Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Haryana Culture :: Regional Culture :: Indian Culture

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Haryana is proud of a rich cultural heritage that goes way back to the Vedic times. The state is rich in folklore. The people of Haryana have their own traditions. The age old customs of meditation, Yoga and chanting of Vedic Mantras, are still observed by the masses. The seasonal and religious festivals glorify the culture of this region. The dance is said to be the mother of all arts. Music and poetry exist in tune, painting and architecture in space. The dance is just not a form of recreation but something needed to release the physical and emotional energy. Folk dances, like other creative art, helps in sublimating the performer's worries and cares.


The women are devoted and diligent and assist their men-folk on the farms. The people have simple food habits. They are known for their love for cattle and the abudance of milk and curd in their diet.

Haryana has always been a state of diverse races, cultures and faiths. It is on this soil that they met and fused into something truly India. The people of Haryana have preserved their old religious and social traditions. They celebrate festivals with great enthusiasm and traditional fervor. Their culture and popular art are Saangs, dramas, ballads and songs in which they take great delight.


With Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English forming the main languages, there are numerous dialects which are spoken in Haryana. However, almost all of them have their base in Hindi with a smattering of Urdu and Panjabi thrown in. Sanskrit is also taught in most of the schools in Haryana. In towns and cities, English is still to be adopted as the household lingo, but is spoken in a hazy mixture of Hindi. The most striking feature of Haryana is its language itself; or rather, the manner in which it is spoken. Popularly known as Haryanavi, Bangaru or Jatu (language of Jats), it is perhaps a bit crude, but full of earthy humor and straightforwardness. With rapid urbanization, and due to Haryana's close proximity to Delhi, the cultural aspects are now taking a more modern hue.

Goa Culture :: Regional Culture :: Indian Culture

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The Heritage of Golden Goa

For the Portuguese, she was Golden Goa, the epicenter of the Portuguese empire in Asia. The Portuguese were great church builders, their desire to spread their faith an important motivation. Little wonder then that modern day Goa is a quaint blend of the old and the new, of Portuguese and Indian elements. It is also a land of great variety - with its many churches and temples, Goa has a deeply religious ambience which contrasts sharply with the highly hedonistic spirit prevalent on her beaches.


Hindu temples are as much a part of Goa as are Christian monuments. Large hotels and resorts co-exist with small hotels and paying guest accommodations; fancy restaurants with casual cafes.


Goan People

The people of Goa are very friendly and extremely happy-go-lucky. They are fond of the good things in life and are certainly not caught up in the rat race. Siesta is an important part of life in Goa with shops downing their shutters from one to four the most Goans retiring for the afternoon. Though the people of Goa are of different faiths and from different cultural backgrounds, they have come together to create the easygoing Goan culture with its emphasis on good living.

Goan Food

Food in Goa is a very serious matter and capitalizes on the range of food products available here. Goa boasts of many different cuisines - the Konkan, the Portuguese and the Bahamani Nawabi traditions. The fruits of the sea are used lavishly in Goan food different types of fish, prawns, mussels, oysters, crabs and many more.

Fairs and Festivals of Goa

Festival time in Goa leaves you with your senses reeling - in more ways than you can imagine for the Goans celebrate any occasion with great gusto. They actually have a festival that celebrates the very idea of fun and fiesta!

Nightlife in Goa

Nightlife in Goa is exciting and there are many ways to liven up the evening. Goans enjoy going out and it is not unusual to find families out for a night of merriment. In certain areas, almost every third house has a bar-cum-restaurant.


Chhattisgarh Culture :: Regional Culture :: Indian Culture

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Chhattisgarh is the central state of the union of India and is now-a-days one of the burgeoning tourist destinations of India. People are bound to get captivated by its culture that finds expression in its dance styles, cuisine, and music. The culture of Chhattisgarh speaks for the state and is quite apparent in the lifestyle of the local people. From the normal day routine to any auspicious occasion, Chhattisgarh embodies the essence of true Indianness.


The ethnic class of the people has contributed a lot to the rich cultural background of Chhattisgarh. Lots of people have settled in this region from different parts of the country. The nature of the local language is such that the people of this region are recognized for their ability to use their language to humorous effect. The people can adapt themselves easily to the new lifestyle and anything that is in vogue. Thus one clearly gets the picture of the rich culture of Chhattisgarh that manifests itself in every aspect of the local people’s style of living.


Chhattisgarh flaunts its own unique dance styles, cuisine, & music. “Raut Nacha” (The folk dance of cowherds), Panthi and Soowa dance styles are very popular in the region. The people‘s love for colors is manifested in the various aspects of their daily lives. They wear multihued dresses. Women are generally draped in sarees with Kardhani. The people are simple, affable and kindhearted.

The Culture and tradition of Chhattisgarh manifests itself through popular folk plays that are Chandaini-Gonda, Sonha-Bihan, Lorik-Chanda, Kari, Hareli, Gammatiha. Rahas which happens to be the modern folk play of Chhattisgarh should not be missed out if one is going for a tour to Chhattisgarh. Every occasion is marked by a folk song which is sung by the elderly women and the occasion may relate to child birth, marriage celebration and lots more.

