1. What is the collective name for the eastern-most parts of India? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ଭାରତର ପୂର୍ବତମ ଅଂଶଗୁଡିକର ସାମୂହିକ ନାମ କ’ଣ?)

 Ans: The collective name for the eastern-most parts of India is North-East India.

2. Which state is called the "little brother" to the Seven Sisters? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: କେଉଁ ରାଜ୍ୟକୁ "ସପ୍ତଭଗିନୀ"ଙ୍କ "ସାନ ଭାଇ" ବୋଲି କୁହାଯାଏ?)

 Ans: Sikkim is called the "little brother" to the Seven Sisters.

3. What are the three prominent Bihu festivals of Assam? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ଆସାମର ତିନୋଟି ପ୍ରମୁଖ ବିହୁ ପର୍ବ କ’ଣ?)

 Ans: The three prominent festivals are Rongali Bihu, Kongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu.

4. When is Rongali Bihu celebrated? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ରଙ୍ଗାଲି ବିହୁ କେବେ ପାଳନ କରାଯାଏ?)

 Ans: It is celebrated in mid-April.

5. Which tribe celebrates the Mopin festival? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: କେଉଁ ଜନଜାତି ମୋପିନ୍ ପର୍ବ ପାଳନ କରନ୍ତି?)

 Ans: The Galo tribe celebrates the Mopin festival.

6. Which festival in Manipur celebrates the New Year in April? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ମଣିପୁରର କେଉଁ ପର୍ବ ଏପ୍ରିଲ ମାସରେ ନବବର୍ଷ ପାଳନ କରେ?)

 Ans: Cheiraoba is the Manipur new-year festival celebrated in April.

7. What is Wangala festival also known as? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ୱାଙ୍ଗାଲା ପର୍ବ ଅନ୍ୟ କେଉଁ ନାମରେ ଜଣାଶୁଣା?)

 Ans: Wangala is also known as the Hundred-drum Festival.

8. Which state's festival is the Hornbill festival? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ହର୍ନବିଲ୍ ଫେଷ୍ଟିଭାଲ୍ କେଉଁ ରାଜ୍ୟର ପର୍ବ?)

 Ans: The Hornbill festival is a festival of Nagaland.

9. Why is Sikkim not included in the "Land of Seven Sisters"? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ସିକ୍କିମ କାହିଁକି "ସପ୍ତଭଗିନୀ" ରାଜ୍ୟରେ ଅନ୍ତର୍ଭୁକ୍ତ ନୁହେଁ?)

 Ans: Sikkim is not included because it is geographically not a contiguous part of the northeast region and is separated by the Siligudi corridor.

10. What are the two main foundations of the festivals in North-East India? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ଉତ୍ତର-ପୂର୍ବ ଭାରତର ପର୍ବଗୁଡ଼ିକର ଦୁଇଟି ମୁଖ୍ୟ ଆଧାର କ’ଣ?)

 Ans: Many of these festivals are based on agriculture and have a religious importance or significance.

11. What is the purpose of celebrating Kongali (Kaati) Bihu in Assam? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ଆସାମରେ କଙ୍ଗାଲି (କାତି) ବିହୁ ପାଳନ କରିବାର ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ କ’ଣ?)

 Ans: On this occasion, people light lamps and pray to God for a thriving harvest season and to guide souls to heaven.

12. What does the Rongali Bihu mark the beginning of? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ରଙ୍ଗାଲି ବିହୁ କେଉଁ ଜିନିଷର ଆରମ୍ଭକୁ ସୂଚିତ କରେ?)

 Ans: It marks the onset of spring, the beginning of the sowing season, and the start of a New Year there.

13. What is the Ziro festival of music? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ଜିରୋ ସଙ୍ଗୀତ ଉତ୍ସବ କ’ଣ?)

 Ans: It is an iconic outdoor musical festival held at Ziro that features indie bands and folk acts from across northeast India.

