance of Kerela Thumris and Ghazals were also introduced • blend of dance, music and acting during the Mughal period. (“Katha” meaning story and “” meaning drama) • It is the only having a • Dramatizes stories and most recitals synthesis of Hindu and Muslim traditions. are a representation of conflict • Kathak is also known for the development of between good and evil. different gharanas (Lucknow, Jaipur, Raigarh, • Symbolizes the element of sky or Banaras) as it is the only classical dance based ether. on Hindustani style of music. • Codified hastamudras and facial • Other famous proponents: Birju Maharaj, expressions Lacchu Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Damayanti Joshi • Elaborate makeup with different etc. colors along with a headgear • Associated instruments: , 1.2. ODISSI Maddalam, Chengila, Ilathalam, and Shankhu. Why in news? Bharatna • Oldest classical dance from Tamil tyam Nadu. • The Odisha government will establish an • Also known as ekaharya, where one Odissi museum in Bhubaneswar. dancer takes on many roles in a single

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performance. • The dance is performed on Carnatic • Associated instruments: mridangam, music where singer is accompanied veena or violin, flute and cymbal. by musical instruments like Manipuri • It has its roots in the ancient festival mridangam, violin, flute and of Lai Haraoba. The dance gained tambura. prominence under the advent of Vaishanvism. 1.4. SANGRAI DANCE • Most popular forms of Manipuri dance: Ras, Sankirtana and Thang-Ta. Why in news? • The main theme revolves around • Traditional Sangrai dance of was , and the . presented in parade for the first • Manipuri dance incorporates both time. the and . It is known for its lyrical and graceful movements. Details The facial expressions are natural and not exaggerated. • It is performed by the Mog tribal community • Associated instrument: Pung and of Tripura on the occasion of Sangrai festival Kartal. • The day is celebrated to welcome the new • Introduced by the great Vaishnava year. saint in , Sankaradeva for • The Mog are the Arakanese descendants and propagation of the Vaishnava faith. follow • This tradition has been preserved by the Sattras i.e. Vaishnava maths or Related information monasteries. • won the best tableau award on • Governed by strictly laid down Republic Day Parade which was based on principles in respect Maharaj’s coronation who of hastamudras, footworks, aharyas, introduced Ashtapradhan mandal (Council of music etc. Eight Ministers) consisting of • Majuli island in Assam is closely o (chief minister), associated with this dance. o Amatya or majumdar (finance), Mohiniat • Classical solo dance form of , o Sachiv or shuru nawis(correspondence), tam performed by women. It is o Sumant or dabir(foreign minister) interpreted as the dance of ‘’, o Senapati or san-i-naubat (recruitment, the female form taken by to training and discipline of the army) kill Bhasmasura. o Mantri or waqia nawis: (personal safety of • Characterized by graceful, swaying the king) o body movements with no abrupt jerks Nyayadhish (administration of justice) o or sudden leaps. Dhanadhyaksha or the pundit rao (looking after charitable work) • It belongs to the LASYA style which is • ’s tableau depicted a model of feminine, tender and graceful. Kye Gompa, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery • Symbolises element of air established in the 11th century located in the Spiti • Importance to the hand gestures and Valley. Mukhabhinaya with subtle facial • Chhattisgarh’s displayed artists performing dance expressions. based on Kalidasa’s Meghadootam (a lyric poem Kuchipud • Originated in village, which tells the story of a yaksha who has been i Krishna district of modern Andhra exiled from his kingdom). Pradesh. Other important works for Kalidas • It was conceived in 17th century by • Abhijnanashakuntala - depicting love, separation Vaishnava poet Siddhendra from & reunion of King Dushyanta, Sakuntala & their – dance-drama. son () • It comprises of techniques such as • Raghuvamsha – deals with the themes from dancing on the rim of brass plate and with a pitcher full of water on the • Malvikagnimitram - play tells the story of the love head. This is called Tarangam. of Agnimitra, son of Pushyamitra Sunga • Sometimes, the Kuchipudi performer • Kumarasambhav – theme is courtship of combines the role of both dancer and and singer. The style is known for both • Ritusamhara – this poem portrays six Indian solo and group performances. seasons. 4 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD

1.5. THUMRI Khayal: Khayal means "imagination". Amir Khusrou of the 13th century gave it an Why in news? impetus. It is a form of classical singing with more elaborate embellishments and embroidery. The • Girija Devi, one of the foundational figures of Khayal has various gharanas – Gwalior Gharana, Banaras and Senia gharana of thumri passed Agra Ghrana etc. away. Tappa: It consists of the song uttered in fast Background note patterns. Ragas in which Tappa compositions are set remain same as in Thumri • There are two main schools of Indian classical style. music: the Hindustani style of the North and Hindustani music the Carnatic music of the South. It has its roots in Vedic It developed • Well-known Hindustani styles include traditions where significantly during the Dhrupad, Dhamar, Khayal, Tappa and Thumri. hymns in Sama Veda, a movement Thumri: It is primarily a vocal style of romance sacred text, were sung music written from the perspective of the woman rather than chanted and sung in a literary dialect of called Braj It features a number of No Turko-Persian Bhasha. The thumri is very lyrical in its structure Turko-Persian musical influence and presentation. elements. There is bandish of There is no such Dhrupad: Tansen was one of the best-known dhrupad singers and one of the nine jewels of time Bandish Emperor Akbar's court. It is a northern Indian There are more than It is written to be sung style that features a straight delivery and no one style of singing in a specific way embroidery or embellishment. Singers are known as gharanas accompanied by a been and pakhawaj barrel Use of tabla, sarangi, Use of veena, drum. sitar, santoor, clarionet, mridangam, mandolin, violin & flute jalatarangam, violin & Dhamar: Dhamar is a form similar to dhrupad but flue has more embellishments.

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2. PAINTINGS & OTHER ART FORMS 2.1. MODERN PAINTING 2.2. PUPPETRY

Why in news? Why in news? • Recently, exhibitions in Victoria Memorial • Recently, on 21st March World Puppetry day Hall went live on the Google Art & Culture was celebrated. Project where Abanindranath’s Bharatmata Puppetry in India was one of the most famous paintings featured. • The earliest reference to the art of puppetry is found in Tamil classic ‘Silappadikaaram’ Modern Indian Painting written around the 1st or 2nd century B.C. Roughly, the modern period in Indian art began • The puppeteer narrates the story in prose or around 1857. Various styles of painting evolved in lyrical form while the puppet shows provides modern era are: the visual treat. • Company Style of painting: It is a hybrid style • Stories from puranic literature, local myths of painting that emerged in the colonial and legends form the subject of puppetry period. It combined elements of , shows in ancient India. Mughal and other Indian styles of painting • There are mainly four types of puppet forms with European elements. in India: String puppets, shadow puppets, • Bazaar Painting: Unlike the Company rod puppets and glove puppets. paintings, they did not mix the Indian style • String Puppetry: String puppets or with the European techniques. They simply marionettes have jointed limbs controlled by copied the Greek and Roman style. This strings. Some of the famous string puppetry school was prevalent in and . are: The paintings showed Indian bazaars with o Kathputli, European background. o Kundhei, Odisha • : It is done on cloth or patas o Gombeyatta, which began developing around the temple o Bommalattam, . of Kalighat in Bengal where local village scroll • Shadow Puppetry: Shadow puppets are flat painters (called patuas) and potters began figures which are pressed against a screen introducing new features in traditional with strong source of light behind it to create painting such as shadows. Some of the famous shadow o Use of shading to give painting a rounded puppetry are: form (3-D effect). o Togalu Gombeyatta, Karnataka o use of a bold, deliberately non-realistic o Tholu Bommalata, Andhara Pradesh style, where the figures emerge large and o Ravanachayya, Odisha powerful, with a minimum of lines, detail • Rod Puppetry: Rod puppets are an extension and colors. of glove-puppets, but often much larger and o painting social and political themes unlike supported and manipulated by rods from religious only in previous times. below. Some of the famous rod puppetry are: o Putul , Major exponents of modern painting are Raja o Odisha Rod Puppet Ravi Verma (“Raphael of the East” due to brilliant o Yampuri, Bihar brush strokes and lifelike paintings), • Glove Puppetry: Glove puppets are also Abanindranath Tagore etc. Abanindranath’s known as sleeve, hand or palm puppets. The ‘Bharatmata’ (1905) was the first purely Indian head is made of papier mache, cloth or wood, idea of the spirit of motherland. with two hands emerging from just below the neck and rest of the body is generally a flowing skirt. These puppets are made to

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2.3. THEATRE OLYMPICS Different Traditional Theatre Forms in India • Bhand Pather (Kashmir) Why in news? • Swang (, Uttar Pradesh etc.) • India is hosting the 8th edition of the Theatre • Nautanki (Uttar Pradesh) Olympics – “The Biggest Theatre Celebration • Rasleela (Uttar Pradesh) of the World” across various Indian cities. • Bhavai () Theatre Olympics • Jatra (Bengal) Established in 1993, the Theatre Olympics is the • () foremost international theatre festival, presenting the • Bhaona (Assam) finest productions of well-known theatre practitioners • Tamasha (Maharashtra) from around the world. • Dashavtar ( and regions) • Krishnattam (folk theatre of Kerela) • Mudiyettu (folk theatre of Kerela)

• Kudiyattam (Kerela) • Yakshagaana (Karnataka) • Therukoothu (folk drama of Tamil Nadu)

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3. SCULPTURE AND ARCHITECTURE 3.1. BUDDHIST MONASTERIES • , UP: Death or mahaparinirvana o "Mahaparinirvana" refers to the ultimate state Why in news? of Nirvana (everlasting, highest peace and happiness) • The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has • Along with these, the other four are , unearthed structures resembling Buddhist Sankasya, and . monasteries in Vadnagar city of Gujarat. Important monasteries • Ladakh: Hemis, Thiksey, Phuktal Monastery, Archaeological survey of India Zanskar, Rizong • The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the • Leh: Diskit Monastery, Lamayuru Monastery Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for • Karnataka: Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery the archaeological researches and protection of (Coorg) the cultural heritage of the nation. • Himachal Pradesh: Dhankar, • It main objective is maintenance of ancient (), Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat monuments and archaeological sites and remains (Kangra Valley), of national importance, (Dharamshala), Gandhola Monastery, Kungri

• Additionally, it regulates all archaeological Monastery, Kardang Monastery activities in the country as per the provisions of the • West Bengal: Ghoom Monastery Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and • : (Dehradun). Remains Act, 1958. It also regulates Antiquities • Sikkim: Rumtek and Gonjang Monastery, Enchey and Art Treasure Act, 1972. Monastery, Ralang Monastery, Pemayangtse • A three-day festival, Bodhi Parva: BIMSTEC Monastery. Festival of Buddhist Heritage was celebrated • Arunachal Pradesh: Tawang Monastery. in New Delhi. • A proposal to build a 70 ft. Buddha statue in 3.2. HOYSALA TEMPLE Ghantasala in has been ARCHITECTURE passed by the government. Why in news? Types of Buddhist Architecture • A Hoysala style temple is being built by a • Three major types of Buddhist architecture public trust in Venkatapura in Kolar district of are found: Karnataka. o : It is a burial mound for the Buddha. It comprises of a hemispherical • The Hoysala dynasty ruled in south Karnataka dome. The original contained the between the 11th and 14th centuries. The Buddha’s ashes. One of the most famous Hoysala architectural style is considered an stupas in India is the Stupa in intermediate between the Indo- and Madhya Pradesh. Stupa in Dravidian traditions. Uttar Pradesh is one of the earliest one. • Its temples are ornate and complex. Another o : It is the resident hall of the characteristic feature of Hoysala temple is monks. It was a dwelling of one or two that it used soapstone instead of sandstone. stories, fronted by a pillared veranda. • The temples have a star shaped base with o or Chaityagriha: It refers to an the main structure standing on a raised assembly hall that contains a stupa. Ex: platform. The temples are also covered with Chaitya at Karle caves near , intricate sculptural carvings. Maharashtra. • Some of the famous Hoysala style temples • These were in the form of Rock-cut Caves are: Chennakesava temple in Belur, mostly. in and the Ishwara temple in Arasikere. Important Buddhist Sites Eight Astamahasthanas (holy places): • , : Birth of Buddha. • Bodhgaya, Bihar: Enlightment of Buddha. • , UP: First sermon or Dhammachakraparivartan

