Art and culture- Current Affairs(Topics in News)

• Here are the major topics which have been in news recently and there is a possibility that UPSC might pose a question from any of the latest happenings.
• Policy to adopt world heritage sites UNESCO, with the help of 21 member World Heritage Committee and advisory bodies such as International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), within the framework of its Operational Guidelines, decides about the cultural and natural sites to be included on the World Heritage list. 
• Such cultural and natural sites must display the necessary Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), fulfill one or more out of 10 prescribed criteria (as given below), maintain the condition of authenticity and integrity and should be in a good state of conservation. 
• There are 32 sites from India declared as World Heritage sites - 25 are cultural sites and 7 are natural sites. The Criteria for the assessment of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) as per UNESCO’s Operational 

Guidelines are

• To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius; 
• To exhibit an important interchange of human values,
• To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization
• To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological 
• To be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction
• To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.
• To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance
• To be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history,
• To be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes
• To contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity

Chettinadu cotton saree

• The Textiles Committee, Union Ministry of Handlooms and Textiles, Mumbai, registered the Chettinad cotton saree under the India Handloom Brand Scheme after checking various quality parameters stipulated by the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and offered a logo.
• The Chettinad cotton saree, which inherited the intricacies of now out-of-vogue and over a century-old‘Kandangi’ pure silk sarees, has won the ‘India Handloom’ tag for its unique designs and identity.The procedure for the branding began in October last year when the weavers service centre in Chennai and the textiles committee in Madurai made a site inspection followed by inspection of looms and interaction with weavers, Mr. Palaniappan said. About 650 weavers attached to three societies in the region produced the sarees, he added.

Kullu Nati 

• The Nati folk dance of Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh in second week of January 2016 was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest folk dance in the world. 
• Nati entered in the book as the largest folk dance in terms of participants’ number. Total 9892 women participated in this folk dance in their traditional colourful Kulluvi on 26 October 2015 during International Dussehra festival.
• The event, phrased as Pride of Kullu, was dedicated to girl child, was recorded in several cameras. KulluDussehra is a centuries-old festival and celebrations begin on VijayaDashami, the day when the festivities end in rest of the country.
• The folk dance entered the Limca Book of Records in 2014 after about 8760 artists performed it at the KulluDussehra festivities.

Hyderabadi Haleem (Gi)

• ‘Haleem', the delicacy during the Ramzan period in hyderabad must  be called ‘Hyderabad Haleem' after it was given geographical indication status by the Geographical Indications (GI) of Government of India in 2010. Geographical indication status is given to a product, which has uniqueness and is prepared in one region of the country.
• However, it is not a patent which is given to inventions. ‘Haleem' makers claimed that the scrumptious food is prepared through special process in the State capital since decades. The certificate does not bar anyone from preparing ‘Haleem' but they cannot market it as Hyderabad Haleem.

Saint Manikkavichavakar

• The US on 7th June 2016 returned over 200 cultural artefacts estimated at $100 million to India at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister NarendraModi. Items returned included religious statues, bronzes and terra cotta pieces, some dating back 2,000 years, looted from some of India's most treasured religious sites.
• Among the pieces returned is a statue of Saint Manikkavichavakar, a Hindu mystic and poet from the Chola period (circa 850 AD to 1250 AD) stolen from the Sivan Temple in Chennai, which is valued at $1.5 million.
• Also included in the collection is a bronze sculpture of the Hindu god Ganesh estimated to be 1,000-year-old.The majority of the pieces repatriated in the ceremony were seized during Operation Hidden Idol, an investigation that began in 2007 after Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) special agents received a tip about a shipment of seven crates destined for the US manifested as "marble garden table sets".
• Prime Minister NarendraModi sits beside the statue Khajuraho, 12th century, made from red sandstone, during a ceremony marking the repatriation of over 200 artifacts to the Indian government, at Blair House in Washington, Monday, June 6, 2016. (AP).

Sibu Chairoba 

• Sajibu Cheiraoba, a traditional festival that marks New Year of theMeiteis (majority ethnic group) of Manipur, was celebrated on 8 April 2016. It was celebrated with cultural gusto and religious fervor in Manipur. It is celebrated on the first day of Sajibu month (equivalent of April) every year.On this day, people arrange a joint family feast in which traditional cuisines are offered to local deities at the entrance gates of the houses.
• After meals, people start climb the Cheiraoching located in Chingmeirong or tops of nearby hills in the afternoon to offer prayers. As per belief they think that it would elevate them to greater heights in their worldly life. Later in night, ThabalChongba, a local folk dance is also being organized at different locations of Manipur valley.