14. How does the Wangala festival (dance of the 100 drums) get its name? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ୱାଙ୍ଗାଲା ପର୍ବ (୧୦୦ ଡ୍ରମ୍ ନୃତ୍ୟ) ଏହାର ନାମ କିପରି ପାଇଲା?)

 Ans: The festival is named so because 100 drums are beaten together during the celebration.

15. What is the purpose of the Naga festivals as mentioned in the text? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ପାଠ୍ୟରେ ଉଲ୍ଲେଖ ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ନାଗା ପର୍ବଗୁଡ଼ିକର ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ କ’ଣ?)

 Ans: Celebration of these festivals is an effective meAns of preserving and passing down their oral history.

16. What are the main rituals of the Karachi Puja in Tripura? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ତ୍ରିପୁରାର କରାଚି ପୂଜାର ମୁଖ୍ୟ ରୀତିନୀତି କ’ଣ?)

 Ans: The main rituals are animal sacrifice and worshipping fourteen gods as instructed by Lord Shiva.

17. Which festival in Sikkim is similar to Diwali, and why? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ସିକ୍କିମର କେଉଁ ପର୍ବ ଦୀପାବଳି ସହିତ ସମାନ, ଏବଂ କାହିଁକି?)

 Ans: Tihaar is similar to Diwali because it is the "festival of light".

18. What do the dances performed during festivals in Tripura represent? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ତ୍ରିପୁରାର ପର୍ବ ସମୟରେ ପରିବେଷଣ କରାଯାଉଥିବା ନୃତ୍ୟଗୁଡ଼ିକ କ’ଣ ଦର୍ଶାଏ?)

 Ans: Many of the dances represent hunting, food-gathering and various other activities.

19. What is the major difference between Kongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: କଙ୍ଗାଲି ବିହୁ ଏବଂ ଭୋଗାଲି ବିହୁ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ମୁଖ୍ୟ ପାର୍ଥକ୍ୟ କ’ଣ?)

 Ans: Kongali Bihu is celebrated when the fields are lush but the barns are empty, while Bhogali Bihu is a thanksgiving celebrated when the crops have been harvested and the barns are full.

20. What is the significance of "discarding the old" during the Losar festival? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ଲୋସାର ପର୍ବ ସମୟରେ "ପୁରୁଣାକୁ ପରିତ୍ୟାଗ" କରିବାର ମହତ୍ତ୍ୱ କ’ଣ?)

 Ans: It is significant because it is done to bring in the New Year.

21. How does the Ningol Chakouba festival strengthen social bonds in Manipur? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ନିଙ୍ଗୋଲ ଚକୌବା ପର୍ବ ମଣିପୁରରେ ସାମାଜିକ ବନ୍ଧନକୁ କିପରି ମଜବୁତ କରେ?)

 Ans: It binds and revives the relationships between married girls and their parents by inviting them for a sumptuous feast.

22. How do the men's roles in the Wangala dance and the Hornbill festival dance differ? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ୱାଙ୍ଗାଲା ନୃତ୍ୟ ଏବଂ ହର୍ନବିଲ୍ ଫେଷ୍ଟିଭାଲ୍ ନୃତ୍ୟରେ ପୁରୁଷମାନଙ୍କର ଭୂମିକା କିପରି ଭିନ୍ନ ଅଟେ?)

 Ans: In the Wangala dance, men beat the drums while moving rhythmically, whereas in the Hornbill festival, men in warrior costumes show off their hunting and warring skills.

23. What is the spiritual belief behind villagers climbing hilltops during Cheiraoba? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ଚେଇରାଓବା ସମୟରେ ଗ୍ରାମବାସୀମାନେ ପାହାଡ଼ ଚଢିବା ପଛରେ ଥିବା ଆଧ୍ୟାତ୍ମିକ ବିଶ୍ୱାସ କ’ଣ?)

 Ans: They believe that this will help them rise to a higher plane in this life.

24. How does the celebration of Saga Dawa reflect the principles of Buddhism? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ସାଗା ଦାୱା ପର୍ବ କିପରି ବୌଦ୍ଧ ଧର୍ମର ନୀତିକୁ ପ୍ରତିଫଳିତ କରେ?)

