Subject: History

A Dickinsonia fossil found at Bhimbetka, previously believed to be one of the world’s earliest animals, and has been identified as a decayed beehive.

About Bhimbetka

• The Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological site in central India that spans the prehistoric Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods, as well as the historic period.
• It exhibits the earliest traces of human life in India and evidence of Stone Age starting at the site in Acheulian times.
• It is located in the Raisen District in Madhya Pradesh about 45 kilometres (28 mi) south-east of Bhopal.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of seven hills and over 750 rock shelters distributed over 10 km (6.2 mi).
• At least some of the shelters were inhabited more than 100,000 years ago.
• Some of the Bhimbetka rock shelters feature prehistoric cave paintings and the earliest are about 10,000 years old (c. 8,000 BCE), corresponding to the Indian Mesolithic.
• These cave paintings show themes such as animals, early evidence of dance and hunting.
• The Bhimbetka rock shelters were found by V S Wakankar 64 years ago. Since then, thousands of researchers have visited the site, but this rare fossil went undetected.

What is Dickinsonia?

• Dickinsonia is an extinct genus of basal animal that lived during the late Ediacaran period in what is now Australia, Russia and Ukraine.
• The individual Dickinsonia typically resembles a bilaterally symmetrical ribbed oval.
• Its affinities are presently unknown; its mode of growth is consistent with a stem-group bilaterian affinity, though some have suggested that it belongs to the fungi or even an “extinct kingdom”.
• The discovery of cholesterol molecules in fossils of Dickinsonia lends support to the idea that Dickinsonia was an animal.

Cambrian Explosion and Dickinsonia

• The ‘Cambrian Explosion’ is the term given to the period of time in history when complex animals and other macroscopic organisms such as molluscs, worms, arthropods and sponges began to dominate the fossil record.
• Researchers from Australian found the Dickinsonia fossil since its tissue contained molecules of cholesterol a type of fat that is the hallmark of animal life.

Try this PYQ:

Q. Which one of the following statements is correct?

(a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora River

(b) Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of Chambal River

(c) Pandu-lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge of Narmada River

(d) Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of Godavari River

 

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Central idea: The article is based on the controversy surrounding the Maharashtra folk dance form, Lavani, which has come under criticism for being ‘vulgar’ and ‘obscene’.

What is the Lavani folk art form?

• The word Lavani comes from ‘lavanya’ or beauty.
• Lavani is a traditional folk art form in which women dancers wearing nine-yard-long sarees in bright colours, make-up, and ghunghroos perform on dholak beats on a stage before a live audience.
• As an indigenous art form, Lavani has a history going back several centuries, and it attained particular popularity in the Peshwa era in the 18th century.
• Traditionally, performances were held in front of kings or lords, and for the entertainment of tired soldiers resting during breaks in fighting.

Genres of Lavani

• There are several types of Lavani, of which the most popular is the Shringarik (erotic) kind, in which the lyrics are often teasing, with sensuous dance steps and delicate gestures employed to convey erotic meaning.
• Over the years, Lavani has gained more acceptability among the people, even though certain taboos around it continue.
• The audience has historically been all-male, but in recent years, some women too have begun to attend performances.

Why is it under fire these days?

• Lost its original form: Some also argue that the commercialization of Lavani has led to a loss of authenticity and cultural significance.
• Objectifying women: The criticism of Lavani dance centres on the traditional dance form’s alleged objectification and commodification of women’s bodies.
• Public obscenity: It has been accused of promoting obscenity and vulgarity and reinforcing patriarchal attitudes towards women.
• Communalizing/Stereotyping: Critics have also argued that the dance form perpetuates negative stereotypes of women from marginalized communities, such as the notion that Dalit women are “loose” or sexually promiscuous.

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West Bengal Assembly has tabled a motion to recognize Sarna Religion of the tribals and have a Sarna Code.

