Arts Culture
Key Concepts & Formulas
Provide 5-7 essential concepts for Arts Culture:
| # | Concept | Quick Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Classical Dance Forms | 8 major forms: Bharatanatyam (TN), Kathak (North), Kathakali (Kerala), Mohiniyattam (Kerala), Odissi (Odisha), Kuchipudi (AP), Manipuri (Manipur), Sattriya (Assam) |
| 2 | UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 42 sites in India: 34 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed (Kanchenjunga). Latest: Dholavira (2021), Santiniketan (2023) |
| 3 | Classical Music | Two main traditions: Hindustani (North) and Carnatic (South). Key elements: Raga (melody), Tala (rhythm), Shruti (microtones) |
| 4 | Folk Arts | State-specific traditions: Bhangra (Punjab), Garba (Gujarat), Bihu (Assam), Ghoomar (Rajasthan), Theyyam (Kerala) |
| 5 | Indian Handicrafts | GI tagged crafts: Pashmina (JK), Banarasi silk (UP), Chanderi (MP), Kanchipuram silk (TN), Madhubani (Bihar) |
| 6 | Literary Awards | Jnanpith (highest literary honor), Sahitya Akademi, Vyas Samman, Saraswati Samman. First Jnanpith: 1965 to G. Sankara Kurup |
10 Practice MCQs
Generate 10 MCQs with increasing difficulty (Q1-3: Easy, Q4-7: Medium, Q8-10: Hard)
Q1. Which classical dance form originated in Tamil Nadu? A) Kathak B) Bharatanatyam C) Odissi D) Kathakali
Answer: B) Bharatanatyam
Solution: Bharatanatyam is the oldest classical dance form originating from Tamil Nadu temples. Kathak from North India, Odissi from Odisha, Kathakali from Kerala.
Shortcut: “Bharat"natyam - remember “Bharat” = India, originated in South
Concept: Arts Culture - Classical Dance Forms
Q2. The Ajanta Caves are famous for which art form? A) Mural paintings B) Sculpture C) Architecture D) Music
Answer: A) Mural paintings
Solution: Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra) contain Buddhist mural paintings from 2nd century BCE to 6th century CE, depicting Jataka tales.
Shortcut: “Ajanta” = “A” for “Art” paintings
Concept: Arts Culture - Ancient Indian Art
Q3. Which instrument is associated with Ustad Bismillah Khan? A) Sitar B) Tabla C) Shehnai D) Flute
Answer: C) Shehnai
Solution: Ustad Bismillah Khan was legendary shehnai player who played at Red Fort on Independence Day 1947.
Shortcut: “Bismillah” = “Blowing” instrument = Shehnai
Concept: Arts Culture - Musical Instruments & Maestros
Q4. Which state is famous for the folk dance “Ghoomar”? A) Gujarat B) Rajasthan C) Punjab D) Haryana
Answer: B) Rajasthan
Solution: Ghoomar is traditional women’s dance of Rajasthan, performed in circular movements with colorful ghagras.
Shortcut: “Ghoomar” = “Ghoonghat” (veil) + Rajasthani women culture
Concept: Arts Culture - Folk Dances
Q5. The “Natya Shastra” was written by: A) Bharata Muni B) Valmiki C) Vyasa D) Panini
Answer: A) Bharata Muni
Solution: Natya Shastra (200 BCE - 200 CE) is ancient treatise on performing arts by Bharata Muni, covering dance, drama, music.
Shortcut: “Bharata"natyam comes from “Bharata” Muni’s Natya Shastra
Concept: Arts Culture - Ancient Texts on Arts
Q6. Which craft is protected under GI tag from Varanasi? A) Pashmina B) Banarasi silk C) Chanderi D) Kanchipuram
Answer: B) Banarasi silk
Solution: Banarasi silk sarees from Varanasi (UP) got GI tag in 2009, known for gold/silver zari work.
Shortcut: “Banarasi” = “Benares” = Varanasi
Concept: Arts Culture - Handicrafts & GI Tags
Q7. Rukmini Devi Arundale is associated with which dance form? A) Kathak B) Bharatanatyam C) Odissi D) Mohiniyattam
Answer: B) Bharatanatyam
Solution: Rukmini Devi Arundale (1904-1986) revived Bharatanatyam, established Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai.
Shortcut: “Arundale” = “A” for “Ancient” dance revival
Concept: Arts Culture - Dance Revivalists
Q8. Which UNESCO site is known for “Ratha” temples? A) Khajuraho B) Mahabalipuram C) Hampi D) Pattadakal
Answer: B) Mahabalipuram
Solution: Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984) has Pancha Rathas - five monolithic rock-cut temples shaped like chariots.
Shortcut: “Ratha” = “Chariot” = Mahabalipuram shore temples
Concept: Arts Culture - UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Q9. The “Gangubai Hangal” award is given in which field? A) Literature B) Music C) Dance D) Theatre
Answer: B) Music
Solution: Gangubai Hangal (1900-2009) was legendary Hindustani classical singer from Kirana gharana. Award given for music excellence in Karnataka.
Shortcut: “Gangubai Hangal” = “G” for “Gaan” (singing)
Concept: Arts Culture - Music Awards
Q10. Which manuscript was inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of World Register in 2023? A) Rig Veda B) Ramcharitmanas C) Guru Granth Sahib D) Bhagavad Gita
Answer: B) Ramcharitmanas
Solution: Ramcharitmanans (Tulsidas, 16th century) Awadhi manuscript added to UNESCO Memory of World Register in 2023, 7th Indian entry.
