Current Affairs - Art and Culture

The state of Bihar has established a dedicated trust to manage the construction and development of the Grand Janaki Temple at Punaura Dham, located in Sitamarhi district, which is traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita. The trust, named the Shree Janaki Janm Bhumi Punaura Dham Mandir Nyas Samiti, was officially announced through a gazette notification on June 26, 2025. This move aligns with Bihar's vision to boost religious tourism and preserve cultural heritage. With high-level state officials on board, including the Chief Secretary and District Magistrate, the project is expected to enhance local employment and infrastructure.

INSV Kaundinya is a unique stitched sailship recently inducted by the Indian Navy at the Karwar Naval Base. It is a handcrafted reconstruction of a 5th-century vessel shown in Ajanta cave paintings, built using traditional methods with coir rope, coconut fibre, and natural resin. The project was a collaboration between the Union Culture Ministry, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations, aiming to revive ancient Indian shipbuilding. The ship symbolizes India’s maritime legacy and is named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya. It also underscores India's cultural diplomacy and the Navy’s evolving role as a preserver of maritime heritage.

Karnataka has proposed the Lakkundi monuments, dating back to the Kalyana Chalukya period, for inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage tentative list. These monuments, including the Kasi Visvesvara and Manikesvara temples, are known for their architectural significance, particularly the step-wells integrated into the temple complexes. The proposal emphasizes the blending of Nagara, Dravida, and Bhumija architectural styles into the Vesara style. This recognition would highlight the unique cultural heritage of the region and contribute to preserving its rich historical and architectural legacy for future generations.

Kokborok is the native language of the Borok people and is primarily spoken in the state of Tripura, India. It is part of the Sino-Tibetan language family and is widely used among indigenous tribes such as the Jamatia, Reangs, Brus, Noatia, and Rupini. Due to decreasing usage, UNESCO has classified Kokborok as a vulnerable language in its Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger. The demand to include Kokborok in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution reflects efforts to protect and promote the language through official recognition and broader institutional support.

The 'Garia and Borsho Boron Utsav' 2025 was inaugurated at Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha. This vibrant festival honours Garia Puja, which holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Tripuri and Reang communities. The celebration includes traditional music, dance, and a variety of cultural performances by indigenous artists, showcasing Tripura's diverse heritage. The choice of Agartala, the capital city of Tripura, highlights its role as a cultural hub and a centre for major state-level events, drawing attention to the importance of preserving and promoting tribal traditions.