Art and Culture - Ch18 | Exam Fusion Prep

Classification of Musical Instruments (By Bharat Muni)

4Types

Category	Description	Examples
Tantu Vadya (String)	Use of strings	Veena, Tanpura, Sitar, Sarod, Violin, Santoor, Rudra Veena, Sarangi, Jantar
Sushir Vadya (Wind)	Use of air	Flute (Bansuri), Shehnai, Conch (Shankh), Organ, Mouth Organ, Accordion
Ghan Vadya (Solid)	Solid; no strings, air or membrane	Dandiya sticks, Manjira, Khartal, Bell (Ghanta)
Avanaddha Vadya (Percussion)	Stretched membrane (often leather)	Dhol, Nagara, Tabla, Pakhawaj, Duff, Edakka

⚠ EXAM TRAP

Shehnai has seven holes and is considered an auspicious instrument — often confused with flute in MCQs.

Famous Instruments & Renowned Players

Instrument	Renowned Players
Sitar	Pandit Ravi Shankar (Bharat Ratna 1999; autobiography: Raga Mala), Ustad Vilayat Khan, Nikhil Banerjee, Shahid Parvez, Buddhaditya Mukherjee, Arvind Parikh
Sarod	Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Rajeev Taranath, Ustad Allauddin Khan, Hafiz Ali Khan, Buddhadev Das Gupta, Vikashjit Roy Choudhary
Shehnai	Ustad Bismillah Khan (Bharat Ratna 2001, alongside Lata Mangeshkar), Dayashankar Jagannath, Prasanna, Hari Singh, Bageshwari Kumar
Tabla	Pandit Anand Gopal Bandopadhyay, Ustad Alla Rakha, Ustad Zakir Hussain (Padma Bhushan 2002), Ustad Kaayaz Khan (Padma Vibhushan 2023), Gudai Maharaj, Kisan Maharaj, Pandit Swapan Choudhary
Flute (Bansuri)	Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Prabhat Sharma, Pannalal Ghosh, Raghunath Seth, Rajendra Prasanna
Sarangi	Pandit Ram Narayan, Bundu Khan, Ustad Sabri Khan, Dhruv Ghosh, Asif Ali Khan
Veena	Ustad Bahauddin Dagar, S. Balachandran, B. Doreswamy Iyengar, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Mridangam	Ramanath V. Radhavan, V.K. Sivaraman, Dr. Jagdish Singh, T.V. Gopalakrishnan, Anant R. Krishnan
Violin	Vishnu Govind Jog, Lalgudi Jayaraman, T.N. Krishnan, Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu, Ragini Shankar
Santoor	Pandit Shivkumar Sharma (Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 1986), Bhajan Sopori, Rahul Sharma
Guitar	Brij Bhushan Kabra
Mandolin	U. Srinivas
Nadaswaram	Sheikh Hassan, Nirruswami Pillai, Rajarathnam Pillai
Drums	Shivamani
Surbahar	Annapurna Devi, Ustad Imrat Khan
Rudra Veena	Ustad Asad Ali Khan
Pakhawaj	Mohan Shyam Sharma, Tantarama Sharma

⚡ QUICK RECALL

Bismillah Khan (Shehnai) played at the Red Fort on Independence Day — a classic BPSC one-liner.

Important Facts About Indian Musical Instruments

Ponu Yoksy: A sword-shaped musical instrument from Arunachal Pradesh
Saraswati Veena: Made using jackfruit wood, popular in Karnataka
Chinkara: A string instrument popular in Madhya Pradesh
Tansen: Expert in playing the Rabab, a string instrument
Pena: A traditional bowed instrument from Manipur
R.K. Bijapure: Known for mastery in Harmonium
Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt: Inventor of the Mohan Veena
Kartal: Traditional instrument from Rajasthan, an idiophone
Dhrupad style: Associated with the Vishnupur Gharana
Ektara: A single-string instrument common in Maharashtra
T.H. Vinayakram: Known as the "God of Ghatam" in Carnatic music
Khuang: A traditional instrument from Mizoram
Purandara Dasa: Revered as the Father of Carnatic Music

