Subject: Art and Culture

Why in the News?

Excavations begun on January 16 at the Kote Veerabhadreshwar Temple premises in Lakkundi village of Gadag have yielded Neolithic period relics, strengthening efforts to nominate Lakkundi for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

About Lakkundi

• Located about 12 km from Gadag district headquarters
• Historically known as Lokkigundi
• Referred to as the village of hundred wells and temples
• Mentioned in 11th and 12th century inscriptions, compared to Amaravati for affluence
• Known for tankashale or mint

Historical Significance

• Ruled by Kalyana Chalukyas, Yadavas and Hoysalas
• Capital of Hoysala king Eradane Ballala (Veeraballala) in 1192 AD
• Centre of Jainism and Shaivism

Cultural and Religious Legacy

• Associated with Queen Attimabbe, known as Daana Chintamani, patron of Jainism
• Built temples, Jain basadis and wells for public welfare
• Daana Chintamani Attimabbe Prashasti instituted by Karnataka government
• Shelter to 12th century Sharanas like Ajaganna and Muktayakka linked to Basaveshwara movement

Architectural Features

• Temples built in Kalyana Chalukya architectural style
• Mumbai State Gazetteer records 13 temples, including Kashi Vishveshwara, Mallikarjuna, Virupaksha, Nanneshwara and Someshwara. 
• Wells are noted for ornate stone carvings

Prelims Pointers

• Neolithic findings indicate prehistoric human activity
• Lakkundi reflects temple town planning with wells
• UNESCO tentative list precedes final World Heritage inscription
• Community participation is central to heritage conservation here

[2024] Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO:  1. Shantiniketan  2. Rani-ki-Vav  3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas  4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya  How many of the above properties were included in 2023?  (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four

Why in the News?

The Padma Awards 2026 were announced on the eve of Republic Day, with the President of India approving 131 awards across the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri categories.

What are the Padma Awards?

• Among India’s highest civilian honours
• Conferred for distinguished and exceptional service with a clear element of public service
• Instituted in 1954 by the Government of India

Historical Background

• Initially, two civilian awards were instituted in 1954
  • Bharat Ratna
  • Padma Vibhushan
• In 1955, Padma Vibhushan was reclassified into three categories
  • Padma Vibhushan
  • Padma Bhushan
  • Padma Shri
• Awards are announced annually on Republic Day
• Not conferred during 1978 to 1979 and 1993 to 1997

Categories and Purpose

• Padma Vibhushan: Exceptional and distinguished service
• Padma Bhushan: Distinguished service of a high order
• Padma Shri: Distinguished service in any field

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to all persons, irrespective of race, gender, occupation, or position
• Government servants, including PSU employees, are generally not eligible
  • Exception for doctors and scientists
• Normally not awarded posthumously
  • Permitted in exceptional cases
• Minimum gap of 5 years required for a higher Padma category
  • Can be relaxed in deserving cases
• Award recognises excellence plus, not merely long service

Fields Recognised

• Art, Social Work, Public Affairs, Science and Engineering, Trade and Industry, Medicine, including AYUSH, Literature and Education, Civil Service, Sports and Others, such as culture, environment, wildlife conservation, and human rights

Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards:  1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.  2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once 3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year.  Which of the above statements are not correct?  (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, and 3

Why in the News?

On Thiruvalluvar Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Thiruvalluvar, highlighting the timeless relevance of his ideals and urging people to read the Tirukkural.

About Thiruvalluvar

• Celebrated Tamil poet philosopher of the Sangam age
• Believed to have lived around 2000 years ago
• Associated with Mylapore in present day Chennai
• Also known as Valluvar
• Revered as a saint across South India
• In some traditions regarded as an incarnation of Brahma

Social and Religious Context

• Lived during a period when Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism coexisted
• Scholars associate him with Jainism or Hinduism
• Demonstrated that householder life can lead to spiritual excellence
• Rejected the necessity of renunciation for moral and spiritual attainment

Prelims Pointers

• Tirukkural has 1330 couplets
• Official birth year recognised as 31 BCE
• Associated with Sangam literature
• Emphasised ethics, governance, and social harmony
• Revered across religious traditions

[2020] Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?  (a) Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture (b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets (c) Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethic (d) Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational

Why in the News?

The traditional Kathputli art of Rajasthan, centred in Kathputli Nagar of Jaipur, highlights India’s rich intangible cultural heritage, where nearly 250 artisan families continue a centuries old puppet tradition amid challenges from modern entertainment.

What is Kathputli?

