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GS Paper: GS1-01.Indian Culture- Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

  • Madhya Pradesh’s Gond Painting gets GI Tag

    gond

    The Gond painting of Madhya Pradesh has received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

    Other recent GI tags awarded in UP

    10 products from UP got GI Tag on March 31:

    • Aligarh Tala
    • Bakharia Brassware
    • Banda Shazar Patthar Craft
    • Pratapgarh Aonla (Amla)
    • Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal)
    • Muzaffarnagar Gur (jaggery)
    • Banarasi Pan
    • Nagina Wood Craft
    • Hathras Hing
    • Banaras Langda Aam

     

    Gond Art

    • Gond painting is a traditional art of Madhya Pradesh and belongs to the Gond tribe.
    • Patangarh village of Dindori district is famous for Gond paintings, where there is an artist in every house.
    • Their work is famous in the state and abroad for its unique style, theme, and motifs.
    • Gond art has been passed down through generations, traditionally adorning the walls of each artist’s home in Patangarh.

    Features of Gond Painting

    • Gond paintings showcase the beauty of nature, including trees, plants, animals, the moon, sun, river, drains, God, and Goddesses.
    • The paintings also portray daily life activities such as food, plough making, and even how the king used to fight.

    Back2Basics: Geographical Indication (GI)

    • A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
    • Nodal Agency: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
    • India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 w.e.f. September 2003.
    • GIs have been defined under Article 22 (1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
    • The tag stands valid for 10 years.

     

  • Artform in news: Bidri Crafts

    bidri

    Bidri craft artist from Karnataka Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri Award.

    Bidri Crafts

    • Bidri ware is a traditional form of handicraft that originated in Bidar, Karnataka.
    • It involves the crafting of metal wares using a unique technique that incorporates zinc and copper.

    Its history

    • Bidri ware has a long history that can be traced back to the 14th century.
    • It was introduced to Bidar by Persian artisans during the reign of the Bahmani Sultans.
    • The craft flourished under the patronage of the Mughal emperors, and it became a symbol of wealth and status.

    Crafting process

    • The process of making Bidri ware involves several stages. First, a mould is made of the object to be crafted.
    • Next, the object is cast in an alloy of zinc and copper.
    • The cast object is then filed and polished to remove any rough edges.
    • The design is then etched onto the surface of the object using a sharp chisel.
    • The etched areas are then filled with a blackened paste made from a mixture of copper sulphate and mud.
    • Finally, the object is polished again to remove any excess paste and to create a smooth finish.

    Designs and motifs

    • Bidriware is known for its intricate designs and motifs, which are often inspired by nature, Islamic art, and Persian calligraphy.
    • Common motifs include flowers, leaves, and geometric patterns.
    • Many pieces also feature verses from the Quran or other Islamic texts.

    Recognition and awards

    • Bidri ware has received several awards and recognition for its craftsmanship and cultural significance.
    • In 2006, it was awarded the Geographical Indication status by the Indian government, which recognizes its unique origin and traditional crafting techniques.
    • Bidriware has also been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

     

     

     

  • GI art in news: Basohli Paintings

    basohli

    The famous Basohli Painting, known for its miniature art style from Kathua district, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag.

    Basohli Paintings

    • Basohli Paintings are a form of miniature paintings that originated in the town of Basohli in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.
    • They are known for their vibrant color, intricate details, and depictions of Hindu mythology and legends.
    • Basohli Paintings date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and are considered to be the earliest examples of Pahari paintings.

    Key features 

    Description
    Miniature art Known for their miniature art style, characterized by intricate and detailed work
    Bold and vibrant color Made from natural dyes and pigments
    Depiction of Hindu mythology Life of Lord Krishna and stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata
    Elaborate compositions Multiple figures and scenes depicted in a single painting
    Fine detailing Intricate patterns and designs that are often difficult to replicate
    Gold and silver accents Such accents add to their ornate and intricate appearance

     

    Other GI products from J&K

    • The UT of Jammu and Kashmir has included 33 products on the list that have received the GI tag on 31 March 2023.
    • The products that received the GI tags include Basohli Pashmina Woolen Products (Kathua), Chikri Wood Craft (Rajouri), Bhaderwah Rajma (Doda), Mushkbudji Rice (Anantnag), Kaladi (Udhampur), Sulai Honey (Ramban), Anardana (Ramban), and Ladakh Wood Carving (Ladakh).