Instrumental Music Gharanas

Gharana	Associated Instrument
Banaras Baaj Gharana	Tabla
Delhi Gharana	Tabla
Lucknow Gharana	Tabla
Farrukhabad Gharana	Tabla
Jaipur Gharana	Sitar
Maihar Gharana	Sitar
Imdad Khan Gharana	Sitar
Bulandshahr Gharana	Sarod
Niyamatullah Gharana	Sarod
Gaya Gharana	Esraj
Nana Saheb Panse Gharana	Pakhawaj
Kudau Singh Gharana	Pakhawaj
Nathdwara Gharana	Pakhawaj
Ghulam Ali Gharana	Pakhawaj
Indore Beenkar Gharana	Veena

Sources & Classification of Indian Dance

Bharata Muni's Natyashastra — primary source of Indian classical dance
Nandikeshwara's Abhinaya Darpana — key treatise on expression & gestures
Dance is known as the "5th Veda" (Nat) — a synthesis of the four Vedas

Types of Dance

Shastriya Nritya (Classical): Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Sattriya
Lok Nritya (Folk): Bhangra (Punjab), Garba (Gujarat), Ghoomar (Rajasthan), Lavani (Maharashtra)

8Classical Dances (Sangeet Natak Akademi)

9With Chhau (Govt. of India)

Classical Dance	State/Region
Bharatanatyam	Tamil Nadu
Kuchipudi	Andhra Pradesh
Kathakali	Kerala
Mohiniyattam	Kerala
Kathak	Uttar Pradesh
Manipuri	Manipur
Odissi	Odisha
Sattriya	Assam

⚠ EXAM TRAP

Officially SNA recognizes 8 classical dances; Chhau is separately recognized by the Ministry of Culture, taking the govt. total to 9 — questions often test this distinction.

1. Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu)

OriginTemple dance by Devadasis; last Devadasi: Muthukannammal

Other NamesSadir, Dasiattam, Agni Nritya, Ekarthya

Special FeatureSolo storytelling — multiple roles by one performer

Two Aspects

Tandava: Powerful, vigorous male energy (Shiva's cosmic dance)
Lasya: Graceful, delicate feminine expression (Parvati's dance)

Performance Elements

Alarippu: Invocatory piece for guru & deities
Jatiswaram: Pure dance with melodic swaras
Shabdam: Combines music and expression
Varnam: Blend of pure dance and storytelling
Tillana: Concludes with pure rhythmic dance

Mudras depicted on Chidambaram Temple's Gopuram · Banned by British in 1910, later revived · Rooted in Shaivism & South Indian tradition · Vazhuvoor is a notable bani (style)

Renowned Dancers

Rukmini Devi Arundale — revived Bharatanatyam, founded Kalakshetra, Chennai
E. Krishna Iyer — pivotal in reviving the form in early 20th century
Padma Subrahmanyam — reconstructed karanas from Natya Shastra
Alarmel Valli — Chevalier of Arts and Letters (France, 2004)
Yamini Krishnamurthy — Asthana Nartaki of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam
Vyjayanthimala Bali, Leela Samson, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Mallika Sarabhai, Lakshmi Viswanathan

Musical Instruments: Mridangam, Veena, Flute, Sarangi, Manjira

⚡ QUICK RECALL

Rukmini Devi Arundale = Bharatanatyam + Kalakshetra, Chennai — one of the most repeated BPSC facts.

2. Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh)

OriginVillage of Kuchelapuram, Andhra Pradesh

Systematized bySiddhendra Yogi

ThemesStories from Bhagavata Purana

Unique FeatureTarangam — dancer balances on a brass plate

Originally performed only by men (even female roles); later women joined · Combines Nritta, Natya, and Nritya · Instruments: Violin, Mridangam · Costumes: Bagalbandi (men), Banarasi/Kanchipuram silk saree (women) · Vempati Chinna Satyam founded Kuchipudi Art Academy in Chennai (1963)

Renowned Dancers

Lakshminarayana Shastri — "Father of solo Kuchipudi" (Eka Vyakti Vidya)
Radha Reddy, Raja Reddy, Vempati Satyanarayana, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Indrani Rahman, Swapna Sundari

3. Kathakali (Kerala)

DevelopmentCredited to a hero of the Zamorin rulers of Calicut

Popularized byKalamandalam Narayana Menon

InstitutionKerala Kalamandalam, est. 1930 by Vallathol Narayana Menon

Begins with Kettikottu — a specific drum recital
One of the oldest theatrical dance styles in the world
Male-dominated form — even female roles played by men
Themes from Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Puranas
Face makeup symbolizes the character's nature