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3.3. ANANDA TEMPLE is a constructed during the My Son civilization. Why in news? 3.4. AJANTA CAVES • Prime Minister visited the Ananda Temple at Bagan in Myanmar which is being restored by Why in news? the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Recently, digital restoration of Ajanta caves in More on News Maharashtra has been taken up. • It is a Buddhist temple built in 12th century by More about Ajanta Caves King Kyansittha of Burma. It is the second • It includes 29 rock-cut Buddhist caves and largest temple in the entire Bagan region and has various and viharas. is considered a masterpiece of Mon • The Ajanta caves are mainly famous for its Architecture. ASI took up the conservation paintings and sculptures. Various themes of work of the temple after MoU was signed in paintings include Mahaparinirvana of Buddha, 2010. Padmapani (Boddhisattva holding a padma- Other Conservation Works of ASI lotus), Vajrapani (Boddhisattva holding the vajra – ritual object) and theme of Mara • Bamiyan Caves – The Bamiyan Buddha Vijaya. statues in Afghanistan were carved out of • Ajanta paintings are not true fresco – as rock facing the Bamiyan valley in 6-7th plaster was set and then painted. century. Prior to their destruction in 2001 by terrorist activities, the Bamiyan Buddhas More rock-cut caves were considered to be the largest Buddha • – They are situated near sculptures in the world. Aurangabad Maharashtra and are related to • () - Built between A.D. Buddhism, and Brahmanism. It is 1113 and 1150 roughly and encompassing an known for Kailashnath Temple which has area of about 500 acres (200 hectares) is one been excavated from a single piece of Rock. of the largest religious monuments ever Buddhist caves have images belonging to constructed. The temple was built by King Buddhism and Brahmanical caves Suryavarman II. It was originally built as a have and Vaishnavite themes. Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, but it • - They are located on was converted to a Buddhist temple in 14th Elephanta Islands, Maharashtra. These were century. earlier dominated by Buddhist images then • Ta Prohm Temple (Cambodia) - Built from by Shaivism images. The most imposing figure 1186 A.D. and originally known as Rajavihara – is here, which shows Shiva as (Monastery of the King), Ta Prohm was a creator, preserver destroyer Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of • Bhimbhetka Caves – It is located near Jayavarman VII. Bhopal, MP and its remains date back to • Vat Phou Temple in Laos – This ruined Khmer Lower Palaeolithic Age to the Early Medieval temple complex is older than Angkor Wat. Ages. They are famous for its rock paintings One temple at the site is as old as 5th century. mainly executed in red and white with It is an active Buddhist religious place. occasional use of green and yellow. The However, various carvings can be found of themes of paintings range from events of ( god of war, storms, and daily life to sacred and real images. rainfall) riding a three-headed elephant and • and Karle Caves- They were built Vishnu riding on a , an eagle. It is a during the Mauryan times and are one of the UNESCO world heritage site. most important Buddhist Centres of Hinayana • My Son Temple (Vietnam) - My Son faith. They also contain painting of Buddha. Sanctuary dates from the 4th to the 13th • , - They are renowned centuries CE. The property is located in the for their natural Basalt formations, ancient mountainous border Duy Xuyen District of Indian styled architecture and the 109 special Quang Nam Province, in central Viet Nam. It entrances to the caves. There are about 34

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unfinished paintings of Buddha within the Impact Caves. • Putting the heritage sites on watch list means • Udaygiri Caves- They are Located in Vidisha, that they are currently threatened by conflict, Madhya Pradesh and contain some of the climate change, or other dangers. oldest Hindu temples. They were built during • The sites include storm-ravaged areas in the the Gupta period and has illustrations related Caribbean, the Gulf, and Mexico, and the to , Shaivism and Souk in Aleppo, Syria, which has been () as well as important inscriptions from damaged in the country’s ongoing civil war. the Gupta period. They are home to iconic • From India “Post-Independence Architecture sculpture which represents the story of Delhi” has been identified for of the rescue of Bhudevi (Earth). It has simple preservation. ochre paintings. • It came to light after demolition of Hall of 3.5. POST-INDEPENDENCE Nations building without even waiting for the ARCHITECTURE court hearing for the same. The building was constructed in 1972 by famous architect Raj Why in news? Rewal. World Monuments Fund has placed 25 cultural Other major Post Independence Architectural heritage sites spanning 30 countries on its 2018 Marvels World Monuments Watch list. • Urban planning of Chandigarh by French architect Le Corbusier with hierarchy of roads and many World Monument Fund (WMF) Green belts It is a private nonprofit organization founded in 1965 • Mass housing projects of Laurie Baker in Kerala by individuals concerned about the accelerating using locally available materials and construct destruction of important artistic treasures throughout buildings so as to merge them with environment. the world. • Architectural marvels of Charles Correa which Through its programme World Monuments Watch, it includes Memorial Museum at aims to identify imperiled cultural heritage sites and the in , Jawahar direct financial and technical support for their Kala Kendra in Jaipur, New Bombay with special preservation. emphasis on prevailing resources, energy and climate as major determinants in the ordering of space.

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4. LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE th 4.1. PRAKRIT mentioned in the 8 schedule of the Constitution. Why in news? • It is spoken all along the Konkan and Malabar coasts. • Despite a significant contribution to history, • Konkani is the only language that is written in Prakrit is yet to get the classical language five different scripts – Roman, Devnagri, status. , Persian Arabic and Malayam. The Government of India has awarded the distinction • One of the first firm evidence of this language of classical language to Kannada, , Odia, was through 263rd abhanga of Marathi poet , Tamil and Telugu , a Bhakti saint. Criteria for declaring classical language are: • Konkani became the first Asian language ever • High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history to be printed in 1556. over a period of 1500-2000 years • A body of ancient literature/texts, which is 4.3. NOBEL PRIZE IN considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers LITERATURE: KAZUO • The literary tradition be original and not borrowed ISHIGURO from another speech community • The classical language and literature being distinct Why in news? from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms Swedish academy has awarded Nobel Prize in or its offshoots. Literature for year 2017 to British author Kazuo Ishiguro. About Prakrit More about the news • Prakrit in the widest sense of the term, was indicative of any language that in any manner • He is best known for his novel ‘The Remains deviated from the standard one, i.e. Sanskrit. of the Day’ for which Ishiguro has won It was the spoken language of Indians along Booker prize as well in 1989. with Pali after the . • His other works include ‘A Pale View of Hills’, • The Prakrit language is believed to have been ‘An Artist of the Floating World’ etc. used while composing the Jain scriptures. • Rabindranath Tagore is the only Indian who • Prakrit is well known for Gathasaptashati has won Nobel Prize in Literature. (700 verses) by Hala (300 A.D.), the best • Major works of Rabindranath Tagore are example of erotic literature. It is a Gitanjali, The Postmaster, Chaturanga, compilation of 700 verses along with his own Chokher Bali etc. contribution of 44 poems. 4.4. PADMAAVAT • The sacred texts (Siddhanta or Agama) of the two main of the Jains employed three types of Why in news? Prakrit. The oldest of the Svetambara are written in Ardha-Magadhi, while later books • Every year celebrate the Jauhar (self- are in Maharastri. The sacred books of the immolation) of Rani Padmavati between the sect are written in Savraseni. months of February and March. 4.2. KONKANI Padmaavat th Why in news? • It is a piece of poetry dating back to 16 century written in Awadhi language by Sufi • Konkani Bhasha Mandal will translate 100 poet Malik Mohammed Jayasi. The poem is books in Konkani in order to promote and the story of the historic siege of Chittor by preserve children’s literature in Konkani. Alauddin Khilji. About Konkani • Malik Mohammed Jayasi was an Indian Sufi poet of the 15th century who wrote in both • It is the official language of the state of Goa Awadhi and Persian. and it is one of 22 scheduled languages

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Allauddin Khilji Reforms Other Literary Awards • He maintained large permanent standing Vyas Samman army who was to be paid salary in cash The Vyas Samman 2017 has been awarded to Mamta • He introduced system of dag (branding of Kalia “Dukkam Sukkam”. horse) and huliya/chehra (descriptive rolls of It is a literary award for Hindi literary work published soldiers) in the last 10 years given by the K K Birla Foundation • He established four separate markets and a since 1991. department to fix prices was also set up. Bhasha Samman • He introduced scientific measurement of land for the assessment of land revenue, first The 2018 Bhasha Samman has been awarded to Delhi sultan to do so. He also introduced Magahi writer Shesh Anand Madhukar. Kharaj where 50% of produce was to be given It is also awarded by the Sahitya Akademi to writers to state who have made significant contribution to India • No one was allowed to buy directly from the languages other than the 24 languages covered by the cultivators, only traders could do so. All Sahitya Akademi. merchants in Delhi were required to register Jnanpith Award (Gyaanpeeth Award) themselves The 2017 Jnanpith Award has been awarded to Hindi • He also put an end to the special privileges litterateur Krishna Sobti. of the Chaudhuris (headmen of the parganas), Khuts (zamindars), and The Jnanpith Award is given by the Muquddams (headmen of the villages). Even Organisation which was founded by the Sahu Shanti big landlords could not escape taxes Prasad Jain. It recognises litterateurs who write in any one of the 22 Indian languages listed in the Schedule • He introduced two new taxes—a horse tax Eight of the Indian Constitution. and a tax on all milk cows. Jazia was imposed on non-Muslims. Samman Konkani writer Mahabaleshwar sail won the Saraswati 4.5. SAHITYA AKADEMI Samman 2017 for “Hawthan”. AWARDS It is awarded by the K K Birla Foundation for outstanding prose or poetry literary works in ant of Why in news? the 22 Indian languages listed in the Constitution. • The Sahitya Akademi announced its annual awards in 24 languages which include English and Rajasthani along with 22 schedule Sangeet Natak Academi – India’s National Academy languages mentioned in the Constitution. for music, dance and drama. • It was the first national academy of arts setup by About Sahitya Akademi Awards the Government of India in 1952. It is registered • The Sahitya Akademi presents awards to the as a society under the Societies Registration Act, most outstanding books of literary merit 1986. • It functions as the apex body of the performing published in any of the major Indian arts in the country, preserving and promoting the languages recognised by the Akademi. vast intangible heritage of India's diverse culture • Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy expressed in the forms of music, dance and of Letters is the central institution for literary drama. dialogue, publication and promotion in the • The academy also collaborates with international country and the only institution that organisation like the UNESCO to save the cultural undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian heritage of the country. languages. Lalit Kala Academi • It was setup by the Government of India in • It is the National Academy of Art setup by the 1954 but it functions autonomously. It is Government of India in 1954 and registered as a registered as a society under the Societies society under the Societies Registration Act, 1896. Registration Act, 1860. • It is the Government’s apex cultural body in the field of visual arts in India. It is an autonomous body, funded by the Ministry of Culture.

