India is
a popular destination and boasts a cultural heritage that is worth exploring.
As a tourist you have many choice to explore - from cuisine to dances to
music. All diverse in nature encompass to form the culture of India. Very
few countries in the world have such an ancient and diverse culture as
India's. Dating back to over 5000 years old civilization, India's culture
has been enriched by successive waves of migration which were absorbed into
the Indian way of life. The Indian culture comprises of Indian music, Indian
Dance, Indian cuisines, costumes and Indian Festivals.
Indian Dances
Indian dances are popular all over the world for their unique style and
lucid expression portrayed by the artiste. Indian dances have the potential
to recreate the magic of past era as well as represent the present with
their futuristic style.
It is believed that classical dance in India originated 2BC when the ancient
treatise on dance, Natya Shastra, was compiled. Guided by the elaborate
codes in the Natya Shastra and by mythology, legend and classical
literature, Indian classical dance attracts many tourist all across the
world. Classical dance forms have rigid rules for presentation. ASome of the
leading dance classical dance form are Bharata Natyam, Kathakali, Kathak,
Manipuri, Odissi, Kuchipudi and Mohini Attam.
Kathak
Originating from North India, Kathak is derived from the word Katha
(story). The dance was intiated by the devotional recitation of the story
tellers or Kathakars who were attached to the temples. It was essentially
peformed in the temples, in the praise of the lord. One can easily see the
influence of Mughals on the costume designed for the performer.
Kathakali
Originated in 17 th century, Kathak is a typical dance drama that comes
from Kerala and has its roots in Indian mythology. The artiste performs a
well written incidence from the Hindu epics or scriptures by suing facial
expression and specific hand gestures. With an elaborate costumes. Kathakali
dancers use make up that takes several hours to apply.
Much of the story that accompanies the dance is told by singers accompanied
by precussion instruments.
Mohiniattam
Dance of Mohini is quite popular in Indian mythology. Mohini according to
legends was a very beautiful woman who attracted people instantly and was an
enchantress, thus Mohiniattam is the dance of the enchantress. It is also
believed that Lord Vishnu had disguised himself as 'Mohini' with an
intention to slay Bhasmasura and also during the churning of nectar from the
ocean. But the basis of this dance is not seduction alone. Not many knows
that it also signifies transformation of Lord Vishnu into a female form and
also the concept of 'Ardhnareeshwara' i.e. male and female as one. Like many
other dance forms, this was also restricted to the Devadasis. Love and
devotion to god is the major theme behind the dance. Vishnu or Krishna is
more often the hero. The spectators could feel his invisible presence when
the heroine or her maid details dreams and ambitions through the circular
movements, delicate footsteps and subtle expression.
Indian Music
The history of Indian Music goes back to much earlier times. Indian music
originated with the early inhabitants of Indian Subcontinent. The Aryans,
Mongols, and Dravidians later influenced it. Each intrusion influenced the
cultural patterns in India. The tribal people in various parts of the
country contributed. There were many forms of music that later amalgamated
into one another.
Basically the Indian music is divided into two major sub heads- Carnatic
and Hindustani Music.
Carnatic Music
Originating from southern India, Carnatic music is a monophonic song with
improvised variations. Right Singing, and the voice as an instrument, is
very importantin this classical form. Indian music is based on relative
positioning and thus, notes are not a fixed pitch. It generally uses 22 note
scale, whereas the Western system uses a 12 note scale. Western music is
based on a scale that is logarhythmically divided; this is known as the
equally tempered scale. Western music previously used the rational division
system, which is known as the natural scale. Indian music uses rational
division. Benefitis of rational division are that tuning is usually done by
ear and the swara (notes) are not fixed positions.
Hindustani music
Hindustani music is an Indian classical music tradition originating in the
North of the Indian subcontinent circa the 13th and 14th centuries CE.
Developing a strong and diverse tradition over several centuries, it has
contemporary traditions established primarily in India, Pakistan and
Bangladesh . In contrast to Carnatic music, the other main Indian classical
music tradition originating from the South, Hindustani music was not only
influenced by ancient Hindu musical traditions, Vedic philosophy and native
Indian sounds but also by the Persiam performance practices of the Afghan
mughals.
Indian
Instruments
The instruments that are mainly used in Indian music are stringed
instruments (Sitar, Tamboora, etc. that are plucked and Sarangi and the
Dilurba that are bowed), wind instruments (the Flute, Shehnai, Naferi, and
Nagasvaram, all types of Indian oboes), and the percussion instruments
(Tabla, Pakhawaj).
Cuisine of India
Most Indian cuisines are related by similiar usage of spices. Often, Indian
cooking is distinguished by the use of a larger variety of vegetables than
many other well-known cuisines. Within these recognisable similarities,
there is an enormous variety of local styles.