    Back2Basics: Geographical Indication (GI)

    • A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
    • Nodal Agency: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
    • India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 w.e.f. September 2003.
    • GIs have been defined under Article 22 (1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
    • The tag stands valid for 10 years.

     

  • Dalai Lama’s Succession and Chinese Intervention

    dalai lama

    The Dalai Lama has named a US-born Mongolian boy as the tenth Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa, the head of the Janang tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and the Buddhist spiritual head of Mongolia.

    Do you know?

    “Rinpoche” is a title used in Tibetan Buddhism, which is given to a highly respected teacher or lama. It literally means “precious one” and is used to indicate respect and reverence for the person. The title is often given to senior lamas or to those who are considered to be reincarnations of past masters.

    Who is the Dalai Lama?

    • The Dalai Lama (a title) is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.
    • He is believed to be the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama and is regarded as an important figure not only in Tibet but also around the world.
    • The Dalai Lama is traditionally both the political and spiritual leader of Tibet, but after China’s occupation of Tibet in 1950, he went into exile in India and since then has been primarily a spiritual leader.
    • The current and 14th Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso, who was born in Tibet in 1935 and has been in exile in India since 1959.

    Brief Outline of Tibetan Buddhism

    • Tibetan Buddhism became the predominant religion in Tibet by the 9th century AD, evolving from the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions of Buddhism and incorporating many tantric and shamanic practices.
    • It has four major schools: Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug, with the Janang school being one of the smaller schools that grew as an offshoot of the Sakya School.
    • Since 1640, the Gelug School has been the predominant school of Tibetan Buddhism, and the Dalai Lama belongs to this school.

    Hierarchy and Reincarnation in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition

    • The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth is one of Buddhism’s key beliefs.
    • Tibet’s hierarchical system seemingly emerged in the 13th century, and it was around this time that the first instances of “formally recognizing the reincarnations of lamas” can be found.
    • The Gelug School developed a strong hierarchy and instituted the tradition of succession through reincarnation, with the fifth Grand Lama of the school being conferred the title of Dalai Lama.
    • Several procedures/tests are followed to recognize Tulkus (recognized reincarnations).

    Key issue: Chinese interference

    • The announcement of the boy’s reincarnation has brought attention back to the larger question of the 14th Dalai Lama’s own reincarnation.
    • The issue of his reincarnation has deep ramifications on international politics, with China seeking to control the succession and take control over Tibet in the cultural sphere.

    What lies ahead?

    • The question of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation is set to continue for the foreseeable future.
    • The Dalai Lama himself has not provided a definitive answer regarding what will happen, although he has suggested that there may be no Dalai Lama after him.
    • The question of his reincarnation continues to hold great political implications due to his symbolic authority and importance to millions of Tibetans across the world.

  • Places in news: Sharda Peeth

    sharda

    Home Minister said that the government will move forward to open Sharda Peeth on the lines of the Kartarpur corridor.

    Why in news?

    • Activists request that the Sharda Peeth corridor should be made operational on the lines of Nankana Sahib Gurudwaras and the Kartarpur corridor in Pakistan.

    Sharda Peeth

    • Sharda Peeth is a Hindu temple located in the Neelam Valley in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
    • It is considered one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, or major shrines, of the Hindu goddess Shakti.
    • The temple is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus, particularly those from the Kashmir Valley.

    History and Significance

    • The temple is believed to have been established in the 6th century CE by Adi Shankaracharya, a famous Hindu philosopher and saint.
    • Sharda Peeth became an important center of learning and scholarship during the medieval period, attracting scholars from all over India and even from as far as Central Asia.
    • The temple was destroyed several times by invading armies and underwent major renovations and restorations under various rulers over the centuries.
    • The temple’s importance declined during the colonial period and it fell into disrepair in the years following India’s partition in 1947.

    Current rundown state and Controversy

    • Sharda Peeth is now located in a remote and inaccessible part of Pakistan-administered Kashmir and has become a subject of political and religious controversy.
    • The Indian government has long sought to open a pilgrimage corridor to Sharda Peeth for Hindu devotees, but this has been complicated by the ongoing conflict and tension between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.
    • In recent years, there have been calls for the temple to be handed over to India or for it to be converted into a museum that can be visited by people from both sides of the border.

