UPSC Prelims 2017 Analysis

Explanation

Manipuri Sankirtana is a vibrant performance art that combines singing, dancing, and drumming. Thus, statement 1 is correct.

While cymbals are used, Manipuri Sankirtana incorporates other instruments like the Pung (hand-beaten drum), Pena (string instrument), and harmonium. Thus, statement 2 is incorrect.

A core aspect of Manipuri Sankirtana is narrating stories and themes from Hinduism, particularly those related to Lord Krishna. Thus, statement 3 is correct.

Explanation

Sautrantika and Sammitiya were not sects of Jainism but rather were Buddhist philosophical schools. Sautrantika was a Buddhist philosophical school that relied primarily on the sutras (discourses) of the Buddha, as opposed to the Abhidharma (the Buddhist systematic philosophy). Sammitiya was a Buddhist school that held the view that the self (atman) exists, which was in contrast to the mainstream Buddhist view of anatta (non-self). Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

Sarvastivada was a major Buddhist philosophical school that held the view of "sarvam asti" or "everything exists". The Sarvastivadins believed that the constituents of phenomena (dharmas) did not merely exist in the present moment, but had a real and permanent existence in the past, present, and future. This was in contrast to the Theravada Buddhist view of momentariness, where all phenomena are considered to be constantly arising and passing away. Thus, statement 2 is correct.

Explanation

Arasavalli Located in Andhra Pradesh, India, Arasavalli houses the Surya Narayana Temple, a 7th-century Sun temple known for its intricate carvings and architectural style.

Amarakantak This place in Madhya Pradesh, India, is known as the source of the Narmada River. While there are temples here, there aren't any significant Sun temples.

Omkareshwar This holy island town on the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh is famous for its Shiva temples, not Sun temples.

Explanation

Chalio / Chaliho also called Chaliho Sahib is a forty-day-long festival celebrated by Hindu Sindhi community.

Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra - While the Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra is a festival celebrated in Uttarakhand, it's not primarily associated with the Gond community. The Gonds are an indigenous tribe spread across central India.

Wari-Warkari - The Wari-Warkari tradition and pilgrimage are associated with the Marathi community of Maharashtra, particularly devotees of the Hindu god Vitthal. The Santhals are an indigenous tribe inhabiting parts of eastern India.

Explanation

The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated works of art found in the Ajanta Caves.

These caves, located in Maharashtra, India, are renowned for their collection of exquisitely preserved murals and sculptures depicting Buddhist themes. The Padmapani painting, housed in Cave 1, is particularly celebrated for its beauty, technical mastery, and its portrayal of the compassionate Bodhisattva. This image has been admired and reproduced for centuries, serving as a testament to the artistic legacy of Ajanta.