Chapchar Kut 

• The Chapchar Kut Festival is a festival of Mizoram, India.The traditional festival of Chapchar Kut of the Mizos was celebrated on the 5th of March 2016 across the north-eastern state of Mizoram and also in the Mizo-inhabited areas in the neighbouring statesIt is a spring festival celebrated every year in month of March after completion of their most arduous task of Jhum operation i.e., jungle-clearing (clearing of the remnants of burning). 
• It is a spring festival celebrated with great fervour and gaiety. Mizos celebrate this festival by dressing in their traditional attire and dancers danced to the tune of typical music and songs. Popular Mizo dances including Cheraw, Chheihlam, Sarlamkai and Khuallam are performed by various cultural groups. ChapcharKut Festival is estimated to have started in 1450-1700 A.D. in a village called Suaipui. 
• ChapcharKut was discouraged when the Missionaries came to Mizoram as it was felt that it did not adhere to Christian values, however it was revived in 1973 on a mass scale sans animistic practice and Alcohol.ChapcharKut is now held annually in the Month of March. ChapcharKut is one of three annual festivals of the Mizos celebrated to mark three different stages of the agricultural cycle. The other two are MimKut and Pawl Kut, also revived in the last century.

Nada Kusti 

• Nada Kusti has made it to the cover page of an international publication, ‘Beyond the Body’, with 183black-and-white pictures by renowned Polish photographer Tomasz Gudzowaty that document traditional games that are fading into oblivion.  This ancient sport, which received royal patronage for centuries and was supported by philanthropists, is struggling, with many of the over 70 ‘garadis’ (gymnasiums) in the city and 150 in the district being on the verge of closure. 
• Raja Wadiyar , launched the form of wrestling in organized form in the 16th century, reaching zenith during the rule of Krishna Wadiyar IV.  The Indian form of wrestling flourished in Mysore producing classic wrestlers such as Koppal Basavaiah and Channaboranna, who made a mark in the international arena too. Today, the sport is no more than a form of rural entertainment and is largely confined to the Dasara festivities. 

Ganga Sanskriti Yatra 

• Ganga Sanskriti Yatra is a festival is being organised from Gangotri to Gangasagar in February-March.The main concentration of the festival is to present art forms of Ganga basin which are deeply associated with the river, including folk songs, folk dances, folk theatre, dance drama, documentary/ films shows, street plays, kavisammelan, photography exhibitions, film shows, quiz competitions, seminars and Poster campaigns. 
• The objective is to showcase and discover the cultural diversity and heritage of Ganga river basin, to spread necessary awareness to the masses about safeguarding and rejuvenating the Ganga.It is also pursuing idea of cultural exchange. In view of this, the yatra is divided into part, the central point being Varanasi. The art forms from confluence to Varanasi will be presented in the lower part. 
• During the Yatra, a survey and documentation on the art forms and cultural heritage of Ganga will be published at the commencement of the series.The Ganga is one of the major rivers of the Indian subcontinent; it is the longest river in India and flows for around 1,569 miles (2,525 KM) from the Himalayan Mountains to the Bay of Bengal and heavily populated with over 400 million people living in the basin. 
• From origin to confluence, the Ganga flows through the state of Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal are under the EZCC. The Ganga has been declared as a National Heritage by Government of India and above all is the river of India and above all is the river of India, Ganga has held India’s heart captive and drawn uncounted millions to her banks since the dawn of history.

Rukmani Devi Arundale 

• Rukmini Devi Arundale was a reputed dancer and choreographer of Bharatnatyam, an Indian classical dance form. Her charismatic personality and contribution to the renaissance of Indian Classical music attained her niche in the arena of Indian culture. Search engine giant Google celebrated the 112nd birth anniversary of Rukmini Devi Arundale through a doodle. 
• It featured a depiction of her in traditional dance attire with flowers in her hair holding up a mudra. She was also a theosophist, and an activist for animal rights. She is considered the most important revivalist in the Indian classical dance form of Bharatnatyam from its original 'sadhir' style, prevalent amongst the temple dancers, Devadasis, she also worked for the re establishment of traditional Indian arts and crafts. 
• She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956 and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1967. She is also an institution-builder who built a public cultural and educational centre known as Kalakshetra. Rukmini Devi first met Dr George Arundale, in 1917. He was an active member of the Theosophical Society. Arundale was also in-charge of the organization's paper, "New India". Fascinated by Rukmini Devi's love for the mankind and humanity, Dr Arundale, in 1920, married her.