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4.6. INTERNATIONAL About Demetrios Galanos CONFERENCE ON DEMETRIOS • He was a Greek scholar who came to India to th GALANOS study in the 19 century. • He translated the Bhagvad Gita into Greek Why in news? among many other Sanskrit texts. His major contribution was the compilation of a • International Conference on ‘Demetrios Sanskrit-English-Greek lexicon of about 9000 Galanos and his Legacy’ was held in New words. Delhi by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA). Other Famous Translators About IGNCA • Charles Wilkins: He is famous for being the • It is an autonomous arts intuition under the first translator of Bhagvad Gita into English. Ministry of Culture. It was established in the He published a book that was titled, memory of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. ‘Bhagvat-geeta, or Dialogues of Kreeshna and • It has launched Bharat Paryojana, a long- Arjoon’. In 1785. term academic program in 2016 with an aim to • James Princep: He was the founding editor reconceive Indology through Bharat of Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal and is remembered deciphering the Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts of ancient India.

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5. TRIBE 5.1. BONDA TRIBE • The Kota tribal language known as "Ko-v Ma- nt" is a very old and rude dialect of Kannada Why in news? language and is closely related to Toda • The Bonda Development Agency (BDA) has Language. started an inquiry and survey in the remote • Kotas consider themselves to be . They Bonda-inhabited villages do not believe in caste system. About the Bonda Tribe 5.3. SOLIGA TRIBE • Bonda are one of the ancient tribes living in the Malkangiri district of southwestern Why in news? Odisha, India. • Coffee Board and the Social Welfare • They are considered as scheduled tribes and Department have started a ₹2.05-crore are divided into two groups- Upper Bonda project for branding of the beans grown by and Lower Bonda. the Soliga tribals. • Bondas have their own languages - "Remo" About Soligas language - sans a script - which belongs to • The Soligas are nomadic people who have the Mundari group of languages. Researchers lived in the Biligiriranga Hills region of believe them to be members of the Austro- Southern Karnataka for centuries. Asiatic language family. • Soligas - whose name means Children of the • They still maintain their primitive social Bamboo - live off forest produce like honey, customs and tradition. berries and timber. • Bondas have a unique marriage tradition • The Soliga speak the Sholaga language showing matriarchal dominance. Older (Soliganudi) which is a member of the women marry much younger men. Dravidian family. 5.2. TODA TRIBE 5.4. REANG TRIBE

Why in news? Why in news? • Recently, Tribal Research Centre (TRC) in • A book on the Reang tribe, the second largest Ooty refuted the Census Directorate report tribe of Tripura, was recently released. that Toda and Kota dialects are headed for extinction. About the Reang Tribe About Toda Tribe • They are a pastoral tribe. • Spread: isolated Nilgiri plateau of Southern • They identify themselves as Bru. India. • Reang society is patriarchal in nature. • The Toda have attracted a disproportionate • They speak the Kao-Bru language which is of amount of attention because of their Tibeto-Burmese origin. However, it does not unlikeness to their neighbours in appearance, have a script. manners, and customs. • They are known for the ‘Hojagiri’ folk dance in • The Toda lands are now a part of The Nilgiri which a group of women balance themselves Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-designated on earthen pitchers and manage other props. International Biosphere Reserve and is The performance is associated with the declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. harvest. • Their sole occupation is cattle-herding and 5.5. SIDDI TRIBE dairy-work and their religion also centres on the buffalo. • The Siddi also known as Sheedi, Habshi or About Kota Tribe Makrani, are an ethnic group inhabiting India • Kota tribe is thought to be indigenous to the and . Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu. Their name Kota • They are descendants of Africans from North- was given by outsiders. They call themselves East and East Africa who were brought to kovs. India as slaves, soldiers or servants. 14 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD

• The Siddi are descended from Bantu peoples About other tribes from Southeast Africa. Some were • Andamanese - They form the largest merchants, sailors, indentured servants and population among the other tribes found in mercenaries. these islands. They speak Andamani Hindi • Spread: Karnataka, Gujarat and Hyderabad in • Onges – It is one of the most primitive tribes India and Makran and Karachi in Pakistan as in India. They are semi-nomadic and fully the main population centres dependent on the food provided by nature. • Religion: Siddis are primarily Sufi Muslims, They have developed artistry and crafts, and although some are Hindus and Roman can make canoes. Catholic Christians. • Sentinelese – They are inhabitants of the • The Siddis of Gujarat live around Gir Forest north Sentinel island and live in complete National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. isolation. They are very hostile and never 5.6. JARAWA TRIBE leave their island

• The tribes of the Andaman Islands – the 5.7. KOYA TRIBE Jarawa, Great Andamanese, Onge and • The Koyas are one of the few multi-lingual Sentinelese are believed to have lived there and multi-racial peasant tribes of Andhra. for up to 55,000 years. • Physically they are classified as Australoid. • Considered one of the most isolated people The Koyas call themselves as "Koithur". on earth, the Jarawa are a hunter-gatherer • tribe that has lived in the dense forests of The Koyas speak the language called "Koyi". It is closely related to Gondi and is influenced Andaman Islands completely cut off from the outside world. by Telegu. • However, with the increasing flow of • Koyas practice their own ethnic religion but outsiders, the Jarawas are facing the threat of they also worship a lot of Hindu and extinction. goddesses.

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6. INITIATIVES OF UNESCO UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific festival was also popularised among people and Cultural Organization) is responsible for by the eighth century saint Shankaracharya. coordinating international cooperation in Hiuen Tsang (also , Hsuan Tsang) was a education, science, culture and communication. It Chinese traveller who visited India during the reign of strengthens the ties between nations and Harshavardhana. societies, and mobilizes the wider public so that each child and citizen: When he went back to China, he wrote a detailed description of India in his book ‘Si-yu-ki’ or ‘Record of • has access to quality education - a basic the Western Countries’. human right and an indispensable His description is considered an important source of prerequisite for sustainable development; knowing the administrative, social and cultural • may grow and live in a cultural environment condition of India at that time. rich in diversity and dialogue, where heritage He visited various places in North and . He serves as a bridge between generations and stayed at University for five years. peoples; • can fully benefit from scientific advances; He wrote about the fourth Budhhist council which • and can enjoy full freedom of expression; the was held at Kundalvana in Kashmir in 72 AD under the

basis of democracy, development and human Kushan king Kanishka. dignity. UNESCO’s Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage 6.1. • It is a list which is prepared to promote the intangible heritage and contribute to a Why in news? greater awareness of their importance and UNESCO has inscribed Kumbh Mela on its was formed after Convention for Representative List of Intangible Cultural Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Heritage came into effect. • Intangible cultural heritage means the Kumbh Mela practices, representations, expressions, • Kumbh Mela (Festival of Scared Pitcher) is the knowledge, skills -- as well as the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural earth. It represents a syncretic set of rituals spaces associated with them that related to worship and cleansing in holy communities, groups and, in some cases, rivers. individuals recognize as a part of their • It is a Hindu festival which is observed during cultural heritage. the () of month of Paush • Intergovernmental Committee for (December 22- January 20) after every 12 safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural years on the banks of a holy river to take dip Heritage meets and evaluates the and perform various rituals. nominations proposed by member states • It is held every four years by rotation at: after which the List is published every year. o (banks of ), • UNESCO brings out two separate lists: o (Confluence of Ganga, o Representative List of the Intangible and Saraswati), Cultural Heritage of Humanity – It is o (banks of Godavari) and made up of those intangible heritage o (banks of Shipra). elements which bring out the diversity of • Knowledge and skills related to 'Kumbh Mela' culture. are transmitted through the -Shishya o List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in parampara (teacher-student relationship) by need of Urgent Safeguarding – It is made saints. up of the intangible heritage elements • Kumbh Mela can be traced back in history which require urgent measures. It also through the writings of 7th century Chinese helps to mobilize international traveller Hiuen Tsang who came to India cooperation. No heritage of India is during the rule of Harshavardhan. The included in this list as of now.

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• UNESCO also brings out a Register of Good List of World Heritage in danger Safeguarding Practices which contains • The "in danger" list is designed to tell the programs, projects and activities that best international community about the reflect principle of the Convention. conditions that threaten the very Other entries of India in UNESCO’s Lists of characteristics for which a property was Intangible Cultural Heritage added to the World Heritage List in the first place, and to encourage governments to take • – An ancient spiritual discipline which action to protect the sites. focuses on bringing harmony between mind • There is no Indian site in this list. and body. • Traditional brass and copper craft of utensils Heritage Sites Included in the Danger List in among thatheras in Punjab 2017 • Sankirtana - ritual singing, dancing and • Historic Centre of Vienna, Austria drumming of Manipur • Hebron/ AL-Khalid Old Town, Palestine • Buddhist chanting of Ladakh - recitation of sacred 6.3. WORLD HERITAGE CITY • – This dance, performed with a mask, is the tribal martial dance from eastern • The 606-year-old walled city of Ahmedabad India that enacts episodes from epics was declared World Heritage City by UNESCO (, Ramayana etc.), local folklore during the 42nd session of World Heritage and abstract themes. Committee (WHC) meeting in Krakow, • Folk Songs and Dance – Kalbelia Poland. song and dance is performed by Rajasthani • Modern Ahmedabad was founded by Ahmad tribe, Kalbelia who are also known as snake- Shah in 1411 AD on the ancient sites of charmers. Ashaval and Karanavati. • Kudiyattam - It is the last living performance • The city boasts of a composite culture and a tradition of Sanskrit theatre of Kerela rich mix of Hindu and Jain temples, Islamic • Tradition of Vedic Chanting and European architecture. • - the traditional performance of the World Heritage Sites in India Ramayana • Ramman - religious festival and ritual theatre Man-made Sites of the Garhwal , India Agra Fort Ajanta Caves • Mudiyettu - ritual theatre and dance drama Buddhist Monuments at Champaner- Pavagadh of Kerala Sanchi Archaeological Park • Novruz – It marks the Parsi and Chhtrapati Shivaji Churches and Convents of ushering in spring. Terminus (formerly Goa Victoria Terminus) 6.2. LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE Elephanta Caves Ellora Caves IN DANGER Fatehpur Sikri Great Living Chola Temples Why in News? Group of Monuments at Group of Monuments at • World Heritage Committee has decided to Mahabalipuram include 54 properties on the List of World Group of Monuments at Hill Forts of Rajasthan Heritage in danger in accordance with Article 11 (4) of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi Khajuraho Group of Convention. Monuments Mahabodhi Temple, Mountain Railways of UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention India • The convention defines the kinds of natural or Qutub Minar, Delhi Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s cultural sites that can be included on the World step-well), Patap, Gujarat Heritage List. Red Fort Rock Shelters of • Various activities such as “World Heritage City” as Bhimbhetka well as “World Heritage in danger” come under Sun Temple, Konark Taj Mahal this convention of UNESCO.

