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Art & Culture

RBI Grade B · General Awareness

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Core Concept

Read this first — the foundation of the topic

Art & Culture is a crucial component of SSC CGL's General Awareness section. This topic covers India's rich heritage spanning ancient, medieval, and modern periods. Questions often focus on classical dance forms, music traditions, architectural styles, paintings, sculptures, and literary works. Key Areas in Art & Culture: Classical Dance Forms: India has 8 recognized classical dances - Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathak (North India), Kathakali (Kerala), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), Odissi (Odisha), Manipuri (Manipur), Mohiniyattam (Kerala), and Sattriya (Assam).

Each has distinct costumes, movements, and themes. Music Traditions: Indian classical music divides into Hindustani (North) and Carnatic (South) systems. Key instruments include sitar, tabla, veena, and mridangam. Important musicians like Pandit Ravi Shankar and M.

Subbulakshmi frequently appear in questions. Architecture: Questions cover temple architecture (Nagara, Dravidian, Vesara styles), Mughal monuments (Red Fort, Taj Mahal), and colonial buildings. Rock-cut caves like Ajanta-Ellora are high-frequency topics. Paintings: Miniature painting schools (Rajasthani, Pahari, Mughal), folk art forms (Madhubani, Warli, Pattachitra), and modern artists like Raja Ravi Varma appear regularly. Literature: Ancient texts (Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata), medieval poetry, and Nobel Prize winners are common question areas. **

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Exam Patterns

What examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

SSC typically asks 2-3 direct questions on Art & Culture. Questions are factual, testing specific names, places, and associations. Match-the-following and statement-based questions are common formats. Memory Trick - STATE-DANCE Association: Remember classical dances by their home states using the acronym 'KATAK MOB' - Kathak (UP), Kathakali (Kerala), Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Manipuri (Manipur), Odissi (Odisha), Bharatanatyam (already covered).

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Worked Example

Solve this step-by-step before moving on

1

Step 1

Identify the state mentioned - Kerala

2

Step 2

Recall Kerala's classical dance forms - Kathakali and Mohiniyattam

3

Step 3

Match characteristics - elaborate makeup and costumes

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Step 4

Kathakali is famous for its dramatic makeup and colorful costumes Answer: B) Kathakali Common Mistake: Students often confuse South Indian dance forms. Remember Bharatanatyam belongs to Tamil Nadu, not Kerala. Kerala has Kathakali (with elaborate makeup) and Mohiniyattam (graceful, performed by women). Shortcut for Architecture: Use 'NDV' for temple styles - Nagara (North India - curved towers), Dravidian (South India - pyramid-shaped towers), Vesara (Deccan - mixed style). This simple acronym helps identify architectural styles instantly.

🔑 Key Points

India has 8 classical dance forms recognized by Sangeet Natak Akademi
Hindustani music belongs to North India, Carnatic music to South India
Temple architecture has three main styles: Nagara, Dravidian, and Vesara
Ajanta caves are famous for paintings, Ellora caves for sculptures
Raja Ravi Varma is called the father of modern Indian painting
Kalidas is known as the Shakespeare of Sanskrit literature
Bharatanatyam uses 108 karanas (basic dance units) mentioned in Natya Shastra
UNESCO has recognized Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan

📌 Exam Facts

Sangeet Natak Akademi was established in 1952 and recognizes 8 classical dance forms
Kathak derives its name from 'katha' meaning story, performed by storytellers called Kathakars
Ajanta caves belong to 2nd century BCE to 6th century CE period
Tansen was one of the nine gems (navratnas) in Akbar's court
Natya Shastra was written by Bharata Muni around 2nd century BCE
Manipuri dance is also known as Jagoi in Manipur
Thanjavur paintings originated in Thanjavur town of Tamil Nadu during Maratha rule
Rabindranath Tagore won Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913 for Gitanjali

🚀 60-Second Revision

Remember: 8 classical dances using state associations - Kerala has Kathakali and Mohiniyattam
Formula: North India = Nagara temples, South India = Dravidian temples
Trap: Don't confuse Ajanta (paintings) with Ellora (sculptures)
Key fact: Tansen belongs to Akbar's court, not any other Mughal emperor
Remember: Bharatanatyam uses 108 karanas from Natya Shastra
Important: Raja Ravi Varma painted Hindu mythological subjects in European style
Quick tip: Kathak = North Indian classical dance with spins and storytelling

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