Culture of India

Culture of India
Name	Culture of India
Religions	Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism
Languages	Hindi, English, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, and others
Food	Roti, Dal, Biryani, Dosa, Samosa
Dance	Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kathakali
Music	Hindustani classical music, Carnatic music, Bollywood music
Literature	Works of Rabindranath Tagore, Vyasa, Kalidasa
Architecture	Taj Mahal, Mysore Palace, Khajuraho Group of Monuments
Festivals	Diwali, Holi, Eid al-Fitr, Durga Puja, Onam

Culture of India. The culture of India, often described as an amalgamation of several distinct traditions, is one of the world's oldest, with roots tracing back to the Indus Valley Civilization. It has been profoundly shaped by a history of invasions, trade, and the spread of major religions, leading to a remarkable diversity in languages, artistic expressions, and social customs. This cultural fabric is unified by underlying philosophical concepts such as dharma and karma, which continue to influence societal norms and individual conduct across the subcontinent.

History

The historical foundations of Indian culture are anchored in the urban planning and artifacts of the Indus Valley Civilization, sites like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. The subsequent Vedic period saw the composition of sacred texts like the Rigveda and the establishment of early Hindu societal structures. The rise of Mahavira and Gautama Buddha in the 6th century BCE gave birth to Jainism and Buddhism, which flourished under empires like the Mauryan under Ashoka. Later centuries witnessed the influence of the Gupta Empire, Islamic sultanates like the Delhi Sultanate, the grandeur of the Mughal Empire under rulers like Akbar and Shah Jahan, and eventual colonial rule by the British Raj, culminating in the independence movement led by figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

Languages and literature

India's linguistic landscape is exceptionally diverse, with the Constitution of India recognizing 22 official languages including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, and Tamil, while English serves as a subsidiary official language. The literary heritage spans millennia, from ancient Sanskrit epics like the Mahabharata attributed to Vyasa and the Ramayana of Valmiki, to classical dramas by Kalidasa like Abhijnanasakuntalam. The medieval period saw devotional poetry in languages like Braj Bhasha by Mirabai and the rise of Persian literature in courts. The modern era produced Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, novelists like R. K. Narayan and Arundhati Roy, and poets such as Mirza Ghalib and Sarojini Naidu.

Visual and performing arts

Visual arts range from the ancient frescoes of the Ajanta Caves and the temple sculptures of Khajuraho Group of Monuments to the miniature paintings of the Mughal and Rajasthani painting schools. Classical dance forms, each with distinct mythology and style, include Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu, Kathak associated with Mughal courts, Odissi from Odisha, and Kathakali from Kerala. The musical tradition bifurcates into the northern Hindustani classical music, influenced by Persian elements, and the southern Carnatic music, with legendary practitioners like Ravi Shankar and M. S. Subbulakshmi. The global film industries of Bollywood, Tollywood, and Kollywood are major contemporary cultural exports.

Religion and philosophy

India is the birthplace of major world religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, the latter founded by Guru Nanak. The arrival of Islam brought Sufism and led to the construction of landmarks like the Jama Masjid, while Christianity and Zoroastrianism also have ancient communities. Philosophical thought is deeply rooted in texts like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, exploring concepts of moksha, ahimsa, and advaita as propounded by Adi Shankara. This pluralistic environment is exemplified by sites sacred to multiple faiths, such as the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa.

Society and traditions

Traditional Indian society has been influenced by the caste system, though its rigidity has been challenged by social reformers like B. R. Ambedkar and legislation. The joint family structure remains significant, and life-cycle rituals from Namakarana to Antyesti are widely observed. The vibrant festival calendar includes Hindu celebrations like Diwali and Holi, Muslim observances such as Eid al-Fitr, Sikh festivals like Vaisakhi, and regional harvest festivals including Pongal and Bihu. Traditional attire varies from the sari and dhoti to the salwar kameez and sherwani, often worn during weddings and major ceremonies.

Cuisine

Indian cuisine is characterized by its sophisticated use of spices and regional variety. Staple foods include roti and rice, accompanied by dal and vegetable dishes. Notable regional specialties are the biryani of Hyderabad, the dosa and sambar of South India, the rogan josh of Kashmir, and the seafood of Kerala. Street food like samosa, pani puri, and chaat is immensely popular. Dietary practices are diverse, with widespread vegetarianism influenced by religious tenets, alongside renowned meat-based dishes such as butter chicken. Meals are often concluded with sweets like gulab jamun, jalebi, or rasgulla.

Category:Indian culture