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The Jantar Mantar, Archaeological Site of • The temple bagged the UNESCO award for Jaipur Nalanda use of traditional methods in renovating (Nalanda University), temple structures and re-establishment of Bihar rainwater harvesting and historic drainage Architectural Work of Historic City of system. Le Corbusier (Capitol Ahmedabad Complex, Chandigarh) Dravidian Architecture Natural Sites • Great Himalayan Kaziranga National Park It is a style of architecture mainly found in National Park the temple architecture of South India. This th Keoladeo National Park Manas Wildlife Sanctuary style of temple architecture existed from 7 to 18th century. It is noted for its pyramidal Devi and Valley Sundarbans National Park towers and enormity in design. of Flowers National • The origins of the Dravida style can be Parks observed during the reign of Chola dynasty. Western Ghats Mixed Site: Further, it was cultivated by kings of Pallava Khangchendzonga dynasty, Pandyas, Vijayanagara Kings and by National Park the Nayaks of Madura. 6.4. UNESCO ASIA PACIFIC • One of the earliest examples is the rock-cut AWARD OF MERIT shrine at Mahabalipuram or the Shore temple nearby. Why in news? • The temple consisted of – Vimanas, , Mandapams. • Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam • The Vimana was the central plot of the land. in Tamil Nadu has won the UNESCO Asia It consisted of a squared chamber sanctuary Pacific Award of Merit 2017 for cultural where the main idol was placed. heritage conservation. • The entrance gateway in the front wall is UNESCO Asia-Pacific awards for cultural heritage known as conservation programme • A pillared porch or hall which leads to • It is aimed at acknowledging the efforts taken to different parts of the temple is known as restore and conserve historical structures without Mandapam affecting their heritage value. • There was also presence of water tank inside • The awards are classified under four categories - the temple enclosure. Award of Excellence, Awards of Distinction, Awards of Merit and Award for New Design in • The stone or the bronze idol of the was Heritage Context. placed inside the innermost sanctum • Mumbai's Christ Church and Royal Bombay Opera sanctorum, the “GarbhaGriha”. House were the other monuments in India that • Some of the other examples of Dravida style received the Award of Merit this year. temple are Brihadeshwara at Tanjore (built by Raja Raja I), Gangaikondacholapuram About Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple temple (built by Rajendra I). • It is considered as one of the most important of the 108 main Vishnu temples 6.5. CREATIVE CITIES (Divyadesams). NETWORK • This temple lies on an islet formed by the twin rivers: Cauvery and Coleroon. Why in News? • It has seven prakaras or enclosures. Chennai has been recently included in UNESCO • It is a Vaishnava temple built in the Tamil or Creative Cities list. Dravidian style of architecture. The temple and 1000 pillared hall were constructed in What is Creative Cities Network? the Vijayanagar period (1336–1565) on the • It was created in 2004 to promote site of an older temple. cooperation with and among cities that have • The Gopuram of Sri Ranganathaswamy identified creativity as a strategic factor for Temple is the biggest gopuram in Asia. It is sustainable urban development. also called as “Raja Gopuram”

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• The 7 creative fields, on basis of which the • Under the programme, grammatical cities are awarded the status, are Crafts & descriptions, monolingual and bilingual Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, dictionaries, language primers, anthologies of Literature, Music and Media Arts. folklore, encyclopedias of all languages or • By joining the Network, cities commit to dialects especially those spoken by less than sharing their best practices and developing 10,000 people are being prepared. partnerships with public & private sectors UNESCO has categorized languages on basis of and civil society. endangerment as: • Chennai has been included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for its rich musical • Vulnerable tradition. It is the 3rd Indian city after Jaipur • Definitely Endangered • Severely Endangered (craft) & (music). • Critically Endangered 6.6. UNESCO’S ENDANGERED 6.7. CONFERENCE ON TOURISM LIST AND CULTURE Why in news? Why in news? • According to a list prepared by the UNESCO, • The second UN World Tourism 42 languages in India are endangered and Organization/UNESCO World Conference on maybe be headed for extinction. These Tourism and Culture with focus on languages are spoken by less than 10, 000 sustainable development was held in people. October 2017. Facts About the Conference • There are 22 scheduled languages in India • First held in 2015, it brought together for the mentioned in the Eighth Schedule (Article first time Ministers of Tourism and Ministers 344(1) and 351) of the Indian Constitution. of Culture with the objective to identify key • Apart from the 22 languages, there are 31 opportunities and challenges for a stronger languages that have been given the status of cooperation between these highly interlinked official language by state governments and fields. union territories. • According to a Census Directorate report, United Nations World Tourism Organisation there are 100 non-scheduled languages • It is the United Nations agency responsible which are spoken by one lakh or more people for the promotion of responsible, sustainable Government Initiatives and universally accessible tourism. • UNWTO encourages the implementation of • Government of India launched a scheme the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, to known as “Protection and Preservation of maximize tourism’s socio-economic Endangered Languages of India” in 2014. contribution while minimizing its possible • Under this Scheme, the Central Institute of negative impacts Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore works on • It is committed to promoting tourism as an protection, preservation and documentation instrument in achieving the Sustainable of all the mother tongues/languages of India Development Goals (SDGs), geared towards spoken by less than 10,000 speakers keeping reducing poverty and fostering sustainable in mind the degree of endangerment and development worldwide. reduction in the domains of usage.

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7. RELIGION AND CULTURAL FESTIVALS 7.1. MAHAMASTAKABHISHEKA • This ancient religion is believed to have 24 Trithankaras/teachers (Jinas). The 1st Why in news? Trithakara was Rishabdev or Rishabnath. • The 23rd Trithankara was Parshavnath and The President recently inaugurated the the last was Vardhamana Mahavira (Born in Mahamastakabhisheka, which is the largest 540 BC at Kundangrama, near Vaishali). gathering of Jains in the world, in • Mahavira attained Kaivalya (nirvana) under Sal Shravanbelgola, Karnataka. tree at Timbhikagrama. Mahamastakabhisheka • There are three principle or of • It is the head anointing ceremony of the Jainism which is observed once every 12 o Right faith years in the Digambar Jain tradition. o Right Knowledge • The Gomateshwar statute is dedicated to o Right Conduct which includes observance Bahubali, the son of Rishabhanath, the first of five vows: (non-violence), in the line of the 24 Jain . (truth), asteya (no stealing), parigraha (no • The statue has been depicted in kayotsarga acquiring property) and brahmacharya posture. Kayotsarga means to give up one's (abstinence). physical comfort and body movements, thus • The proponents of Jainism used Prakrit (the staying steady, either in a standing or other common language) for teaching instead of posture, and concentrating upon the true Sanskrit. The adoption of Prakrit by the nature of the soul. Jainas helped the growth of this language and • The statue is said to be built by literature. Chavundaraya who was the commander-in- • First Jain council was held at Patliputra in 3rd chief as well as the Prime Minister of the century BC. It was presided over by Ganga King Rachamalla during the later Sthulabahu. period of 10th century A.D. • is called Jain Agamas. They are a total of 45 texts based on Mahavira’s About Shravanbelgola teachings and were compiled in 6th century • A group of Jain monks under the leadership AD in Valabhi in Gujarat. The Jain literature of Bhadrabahu migrated from Ujjain to contains epics, , novels and drama. A Shravanbelgola in response to a serious large portion of Jaina writing is still in the famine during the reign of Chandragupta form of manuscripts, which have not been Maurya. published and which are found in the Jaina • The group of monks that migrated came to shrines of Gujarat and Rajasthan. be known as (sky clad or naked) • Jains also made prolific temples. Rock-cut and the group of monks who stayed in the caves at and which have north under Sthulabhadra came to be known figures of Jain trithankaras was built during as Shvetambara (White-robed) the Chalukyan period. The Dilwara Jain • Later Chandragupta Maurya handed over his temples at Mount Abu were built by kingdom to his son Bindusara and chose to Kings between 11th and spend his last days at Sravanbelagola. 13th century. There are five Jain caves at Ellora. Other caves are Tiger cave at Udaygiri Jainism and Sittannavasala Cave at Padukottai. • It is believed in Jainism that one must conquer worldly desires in order attain 7.2. KANDHEI JATRA enlightenment and purity of the soul (jiva). It is a non-theistic belief like Buddhism i.e it Why in news? does not believe in the supreme power of • Kandhei Jatra, a unique annual toy fair is God. celebrated in Behrampur, Odisha. • It did not explicitly rejected caste-system.

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About Kandhei Jatra • Once declared a national festival, Jatara can be considered for ‘intangible cultural • The festival is observed every year on full heritage of humanity’ tag of UNESCO. moon night of the Hindu month of Shravan, • which is also celebrated as . Union government had in 2015 declared Vanaj, a tribal dance and music festival, as • The festival is ritualistically attached to the national festival. Old Temple. On the full moon night of the festival, the pedestal of the idol 7.5. CAUVERY MAHA of lord Jagannath at the temple is decorated with earthen toys depicting mythological PUSHKARAM characters. Why in news? 7.3. THAKURANI JATRA • Recently, Maha Pushkaram was celebraeted FESTIVAL along the course of the river Cauvery. What is it? About Maha Pushkaram • The month long festivities of the Thakurani • Pushkaram is the Indian festival of Jatra festival were celebrated in the city of worshipping rivers. It is celebrated along the Behrampur (the silk city), Odisha in April. banks of 12 rivers in India. • The celebration happens annually, once in 12 About the Festival years along each river. Each river is • It is a biennial festival. associated with one zodiac sign. The river for • Also known as Ghata Yatra, it is the chief each year’s festival is based on which zodiac festival of Southern Odisha. the planet Jupiter is in. • The festival marks the worship of Maa Buddhi • Other rivers are: Ganga, Narmada, Saraswati, Thakurani who is considered the protector of Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, , Bhima, Behrampur. Tapti, Tungabhadra, Sindhu (Indus) and • Originally the Deras, a weaver community, Pranhita. worshiped the goddess. • The celestial transit of Planet Jupiter from Kanni Rasi to Thula Rasi in the Hindu almanac 7.4. MEDARAM’S JATARA is said to be the Maha Pushkaram period. The celestial event is said to occur once in 144 Why in news? years. • Central government is likely to declare 7.6. WARI WARKARI Medaram’s Sammakka-Sarakka/Saralamma Jatara a national festival this year. Why in news? Medaram is a remote place in the Eturnagaram • Virtual version of Wari created on different Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of Dandakaranya, the social media platforms has garnered much largest surviving forest belt in the Deccan. support and has also helped realise social About the Festival causes. • It is held bi-annually in Medaram village, About Wari Telegana to honour the twin goddesses - • Wari meaning “pilgrimage” refers to the Sammakka and her daughter Sarakka. annual padayatra to the temple in • It is held by forest dwelling Koya Tribe of the , district of Maharashtra. region and is the biggest tribal festival in Asia It is a 700 year old tradition. attracting non-adivasis as well. • Vithoba is a form of Krishna, an Significance of National Tag (incarnation) of Vishnu. Thus, Warkari is a branch of Vaishnavism. • Apart from getting recognition, national tag • The carry the padukas (foot prints) would also make Medaram eligible for of various saints, most notably central funds. and .

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• It is mainly geographically related to 7.8. NABAKALEBAR FESTIVAL Maharashtra and Southern Karanataka. Individuals taking the padayatra are called Why in news? Warkari meaning pilgrim. • President Ram Kovind released Rs • The pilgrimage culminates on (the 1,000 and Rs 10 commemorative coins on the th 11 day) of the Hindu lunar month occasion of Nabakalebar festival. of Aashaadha. About the Festival • The teachers responsible for establishing and supporting the movement through its history • Nabakalebar is an occasional festival include Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram and observed in the Shri Jagannath Temple at . . Naba means new and the Kalebar is body. Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra (Himalayan Mahakumbh) • In Jagannath cult this is a periodical renewal • It is a festival in Uttarakhand in which Goddess of the wooden forms of Jagannath, Nanda Devi (also known as Gaura and Raj Balabhadra, and Sudarshana. Rajeshwari in Garhwal division) is worshipped. • It is held for whole three weeks and is organized • The soul or the is transferred from once in every twelve years in the Chamoli District the old idols to their new bodies in a highly of Garhwal Region. technical prescribed and secret method. • The Nabakalebar festival is observed in a gap 7.7. LOSAR FESTIVAL of 12 to 19 years. • During this festival the annual Rathyatra Why in news? becomes the Nabakalebar . • The Losar festival marking the festivities of the New Year was celebrated in Ladakh. 7.9. JALLIKATTU About the Festival • It is a bull-vaulting event practised in Tamil Nadu as a part of celebrations on • The festival, said to have originated in the day. 15th century, celebrates the Ladakhi or Tibetan New Year. • Participants tackle the bull in an arena by its hump and try to hang on till they cross the • It is said to last from 3 to 15 days and is finishing line. celebrated from the first day of the 11th • month of the Tibetan Lunar Calendar. It is popular in the districts of Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Theni, Pudukkottai and • Apart from Ladakh, it is also celebrated in Dindigul — a region also known as the Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, Jallikattu belt. Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. • It is an ancient sport. Sangam literature (2nd • Losar is characterized especially by dancing, BCE – 2nd CE), has many detailed references music, and a general spirit of merrymaking. to Eru Thazhuvuthal (hugging the bull). The festival is marked by making offerings to the Gods, both in Gompas and their shrines. • At present, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2017, permits Other New Year Celebrations Across India Jallikattu in the state overturing Supreme • - Telegu New Year Court (SC) earlier judgement banning it. • - Marathi New Year • Now, constitutional bench has been set up to • Baisakhi - Punjabi New Year decide whether state can enact such a law to • - Tamil New Year preserve their cultural heritage under Article • Bohag - Assamese New Year 29(1). • Boisakh - Bengali New Year • Bestu Varas - Gujarati New Year Other Animal Sports in India • - Malyalam New Year • Kambala: annual Buffalo Race (he-buffalo) held in • Hijri - coastal Karnataka. • Lossong - Sikkimese New Year • Cock-fight: blood sport between two roosters • – Hindu New Year for Sindhi Hindus (cocks) popular in Andhra Pradesh during . • Bail Gaadi Shariat: bullock-cart race held in Maharashtra.

