Indian Culture
Key Concepts & Formulas
| # | Concept | Quick Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Classical Dances | 8 forms: Bharatnatyam (TN), Kathak (UP), Kathakali (Kerala), Mohiniattam (Kerala), Odissi (Odisha), Kuchipudi (AP), Manipuri (Manipur), Sattriya (Assam) |
| 2 | UNESCO Intangible Heritage | India has 14 entries: Kumbh, Yoga, Vedic chanting, Kalbelia dance, Chhau, Durga Puja, etc. |
| 3 | Buddhist Circuit | 4 holy sites: Lumbini (birth), Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (1st sermon), Kushinagar (nirvana) |
| 4 | Temple Architecture | 3 styles: Nagara (N), Dravida (S), Vesara (Deccan); tallest = Brihadeeswara (Tamil Nadu) |
| 5 | Folk Dances State-wise | Bhangra (Punjab), Garba (Gujarat), Bihu (Assam), Ghoomar (Raj), Chhau (Jharkhand/WB) |
| 6 | Classical Languages | 6 declared: Tamil (2004), Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia (last in 2014) |
10 Practice MCQs
1. Which of the following pairs is wrongly matched?
A. Kuchipudi – Andhra Pradesh B. Mohiniattam – Kerala C. Sattriya – Assam D. Kathakali – KarnatakaAnswer: D
Solution: Kathakali is native to Kerala, not Karnataka.
Shortcut: “Katha-Kali” has “Kerala” hidden in it.
Concept tag: Classical dances
2. The ‘Ramlila’ of Ramnagar was inscribed by UNESCO in which year?
A. 2005 B. 2008 C. 2012 D. 2015Answer: B
Solution: Ramlila was inscribed in 2008 under UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Shortcut: 2008 → 8 looks like “Ra” (Rām).
Concept tag: UNESCO list
3. Which temple is known as the “Black Pagoda”?
A. Jagannath Puri B. Konark Sun Temple C. Brihadeeswara Temple D. Meenakshi TempleAnswer: B
Solution: Konark Sun Temple (Odisha) was called Black Pagoda by European sailors.
Shortcut: Black stone + Sea navigators → Konark.
Concept tag: Temple nicknames
4. The classical language status is granted by which ministry?
A. HRD Ministry B. Culture Ministry C. Home Ministry D. Law MinistryAnswer: C
Solution: Home Ministry notifies classical language on recommendation of Culture Ministry.
Shortcut: “Classical” tag = “Home” turf.
Concept tag: Classical languages
5. ‘Bharatnatyam’ dance is associated with which text?
A. Natya Shastra B. Abhinaya Darpan C. Silappadikaram D. Both A & BAnswer: D
Solution: Both Natya Shastra & Abhinaya Darpan form its theoretical base.
Shortcut: BN → ND (Natya-Drishti).
Concept tag: Dance treatises
6. Which of the following is not a string instrument?
A. Sarod B. Santoor C. Shehnai D. SitarAnswer: C
Solution: Shehnai is a wind instrument.
Shortcut: Shehnai → “Nai” (nose) = blow.
Concept tag: Musical instruments
7. ‘Sankirtan’ is a performing art of which state?
A. West Bengal B. Manipur C. Assam D. OdishaAnswer: B
Solution: Manipur’s Sankirtan is UNESCO listed.
Shortcut: Manipur → “Manipulate” chant.
Concept tag: UNESCO entries
8. Which festival is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna?
A. Janmashtami B. Radhashtami C. Gita Jayanti D. HoliAnswer: A
Solution: Janmashtami marks Krishna’s birth.
Shortcut: “Janma” = birth.
Concept tag: Hindu festivals
9. The ‘Hornbill Festival’ is celebrated in which state?
A. Mizoram B. Nagaland C. Meghalaya D. Arunachal PradeshAnswer: B
Solution: Nagaland’s “Festival of Festivals” is Hornbill.
Shortcut: Horn-bill → Nagaland’s bird.
Concept tag: State festivals
10. Which of the following is a martial dance?
A. Garba B. Chhau C. Lavani D. BhangraAnswer: B
Solution: Chhau (Purulia, Serai-kela, Mayurbhanj) is martial.
