General Awareness

ART AND CULTURE - May 2020

May 2020

Jul 17, 2023

Skill India Project Successfully Revives J&K's Namda Art

Skill India's Pilot Project, under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), successfully breathed new life into the traditional Namda craft of Kashmir. Through a collaborative effort with local industry partners, this initiative revitalised the dying art form, empowering artisans and preserving the rich cultural heritage.
The Namda craft, a rug made of sheep wool using the felting technique instead of the traditional weaving process, had witnessed a sharp decline in exports between 1998 and 2008 due to various challenges such as the scarcity of raw materials, lack of skilled manpower, and limited marketing techniques.
Recognising the need to preserve this endangered craft, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) designed a short-term training curriculum as part of a special project under PMKVY.
Nearly 2,200 candidates from six districts of Jammu and Kashmir received training in the art of Namda craft, marking a significant milestone in its preservation and revival. The success of this project can be attributed to the fruitful collaboration between Skill India and local industry partners.

Jul 13, 2023

Lambani Art Sets Guinness World Record in 3rd G20 CWC Meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the effort to popularise Lambani culture, art and craft as well as encourage Nari Shakti participation in cultural initiatives. During the 3rd G20 Culture Working Group Meeting at Hampi, a new record was made.
India's G20 Presidency created a Guinness World Record for the 'largest display of Lambani items' with a total of 1755 items. The record was made under the 'Culture Unites All' campaign of the Culture Working Group, Ministry of Culture.
A unique exhibition on Lambani embroidery patches was inaugurated at the Yeduru Basavanna complex, Hampi by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Coal and Mines, Prahlad Joshi. The exhibit, titled 'Threads of Unity', celebrated the aesthetic expressions and design vocabulary of Lambani embroidery.
This Guinness World Record endeavour is aligned with the PM's campaign of Mission 'LiFe' (Lifestyle for environment) and the CWG's initiative for 'Culture for LiFe', an environmentally conscious lifestyle and a concerted action towards sustainability.
Lambani embroidery is a vibrant and intricate form of textile embellishment characterized by colourful threads, mirror work, and a rich array of stitch patterns. It is practised in several villages of Karnataka. This rich embroidery tradition, predominantly upheld by the skilled women of the Lambani community, serves as a vital source of livelihood and sustenance, intertwining living practices with economic empowerment.

Jul 10, 2023

J-K: National Tribal Festival Concludes in Gulmarg

The National Tribal Festival concluded at the famous hill resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir, giving a platform for indigenous communities from across the country to share their rich cultural heritage.
The festival, which began at the SKICC in Srinagar before moving to the hill resort, saw tribal groups from different states, with involvement of local artistes, enthralling visitors with their musical and dance performances.
Expressing his gratitude to all participating tribes and volunteers, Secretary Tribal Affairs Department Shahid Iqbal Choudhary emphasised the significance of preserving and promoting tribal cultures as an integral part of the nation's cultural fabric.
The main aim of the festival was to foster understanding, appreciation, and respect for tribal customs and ways of life. Throughout the festival, visitors were immersed in a colourful mosaic of tribal artistry.

Sangam-age Stud, Bead Unearthed in Tamil Nadu

A gold stud, a bone point and a carnelian bead were unearthed by archaeologists at Porpanaikottai in Pudukottai district of Tamil Nadu, where the State Archaeology Department took up excavation this year (2023).
A Sangam-age fort is believed to have existed at the site.
The stud in floral design with six petals, weighing 0.26 grams, was probably used as a nose stud and is an indication of the culture of the Sangam-age.
The bone point, with pointed ends on both sides and carvings, was probably used for weaving.
The discovery of the red round-shaped carnelian bead is a pointer to domestic trade. "Carnelian beads have been found at Kodumanal and a few other places in Tamil Nadu. The stones were usually sourced from Gujarat.
The excavation at Porpanaikottai was inaugurated by Thangam Thennarasu, Minister for Finance, who is also in-charge of the Archaeology Department, on May 20, 2023.

Jul 07, 2023

India's First Vedic Theme Park Opens in Noida

The country's first Vedic theme park opened in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Built with Rs. 27 crore, the park has more than 50,000 plants that are mentioned in the Vedas such as banyan, kalpavriksha, and coconut.
The park, named Vedvan, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The construction of the park had begun in January 2021. The land on which it has been built used to be a dump yard.
The park will be divided into seven zones named after the sages of the Vedic age like Kashyap, Bharadvaj, Gautam, Atri, Vasishtha, Vishvamitra, and Agastya. Information on the Indian sages and the holy scriptures will be displayed.

Jul 05, 2023

The World Famous Shravani Mela Inaugurated in Deoghar

Shravani Mela, one of the largest religious congregations in the country's eastern region, was inaugurated in Jharkhand's Deoghar district.
State Agriculture Minister Badal Patralekh inaugurated the fair at Kanwariyapath in Dumma, bordering Bihar.
Usually, the mela is organised for a month during the month of 'Shravan', according to the Saka Calendar.
This year (2023), the fair will be organised for two consecutive months from July 3 to August 31.
Devotees from various parts of the country and abroad visit Deoghar during the month of 'Shravan' and offer prayers at Baba Baidyanath Dham temple.

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