Description
This is a small project covered under the topic culture and sub culture
NAME STD SUB TOPIC PAPER
: : : : :
ROHIT.KISHOR.JAGTAP S.Y.B.M.M (3rd SEM) CULTURAL STUDIES 19 SUB-CULTURES IN INDIA 2
ROLL NO :
Subculture
In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a group of people with a culture (whether distinct or hidden) which differentiates them from the larger culture to which they belong.
Identifying subcultures
The study of subcultures often consists of the study of symbolism attached to clothing, music and other visible affectations by members of subcultures, and also the ways in which these same symbols are interpreted by members of the dominant culture. According to Dick Hebdige, members of a subculture often signal their membership through a distinctive and symbolic use of style, which includes fashions, mannerisms, and argot.
Indian Cultural Patterns
A dynamic mix of cultures defines India.
The Indian subcontinent is home to one of the largest, oldest and most complex civilizations on the planet. This nation of more than 1 billion people has a distinct, thriving culture that makes it an interesting place to study or travel. While India itself is made up of numerous subcultures, religious groups and languages, major cultural patterns characterize the nation.
1. Cuisine
o
Indians value cuisine as a means of social bonding. Different regions have their own cuisines, and gastronomy can vary widely between the disparate northern and southern regions of the country, but generally Indian food is colorful, spicy and concocted with an array of spices and flavorings. Vegetarianism is one cuisine-related cultural pattern that is important to Indian society, since it speaks to the culture's regard for health and animal welfare -- especially that of cows, which are, to Hindus especially, considered sacred.
Hinduism
o
Hinduism is the dominant religion in a country in which many other faiths -- Sikhism, Jainism, Islam -- also exist. Hinduism has a distinct influence on Indian cultural patterns. Hindus conceive of the world as an "undivided wholeness" permeated by an all-encompassing spiritual force known as Brahman. The fundamental human aims in Hinduism also apply to Indian culture and include success, liberation, righteousness and enjoyment.
Family Ties
o
Indian society is more collectivist than most Western societies; therefore, the family assumes a greater importance in daily life. Family ties are close both within nuclear families and between immediate families that compose the extended family. Intergenerational reverence and respect is an important cultural value. Frequently, children continue living with their parents until the children get married.
Values and Beliefs
o
Festivals are an important part of Indian life. Indians value such public celebrations their expression of joy and their bringing together of a community. Even as India progresses technologically, people still place a premium on alternative, traditional medicine, such as yogic healing. The popularity of meditation, practiced for thousands of years in the subcontinent, indicates India's attitude toward the importance of the mind-body connection.
Subculture in india
India is a diverse country with many subcultures, many different life styles and many different people. When India got its Independence on Aug 15, 1947, a Catholic woman left the PM Chair for a Sikh who was sworn in by a Muslim President. India has the highest majority of Hindus (80%) with minorities consisting of Buddhist, Jain, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Jewish faiths. But the beauty remains in the fact that despite all the differences, the people of the nation are quite the mirror image of a country that speaks one language, has one faith or one creed. How else would you explain that they all co-exist, overcoming barriers such as region, religion, caste, creed and culture? One unique aspect of India is the fact that there are 15 National languages spoken. India has two official languages: Hindi and English. The other 13 languages are: · Punjabi (spoken in central India) · Sanskrit (ancient language found in scriptures) · Telegu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya (languages spoken in southern India) · Bengali (spoken in Bagladesh) · Marathi (spoken in Maharastra) · Urdu (spoken in areas with high Muslim population) · Gujrati (spoken in Gujrat) · Arabic and Assamese (spoken in northern India).
It makes you wonder, with so many different languages and so many different cultures, it must be difficult to co-exist. No, because of similar traditions. Hence, the question, are Indians traditional? To most part yes. There are many rituals and traditions within the Indian culture that is followed through generation to generation. Many rural communities still follow arranged marriages and most young adults are open to that concept. Everything Indians do has some religious, cultural or traditional reason behind it. You could however slowly see a change in today’s generation, but it is still very minimal.
One minimal change is being vegetarian. There is no doubt that you can still find complete vegetarian dishes in India that are very difficult to find in other countries. There are still some individuals from Brahmin and Jain faiths that are extremely vegetarian. However, majority of the population is now non-vegetarian. There are people from coastal cities and towns (i.e. Chennai) whose income and daily meals are dependent on fishery. But most Indians will eat meat maybe once or twice a week rather than every day. In same context, if you believe in certain Gods or certain rituals, you don’t eat beef. Otherwise, it is available in India as well. Chennai is one city you’ll find beef commonly sold. However, those who believe in Lord Krishna usually don’t eat beef. Lord Krishna was a cow herder and He referred to a cow as a mother. India has a population of over 900,000,000 million people on a land as large as Europe. There are 27.5% people living in urban areas while 72.5% cover rural areas. That is about 267 people per square km (or in 3280.8 ft area). We in Canada have issues with literacy, disease and homeless with the 33 million people, then imagine India. The facts: the literacy rate in India is 52%. We have the third largest pool in India of doctors, lawyers and engineers. The beggars and homeless people are more visible all over India simply because not just downtown, but it is
as busy life everywhere. You do have the malls, big buildings, proper offices all over the big cities where there are the middle class and the rich residing.
If population were an issue with homes and economic lifestyles to provide, then animals are also a daily occurrence. Indians are taught from religious scriptures that all animals have some meaning. For example, there is a temple in Southern India where you’ll find rats roaming freely. Cows usually stop traffic in all cities. Most Brahmin priests in north western parts of India will ride on elephants. In northern cities like Shimla, monkeys are also freely roaming around. The difference here is that the animals are accepted and the animals are used to the people. It’s the Indian lifestyle..
doc_929448862.docx
This is a small project covered under the topic culture and sub culture
NAME STD SUB TOPIC PAPER
: : : : :
ROHIT.KISHOR.JAGTAP S.Y.B.M.M (3rd SEM) CULTURAL STUDIES 19 SUB-CULTURES IN INDIA 2
ROLL NO :
Subculture
In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a group of people with a culture (whether distinct or hidden) which differentiates them from the larger culture to which they belong.
