General Awareness

ART AND CULTURE - June 2023

Jun 2023

Jul 20, 2023

U.S. Hands over 105 Antiquities to India Following Agreement

The United States handed over 105 trafficked antiquities to India.
The repatriation ceremony was held at the Indian Consulate in New York and the antiquities would soon be transported to India.
The restitution of the artefacts is a follow up of an agreement to the effect during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the U.S. in June 2023.
India and the U.S. also agreed to work for a Cultural Property Agreement that would help prevent illegal trafficking of cultural artefacts in future.
The 105 artefacts represent a wide geographical spread in terms of their origin in India – with 47 from eastern India, 27 from southern India, 22 from central India, 6 from northern India and 3 from western India.
Spanning a period from 2nd-3rd century CE to 18th-19th century CE, the artefacts are made of terracotta, stone, metal and wood. Around 50 of them have religious significance.

Jul 18, 2023

Chachin Grazing Festival Celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh

Chachin grazing festival was celebrated with great fervour by the local graziers of Tawang region near Bumla Pass, Arunachal Pradesh.
The two-day event held at Chachin saw enthusiastic participation from Graziers from all over the Tawang region.
Chachin and other traditional grazing areas, near Bumla Pass have historically served as the backbone of the local Monpa lifestyle that is largely dependent on nomadic herding, a primitive form of subsistence farming, as means of livelihood.
The festival featured a medical camp for aiding the local graziers who often live in remote locations without the medical facilities prevalent in urban areas.

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.

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