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Art Forms

Art Forms

Maori Haka

New Zealand’s youngest MP, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, performed the ‘Maori haka’ to honour her indigenous people in Parliament recently. Haka is a ceremonial dance in Maori culture. It's a type of ancient war dance that's traditionally performed by both men and women for a variety of social functions. It is a fierce display of a tribe's pride, strength, and unity. Haka is also known as a "war challenge" or "war cry" in Maori culture.

23 January, 2024 Art Forms

Bobbili Veena

The Bobbili veena is a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic classical music, also known as the Saraswati veena and is named after the town of Bobbili, where it was invented. In 2011, the Government of India gave the instrument a Geographical Indication tag. The Bobbili veena is known for its distinctive notes and fine tune which is made from a single piece of jackfruit tree wood. The making of the veena began in the 17th century during the reign of Pedda Rayudu, the king of Bobbili Samsthanam in Andhra Pradesh.

19 January, 2024 Art Forms

North African metal art

The art of manually cutting words or symbols into jewellery and household objects was added to UNESCO's intangible heritage list recently. It has been practised across North Africa and West Asia for centuries.

30 December, 2023 Art Forms

Tamilisai Moovars

Tamilisai Moovars (Tamil Trinity) - Muthuthandavar, Marimutha Pillai, and Arunachala Kavirayar, all 3 lived in TamilNadu and contributed to Carnatic music. Kavirayar was the 1st to compose musical drama in Tamil, his contributions were Rama Natakam, Asomuki Natakam, Sirkazhi Sthala Puranam, and Sirkazhi Kovai. Marimutha Pillai was a pioneer in composing Ninda Stuti Kritis, his contributions were Puliyur Venba and numerous Padhigams and Kuravanji. Muthuthandavar composed the cosmic dance of Lord Nataraja called Tandava Kritis.

26 December, 2023 Art Forms

Andriamamelo Cave

Andriamamelo Cave is located in Western Madagascar and contains ancient rock art, hints at ancient connections between Africa and Asia. The art is the 1st pictorial art found on the island and includes images of nature with human-like and animal-like figures. The art includes unique black rock drawings and motifs from Egypt, Ethiopia, Afro-Arab and Borneo.

25 December, 2023 Art Forms

Tamilisai Moovars

Tamilisai Moovars (Tamil Trinity) - Muthuthandavar, Marimutha Pillai, and Arunachala Kavirayar, all 3 lived in TamilNadu and contributed to Carnatic music. Kavirayar was the 1st to compose musical drama in Tamil, his contributions were Rama Natakam, Asomuki Natakam, Sirkazhi Sthala Puranam, and Sirkazhi Kovai. Marimutha Pillai was a pioneer in composing Ninda Stuti Kritis, his contributions were Puliyur Venba and numerous Padhigams and Kuravanji. Muthuthandavar composed the cosmic dance of Lord Nataraja called Tandava Kritis.

24 December, 2023 Art Forms

Lavani Dance

Lavani Dance Lavani dance has recently been the subject of controversy in the State of Maharashtra, as younger female dancers have been charged with vilifying the traditional folk art form. About Lavani: Lavani, which means "beauty" in Sanskrit, is a traditional folk art form in which female dancers perform on a stage in front of an audience while donning make-up, nine-yard-long sarees in vibrant colours, and ghunghroos (ankle bells). It became well-known during the Peshwa era in the 18th century, when performances were given in front of rulers and for the amusement of weary troops during pauses from battle. There…

16 February, 2023 Art Forms

Mandala Art

Mandala Art Artists from all around the world have altered mandala patterns, adding their own interpretations and painting them as their own. About Mandala Sanskrit term that means "circle" or "centre" literally. It is described by a geometric arrangement that typically includes the circular form in some way. A mandala pattern is essentially continuous and can also be made in the shape of a square. Origin It is thought to have its roots in Buddhism and initially appeared in India in the first century BC. Buddhist missionaries who travelled the silk road during the following two centuries spread it to…

23 August, 2022 Art Forms

Kalaripayattu

Kalaripayattu  Kalaripayattu is a martial art based on the ancient knowledge of the human body. It originated in Kerala from 3nd century BC to the 2nd century AD.  It is now practised in Kerala and in some parts of Tamil Nadu. The place where this martial art is practised is called a 'Kalari'. It is a Malayalam word that signifies a kind of gymnasium. Kalari literally means 'threshing floor' or 'battlefield'.  The word Kalari first appears in the Tamil Sangam Literature to describe both a battlefield and combat arena. It is considered to be one of the oldest fighting systems in existence. It is also considered as the father of modern Kung - Fu.

13 February, 2021 Art Forms

Petition to Convert INS Viraat into a Museum

Petition to Convert INS Viraat into a museum The warship has been proposed to be dismantled at the ship-breaking yard at Alang in Gujarat. However, Bombay HC has stayed the order on the petition of Envitech to convert the maritime museum and a multifunctional adventure centre.

11 February, 2021 Art Forms

General Thimaiyya Museum inaugrated at Madikeri by the President

General Thimaiyya Museum inaugrated at Madikeri by the President President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated General Thimayya Museum at Madikeri. He regarded him as one of India's greatest soldiers. He had served as the Chief of Military staff between 1957-1961 Additional Info about Madikeri: lies in the Western Ghats and is known for its coffee plantations It is also the source for River Cauvery from Baba Budan Hills nearby.