• Kathputli is one of India’s oldest folk puppet traditions
• The word derives from
  • Kath meaning wood
  • Putli meaning doll
• Puppets are string operated wooden figures with painted faces and colourful costumes

Region and Community

• Practised mainly in Rajasthan
• Kathputli Nagar (Puppets Colony) in Jaipur is a major living hub
• Craft is hereditary, passed down across generations within families

Historical Significance

• Traditionally performed by travelling storytellers
• Used to narrate
  • Tales of Rajput kings and warriors
  • Folk legends and moral stories
• Served as a mass communication medium before print and digital media

Current Challenges

• Competition from digital entertainment
• Economic insecurity for artisans
• Dependence on tourism and cultural events

Prelims Pointers

• Kathputli is a string puppet tradition
• Originated in Rajasthan
• Major hub is Kathputli Nagar, Jaipur
• Puppets are made of wood and cloth
• Historically used to narrate royal and folk tales

[2024] Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO?  (a) Chhau dance  (b) Durga Puja  (c) Garba dance  (d) Kumbh Mela

Why in the News?

Archaeologists have unearthed ancient Buddhist stupas and settlement remains at Zehanpora in Baramulla, reviving Kashmir’s 2,000 year old Buddhist past. The breakthrough was aided by century old photographs preserved in a French museum, which guided modern excavations.

About the Zehanpora Discovery

• Location: Zehanpora village, Baramulla district, along the Jhelum River
• Site lies on an ancient Silk Route corridor linking Kashmir to Central Asia and Kandahar
• Excavations began in July 2025 after drone surveys, aerial mapping, and ground verification

Key Archaeological Findings

• Three Buddhist stupas
• Urban type settlement complex likely including chaityas and viharas
• Apsidal stupa architecture with pradakshina path
• Kushan era artefacts
  • Pottery shards
  • Copper objects
  • Stone walls
• Evidence of long term monastic and urban activity

Historical Significance

Gandhara Buddhist Network

• Discovery firmly links Kashmir to the Gandhara Buddhist cultural network
• Establishes Kashmir as a central hub of Buddhist learning, not a peripheral region
• Demonstrates cultural and intellectual exchange between South Asia and Central Asia

Chronological Context

• Buddhist presence in Kashmir began during Ashoka’s reign (3rd century BCE)
• Flourished under the Kushan Empire (1st to 3rd century CE)
• Kushans promoted urbanisation, trade, and Buddhism

Literary Corroboration

• Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang mentioned entering Kashmir via the Silk Route
• Zehanpora excavation provides material archaeological evidence supporting textual references

Role of French Museum Photographs

• In 2023, century old photographs showing three stupas in Baramulla were discovered
• Images validated local archaeological hypotheses
• Triggered systematic excavation and site identification

Prelims Pointers

• Zehanpora is located in Baramulla district
• Site linked to Gandhara Buddhism
• Artefacts belong mainly to Kushan period
• Apsidal stupas allow circumambulatory worship
• Discovery aided by foreign archival material

[2023] With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:  1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.  2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics 3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition How many of the statements given above are correct?  (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None

Why in the News?

The Prime Minister of India highlighted the thousand year survival of the Somnath Temple, marking 1,000 years since the 1026 CE attack by Mahmud of Ghazni.

Somnath Temple

• One of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva
• Revered across Hindu tradition
• Known as the Eternal Shrine due to repeated destruction and reconstruction

Location

• Prabhas Patan, near Veraval, Saurashtra region of Gujarat
• Located on the Arabian Sea coast
• At the Triveni Sangam of Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati rivers

Historical Significance

Ancient Origins

• Mentioned in Shiva Purana
• Evidence of worship since antiquity
• Multiple reconstructions in pre medieval times

1026 CE Event

• Temple attacked and plundered by Mahmud of Ghazni
• Considered a major historical rupture in Indian history

Medieval Period

• Rebuilt by rulers such as Kumarapala of the Chaulukya dynasty
• Reconstructed under Chudasama kings
• Destroyed again during Sultanate invasions

Symbol of Resilience

• Historical records indicate the temple was destroyed six times
• Rebuilt after every destruction
• Became a symbol of civilisational continuity and faith

Architectural Features

• Built in Chaulukya or Solanki style
• Prominent shikhara and richly carved stone walls
• Garbhagriha houses the Jyotirlinga
• Famous inscription stating no landmass lies between Somnath and the South Pole, symbolising cosmic alignment

Modern Reconstruction

Post Independence Revival

• Reconstruction initiated in 1947
• Led by Vallabhbhai Patel as a civilisational responsibility
• Designed by architect Prabhashankar Sompura using traditional methods

Inauguration

• Inaugurated on 11 May 1951
• By Rajendra Prasad
• Despite the political debates of the period

Present Management

• Managed by the Somnath Trust
• Trust is chaired by the Prime Minister of India

[2022] The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple?  1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.  2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni 3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present-day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.  Select the correct answer using the code given below:  (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Why in the News? 

