Art & Culture January, 2024 Current Affairs Compilation


  1. Present Bhaskarabda
  • 1430 Bhaskarabda
  1. Ban-Phi And Bhumi Pujan Ceremony
  • Grand beautification project for Rang Ghar
  1. Padma Shri 2024 for Drona Bhuyan
  • Padma Shri, 2024 under the Art category.
  1. Padma Shri, 2024 for Sarbeswar Basumatary
  • Known as the ‘Chirang ke Krishi Chiraag,’ Basumatary is recognized as a role model for the agricultural community.
  • Adopting a mixed integrated farming approach, he successfully cultivated a variety of crops including coconut, orange, paddy, litchi, and maize.
  • Basumatary, aged 61, has actively shared his knowledge and farming techniques with other farmers, contributing to increased efficiency and improving livelihoods.
  1. Padma Shri, 2024 for Parbati Baruah
  • Parbati Baruah, recognized as ‘Hathi ki Pari’ (Elephant’s Fairy) is๐Ÿ˜ India’s First Female Elephant Mahout
  • With a commitment to mitigating human-elephant conflicts, Baruah applied scientific practices and assisted three state governments in tackling and capturing wild elephants.
  1. Padma Shri, 2024
  • Parbati Baruah, Drona Bhuyan and Sarbeswar Basumatary from Assam have been bestowed with Padma Shri Award for 2024.
  1. Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902)
  • Swami Vivekananda was a prominent Indian monk and philosopher born on January 12, 1863.
  • His teachings continue to inspire people, and National Youth Day is celebrated on his birth anniversary.
  • In 1887, Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission, named after his spiritual guru, Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
  • Swami Vivekananda also established Belur Math (1898), also known as Ramakrishna Math, serving as a centre for spiritual and educational activities.
  • Swami Vivekananda gained international recognition when he delivered a historic speech at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.
  • His speech emphasised the universality of religions and the importance of tolerance and acceptance.
  1. Political History of Assam (1947-1971)
  • Book written by Dr. Rajen Saikia
  1. Kalaram Mandir – Lord Rama’s Exile Abode
  • Location: Nashik, Maharashtra, on the banks of the Godavari.
  • Believed to be the spot where Lord Rama lived during his exile.
  • Historical Agitation: Site of a landmark protest by Babasaheb Ambedkar for Dalit temple entry rights over 90 years ago.
  • The Prime Minister visited the temple to pay homage to its cultural and historical importance.
  1. Savitribai Phule – India’s First Woman Teacher
  • Founded the first indigenously-run school for girls in Pune (1848) with husband Jyotirao Phule.
  • Established Satyashodhak Samaj (1873) for equal rights, especially for lower castes.
  • Founded ‘Balyata Pratibandak Gruha’ for the protection of pregnant widows and rape victims.
  1. Tibetan Thangka Paintings
  • Origin: Ancient Tibetan Buddhist art form.
  • Reflects Tibetan Buddhist spiritual and cultural heritage.
  1. Bulbul Fight at Hayagriva Madhava Temple, Hajo, Kamrup
  • The Assam Cabinet permits the continuation of this age-old cultural event.
  • Tradition: 500-year-old traditional “bulbul sarair juj” (bulbul fight).
  • Historical Roots: Dated back to Ahom king Pramatta Singha.
  1. Buffalo Fight at Ahotguri, Morigaon
  • Buffalo fights resumed after a 9-year hiatus.
  1. Assam Baibhav Award for Ranjan Gogoi
  • Recipient: Former Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi.
  • Previous Awardees:
    • 1st year: Ratan Tata.
    • 2nd year: Dr. Tapan Saikia.
  1. Assamese Films at Rotterdam International Film Festival
  • Joymoti Never Left (Assamese title: Tumi Najaba, Joymoti)
  • Director: Mehdi Jahan.
  • Other Assamese Films at RIFF:
    • Hkhagoroloi Bohu Door (‘It’s a long way to the sea’ )
    • Director: Jahnu Barua.
    • Year: 1996.
  1. Koncheng Borpatra Gohain
  • Koncheng Borpatra Gohain was appointed as the first ‘Borpatra Gohain’ by Swargadeo Suhungmung (1497-1539), the Ahom king.
  • The first encounter with the Mughals occurred in 1527 when Bor Ujjir entered Ahom territory.
  • In 1531, Bor Ujjir returned with fifty vessels. Koncheng, alongside another general, engaged and defeated the enemy in a naval battle.
  • Alliance and Defeat (1532): Ahoms engaged in a naval encounter at Dommunisuk, defeating the Mughals and capturing thirty vessels with cannons.
  • The conflict with the Mughals lasted for about three years. Ahom minister Taowchang Buragohain, Frachangmung Borgohain, and his wife Mulagabharu lost their lives during the fights.
  1. Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival, Arunachal Pradesh – 9th Edition
  • Location: Seijosa in Pakke Kessang district, Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Showcases dedicated efforts towards the conservation of nature and wildlife.
  • Highlights the importance of hornbills, a key species in the region.
  1. Assam’s Braveheart – Lachit Barphukan
  • Assam’s Braveheart – Lachit Barphukan written by Arup Kumar Dutta
  1. Bharat Ratna, 2024
  • 2-time Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously
  1. Junbeel Mela at Jonbeel Pathar, Jagiroad
  • Barter system
  1. Ram Lalla Idol
  • The 51-inch idol was placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, carved by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj.
  1. Ram Mandir
  • New Ram Lalla idol to be known as ‘Balak Ram’

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