Dec-16Cul Flashcards
Dec-16Cul -Index
- Shilp Guru Awards and National Awards
- Yoga-Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
- Step Wells
- Kuchipudi Dance 8.5. Hornbill Festival
- Thiruvalluvar
- Rajaji-C. Rajagopalachari
- Gaya Prasad Katiyar
- Indologist award: Prof. Yu Long Yu
- Urgyen Trinley Dorje
8.1. SHILP GURU AWARDS AND NATIONAL AWARDS
Why in News?
President presented Shilp Guru Awards and National Awards to master craftpersons for the year 2015.
9 Shilp Gurus and 19 National Awardees received the awards for the year 2015.
Objective: to give recognition to masters for their excellence in craftsmanship and valuable contribution to Indian Handicrafts.
About the Awards
The Shilp Guru Awards have been given for the following crafts: Kalamkari Painting, Calligraphy in Wood Carving, Sandal Wood Carving, Ajrakh Hand Block Printing, Bidri Craft, Thewa Craft, Stone Carving, Enamel
of Silver & Gold Jewellery and Cane and Bamboo.
The National Awards have been given in the following crafts: Mithila
Painting, Terracotta, Miniature Painting, Metal Embossing, Papier Machie,
Wood Carving, Palmleaf Engraving & Painting, Natural Fiber Craft, Block
Printing, Miniature Painting, Silver Engraving, Silver Filigree, Metal Craft,
Bone Craving, Gulabi Meenakari, Black Pottery, Copper Engraving.
Details about few important crafts are mentioned below
Kalamkari Painting
Kalamkari literally means, Kalam - pen & kari - work, i.e., art work done using
a pen.
It is an ancient style of hand painting done on cotton or silk fabric with a
tamarind pen using natural dyes.
This colourful art dates back to more than 3000 B.C.
The traditional style of Kalamkari flourished in Kalahasti (80 miles north of
Chennai) and Masulipatnam (200 miles east of Hyderabad).
The paintings at that time used to depict Hindu Deities and scenes from
Hindu mythology.
Masulipatnam being a Muslim region, the weavers were involved in block
printing art.
Bidri Craft
It is a metal handicraft from Bidar district of Karnataka.
The craft originated in Persia and came to India in the 14th century. It flourished
under the Bahamani dynasty.
In Bidri work, zinc is the primary metal used.
Bidriware is characterised by its black shine which comes from the special soil
used. This is black soil found in Bidri.
Thewa Craft
Thewa is a unique art of jewellery making which involves embossing of
intricately worked-out sheet of gold.
It originated about 400 years ago in the Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan.
The word Thewa comes from two words: Tharna meaning hammer and
Vada meaning silver wire.
Its origin is attributed to the goldsmith Nathuji Soni who was conferred
the title of Rajasoni by Raja Savant Singh of Pratapgarh.
The title and the craft have been passed down through
generations.
Mithila Painting
Also known as Madhubani painting, it is characterized by
line drawing filled in with bright colours.
Painting is done with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens and
matchsticks.
Geometrical patterns are a characteristic feature.
The painting is done with mineral pigments.
Originally this painting was done on freshly plastered or
mud wall.
For commercial purposes, it is now done on paper, cloth and canvas.
Box–What are Shilp Guru Awards?
It was first introduced in 2002 on the occasion of “Golden Jubilee Year of Handicrafts Resurgence in India”.
It is conferred every year to master craftsman for innovating different styles and designs of the traditional craftsmanship.
—Fig—
8.2. YOGA-INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY
Why in News?
Yoga has been listed as an element in the UNESCOs list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity at the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Yoga has become the 13th intangible cultural heritage that has been listed from India so far.
About UNESCOs list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity
It was created by UNESCO to protect and build awareness of the important intangible cultural heritages throughout the world.
The Committee meets annually to evaluate nominations proposed various countries.
Earlier listed cultural heritage from India
----Table---- NAME OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE PLACE YEAR IN WHICH LISTED Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru. PUNJAB 2014 Sankirtana – Ritual singing, drumming and dancing. MANIPUR 2013 Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh – Recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region. J&K 2012 Kalbelia folk songs and dances. RAJASTHAN 2010 Chhau dance. EASTERN INDIA 2010 Mudiyettu – Ritual theatre and dance drama. KERALA 2010 Ramman – Religious festival and ritual. UTTARAKHAND 2009 Nowruz - March 21 marks the start of the year. INDIA 2009 Ramlila – The traditional performance of the Ramayana. NORTH INDIA 2008 Tradition of Vedic chanting. 2008 Kutiyattam – Sanskrit theatre. KERALA 2008
8.3. STEP WELLS
Why in news?
The Delhi government’s calendar for 2017 celebrates the history of Baolis in Delhi.
As per the ASI, there are 16 baolis in the Delhi and most of them are in a very poor state.
About
Step wells are wells or ponds in which the water may be reached by descending a set of steps.
All forms of step wells are examples of many types of storage and irrigation tanks that were developed to cope with seasonal fluctuations in water availability. Step wells are of architectural significance.
They are most common in western India and are found in the other
more arid regions of South Asia, extending into Pakistan.
A basic difference between step wells and tanks and wells was to
make it easier for people to reach the ground water, and to maintain
and manage the wells better.
A brief History
Step wells can be traced back in the sites of Indus Valley Civilization such as Dholavira and Mohenjo-daro.
Mohenjo-daro has cylindrical brick lined wells which may be the predecessors of the step well.
The first rock-cut step wells in India date from 200-400 AD.
The earliest example of bath-like pond reached by steps is found at Uperkot caves in Junagadh.