Shortcut: 2023 = “Two-Zero-Two-Three” = “Tulsidas Ramayan”
Concept: Arts Culture - UNESCO Memory of World Register
5 Previous Year Questions
Generate PYQ-style questions with authentic exam references:
PYQ 1. Which city is famous for “Pichwai” paintings? [RRB NTPC 2021 CBT-1]
Answer: Nathdwara (Rajasthan)
Solution: Pichwai paintings originated in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, depicting Lord Krishna’s life, especially Shrinathji form.
Exam Tip: Remember “Pichwai” = “P” for “Painting” + Rajasthani art
PYQ 2. The “Konark Sun Temple” is shaped like: [RRB Group D 2022]
Answer: Chariot with 24 wheels
Solution: Konark Sun Temple (Odisha, 13th century) built by King Narasimhadeva I, represents Sun God’s chariot with 24 wheels (12 pairs) for 12 months.
Exam Tip: Konark = Kona (angle) + Arka (sun) = Sun temple chariot
PYQ 3. Who composed “Jana Gana Mana” first sung at: [RRB ALP 2018]
Answer: Rabindranath Tagore, 1911 Calcutta Session of INC
Solution: Jana Gana Mana composed by Tagore, first sung on December 27, 1911 at Calcutta Congress session, adopted as national anthem January 24, 1950.
Exam Tip: Remember “1911” = “1+9+1+1” = “12” = December, “27” = date
PYQ 4. Which state has maximum GI tagged products? [RRB JE 2019]
Answer: Uttar Pradesh (70+ products)
Solution: Uttar Pradesh leads with 70+ GI tags including Banarasi silk, Lucknow chikan, Agra petha, Kannauj perfumes, Moradabad brassware.
Exam Tip: UP = “Uttam” (best) Pradesh for handicrafts
PYQ 5. “Bharatanatyam” dance poses based on which text? [RPF SI 2019]
Answer: Natya Shastra’s 108 karanas
Solution: Bharatanatyam based on 108 karanas (dance poses) described in Bharata Muni’s Natya Shastra, mostly depicted in Chola bronzes.
Exam Tip: 108 = sacred number in Hinduism, used in dance poses
Speed Tricks & Shortcuts
For Arts Culture, provide exam-tested shortcuts:
| Situation | Shortcut | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Remembering 8 classical dances | “BK KO KM MS” initials | B-Bharatanatyam, K-Kathak, K-Kathakali, O-Odissi, K-Kuchipudi, M-Manipuri, M-Mohiniyattam, S-Sattriya |
| UNESCO sites count | “42-34-7-1” formula | 42 total: 34 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed (Kanchenjunga) |
| Music gharanas | “A-B-I-J-K-K-P” | Agra, Bhendi Bazaar, Indore, Jaipur, Kirana, Kanra, Patiala |
| Folk dances by region | “G-B-B-G-B-R” | Gujarat-Garba, Punjab-Bhangra, Bihar-Bidesia, Goa-Goan, Rajasthan-Ghoomar, Bengal-Rabindra Sangeet |
| Literary awards chronology | “J-S-V-S” years | Jnanpith (1961), Sahitya Akademi (1954), Vyas Samman (1991), Saraswati Samman (1991) |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why Students Make It | Correct Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Confusing Kathak-Kathakali | Similar names | Kathak = North India, spins, Mughal influence; Kathakali = Kerala, elaborate makeup, martial arts |
| GI tag locations | Assume all silk = Kanchipuram | Banarasi = Varanasi, Chanderi = MP, Kanchipuram = TN, Baluchari = Bengal |
| Dance origins by state | Mix up South Indian forms | Bharatanatyam = TN, Kuchipudi = AP, Mohiniyattam = Kerala, Odissi = Odisha |
| UNESCO year confusion | Add recent sites incorrectly | Dholavira = 2021, Ramappa = 2021, Santiniketan = 2023, Kanchenjunga = mixed 2016 |
| Award field mismatch | Think all awards = literature | Jnanpith = literature, Sangita Natak Akademi = performing arts, Lalit Kala = visual arts |
Quick Revision Flashcards
| Front (Question/Term) | Back (Answer) |
|---|---|
| 108 karanas source | Natya Shastra by Bharata Muni |
| Sun Temple wheels | 24 wheels = 12 months × 2 (day/night) |
| Hindustani vs Carnatic | North vs South, tabla vs mridangam |
| GI tag validity | 10 years, renewable |
| Mohiniyattam meaning | Dance of the enchantress |
| Khajuraho temples | Nagara style, 85 original, 25 surviving |
| Sangeet Natak Akademi | 1952, national academy for performing arts |
| Padma awards started | 1954 (Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri) |
| Latest heritage site | Santiniketan (2023), West Bengal |
| Chola bronzes | 11th century, Nataraja poses, 108 karanas |
Topic Connections
How Arts Culture connects to other RRB exam topics:
- Direct Link: History - Most art forms developed during specific dynasties (Cholas: Bharatanatyam, Mughals: Kathak, Gupta: Ajanta)
- Combined Questions: Geography - GI tagged products always asked with their states (Banarasi silk = UP, Mysore silk = Karnataka)
- Foundation For: Current Affairs - New UNESCO sites, Padma awardees in arts, cultural festivals announced in Railway budget special trains (Buddhist circuit, Ramayana circuit)
BETA