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• Camel Race: during the Pushkar fair in Rajasthan. • This Festival has been organised by the • Bulbul Fight: in the - in MDoNER’s “Destination North East”. Assam during every . • On the occasion, the following were also launched: 7.10. AMBUBACHI FESTIVAL o North East Venture Fund as a joint • It is one of the most important festivals of venture of Ministry of DoNER and North , Guwhati, Assam. Eastern Development Finance Corporation to attract young • It is celebrated every year during monsoon entrepreneurs in North East region. season and ambubachi mela is also held. o North East Tourism Development • The Kamakhya Temple is known to be one of Council with the objective to promote the 52 peethas of goddess Shakti. sustainable tourism in North East India. • It is associated with tantric cult and this festival is also known as “mahakumbh of North Eastern Development Finance Corporation east”. • It is a Public Limited Company registered under the Companies Act 1956 in august 1995. 7.11. CHAPCHAR KUT • It provides financial assistance to micro, small, medium and large enterprises for setting up • Chapchar Kut is a festival of Mizoram which industrial, infrastructure and agri-allied projects in literally means - a festival held during the the North Eastern Region of India and also period when the bamboos and trees that Microfinance through MFI/NGOs. have been cut down are being awaited to dry to be burnt for jhumming. 7.13. HORNBILL FESTIVAL • It marked the end of the Jhum clearing, Why in news? readying the field for sowing and the festive spirit lasts from three to seven days in March. • The Hornbill festival was recently celebrated • The Chapchar Kut festival evolved sometime in Nagaland in early December. between 1450 -1600 A.D. The traditional Hornbill in India costume parades, showcasing dances like Nine different species of Hornbill are found in India in: • Western Ghats: Indian Grey Hornbill, the Malabar cheraw, chai, chheihlam, sarlamkai and Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Great musical performances by groups, among Hornbill(state bird of Kerela) others, are part of the celebrations. • Narcondam Island: Narcondam Hornbill (Endangered) 7.12. NORTH EAST CALLING • Others in North-East & Himalayan foothills: FESTIVAL White-throated Brown Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill (Vulnerable), Wreathed Hornbill, Why in news? Oriental Pied Hornbill Recently, Ministry of Development of North About The festival Eastern Region (MDoNER) inaugurated the North East Calling festival. • Named after the Hornbill, a revered bird of Nagaland, the festival is known to be a Destination North East celebration of the indigenous tribes of • It is an event which is being organised to promote Nagaland. North East Region through Business Summit, • It is organized by the State Tourism and Art & exhibition stalls showcasing best of North Eastern Culture Departments of Nagaland. Features and attract investment in tourism, skill, start-up, handloom and handicrafts, horticulture, • The festival was first celebrated in 2000 and medicinal and aromatic plants. has been celebrated every year since then. • It is a powerful presentation of the Naga About the Festival culture through traditional music, dance, and • The “North East Calling” Festival is an event sports shows. to promote the art, culture, heritage, cuisine, • The celebration of the Hornbill festival also handicrafts, business and tourism of North coincides with the of East India. Nagaland.

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7.14. ARANMULA REGATTA mud) along with Bathukamma and immerse it in the ponds. This helps reinforce the ponds Why in news? and helps it retain more water. • Bathukamma is a beautiful flower stack, • The annual snakeboat regatta Uthrittathi arranged with different unique seasonal Vallamkali was held in the river Pampa at flowers most of them with medicinal Aranmula, Kerela. values, in seven concentric layers in the About Aranmula Regatta shape of temple gopuram. In Telugu, ‘Bathukamma' means ‘Mother Goddess • The Aranmula Uthrittathi Vallamkali or come Alive’ where Goddess Maha Gauri - Aranmula Boat Race is the most ancient and ‘the Life Giver’ is worshipped in the form revered boat races of Kerala. of Bathukamma. • The snake boats used for this race are called Palliyodams. 7.16. RAMAKRISHNA Other Boat Races in Kerela MOVEMENT

• Moolam (Snake) Boat Race - Why in news? This snake boat race is held to mark the pious • The Central government has exempted two day when the Krishna idol was mounted in organizations namely: the Shree Krishna Temple of Ambalappuzha and Ramakrishna Math to come under EPFO region. It is held at Champakkulam Lake, coverage. Alleppey. • Payippad Boat Race (Jalotsavom) - This boat race takes place to inaugurate the Prathista • He is credited with introducing Indian philosophies ceremony or the installation of the idol of of and Yoga to the western world as well as raising interfaith awareness, bringing Lord Subramanya at Haripad Subramanya to the world stage during the late 19th century. Temple. It takes place at Payippad Lake, • His writings and speeches evoked not only agitated Alleppey. mind of Indians but also enkindled love for the motherland. He established motherland as the only 7.15. SADDULA BATHUKAMMA deity to be worshiped in the mind and heart of countrymen. Why in news? • His speech at Chicago in 1893 established him as • About 3500 women from tried the greatest figure in the Parliament of World forming the largest number of humans in Religions and India as the Mother of religion. a flower formation on the eve of Saddula About Ramakrishna Movement Bathukamma. • The Ramakrishna Mission and the About Saddula Bathukamma Ramakrishna Math form the core of • Bathukamma is a state flower festival Ramkrishna movement (also known as celebrated by the Hindu women of Vedanta movement) Telangana. It is celebrated for nine days • The Ramakrishna Math was founded by during Druga Navratri. Ramakrishna Paramhansa, a priest from • The 9-day festivities culminate on Calcutta at Belur. "Saddula Bathukamma" festival on • The Ramakrishna Mission was established by Durgashtami. Swami Vivekananda, the disciple of • This unique festival celebrates the inherent Ramakrishna Pramhansa, in 1897. relationship between earth, water and the • Pramhansa recognized the oneness of all human beings. During the entire preceding religions and said that there are many ways week, women make ‘boddemma’ (a deity of to God and salvation which was all preached Gowri – mother Durga – made with earthly by Swami Vivekananda.

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8. HISTORICAL EVENTS 8.1. HISTORY OF INDIAN NAVY war while taking up cultivation during times of peace. Why in news • The armies of the overran Odisha in 1803 after establishing In the recent Mann ki baat, Prime Minister talked their sway over Bengal Province and Madras about the greatness of navy of Chola kingdom. Province. The Raja of Khurda lost his primacy About Chola Navy and the power and prestige of the Paikas went on a decline. • Sangam literature has numerous references • of voyages and expeditions of the Chola navy. But in 1817 Paikas rebelled against the British under the leadership of Baxi Jagandhu • Chola Navy was considered one of the Bidyadhara, hereditary chief of militia army strongest navies and played a big role in the to throw off the British yoke. expansion of the Chola rule to Sri-Lanka and • Malay Peninsula It ended with the surrender of Jagandbandhu in 1825. • They possessed a very rich and sound • knowledge of ship building. Chronologically not the first - Even before the Paika rebellion of 1817 there had been • Some of the important ports cities of Cholas Sanyasi revolt in Bengal in early 18th century, were Poompuhar/ Kaveripattinam (capital), Chuar uprisings of Bengal and Bihar from Arikamedu, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam 1766, rebellion by Dewan Velu Thampi of etc. Travancore in 1805 and rebellion of • A large number of women played leading Taluqdars of Aligarh in 1814 to name a few. roles in Chola navy and actively took part in battles. 8.3. CHAMPARAN SATYAGRAH Fact about Chola Kingdom • Administration: was marked by well-established Why in news? local self-government in villages • An exhibition titled “Swachhagraha – Bapu Ko • Status of women: The practice of ‘’ was Karyanjali – Ek Abhiyan, Ek Pradarshani” was prevalent among the royal families. The devadasi held in Delhi to mark the 100 years of system emerged during their period. Satyagraha in Champaran. • Development of Tamil literature reached its peak during the Chola period. About the Champaran Satyagrah • Examples of Dravidian style of art and architecture: Brihadeshwara Temple (now a • The Champaran Satyagarh of 1917 was UNESCO World Heritage Site), Nagaeshwvara, Mahatma Gandhi’s first satyagarh and this Airavateshwara temples satyagarh along with Satyagarh of 1918 • Bronze statues of or dancing Siva is put Gandhiji as one of the frontrunners of master piece of the Chola period. Indian National Movement. • Gandhiji was invited by Rajkumar Shukla to 8.2. PAIKA REBELLION look into the problems of the indigo planters of Champaran (Bihar). Why in news? • The peasants were forced to grow indigo on Recently the Minister of Human Resource 3/20 of their land under the tinkathia system Development announced that Paika Rebellion will for their landlords. be renamed as “First War of Independence”. • The price fixed for indigo was too less and was History of Paika Bidroha calculated on the basis of cultivated area rather than the crop produced. The peasants • The Paika rebellion took place in 1817 in were offered to be relived of the contracts but Khurda, Odisha. the compensation to be paid was too much. • Paikas were the peasant militias of the • Upon arriving in Champaran, Gandhiji was Gajapati rulers of Odisha who rendered asked to leave the district at once by the military service to the king during times of British authorities. Gandhiji defied the orders and maintained resistance.