The step wells at Dhank in Rajkot district are dated to 550-625 AD.
The stepped ponds at Bhinmal (Rajasthan) are dated to 850-950 AD.
Initially used as an art form by Hindus, the construction of these step wells hit its peak during Muslim rule from the 11th to 16th century.
The Mughal rulers did not disrupt in the culture that was practiced in these step wells and encouraged the building of step wells.
The authorities during the British Raj found the hygiene of the step wells less than desirable and had installed pipe and pump systems to replace their purpose.
—Fig—
8.4. KUCHIPUDI DANCE
Why in News?
Kuchipudi has earned a place in Guinness book of world records when 6117 dancers from all over the world performed together in a single show in Vijaywada district.
Grand group dance (maha brunda natyam) was organized as part of 5th international kuchipudi dance convention organized by state department of language and culture.
What is Kuchipudi dance?
This dance originated in Kuchipudi village, Krishna district of modern state of Andhra Pradesh. It was conceived in 17th century by Vaishnava poet Siddhendra Yogi.
It is one of the major Indian classical dance forms.
It is a dance drama performance art with its root in ancient Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra.
It begins with an invocation to Lord Ganesha followed by Nritta (non-narrative pure dancing), Nritya (narrative dancing) and Natya.
The dance is performed on Carnatic music where singer is accompanied by musical instruments like mridangam, violin, flute and tambura.
8.5. HORNBILL FESTIVAL
Why in News?
10-day annual revelry of Nagaland known as Hornbill festival was recently celebrated in early December.
What is it?
The Hornbill festival is organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments of Nagaland.
The festival is known to be a collaborative celebration of all Naga tribes at one place.
The festival is a tribute to the “Hornbill” which is the most admired and revered bird of Nagaland.
The festival celebrates the cultural uniqueness of Nagaland in all its grandeur.
The festival also coincides with the Statehood Day of Nagaland.
8.6. THIRUVALLUVAR
Why in News?
Uttarakhand CM recently unveiled the statue of Tamil poet and philosopher Thirivalluvar in Haridwar.
About Thiruvalluvar
Also called Valluvar/Tiruvalluvar was a Tamil poet-saint.
He is known for his work Tirukkural (Sacred Couplets), a well-known ethical work in Tamil literature.
He is claimed to be one of their own both by Jains and Shaivites.
8.7. RAJAJI-C. RAJAGOPALACHARI
Why in news?
On the occasion of birth anniversary of Rajaji, a booklet containing the profile of Rajaji was brought out in English and Hindi by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
About Rajaji
He was a lawyer, independence activist, politician, writer and a statesman.
Rajaji was the last Governor-General of India.
He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954.
Rajaji replicated and led the dandi march at Vedaranyam, near Nagapattinam in the then Madras Presidency Vedaranya in 1930.
Rajaji was also the editor of Mahatma Gandhi’s newspaper, Young India.
As Premier of Madras Presidency, he dismantled wartime food controls in 1952 and also opposed gold control in 1963 on the ground that thousands of artisans would be ruined by such controls.
He founded Swatantra party in 1959. It remained one of the main opposition parties against Congress across the country till Rajaji died in 1972.
8.8. GAYA PRASAD KATIYAR
Why in News?
Department of posts under Ministry of communication has released special stamp on freedom fighter Gaya Prasad Katiyar who was born in jagdishpur (UP).
Who was Gaya Prasad Katiyar?
Regarded as one of the most dedicated soldiers of India’s freedom struggle, he joined Hindustan Socialist Republican Association in 1925 and got connected with Chandra Shekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh.
He participated on Lahore Conspiracy Case and was arrested from Saharanpur in 1929 and joined hunger strike at Lahore jail with his co prisoners.
He was repatriated in 1937 but again arrested and transported to cellular jail in Andaman from where he
was released in 1946
8.9. INDOLOGIST AWARD: PROF. YU LONG YU
Why in News?
He was bestowed with 2nd Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) “Distinguished Indologist” award by President of India.
About Indologist award
It is an annual ‘Distinguished Indologist’ Award instituted by ICCR.
It is given to eminent indologist working abroad who have made
outstanding contribution to the study/research/teaching of india’s history, philosophy, thought, art, culture, literature, languages, civilization, society, etc.
First award was presented to Prof. Heinrich Freiherr Von Stietencron of Germany last year.
Box–ABOUT ICCR
Autonomous organisation of the Govt. involved in external cultural relations, through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples.
It was founded on 9 April 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India.
8.10. URGYEN TRINLEY DORJE
Why in News?
GoI allowed Urgyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, to address public gathering in Arunachal Pradesh.
Union government placed restrictions on his travel for the past five years.
What is karma Kagyu School?
The Gyalwang Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu school, one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
It is the 2nd largest and certainly the most widely practiced lineage within the Kagyu school.
This school belongs to the Vajrayana branch of Mahayana Buddhism.
Central teaching of the Karma Kagyu is the doctrine of Mahamudra, also known as the “Great Seal”.
This doctrine focuses on 4 principal stages of meditative practice namely:
The development of single-pointedness of mind.
The transcendence of all conceptual elaboration.
The cultivation of the perspective that all phenomena are of a “single taste”.
The fruition of the path, which is beyond any contrived acts of meditation.
Box–Four main school of Tibet Buddhism:
Nyingmapa: This is the ancient school of Tibetan Buddhism and was founded by Padmasambhāva and Śāntarakṣita.
Kagyupa: This is an oral tradition concerned with the meditation based on experience.
Sakyapa: It means “Grey Earth”. It follows the traditions of old times.
Gelugpa: It means “Path of virtue”. Was originally a reformist movement and is known for its emphasis on logic and debate.