    Significance in Kashmiri Identity

    • Sharda Peeth is an important part of Kashmiri Hindu identity and culture, and its restoration and revival have been a longstanding demand of the community.
    • Some Kashmiri Pandits view the temple as a symbol of their lost homeland and argue that its restoration would be a step towards reclaiming their cultural and religious heritage.
    • Others, however, caution against politicizing the temple and argue that it should be seen as a shared heritage of all Kashmiris, regardless of their religious or political affiliations.

     

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  • What are Oscar Awards?

    oscar

    A notable Indian song and a documentary has won the Oscar Award this year.

    What are Oscar Awards?

    • The Oscar Awards, also known as the Academy Awards, are an annual awards ceremony honouring excellence in the film industry.
    • The awards are presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), a professional honorary organization of over 9,000 members.
    • The first Oscars ceremony was held in 1929, and the awards are now widely considered to be the most prestigious awards in the film industry.
    • The ceremony typically takes place in late February or early March, and is broadcast live on television in over 225 countries and territories worldwide.

    How are the winners decided?

    • Awards are given out in various categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and many more.
    • Nominees and winners are chosen by AMPAS members who work in various branches of the film industry, including actors, directors, writers, and producers.
    • Winning an Oscar can have a significant impact on a filmmaker’s career, as it is widely seen as a mark of prestige and can lead to increased funding and opportunities for future projects.

     

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  • Yaoshang festival begins in Manipur

    yaoshang

    The Yaoshang festival, which is Manipur’s version of Holi, has begun.

    Yaoshang Festival

    • Yaoshang festival is celebrated every year on the full moon of Lamta (February-March) of the Meitei lunar calendar.
    • It begins just after sunset followed by Yaosang Mei thaba, also known as Burning of the Straw Hut.
    • Children visit neighbours to ask for monetary donations, called nakatheng.
    • Yaoshang, unlike Holi, is celebrated with a traditional twist in Manipur.
    • During these five days, Manipur comes alive with sporting events during the day and traditional “thabal chongba” dance in the night.

    Key feature: Thabal Chongba Dance

    • The thabal chongba is a traditional dance of the Meitei, where boys and girls gathered in an open ground and dance in a circle.
    • But these days thabal chongba is performed throughout the month of Lamta.

     

     

     

  • Adopt a Heritage project and Monument Mitras: The Scrutiny

    Monument

    Central Idea

    • Businesses that enter agreements with ASI to adopt sites are going to be known as Monument Mitras. The tenfold increase in the number of sites being brought under the ambit of the controversial ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme of 2017 raises concerns. Unless the ‘revamped’ scheme is suspended, the nation’s precious pluralistic heritage stands at the threshold of obliteration.

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    Monument

    All you need to know about Adopt a Heritage project

    • Initiative of Ministry of Tourism: The ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme was launched by the Indian government in September 2017 under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
    • Objective: The main objective of the scheme is to provide world class tourist facilities at the various natural/cultural heritage sites, monuments and other tourist sites to make them tourist friendly, enhance their tourist potential and cultural importance in a planned and phased manner across the country.
    • Primary focus: The project primarily focuses on providing basic amenities that include cleanliness, public convenience, drinking water, ease of access for tourists, signage etc. and advanced amenities like TFC, Souvenir shop, Cafeteria etc.
    • Monument Mitra: The public, private sector companies and individuals will develop tourist amenities at heritage sites. They would become ‘Monument Mitra’ and adopt the sites essentially under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity.

    What are the concerns?

    • Current plan side-lines the ASI mandate: The current plan also side-lines the mandate of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and abandons The Sarnath Initiative, guidelines devised by the ASI, the Getty Trust, U.S., the British Museum, and National Culture Fund to safe keep excavated objects and present them to visitors in an engaging manner.
    • Undermine local communities and their relationships with historical sites: Guided tours led by employees of large businesses who have received permission to adopt a monument may endanger livelihoods of those who have lived near the site and made a living by regaling visitors with stories of its colourful past.
    • Excessive wear and tear: The potential of big businesses to underwrite a monument’s illumination is also troubling. Night tourism will also pull electricity away from rural homesteads and hospitals.
    • It may alter historical character of monuments which are not under ASI: There are some monuments selected for the scheme that are not protected by the ASI and are in States without Archaeology Directorates. One fears that businesses that sign agreements with the Union Ministry of Culture to adopt these monuments will be able to alter their historical character without much opposition.

