IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers July - 06, 2016

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

• Of the recognised dance forms, the only two temple dance styles that have their origin in Natya Shastra are Bharata Natyam and Odissi.
• These two dances faithfully adhere to the Natya Shastra but currently do not include Vaachikaabhinaya (dialog acts), although some styles of Bharata Natyam, such as Melattur style, prescribe the lip and eye movements that characterize it.

ANSWER: Agama Nartanam

Explanation:

• Dances performed inside the sanctum of the temple according to the rituals were called Agama Nartanam.
• Natya Shastra classifies this type of dance form as margi, or the soul-liberating dance, unlike the desi (purely entertaining) forms.
• Only Bharatnatyam and Odissi are called Agama Nartanam.
• Dances performed in royal courts to the accompaniment of classical music were called Carnatakam. This was an intellectual art form - Darbari Aattam form.

ANSWER: If it incorporates Natya Shastra techniques

Explanation:

• The term "classical" (Sanscr. "Shastriya") was introduced by Sangeet Natak Akademi to denote the Natya Shastra-based performing art styles.
• A dance style is classical to the extent that it incorporates Natya Shastra techniques. Some of the styles, such as Kathak, use very few of these elements.
• Currently, Sangeet Natak Akademi does not consider the recently reconstructed dance styles of Andhra Pradesh, such as Andhra Natyam and Vilasini Natyam, as "classical." Bharatanrithyam, despite being the dance that most closely follows the Natya Shastra's precepts, is considered as a variety of Bharata Natyam.
• A very important feature of Indian classical dances is the use of the mudra or hand gestures by the artists as a short-hand sign language to narrate a story and to demonstrate certain concepts such as objects, weather, nature and emotion. Many classical dances include facial expressions as an integral part of the dance form.

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• The Scheme would be implemented by Director General of Training (DGT) under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
• It provides for incentivizing employers to engage apprentices. 25% of the total stipend payable to an apprentice would be shared with employers directly by Government of India.
• It is for the first time a scheme has been designed to offer financial incentives to employers to engage apprentices.
• 50% of the total expenditure incurred on providing basic training, which is an essential component of apprenticeship training, would be supported by Government of India.
• Apprenticeship Training provides for an industry led, practice oriented, effective and efficient mode of formal training.
• The National Policy of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015 focuses on apprenticeship as one of the key components for creating skilled manpower in India.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

• The High Courts (Alteration of Names) Bill, 2016 will facilitate the changing of the names of ‘Bombay High Court as Mumbai High Court’ and ‘Madras High Court as Chennai High Court’ respectively. Efforts to change the name of Calcutta High Court to Kolkata High Court are too going on.
• The High Courts of Bombay and Madras were named after the cities in which they were located. Consequence to the change in the names of these cities, there has been demands for change in the names of these High Courts.
• At present, there is no Central Law under which the proposal for change of names of these High Courts can be addressed. This Legislation is to address this requirement.
• Only Parliament can change the names of High Courts. State can make a request but have no power to make the changes.

ANSWER: 2, 3

Explanation:

• Of the recognised dance forms, the only two temple dance styles that have their origin in Natya Shastra and are prescribed by the Agamas are Bharata Natyam and Odissi.
• These two dances faithfully adhere to the Natya Shastra but currently do not include Vaachikaabhinaya (dialog acts), although some styles of Bharata Natyam, such as Melattur style, prescribe the lip and eye movements that characterize it.
• Kuchipudi, which also prescribes the lip movements of Vaachikaabhinaya and Mohiniyattam are relatively recent Darbari Aatam forms as is Kathakali.
• Additionally two eastern Indian styles, Manipuri and Sattriya, are very similar to Vaachikaabhinaya.

ANSWER: Dancers

Explanation:

• Devadasi dancers called Maharis also known as temple dancers perform in temples in Odisha.
• They performed the Mahari Dance. Mahari is a ritualistic dance form from the eastern Indian state of Odisha that used to be performed at the temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri by devadasi dancers.
• The Mahari dance spurred the development of both Odissi and the Gotipua dance forms of Odisha.

ANSWER: China

Explanation:

• It is in Guizhou, China
• Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope's (FAST) is by far the largest single-aperture telescope in the world (though arrays that link up multiple radio dishes cover more ground). The previous record holder in the field is the 1,000-foot-wide (300 meters) Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.
• FAST is the world's largest and most sensitive radio telescope and three times more sensitive than the Arecibo Observatory. Operates at 300 MHz to 5.1 GHz.
• The facility should help scientists learn more about the universe's early days, detect low-frequency gravitational waves and hunt for signals that may have been produced by distant alien civilizations.