KASHMIR Conflict Continuation of India-Pakistan Conflict 1947: Post-Independence –2/3 Muslim –1/3 Hindu –Maharaja of Kashmir was Hindu Chose to stay part of India WATER is main issue Threat of NUCLEAR WAR –UN involvement Pakistan blames Indian army India blames Pakistani terrorism

Women in India Traditional gender roles: –esp. middle class women –Indian mythology idolizes motherhood –Working women still expected to do housework Marriages traditionally arranged –Today couples have more say –Newspaper/internet ads –Dowries sometimes to groom’s family –Brides family pays for wedding –Typically moves in with groom’s family Bottom of family hierarchy Must listen to mother-in-law Status rises once a son is born

Women Rituals Bonula: –Andhra Pradesh region –Women carry a series of pots filled with specific foods to take to temple for the Mother Goddess (fertility rite) Henna: –Hand and feet decorations for weddings Diwali (festival of lights) –Oil lamps lit everywhere –Special meals –Mother Earth sent light as a symbol of her sacrifice when her tyrant son was killed

BOLLYWOOD India’s movie industry Mix of Bombay and Hollywood –Mumbai (formerly Bombay) Over 1000 movies a year –Hollywood 600 Why Popular? –Culturally appealing –HUGE international audience –Wholesome –Musicals are popular Popular films: –Bride and Prejudice –Monsoon Wedding –Lagaan

Bollywood Themes and characteristics: –Romance/Love conquers all –Romeo & Juliet like (why?) –Impossible dreams –Exotic locations –Multiple costumes –Extravagant and melodramatic –India-Pakistan conflict Loss of family/home –Avoids sexual content Dance scenes

Famous Bollywood actors Aishwarya Rai Shah Rukh Khan Director: Yash Chopra Amir Khan

Conflict in SRI LANKA Tamil-Sinhalese Conflict –post-colonial conflict Sinhalese (language) –majority (74% pop.) –control gov’t better land gov’t preference university preference –Buddhist Tamils (language) –Minority (18% pop.) –Hindu Mid-1980s: –Pogroms against Tamils erupted

Tamil-Sinhalese Conflict Civil War Tamil Tigers (LTTE) –Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam –guerilla warfare –1989: mini-state i/t north JVP (People Liberation Front) –Janatha Virmukthi Peramuna –Sinhala militia that fought the Sri Lankan Army Communists Sri Lankan Army –created “secret death squads” against JVP and LTTE members Indians –Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) –captured LTTE headquarters –1991: RAJIV GANDHI assassinated