    Monument

    What might Corporate India instead do to look after the nation’s-built heritage?

    • Businesses can help citizens understand why monuments matter: This can be done by earmarking CSR funds for grants for researching, writing, and publishing high quality textbooks, and developing imaginative and effective ways of teaching history.
    • For instance: Corporates might also follow the lead taken by Sudha Murthy and N.R. Narayana Murthy in giving gifts to organizations such as the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune to continue their missions of writing history by rationally coordinating the textual record and the archaeological evidence.
    • Skillful conservation: Industrial houses can support the meaningful conservation of heritage buildings by looking within. Their CSR funds can be used to purchase new equipment that release fewer noxious gases that darken and corrode marble buildings and discharge fewer effluents into rivers, thus making these water bodies less likely to serve as breeding grounds of microbes that gather on the walls of ancient buildings erected on riverbanks and cause their decay.
    • For instance: In the past, Tata Sons, ONGC, and other companies have regularly contributed funds to organisations training individuals in much needed restoration skills and creating jobs for them.
    • Collaborative efforts: The private sector’s resources and expertise may also help the ASI and State Archaeology Directorates to secure monuments from dams, mining projects, defacement, and looting.

    Climate change: Significant threat to India’s historical monuments

    • Sanchi Stupa: The 3rd-century BC Buddhist monument in Madhya Pradesh is facing a threat from increasing rainfall and humidity. The stone is deteriorating due to the changes in weather patterns, leading to the loss of carvings and sculptures.
    • Mahabalipuram Monuments: The 7th-century rock-cut monuments in Tamil Nadu are facing a threat from sea-level rise and erosion. The monuments, which are located close to the shore, are being battered by the waves, leading to the loss of sculptures and carvings.
    • Sun Temple, Konark: The 13th-century temple, made of Khondalite stone, is facing a threat from rising temperatures and humidity. The stone is expanding and contracting due to the changes in temperature, leading to cracks and erosion.
    • Hampi Monuments: The 14th-century monuments in Karnataka are facing a threat from heavy rainfall and flooding. The monuments, which are made of granite, are being eroded by the rainwater, leading to the loss of carvings and sculptures.
    • Rajasthan’s Shekhawati’s murals: Shekhawati is known for its beautifully painted havelis with intricate frescoes and murals. Greater fluctuations in temperature are peeling away Shekhawati’s murals.
    • Ladakh’s stucco houses: Higher rainfall is leading Ladakh’s stucco houses to crumble. The traditional way of building houses in Ladakh is under threat due to climate change, which is affecting the durability of the structures.
    • Taj Mahal: The monument built in the 17th century, is facing a threat from rising pollution and changing weather patterns. The white marble is turning yellow due to air pollution.
    • Sea forts in Maharashtra: Rising sea levels are leading to water percolation into forts along Maharashtra’s coast. Salination is eating into their foundations.

    Monument

    Conclusion

    • Currently, India’s progress in diverse fields is being projected at G-20 events across the nation. By embracing forward-thinking principles of historical preservation, businesses, government agencies, and civil society groups can showcase India’s genuine progress in this arena. Maybe their efforts will inspire more citizens to participate in the pressing task of safeguarding India’s pluralistic heritage.

    Mains Question

    Q. What is Adopt a Heritage project? Why there needs a scrutiny of such project, highlight the concerns and suggest what else can be done?

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  • Assam’s Maidams meet UNESCO technical requirements for heritage centre

    maidam

    Assam’s pyramid-like structures known as moidams or maidams have met all the technical requirements of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre.

    Charaideo Maidams

    • The Charaideo maidams represents the late medieval (13th-19th century CE) mound burial tradition of the Tai Ahom community in Assam.
    • The Ahoms preferred to place the departed family members at Charaideo where the first king Sukapha was laid to rest.
    • The historical chronicles inform that wives, attendants, pet animals and huge quantity of valuables were buried with the departed kings.
    • The Charaideo Maidams enshrine the mortal remains of the members of the Ahom royalty, who used to be buried with their paraphernalia.
    • After the 18th century, the Ahom rulers adopted the Hindu method of cremation and began entombing the cremated bones and ashes in a Maidam at Charaideo.
    • Out of 386 Maidams explored so far, 90 royal burials at Charaideo are the best preserved, representative of and the most complete examples of mound burial tradition of the Ahoms.