Five Types of Makeup (Vesham)

Vesham	Represents
Pacha (Green)	Noble heroes and divine characters
Kathi (Knife)	Arrogant and evil characters
Thadi (Beard)	Red: Demons · White: Divine beings · Black: Hunters/forest dwellers
Minukku	Gentle female or saintly characters
Kari (Black)	Witches or evil female figures

Sevakali: preparatory practice session · Kalasham: a dance sequence · "Nalacharitham" is an important Kathakali play

Renowned Dancers

Ram Gopal, Krishna Nair, Madhavan, Anand Shivraman, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Krishnan Kutty

⚠ EXAM TRAP

Kathakali makeup colors are a favorite MCQ trap — remember Red beard = Demons, White beard = Divine, Black beard = Hunters.

4. Mohiniyattam (Kerala)

First mentioned inWorks of Bhasmangalam Narayana Namboodiri

Promoted bySwathi Thirunal, ruler of Travancore

StyleSolo dance, based on Lasya (graceful/feminine)

Also referenced in "Vyavaharamala" (16th century) · Related forms: Tevittichiyattam, Nangiar Koothu, Hasyaabhinaya · Songs traditionally in Manipravalam (Malayalam + Sanskrit) · Themes: love, devotion, surrender to God · Shares similarities with Bharatanatyam and Kathakali

Renowned Dancers

Bharati Shivaji, Jayaprabha Menon, Madhuri Amma, K. Kalyani, Shantarav, Ragini Devi, Thankamony, Sunanda Nair, Tara Nidugodi, Hema Malini

5. Kathak (Uttar Pradesh)

EtymologyFrom "Katha" meaning story

Modern RevivalLeila Sokhey (Menaka)

Associated FormsThumri music, Natvari Nritya (dance of Krishna)

A Kathak training center was established in Khandala in 1955

4 Major Kathak Gharanas

Gharana	Key Facts
Lucknow Gharana	Peaked during Nawab Wajid Ali Shah's reign
Jaipur Gharana	Founded by Manuji
Varanasi Gharana	Founded by Janaki Prasad
Raigarh Gharana	Also linked to Kathak

Renowned Dancers

Birju Maharaj, Lachhu Maharaj, Shambhu Maharaj, Shobhana Narayan, Sitara Devi, Kalka Prasad, Damayanti Joshi
Sangeet Majumdar — honoured with Casa de la India Award by Spain

6. Manipuri (Manipur)

OriginsMeitei language; influenced by Vaishnavism (Raasleela of Radha-Krishna)

Golden EraReign of Bhagyachandra and Keerti Chandra

Oldest StyleLai Haraoba (ritualistic/folk tradition)

Style NameCholam Jagoi

Forms: Pung Cholom (Drum Dance), Kartal Cholom (Cymbals Dance), Dhol Cholom · Popularized outside Manipur by Rabindranath Tagore at Santiniketan · Traditional singing style: "Nata"

Renowned Dancers

Charu Mathur, Sadhona Bose
Jhaveri Sisters — Darshana, Ranjana, Nayana, Suvarna

7. Odissi (Odisha)

OriginMaharis (temple dancers) / Devadasis

Historical EvidenceUdayagiri & Khandagiri caves (2nd century BCE)

PatronJain King Kharavela

ThemesStories of Lord Vishnu's Krishna avatar

Pakhawaj syllables used in performances · Central spiritual concept: Moksha

Prominent Gurus

Kelucharan Mohapatra — Padma Vibhushan 2000, first dancer from Odisha to receive it
Mohan Mahapatra, Pankaj Charan Das, Mayadhar Raut

Renowned Female Dancers

Sanjukta Panigrahi, Sonal Mansingh, Priyamboda Mohanty, Madhavi Mudgal, Indrani Rahman
Sharon Lowen (USA), Myrta Barvie (Argentina)

8. Sattriya (Assam)

OriginVaishnavite monasteries (Sattras)

Recognized as Classical2000, by Government of India

Popularized bySrimanta Sankardeva, 15th century

Incorporates "Mati Akhara" — basic exercise patterns
One-act play form: "Ankiya Naat"
Related elements: Chali, Sumura, Nadubhangi

Important Forms within Sattriya

Dashavatar Nritya, Chali Nritya, Behar Nritya, Apsara Nritya

Renowned Dancers

Manik Barbayan, Bopuram Barbayan, Guru Ghano Kanta Bora, Jatin Goswami

⚡ QUICK RECALL

Sattriya is the most recently recognized classical dance (2000) — commonly tested with Chhau's 9th slot.