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• His satyagarh resulted in the government survey of the Indian Language Press by Sir setting up a committee to look into the issue George Campbell in 1876 showed that half of and he was offered a seat in it as well. the total number of 38 newspapers was • Gandhiji was able to convince the authorities published from . that the tinkathia should be done away with • Samachar Darpan was the first newspaper in and the farmers should be compensated. . It was published by Serampore Mission press on May 23, 1818. 8.4. SABARMATI ASHRAM • In 1821, a remarkable Bengali journal Sambad Kaumadi was published Why in News? under the patronage of Rammohan Roy. • The Prime Minister attended the centenary • Sambad Pravakar was the first Bengali daily year celebrations of Sabarmati Ashram in newspaper published in 1839, patronized by Gujarat. Iswar Chandra Gupta. Sabarmati Ashram • The early Bengali papers took up the cause of • Build by Jivanlal Deshai in 1915, Gandhi ji the oppressed workers in the indigo shifted the ashram on bank of Sabramati in plantation, and of the peasants. Notable 1917. among them were the Som Prakash, • Idea of Ashram emanate from Tolstoy Farm the Grambartha Prakashika and the Amrita (Phoenix Farm) of South Africa. Bazar Patrika (before it became an English • On Gandhiji’s return from South Africa, his weekly). first Ashram in India was established in the • Other important newspapers include Kochrab area of Ahmedabad in 1915. The Bengalee (S.N. Banerjee), Hitabadi Ashram was shifted on the banks of river (Dwijendranath Tagore) and Sanjibani (K.K. Sabarmati in 1917. Mitra). • The Sabarmati Ashram was also known as Harijan Ashram or Satyagrah Ashram 8.6. QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT • When Gandhi started his padayatra (foot Why in news? march) in 1930 from Sabarmati Ashram to The nation celebrated 75th Anniversary of the Dandi for the Salt Satyagraha, he had decided Quit India Movement. Theme of this year’s not to return to Sabarmati till independence celebration was “Sankalp se Sidhi” urging the for India was attained. people to take a pledge to fight poverty and • In April 1936, Gandhiji established his malnutrition. residence in the village which he Quit India Movement renamed as Sevagram, which means 'village of service'. • In July 1942, Congress Working Committee at Wardha passed a resolution to end British • Gandhiji lived in this Sevagram ashram till Rule in India. It also declared that free India 1946 till he left for Naokhali. will be against the aggression of Nazism, 8.5. BENGALI NEWSPAPERS Fascism and Imperialism. • Reasons behind the launch of Quit India Why in news? Movement: o Failure of Cripps Mission due to lack of Governor of West Bengal released a British will to address Indian demands. commemorative volume on the two hundred o Public discontent due to increased years of Bengali Newspapers. wartime disparities such as price rise, More about news shortage of food items etc. • The first newspaper of the country, ‘Hicky's o Reversals faced by British in South-East Bengal Gazette’ was published from Kolkata Asia enhanced popular willingness to in 1780. The paper ceased publication on overthrow British rule from India. March 23, 1782. It was published just for two o Britishers’ discriminatory behavior years. against Indian refugees in south-east Asia • Till the 80s of the nineteenth century Bengal • On August 8, 1942, Quit India Movement was was the hub of newspaper publication. A launched from Gowalia Tank, Bombay. 26 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD

However, all the leader including Mahatma • are a caste cluster living mainly in Gandhi, J.L. Nehru, Patel, Azad etc. were Maharashtra and adjoining states. arrested. • The Mahars, though untouchables, had been • The movement saw massive public upsurge valued for their military skills for centuries and and attack on symbols of authority especially formed a significant portion of Shivaji’s army. • in Eastern UP, Bihar and Bengal. However, under the they were ill-treated and lost their military glory. • During the movement • The were unified by B R Ambedkar, who o Underground activities provided line of urged them to militant political consciousness and command. to great educational improvement. o Parallel government was carried on in Balia, Tamluk and . More about Anglo- wars o Participation of youth, women, workers, • First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1782) The peasants etc. was seen. first Anglo-Maratha war took place due the British retaliation of the Maratha violation of 8.7. BATTLE OF KOREGAON Treaty of Purandhar, 1776. It culminated Why in news? with The Treaty of Salbai (1782) which th granted the possession of Salsette to the Recently, on the 200 anniversary of the Battle of British while the rest of the territory Koregaon clashes broke out in Maharashtra. conquered since Treaty of Purandhar was Battle of Koregaon returned to the Marathas • It was the last of the Anglo-Maratha battle • Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-1805) – that took place on 1 January 1818 in Bhima, Internal dispute among the Marathas gave Koregaon between the troops of Maratha yet another opportunity to the British. Ruler Baji Rao Peshwa II and the British East Bajirao II signed the Treaty of Bassein (1802) India Company (EIC). with the British which gave them strategical • In the battle the EIC represented by majority benefit. It gave British troops the opportunity of Mahar soldiers successfully resisted to keep English troops permanently Maratha Peshwa troops in which Peshwa lost 600 of territory his soldiers after which he withdrew and gave • Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1819) – up plans to attack Pune. British took various actions against the • British constructed a tower to commemorate Pindaris (mercenaries in the Maratha army). victory with an inscription stating, This united the Maratha confederacy against “Accomplished one of the proudest triumphs the British. The Marathas were defeated by of the British Army in the East.” the British and various treaties were signed • The Mahars celebrate this day as the day which resulted in dissolution of Maratha when they regained their former status of confederacy military glory.

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9. PERSONALITIES 9.1. BASAVESHWARA Related News Lingayats want to be categorised as a religious group Why in news? separate from Hindus. • Basavanna Jayanti or Jayanti which Though Lingayats worship Shiva, they say the concept marks the 884th birth anniversary of 12th of “Ishta Linga” (personal god) and rules of conduct century social reformer Basaveshwara was prescribed by Basaveshwara cannot be equated to the Hindu way of life. recently celebrated in Karnataka. Lingayats comprising 10-17% of the State population About Basaveshwara and are listed in the Other Backward Classes category. • He is considered to be the founder of or Lingayat Sect or 9.3. RAJA RAM MOHAN ROY Veerashaivism. • He stood for the upliftment of the Why in news? downtrodden and fought the evils that had Recently, the 245th birth anniversary of Raja Ram crept into the Brahmanical Vedic tradition. Mohan Roy was celebrated. • He scripted his practical experiences in a novel form of literature called – Vachana About Raja Ram Mohan Roy (poetry). The main aim of Vachana (poetry) • Prominent figure behind the socio-cultural movement propagated welfare for all. awakening of India in the 19th century. • He heralded the establishment of ‘Kalyana • He is also known as “Maker of Modern Rajya’ (Welfare state) India”, “Father of Modern India” and • He gave two important and innovative “Father of the Bengal Renaissance”. concepts called “Sthavara’’ and “Jangama’’, • The title “Raja” was given to him by the the meaning of which is “Static’’ and Mughal emperor Akbar Shah II. ‘’Dynamic’’ which are the main foundation • He fought against sati, child marriage and stones of the revolutionary ideology of the prohibition of widow remarriage. Basavanna. • In August 1828, he founded the Brahmo Sabha which later came to be known as 9.2. SAINT TYAGRAJA Brahmo Samaj. It was the culmination of his Why in news? earlier Atmiya Sabha of 1814. • The Brahmo Samaj championed the worship • Recently the 250th birth anniversary of Saint of one god and brotherhood and Tyagraja was celebrated. interdependence. About Saint Tyagraja • He wanted to combine the goodness of western ideals and the Indian culture. • Saint Tyagraja is one of the principal • He setup the Hindu College in Calcutta in composers of the Carnatic trinity along with 1822. along with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama • He published in different languages, like - Sastri. Sambad Kaumudi and Mirat-ul-Akbar. • was born in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. 9.4. SRI RAMANUJACHARYA • With the influence of Ramayana, he became an ardent devotee of Lord . He Why in news? composed about 24000 songs in his life • The 1000th birth anniversary of Sri devoted to Lord Ram. Ramanujacharya was observed on May 1, • Tyagaraja Aradhana, a music festival 2017 in Srirangam and Kanchipuram. conducted in honour of Tyagraja is organized in Thiruvaiyaru between the months of January and February every year.

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Vedanta • It preached open-mindedness about deciding The Vedanta school of is based on religious matters. It challenged the caste the Vedanta (end of ) or . distinction. Other schools of Vedanta Philosophy (apart from • , Guru Nanak, Mirabai, and Tulsi Das, Vishishta Advaita) are: Chaitanya are great exponents of Bhakti • Dvaita: main exponent is Madhavacharya. It is the movement. dualistic school, according to which universe is divided into two – swatantra (independent being) Famous Literary Works of Bhakti Proponents and partantra (dependent being) • – Alvars (12saints) were devoted to • Bheda Abheda or Dvaita Advaita: the founder is Nimbarka. It believed in dualism monism, i.e., Vishnu. One of the major anthologies of supreme being transforms himself into the souls of compositions by the Alvars was Nalayira world. Thus, soul is different from supreme being Divyaprabandham (Four Thousand Scared and yet cannot exist independently without Compositions). It is also described as Tamil support. Veda. • Shudh Advaita: the founder is . It believed • – They were 63 saints who were in pure monism, i.e., god is shudh in himself devoted to Shiva. The compilation of their • Advaita: The founder is Adi Sankaracharya. It p[oetry (tamil literature) into 12 volumes was believed in monism, i.e., doctrine of oneness of known as . The first seven volumes individual soul and supreme god compile the works of Appar, Sampandhar and About Sri Ramanujacharya Sundara as Tevaram. • Kabirdas – He is 15th century poet whose • Sri Ramanujacharya was a Hindu Vaishnava writings influenced the Bhakti movements. theologian and philosopher who reinvented His verses are also found in the Guru Granth and revitalised Hinduism. Sahib. Some of his famous works are • He was born in a Tamil Family in the compiled in: Kabir Bijak, Sakhi Granth, Kabir village of Sri Perumbudur village, Tamil Nadu. Granthawali and Anurag Sagar • He preached the philosophy known as • Nanak – The hymns composed by Nanak or qualified non-dualism. along with the works of other religious poets • The Visishtadvaita is so called because it like Baba Farid, (also known as inculcates the Advaita or oneness of God, Raidas) and Kabir were compiled by Guru with Visesha or attributes. It is, therefore, Arjan Dev under Adi Granth Sahib. qualified monism. • Mirabai – She is known for her and • The Visishtadvaita system is an ancient one poems written in praises of Lord Krishna. was originally expounded by Bodhayana in • – Famous works include 400 B.C. , Vinaya Patrika and • Sri Ramanujacharya wrote a total of 9 Chalisa philosophical texts in Sanskrit known as • – He composed the Navagranthas. Some of them are: Vedanta Siksastakam (eight devotional prayers) in Sangraha (commentaries on Vedas), Sri Sanskrit. Bhasya (commentaries on Brahma sutras), Bhasya (commentaries on 9.5. BABA FARID Bhagavad Gita). • provided an intellectual basis for Why in news? the practice of Bhakti. • The five-day festival in the memory of Sufi saint Baba Sheikh Farid Ji was celebrated in • Bhakti movement refers to the religious Faridkot. movement during the medieval period which Who was Baba Farid? emphasized single-minded devotion to god. • Chisti sufi saint Farid-ud-din Ganj-i-Shakar was • It originated in South India between 7th and 12th popularly known as Baba Farid. century. It then moved northwards. • Baba Farid composed verses in Punjabi which • It achieved a great deal of popularity through the were later incorporated in Guru Granth Sahib. poems of the Alvars and Nayanars, the Vaishnavite and Shaivite poets • It condemned rituals, ceremonies and blind faith.