    Architecture details

    • Architecturally it comprises a massive underground vault with one or more chambers having domical superstructure.
    • It is covered by a heap of earthen mound and externally it appears a hemispherical mound.
    • At the top of the mound a small open pavilion chow-chali is provided.
    • An octagonal dwarf wall encloses whole maidam.

     

    Ahoms Dynasty

    • The Ahom, also known as the Tai-Ahom, are an ethnic group from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in India.
    • This ethnic group is made up of interbred descendants of the Tai people, who first came to Assam’s Brahmaputra valley in 1228, and indigenous people who later joined them.
    • Sukaphaa, the Tai group’s leader, and his 9000 supporters founded the Ahom empire (1228–1826 CE), which ruled over part of modern-day Assam’s Brahmaputra Valley until 1826.
    • Charaideo, more than 400 km east of Guwahati, was the first capital of the Ahom dynasty founded by Chao Lung Sukaphaa in 1253.
    • The current Ahom people and culture are a mix of the ancient Tai people and culture, as well as indigenous Tibeto-Burman people and cultures that they assimilated in Assam.

     

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  • ASI finds 1,300-yr-old Buddhist Stupa in Odisha

    stupa

    The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) stumbled upon a 1,300-year-old stupa right in the middle of a Khondalite mining site in Odisha’s Jajpur district.

    About the Stupa

    • The stupa could be 4.5-meter tall and initial assessment showed it may belong to the 7th or 8th
    • It was found at Parabhadi which is situated near Lalitagiri, a major Buddhist complex, having a large number of stupas and monasteries.
    • The newly discovered stupa was possibly disfigured in an earlier period.

    Khondalite

    stupa

    • Khondalite is a foliated metamorphic rock.
    • It is also called Bezwada Gneiss and Kailasa Gneiss.
    • It was named after the Khond tribe of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh because well-formed examples of the rock were found in the inhabited hills of these regions of eastern India.

     

    Back2Basics: Lalitagiri Buddhist Complex

    stupa

    • Lalitagiri is a major Buddhist complex in the state of Odisha.
    • The complex is home to stupas, ‘esoteric’ Buddha images, and monasteries (viharas), which is the oldest site in the region.
    • Significant finds at this complex include Buddha’s relics. Tantric Buddhism was practiced at this site.
    • Together with the Ratnagiri and Udayagiri sites a short distance away, Lalitagiri is part of the “Diamond Triangle”.
    • It used to be thought that one or all of these were the large Pushpagiri Vihara known from ancient records, but this has now convincingly located at a different site.

    Stupa Architecture

    stupa

    In the most basic sense, as an architectural representation of a sacred burial site, a stupa — no matter where it is located in the world or when it was built — has three fundamental features.

    • A hemispherical mound (anda) The anda’s domed shape (green highlights) recalls a mound of dirt that was used to cover the Buddha’s remains. As you might expect, it has a solid core and cannot be entered. Consistent with their symbolic associations, the earliest stupas contained actual relics of the Buddha; the relic chamber, buried deep inside the anda, is called the tabena. Over time, this hemispherical mound has taken on an even grander symbolic association: the mountain home of the gods at the center of the universe.
    • A square railing (harmika) The harmika (red highlights) is inspired by a square railing or fence that surrounded the mound of dirt, marking it as a sacred burial site.
    • A central pillar supporting a triple-umbrella form (chattra) The chattra, in turn, was derived from umbrellas that were placed over the mound to protect it from the elements (purple highlights). Just as the anda’s symbolic value expanded over time, the central pillar that holds the umbrellas has come to represent the pivot of the universe, the axis along which the divine descends from heaven and becomes accessible to humanity. And the three circular umbrella-like disks represent the three Jewels, or Triantha, of Buddhism, which are the keys to a true understanding of the faith: (a) Buddha; (b) dharma (Buddhist teachings or religious law); and (c) sangha (monastic community).

    Around these three core building blocks were added secondary features.

    • Enclosure wall with decorated gateways (toranas) at the cardinal directions The wall — with its trademark three horizontal stone bars (in the top image) — surrounds the entire structure. The wall is marked in light blue highlights and the toranas in yellow.
    • A circular terrace (medhi) The terrace — surrounded by a similar three-bar railing — supports the anda and raises it off the ground (black highlights); it likely served as a platform for ritual circumambulation.

     

     

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