Folk Dances of India (State-wise)

State	Folk Dances
Andhra Pradesh	Ghanta Mardala, Veeranatyam, Dhimsa, Butta Bommalu, Lambadi, Kolattam
Assam	Jhumur/Jhumura, Bihu, Bichhua, Bagurumba, Tawlang Changli
Bihar	Kamla, Chhau, Birha, Jat-Jatin, Soharai, Jijhiya/Jhijhiya, Sama-Chakeva, Videsiya (Bhikhari Thakur)
Chhattisgarh	Pandwani, Sua Karma, Gaur Maria, Raut Nacha, Saila, Sarhul Bar, Nacha
Goa	Fugdi, Ghode Madni, Mando, Tarang Mel
Gujarat	Garba, Dandiya Raas, Tippani, Rathwa, Dhamal, Gof, Hallisaka
Himachal Pradesh	Noti (Guinness World Record), Dhurehi, Jhora, Charba, Kulvi Nati, Shon
Jammu & Kashmir	Rauf, Hikat, Bhairava Geet, Chakri, Tamali
Jharkhand	Chhau (UNESCO), Kadsa
Karnataka	Bhoota Kola, Yakshagana, Veeragase, Kamsale, Karga, Pata Kunitha, Dollu Kunitha
Kerala	Koikottikali, Kaliyattam, Thappattikkali, Chavittunatakam, Mudiyettu, Chakyar Koothu (UNESCO 2010)
Madhya Pradesh	Karma Dance, Rai Dance, Jawara Dance, Matki Dance
Maharashtra	Tamasha, Lavani, Dhangari Gaja, Lezim, Gafa, Dashavatar
Manipur	Thabal Chongba, Basanta Ras, Lai Haraoba, Natras, Nupa Pala
Meghalaya	Pomblang Nongkrem, Shad Suk Mynsiem, Wangala, Laho
Mizoram	Cheraw (bamboo dance), Par Lam, Chheihlam, Khuallam
Nagaland	Zeliang, Rangma, Aaluyattu, Chang Lo, Kuki Dance
Odisha	Rasa Leela, Paika, Goti Pua, Danda Nrutya, Mahari, Danda Yatra, Dalkhai
Puducherry	Garodi
Punjab	Giddha, Bhangra, Dhaman, Gatka
Rajasthan	Rauf, Ghoomar, Gair, Bhavai, Chari, Kathputli, Kalbelia (UNESCO 2010), Kachhi Ghodi, Gangaur, Terah Tali
Sikkim	Chu-Faat, Bhutia Dance
Tamil Nadu	Kummi, Kavadi, Kolattam, Karagam
Telangana	Madhuri (Lambadi/Banjara tribe)
Tripura	Hojagiri, Mamita, Lebang Boomani, Sangrai
Uttarakhand	Kumaoni, Chhopula, Langvir, Jagar, Bhotiya, Chanchari
West Bengal	Kathi, Brita, Chhau, Baul, Alkap, Kirtan, Jatra, Gambhira
Haryana	Jhumar, Phag, Dhamal, Luru, Gugga, Khoria, Gagor
Ladakh	Balti, Shondol
Andaman & Nicobar	Lava Dance

⚠ EXAM TRAP

Chhau appears under Bihar, Jharkhand AND West Bengal — a multi-state overlap frequently tested.

Major Tribal Dances

Dance	Tribe	Region
Chaad Laho Dance	Jaintia Tribe	Meghalaya (Chaad Lah Festival)
Dhimsa Dance	—	Visakhapatnam, Araku Valley (AP)
Jhika Dasain Dance	Santhal Tribe	Meghalaya
Zo Mal Lok Dance	Lepcha Community	Sikkim
Rangma (War Dance)	Tribes of Nagaland	Nagaland
Tambadi Dance	Banjara Tribe	Andhra Pradesh
Sangphoo Dance	Naga Tribe	Nagaland
Chakri Dance	Women of Kanjar Tribe	Rajasthan
Mundari Dance	Munda Tribe	Jharkhand
Adi Dance	Adi Tribe	Arunachal Pradesh
Ghumar Dance	Bhil Tribe	Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, MP
Karma Dance	Karma Tribe	Chhattisgarh
Tapu Dance	—	Arunachal Pradesh
Jhumar Dance	Kurmi Community	Jharkhand
Sarhul Dance	Oraon Tribe	Jharkhand & Chhattisgarh
Elelakkarodi Dance	—	Kerala
Ratwai Dance	Mewati Tribe	Rajasthan

