WHAT IS CULTURE?

Culture is everywhere but can be defined by the characteristics and

knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything
from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. The
culture of past and present shapes us and our surroundings
accordingly.
OR
Culture can be defined as product of cultivating ones mind and its
consequent ability to shape ones mind.
WHY IS CULTURE IMPORTANT?
Culture tells us who we are, where we have come from thereby
providing every individual an identity and every society a character
of its own. Moreover,
Those who forget the past are doomed to
repeat the mistakes thereby emphasising the ability of past to
provide solutions to present problems and simultaneously providing
a framework for the future.
What is Indian culture?
According to Amartya Sen, the culture of modern India is a complex
blend of its historical traditions, influences from the effects of
colonialism over centuries and current Western culture - both
collaterally and dialectically.
Indian Culture is like an expression of multifarious and multidimensional internal and external factors be it geographical,
political, socio-economic that have shaped the individual and his
surroundings eventually giving us a plural society that seems same
and different, both at the same time.
Focus on specific aspects of culture?
Clothing- dhoti, kurta, salwaar kameez, Kanchivaram sarees etc
Food- bengali, gujrati, south indian, rajasthan , mughlai, punjabi.
Its shaped by geographical, physiological, religious and economic
aspects.
Architecture- Its been shaped over the centuries by socioeconomic and geographical conditions. There have been distinct
styles along with an element of continuity e.g.: Ajanta caves.
South Indian school- developed with establishments of hindu
kingdom in india and developed into dravidian style+ North IndiaNagara style + Central India- vesara style -> Muslim invasions led

to Indo-Islamic architecture -> Colonial rule led to Indo-Sarcenic

agriculture
Jewellery- India and jewelry, jewelry and Indian women - the terms
are linked inherently. At the time of wedding as well as numerous
other occasions, a woman is gifted jewelry by her parents and
relatives. The styles of jewellery have evolved with time.
Forts- Most of the Indian forts were built as a defense mechanism
to keep the enemy away and were also symbols of might.
Indian Pilgrimage- In India we find the oldest pilgrimage tradition
in the whole world. The practice of pilgrimage in India is deeply
embedded in the cultural psyche. Following the Vedic period the
practice of pilgrimage seems to have become quite common,
Hindus call the sacred places tirthas and the action of going on a
pilgrimage is called tirtha-yatra.
Religion-India is a land of diversities. This diversity is also visible in
the spheres of religion. The major religions of India are Hinduism
(majority religion), Islam (largest minority religion), Sikhism,
Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and the
Bah' Faith. India is a land where people of different religions and
cultures live in harmony. This harmony is seen in the celebration of
festivals. The message of love and brotherhood is expressed by all
the religions and cultures of India.
Monuments-With their elaborate superfluities and wonderful
architecture, Indian monuments represent one of the most
outstanding facets of the multi-faceted Indian culture. They were
often associated with religions e.g.: Char Minar, Gateway of India,
Buland Darwaza , sancho stupa etc.
Temples- Strong mythological believes have rendered these places
as the religious hubs of the country eg: Iskon, jain temples of
gajakbetaka , mans devi etc.
Paintings- Paintings are a expression of creativity and reality of
the times.The tradition of painting has been carried on in the
Indian subcontinent since the ancient times. Standing as a
testimony to this fact are the exquisite murals of Ajanta and Ellora,
Buddhist palm leaf manuscripts, Mughal and Kangra schools of
miniature Indian paintings, Rangolis and their subtypes etc.
Dances- Dances are a form of coherent expression of human
feelings. Like the Indian culture, Indian classical dances are
equally diverse in nature. The Indian dances are broadly divided
into Classical dances and folk dances. The Classical dances of
India are usually spiritual in content. Though the folk dances of
India are also spiritual and religious in content but the main force
behind the folk dances of India is the celebratory mood. Each form
represents the culture and ethos of a particular region or a group

of people The most popular classical dance styles of India are

Bharatnatyam of Tamil Nadu, Kathakali and Mohiniattam of Kerala,
Odissi of Orissa, Kathak of Uttar Pradesh, Kuchipudi of Andhra
Pradesh and Manipuri of Manipur.
Music- India has a deep and one of the most well- developed
"systems" of classical music in the world. There have been
references to music in Vedas but some date the advent of the
system of classical Indian music to Amir Khusro. Muslim rulers and
noblemen freely extended their patronage to music. The Bhakti
tradition with its use of vernacular brought forth a musical
revolution. And By the sixteenth century, the division between
North Indian (Hindustani) and South Indian (Carnatic) music was
also being more sharply delineated.
Q. Impact of Globalisation on Indian Culture?
A- Globalisation at the cultural level, leads to both the
universalisation and the fragmentation and multiplication of
identities with addition of new elements . Globalization has not only
inculcated the westernization in India, but conversely the Indian
culture has also spread its impact globally(The concept
glocalization emerged ). The impact can be profoundly seen in
greeting( from namaste to Hi)
Family structure( nuclear, abandonment of old without structures to
support it),
marriage values( equal status),
social values( secondary rships, live-in relations etc),
loss of primacy of agriculture ,
primacy of economics,
status of women,
migration( within and outside country)
religion( increasing agnosticism, atheism with rise of
fundamentalism)
festivals( we celebrate all of them even halloween)
Clothing
Music( indian and western music becoming popular in west and
india + rise of fusion)
food habits
Q DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INDIAN AND WESTERN CULTURE?
Origin:Indian culture is one of the oldest cultures in the world. The
traditions are several millennia old.Though according to historical

records ,western culture began with Ancient Greece and Ancient

Rome, it is considered as a modern culture to many people
Religions :India-Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism
west-Christianity, Judaism
Cuisine:Indian food is heavily spiced and is rich in flavor. Major
emphasis is put on having lunch but in west Basis of food is meat; it
is an essential part of every meal. More emphasis is placed on have
dinner
Family :In india, Traditional people usually prefer joint-families, while
modern people are now living in nuclear-like families but in west
Most people believe in nuclear families
Marriages: In IndiaArranged Marriages are more common compared
to love marriages But there Love marriages are more common
Society: Indian society is collectivist whereas their society is
individualistic.
Gender Equality:In India Women are still considered unequal to men
though acceptance of westernization is changing this idea whereas
in west,Women are equal to men in society
Music :India-Religious, classical, folk, popular, bollywood and pop
music
West-Is a melting pot and mix of all kinds of music from all over the
world; includes rap, hip hop, pop, metal, rock, soft rock, alternate,
etc.
HOW TO PRESERVE INDIAN CULTURE?
India is going through a period of rapid socio-cultural
transformation. I believe emphasis should be laid on learning from
the past while marching towards a more modern and constantly
evolving heterogenous society. For this effective education , Political
& administrative initiative is needed to ensure that an ecosystem
whereby west and east collude and don't collide. Further, specific
and targeted steps to preserve remnants and reminders of the past
need to be taken.