Sarna Religion

• The followers of Sarna faith believe pray to nature.
• The holy grail of the faith is “Jal (water), Jungle (forest), Zameen (land)” and its followers pray to the trees and hills while believing in protecting the forest areas.
• Jharkhand has 32 tribal groups of which eight are from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
• While many follow Hindu religion, some have converted to Christianity — this has become one of the planks of demanding a separate code “to save religious identity”— as various tribal organisations put it.

Demand for Sarna Code

• Tribal groups in the region have long demanded the Sarna code, a separate religious classification in the census, recognising their status as independent religious communities.
• It is believed that 50 lakhs tribal in the entire country put their religion as ‘Sarna’ in the 2011 census, although it was not a code.
• The resolution will seek a special column for followers of the Sarna religion in the Census, 2021.
• At present, they are not classified as a separate entity.

Politics around the tribe

• Many of the tribals who follow this faith have later converted to Christianity—the state has more than 4% Christians most of whom are tribals.
• Some who still follow the Sarna faith believe the converted tribals are taking the benefits of reservation as a minority, as well as the benefits, are given to Schedule Tribes.
• They also believe that benefits should be given specifically to them and not to those who have converted.

What sense does a separate code make?

• The protection of their language and history is an important aspect of tribals.
• Between 1871 and 1951, the tribals had a different code. However, it was changed around 1961-62.
• Experts argue that when today the entire world is focusing on reducing pollution and protecting the environment, it is prudent that Sarna becomes a religious code as the soul of this religion is to protect nature and the environment.

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The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has decided to form a special committee to trace and certify 24 protected monuments that have gone “missing”.

Why in news?

• PMO has in a report last month said there was an urgent need to “rationalise” the list of monuments of national importance.

Sites in news

• Barakhamba Cemetery temple ruins, Mirzapur (UP) dating to 1000 AD
• Kos Minars – one at Faridabad’s Mujesar and
• Inchla Wali Gumti at Mubarakpur Kotla in the capital

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) 

• Founded by Alexander Cunningham, who is also revered as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”
• He was the protege of James Prinsep.
• It was Lord Canning who helped pass a statute for ASI’s establishment in 1861.
• Post-Independence, it is a Statutory body that now works under Ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains act (AMASR Act), 1958.
• It works as an attached Office of the Ministry of Culture.
• ASI has 3678 protected monuments and Archaeology sites of National Importance + 29 cultural under the World Heritage List by UNESCO.

Initiatives by ASI

1. Museums

• ASI’s museums are customarily located right next to the sites that their inventories are associated with “so that they may be studied amid their natural surroundings and not lose focus by being transported”.
• A dedicated Museums Branch maintains a total of 44 museums spread across the country.

2. Publications by ASI

• Epigraphia Indica
• Ancient India
• Indian Archaeology: A Review (Annually)

3. Library

• Central Archaeological Library in the National Archives building in Janpath, New Delhi

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Two sacred Shaligram stones arrived in Ayodhya for crafting the idols of Lord Ram and Janaki at the Ram Temple.

What is a Shaligram Stones?

• Shaligram stones are fossils of ammonite, which is a type of mollusk that lived between 400 million and 65 million years ago.
• They are found in the Shaligram Pilgrimage in the Nepal Himalayas.
• They date specifically from the Early Oxfordian to the Late Tithonian Age near the end of the Jurassic Period some 165-140 million years ago.
• Mostly found in riverbeds or banks of the Kali Gandaki, a tributary of the Gandaki River in Nepal, this stone is revered as a representation of Lord Vishnu.
• The stone is considered to have divine powers and is seen as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.

Mythological significance

• Historically, the use of shaligrama shilas in worship can be traced to the time of Adi Shankara through the latter’s works.
• Specifically it finds mention in the Taittiriya Upanishad.
• The statue of Vishnu in the Padmanabhaswamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram and Badrinath Temple of Garhwal region, and that of Krishna in Krishna Matha of Udupi and Radha Raman Temple of Vrindavana are also believed to be made from shaligrama shilas.

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This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in TH.

Shumang Leela

• Shumang Leela is a unique traditional form of theatre in Manipur.
• The tradition is believed to be descended from Lai Haraoba, a ritual of the Meitei community of Manipur.

