”UPSC Prelims Bits For Today” is every day published in the morning between 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and contains selective current affairs articles. ”UPSC Prelims Bits For Today” covers various topics from UPSC Prelims Syllabus and is very helpful and time managing for UPSC Aspirants. The framing of this daily current affairs compilation article is easy to read and understandable also.
In the ”UPSC Prelims Bits For Today” article, we focus on UPSC Preliminary exam-oriented current affairs covering various sections from leading National Newspapers, PIB, and other various official sources.
Mayurbhanj Chhau
- Mayurbhanj, located in the northern part of Odisha is famous for its Chhau dance.
- The warriors in this dance dress in their traditional costumes and follow strict techniques of Chhau while performing the dance.
- It is in the Odia speaking regions where Chhau was prevalent in the past and is now being practised in the present. These are Mayurbhanj, Saraikela, Puruliya.
- In the beginning, this dance form was confined to swordplay, with a sword in one hand and the shield in the other. Most of the accompanying music was composed only to exhibit the physical powers, techniques of sword playing and acrobatic movements of the dancers.
- Dress, costumes, and makeup play an important role in all dance performances.
- Chhau is a dance drama, the characters portrayed in the dance are of Gods and Goddesses and sometimes animals.
- The dresses and costumes used in the dance depend on the theme and the characters portrayed. Dress items include dhoti gamcha, turban, and kamarband.
- Some of the ornaments are ghungroo and bajubandh. Swords, shields, lathi (stick), bow and arrow are some of the important props. The music (which is a combination of classical and folk music of Odisha) plays a prominent role.
- Dhol, Shehnai, Dhumsa, and Chad-chadi are some of the important instruments of this dance form.
Kalaripayattu
- Considered among the oldest and most scientific martial arts in the world, Kalaripayattu was developed in Kerala. Lauded as the pride of Kerala, it is acknowledged and respected across the world.
- The training begins with an oil massage of the entire body until it is agile and supple. Feats like chattom (jumping), ottam (running) and marichil (somersault) are also integral parts of the art form. There are also lessons in using weapons like swords, daggers, spears, maces, and bows and arrows.
- The primary aim is the ultimate coordination between mind and body. Another focus of Kalaripayattu is specialisation in indigenous medicinal practices. Kalaris are also important centres of religious worship. Once the course is complete, one should engage in oil massage and practice to maintain shape.
Hydrogen FCEV
What is FCEV?
- Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are powered by hydrogen.
- They are more efficient than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and produce no tailpipe emissions—they only emit water vapor and warm air. FCEVs and the hydrogen infrastructure to fuel them are in the early stages of implementation.
- FCEVs use a propulsion system similar to that of electric vehicles, where energy stored as hydrogen is converted to electricity by the fuel cell.
- FCEVs are fueled with pure hydrogen gas stored in a tank on the vehicle. Similar to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, they can fuel in less than 4 minutes and have a driving range over 300 miles.
- Fuel cells work in a similar manner to conventional batteries found in electric vehicles but they do not run out of charge and don’t need to be recharged with electricity.
- They continue to produce electricity as long as there is a supply of hydrogen. Just like conventional cells, a fuel cell consists of an anode (negative electrode) and cathode (positive electrode) sandwiched around an electrolyte.
- The primary advantage of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) is that they produce no tailpipe emissions. They only emit water vapour and warm air.
- Another advantage is that they are more efficient than internal combustion engine vehicles.
