Current Affairs - Art and Culture

The 11th International Puppet Festival took place in Chandigarh at Tagore Theatre. This event celebrated the cultural heritage and artistic innovation of puppetry, featuring esteemed guests and dignitaries, including Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, who inaugurated the festival, emphasizing puppetry's historical significance and universal appeal.

The pristine Gupteswar Forest, located in Odisha's Koraput district, has been designated as the 4th Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) of the state. This forest, covering 350 hectares, is culturally significant and renowned for its diverse flora and fauna.

Sonam Losar is celebrated as the New Year for the Tamang community, residing primarily in Nepal. This festival is an integral part of Nepal's cultural tapestry, showcasing the community's identity, history, and ancestral connections through vibrant celebrations and traditions.

The Ministry of Culture is spearheading the establishment of the Regional Centre of Sangeet Natak Akademi, named 'Dakshin Bharat Sanskritik Kendra', in Hyderabad. This initiative, graced by former Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, aims to promote and preserve diverse art forms, reinforcing South India's cultural richness.

The Assam government's attempts to revive traditional buffalo and bulbul fights during the Magh Bihu festival were met with legal challenges from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), underlining the conflict between cultural preservation and ethical considerations.