Source: The post is based on the article “Hydrogen cyanide found in Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus” published in “PIB” on 15th December 2023 Why in the News? Based on data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, scientists have found Hydrogen Cyanide in the oceans of Saturn’s moon Enceladus. What have the scientists found on Saturn’s moon Enceladus?… Continue reading Hydrogen cyanide found in Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus
Author: Abdul
Provisions for Conservation of Marine Species
Source: The post is based on the article “Provisions for Conservation of Marine Species” published in “PIB” on 18th December 2023 Why in the News? The Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has informed Lok Sabha about the measures taken for the conservation of marine species. What are the steps taken… Continue reading Provisions for Conservation of Marine Species
Rules for Suspension of MPs – 78 Opposition MPs suspended
Source: The post on Rules for Suspension of MPs is based on the article “78 Opposition MPs suspended, most ever in a day: Why this happened, what Parliament rules say” published in “Indian Express” on 19th December 2023 Why in the News? 78 Opposition MPs from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been suspended for… Continue reading Rules for Suspension of MPs – 78 Opposition MPs suspended
Recent Initiatives for faster Coal Movement
Source: The post is based on the article “Recent Initiatives for faster Coal Movement” published in “PIB” on 18th December 2023. Why in the News? The Union Minister of Coal has informed Lok Sabha about the initiatives taken for the faster movement of Coal. What are the steps taken for the faster movement of coal?… Continue reading Recent Initiatives for faster Coal Movement
Surat Diamond Bourse inaugurated in Gujarat
Source: The post is based on the article “Surat Diamond Bourse inaugurated in Gujarat” published in “The Hindu” on 18th December 2023 Why in the News? The Prime Minister has inaugurated Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) in Gujarat. What is Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB)? 1) Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) is a global centre for trading of… Continue reading Surat Diamond Bourse inaugurated in Gujarat
Subordinate Legislation: House panel pulls up Centre over delay in framing rules for Acts
Source: The post is based on the article “House panel pulls up Centre over delay in framing rules for Acts passed by Parliament” published in “The Hindu” on 18th December 2023 Why in the News? The Subordinate Legislation Committee of Rajya Sabha has pulled up the Union Government for the delay in framing of rules/… Continue reading Subordinate Legislation: House panel pulls up Centre over delay in framing rules for Acts
Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Terms of Office) Bill, 2023
Source: The post is based on the article “Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Terms of Office) Bill, 2023” published in “The Hindu” on 18th December 2023 Why in the News? Rajya Sabha has passed The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Office and Terms of Office) Bill,… Continue reading Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Terms of Office) Bill, 2023
Kakrapar-4 nuclear reactor attains criticality
Source: The post is based on the article “Kakrapar-4 nuclear reactor attains criticality” published in “The Hindu” on 18th December 2023 Why in the News? The Fourth unit of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-4) in Gujarat has achieved criticality. What is Criticality? Criticality refers to the state where the chain reaction of nuclear fission… Continue reading Kakrapar-4 nuclear reactor attains criticality
Source: The post is based on the article “Mohiniyattam: Johannes Kepler’s Science Fiction Novel, World’s Oldest, To Be Adapted Into Mohiniyattam” published in “NDTV” on 9th December 2023
Why in the News?
Somnium, the world’s first science fiction novel, will be adapted into Mohiniyattam, a classical dance form. The adaptation will be titled “Nilakkanavu” (Moonlit Chronicle).
What is Nilakkanavu?
1) Nilakkanavu is a Mohiniyattam dance performance based on the world’s first science fiction novel, Somnium, written by 17th century German Scientist Johannes Kepler.
2) The performance will be performed at the Samanwayam 2023 national dance-music festival in Palakkad, Kerala.
3) The artistic endeavor was conceptualised by Mankara and is executed by the well-known danseuse Gayathri Madhusudan. The musical landscape of Nilakkanavu is crafted by national award-winning composer Ramesh Narayan.
4) The performance will also pay tribute to the scientists who worked hard to make India’s Chandrayaan Mission a success.
What is Mohiniyattam?
| Specifications | Details |
| What is it | It is a classical dance form that originated in Kerala. It derives its name from the word ‘Mohini’, the female avatar of Lord Vishnu. |
| Also known as | Dasiattam, as earlier the dance was practiced by devadasis or temple dancers |
| Flourished under | 1) Chera kings between the 9th and the 12th century CE. 2) In the 19th century, the dance form gained prominence under rulers of Travancore and Tanjore Quartets ( Ponnayya, Chinnayya, Sivananda and Vadivelu). |
| Key Characteristics | 1) It is a solo dance performed by female artists 2) The dance is characterized by graceful, swaying body movements with no abrupt jerks or sudden leaps. 3) It belongs to the lasya style which is feminine, tender and graceful. |
| Attire | 1) Plain white or off-white sari with golden or gold-laced brocade embroidery. 2) Golden waist belt and various jewellery pieces. 3) Musical anklets (ghungroo) for rhythmic footwork. |
| Musical Instruments | 1) Carnatic style music. 2) Instruments used: Kuzhitalam (cymbals), Veena, Idakka (hourglass-shaped drum), Mridangam (barrel-shaped drum) and flute. |
| Important Personalities associated | 1) The dance form was revived by Malayali Poet VN Menon and Kalyani Amma. 2) Other important personalities include Mukundraja, Appiradeth Krishna Panicker, Sunanda Nair among others. |
UPSC Syllabus: Art and Culture
Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary: Tiger spotted at record high elevation of 3,640m in Sikkim
Source: The post is based on the article “Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary: Tiger spotted at record high elevation of 3,640m in Sikkim” published in “Hindustan Times” on 9th December 2023 Why in the News? A tiger has been spotted at an elevation of 3,640 meters in the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in Sikkim. This marks the highest… Continue reading Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary: Tiger spotted at record high elevation of 3,640m in Sikkim
