Culture?
Culture plays an important role in the development of any
nation. It represents a set of shared attitudes, values, goals and practices.
Culture and creativity manifest themselves in almost all economic, social and
other activities. A country as diverse as India is symbolized by the plurality
of its culture.
What do you mean by Culture of India?
The culture of India refers to the way of life of the
people of India. India's languages, religions, dance, music, architecture,
food, and customs differ from place to place within the country. The Indian
culture, often labeled as an amalgamation of several cultures, spans across the
Indian subcontinent and has been influenced by a history that is several
millennia old. Many elements of India's diverse cultures, such as Indian
religions, yoga, and Indian cuisine, have had a profound impact across the
world.
India has one of the world’s largest collections of
songs, music, dance, theatre, folk traditions, performing arts, rites and
rituals, paintings and writings that are known, as the ‘Intangible Cultural
Heritage’ (ICH) of humanity.
The culture of India is among the world's oldest,
reaching back about 5,000 years. Many sources describe it as "SA PRATHAMA
SANSKRATI VISHVAVARA" — the first and the supreme culture in the world.
India is a very diverse country, and different regions have their own distinct
cultures. Language, religion, food and the arts are just some of the various
aspects of Indian culture. Here is a brief overview of the culture of India.
Indian Marriages
Time has changed but the lavishness has always been an
integral and indispensable part of Indian marriages. In India, marriage is
still taken as an institution where not two people but two families get united.
So, it always calls for boisterous celebrations full of music and dance. Within
India, every caste and community has its own way of performing the rituals of
marriage. In Hindu marriages, while Punjabis perform the 'Roka' ceremony in
weddings, Sindhis perform the 'Berana'. But most common of all is the ritual of
Hast Milap ceremony popularly called Paanigrahan Sanskar.
Muslims also have their own special way of celebrating
the marriage ceremony, popularly called Nikaah. During the auspicious occasion,
the groom's family gives mehar (nuptial gift) to the bride. Parsis plant a
young mango tree in a pot during the marriage ceremony. This ceremony is famous
as 'Madhavsaro' ceremony. Every state has its own special way of celebrating
the marriage ceremony.
Way of Greeting
"Namaste", for an Indian it's a way common way
of greeting outsiders and elders. Both palms placed together and raised below
the face not only show the respect for others but it also makes you feel the
affection in the greeting. It is for sure that no 'hello' or 'hi' can create
that magic.
Flower Garlands
Indian people are also famous for welcoming with flower
garlands. In the Indian marriages the exchange of garlands between bride and
groom is a ritual in itself. People also offer flower garlands to gods and
goddesses during their prayers.
Worshipping Nature
Day in India starts with Surya Namaskar. In this people
offer water to the sun and enchant mantras and prayers. Indians worship nature
and that's what unique about its culture. In Hindu religion, trees and animals
are worshipped like gods. People believe in God and keep fast ('vrata') on
every festival. They offer morning's first fresh meal to cow and night's last
meal to dog. Nowhere in the world one can find such generosity.
All the religions here start the day with morning hymns
and these rich values are inculcated into the kids since childhood. Morning
prayers and moral education is also a very important part of the education
system in India.
Have you ever been to any other country in the world
where you can find such a great variety? Here people are not judged by caste,
color or creed. They are judged by their values and this is what makes India a
unique place to live.
Everything is Artistic here!
Nowhere in the world you can find such a great variety in
performing and visual arts that you can find in India. From a roadside show to
a highly sophisticated drama in the theatre, you can find anything and
everything here. It can be categorized into two main categories-
performing arts and visual arts.
It Doesn't Have Just One
Number of religions, number of states and thus number of
cuisines. If north India has chole bhature, tanduri chicken, rajma chawal, kadi
chawal, dhokla, daal baati churma and biryani to relish, then our south India
is not behind in the race. From masala dosa, rava uttpam, rasam, sambar-lemon
rice to toran, appam, meen; the south Indian cuisine has a great variety to
offer.
The concept of Thali is very famous in India. A thali is
served in a very traditional form and in this you can enjoy the complete
variety available in a particular cuisine. In small restaurants thali is the
cheapest way of getting your mouth full. If you have stepped in to a hotel,
then you can enjoy the variety in the form of combo meals.
The variety in Indian peppers like black pepper,
coriander seeds, and tamarind, cardamom, saffron and cumin seeds not only
enhance the flavor of the food but also add nutritive value to it. The Indian
food is incomplete if you don't get something sweet in the end. Have a bowl
full of kheer or a little mitha paan to add sweetness and freshness to your
mouth.
Despite so many diversities, people in India are united
and they feel proud of their culture and tradition. On the world stage, either
through international film festivals or through beauty pageants, India displays
regularly its talent and culture. Many rulers came but none could bring harm to
its culture rather Indians preserved the good values of their cultures too. The
flexibility and movement with time make Indian Culture fashionable and
acceptable too.
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