Art, Craft and Culture Current Affairs – February 2026

 ### Art, Craft and Culture Current Affairs – February 2026

Important festivals, traditional arts, handicrafts and cultural heritage for APSC, UPSC, ADRE, SSC, Banking, Railway, CUET PG and UGC NET.

### 1\. Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2026

The 39th Surajkund International Crafts Mela was held from 31 January to 15 February 2026 at Surajkund, Faridabad, Haryana. The fair promotes Indian handicrafts, handlooms, folk traditions, regional cuisines and performing arts.

### Major features

* Exhibition and sale of traditional handicrafts and handloom products.

* Participation by artisans from different Indian states and international cultural groups.

* Folk music, dance and regional food.

* Promotion of traditional skills and livelihoods.

Exam facts

* Venue: Surajkund, Faridabad, Haryana.

* Edition: 39th.

* Main focus: Handicrafts, handlooms and cultural exchange.

* Significance: Preservation and promotion of traditional crafts.

### 2\. Taj Mahotsav 2026

Taj Mahotsav was held from 18 to 27 February 2026 at Shilpgram, near the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

The festival showcases India's cultural diversity through traditional crafts, folk performances, music, dance and regional cuisine. It was first organised in 1992.

Exam facts

* Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

* Venue: Shilpgram.

* First held: 1992.

* Duration: Ten days.

* Main objective: Promotion of Indian crafts and cultural heritage.

### 3\. Assam Harmony Festival 2026

The Assam Harmony Festival was held from 11 to 15 February 2026 at Hajongbori, Chandrapur, Guwahati. The event commemorated the birth centenary of Assamese cultural icon Dr Bhupen Hazarika and paid tribute to singer Zubeen Garg.

### Main attractions

* Traditional and contemporary cultural performances.

* Handicraft and bamboo-product exhibitions.

* Assamese cinema and regional cuisine.

* Traditional sports and artistic exchanges.

Exam facts

* Location: Chandrapur, Guwahati, Assam.

* Dates: 11–15 February 2026.

* Cultural personality commemorated: Dr Bhupen Hazarika.

* Importance: Promotion of Assam's cultural identity and artistic traditions.

### 4\. Karbi Youth Festival 2026

The Karbi Youth Festival is an important cultural celebration of the Karbi community in Assam. It is closely associated with Taralangso, Diphu, in Karbi Anglong.

The festival promotes Karbi language, traditional dance, music, attire, handicrafts and indigenous knowledge. It also provides a platform for younger generations to learn about their community's heritage.

Exam facts

* Community: Karbi.

* Location: Diphu, Karbi Anglong, Assam.

* Associated venue: Taralangso.

* Main focus: Karbi cultural identity and traditional arts.

### 5\. Ali-Aye-Ligang Festival 2026

Ali-Aye-Ligang is an important agricultural festival of the Mising community of Assam. It marks the beginning of the sowing season and is generally celebrated in February.

The festival includes traditional songs, dances, community gatherings and special foods. Gumrag dance is an important part of its cultural celebrations.

Exam facts

* Community: Mising.

* State: Assam.

* Type: Agricultural festival.

* Traditional dance: Gumrag.

* Significance: Beginning of the agricultural cycle and celebration of community identity.

### 6\. Sattriya: Classical Dance of Assam

Sattriya is one of India's eight recognised classical dance forms. It originated in Assam's Neo-Vaishnavite tradition and is associated with Srimanta Sankardeva and the satras.

Sattriya combines expressive gestures, rhythmic movements, music and devotional themes. It developed as part of religious and theatrical traditions and later gained wider recognition on national and international stages.

Exam facts

* State of origin: Assam.

* Associated personality: Srimanta Sankardeva.

* Tradition: Neo-Vaishnavism.

* Status: One of India's eight recognised classical dance forms.

### 7\. Majuli Mask-Making Tradition

Majuli, the river island in Assam, is renowned for its traditional mask-making associated with Bhaona performances.

Artisans create masks representing mythological characters, animals and other figures. These masks are used in traditional theatrical performances and help preserve Assam's religious and artistic heritage.

Importance: Majuli's mask-making tradition demonstrates the connection between visual art, performing arts and community-based craftsmanship.

### 8\. Sarthebari Bell-Metal Craft

Sarthebari in Barpeta district of Assam is famous for its bell-metal craftsmanship. Artisans make traditional utensils, ceremonial objects and household products using specialised metalworking techniques.

Bell-metal products have long been associated with Assamese domestic, cultural and religious practices.

Exam facts

* Location: Sarthebari, Barpeta district, Assam.

* Craft: Bell-metal work.