Other Important Cultural Facts

Ahārya Abhinaya: Use of costume, ornaments, makeup, decorative elements in acting
Siddis of Gujarat: Cultural heritage nearly 300 years old
Kandyan Dance: Traditional dance form of Sri Lanka
Zonpa Legso: Traditional welcome dance of Bhutan
Kavadi Aattam (Karnataka): Ritual dance worshipping Lord Murugan
Ummatt Aat: Folk dance performed in Coorg (Karnataka)
Kummottikali: Popular mask dance of South Malabar (Kerala)

Folk Songs of Major States

State	Folk Songs
Uttar Pradesh	Kalgiturra, Phaag, Goulan Geet, Hid Gayan, Alha Gayan, Deori Geet, Bambuliya Geet, Vasdev, Birha, Videsiya
Chhattisgarh	Sohar, Kaherva, Chanaini, Nouwa Jhokkad, Banjarwa-Nayakwa, Kajli/Kajri, Jarewa-Parewa, Sadavraj Saranga
Uttarakhand	Jhora, Chanchari, Bhagnaul, Bair, Rituren, Handukiya Bol, Malusahi, Jagar, Bhadoun, Shakunakshar (Fag)
Chhattisgarh / MP	Bhojali, Pandavani, Jas, Bharthari, Bans geet, Gaura-Gauri song, Dewar song, Karma song
Bihar / Jharkhand	Nanchari, Samdani, Jhumar, Tirhuti, Syam Chakeva, Chhath Songs, Jat-Jatin, Bargamani, Sohar
Rajasthan	Halra, Kaman, Aalun-Jalo songs, Gangaur, Pankhida, Maud
Assam	Bihu song, Lokgeet song, Tokari geet
Andhra Pradesh	Madiga Dappu, Mala Jammikunta Burrakatha
Karnataka	Bhavageet, Dollukumitha, Veeraga
Maharashtra	Lavani, Powada, Ovi, Bhaleri
Tamil Nadu	Nattupura Pattu
West Bengal	Baul, Bhatiyali, Bhadugan, Bhawayya
Punjab	Tappa
Kerala	Pulaya, Paraiya, Bhoot geet
Manipur	Baul, Phungawari, Khubak Eroi
Tripura	Rauchambung, Jadooni, Reshkhagara
Arunachal Pradesh	Ja-jin-ja, Barayi, Niyoga
Nagaland	Hiliyinlu, Nyulyei, Hireiliu
Goa	Mando
Jammu & Kashmir	Vanabun

⚡ QUICK RECALL

Bihar/Jharkhand folk songs include Chhath Songs — directly connects to Bihar's most important festival, Chhath Puja.

Major Festivals of Hinduism

Festival	Description
Holi	Full moon day of Falgun (Spring); Lathmar Holi next day after Holika Dahan
Diwali	New moon day of Kartik; commemorates Lord Rama's return from exile
Vijayadashami	10th day of Shukla Paksha, Ashwin; symbol of Rama's victory over Ravana
Janmashtami	Ashtami of Krishna Paksha, Bhadrapada; birthday of Lord Krishna
Ramnavami	9th day of Shukla Paksha, Chaitra; birthday of Lord Rama
Basant Panchami	5th day of Shukla Paksha, Magh; worship of Goddess Saraswati
Raksha Bandhan	Full moon of Shravan; bond between brother and sister
Ganesh Chaturthi	Chaturthi of Shukla Paksha, Bhadrapada; started by Balgangadhar Tilak
Makar Sankranti	Dedicated to the Sun

Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi Festivals

Islam

Festival	Description
Eid-ul-Fitr	First day of Shawwal, after Ramadan ends
Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid)	10th of Hajj month; memory of Prophet Ibrahim's sacrifice
Muharram	Festival of mourning; first holy month of Islamic calendar
Shab-e-Barat	15th night of Shaban; night of forgiveness and prayer