Identifying subcultures
The study of subcultures often consists of the study of symbolism attached to clothing, music and other visible affectations by members of subcultures, and also the ways in which these same symbols are interpreted by members of the dominant culture. According to Dick Hebdige, members of a subculture often signal their membership through a distinctive and symbolic use of style, which includes fashions, mannerisms, and argot.
Indian Cultural Patterns
A dynamic mix of cultures defines India.
The Indian subcontinent is home to one of the largest, oldest and most complex civilizations on the planet. This nation of more than 1 billion people has a distinct, thriving culture that makes it an interesting place to study or travel. While India itself is made up of numerous subcultures, religious groups and languages, major cultural patterns characterize the nation.
1. Cuisine
o
Indians value cuisine as a means of social bonding. Different regions have their own cuisines, and gastronomy can vary widely between the disparate northern and southern regions of the country, but generally Indian food is colorful, spicy and concocted with an array of spices and flavorings. Vegetarianism is one cuisine-related cultural pattern that is important to Indian society, since it speaks to the culture's regard for health and animal welfare -- especially that of cows, which are, to Hindus especially, considered sacred.
Hinduism
o
Hinduism is the dominant religion in a country in which many other faiths -- Sikhism, Jainism, Islam -- also exist. Hinduism has a distinct influence on Indian cultural patterns. Hindus conceive of the world as an "undivided wholeness" permeated by an all-encompassing spiritual force known as Brahman. The fundamental human aims in Hinduism also apply to Indian culture and include success, liberation, righteousness and enjoyment.
Family Ties
o
Indian society is more collectivist than most Western societies; therefore, the family assumes a greater importance in daily life. Family ties are close both within nuclear families and between immediate families that compose the extended family. Intergenerational reverence and respect is an important cultural value. Frequently, children continue living with their parents until the children get married.
Values and Beliefs
o
Festivals are an important part of Indian life. Indians value such public celebrations their expression of joy and their bringing together of a community. Even as India progresses technologically, people still place a premium on alternative, traditional medicine, such as yogic healing. The popularity of meditation, practiced for thousands of years in the subcontinent, indicates India's attitude toward the importance of the mind-body connection.
Subculture in india
India is a diverse country with many subcultures, many different life styles and many different people. When India got its Independence on Aug 15, 1947, a Catholic woman left the PM Chair for a Sikh who was sworn in by a Muslim President. India has the highest majority of Hindus (80%) with minorities consisting of Buddhist, Jain, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Jewish faiths. But the beauty remains in the fact that despite all the differences, the people of the nation are quite the mirror image of a country that speaks one language, has one faith or one creed. How else would you explain that they all co-exist, overcoming barriers such as region, religion, caste, creed and culture? One unique aspect of India is the fact that there are 15 National languages spoken. India has two official languages: Hindi and English. The other 13 languages are: · Punjabi (spoken in central India) · Sanskrit (ancient language found in scriptures) · Telegu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya (languages spoken in southern India) · Bengali (spoken in Bagladesh) · Marathi (spoken in Maharastra) · Urdu (spoken in areas with high Muslim population) · Gujrati (spoken in Gujrat) · Arabic and Assamese (spoken in northern India).
It makes you wonder, with so many different languages and so many different cultures, it must be difficult to co-exist. No, because of similar traditions. Hence, the question, are Indians traditional? To most part yes. There are many rituals and traditions within the Indian culture that is followed through generation to generation. Many rural communities still follow arranged marriages and most young adults are open to that concept. Everything Indians do has some religious, cultural or traditional reason behind it. You could however slowly see a change in today’s generation, but it is still very minimal.
One minimal change is being vegetarian. There is no doubt that you can still find complete vegetarian dishes in India that are very difficult to find in other countries. There are still some individuals from Brahmin and Jain faiths that are extremely vegetarian. However, majority of the population is now non-vegetarian. There are people from coastal cities and towns (i.e. Chennai) whose income and daily meals are dependent on fishery. But most Indians will eat meat maybe once or twice a week rather than every day. In same context, if you believe in certain Gods or certain rituals, you don’t eat beef. Otherwise, it is available in India as well. Chennai is one city you’ll find beef commonly sold. However, those who believe in Lord Krishna usually don’t eat beef. Lord Krishna was a cow herder and He referred to a cow as a mother. India has a population of over 900,000,000 million people on a land as large as Europe. There are 27.5% people living in urban areas while 72.5% cover rural areas. That is about 267 people per square km (or in 3280.8 ft area). We in Canada have issues with literacy, disease and homeless with the 33 million people, then imagine India. The facts: the literacy rate in India is 52%. We have the third largest pool in India of doctors, lawyers and engineers. The beggars and homeless people are more visible all over India simply because not just downtown, but it is
as busy life everywhere. You do have the malls, big buildings, proper offices all over the big cities where there are the middle class and the rich residing.
If population were an issue with homes and economic lifestyles to provide, then animals are also a daily occurrence. Indians are taught from religious scriptures that all animals have some meaning. For example, there is a temple in Southern India where you’ll find rats roaming freely. Cows usually stop traffic in all cities. Most Brahmin priests in north western parts of India will ride on elephants. In northern cities like Shimla, monkeys are also freely roaming around. The difference here is that the animals are accepted and the animals are used to the people. It’s the Indian lifestyle..
doc_929448862.docx