Current Affairs - Art and Culture

Tamil Nadu, known for its cultural richness, initiated the Jallikattu competition in the village of Avaniyapuram, marking a significant highlight of the Pongal harvest festival celebrated in the second week of January. The three-day event, with Avaniyapuram hosting the first day, Palamedu on the second day, and Alanganallur on the third, showcases the traditional bull-taming sport's excitement.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, celebrated as Prakash Utsav, honours the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth and last Sikh Guru. Sikh communities worldwide celebrate this significant day with joy, remembering Guru Gobind Singh's exceptional leadership and teachings, particularly his ascension to Guruship at the age of nine.

The excavation in Vadnagar, Gujarat, provides evidence of cultural continuity from 800 BCE, challenging the notion of a "Dark Age." The settlement, with influences from various religions, spans seven cultural stages, showcasing the city's rich history up to the present day.

The Soliga tribe in Karnataka, specifically in the Cauvery Basin, employs traditional honey collection methods using vines and bamboo ropes. The book "Forgotten Trails: Foraging Wild Edibles" highlights their reliance on honey from the Western Ghats and underscores the significance of preserving their traditional foraging knowledge.

Gangireddu Melam, a traditional folk performance, is associated with the Sankranti harvest festival in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The performance features bulls adorned with colourful flowers and garments, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region.