In the north and the west, Kashmiri and Mughlai cuisines show strong
central Asian influences. Through the medium of Mughlai food, this influence
has propagated into many regional kitchens. To the east, the Bengali and
Assamese styles shade off into the cuisines of East Asia.
Indian food presents a range of flavors, intense and subtle, as vast as the
country itself. Regional influences range from climate and elevation to
history and religion. They define cuisines that differ widely -- no surprise
in a country of 884 million people occupying an area of 1,226,595 square
miles.
Regional Cuisine
A simple breakdown of regional Indian cuisine could be as follows.
Bengali
On the eastern coast, Bengali cuisine offers spicy fish dishes. Its "burnt
milk" sweets are reknowned across the country.
Goan
On the western coast, Goa state is famous for its coconut fish curries and
pork vindaloo. The starch of choice in Goa is rice.
Gujarati
Gujarati cuisine excels in vegetarian fare. The use of dal (Indian lentils
and beans) and vegetables is taken to a high art. Yogurt and butter enrich
dishes.
Kashmiri
At the foot of the Himalayas, the Kashmiris dine on lamb, goat, chicken and
dried fruits. A side dish similar to cottage cheese, called chaman, will
often accompany meals.
Southern India
The tropical, humid south produces the spiciest of Indian food. Rice,
vegetables, peanuts and coconut are cooked with very little fat and served
on a fresh green banana leaf.
Maharashtran
Maharashra is the home state of Bombay, now known as Mumbai. Meat dishes
are very popular, and Bombay street food is considered some of the best.
Punjabi
This northern province presents the world with the miraculous offerings of
the tandoor oven. Tandoori chicken and naan bread are two dishes to emerge
from this firey clay roasting vessel. The fresh cheese curd called paneer is
common in Punjabi recipes.
Mughlai
The royal cuisine of India's moghul past. The Mongols swept down from Asia
in the middle ages and installed a regime in India that affected Indian
cookery indelibly. Mughlai cooking is what you are most likely to encounter
in fine Indian restaurants. It is sumptuous, buttery and rich. A wide
variety of meat dishes predominate. And servings are sometimes garnished
with silver leaf and flower petals.
Rajasthani
This "state of princes" hones close to its royal past with its
rich, lavish fare. Meat dishes are a specialty.
Indian Festivals
India
and festival are synonym to each other. Being a vibrant state, India has
evolved over centuries as the mystic land of festivals. Every small and big
occasions is celebrated with gaiety , pomp and fervor. These festival are of
significant value and helps in binding the people all across the
nation.There is an underlying similarity in many of the festivals as are the
stark differences in the styles and forms of celebrations observed by
different religions. What is unfailingly common and the joyous reason to
celebrate is the various gastronomic and aesthetic delights that mark all
such celebrations
Though there are many similarties yet these festivals have stark
differences in the styles and forms of celebrations observed by different
religions. The common part and the joyous reason is to celebrate is the
various gastronomic and aesthetic delights that mark all such celebration.
Unravel the mythological tales behind many of the popular festivals,
unrestricted by any one religion, caste or belief.
Diwali
This Diwali which leads us into Truth and Light is celebrated on a
nation-wide scale on Naraka chathurthasi day just on the dawn of Ammavaasa,
(September/October) every year. It symbolises that age-old culture of our
country which teaches us to vanquish ignorance that subdues humanity and to
drive away darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge. Diwali, the
festival of lights even to-day in this modern world projects the rich and
glorious past of our country and teaches us to uphold the true values of
life. This festival is celebrated on a grand scale in almost all the regions
of India and is looked upon mainly as the beginning of New Year. As such the
blessings of Lakshmi, the celestial consort of Lord Vishnu are invoked with
prayers. Even countries like Kenya, Thailand, Trinidad, Siam and Malaya
celebrate this festival but in their own ways.
Holi
The festival of Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early
March every year. Originally a festival to celebrate good harvests and
fertility of the land, Holi is now a symbolic commemmoration of a legend
from Hindu Mythology.
Christians
Christmas observe as a religious holiday by the christians in India when
families will go to church and then gather for a Christmas dinner. Christmas
decorations are found inside the home, but there are no lights decorating
the yards.
Bakrid
Bakrid is an important festival of Muslims falling in the last month of
Islamic Calendar. It is also called as Id-Ul-Zuha, which coincides with the
Haj pilgrimage at Mecca. The significance of the festival is the
commemoration of the ordeals of Prophet Ibrahim.
Significance of Id-Ul-Zuha or Bakrid lies in the offering of an animal in
celebration of the festival Bakrid. As per the doctrine of Islam, sacrifice
of animals signifies the sacrifice of the follower himself and his readiness
to lay down his life, his interests and desires in the cause of the truth
The British influence from the days before India gained independence has
resulted in gift-giving during the Christmas season and dispensing baksheesh
(charitable handouts)to poor people of the country.
