All about India
Indian culture has a rich history dating back thousands of years. Situated in Asia and bordered by neighboring China, Tibet, Bhutan, and Nepal, over one billion people reside in India. The most modern cities are Bombay (Mumbai), Calcutta, New Delhi, Madras, and Bangalore. On one hand, India is comprised of centuries-old tribes, castes, religions, and ethnic groups. On the other hand, it is a very modern country, home to Bollywood, the largest film industry in the world, and IndiaTV, its massive television industry. Before embarking on a trip to the region, it's a good idea to whet your appetite for the adventure by reading up on aspects of Indian culture and heritage.
The major Indian religions are Hinduism and Islam, while other faiths include Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and the Bahá'í Faith. When it comes to marital relationships, arranged marriages are the cultural norm, while "love marriages" are frowned upon. There are also many fascinating Indian wedding traditions as well as bride preparation customs and rituals.
Indian clothing is a large part of Indian culture. Chances are you are already familiar with the cloth headdress worn by Indian males known as a turban. Additional Indian ethnic wear includes the dhoti, a long piece of cloth tied around the waist and legs of Indian men, the Kurta, a long loose shirt worn by both men and women, the Punjabi suit or salwar kameez, a traditional garb for Indian women, and the Sari, the dress worn by women in India.
Indian handicrafts date back 5,000 years, with many crafts developed around religious values and the evolving needs of the people. From ancient times until today, India's rich craft heritage includes pottery, stone carving, metal working, weaving, jewelry making, carpet weaving, textile making, glass engraving, and more.
Another aspect of Indian heritage is its rich collection of folktales. Intended to teach and instill moral values, many of the ancient stories are geared towards children and have been passed down from generation to generation. Some of the most famous compilations of Indian short stories, many of which have been translated into other languages, include Hitopadesha, the Jataka tales, and Panchatantra.
Bollywood, the renowned Indian film industry and the counterpart of Western Hollywood, is booming. With major film studios located in Mumbai, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore, India produces over 1,000 movies annually, enjoyed by audiences all over the world. In addition to commercial films the industry also includes Indian art cinema, otherwise known as "the Indian New Wave" or "New Indian Cinema."
Equally popular and growing in leaps and bounds is the Indian television industry. With at least five different types of television distribution media, the country boasts multiple networks, such as Zee 24 Ghanta, and over 500 channels broadcast in more than 10 languages. Indian soap operas are especially popular, producing many Indian celebrities and stars, while comedy, drama, reality, action, news, and cultural music programs are other favorite picks. Some Indian TV packages allow viewers to also watch shows on their PCs and via VOD or Video on Demand. On ETV Kannada, a leading Indian family entertainment channel, recordings are saved for a full two weeks following the original broadcast, allowing viewers 14 days to watch any missed programs.
One final item in this mini-guide to Indian culture is the following list of Indian national symbols:
- National anthem: Jana-gana-mana
- National animal: Tiger (panthera tigris)
- National bird: Peackock
- National flower: Lotus
- National tree: Banyan
- National fruit: Mango
- National game: Hockey
- National song: Vande Mataram
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