Indian Culture

INDIAN TRADITION
AND CULTURE
Child Guidance Centre
Hyderabad, 2010
A NAMASTE TO ALL!
 Namaḥ, to bow
 te, "to you."
 namo: stu te
 "let there be a
salutation to you”
GARLANDING
There are basically two

reasons behind the
garlanding tradition of
India. Firstly, it
showcases one's
happiness at receiving
the particular guest and
secondly, it is a form of
publicly acknowledging
the guest's importance.
The National Flag
 The flag's saffron color
symbolizes courage and
sacrifice
 white stands for peace and
truth,
 and green is for faith and
chivalry,
 blue represents the color of
the sky and the ocean.
 The 24 spokes of the wheel
(Ashoka Chakra), correspond
with the 24 hours of the day,
implying that there is life in
movement and death in
stagnation.
There are 28 states and 7 Union Territories in India
 Total population: 1.06 billion people
 72% in Rural areas
 Religion: Hindu 81.3%, Muslim 12%,
Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other
groups including Buddhist, Jain, Parsi
2.5% ( AC TO 2000 ss report)
 41.6% of the total Indian population
in India are Below Poverty Line.
 75% of the poor are in rural areas,
most of them are daily wagers, self-
employed householders , and landless
labourers.
 1,652 mother tongues (languages) in India.
National Language is Hindi
 Official languages are English and Hindi
 There are four Major Castes in India the
Brahmins (teachers, scholars and priests) ,
the Kshatriyas (kings, warriors and
administrators) , the Shudras (service
providers, laborers) and Vyshyas
(agriculturists and traders) which have
evolved to 1000 more castes and sub castes.
The National Tree
 Indian fig tree, whose
branches root themselves like
new trees over a large area.
 The roots then give rise to
more trunks and branches.
 This tree is considered
immortal and is an integral
part of the myths and legends
of India.
 Even today, the banyan tree is
the focal point of village life
and the village council meets
under the shade of this tree.
The National Flower
 It is a sacred flower
and occupies a unique
position in the art and
mythology of ancient
India and has been
an auspicious symbol
of Indian culture since
time immemorial.
The National Animal-Tiger
The National Bird
The National Fruit
Dining Etiquette
 Indian cuisine relishes in its flavors and spices.
 Much Indian food is eaten with the fingers.
 The guest of honour is served first, followed by the men, and
the children are served last.
 Women typically serve the men and eat later.
 You may be asked to wash your hands before and after sitting
down to a meal.
 Always use your right hand to eat, whether you are using
utensils or your fingers.
 Take off your shoes before entering the house.
Indian Attires
Ethnic Wear
Wedding Attires
Indian tradition
 The uniqueness of Indian culture lies in its
strong social system and family values .
 The elders are considered the driving
force and so are respected and loved .
 The guests are considered as gods and
are treated with respect and love, even if
by foregoing some of the personal
pleasures.
 TOUCHING FEET
Name Protocol
 Younger never uses the proper name of their
elders. (eg: Anna, Akka etc.)
 Only people of the same age will address each
other by first name.
 A Hindu wife never speaks the name of her
husband .
 CAUTION WITH FOOTWEAR: It is very
important to apologize immediately if one
touches someone with his or her shoe or sandal
 DISPLAYING AFFECTION: Married Hindu couples
do not hug, hold hands or kiss in public. Even
embracing at airports and train stations is
considered not wise. Men, however, frequently
walk hand in hand.
 MODESTY: Interaction in public between men
and women is much more restrained in Hindu
culture than in Western culture. In Hindu
culture, for the most part, men socialize with
men, and women with women. Men never touch
women in public unless the lady is very elderly
or infirm.
 WOMANLY RESERVE: In mixed company
especially in the presence of strangers, a Hindu
woman will keep modestly in the background
and not participate freely in conversation. This,
of course, does not apply to situations among
family and close associates.
 SERVING AT MEALS: At meals women follow the
custom of serving the men first before enjoying
their own meal.
 CHAPERONING: It is customary for a woman to
always be accompanied when she leaves the
home. Living alone, too, is unusual.
 WOMEN IN PUBLIC: Generally it is improper for
women to speak with strangers on the street
and especially to strike up a casual conversation.
 HOME VISITS: Close friends can visit one
another anytime without being announced or
making arrangements first. When they drop in,
at least a refreshing drink is always served.
 WIFE HOME ALONE: If the lady of the house is
in home alone and a male visitor comes to see
her husband, it is not proper for her to invite him
in, nor for him to expect to enter. Rather, he will
leave a message and depart.
Family Systems in India
 Bondage of love and affection is
abundantly found in Indian family system.
 Parents do not let their child to live
independent life until they get a marriage
match.
 Culture and tradition of India does not
support love-marriages and the divorce
between a husband and a wife .
 The Dowry System
 Class (Upper, Middle, Low)
 Purdah system
 Tribes
 Transport(Bullock, Tonga etc)
THANK YOU
VERY MUCH

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INDIAN TRADITION

There are basically two

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