1. The Culture of India Polito/Bruewer

2. The Great Epics of India India’s great two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, were composed in Sanskit, the classic language of ancient India, between 500 and 300 B.C. Young Indians are told to follow the ideas from The Ramayana or from the other tale, the Mahabharata. The stories tell of “ideal” women and men.

3. Ramayana & Mahabharata cont. Both stories contain the two basic principles of Hindu ethics: dharma, the duty of virtuous action, and karma the idea that people’s actions create their fate.

4. The Culture of India

5. The Basics: There are over 1.2 billion people in India and they compose of 17% of the planetary population. In comparison, the United States has a population of 313 million. India is the largest functioning democracy, with regular and freely contested elections.

6. The Basics continued… Poverty is widespread and unemployment is high. India now feeds her own population and rarely imports grains from other countries. India now ranks as the 3rd largest economy in the world.

7. The Paradoxes of India India is a land of many paradoxes, which are: India is a land of poverty and plenty. India is a land of powerful and weak. India is a land of ancient and modern.

8. The Languages of India India has 15 official languages, over 300 minor languages, and 3,000 dialects. The largest spoken language is Hindi. Because of language barriers, English (British English) is frequently used to communicate between the groups in India.

9. The Words of India According to Indian beliefs, the aim of human life is to make the soul more pure or complete -- also known as “atman”. Dharma means duty and righteousness, what one “ought to do”. Karma is the idea that the good or evil that a person does will return in this life or another one. What one actually does (action).

10. Words continued… Over 90% of marriages in India are arranged. Education is highly regarded by all member of Indian society. In many Asian countries, including India, red is the color of good fortune or luck. A guru is a teacher or spiritual preceptor in Indian culture.

11. The Festival of Lights

12. India’s Festival of Lights The Indian festival known as Diwali is the term for the festival of lights. Celebrated over a period of five days.

13. The Days of Diwali Day 1: The worship of the goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Day 2: The day where food is offered to a local goddess or relative. Day 3: The last day of the Hindu year where Hindus celebrate the return of Rama and Sita to their home kingdom. This is knowns as Diwali …lots of lights, firecrackers, candles, etc.

14. Days of Diwali continued… Day 4: Referred to as New Year’s Day as it celebrates the first day of the new Hindu year. Most go to temple to worship on this day. Day 5: On this day, sisters invite their brothers to their houses for dinner. Celebrated during the late fall every year during the year’s last harvest.

15. Role of Women in Modern India & Bhagavad Gita

16. Role of Women in Modern India Upon marriage, the bride’s family is expected to provide a dowry or gift of money to the groom and his family. Often results in acts of violence against women when dowries are not considered sufficient. The role of women in India is a paradox due to the poor treatment received from their family, but they may also have successful careers.

17. Women of India continued… Women often suffer from malnutrition, and as a result of this, death.

18. Bhagavad Gita Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Mahabharata epic. Consists of a conversation on a battlefield between Krishna and Arjuna.

19. Bhagavad Gita continued… The “Gita” contains eighteen “yoga” chapters and is divided into three parts which are: Karma Yoga: liberation through action without the thought of gain. Bhakti Yoga: liberation through devotion and worship to God. Jnana Yoga: liberation through knowledge. Impact on the practice of yoga, but also to people like Mohandas Gandhi who were inspired by its emphasis on selflessness.

20. Bollywood: A Look Into the Film of India

21. The Film of India Bollywood is the name given to the Hindi-language based film industry based out of Mumbai, India.

22. Facts of Bollywood Bollywood is considered, when combining with all other film industries in India, to be the world’s largest film industry in terms of the number of films produced and the number of tickets sold. Receives its name from the former city of Bombay, which is now the modern day Mumbai, and the acknowledgment of Hollywood.

23. Important Characteristics of Bollywood Films: 1. Typically have a musical element. A lot of singing and dancing. 2. Often have melodramatic plots. 3. Contain moments of: star-crossed romance, drama, comedy, and tragedy. They have a little bit of everything because the Indian audiences want a lot for their money. 4. Films are often extremely long due to high demand of the Indian audiences. They expect a lot for their money.

24. Bollywood continued… The economy of India has been immensely influenced by the Bollywood film industry. The industry employs thousands of: actors, directors, technicians, artists, choreographers, etc.

25. All About Bride & Prejudice Based off Jane Austen’s classic 1813 novel Pride & Prejudice. An international film. Stars Bollywood’s actress Aishwarya Rai, along with other Indian actors, and American actors.

26. Bride & Prejudice continued… Combines elements of Bollywood and Hollywood films. Deals with issues of: classism and racism.

27. Namaste Namaste: a formal greeting that shows respect. The “namaste” greeting happens when both hands are pressed together and held in front of your body. A greeting, similar to that of a handshake in America, that does not involve touching the person you are greeting.

28. Mandapa – marriage tent Flowers – bright colors – red, orange, yellow – usually marigolds, jasmine; can be edible Sangeet – pre-wedding celebration – like a reception for all to celebrate the families joining together

29. Dowry – gifts, items, land, money, given to groom’s family Dowry abuse – torturing the bride when the groom or his family is unhappy with the dowry. Deaths have risen due to this. Bindi- dot on forehead of woman to show her marriage; now used as decoration

30. Bangels – usually made of gold, given to girls from early age til married to show amount of love toward her; worn on her wedding and beyond Mehndi – henna tatto; used on brides and females of family to show beauty; lasts long (up to 6 weeks) Don’t use black henna – dangerous!!