General Awareness

ART AND CULTURE - January 2025

Jan 2025

Feb 04, 2026

Sacred Devnimori Buddha Relics travel to Sri Lanka for week-long exposition

India’s sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha travel abroad for the first time for a week-long exposition in Sri Lanka. A high-level Indian delegation led by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi accompanies the relics to Colombo, where they will be enshrined at Gangaramaya Temple from today through 10 February. The expositions, announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s April 2025 visit to Sri Lanka, intend to share Buddhist heritage with the world and strengthen cultural ties between the two nations. Sri Lankan officials welcomed the initiative as a historic spiritual gesture.

Devnimori Buddha Relics travel to Sri Lanka for 7 days.
Exposition runs from today until 10 February in Colombo.
Indian delegation led by Gujarat Governor and Deputy CM.
Relics placed at Gangaramaya Temple for public veneration.
Announced during PM Modi’s 2025 visit to Sri Lanka.

Assam to preserve Darrang kings heritage with Rs 50 crore grant

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a Rs 50 crore grant to preserve the heritage of the Darrang kings, promising restoration and development of the Koch dynasty’s royal legacy as a major tourism hub. The pledge was made during the 516th Biswa Mahabir Chilarai Divas celebrations in Pipora Dookan, Darrang district. The administration will undertake immediate heritage restoration work under the supervision of the Public Works Department. The CM unveiled the statue of Maharaj Krishnanarayan of the Darrang kingdom and inaugurated Chilarai Bhawans at Mangaldoi and Golaghat, underscoring Assam’s commitment to protect its historical identity.

Rs 50 crore allocated for Darrang kings heritage preservation.
Ceremonies marked by unveiling of Maharaj Krishnanarayan’s statue.
Chilarai Bhawans opened in Mangaldoi and Golaghat.
Pledged to reflect Koch dynasty’s historical significance.
Immediate restoration work directed by district administration.

Feb 03, 2026

Gyan Bharatam to preserve India’s manuscript heritage with ₹491.66 crore funding

Gyan Bharatam, a flagship Union Budget 2025–26 initiative, seeks to preserve and revitalise India’s manuscript heritage. Implemented by the Ministry of Culture, the program aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision by integrating cultural conservation with human capital development. The Standing Finance Committee has approved ₹491.66 crore for 2025–2031 to support digitisation, conservation, and research. The initiative targets thousands of manuscripts across languages, with centres and clusters contributing to a national digital repository. The government emphasises combining traditional knowledge with modern technology to safeguard manuscripts for future generations.

Budget allocation: ₹491.66 crore (2025–2031).
Aims to preserve and digitise India’s manuscript heritage.
Part of the Viksit Bharat 2047 framework.
Implemented by the Ministry of Culture.

Feb 01, 2026

39th Surajkund International Atmanirbhar Craft Festival 2026 begins in Faridabad

The 39th Surajkund International Atmanirbhar Craft Festival 2026 begins at Surajkund, Faridabad, with Vice President CP Radhakrishnan scheduled to inaugurate the event. The 16-day festival runs from January 31 to February 15, 2026, featuring a large array of handicrafts and cultural programs. Organizers say the fair includes around 1,200 stalls and participation from more than 50 countries, with themes highlighting Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya as partner states. Egypt is the partner nation this year. Notable performances by Kailash Kher (Feb 9) and Gurdas Maan (Feb 8) are planned, alongside other artists and cultural showcases.

Start date: January 31, 2026; end date: February 15, 2026.
Venue: Surajkund Mela complex, Faridabad, Haryana.
Inauguration: Vice President CP Radhakrishnan.
Participants: ~1,200 stalls; 50+ countries; Egypt as partner nation.
Notable performances: Kailash Kher, Gurdas Maan (dates listed).

Surajkund Crafts Mela 2026 dates announced: 31 January to 15 February 2026

Official information confirms the International Surajkund Crafts Mela 2026 will run from 31 January to 15 February at Surajkund, Faridabad, in Haryana. Organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism, in collaboration with the central ministries of Tourism, Culture, Textiles and External Affairs, the festival showcases crafts, handlooms and cultural performances from India and abroad. Egypt is the partner nation for this edition. The event attracts a large international presence and domestic visitors, highlighting heritage crafts and the country’s diverse cultural art forms.

Dates: 31 January – 15 February 2026.
Venue: Surajkund, Faridabad, Haryana.
Organizers: Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism.
Partner nation: Egypt.
Highlights: crafts, performances, international participants.

Jan 30, 2026

Meghalaya living root bridges nominated for UNESCO heritage

Meghalaya has officially nominated its living root bridges for UNESCO’s 2026–27 World Heritage evaluation cycle. Cultivated over centuries by the Khasi and Jaintia communities, these bridges showcase sustainable living and indigenous knowledge. If inscribed, the bridges would bring global recognition to Meghalaya’s cultural and ecological heritage, highlighting techniques that use living trees to span rivers. The nomination emphasises biodiversity, ecological design, and community stewardship, underscoring India’s diverse cultural landscape and the importance of preserving traditional practices for future generations.

Meghalaya nominates living root bridges for UNESCO World Heritage.
Bridges showcase indigenous knowledge and sustainable design.
Created by Khasi and Jaintia communities.
Nomination highlights biodiversity and cultural heritage.
If inscribed, would boost global recognition of Meghalaya.

Smithsonian to return three bronze sculptures to India

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art announced it will return three bronze sculptures to the Government of India after provenance research showed they were illicitly removed from temples in Tamil Nadu. The objects are a 10th–century Shiva Nataraja, a 12th‑century Somaskanda, and a 16th‑century Saint Sundarar with Paravai. One sculpture will remain on long‑term loan to the museum while the others are returned under a formal repatriation agreement. The move aligns with global efforts to address illegitimate acquisitions and to preserve India’s cultural heritage through transparent provenance efforts.

Three bronze sculptures to be returned: Shiva Nataraja, Somaskanda, Saint Sundarar with Paravai.
Provenance research confirmed illicit temple removal from Tamil Nadu.
One sculpture to stay on long‑term loan; others returned to India.
Part of Smithsonian’s broader repatriation and provenance program.
Signal for ethical museum practices and cultural heritage restitution.

Jan 29, 2026

SIFFCY 2026 opens in New Delhi with global child cinema showcase

The 12th Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY) opened in New Delhi on 28 January 2026 and runs through 3 February. The festival showcases over 150 films from more than 35 countries, emphasising inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. Organised by Smile Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Delegation of the European Union to India, the event traverses New Delhi screenings and nationwide outreach to schools and communities. The festival opens with Grandpa, Let’s Go!, a Polish–Czech co-production, highlighting youth storytelling.

Event dates: 28 January–3 February 2026
Over 150 films from 35+ countries
Focus on inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility
Outreach to 100+ locations nationwide
Opening film: Grandpa, Let’s Go!

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