🔆Banjara culture
✅The Banjara community consists of various groups found throughout India, with a significant population in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
✅They have settled in permanent settlements called Tandas, abandoning their nomadic lifestyle.
✅The Banjara people speak GorBoli, also known as Lambadi, which belongs to the Indo-Aryan group of languages and has no script.
✅Teej is a festival celebrated by young unmarried Banjara girls in Shravanam (August), where they pray for a good groom.
✅Fire dance and Chari are traditional dance forms of the Banjara people.
#gs1
#prelims
#art_and_culture
✅The Banjara community consists of various groups found throughout India, with a significant population in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
✅They have settled in permanent settlements called Tandas, abandoning their nomadic lifestyle.
✅The Banjara people speak GorBoli, also known as Lambadi, which belongs to the Indo-Aryan group of languages and has no script.
✅Teej is a festival celebrated by young unmarried Banjara girls in Shravanam (August), where they pray for a good groom.
✅Fire dance and Chari are traditional dance forms of the Banjara people.
#gs1
#prelims
#art_and_culture
🔆Narsapur lace Craft:
✅Narsapur is situated on the bank of Godavari River in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
✅It is believed that the women of the farming community of this region started creating highly attractive artefacts from colourful lace, about 150 years ago.
✅The craft has survived the Indian famine (1899) and the Great Depression (1929). By the early 1900s, above 2,000 women were involved in the craft in the Godavari region.
✅The lace work is done using thin threads and these are again woven with thin crochet needles of varying sizes.
✅Narsapur's famed hand-made crochet industry produces doilies, pillow covers, cushion covers, bed spreads, table-runners and tablecloths etc.
✅Many of these products are exported to markets in the USA, UK and France.
#gs1
#art_and_culture
✅Narsapur is situated on the bank of Godavari River in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
✅It is believed that the women of the farming community of this region started creating highly attractive artefacts from colourful lace, about 150 years ago.
✅The craft has survived the Indian famine (1899) and the Great Depression (1929). By the early 1900s, above 2,000 women were involved in the craft in the Godavari region.
✅The lace work is done using thin threads and these are again woven with thin crochet needles of varying sizes.
✅Narsapur's famed hand-made crochet industry produces doilies, pillow covers, cushion covers, bed spreads, table-runners and tablecloths etc.
✅Many of these products are exported to markets in the USA, UK and France.
#gs1
#art_and_culture
🔆Bull
✅ Nandi and Shiva are often depicted together as they are considered inseparable in Hindu mythology. Nandi is the divine vehicle and gatekeeper of Lord Shiva.
✅ It symbolizes strength, virility, and the loyal nature of a devotee. The bull is also associated with fertility.
✅ Cultural Symbol: In some Indian cultures, the bull is revered as a symbol of agricultural prosperity, as it has been traditionally used in farming.
✅Baked clay Bull, Mohenjodaro.
✅ Rampurva Bull: The Ashokan Pillar’s sandstone capital from the third century B.C.
✅The Nandipada (“foot of Nandi”) is an ancient Indian symbol, also called a taurine symbol, representing a bull’s hoof or the mark left by the foot of a bull in the ground.
✅ Ajanta Painting: Bull is not depicted as the part of the composition but as decoration or design.
✅ Cattle depictions were a common feature on the borders of Mughal miniature paintings.
✅ Krishna’s association with cattle in paintings is rooted in the mythology and traditions of the region of Vrindavan.
#art_and_culture
#mains #prelims
✅ Nandi and Shiva are often depicted together as they are considered inseparable in Hindu mythology. Nandi is the divine vehicle and gatekeeper of Lord Shiva.
✅ It symbolizes strength, virility, and the loyal nature of a devotee. The bull is also associated with fertility.
✅ Cultural Symbol: In some Indian cultures, the bull is revered as a symbol of agricultural prosperity, as it has been traditionally used in farming.
✅Baked clay Bull, Mohenjodaro.
✅ Rampurva Bull: The Ashokan Pillar’s sandstone capital from the third century B.C.
✅The Nandipada (“foot of Nandi”) is an ancient Indian symbol, also called a taurine symbol, representing a bull’s hoof or the mark left by the foot of a bull in the ground.
✅ Ajanta Painting: Bull is not depicted as the part of the composition but as decoration or design.
✅ Cattle depictions were a common feature on the borders of Mughal miniature paintings.
✅ Krishna’s association with cattle in paintings is rooted in the mythology and traditions of the region of Vrindavan.
#art_and_culture
#mains #prelims
🔳 Odisha will be the theme state in the International Surajkund Fair
◼️It has been formally announced by the Haryana Tourism Department
◼️ Odisha has been made the theme state for the second time
The Surajkund International Fair is held every year near the Surajkund Lake in the Aravalli valleys.
◼️ The first fair was organized in 1987
◼️ Even before this, Odisha had been the theme state of Surajkund Mela in 1993
#UPSC #PSC #prelims #currentaffairs #art_and_culture
◼️It has been formally announced by the Haryana Tourism Department
◼️ Odisha has been made the theme state for the second time
The Surajkund International Fair is held every year near the Surajkund Lake in the Aravalli valleys.