If you are planning your vacations in Chhattisgarh, ifn you are planning a vacation to Chhattisgarh, you’ll love the experience of exploring the rich culture of Chhattisgarh.

Bihar Culture :: Regional Culture :: Indian Culture

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Culture of Bihar Besides usual rural handicrafts like hand-painted wall hangings, wooden stools, miniatures in paper and leaves, stone pottery, bamboo, leather goods and appliqué work, Bihar is famous for its Madhubani paintings. These works of art often adorn city homes and are also exported. A strict monopoly of women of Mithila, Madhubani artists work with natural colors on paper and cloth, making works that narrate mythological and religious events.

Ancient designs in bright colors can still be seen on the mud walls in the districts of Saharsa, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Darbhanga, Samastipur, and Bhagalpur and of course Madhubani the trade centre for this unique art.

Since most of the people are Hindu,traditional festivals like Holi,Saraswati Puja,Durga Puja or Dussehra,Deepwali and Bhaiya Dooj are all celebrated.But Chaath dedicated to Sun God is one festival that is unique to the place.The festival begins on the fourth day of the month of Kartik Shukhla Paksha(second fortnight of Kartik).This will correspond to late October to mid November depending on the year.It is one of the holiest festivals for Biharis and extends to four days.

Bihar has a very old tradition of beautiful folk songs sung during important family occasions such as marriage, birth ceremonies. They are sung mainly in group settings without the help of too many musical instruments though dholak and occasionally tabla and harmonium are used.

Bihar also has a tradition of lively Holi songs known as Phagua filled with fun rhythms. During the 19th century when the condition of Bihar worsened under the British misrule many Biharis had to migrate as apprenticed labourers to West Indian Islands, Fiji and Mauritius. During this time many sad plays and songs called Biraha became very popular in the Bhojpur area. Dramas on that theme continue to be popular in the theatres of Patna.

Theatre is another form in which the Bihari culture expresses itself. Some forms of theatre with rich traditions are Reshma-Chuharmal, Bihula-Bisahari, Bahura-GOrin, Raja-Salhesh, Sama-Chakeva and Dom-Kach.These originate in the Anga area of Bihar.

The state has also produced many Hindi writers like Raja Radhika Raman Singh,Shiva Pujan Sahay,Divakar Prasad Vidyarthy,Ramdhari Singh Dinkar,Ram Briksha Benipuri,Phanishwar Nath Renu and Baba Nagarjun.

Bihar is truly colorful state and a great tourist hotspot.


Andhra Pradesh Culture :: Regional Culture :: Indian Culture

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Andhra Pradesh, also known as the Rice Bowl of India is like a melting pot of varied cultures. It is a region which has been governed by different dynasties and empires. This diverse exposure to the cultures and traditions of the empires has had an indelible influence in forming the Culture of Andhra Pradesh. The conglomeration of many cultures has formed the present day culture of the region. Some of the primary rulers of the region were the Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagars and Mughals.

The influence of external powers has influenced every aspect of the Andhra society. From music, dance, cuisine and literature, the foreign powers have left a mark of their own. This variety and diversity has helped the culture to become richer and more successful.

Culture of Andhra Pradesh
Different fields of art comprise the Culture of Andhra Pradesh. The rich cultural heritage of Andhra Pradesh is evident from the internationally renowned Carnatic music.

The region is home to some of the most popular classical musicians like Thyagaraja and Annamacharya. The state's popular form of dance, Kuchipudi showcases immense talent and creativity. This dance form had originated in 300 BC and since then it has been a great contribution to Indian classical dance.

The local language of the region, Telegu is an extremely intense language and many compositions and poems have been written in this language. The nuances of the language highlight the depth of the language. Influenced by Sanskrit, Telegu is an exceptionally rich language.

The museums of Andhra like the Salar Jung Museum display a wide selection of sculptures, artifacts, paintings and ancient objects that were left behind by the different rulers of the region. The museums highlight the Buddhist, Muslim and Hindu influences on the region.

The culture of Andhra Pradesh is an integral part of the rich cultural heritage of the country. The art and crafts of the region like Kalamkari, Bidri, the fabulous weaving of Gadwal and Venkatagiri, the exclusive metal ware, brass, stone and wood carving highlight the immense talent of the Andhra craftsmen.

Arunachal Pradesh Culture :: Regional Culture :: Indian Culture

Arunachal Pradesh, the Land of Rising Sun, is much celebrated for its natural beauty, but very few people know that this Indian state has a great cultural background too. Its god-fearing people celebrate numerous festivals round the year, together with their own set of rituals, music and dance. Regardless of their religions and communities, people live here harmoniously and share each other’s joys and sorrows. The rich culture of the state gets its colors from the handicrafts that reveal the expert craftsmanship of artisans. Scroll down to get more information on art & culture of Arunachal Pradesh.

