Indian Culture and Music 2008 Fulbright Summer Seminar to India & Sri Lanka

India-South Asian Adventure! “Unity through diversity” is the theme of the approximately one billion people that live in a country that is so big, it’s called a subcontinent! “Unity through diversity” is the theme of the approximately one billion people that live in a country that is so big, it’s called a subcontinent!

India’s People Come in All Shapes and Sizes, Just Like American People People with different clothing People with different clothing People with different religions People with different religions People with different foods People with different foods People with different celebrations People with different celebrations

India’s Government India is the world’s largest democracy India is the world’s largest democracy

Famous Indians Gandhi, India’s greatest peacemaker, who influenced Martin Luther King, Jr. Gandhi, India’s greatest peacemaker, who influenced Martin Luther King, Jr.

Where People Live in India Many Indian people live in villages in rural India Many Indian people live in villages in rural India

Where People Live in India Other people in India live in large cities, like Other people in India live in large cities, like – New Dehli, the capital – Mumbai (West)  Home of Bollywood, India’s Hollywood – Kolkata (East) – Deccan (Southern Plateau), with cities like Bangalore and Chennai

India’s People Eat Many Foods Rice Rice Vegetables Vegetables Seafood Seafood Meat-however, cows are considered sacred by Hindus, many of whom are vegetarian Meat-however, cows are considered sacred by Hindus, many of whom are vegetarian Masala-spices Masala-spices Tea-common drink Tea-common drink

India’s People Have Different Religious Beliefs Hinduism Hinduism Buddhism Buddhism Islam (Muslims) Islam (Muslims) Sikkhism Sikkhism Christianity Christianity Judaism Judaism

India’s History Indian civilization is ancient Indian civilization is ancient The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the first civilizations on earth The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the first civilizations on earth The Vedic period was a time in Indian history when the Hindu religion and caste system began in India The Vedic period was a time in Indian history when the Hindu religion and caste system began in India Mughal Empire was the last and the strongest Islamic empire in India Mughal Empire was the last and the strongest Islamic empire in India

Agra & the Taj Mahal Agra is a large city in northern India Agra is a large city in northern India It is the home of India’s greatest historical monument, the Taj Mahal It is the home of India’s greatest historical monument, the Taj Mahal

Transportation in India Planes Planes Trains Trains Cars Cars Rickshaws Rickshaws Camel & donkey carts Camel & donkey carts Bicycles Bicycles Walking Walking

Traditional Music of India Hindustani means classical music of North India Hindustani means classical music of North India Carnatic means classical music of South India Carnatic means classical music of South India

Traditional Elements of Indian Music Melody (raga) Melody (raga) Drone (harmony) Drone (harmony) Rhythm (tala) Rhythm (tala)

Indian Instruments String String Wind Wind Percussion Percussion

India’s People and the Musical Instruments of India Are Very Diverse! India, the land of “Unity through diversity!”