Types of this dance

Shumang Leela is of two types:

1. Nupa Shumang Leela: It performed only by men. Here the roles of women are all played by men, called Nupi Shabis.
2. Nupi Shumang Leela: It performed only by women and the roles of men are played by women.

Performance details

• The plays serve as a medium to spread awareness among people of social, political and economic issues. Shumang Leelas may also discuss moral values, unity and integrity.
• This theatre form has for long been trying to strengthen the bond of brotherhood and friendship among various communities in the State.

Significance of the art

• In a society marked by heteronormativity, the gender-bending nature of Shumang Leela makes it a unique art form that is fraught with complexity.
• The men who take up female roles or vice versa are highly appreciated and laughed at.
• The traditional theatre form has preserved its original form, and its aim to inform and entertain has remained unchanged.

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The Rashtrapati Bhavan gardens — popularly known as the Mughal Gardens was renamed as Amrit Udyan.

The Amrit Udyan

• Edwin Lutyens had finalized the designs of the Mughal Gardens in 1917, but it was only during the year 1928-1929 that planting was done.
• It is spread across 15 acres and it incorporates both Mughal and English landscaping styles.
• The main garden has two channels intersecting at right angles dividing the garden into a grid of squares- a Charbagh (a four-cornered garden)- a typical characteristic of Mughal landscaping.
• There are six lotus-shaped fountains at the crossings of these channels rising to a height of 12 feet.
• The gardens house nearly 2500 varieties of Dahlias and 120 varieties of roses.

Why was it earlier named as Mughal Gardens?

• The garden is designed in Persian style of landscaping or what we call as ‘‘Mughal Gardens”.
• In fact, Edward Lutyens who designed the Viceroy’s House, what we call today as Rashtrapati Bhavan had deliberately used Mughal architectural details as part of the British appeasement plan.
• We see Chajja (dripstone), the Chattri (domed kiosk), the Jali (pierced screen) and many other Indian architectural features liberally used there.
• Mughal canals, terraces and flowering shrubs are beautifully blended with European flowerbeds, lawns and private hedges.

Back2Basics: Mughal Gardening in India- The Charbagh Style

• The Mughals were known to appreciate gardens. In Babur Nama, Babur says that his favourite kind of garden is the Persian charbagh style (literally, four quadrants garden).
• The charbagh structure was intended to create a representation of an earthly utopia – ‘jannat’ – in which humans co-exist in perfect harmony with all elements of nature.
• Defined by its rectilinear layouts, divided in four equal sections, these gardens can be found across lands previously ruled by the Mughals.
• From the gardens surrounding Humanyun’s Tomb in Delhi to the Nishat Bagh in Srinagar, all are built in this style – giving them the moniker of Mughal Gardens.
• A defining feature of these gardens is the use of waterways, often to demarcate the various quadrants of the garden.
• Fountains were often built, symbolising the “cycle of life.”

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The Union conferred Padma Shri to Mr. Raju in the art category as an honour to the Etikoppaka wooden toy craft.

Etikoppaka Toys

• Etikoppaka is a small village on the banks of Varaha River at a distance of 64 Kms away from the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh.
• The name Etikoppaka is synonymous with beautiful wooden artifacts and lacquer colours.
• The toys are made with lacquer color and are traditionally known as Etikoppaka toys or Etikoppaka Bommalu.
• The village is very famous for its toys made of wood. The toys are also called as lacquer toys because of application of lacquer coating.
• Etikoppaka Toys have obtained their GI tag under the Handicrafts category in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

How are they made?

• The toys are made out of wood and are coloured with natural dyes derived from seeds, lacquer, bark, roots and leaves.
• The wood used to make the toys is soft in nature and the art of toy making is also known as Turned wood Lacquer craft.
• While making the Etikoppaka toys, lac, a colourless resinous secretion of numerous insects, is used.
• The already prepared vegetable dyes are further mixed to the lac, during the process of oxidation.
• After this process, the end product obtained is rich and colored lacquer.
• The lac dye is used for decorating the Etikoppaka toys, which are exported all over the world.

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