◼️ The first fair was organized in 1987
◼️ Even before this, Odisha had been the theme state of Surajkund Mela in 1993
#UPSC #PSC #prelims #currentaffairs #art_and_culture
👍1
🔆 Weaving in India
📍 Context : On National Textile Day, a tribute was paid to the rich tradition of Indian weavers, showcasing their significant contributions to India's heritage.
📍 History of Weaving in India
🕉 Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1300 BCE): Evidence of cotton cultivation and textile production, with dyed cotton fragments found in Mohenjo-Daro.
📜 Vedic Period (Rigveda, 1500–500 BCE): Mentions of weavers as "vaya" (male) and "vayitri" (female), highlighting the craft’s early roots.
🏹 Post-Vedic Period: The Mahabharata mentions silk fabrics, while Buddhist texts describe textiles like linen, cotton, and silk, emphasizing the importance of weavers.
👑 Mughal Empire (1526–1857): Flourishing of luxury textiles like brocades, muslins, and velvets through Karkhanas (workshops). Sericulture expanded in Kashmir, as noted in the Tarikh-i-Rashidi.
⚙️ Modern India: The Industrial Revolution led to the decline of Indian textiles due to competition from machine-made products, causing economic losses and the erosion of traditional markets.
📍 State/UT Weaves
🎨 North:
✅Jammu & Kashmir: Kani Weave, Kashmiri Pashmina.
✅Himachal Pradesh: Kullu Shawls.
✅Punjab: Khes Weave.
🎨 Northeast:
✅Assam: Muga Silk, Eri Silk.
✅Nagaland: Chakhesang Shawl.
✅Meghalaya: Eri Weave, Tap-Moh Khlieh.
🎨 West:
✅Gujarat: Patola, Mashru Weave.
✅Rajasthan: Kota Doria, Jaipuri Rajai.
✅Maharashtra: Paithani, Himru Weave.
🎨 South:
✅Tamil Nadu: Kanchipuram, Kandagi.
✅Andhra Pradesh: Venkatagiri, Dharmavaram Handloom.
✅Karnataka: Ilkal, Mysore Silk.
🎨 East:
✅West Bengal: Jamdani, Baluchari.
✅Odisha: Sambalpuri, Bomkai.
✅Bihar: Bhagalpuri Weaving.
#gs1 #prelims #art_and_culture
📍 Context : On National Textile Day, a tribute was paid to the rich tradition of Indian weavers, showcasing their significant contributions to India's heritage.
📍 History of Weaving in India
🕉 Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1300 BCE): Evidence of cotton cultivation and textile production, with dyed cotton fragments found in Mohenjo-Daro.
📜 Vedic Period (Rigveda, 1500–500 BCE): Mentions of weavers as "vaya" (male) and "vayitri" (female), highlighting the craft’s early roots.
🏹 Post-Vedic Period: The Mahabharata mentions silk fabrics, while Buddhist texts describe textiles like linen, cotton, and silk, emphasizing the importance of weavers.
👑 Mughal Empire (1526–1857): Flourishing of luxury textiles like brocades, muslins, and velvets through Karkhanas (workshops). Sericulture expanded in Kashmir, as noted in the Tarikh-i-Rashidi.
⚙️ Modern India: The Industrial Revolution led to the decline of Indian textiles due to competition from machine-made products, causing economic losses and the erosion of traditional markets.
📍 State/UT Weaves
🎨 North:
✅Jammu & Kashmir: Kani Weave, Kashmiri Pashmina.
✅Himachal Pradesh: Kullu Shawls.
✅Punjab: Khes Weave.
🎨 Northeast:
✅Assam: Muga Silk, Eri Silk.
✅Nagaland: Chakhesang Shawl.
✅Meghalaya: Eri Weave, Tap-Moh Khlieh.
🎨 West:
✅Gujarat: Patola, Mashru Weave.
✅Rajasthan: Kota Doria, Jaipuri Rajai.
✅Maharashtra: Paithani, Himru Weave.
🎨 South:
✅Tamil Nadu: Kanchipuram, Kandagi.
✅Andhra Pradesh: Venkatagiri, Dharmavaram Handloom.
✅Karnataka: Ilkal, Mysore Silk.
🎨 East:
✅West Bengal: Jamdani, Baluchari.
✅Odisha: Sambalpuri, Bomkai.
✅Bihar: Bhagalpuri Weaving.
#gs1 #prelims #art_and_culture
🔆 Ravana Shaking Mount Kailasha - Ellora, Rashtrakuta Period
📍 Characteristics of the Sculpture:
✅ Scale and Grandeur:
- Carved into the side of a sheer rock face, reaching a height of approximately 30 meters (98 feet) and stretching over 40 meters (131 feet) in length.
- This impressive scale conveys the immense power and determination of Ravana.