 Ans: It reflects Buddhist principles as it commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha, and people visit monasteries to offer prayers.

25. Besides religious thanksgiving, what other function do the festivals of North-East India serve? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ଧାର୍ମିକ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ ବ୍ୟତୀତ, ଉତ୍ତର-ପୂର୍ବ ଭାରତର ପର୍ବଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଅନ୍ୟ କେଉଁ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ସମ୍ପାଦନ କରେ?)

 Ans: These celebrations also help encourage cultural and artistic activities and bring out the natural talent of the people.

1. Describe the three different Bihu festivals of Assam, noting their time of celebration and purpose. (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ଆସାମର ତିନୋଟି ଭିନ୍ନ ଭିନ୍ନ ବିହୁ ପର୍ବ, ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକର ପାଳନ ସମୟ ଏବଂ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ ଉଲ୍ଲେଖ କରି ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କର ।) 

Ans: The three prominent Bihu festivals are Rongali, Kongali, and Bhogali.

1.      Rongali Bihu, or Bohag Bihu, is celebrated in mid-April to mark the onset of spring, the beginning of the sowing season, and the New Year.

2.      Kongali Bihu, or Kaati Bihu, is celebrated in mid-October when barns are empty. On this occasion, people light lamps and pray for a thriving harvest.

3.      Bhogali Bihu, or Magh Bihu, is observed in mid-January. It is a thanksgiving festival that marks the end of the harvest season when the barns are full.

2. Describe the celebration of the Wangala festival (The Hundred-drum Festival) in Meghalaya. What does the dance look like? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ମେଘାଳୟର ୱାଙ୍ଗାଲା ପର୍ବ (ଶହେ-ଡ୍ରମ୍ ପର୍ବ)ର ପାଳନ ବିଷୟରେ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା କରନ୍ତୁ । ଏହି ନୃତ୍ୟ କିପରି ଦେଖାଯାଏ?)

 Ans: Wangala is the most important harvest festival of the Garos in Meghalaya, celebrated in November to mark the end of hard work. It is called the Hundred-drum Festival because 100 drums are beaten together during the celebration, accompanied by the blowing of horns. The dance performed is unique and disciplined. It features two parallel lines, one of men and the other of women, clad in their festive costumes. While the men beat the drums, the two lines move forward together in a rhythmic manner.

3. Compare and contrast the two New Year festivals, Losar (Arunachal Pradesh) and Cheiraoba (Manipur). (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ଦୁଇଟି ନବବର୍ଷ ପର୍ବ, ଲୋସାର (ଅରୁଣାଚଳ ପ୍ରଦେଶ) ଏବଂ ଚେଇରାଓବା (ମଣିପୁର) ମଧ୍ୟରେ ତୁଳନା କରନ୍ତୁ ।)

Ans: Both Losar and Cheiraoba are important New Year festivals, but they have distinct rituals.

·         Similarity: Both festivals involve preparations focused on renewal. For Losar, people clean their homes and discard the old. Similarly, for Cheiraoba, people clean and decorate their houses and prepare special festive dishes.

·         Difference: The key ritual of Losar is cleing the home to "bring in the New Year". The key ritual of Cheiraoba is spiritual, where villagers climb the nearest hilltops, believing this action will help them rise to a higher plane in life. Cheiraoba is celebrated in April, while Losar in Arunachal is the state's main New Year festival (in Sikkim, it is in February).

4. Explain the significance of the Hornbill festival. Why is it named so, and what does it showcase? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ହର୍ନବିଲ୍ ଫେଷ୍ଟିଭାଲର ମହତ୍ତ୍ୱ ବ୍ୟାଖ୍ୟା କରନ୍ତୁ । ଏହାର ନାମକରଣ କାହିଁକି ଏପରି ହୋଇଛି, ଏବଂ ଏହା କ’ଣ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶନ କରେ?)

