General Awareness

ART AND CULTURE - March 2024

Mar 2024

May 21, 2026

Year of Culture and Tourism 2027 to Be Celebrated by India and Italy

India and Italy will celebrate 2027 as the Year of Culture and Tourism to promote cultural exchanges and dialogue between two ancient civilizations. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the initiative during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Modi in Rome. The program seeks to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen cultural diplomacy. Officials also discussed expanding the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IME C) to improve trade, investment, and supply chains. Meloni described IMEC as a major connectivity project with potential to bolster people-to-people ties and tourism between the two nations.

2027 declared Year of Culture and Tourism by India and Italy.
Aims to deepen cultural diplomacy and exchanges.
Meloni announced the plan during Modi-Meloni press conference.
IMEC discussions to improve regional trade and connectivity.

May 18, 2026

Netherlands returns Chola copper plates to India

The Netherlands returned the Anaimangalam copper plates to India on 15 May 2026. Known as the Leiden Plates, they belong to the Chola dynasty era and record land grants and tax exemptions for the Chudamani Vihara monastery at Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. The 21 large and three small copper plates weigh nearly 30 kilograms and bear the royal Chola seal. The plates were kept at Leiden University, with restitution policy in 2022 guiding the transfer. The Chola inscriptions illuminate medieval land administration and temple patronage, complementing India’s cultural heritage ties and ongoing repatriation discussions with European museums.

Date of return: 15 May 2026; artefacts: 21 large, 3 small copper plates.
Origin: Anaimangalam, Chola dynasty; related to Nagapattinam monastery.
Provenance: Leiden University; Leiden plates (restoration policy 2022).
Historical value: land grants, tax exemptions, temple patronage; Brihadisvara Temple context.
Cultural significance: strengthens India-Europe heritage repatriation discourse.

May 13, 2026

Somnath Temple Marks 75 Years as Global Spiritual and Tourism Centre

Somnath temple is celebrating 75 years of its modern journey as a global spiritual and tourism hub. PM Narendra Modi, as Somnath Trust chairman, leads the 'Somnath Amrit Parv' and envisions a net-zero temple under Mission LiFE. Initiatives include converting floral waste to compost, plastic waste to paving blocks, and using advanced sewage treatment, rainwater harvesting, and Miyawaki forests. Digital tools enable devotees worldwide to book Pujas and receive Prasad at their doorsteps. The shrine attracts nearly 97 lakh devotees annually and benefits from strong infrastructure, including Vande Bharat trains and international airports.

Somnath temple marks 75 years of modern development
PM Modi chairs Somnath Trust; 'Somnath Amrit Parv' launched
Net-zero temple goals under Mission LiFE
Sustainability measures: compost, paving blocks, water treatment, rainwater harvesting, Miyawaki forests
Online Puja booking and Prasad delivery
Annual visitors around 97 lakh; strong transport connectivity

May 07, 2026

16th Century Telugu inscription found in Tadipatri

A 16th century Telugu inscription has been discovered in Tadipatri, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. Epigraphy studies of such inscriptions help researchers understand regional history, language development, religion, administration and temple patronage in peninsular India. The Tadipatri inscription adds to the corpus of evidence from the late Vijayanagara period, a time marked by shifting power dynamics and temple endowments. Researchers study the script, local rulers and donors to reconstruct chronology and governance patterns in the Deccan region. The find underscores ongoing efforts to preserve and interpret ancient Telugu inscriptions for historical scholarship.

Date: 16th century Telugu inscription found in Tadipatri.
Context relates to Vijayanagara era and regional governance.
Epigraphy helps trace language, script and temple patronage.
Site adds to historical records of Anantapur district.
Local temples often appear in inscriptions as donors and endowments.

May 03, 2026

Ashutosh Gowariker appointed Festival Director for 57th IFFI

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has appointed Ashutosh Gowariker as Festival Director for the 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The festival is scheduled to be held in Goa in November 2026. Gowariker is a celebrated filmmaker known for his distinctive storytelling and has a long association with IFFI, including attendance since 1984 and serving as Jury President for International Cinema in 2024. His appointment is expected to bring a fresh vision and enhanced international engagement to one of Asia’s largest film festivals, aligning with India's cultural diplomacy goals.

Ashutosh Gowariker named Festival Director for IFFI 57.
IFFI 57 to be held in Goa, November 2026.
Gowariker known for iconic films and storytelling.
He has attended IFFI since 1984; Jury President for International Cinema in 2024.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

June GK, May GK, April GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26