Muziris Heritage Project 

• President Pranab Mukherjee on the 27th February 2016 inaugurated the Muziris Heritage Project which showcases the history and culture of an ancient seaport and urban centre on the Malabar Coast. President inaugurated the Muziris Heritage Project being implemented by the Tourism Department ofthe Government of Kerala, with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.  

• The Muziris Heritage Project, which was initiated six years ago, is an ambitious project comprising the 
• Development works of Chennamangalam palaces 
• CheramanParambu, Synagogue and waterfront at North Paravur;
• A performance centre at Gothuruthu; 
• A Museum at Pallipuram
• The project also envisages the conservation of archaeological monuments within 125 square kilometres spread across Thrissur and Ernakulam districts. Muziris was a large port of ancient times on West Coast of Kerala, trading everything from preciousstones to spices. Muziris was the doorway for cultures, religions and races into India. 
• Large ships of ocean tradersfrequented it from across the world, including Arabs, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese. It is believed that a devastating flood that changed the course of the Periyar River or an earthquake inthe 14th century led to the decline of Muziris. 
• Next phase of the project is the ‘Spice Route Initiative’, which will explore the international connectionsand linkages that the Malabar Coast had with many parts of the world.  This phase is to be implemented with the support of UNESCO and United Nations World Tourism Organisation.  

Losar Festival 

• Losar, the biggest Tibetan Buddhist Festival began on 12 December 2015 in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. Losar is celebrated for 15 days, with the main celebrations on the first three days. On the first day of Losar, a beverage called changkol is made fromchhaang (a Tibetan cousin of beer). The second day of Losar is known as King's Losar (gyalpolosar). Losar is traditionally preceded by the five day practice of Vajrakilaya.
• In Ladakh, Losar is regarded as the most important socio-religious event. The festival is marked by making offerings to the Gods, both in Gompas and their shrines. The celebrations are an amalgamation of ancient rituals, staged dance dramas, the dance of the Ibex deer and lots of music, dance and revelry for the people. The auspicious images of the Ibex deer and other symbols are made on the door, walls of kitchen and wooden columns to welcome the New Year.
• Losar is marked with ancient ceremonies that represent the struggle between good and evil. Watching the popular “Metho” ceremony, where hundreds of people carrying flaming torches and chanting prayers parade through the streets to chase away evil spirits and hungry ghosts, is an experience of a lifetime. These blazing torches, which are eventually thrown away, are supposed to ward off the evil and is a spectacular way to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new.

Rock paintings discovered In Kondane Caves 

• 40 rock paintings were recently discovered in the Kondane caves in Raigad district in western region of Maharashtra. A hunter stands poised with a bow and arrow. A barasingha (swamp deer) stands nearby. Then there are footprints, palm impressions and some trees. These were some of the depictions in the 40 rock paintings recently discovered in the Kondane caves in Raigarh district in Maharashtra.
• The images were found in both natural caverns and man-made caves. An unfinished Buddhist chaitya and a vihara were found in two man-made caves in the group. A chaitya is a Buddhist prayer hall with a stupa at one end. A vihara is a monastery. The Buddhist rock-cut architecture found in these caves belongs to the Hinayana phase of Buddhism. 
• It is an important discovery since it provides evidence for the existence of rock art images in this region of Maharashtra. A striking image found was that of a mythical figure, perhaps a demon. Other paintings reflected everyday life and occupations such as hunting deer. The style and articulation of these paintings suggest that they have been drawn during the late historical period of second century B.C. onwards. 

Mrinalini Sarabhai  

• Mrinalini Sarabhai, was an Indian classical dancer, choreographer and instructor who passed away on the 21st of January 2016. She was 97 at the time of her death. She was the founder of the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, an institute for imparting training in dance, drama, music and puppetry, in the city of Ahmedabad. 
• Trained in Bharatnatyam, Kathakali and Mohiniyattom, she was educated at Shantiniketan under Rabindranath Tagore. She was married to the architect of India's space programme, Dr Vikram Sarabhai. She was a poet, writer and environmentalist and played a leading role in the social and art scene in Ahmedabad. 
• Mrinalini’s dance legacy is now in its third generation. She is survived by her daughter, Mallika, a dancer and political activist. Her grandson Revanta is an emerging choreographer, with roots in classical and contemporary dance forms, while her granddaughter Anahita pursues various interests in dance and choreography.