07 February, 2021 Art Forms

Aatmanirbharta named Oxford Hindi Word of the Year 2020

Aatmanirbharta named Oxford Hindi Word of the Year 2020 Aatmanirbharta has been named by Oxford Languages as its Hindi word of the year 2020. The Oxford Hindi word of the year is a word or expression that is chosen to reflect the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of the passing year, which have lasting potential as a term of cultural significance. Aatmanirbharta, which means self-reliance, came into the limelight when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to make India an Atmanirbhar Bharat or a self-reliant India last year. Out of the total number of entries received, 'aatmanirbharta' reportedly stood out because it validated the day-to-day achievements of the countless Indians who dealt with and survived…

02 February, 2021 Art Forms

Legendary Music Director Shantanu Mohapatra passes away

Legendary Music Director Shantanu Mohapatra passes away Legendary Odia musician, Shantanu Mohapatra passed away. He was the first Odia music composer to work with legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey and Md Rafi and also the first to work in Hindi, Bengali, Assamese and Telugu film industries. Mohapatra has composed music for hundreds of Odia film songs and Jatra (opera) shows in a career that spanned over three decades. Mohapatra, who retired as the Director of Odisha Mining Corporation, received several awards including the Odisha Film Critic Award for his contribution to Odia music.

02 January, 2021 Art Forms

Union Cabinet permits the merger of four government films media units with NFDC

Union Cabinet permits the merger of four government films media units with NFDC The Union Cabinet on December 23, 2020, approved the merger of four of its media units- Directorate of Film Festivals, Films Division, Children’s Film Society, and National Film Archives of India with the National Film Development Corporation- NFDC. The vision of the new entity will be to ensure the focused and balanced development of Indian Cinema in all genres- children’s content, feature films, films/content for the OTT platform, short films and documentaries, and animation. Upon the merger, the National Film Development Corporation will be uniquely placed with…

24 December, 2020 Art Forms

International Emmy Awards 2020: Delhi Crime from India wins best drama series

International Emmy Awards 2020: Delhi Crime from India wins best drama series Indian web series Delhi Crime on Netflix has won the best drama series award at the 48th International Emmy Awards 2020. The event was held virtually for the first time in the history of the International Emmy Awards due to the pandemic. The series which is directed by Richie Mehta is based on the horrific 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder. Another Indian show on prime ‘Four More Shots Please’ and actor Arjun Mathur from ‘Made in Heaven’ also made their way for nominations in the respective categories…

24 November, 2020 Art Forms

51st IFFI to be postponed amid the pandemic

51st IFFI to be postponed amid the pandemic The 51st annual International Film Festival of India (IFFI) which was earlier scheduled to start on November 20, 2020, in Goa has now been postponed to 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The 51st edition of the annual film festival will not be conducted in a virtual and physical format. About the International Film Festival in India (IFFI): IFFI was founded in 1952 and since then it has been one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. The festival is held annually currently in Goa, on the western coast of the country.…

25 September, 2020 Art Forms

Usha Ganguly, veteran theatre actor passes away

Usha Ganguly, a veteran theatre actor passes away Ganguly was an eminent theatre personality who is most known for her work in Hindi theatre in Kolkata in the period between the 1970s and 1980s. She founded the theatre group, Rangakarmee, in 1976. The theatre group produced many plans such as Rudali, Mahabhoj, Himmat Mai, Antaryatra and Court Martial. Ganguly started acting in the same year with Sangit Kala Mandir and started work on her first play Mitti Ki Gadi, where she essayed the role of Vasantsena. The play was based on Mrichchakatikam by Shudrak, 1970. Usha Ganguly was awarded the…

23 April, 2020 Art Forms

President confers Dada Saheb Phalke Award to Amitabh Bachchan

President confers Dada Saheb Phalke Award to Amitabh Bachchan President Ram Nath Kovind conferred Dada Saheb Phalke Award to  Amitabh Bachchan at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on December  29, 2019. Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest film honour.  Dadasaheb Phalke Award The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest film honour in India. It is conferred annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.   The recipient of the prestigious honour is selected by a committee consisting of eminent film industry personalities. The award comprises a 'Swarna kamal' medallion, a shawl and a…

30 December, 2019 Art Forms

Panipat Movie controversy: The Panipat trailer depicts Afghan king Ahmad Shah Abdali as a ruthless and brutal ruler

Panipat Movie controversy: The Panipat trailer depicts Afghan king Ahmad Shah Abdali as a ruthless and brutal ruler Panipat Movie controversy: Panipat trailer has created a controversy in Afghanistan over Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Ahmad Shah Abdali in the movie. The Panipat trailer has stirred fears of impacting Indo-Afghan ties after its brutal depiction of Afghan king Ahmad Shah Abdali, who is considered the founder of modern Afghanistan. Third Battle of Panipat: Everything you need to know The Third Battle of Panipat, known as one of the most significant battles ever fought in Indian history, took place on January 14, 1761,…

10 November, 2019 Art Forms

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