Indias Society and Culture

Indias Society and glossExecutive SummaryThe culture of India is among the worlds oldest, reaching back ab let on 5,000 years. Many sources describe it as Sa Prathama Sanskrati Vishvavara the scratch and the supreme culture in the world. India is a very diverse country, and different regions have their own discrete cultures. Language, religion, food and the arts be just some of the various aspects of Indian culture. Here is a abbreviated overview of the culture of India.IntroductionMajor determinants of social and political organization in India today arReligion, Caste, and Language. in that location argon more job opportunities in the private sector and better chances of upward social mobility now, and so India has begun a quiet social transformation in this ara.The government has recognized 18 official languages Hindi, the discipline language, is the most widely spoken, although English is a national lingua franca.About 80% of the population is Hindoo India is the home of more than 138 million Muslims, the third largest Muslim population in the world. Indias population also implicates Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Parsis.The Caste SystemThe caste system is based on traffical and socially defined hierarchies. thither argon 4 castes1) Priests (Brahmin),2) Warriors (Kshatriya),3) Traders/artisans (Vaishya), and4) Farmers/laborers (Shudra). These categories are generally understood throughout India.The caste system does not allow in the tribal people and those outside the caste system formerly known as untouchables, or dalits.In reality, Indian society is divided into thousands of jatislocal, endogamous groups based on occupationand organized hierarchically according to convoluted ideas of purity and pollution.Discrimination based on caste is officially illegal, barely remains prevalent, especially in artless areas. Government effort, expanding education, land reform and economic opportunity through access to information, communicati on, transport, and credit are helping to lessen the harshest elements of the caste system.The Hindu WorldviewConcept of dharma following ones duty universe duty boundKarma action and consequence (as we sow, so we reap)Samsara cycle of lifeMoksha release from the successive cycles of life, shoemakers last and rebirthHindu WeddingsHindu spousal relationships are a sacrament.Generally, they last a few days.They are extremely ritualized.Fire is a sacred and central element of the Hindu wedding.Weddings are very festive, with lots of medicine, dancing, food, sweets, gifts, and include some family traditions.Black or plain white is NEVER worn at a wedding as both are the colors of sorrow, mourning or widowhood.Not all Hindu weddings are ostentatious, noisy, and long. Many factors affect wedding customs Region Caste Socio-economic standing Education level urban versus rural Family make-upWorkforceLabor force 487.6 million (2011 estimate)Labor force by occupationAgriculture 52%Industry 14%Services 34%Unemployment rate 9.8% (2011 estimate)Classified as a low income country by the World Bank with a GNI (gross national income) of $450.Great inequality in the distribution of wealth the richest tenth of households hold 33% of wealth, while the poorest tenth only hold 3%.29% of the population lives below the poverty line 70% of these people reside in rural areas 86% of the population lives under $2 per day44% lives under $1 per day25% of the population does not have enough money to eat adequately.Dos and Donts in India1) Do soak up bottled water only.2) Dont offer boons to get any job done. Bribe-taking and bribe-giving are a common practice in India but they are intended to speed up things or win a favor that non-Indians are not entitled to. Plan well in advance. Use consultants or trade and industry associations. If you inquire favors, let them come free or not at all. Warn anyone (even in government) who asks you for a bribe that you would report him t o the Anti-Corruption Bureau or the nearest police-station.3) Dont show amusement at Indian English, accents or choice of words. The fact remains that many Indians speak and write better English than many native English speakers.4) Do pay attention to the Indian nod. Many Indians are in the riding habit of shaking their head in the course of conversation or taking instructions. The nod generally government agency I hear you. Namaste. This is a greeting done with joining of your palms as during prayer.5) Do say namaste, fold up your hands together, as if praying. This is a common greeting well understood across India, in go against of linguistic differences.6) Dont shake hands with women if they do not extend their hand out first. Many women may not wish to shake hands when met, so a Namaste greeting is appropriate, followed with a Kaise hai? (How are you? in Hindi.)Indian FoodWide regional variationA variety of spices and wild add delicate flavor to the foodVegetarian food is v ery common in IndiaThere are many types of curries (vindaloo, Madras, etc.)Do not confuse curry with gravy.No beef (Cows are considered holy in India.)Chicken and lamb/mutton are common meats, as is fish.Indian pickles are served with every meal they are made with oil, spices and a variety of vegetables (mango, lemon, chilies, and carrots.)Plain yogurt is consumed with almost every meal.Indian moving pictureThe biggest film producing industry in the world is the Mumbai-based Bollywood.It is also called Hindi Cinema, since many regional language films are also produced in India. Melodrama and romance are common ingredients of Bollywood films.Indian MusicIndia has a history of music that spans millennia. Music serves as spiritual inspiration, cultural expression and pure entertainment. Types of musicFolk rural, ethnic, regional musicPopular Bollywood and regional cinema musicClassical music two branches Carnatic) Southern India) and Hindustani (Northern and profound India)Galax y of Musicians by Raja Ravi Varma depicts Indian women dressed in regional attire playing a variety of musical instruments popular in different parts of the country.Indian DanceIn Hindu mythology, dance is believed to have been conceived by Brahma, who inspired the sage Bharata Muni to write the Natya Shastra, a treatise on performing arts, from which a codified practice of dance and drama emerged. The best-known of Hindu deitiesShiva, Kali and Krishnaare typically stand for dancing. Shivas cosmic dance, Kalis dance of creation and destruction, and Krishnas dance with the gopikas (cow-herd girls)Rasa Lilaare popular motifs in Hindu mythology.ConclusionTo discontinue with, there are different aspects of the Indian culture. Each aspect is practiced by people but not everyone believes in the different aspects. As you can see it is a very traditional culture, everyone has their tactile sensation towards it, positive and negative. Therefore the Indian Culture is a very unique culture and has various practices. Although the juvenility do not believe in the traditional aspects, the culture leave alone vary with time and will not be traditional anymore because of the modern world. All in all the aspects are much practiced but tomorrows generation are going to change it.