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About the Sufi Movement o Sultan Iltutmish built the Qutub Minar as a dedication to his saint, Kawaka • Sufism is an English word coined in the 19th Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki. century. The word used for Sufism in Islamic • Suharwadi Silsilah texts is “tasawwuf”. Some scholars believe o The founder of this Silsilah was Sheikh that it is derived from “suf” meaning wool, Shihabuddin Suharwadi. However, it was referring to the coarse woollen clothes worn propagated in India by Sheikh Bahauddin by sufis. Others believe that it is derived from Zakariya. safa meaning purity. o Unlike the Chisti saints, the Suharwadi • Sufis were a group of religious-minded lived a life of wealth and even held people who turned to and important posts under the Delhi mysticism. They laid emphasis on seeking Sultanate. salvation through intense devotion and love • Qadiri Silsila: It was founded by Sheikh for God. Sufi saints were also known as faqirs Nayamatullah Qadri. One the followers of this or dervishes. Silsila was Daro shikho (the eldest son of • Sufism thrived in India from 10th to 14th Shah Jahan. century AD. By 11th century, it evolved into • Naqshbandi Silsila: It flourished during the well-developed movement with a body of Mughal period, especially propounded by literature on Quranic studies and Sufi Baqi Billah. One of the main proponents was practices. Sheikh Ahmad Sihindi who self titled as • Sufi communities were known as Khanqahs “Mujeddid Ali Saffani” (reformer of the which was controlled by a Shaikh (pir or millennium). murshid). Sufi Silsilas (lineages) began to th appear in 12 century in various parts of the 9.6. SARDAR VALLABHBHAI world. • When a Shaikh died, his tomb shrine PATEL (dargah) became the centre of devotion for Why in news? his follower. This encouraged the practice of ziyarat (pilgrimage) for seeking the sufi’s • Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was observed on the spiritual grace (barakat). birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel • Different sufi orders (Silsilas) that existed in on 31st October. It is being observed so since India were Chisti Silsila, Suharwadi Silsila, 2014. Naqsbandi and Qadiri Silsila. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel • Chisti Silsila • o It was established by Khwaja Muinuddin Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a key role in the freedom movement. Chisti whose dargah is located in Ajmer. o A major feature of Chisti tradition was • He was deeply influenced by Gandhiji’s austerity, including maintaining distance ideology and joined the freedom struggle in from worldly power. The chisti silsilah 1917 after meeting Gandhiji. conversed in language of the people. • He got the title of “Sardar” after he led a o Music and dance was used including massive "No Tax Campaign" in 1918 in mystical chants performed by musicians Gujarat that forced the British authorities to or qawwals to evoke divine ecstasy. return the land taken away from the farmers. o Poets like Amir Khusrau and Malik • Nagpur Flag Satyagraha- When Gandhi was Mohammed Jayasi wrote poems in praise in prison, Patel was asked by Members of of sufi principles. Congress to lead the Satyagraha in Nagpur in o Some of the famous teachers of Chisti 1923 against a law banning the raising of the Silsilah (along with their dargah) are Indian flag. Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki • Borsad Punitive Tax Satyagraha- Satyagraha (Delhi), Shaikh Nizammuddin Auliya under leadership of Gandhiji to protest (Delhi) and Shaikh Nasiruddin Chiragh-i against unfair increment in the land revenues Delhi (Delhi). imposed on the people by settlement- revision officers. Sardar Patel took part in this Satayagraha

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• He also led Bardoli Satyagraha against ‘tax- About Anansuya Sarabhai hike’ in 1928. • She is known as India’s first female union • After independence, he was crucial in leader. She founded India's oldest union of integration of over 500 princely states into textile workers the Ahmedabad Textile the Indian Union. Labour Association (Majadoor Mahajan • He is also referred to as the “Iron Man” for Sangh) in 1920. his uncompromising resolve of consolidation • She was born in a wealthy family of of India. Ahmedabad. She was orphaned at a young 9.7. BIRSA MUNDA age and was forced to marry at just 12. However, she escaped and went on study at Why in news? the London School of Economics. • In London, she was influenced by the Fabian • Birsa Munda Jayanti is celebrated on the birth Society and new ideas concerning equality anniversary of the tribal leader. and got involved with the protests of women About Birsa Munda (popularly known as Dharti demanding right to vote. Abba) • Upon returning to India, she got involved with plight of mill workers, against the 36- • Born on November 15, 1875, he belonged to hour shifts. In 1914, she helped the weavers the Munda tribe of the Chotanagpur organise their first strike for huge wages. Plateau. • She was also involved in the formation of • Birsa Munda was a young freedom fighter Self-Employed Women’s Association of India and tribal leader who spearheaded the in 1972. Millenarian Movement. His spirit of activism in the late 19th century is remembered to be Other Prominent Women Involved in India’s a strong mark of protest against British Rule Freedom Struggle in India. • Rani Bai – She was one of the • He converted to but upon leading warriors of India’s first war of realising the efforts of the missionaries to Independence (1857). She protested against convert tribals to Christianity, Birsa started the “Doctrine of Lapse” and refused to give the faith of ‘Birsait’. He was rendered as God up Jhansi. by the people. • Begum Hazrat Mahal – Also known as the • Members of the Oraon and Munda Begum of Awadh, she played a major role in community started joining the Birsait sect the rebellion of 1857. challenging the British conversion activities. • Savitribhai Phule – She played an important • He also helped the tribal community uproot role in improving women’s rights during superstition, stop animal sacrifice and avoid British rule. She along with her husband alcoholism. founded the first women's school at • Despite having a short life, Birsa is known to BhideWadai in Pune in 1848. Apart from have mobilized the tribal community against women’s rights, she also worked against the the land settlement system imposed by the abolition of caste-based discrimination. British. It forced the British to introduce • Sarojini Naidu – She was the first woman Chotanagpur Tenancy Act protecting the President of Indian National Congress and land rights of the tribals eight years after his also the first woman governor of an Indian death. state (United Province). She played a pivotal • He is the only tribal leader whose portrait role in India’s Civil Disobedience Movement. hangs in the Parliament’s Central Hall. She is also known for her literary works. 9.8. ANASUYA SARABHAI • Aruna Asaf Ali – She is remembered for unfurling the Indian National Congress flag at Why in news? the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay at the

nd scheduled time, thus initiating the • Google celebrated the 132 birth anniversary commencement of the Quit India Movement. of Anasuya Sarabhai with a doodle. She is popularly known as Grand Old Lady of Independence.

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• Madam Bhikaji Cama – She has the unique She also started newspapers New India & distinction of unfurling the first Indian Commonweal and created tremendous National Flag designed by her in Stuttgart, enthusiasm among the people through her Germany in 1907. She is regarded as the speeches and writings. “Mother of Indian Revolution”. She also • Usha Mehta – She was one of the youngest started the journal “Bande Mataram” to freedom fighters of Indian freedom spread her revolutionary thought. She served movement. She participated in “Simon Go as private secretary to Dadabhai Naoroji Back” at the young age of 8. She is also • Annie Besant – She established the Home credited with the Secret Congress Radio Rule League in 1916 and she is also one of which was underground radio operative the founders of Banaras Hindu University. during Quit India Movement.

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10. GOVERNMENT SCHEMES 10.1. SCHEMES OF MINISTRY About Paryatan Parv OF TOURISM • It was organized from 5th October to 25th October with the objective of drawing focus 10.1.1. SWADESH DARSHAN on the benefit of tourism, showcasing cultural diversity and reinforcing the • Ministry of Tourism (MoT) launched the principle of “Tourism for all”. Swadesh Darshan Scheme for integrated • The programme focused on encouraging development of theme-based tourist circuits Indians to explore their own country (Dekho in the country in 2014-15 Apna Desh). Tourism events such as • This scheme is envisioned to synergise with interactive sessions and workshops on skill other Government of India schemes like development and innovation in the sector Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, Make in would be conducted across all states. India etc. with the idea of positioning the tourism sector as a major engine for job 10.1.4. ADOPT A HERITAGE SCHEME creation, driving force for economic growth, Why in news? building synergy with various sectors to enable tourism to realise its potential. Recently seven companies were chosen for • Under the scheme, 15 thematic circuits have conservation of fourteen monuments under been identified, for development namely: ‘Adopt a Heritage Scheme’. North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Details of Adopt a heritage Scheme/ Apni Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Dharohar Apni Pehchan Project Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, • It is a scheme of Ministry of Tourism in Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Heritage collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Circuit, Trithankar circuit and Sufi circuit. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). • Under this Private Sector Companies, Public 10.1.2. SPECIAL TOURISM ZONE Sector Companies and Corporate individuals Why in news? are invited to adopt the heritage sites. • They would be called “Monument Mitras” • The Maharashtra government taluka and activities taken up by would be counted in as a ‘special tourism zone’. It as a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) not only houses Chhatrapati Shivaji’s birth initiative. place — fort — but also seven other • It envisages developing monuments, historical forts and over 350 caves. heritage and tourist sites across India and About Special Tourism Zones making them tourist friendly to enhance their • Creation of ‘Special Tourism Zones’ anchored tourism potential and cultural importance to on Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in make them more sustainable. partnership with the States was announced in the Budget for 2017-18. 10.1.5. ICONIC TOURIST SITES • Creation of Special Tourism Zones would lead PROJECT to overall development of the areas and offer Why in news? diverse tourism experiences which would help in creating livelihood and improve • The Ministry of Tourism has identified 12 standards of local communities living in those sites for development under the Iconic areas. Tourist Sites Project. About the Iconic Tourist Sites Project 10.1.3. PARYATAN PARV • The development of prominent tourist sites Why in news? into iconic tourist destinations was Recently, Ministry of Tourism in collaboration announced in Union Budget 2018-19. with other Central Ministries, State Governments • The sites were identified based on the based and Stakeholders organized Paryatan Parv. on the criteria of footfall, regional

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distribution, potential for development and o Establish the cultural mapping (i.e. ease of implementation. database of cultural assets and • The 12 sites that have been identified are: Taj resources) via running nationwide Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Ajanta Caves, Ellora cultural awareness programme called Caves, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Red Hamari Sanskriti Hamari Pahchan Fort, Colva Beach, Amer Fort, Somnath, Abhiyan for the development of all art , Khajuraho, Hampi, forms and artists. This Abhiyan will take Mahabalipuram, Kaziranga, Kumarakom, care of their aspirations & needs by Mahabodhi Temple. providing a robust mechanism under “Design for Desire and Dream” project. 10.1.6. PRASAD SCHEME o The Mission will run the Abhiyan also by Why in news? arranging “Sanskritik Pratibha Khoj Samaroh Din” at various levels of this • The parliamentary standing committee on project transport, tourism and culture has referred to o Establish a National Cultural Working the tourism ministry's flagship Prasad scheme Place (NCWP) portal for obtaining as one whose conceptualisation is "radically information, knowledge sharing, wrong". participation, performance and awards in About PRASAD Scheme the field of all art forms. • Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality About the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) was launched • The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme in 2015. was launched in 2016. • It was to identify and develop pilgrimage • It aims to actively enhance interaction tourist destinations on the principles of high between people of diverse cultures living in tourist visits, competitiveness and different States and UTs in India, with the sustainability to enrich the religious tourism objective of promoting greater mutual experience. understanding amongst them. • Originally 12 cities were selected for the same • As per the programme, each year, every but it was increased to 25. State/UT would be paired with another State/UT in India for reciprocal interaction 10.2. SCHEMES OF MINISTRY between the people. OF CULTURE • It is envisaged through this exchange, that the knowledge of the language, culture, 10.2.1. NATIONAL MISSION ON traditions and practices of different states CULTURAL MAPPING AND will lead to an enhanced understanding and ROADMAP bonding between one another, thereby strengthening the unity and integrity of India. Why in news? • The Government of India has launched the 10.3. OTHER GOVERNMENT implementation of National Mission on INITIATIVES Cultural Mapping of India from district. 10.3.1. SWACHH ICONIC PLACE About National Mission on Cultural Mapping Why in news? and Roadmap Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai • The mission falls under Ek Bharat, Shreshtha has been adjudged the best ‘Swachh Iconic Place’ Bharat. The Mission seeks to open a direct (clean place) in India. channel of communication of artists with the Government and peer to peer Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple, Tamilnadu • The current structure of temple was built in 1623- communication among artists for talent 1655 AD by Nayaka rulers of Madurai though its honing and handholding of each other. history can be traced to 6th century BC Pandyan • The main objectives of the mission are as rule in ancient city of Madurai. follows: • The temple is dedicated to Parvati, known as 34 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD

Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, here named preserves the Indian Art & Culture by Sundareswarar. providing training and a platform to • The temple is a masterpiece of Dravidian young talented artisans. architecture with a temple tank, large Vimana, 14 o National Cultural Exchange Programme: Gopurams and Mandapam with 1000 Pillars. Under this scheme, artists from different More about the news zones get the opportunity to showcase • The Swachh Iconic Places is an initiative their talent in other zones. under the Swachh Bharat Mission. 10.3.3. PROMOTION OF • The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation will be the coordinating Ministry TRADITIONAL SPORTS for this initiative, in association with the Why in news? Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Sports Authority of India (SAI) has revamped the Culture, Ministry of Tourism and the Khelo India proposal to include the exclusive concerned State governments. component “Promotion of Rural, Indigenous and • Under Swachh Iconic place Initiative Tribal Game” for promotion of rural and government will undertake a special clean-up indigenous games. initiative focused on 100 iconic heritages, More on news spiritual and cultural places in the country. • All Iconic Sites have designated PSUs for • Sports is a state subject and the responsibility financial and technical support. of development and promotion of sports falls on state government. 10.3.2. NATIONAL ZONAL • SAI promoted Indigenous Games and Martial CULTURAL CENTRES Arts (IGMAs) are as follows: o Kalaripayatu – It is a martial art form Why in news? which originated in Kerala, originally from Recently Eastern Zonal Cultural Centres has northern and central parts of Kerala and organised various fests such as National Theatre southern Tamil Nadu. Fest, Bharat Utsav, National Mime festival etc. o Silambam – It is a weapon based martial About Zonal Cultural Centres art practised in Tamil Nadu. Bamboo staff • The Government of India has setup seven is used as weapon. Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with an aim to o Archery - It is a sport from in protect, preserve & promote various forms of which a bow and arrow are used. traditional art and folk art throughout the Traditionally Archery was practised for country hunting and recreational purposed. • ZCCs have been implementing a host of o Kabaddi – This is a team sport in which schemes viz. two teams compete to remain o Award to Young Talented Artistes: to outnumbered till the end. This game is promote young talented artistes in the widely played in Telangana, Andhara age group of 18-31 years in the field of Pradesh and Maharashtra. various folk-art forms which are rare and o Malkhamb – This traditional sport is a at the verge of extinct. Under this combination of acrobatics and aerial scheme, competitions are conducted in yoga. It is performed on a wooden pole various states and awards are given to and the player demonstrates wrestling winners. grip throughout the performance. o Guru Shishya Prampara Scheme: to o Mukna – It is a form of folk wrestling preserve and promote rare and vanishing from Manipur. art forms whether classical or folk/tribal o Thangta – It is a martial art form from so that the young talents be nurtured to Manipur and traditionally known as Huyel acquire skills in their chosen field of art Langlon. through some financial assistance in the o Khomlainai – It is a martial art performed form of scholarship under the guidance by the Bodo community in Assam. of Experts and Masters in these fields. o Gatka – It is a traditional combat training o Shilpgram Scheme: Shilpgram/Kalagram of Punjab in which wooden sticks are are centres which promotes and used to simulate swords. 35 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD 8468022022

10.3.4. AADI MAHOTSAV development of tribal people in the country by way of marketing development of the tribal products Why in news? 10.3.5. DEEN DAYAL SPARSH • Aadi Mahotsav (Tribal festival), celebration of YOJANA the spirit of Tribal Culture, Craft, Cuisine and Commerce was held in Chandigarh. Prior to Why in news? this, it was held in Delhi. • Recently, government launched SPARSH About Aadi Mahotsav Yojana to increase reach of Philately. • It is a joint initiative of The Tribal Philately - It includes seeking, locating, acquiring, Cooperative Marketing Development organizing, cataloguing, displaying, storing, and Federation of India (TRIFED), Ministry of maintaining the stamps or related products on Tribal Affairs and North Zone Cultural thematic areas. Centre. Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude • The Aadi Mahotsav gave tribal artisan an & Research in Stamps as a Hobby-SPARSH opportunity to showcase and sell their Yojana products. It also an effort to take tribal • It is a pan India scheme launched by the commerce to the next level of digital and government to increase the collection and electronic transactions. study of postal stamps. • A special scheme to provide loans from • There is a component of annual scholarship National Scheduled Tribes Finance and for rewarding meritorious students pursuing Development Corporation (NSTFDC) was also Philately as a hobby. introduced. • The Concerned schools would also be About TRIFED • TRIFED came into existence in 1987. It is a national- provided with Philately mentor to guide the level apex organization functioning under the young philatelists in order to pursue their administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs. hobby and projects. • The ultimate objective of TRIFED is socio-economic

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11. MISCELLANEOUS 11.1. MONCOES DO REINO About the Award • The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, • Under a new agreement to promote Disarmament and Development 2017 is cooperation in the field of archiving, Portugal awarded by the Indira Gandhi Memorial has handed over a collection of documents Trust. It was constituted in 1986. known as ‘Moncoes do Reino’ (Monsoon • The prize is accorded annually to individuals correspondence) to India. or organisations in recognition of creative • The collection consists of direct efforts toward promoting international correspondence from Lisbon to Goa and peace, development and a new international documents trade rivalries with the Arabs and economic order, ensuring that scientific European powers and their relations with discoveries are used for the larger good of neighboring kings in South Asia and East Asia. humanity, and enlarging the scope of freedom. 11.2. INTACH TO DOCUMENT • The last two recipients of the award have HERITAGE SITES ALONG been the Indian Space Research Organisation MAHANADI RIVER and the UN High Commission for Refugees. Why in news? 11.4. ICOMOS GENERAL • Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural ASSEMBLY Heritage (INTACH) has launched a Why in news? programme for documentation of the tangible and intangible heritage sites along • The 19th ICOMOS (International Council on both sides of Mahanadi river. Monuments and Sites) General Assembly hosted by the Indian National Committee on INTACH ICOMOS concluded in New Delhi in December • The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural 2017. Heritage (INTACH) was founded in 1984 in New Delhi with the vision to spearhead heritage About the Symposium awareness and conservation in India. It is registered as a society. • The theme of the symposium was “Heritage and Democracy”. About the Programme • The ‘Delhi Declaration on Heritage and • It will cover about 1000 kilometers on both Democracy’ passed in the assembly sides of the river Mahanadi. emphasized the understanding that people's • Both tangible and intangible heritage will be perspective is central to heritage. covered and important heritage structures • It further reinforced that heritage is a will be photographed and videographed. fundamental right and responsibility of all • It will be a roadmap for conservation and Development Initiatives should include workers, historians, students and conservation objectives and ensure that the researchers. significance, authenticity and the values of a heritage resource are protected. 11.3. INDIRA GANDHI PRIZE • The declaration said that ensuring continuity of living heritage is a prerequisite for Why in news? sustainable development and legislative • Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will protection of heritage is the responsibility of receive the Indira Gandhi Prize for peace, all levels of government. disarmament and development 2017 for his About ICOMOS leadership of the country between 2004 and 2014 and enhancing India’s stature globally. • ICOMOS works for the conservation and protection of cultural heritage places. It is the only global non-government organisation of this kind, which is dedicated to promoting the 37 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD 8468022022

application of theory, methodology, and 11.7. INTERNATIONAL scientific techniques to the conservation of the architectural and archaeological heritage. DIALOGUE ON CIVILISATION • Its work is based on the principles enshrined Why in news? in the 1964 International Charter on the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments Recently, fourth International dialogue on and Sites (the Venice Charter). Civilisation was conducted in New Delhi. About the Dialogue of Civilisation 11.5. PRASAR BHARTI • Dialogue of Civilisation was initiated by Why in news? National Geographic society in 2013 to • Public broadcaster Prasar Bharti has rejected encourage studies about five ancient, literate a range of directives coming from the civilisations of the world information and Broadcasting Ministry. South Asian Civilisation About Prasar Bharati • Developed on the banks of river Indus and its • It is a statutory autonomous body established tributaries. under the Prasar Bharati Act. It came into • Began to flourish during the Chalcolithic existence in 1997. period. • It is a Public Service Broadcaster of the • Most important South Asian civilisation was country. The objectives of Public Service Harappan Civilisation. Broadcasting are achieved through • The civilisation had Doordarshan and All India radio. o Elaborate city planning with two sections • Prior to Prasar Bharti, AIR and DD were Citadel & Lower Town working as media units under the Ministry of o Cities in parallelogramic form, grid I&B. system o Underground planned drainage with 11.6. SABRIMALA inspection holes o A well-established economy based on Why in news? trade o • Travancore Devaswom Board has made a Advanced agriculture, pottery making, request to declare Sabrimala as a national seal making. o pilgrimage centre. They worshipped Pasupati and mother goddess About Sabrimala o Believed in life after death and had • is a Hindu pilgrimage centre elaborate burial procedure located at the Tiger Reserve in the o Large-scale use of burnt bricks – absence Western Ghat mountain ranges of of stone buildings District, Perunad grama Mesopotamian Civilisation panchayat in Kerala. • Formed on the banks of Tigris and Euphrates • It is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in in present day Iran and Kuwait. the world, with an estimated over 100 million devotees visiting every year. • Began during the Neolithic Period of around 12000BCE • The shrine at Sabarimala is an ancient temple of also known as sasta and • Important Mesopotamian civilisation Dharmasasta. included Sumerian, Assyrian, Akkadian, and Babylonian civilizations. According to • The temple is open for worship only during evidences, civilisation used technology, had the days of Mandalapooja (approximately 15 established religion, literature, legal codes, November to 26 December), philosophy and had external trade relations. or " Sankranti" (14 January) and Maha Vishuva Sankranti (14 April), and the first five days of each Malayalam month.

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Chinese Civilisation About Etikoppaka toys (Etikoppaka Bommalu) • Developed on the banks of Yellow river in 3rd • These toys are made in Etikoppaka region of and 2nd millennia BCE and Yangtze River Andhra Pradesh and are painted with non- before 5000 BCE. (Neolithic Era) toxic natural dyes. • They worshipped nature. • The toys are unique in shape & material used. • Mesoamerican Civilisation They are made from the soft wood of Ankudi Karra (Wrightia tinctoria) tree • Flourished in parts of Mexico and Central • The 400-year-old art of making such toys is America in about 21000BCE. known as Turned Wood Lacquer Craft. Egyptian civilisation 11.9. MISCELLANEOUS TITBITS • Flourished in ancient Northeastern Africa along the banks of River Nile. • Falun Gong, the ancient Chinese holistic system that is banned in China, was 11.8. GI TAG celebrated in India. Falun Gong combines Why in news? exercises (meditation, slow-moving exercises, regulated breathing etc.) with moral and • Recently, Geographical Indications (GI) have spiritual teachings. been granted to various things such as • Kathakar International Storytellers Festival Banganapalle , Bandar , was held recently. It is the only oral stone sculptures and storytelling festival in India and is a part of Etikoppaka toys Ghummakkad Narain - the Travelling

About Stone sculptures of Mamallapuram Literature Festival which was started under the aegis of UNESCO in 2010. • Exquisite rock-sculpting techniques exhibited • in Mahabalipuram/ Mahabalipuram date World Cities Cultural Forum (WCCF) - back to early 7th century during the period of Mumbai became the first Indian city to be a Pallavas. member of WCCF recently. WCCF is the biggest forum of global network which • It includes cave architecture, rock provides a platform for 33 cities to share architecture, structural temples, open their culture, data-driven research and sculptures, relief sculptures and intelligence while exploring the vital role and painting/portrait sculptures. impact of culture in future prosperity. • Male and female sculptures symbolise • Gomira Dance, a mask dance of West Bengal perfection in terms of beauty. has its roots in Shaktaism and the worship of • It is characterised by a wide forehead, sharp Adya Shakti (primordial energy). Its dancers nose, long eyes, hanging ears and oval are male which portray many characters: shaped face, usually with double chins. male, female and animal. • Mamallapuram sculptors still use hammer-

and-chisel technique for carving and follow the time-consuming process enunciated in various Shilpa . • Mamallapuram was named after the famous title of Narasimhavarma Pallava in the mid- seventh century.

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