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UPSC CSE 2026 Art and Culture Previous Year Questions

2 questions with answers and explanations. Practice these interactively

Question 1

The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents:

  1. (a) A joyous folk dance
  2. (b) Buddha in a meditative pose
  3. (c) The depiction of Shiva and Parvati on Kailasha
  4. (d) Samudramanthan (Churning of the Ocean)

Answer: (a)

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Question 2

Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music?

  1. (a) Nat Bhairavi
  2. (b) Kamavardhini
  3. (c) Hanumatodi
  4. (d) Dheera Shankarabharanam

Answer: (d)

Explanation

Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music is the fundamental Shuddha Svara scale, using all seven natural notes (no sharps or flats) — equivalent to the Western major scale. Dheera Shankarabharanam, the 29th Melakarta raga in the Carnatic system, uses the exact same set of natural notes, making it the structural counterpart of Bilawal. Nat Bhairavi corresponds to Hindustani Asavari Thaat (uses komal ga, dha, ni). Kamavardhini (Pantuvarali) corresponds to Purvi Thaat. Hanumatodi corresponds to Bhairavi Thaat, not Bilawal.

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