General Awareness

ART AND CULTURE - October 2023

Oct 2023

Oct 15, 2026

Oscar Whitfield named Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026

On 14 October 2026, fourteen-year-old British photographer Oscar Whitfield was named Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 for Labour of Love, a black‑and‑white image showing a dung beetle carrying a dung ball. The photograph was taken in Zimbabwe from the beetle’s eye view. The award is part of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, organized by the Natural History Museum in London. This year saw a record 65,403 entries from 121 countries. There are two overall winners, adult and young, along with various category prizes. The contest highlights wildlife behavior and biodiversity through compelling visual storytelling.

Winner: Oscar Whitfield, 14, UK
Image: Labour of Love, dung beetle’s eye view
Location: Zimbabwe
Organiser: Natural History Museum, London
Entries: 65,403 from 121 countries
Two overall winners: adult and young

Puducherry Lycée Français International marks bicentenary

Puducherry’s Lycée Français International de Pondichéry marks its bicentenary on 15 October 2026. Founded in 1826 as the Collège royal de Pondichéry by French Governor Eugène Desbassayns de Richemont, the school has endured through colonial and post-colonial periods. The week-long celebrations include exhibitions, cultural performances, alumni reunions, and participation by French and Indian communities. More than 400 current students and over 1,000 guests are expected at the main event. The school is part of the Agency for French Education Abroad network, with 640 schools in 140 countries and about 7,000 alumni. The celebration features 23 student projects across history, archives, art, and digital work.

bicentenary date: 15 Oct 2026
Founded: 1826; Collège royal de Pondichéry
Celebrations: exhibitions, performances, alumni events
Student body: 400+; guests: 1,000+
Affiliation: AEFE network; 640 schools in 140 countries
Projects: 23 student-led initiatives

Oct 13, 2026

BRICS Theatre Festival 2026 Inaugurated in New Delhi

The BRICS Theatre Festival 2026 was inaugurated on 12 October 2026 at the National School of Drama in New Delhi. The three‑day festival runs from 12 to 14 October 2026 under the theme 'Shared Stories, Shared Futures.' Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat attended the inaugural ceremony as chief guest. The festival, hosted during India’s BRICS Presidency 2026, showcases theatre from BRICS member countries and partner nations, with performances staged at NSD’s Abhimanch and other venues around the capital. It aims to promote cultural exchange, artistic collaboration and people‑to‑people connections while highlighting diverse theatre practices and narratives.

Event: BRICS Theatre Festival 2026, inaugurated 12 October 2026.
Venue: National School of Drama, New Delhi.
Theme: Shared Stories, Shared Futures.
Chief guest: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Objective: cultural exchange among BRICS and partners.

Oct 12, 2026

Guruvayur Dorai, Renowned Carnatic Percussionist, Passes Away

Renowned Carnatic musician Guruvayur Dorai passed away in Chennai on 10 October 2026 at the age of 91. A celebrated exponent of the Pudukottai style of mridangam playing, he hailed from Guruvayur, Kerala, and built a long, influential career. Dorai accompanied legendary artists such as M. S. Subbulakshmi and Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, earning acclaim for rhythmic mastery and expressive phrasing. He received the Padma Shri in 2025 for his contributions to Indian classical music, among other awards. Dorai's passing marks the loss of a leading figure in South Indian percussion, whose collaborations helped redefine concert percussion in Carnatic music. His legacy continues to inspire upcoming percussionists.

Genre: Carnatic percussion (mridangam).
Era: celebrated performer with M. S. Subbulakshmi and Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar.
Honours: Padma Shri in 2025.
Origin: Guruvayur, Kerala; associated with Pudukottai style.
Legacy: influence on contemporary percussionists.

Sep 30, 2026

65th National Exhibition of Art held in New Delhi

The Lalit Kala Akademi organised the 65th National Exhibition of Art in New Delhi during September 2026, showcasing contemporary Indian visual art and inviting artists from across the country. The event highlighted painting, sculpture, and mixed media works, reflecting diverse regional styles and experimental practices. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat attended as Chief Guest, praising artists for sustaining creative dialogue. During the exhibition, 20 Lalit Kala Akademi Awards were announced to recognise outstanding contributions in Indian art. The award ceremony celebrated emerging talents alongside established figures, reinforcing the Akademi’s role in promoting modern Indian art on national and international stages.

65th National Exhibition of Art hosted by Lalit Kala Akademi
Held in New Delhi in September 2026
Showcases painting, sculpture, and mixed media
Chief Guest: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
20 Lalit Kala Akademi Awards announced

Mandar from Jharkhand gains Geographical Indication tag

Jharkhand’s Mandar, a traditional folk percussion instrument, has received the Geographical Indication tag, announced by the Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai, in September 2026. The GI marker links Mandar to the cultural heritage and geographical identity of Jharkhand. The instrument holds a prominent place in tribal and folk traditions and is widely used during festivals and cultural performances. GI status is expected to promote local artisans, protect against counterfeit products, and boost tourism by highlighting Mandar’s unique musical sound and regional roots. Experts say the recognition could inspire broader efforts to preserve endangered crafts in eastern India.

Mandar awarded Geographical Indication tag in Sep 2026
Registry: Chennai, linking Mandar to Jharkhand’s heritage
Instrument central to tribal and folk traditions
GI status to aid artisans and tourism
Aims to protect against counterfeit products

Sep 27, 2026

Ramdhari Singh Dinkar remembered on his birth anniversary

Poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar is remembered on his birth anniversary, observed on 23 September. He is widely known as Rashtrakavi, the National Poet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Dinkar on 23 September. Born in 1908, Dinkar received the Padma Bhushan and the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1959 for his contributions to Hindi literature. His poetry and essays are studied in schools and universities. Dinkar’s work is noted for nationalistic and humanist themes, and his legacy remains influential in Hindi literary circles and Indian cultural memory.

Birth date: 23 September 1908.
Nickname: Rashtrakavi (National Poet).
Tribute by Prime Minister Modi on 23 September.
Honours: Padma Bhushan and Sahitya Akademi Award (1959).

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