Shortcut: Chau → “Chau-kidari” (guard).
Concept tag: Folk dances
5 Previous Year Questions
1. [RRB NTPC 2021] Which city hosts the Kumbh Mela every 12 years?
A. Nasik B. Ujjain C. Haridwar D. Allahabad (Prayagraj)Answer: D
Solution: Prayagraj (Sangam) hosts the largest Kumbh.
Shortcut: “All-in-one” Sangam → biggest Kumbh.
Concept tag: Fairs
2. [RRB Group-D 2019] Mohiniattam dance originated in which state?
A. Tamil Nadu B. Karnataka C. Kerala D. Andhra PradeshAnswer: C
Solution: Mohiniattam is Kerala’s solo classical dance.
Shortcut: Mohini → “Malabar” coast.
Concept tag: Classical dances
3. [RRB NTPC 2016] The Konark Sun Temple was built by whom?
A. Raja Raja Chola B. Narasimhadeva I C. Krishnadeva Raya D. Pulakesin IIAnswer: B
Solution: Eastern Ganga king Narasimhadeva I (13th cent.).
Shortcut: Nara-simha → Nara-k (Konark).
Concept tag: Temple builders
4. [RRB ALP 2018] Which of the following is a harvest festival?
A. Onam B. Ugadi C. Karva Chauth D. Maha ShivratriAnswer: A
Solution: Onam = Kerala’s rice harvest & King Mahabali legend.
Shortcut: O-nam → “O” for “Output” harvest.
Concept tag: Harvest festivals
5. [RRB NTPC 2020] How many classical dances are recognized by Sangeet Natak Akademi?
A. 6 B. 8 C. 9 D. 7Answer: B
Solution: 8 classical dances (see table).
Shortcut: 8 → “Class-8” dance list.
Concept tag: Classical dance count
Speed Tricks & Shortcuts
| Situation | Shortcut | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Classical vs Folk | Classical = 8, Folk = ∞; classical always solo & codified | Bharatnatyam = classical; Garba = folk |
| UNESCO year | Most Indian entries 2008-2010 & 2013,2017; remember 2008 (Ramlila) & 2016 (Yoga) | Yoga 2016 → “Yoga-16” sweet |
| Temple style | Rekha-deul = Odisha → Konark; Vimana = Dravida; Shikhara = Nagara | Konark = Odisha = Rekha |
| Wind vs String | Blow = wind; pluck = string; strike = percussion | Shehnai (wind), Santoor (strike) |
| State-dance map | “B” dances: Bhangra (Punjab), Bihu (Assam), Bharatnatyam (TN) | 3 B’s = North-East-South triangle |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why Students Make It | Correct Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Confuse Kathak & Kathakali | Similar names | Kathak = story-telling (Mughal courts), Kathakali = elaborate make-up (Kerala) |
| Count 9 classical dances | Include Rabindra Nritya | Only 8 recognized by SNA; Rabindra Nritya is classical “tag” but not in official 8 |
| Misplace Sun Temple | Think South India | Konark is Odisha (East coast) – link to Black Pagoda sailors’ marker |
| Overlook Sattriya | Forget Assam | Remember “S” = Sattriya = Assam → both start with vowel sound |
| Mix harvest festivals | Ugadi vs Onam | Ugadi = New Year (spring), Onam = harvest (Aug-Sep) |
Quick Revision Flashcards
| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| 8 Classical Dances | Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Mohiniattam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Sattriya |
| 4 Dham (Adi Shankara) | Badrinath (N), Puri (E), Rameswaram (S), Dwarka (W) |
| 3 Sangam Literature Capital | Madurai |
| Buddhist Text in Pali | Tripitaka |
| Creator of ‘Natya Shastra’ | Bharata Muni |
| Festival of Lights (Sikh) | Bandi Chhor Divas |
| Longest epic in world | Mahabharata |
| Instrument of Shiv Kumar Sharma | Santoor |
| Dance with Pakhavaj | Odissi (Mardala) |
| Colour of Rajasthani Turban | Saffron (signify valour) |
BETA