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Narsapuram Lace Craft in Man Ki Baat as a model of women led economic empowerment and cultural continuity. The craft’s Geographical Indication tag has renewed national attention.

What it is

• A traditional handmade crochet lace craft
  • Fine threads are transformed into intricate lace using a single crochet hook
  • Known for high precision, patience and skill

Region

• Andhra Pradesh
  • Districts: West Godavari and Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema
  • Key centres: Narsapur, Palacole, Razole, Amalapuram

History

• Introduced in 1844 by European missionaries who trained local women
  • Withstood famines and economic depressions
  • Sustained women’s livelihoods across generations
  • Evolved into a globally recognised hand crafted textile tradition

Key Characteristics

• Raw materials: Fine cotton threads, also silk, rayon and synthetic yarns
  • Tools: Crochet hooks of different sizes for varied textures
  • Technique: Manual looping and interlocking of stitches without machinery
  • Design motifs: Floral, paisley and geometric patterns inspired by nature
  • Products: Garments, doilies, bedspreads, table linen, cushion covers, stoles and wall hangings

Significance

• Provides regular income to thousands of women
  • Strengthens women’s role as primary earners in households
  • Preserves an indigenous textile heritage
  • GI tag enhances market recognition and cultural protection

Prelims Pointers

• Type: Handmade crochet lace
  • Origin year: 1844
  • Nature: Women centric livelihood craft
  • Legal status: GI tagged traditional craft
  • Cultural relevance: Godavari region heritage

[2018] Consider the following pairs:      Craft                        :  Heritage of  1. Puthukkuli shawls : Tamil Nadu  2. Sujni embroidery : Maharashtra  3. Uppada Jamdani saris : Karnataka  Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?  (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 3 only (d) 2 and 3

Why in the News?

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded INSV Kaundinya as it embarked on its maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, highlighting India’s ancient maritime traditions.

About INSV Kaundinya

• A heritage sailing vessel of the Indian Navy
  • Built using the ancient Indian stitched ship technique
  • Constructed without iron nails, wooden planks stitched together with coir rope
  • Inspired by shipbuilding traditions mentioned in ancient Indian texts and coastal practices
  • Named after Kaundinya, an ancient Indian mariner linked to early maritime voyages

Stitched Ship Technique

• One of the oldest shipbuilding methods in the world
  • Practiced along India’s western coastline in ancient times
  • Provided flexibility and strength for long ocean voyages
  • Evidence found in Harappan seals, Ajanta murals, and classical literature

Significance

• Showcases India’s rich maritime history
  • Reinforces historical India Gulf links
  • Promotes indigenous knowledge systems
  • Enhances naval heritage awareness

Prelims Pointers

• Type: Heritage sailing vessel
  • Technique: Stitched ship construction
  • Built by: Indian artisans with Indian Navy support
  • Diplomatic relevance: India Oman historical maritime ties

[2011] India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asia across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of early maritime history of Bay of Bengal, which of the following could be the most convincing explanation/explanations?  (a) As compared to other countries, India had better ship-building technology in ancient and medieval times.  (b) The rulers of southern India always patronised traders, brahmin priests and Buddhist monks in this context.  (c) Monsoon winds across the Bay of Bengal facilitated sea voyages.  (d) Both (a) and (b)

 Why in the News?

The Department of Posts successfully transported a priceless Thanjavur painting of Shri Ram from Bengaluru to Ayodhya using its Logistics Post service.

About Thanjavur Painting

• A classical South Indian painting tradition that originated in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, around 1600 AD
  • Also known as Tanjore paintings
  • Traditionally painted on wooden panels called palagai padam
  • Flourished under the Nayakas of Thanjavur
  • Awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag

Materials and Technique

• Base prepared using canvas pasted on wooden planks
  • Wooden boards commonly made from jackfruit or teak wood
  • Binding medium includes Arabic gum

Prelims Pointers

• Thanjavur paintings are panel paintings, not mural paintings
  • Gold foil and embossed gesso work are defining features
  • Originated in early modern South India, not ancient period
  • GI tag helps protect traditional knowledge and artisans

Kalamkari painting refers to: (2015) (a) a hand-painted cotton textile in South India  (b) a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in North-East India  (c) a block-painted woollen cloth in Western Himalayan region of India  (d) a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India