Well it is because it has a history dating back 5000 years and in those
5000 years numerous civilizations have come and gone leaving behind their
influences good and bad. Many religions, cultures, and languages were
born. Invasions and battles and wars have shaped India as we know it
today......DISTINCT, DIVERSE and rich in culture and tradition.
Born
were 15 official languages and over 1500 dialects. Traditions have been
handed down generation after generation. Festivals were born out of the
need to enjoy, celebrate and respect these traditions. Ask any Indian
and you will find foods related to celebrations. Stories revolving
around family history and traditions. With the vast influences that
India has enjoyed comes its natural diversity. With
this diversity comes a natural ability to adapt to and accept all
cultures and religions.
Today,
India enjoys these traditions with the latest technological minds
bringing it into the 21st century with grace and competitiveness.
Variety is the spice of Indian life: The distinctive languages,
cuisines, arts, crafts, customs and traditions of each region make
India an unending journey of discovery full of pleasant surprises.
The national dress of India is the saree- six yards of
unstitched
cloth that is skillfully draped to impart grace and elegance. Other
traditional dresses worn around the country include the Salwar
Kameez and Lehenga Choli. Bright hues and intricate patterns are a
common feature of Indian dresses. Modern Indian women on the metros
wear western dresses like their male counterparts and the universal
'jeans and t-shirt' are popular amongst the college students.
So popular is Indian cuisine across the world today that London is
believed to have more Indian restaurants that Delhi. The secret of
the Indian cuisine lies in the skillful use of spices. While 80% of
Indians are vegetarian, fish is a major component of the diet in the
coastal region.
The southern part of India has a distinctive style
of cooking with the predominant use of rice and coconut.
In cricket crazy India it is easy to forget that hockey is really
the national game. Lack of resources is hardly a setback to the game
which is played in every street corner and cramped back alley.
While India's performance has not been quite as good as it should
have been, it is expected that modern training methods and more
competitive spirit will give a better medals tally at the next
Olympic Games.
India has a very old and
traditional school of Music and Dance.
Master performers train long and hard under a 'guru'. Performances
are viewed by large and appreciative audience. Vibrant folk and
tribal art forms also prevail in parts of India but are gradually
dying away. Many government and non-government organisations are
taking initiative to keep these traditional art forms alive.
Modern Indian painters like MF Hussain, Ganesh Pyne
M.F. Husain
Autobiography
Oil on Canvas
48" x 72"
1996
and
Anjolie Ela
Menon are making waves globally. Works of Indian painters are
believed to be a good investment in the art market today. Indian
literature too is a treasure house of wisdom and knowledge. From the
ancient religious text to modern day writers are a long unbroken
line of authors who skillfully tell their tales and comment upon
contemporary life in India.
Modern Indian writers who have received
acclaim are Vikram Seth, Arundhuti Roy, Jhumpa Lahiri
and many
others.
No commentary on culture and tradition in India could end without a
mention of 'Bollywood' – the great Indian
Film Industry.
Established in 1896 today India produces largest number of films in
the world. Well known for romance, violence, music and dance the
popularity of these films across the world has been phenomenal.
Running through the myriads of kaleidoscopic impression of Indian
culture and lifestyle is a constant desire to make a perfect and
unique blend of the old with the new, traditional with the modern
and eastern with the western.