* Products: Traditional utensils and ritual objects.

* Importance: Preservation of traditional artisan skills.

### 9\. Traditional Indian Art and Craft Forms

| Art or craft          | State or region              | Important feature                                      |

| --------------------- | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |

| Madhubani painting    | Bihar                        | Painting tradition associated with Mithila             |

| Warli painting        | Maharashtra                  | Geometric figures depicting community life             |

| Pattachitra           | Odisha and West Bengal       | Traditional paintings, often with mythological themes  |

| Kalamkari             | Andhra Pradesh and Telangana | Hand-painted or block-printed textiles                 |

| Phulkari              | Punjab                       | Traditional embroidery                                 |

| Channapatna toys      | Karnataka                    | Lacquered wooden toys                                  |

| Blue pottery          | Rajasthan                    | Decorative pottery associated with Jaipur              |

| Bidriware             | Karnataka                    | Metalwork with contrasting inlay                       |

| Dhokra art            | Several Indian regions       | Traditional metal casting using the lost-wax technique |

| Kutch embroidery      | Gujarat                      | Regional embroidery traditions                         |

| Bamboo and cane craft | Assam and Northeast India    | Baskets, furniture and household products              |

| Sitalpati             | Assam and Bengal region      | Traditional woven mats                                 |

| Muga silk             | Assam                        | Golden-coloured silk                                   |

| Eri silk              | Assam and Northeast India    | Silk associated with traditional weaving               |

| Majuli masks          | Assam                        | Masks used in traditional performances                 |

### 10\. Important Cultural Personalities

| Personality           | Contribution                                                                |

| --------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

| Srimanta Sankardeva   | Religious reformer, writer, playwright and cultural figure of Assam         |

| Dr Bhupen Hazarika    | Singer, composer, lyricist, filmmaker and cultural icon                     |

| Jyoti Prasad Agarwala | Writer, playwright, composer and pioneer of Assamese cinema                 |

| Bishnu Prasad Rabha   | Cultural figure, musician, artist and freedom fighter                       |

| Zubeen Garg           | Assamese singer, composer and filmmaker                                     |

| Raghunath Murmu       | Creator of the Ol Chiki script for Santhali                                 |

| Rabindranath Tagore   | Poet, writer and Nobel Prize laureate                                       |

| Jamini Roy            | Indian painter known for adapting folk-art influences                       |

| Raja Ravi Varma       | Painter known for combining European academic techniques with Indian themes |

### 11\. Quick Revision for Competitive Examinations

* Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2026 — Faridabad, Haryana.

* Taj Mahotsav 2026 — Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

* Ali-Aye-Ligang — Mising community of Assam.

* Karbi Youth Festival — Karbi Anglong, Assam.

* Sattriya — Classical dance form of Assam.

* Majuli — Traditional mask-making and Bhaona.

* Sarthebari — Bell-metal craftsmanship.

* Madhubani painting — Bihar.

* Warli painting — Maharashtra.

* Channapatna toys — Karnataka.

* Muga silk — Assam.

* Dhokra art — Traditional metal casting using the lost-wax technique.

### 12\. Multiple-Choice Questions

1\. Taj Mahotsav is associated with which city?

A. Jaipur B. Agra C. Lucknow D. Bhopal

Answer: B. Agra.

2\. Ali-Aye-Ligang is celebrated by which community?

A. Bodo B. Karbi C. Mising D. Rabha

Answer: C. Mising.

3\. Sattriya is associated with which state?

A. Assam B. Kerala C. Odisha D. Gujarat

Answer: A. Assam.

4\. Sarthebari is famous for which craft?

A. Blue pottery B. Bell-metal work C. Marble carving D. Silk carpet weaving

Answer: B. Bell-metal work.

5\. Madhubani painting originated in which region?

A. Mithila B. Malwa C. Konkan D. Bundelkhand

Answer: A. Mithila.

6\. Channapatna is famous for which craft?

A. Wooden toys B. Metal casting C. Embroidery D. Stone carving

Answer: A. Wooden toys.

7\. Who is associated with the development of the Ol Chiki script?

A. Srimanta Sankardeva B. Raghunath Murmu C. Jyoti Prasad Agarwala D. Bishnu Prasad Rabha

Answer: B. Raghunath Murmu.

8\. Which Indian state is particularly associated with Muga silk?

A. Assam B. Punjab C. Haryana D. Rajasthan

Answer: A. Assam.

### Sources and further reading

* Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam.

* Assam Tourism.

* Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

* Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

* Press Information Bureau (PIB).

* Official cultural and tourism publications on Indian handicrafts and traditional performing arts.