Art & Culture – IBPS SO Study Notes
Target Section: General Awareness & Current Affairs
Exam: IBPS Staff Officer (SO)
Focus: Art & Culture
1. Simple Explanation
Art – A creative expression of human imagination and skill, usually produced in visual, performing, or literary forms.
Culture – The shared customs, beliefs, arts, and social behaviors of a community or society.
In the IBPS context, Art & Culture mainly covers:
- Indian classical & folk arts (music, dance, theatre, visual arts).
- World heritage & conservation (UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Intangible Cultural Heritage).
- Recent awards & recognitions (Nobel, Padma, UNESCO, UNESCO-Khushboo).
- Government initiatives (e.g., Ministry of Culture programmes, digital archives).
2. Key Points
| Category | Highlights | Representative Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Classical Arts | • Music – Hindustani & Carnatic; key genres: khayal, thumri, kriti. • Dance – Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kuchipudi. • Theatre – Sangeet Natak, modern drama, street theatre. |
Lata Mangeshkar, Shankar Mahadevan, P. S. Narayan |
| Folk & Tribal Arts | • Regional dances & music (Bhangra, Garba, Lavani). • Handicrafts, weaving, pottery. |
Banjara weaving, Madhubani painting |
| Visual Arts | • Painting styles: Mughal, Rajput, Bhakti, modern (M.F. Husain). • Sculpture & architecture. |
Madhubani, Rajasthani miniatures |
| World Heritage Sites | • Recognised by UNESCO; India has 40+ sites. • Recent additions: Kumbhalgarh Fort (2023), Kangra Valley (2024). |
Taj Mahal, Ajanta & Ellora Caves |
| Intangible Cultural Heritage | • Oral traditions, performing arts, rituals. • 2024 UNESCO list: Qawwali, Bhojpuri folk music. |
Sufi music, Bhojpuri folk |
| Recent Awards & Recognitions | • Nobel Prizes (Literature – 2024: Annie Ernaux). • Padma Awards (2024: Arundhati Roy – literature). • UNESCO Creative Cities (2024: Ahmedabad – literary). |
Annie Ernaux, Arundhati Roy |
| Government Initiatives | • Digital Library of India – 2024 launch of “Digital Archive of Indian Folk Music”. • Culture Ministry – “National Heritage Conservation Fund” 2024. |
Digital Archive, NHCF |
| International Events | • IPAF (International Popular Art Festival) – 2024 edition in Jaipur. • World Music Day (18 Oct) celebrations. |
IPAF Jaipur 2024 |
3. Recent Developments (2024)
| Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2024 | UNESCO World Heritage Committee added Bangbees (Sikkim) to the list | Recognises unique cultural heritage of Himalayan tribes |
| Mar 2024 | Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to Annie Ernaux (France) | Highlights global appreciation for autobiographical writing |
| Apr 2024 | Padma Awardees announced – 45 personalities, including Arundhati Roy (Literature) | Reflects national recognition of literary excellence |
| Jun 2024 | UNESCO Creative Cities Network – Ahmedabad named Literary City | Encourages cultural tourism and creative economy |
| Aug 2024 | IPAF Jaipur – 10th edition, featuring folk and classical performances | Platform for cultural exchange, tourism promotion |
| Oct 2024 | World Music Day – 50th anniversary celebrations in India | National concerts, educational programmes |
4. Worked Example (Sample IBPS Question)
Question:
Which of the following has been declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in 2024?
- Sufi Qawwali
- Kammavari dance of Andhra Pradesh
- Bhangra of Punjab
- Bhojpuri folk music
Options: (A) 1 & 4, (B) 2 & 3, (C) 1 & 3, (D) 2 & 4
Solution:
- Recall: In 2024, UNESCO added Sufi Qawwali and Bhojpuri folk music to the ICH list.
- Match:
- Option 1: Sufi Qawwali – Yes
- Option 4: Bhojpuri folk music – Yes
- Others – No
- Answer: Option (A) – 1 & 4
Key takeaway: Keep the latest UNESCO updates handy; they are frequent exam topics.
5. Quick Revision Summary
| Topic | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Indian Classical Arts | Hindustani & Carnatic |