Sikhism

Festival	Description
Vaisakhi	1st Vaishakh (April-May); founding of Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh
Lohri	13th January; bonfire and circling ritual
Hola Mohalla	Day after Holi; started by Guru Gobind Singh

Christianity

Festival	Description
Christmas	25 December; birth of Jesus Christ
Good Friday	Before Easter; crucifixion of Jesus
Easter	Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Buddhism

Festival	Description
Buddha Purnima	Full moon, Vaisakha; birth, enlightenment & Mahaparinirvana of Buddha
Tseshu Festival	Sikkim & Ladakh; commemorates Padmasambhava's birth
Sangken	Arunachal Pradesh

Jainism

Festival	Description
Mahavir Jayanti	13th of Shukla Paksha, Chaitra; birthday of Lord Mahavir
Gyan Panchami	Jyeshtha Shukla Panchami; Jain scriptures written & worshipped
Paryushan	August or September

Parsi

Festival	Description
Navroz	21st March; also called Jamshed Navroz
Zarathustno Deeso	Death anniversary of Zarathust
Khordad Sal	Birthday of Zarathust, founder of Parsis

⚠ EXAM TRAP

Do not confuse Navroz (Parsi New Year, 21 March) with Vaisakhi (Sikh, April) — commonly mixed up in date-based MCQs.

National Festivals

Festival	Date	Description
Republic Day	26 January	Constitution came into force, 1950
Gandhi Jayanti	2 October	Gandhi's birthday; International Non-Violence Day
Independence Day	15 August	Symbol of India's independence

Major Regional Festivals

Festival	State/Region	Description
Pongal	Tamil Nadu	Starts 14 Jan, 4 days: Bhai/Surya/Maatu/Kaanum Pongal
Onam	Kerala	Harvest festival; boat race; started by Chera king Mahabali
Bihu	Assam	3 times a year: Rangali/Bohag, Bhogali, Kangali Bihu
Durga Puja	West Bengal	Ashwin Navratri month; worship of Shakti
Vidhava	Maharashtra	Twice a year; worship of Lord Vithoba (Vishnu)
Jagannath Rath Yatra	Odisha (Puri)	June-July; famous Vaishnava festival
Rajim Kumbh	Chhattisgarh	Rajim, Raipur; on banks of Mahanadi
Chhath	Bihar (most famous), Eastern UP	Shashthi of Shukla Paksha, Kartik; worship of the Sun
Khan Festival	Arunachal Pradesh	By Miji tribe; secular festival
Masassu Festival	Nagaland	By Ao tribe, first week of May
Emro Festival	Nagaland	By Pachuri tribe, October; harvest arrival
Dasmoche Festival	Leh (Ladakh)	Second week of Feb; organised by Buddhist monks
Mysore Dussehra	Karnataka	600+ year old tradition
Mahamastakabhisheka	Shravanabelagola (Karnataka)	Jain festival; Bahubali statue, every 12 years
Nanda Devi Raj Jat	Uttarakhand	Religious pilgrimage, every 12 years

⚡ QUICK RECALL

Chhath Puja = Bihar's most important festival, dedicated to the Sun God and his wife Usha — high-priority for BPSC.

Other Notable Festivals

Festival	State/Description
Cheti Chand	God of Sindhi community (Jhulelal); Hindu Moon celebration
Kharchi Puja	Tripura; July-August
Kala Ghoda Festival	Annual, Mumbai (since 1999)
Losung Festival	Sikkim; by Bhutia tribe
Harai and Tihar	Nepal; by Hindus
Wangpui Kut Festival	Mizoram, since 1984; 2 days
Attolu Idu	Lakshadweep
Nuakhai	Odisha; harvest festival, Aug-Sep
Lokranjan Festival	Khajuraho (MP); live tribal dance
Rohela Panduga/Roti Mahatsav	Andhra Pradesh; 3 days, Chara Shaheed Dargah
Vishu Utsav	Kerala/Maharashtra; Malayalam New Year
Harela Festival	Uttarakhand; symbol of new harvest
Hemis Festival	Ladakh; birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava
Thrissurpuram	Kerala; April-May
Khajuraho Dance Festival	MP; 7 days, started 1975
Kajri Festival	Mirzapur (UP); honours Kajali
Me-Dum-Me-Phi Festival	Assam; by Ahom people
Atla Taddi	Andhra Pradesh, Sept-Oct
Raj Parv	Odisha; June, 3 days
Doljatra Festival	Bengal, Odisha, Manipur, Assam; by Vaishnavites
Bali Yatra	Cuttack, Odisha; Kartik Purnima
Braj Utsav	Dedicated to Lord Krishna, before Holi, Rajasthan
Sakewa	Sikkim; tribute to Mother Nature by Kirat Khambu Rai
Hampi Utsav	Karnataka; celebrates Vijayanagara Empire
Mewar Festival	Udaipur (Rajasthan); Gangaur, dedicated to Parvati
Pinjore Heritage Festival	Panchkula, Haryana; December
Uttarayan	Gujarat; International Kite Festival
Kutch Festival	Bhuj, Gujarat

