Insights Static Quiz -209, 2019–Art and Culture

Solution: d)

The rock art of Bhimbetka has been classified into various groups on the bases of style, technique and superimposition. The drawings and paintings can be categorised into seven historical periods. Period I, Upper Palaeolithic; Period II, Mesolithic; and Period III, Chalcolithic. After Period III there are four successive periods.

Solution: b)

In this Chola period bronze sculpture shiva has been shown balancing himself on his right leg and suppressing the apasmara, the demon of ignorance or forgetfulness, with the foot of the same leg. At the same time he raises his left leg in bhujangatrasita stance, which represents tirobhava that is kicking away the veil of maya or illusion from the devotee’s mind.

His four arms are outstretched and the main right hand is posed in abhaya hasta or the gesture suggesting. The upper right holds the damaru his favourite musical instrument to keep on the beat tala. The upper left hand carries a flame while the main left hand is held in dola hasta and connects with the abhaya hasta of the right hand. His hair locks fly on both the sides touching the circular jvala mala or the garland of flames which surrounds the entire dancing figuration.

Solution: b)

• 1 is a Palaeolithic site in Andhra Pradesh
• 2 is in Tamil Nadu in Cauvery valley, south of Kurnool caves.
• 3 is on Af-Pak border.
• 4 is in Assam.

Solution: b)

Statement 1: As per ASI Website, “While there is some evidence of architectural activity going back to the period of Mahendravarman-I (AD 600-30), the father of Mamalla, most of the monuments are attributed to the period of Narasimhavarman-I Mamalla (AD 630-68) – the Pallava ruler.

• On the other hand Ajanta caves were excavated in different periods (circa. 2nd century B.C. to 6th century A.D.) according to the necessity. So, 1 is wrong.

Statement 2: Mahabalipuram contains rock-cut rathas, sculptured scenes on open rocks like Arjuna’s penance, the caves of Govardhanadhari and Mahishasuramardini. So, it is more linked to the Vaishnavites.

• On the other hand, Ajanta is linked more to the Buddhist religious denomination.

Statement 2 is also wrong.

Statement 3: Both have rock-cut monuments, because cave cut Chaityas, Viharas and Stupas can be clearly seen at Ajanta. Also, the mural paintings that are made at Ajanta involve some rock-cutting as per ASI.

Mahabalipuram is famous for rock monuments as described above.

Only 3 is correct.

Solution: c)

Arjuna’s Penance is one of the magnificent monuments of Mahabalipuram.

The Dashavatara Temple is an early 6th century Vishnu Hindu temple located at Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh. Famous sculpture of Vishnu reclining on the Serpent Sheshnag is found here.

The image of Maheshmurti at Elephanta dates back to the early sixth century CE.