Unit 1
Unit 1
Unit 1
CU~TURAL TRADITIONS
Structure
1.1 Introduction
Objectives
1.6 Sumrruuy
1.7 Questions
1.8 Answers
1.1 INTRODUCTION
When you visit a place for the first time you will see the people of that place
speak in a different language, dress differently, eating style is different and follow
certain ways and manners which may be different from yours. In order to survive
there you learn some of these ways. But all of us are born into cultures in terms
of family, community and society. There are certain ways we behave, think, dress,
understand the world around us, we follow the religion and caste, we speak the
language of the region. This may differ from region to region. All these influence
on us as we grow and we absorb these practices. Many of these practices have
been handed down for generations naturally. At the same time these cultural
practices are subject to change. In this lesson we will explore the expressions of
culture and cultural traditions of India.
Objectives
.• define culture;
Our religious beliefs also influence our daily lives. Marriage rituals, the food we
eat, the clothes we wear are governed by the religious rules and also it goes with
the region to which we belong. For example the Hindu, Muslim, Christian and
Sikh women of Punjab wear salwar khameze where as the all women irrespective
of religions wear saree in Tamilnadu. Thus, our cultural traditions are shaped by
many fa~tors other than religion.
Literary Tradition
In the field of literature too the Vedic sources, Sanskrit works of Kalidasa and
others including Persian, Urdu and English and the regional literature show the
6 finer expression of Indian imagination, understanding life and philosophy. The
classical language like Sanskrit and local language like Prakrit and others have Indian Culture and
Cultural Traditions
simultaneously evolved. Indian cultural life is gloriously depicted in these various
forms of literature.
Religious Tradition
Indian religious tradition talks about 'vasudaiva kutumbakam', the entire universe
is one family of God. Through the ages the Vedic chants, Buddhist chants, Jaina
chants, sufi songs(Islamic-Hindu combination) , folk songs, poetic compositions
of saints from all over the country during Bhakti movement have made Indian
culture rich and deep-rooted. The women saints like Akka Mahadevi (Kamataka),
Meera Bai (Rajasthan), Andal (Tamilnadu), Lai Ded (Kashmir), have richly
contributed to the Indian literary and religious tradition.
Although, the Indian society was divided into many caste groups, harmony was
maintained between the people of different religions. Religious tolerance was the
basic principle of Indian culture. From such experience, spirituality and the science
of Yoga have emerged as cultural traditions. Indian spirituality and Yoga are the
great contributions to the world today. The folk traditions are known as living
traditions they are colourful, rich and closer to nature.
The food tradition and dress tradition have undergone much change. If we observe
what we eat today is an add mixture of older ones traditionally grown and
available in India and the most recent ones like Pizzas, pasta, noodles, ham
burgers, ice-cream etc. At the same time people in other countries like USA, UK
and Middle East have developed taste for Indian cuisine such as dosa, curries,
kababs and sweets. Even the dresses people wear in Indian cities have great
western influence. The effects of technology have brought many changes in our
day to day life. Even the remote villages have Television, mobiles, telephone and
internet. In this way people are connected and this has altered the socio-cultural
life of our people. You will come across more information on the changing trends
in the Indian cultural heritage in the lessons which follow.
1.6 SUMMARY
In this unit, we have tried to define what culture is and also the meaning of
culture. This has given us an understanding that culture is the integral part of our
everyday life. Every human being will evolve culturally in a society. So far we have
learnt,
• If we wish to answer questions arising from the interaction of our lives with
culture, we have to refer to our cultural heritage. This will help us to understand
our present life and situation better. .
• The ideas and theories prevailing in our social thought of today have a
cultural background.
c) Paintings from Mughal period tells us the taste and interests of Mughal
emperors. •
Terminal Questions
2. In the space below, give short answers in about three or four lines to the
following questions.
a) What are the religious traditions that make Indian culture unique?
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Introduction to Indian b) How festivals and fairs show our cultural traditions?
Culture
4. Make a list of all cultural expression mentioned in the lesson. Tick the one
you have seen and heard and mention which you like the most and why?
1.8 ANSWERS
1) a) F, (b) F, (c) T, (d) F, (e) F
Terminal Answers
2) The religious traditions that make Indian culture unique are that Indian religious
tradition talks about 'vasudaiva kutumbakam', the entire universe is one
family of God. Because of Vedic chants, Buddhist chants, laina chants, sufi
songs, folk songs, bhajans Indian culture rich and deep-rooted. Although the
Indian society was divided into many caste groups, harmony was maintained
and religious tolerance was the basic principle of Indian culture. From such
experience spirituality and the science of Yoga have emerged and contributed
to world cultural traditions.
Short Notes:
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Unlversity
SU:lIeni ~~i1Rt SeIv~
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Head Quanen;
RiOGiona' Centres
* SIU4y Centres
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