Fairs / Melas of India

Fair / Mela	Location / Description
Bhavnath Mahadev Fair	Junagadh, Gujarat; during Mahashivratri
Madhavrai Poonam Fair	Gujarat; Neelkanth Mahadev Complex, Babra
Madhovpur Fair	Gujarat; marriage of Krishna and Rukmini, 5 days
Groundnut Fair	Karnataka; last Monday of Kartik month
Paush Fair	West Bengal; on occasion of harvest
Surajkund Fair	Faridabad (Haryana); International Crafts Mela
Shri Jagannath Fair	Alwar (Rajasthan); Lord Jagannath procession
Pushkar Camel Fair	Rajasthan; world's largest camel fair
Simhastha Fair	Ujjain, MP; Shipra River
Gangaur Festival	Pushkar, Nagaur & Ursa Fair, Rajasthan
Sardhana Christian Fair	Uttar Pradesh; first Sunday of November
Ambubachi Fair	Assam; Kamakhya Temple
Bahu Fair	Jammu; one of biggest Hindu festivals
Dogdarbar Fair	Gujarat; during Holi
Kumbh Fair	Every 12 years; Haridwar (Ganga), Prayagraj (Sangam), Nasik (Godavari), Ujjain (Kshipra)
Sonpur Cattle Fair	Sonpur (Bihar); Asia's largest, at Ganga-Gandak confluence

⚠ EXAM TRAP

Kumbh Mela's 4 locations & rivers are frequently mismatched in options — Haridwar (Ganga), Prayagraj (Sangam), Nasik (Godavari), Ujjain (Kshipra/Shipra).

⚡ QUICK RECALL

Sonpur Cattle Fair (Bihar) = Asia's largest cattle fair — a Bihar-specific fact commonly asked in BPSC/BSSC.

Quick Reference Summary

Topic	Key Fact
Musical Instrument Classification	By Bharat Muni; 4 types: Tantu, Sushir, Ghan, Avanaddha Vadya
Father of Carnatic Music	Purandara Dasa
Inventor of Mohan Veena	Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt
God of Ghatam	T.H. Vinayakram
Shehnai – Bharat Ratna	Ustad Bismillah Khan (2001)
Total Classical Dances	8 (officially); 9 (with Chhau, Govt. recognition)
Bharatanatyam	"5th Veda"; Tamil Nadu; banned 1910, later revived
Kuchipudi	Andhra Pradesh; founded by Siddhendra Yogi; concludes with Tarangam
Kathakali	Kerala; oldest theatrical dance style; Kalamandalam est. 1930
Sattriya	Assam; recognized as classical dance in 2000
Manipuri	Manipur; based on Raasleela of Radha and Krishna
Odissi	Odisha; evidence in Udayagiri caves (2nd century BCE)
Kathak	UP; derived from "Katha" (story)
Kalbelia	Rajasthan; UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage 2010
Chhau (UNESCO)	Jharkhand; recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage
Kumbh Mela	Every 12 years; 4 locations: Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nasik, Ujjain
Pushkar Camel Fair	Rajasthan; world's largest camel fair
Sonpur Cattle Fair	Bihar; Asia's largest
Onam	Kerala; harvest festival; boat race; by Chera king Mahabali
Pongal	Tamil Nadu; starts 14 January; 4-day festival
Bihu	Assam; 3 times a year (Rangali, Bhogali, Kangali)
Chhath Puja	Bihar; worship of Sun god
Republic Day	26 January
Gandhi Jayanti	2 October; International Non-Violence Day
Independence Day	15 August