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Art & CultureMediumAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2024, Paper I

Which one among the following cities was included as the 'City of Music' in the year 2023 in the UNESCO's Creative Cities Network?

  1. A.Kozhikode
  2. B.Chennai
  3. C.Varanasi
  4. D.Gwalior

Correct answer

D. Gwalior

Explanation

The correct answer is D, Gwalior. In October 2023 UNESCO added Gwalior to its Creative Cities Network as a City of Music.

Gwalior is the home of the Gwalior gharana, one of the oldest schools of Hindustani classical music, and of the tomb of Tansen, the great musician of Akbar's court, where the Tansen Samaroh music festival is held every year. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network, started in 2004, groups cities under seven fields: music, literature, film, crafts and folk art, design, gastronomy and media arts. In the same 2023 round Kozhikode became India's first City of Literature.

A is wrong because Kozhikode was named a City of Literature in 2023, not a City of Music. B is wrong because Chennai has been a City of Music since 2017. C is wrong because Varanasi joined as a City of Music in 2015.

Exam tip: Indian Cities of Music — Varanasi 2015, Chennai 2017, Gwalior 2023; Kozhikode = City of Literature 2023.

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Q1.Art & CultureAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2023, GKHard

Consider the following statements with reference to the Nataraj bronze sculpture of Chola period :

1. Shiva is shown balancing himself on his right leg representing tirobhava.

2. Shiva is shown raising his left leg in bhujangatrasita stance, representing kicking away the illusion from the devotee's mind.

3. The main right hand holds the damaru, Shiva's favourite musical instrument.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.2 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 2 only

In the Chola Nataraja it is the raised left leg, in the bhujangatrasita pose, that stands for tirobhava, kicking away the veil of illusion from the devotee's mind.

Q2.Art & CultureAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2023, GKMedium

Where is the famous Gupta period Deogarh Temple situated ?

  1. A.Uttar Pradesh
  2. B.Madhya Pradesh
  3. C.Chhattisgarh
  4. D.Rajasthan
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Uttar Pradesh

The Dashavatara temple at Deogarh stands in Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh, on the bank of the Betwa river. Built around the early sixth century, it is one of the earliest Hindu temples in north India and is dedicated to Vishnu.

Q3.Art & CultureAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2025, GKHard

Consider the following statements about the literary language Apabhramsha :

1. It appeared in recognizable forms by the sixth century.

2. It developed out of mixtures of regional vernaculars with the Prakrits and Sanskrit.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Both 1 and 2

Apabhramsha was a literary language that took recognisable shape by about the sixth century, formed from regional speech mixed with the Prakrits and Sanskrit.

Q4.Art & CultureAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following pairs : Traditions — Communities 1. Chaliha Sahib Festival — Sindhis 2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra — Gonds 3. Wari-Warkari — Santhals Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1 and 3 only
  4. D.None of the above
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1 only

Only the first pair is correct: Chaliha Sahib is a festival of the Sindhi community. During Chaliha, Sindhis observe forty days of fasting and prayer, usually in July and August, in honour of Jhulelal, the patron deity of Sindhis, ending with thanksgiving at a river or other water body.

Q5.Art & CultureAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2024, Paper IMedium

The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), which is developing Science Centres/Museums/Innovation Hubs in India, works under

  1. A.the Ministry of Science and Technology
  2. B.the Ministry of Culture
  3. C.the Ministry of Education
  4. D.the Ministry of Earth Sciences
Show answer
Correct answer: B. the Ministry of Culture

The NCSM is an autonomous society of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was formed in 1978 to take over the science museums then run by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and its headquarters is in Kolkata.