✅ Dynamic Composition:
- The sculpture captures the chaos and energy of the scene, with Ravana’s muscular arms straining as he lifts Mount Kailasha, the abode of the gods.
- The swirling movement of the figures and the use of negative space add to the dynamism of the composition.
✅ Symbolic Elements:
- The sculpture is rich in symbolism, reflecting the Hindu worldview and the narrative of Ravana’s attempt to impress Shiva.
- The presence of celestial beings, animals, and mythical creatures adds to the mystical and otherworldly atmosphere of the scene.
#art_and_culture
📍 Characteristics of the Sculpture:
✅ Scale and Grandeur:
- Carved into the side of a sheer rock face, reaching a height of approximately 30 meters (98 feet) and stretching over 40 meters (131 feet) in length.
- This impressive scale conveys the immense power and determination of Ravana.
✅ Dynamic Composition:
- The sculpture captures the chaos and energy of the scene, with Ravana’s muscular arms straining as he lifts Mount Kailasha, the abode of the gods.
- The swirling movement of the figures and the use of negative space add to the dynamism of the composition.
✅ Symbolic Elements:
- The sculpture is rich in symbolism, reflecting the Hindu worldview and the narrative of Ravana’s attempt to impress Shiva.
- The presence of celestial beings, animals, and mythical creatures adds to the mystical and otherworldly atmosphere of the scene.
#art_and_culture
📍Vishu:
✅It is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala, Tulu Nadu region in Karnataka, Mahé district of Union Territory of Pondicherry, neighbouring areas of Tamil Nadu and their diaspora communities.
✅The festival marks the first day of Medam, the ninth month in the solar calendar followed in Kerala.
✅It therefore always falls in the middle of April in the Gregorian calendar on 14th or 15th April every year
📍Puthandu:
✅Also known as Puthuvarudam or Tamil New Year, is the first day of the year on the Tamil calendar and traditionally celebrated as a festival.
✅The festival date is set with the solar cycle of the lunisolar Hindu calendar, as the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai.
✅It therefore falls on or about 14th April every year on the Gregorian calendar.
📍Bohag Bihu:
✅Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu also called Xaat Bihu (seven Bihus) is a traditional aboriginal ethnic festival celebrated in the state of Assam and other parts of northeastern India by the indigenous ethnic groups of Assam.
✅It marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year.
✅It usually falls in the 2nd week of April, historically signifying the time of harvest.
#prelims
#art_and_culture
✅It is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala, Tulu Nadu region in Karnataka, Mahé district of Union Territory of Pondicherry, neighbouring areas of Tamil Nadu and their diaspora communities.
✅The festival marks the first day of Medam, the ninth month in the solar calendar followed in Kerala.
✅It therefore always falls in the middle of April in the Gregorian calendar on 14th or 15th April every year
📍Puthandu:
✅Also known as Puthuvarudam or Tamil New Year, is the first day of the year on the Tamil calendar and traditionally celebrated as a festival.
✅The festival date is set with the solar cycle of the lunisolar Hindu calendar, as the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai.
✅It therefore falls on or about 14th April every year on the Gregorian calendar.
📍Bohag Bihu:
✅Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu also called Xaat Bihu (seven Bihus) is a traditional aboriginal ethnic festival celebrated in the state of Assam and other parts of northeastern India by the indigenous ethnic groups of Assam.
✅It marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year.
✅It usually falls in the 2nd week of April, historically signifying the time of harvest.
#prelims
#art_and_culture
🔆 Famous Sculpture/Painting: Mohini
📍 Monument Era/Dynasty
✅ Chennakeshava Temple, Hoysala Dynasty
📍 Subject Matter
✅ The Chennakeshava Temple in Belur, Karnataka, India, is home to a captivating sculpture of Mohini, the female avatar of Lord Vishnu.
✅ This exquisite sculpture is located in the temple’s navaranga.
#art_and_culture
📍 Monument Era/Dynasty
✅ Chennakeshava Temple, Hoysala Dynasty
📍 Subject Matter
✅ The Chennakeshava Temple in Belur, Karnataka, India, is home to a captivating sculpture of Mohini, the female avatar of Lord Vishnu.
✅ This exquisite sculpture is located in the temple’s navaranga.
#art_and_culture
🔆 Beni Putul (Bengal)
✅ Puppet Type:
- Made from red felt and are about 1 to 2 feet tall.
- Have movable arms, legs, and heads, manipulated by the puppeteer using hands.
✅ Instruments:
- Accompanied by Bengali instruments like ektara, dhak, and tabla.
✅ Size and Design:
- Smaller and more delicate than puppets from other traditions.
- Less emphasis on props and costumes.
#art_and_culture
✅ Puppet Type:
- Made from red felt and are about 1 to 2 feet tall.
- Have movable arms, legs, and heads, manipulated by the puppeteer using hands.
✅ Instruments:
- Accompanied by Bengali instruments like ektara, dhak, and tabla.
✅ Size and Design:
- Smaller and more delicate than puppets from other traditions.
- Less emphasis on props and costumes.
#art_and_culture