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People
The people of Arunachal Pradesh are polite and friendly. Nearly all people residing here are either of Tibeto-Burman or indigenous tribal origin. The state’s 16% of population are migrants, together with 30,000 Bangladeshi and Chakma expatriates, and immigrants from other parts of the country, especially Assam and Nagaland. It has 20 major tribes and numerous sub-tribes living in the villages across the state. The majority of these communities are culturally identical; however, geographical division has crafted different characteristics in language, dress and customs within them.

Religions
Different tribal groups have their own set of beliefs and notions about their religion. As the people of Arunachal Pradesh are segregated into three cultural groups, each group practices its own religion. The people of the first group are usually Buddhists, while people of the second group practice Donyi Poloism (worship the Sun God and the Moon God). Christianity and Hinduism are generally observed by people of the third group.

Dance
Dance is not only meant for recreation but it also helps to boost festive spirit amongst people. Here people usually prefer group dances, in which both men and women coordinate their steps. Igo dance of the Mishmi priests, War dance of the Adis, Noctes and Wanchos; traditional dances of the Buddhists are some the popular dances, in which women are not allowed to participate. Aji Lamu (Monpa), Roppi (Nishing), Buiya (Nishing), Hurkani (Apatani), Popir (Adi), Pasi Kongki (Adi), Chalo (Nocte), Ponung (Adi), and Rekham Pada (Nishing) are some of the famous folk dances from Arunachal Pradesh.

Music
Music plays an important part in the festivities, whether it’s of marriage or festival, in Arunachal Pradesh. Here songs’ themes are based on fables related to creatures and animals. The folk songs of Pailibos are correlated to their folk history, mythology and their historical accounts. Ja-Jin-Ja is a special song that is sung on occasions of feasts and merriment, like marriages and social gatherings.

Baryi is another song in which the history, religious lore and mythology is narrated. Music is often accompanied by musical instruments, like Drums and Cymbals.


Art & Craft

Most of the tribal groups in the state are recognized for their own artistic craftsmanship. The Buddhist tribe specializes in making amazing masks. In fact, silverwares and beautifully painted wooden vessels are also famous from this community. Carpet making is also practiced by the Monpas; these carpets are known for their exotic designs. The central part of the state has got skilled craftsmen of cane and bamboo; their products include a variety of hats, baskets, cane vessels, cane belts, bamboo mugs, and ornaments. The eastern part is celebrated for its wooden carvings, and here you can get exquisitely carved cups, dishes, fruit bowls, etc. Other crafts known from the state are paper makings, smithy work, carpentry, pottery, weaving, and ivory work.




Festivals
In Arunachal Pradesh, festivals make an essential part of the socio-cultural lifestyle of the people. A number of festivals are celebrated throughout the year in the state by one or the other tribe. Even festivals are observed in a wide range, including agricultural festivals, religious festivals, and socio-cultural festivals. Generally agricultural festivals are commemorated at bigger scale with rituals to thank the God for his kindness. Some of the major festivals are Mopin, Solung (Adis), Losar (Monpas, Sherdukpens), Boori-Boot (Hill Miris), Dree (Apatanis), Si-Donyi (Tagins), Nyokum (Nishis), Reh (ldu Mishimis), etc.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Mizoram Culture :: Regional Culture :: Indian Culture

Mizoram, hooked into the southern part of the north eastern part of India is land of rolling hills, rivers and lakes. The state of Mizoram in India is close to both the Indo-Bangladesh border and the Indo-Myanmar border. The closeness to the numerous international borders has made Mizoram a blend of various tribes that migrated from China, Myanmar (the erstwhile Burma), and the other parts of the Northeast. Some Mizo tribes may have formed a part of the people who lived in the Tao valley in northwest China. They slowly proceeded towards the border of Tibet and Myanmar and around 1700 AD, these tribes shifted to what is known as Mizoram today.



The Influence of Christianity in Mizoram

The social and cultural life in the Mizo society has undergone enormous changes over the years. The Mizo people belong to a Mongoloid race associated to the Shaans of Myammar (Burma). The Lushai, Hmars, Paithes, Raltes, Pang, Mara, Lakher, Kukis and Pawis of Mizoram are the tribes who were originnally the believers of the Pathan (good spirit). With the immigration of the British and consequently the settling of the Christian missionaries in the region, most people got converted to Christianity. Thus, due to the influence of the British in this region, most of the population speak in English besides Mizo. Mizo is written in Roman script. The nomadic Chakmas practice a curious mix of Hinduism, Buddhism and Animism.

The Society of the Mizos

The Mizos are impregnable society with no class difference and no discrimination on the grounds of sex. 90% of the total society are into cultivation and the village seems like a big family. Birth of a child, marriage in the village and death of a person in the village or a community feast organised by a member of the village are prime events in which the whole village takes part.

The Art of the Mizos

Although the advent of Christianity brought about a big change, the colourful culture of the Mizos has remained intact. The traditional crafts of Mizoram are weaving, cane and bamboo work. The Mizo women weave intricate traditional designs and patterns on their looms. For example, the shawls carrying tribal clan motifs woven into them and are passed down the generations.

The Food of the Mizos

Mizo food is simple, basically made up of lentils, bamboo shoots and fish; pork, chicken and wild game meat and rice are hot favourites. Maize is widely grown and eaten.