Temples, Arts and Archaeology of Tamil Nadu — Practice

Question 1

What does Arikamedu show about early Tamil Nadu?

Accepted Answer

It was a port with Roman trade, excavated by Mortimer Wheeler in 1945.

Question 2

Who are the Trinity of Carnatic music?

Accepted Answer

Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri.

Question 3

What is the significance of Keeladi?

Accepted Answer

Excavations found brick buildings, drains, ring wells and pottery with Tamil-Brahmi graffiti, showing an urban settlement with literacy. Radiocarbon dates reported for early levels fall around the 6th century BCE, and scholars discuss them, but the site supports the idea of an urban Sangam-age culture.

Question 4

Describe the stages of the Dravida temple style.

Accepted Answer

Pallava rock-cut caves, rathas and structural temples led to Chola temples with a very large vimana, as at Thanjavur. The Pandyas made tall gopurams the main feature, and the Vijayanagara and Nayak builders added thousand-pillared halls and long corridors.

Question 5

List the UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites of Tamil Nadu with years.

Accepted Answer

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984) and the Great Living Chola Temples: Thanjavur (1987), extended in 2004 with Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Airavatesvara at Darasuram.

Question 6

Explain the lost-wax method and the importance of Chola bronzes.

Accepted Answer

A wax model is covered with clay, the wax is melted out and molten metal is poured into the cavity, then the clay is broken to release the image. Chola bronzes, notably the Nataraja, are valued for their grace and iconography, and the tradition survives at Swamimalai under a Geographical Indication tag.

Question 7

How would you structure a Mains answer on Tamil Nadu's heritage?

Accepted Answer

Begin with evidence of antiquity from Keeladi, Adichanallur and Arikamedu. Show continuity through temples, bronzes, dance and music, then living practice in folk arts and GI crafts. Protection includes UNESCO status, the state archaeology department and GI tags. End with a threat such as encroachment or loss of apprentices, and a measure to address it.

Question 8

Who founded Kalakshetra and in which year?

Accepted Answer

Rukmini Devi Arundale, in 1936.

Practice — Temples, Arts and Archaeology of Tamil Nadu

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