 Ans: The Hornbill festival is one of India's most colourful and charming festivals, celebrated in Nagaland for 10 days in December. It is named after the state's most admired bird, the Hornbill. The festival's main significance is that it showcases the cultural heritage of all 16 tribes of Nagaland in one place. It is a grand celebration that includes cultural dances and sporting events. During the festival, men dressed in full warrior costume perform dances that show off their hunting and warring skills, preserving their traditions.

5. How are the festivals of Sikkim (Saga Dawa and Losoong) different in their purpose and celebrations? (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ସିକ୍କିମର ପର୍ବ (ସାଗା ଦାୱା ଏବଂ ଲୋସୁଙ୍ଗ) ସେମାନଙ୍କର ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ ଏବଂ ପାଳନରେ କିପରି ଭିନ୍ନ?)

 Ans: Saga Dawa and Losoong are two of Sikkim's major festivals but serve very different purposes.

·         Saga Dawa is a major Buddhist festival celebrated on the full moon day between May and June. Its purpose is purely religious, as it commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. Celebrations involve visiting monasteries to offer prayers and butter lamps.

·         Losoong, on the other hand, is a harvest festival celebrated at the end of the harvest season. Its purpose is to celebrate the hard work of the farmers. Celebrations are more physical and festive, involving the Chaam dance performed in brightly coloured masks, along with archery contests and feasting.

6. "Songs and Dances form the soul of these festivals." Justify this statement with examples from Nagaland and Assam. (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: "ଗୀତ ଓ ନୃତ୍ୟ ଏହି ପର୍ବଗୁଡ଼ିକର ଆତ୍ମା ଅଟେ ।" ନାଗାଲାଣ୍ଡ ଏବଂ ଆସାମର ଉଦାହରଣ ସହିତ ଏହି ବକ୍ତବ୍ୟର ଯଥାର୍ଥତା ପ୍ରତିପାଦନ କରନ୍ତୁ ।)

Ans: This statement is entirely true, as festivals in the northeast are incomplete without music and dance.

·         In Nagaland, songs and dances are the festival. The text states they are the "soul" of the festivals and the primary way of "preserving and passing down their oral history". During Moastu, people dance in colorful headgear. At the Hornbill festival, men perform warrior dances to "show off their hunting and warring skills".

·         In Assam, any Bihu celebration is "incomplete without melodious folk songs and traditional dance". The Bihu dance is described as a "joyous one", performed with "brisk steps and hand movement" to the tunes of the pepa and dhol. In both states, dance and music are not just entertainment; they are the method of celebration and preservation.

7. How do the festivals of North-East India reflect the region's deep connection with both agriculture and religion? Provide specific examples from at least three different states. (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅର୍ଥ: ଉତ୍ତର-ପୂର୍ବ ଭାରତର ପର୍ବଗୁଡ଼ିକ କିପରି ଏହି ଅଞ୍ଚଳର କୃଷି ଏବଂ ଧର୍ମ ସହିତ ଗଭୀର ସମ୍ପର୍କକୁ ପ୍ରତିଫଳିତ କରେ? ଅତି କମ୍‌ରେ ତିନୋଟି ଭିନ୍ନ ରାଜ୍ୟରୁ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ଉଦାହରଣ ଦିଅନ୍ତୁ ।)

Ans: The festivals of North-East India are deeply rooted in agriculture and religion, often blending the two.

1.      Assam: The Bihus are almost entirely based on agriculture. Rongali Bihu marks the "beginning of the sowing season". Kongali Bihu is when people pray for a "thriving harvest season". Bhogali Bihu is a "thanksgiving" for the end of the harvest when the "barns are full".

2.      Arunachal Pradesh: Mopin is a major harvest festival. It combines agriculture with religion as people "worship goddess Mopin" and pray to "drive away evil spirits" and acquire prosperity.

3.      Meghalaya: Wangala is another clear example. It is a harvest festival celebrated to "mark the end of hard work". The text also states that most festivals have a "religious importance" where people "offer thanks to the gods for a good harvest" or ask for protection from calamities.