The Cultural Diversity of India
India is home to nearly 1.5 billion people, so it shouldn’t be surprising to discover that it is one of the most culturally diverse countries on the planet. With so many different cultures in India, there are also many ethnicities, religions, languages, traditions, cuisines, and celebrations that are a part of India's diversity. So, what is the culture of India like?
Cultural Practices and Customs - With so many different groups and ethnicities making up the country, there is a rich history of varied cultural traditions, customs, and practices. Some of these include:
“Namaste” - A traditional Indian greeting which in India’s ancient language means “I greet the divine within you”!The greeting is generally accompanied by folded hands, a nod or a bow.
Dancing - Dancing is integral to many Indian festivals and celebrations, especially weddings. In addition to wide-ranging folk dances and the popular dance moves captured in Bollywood movies, there are several Indian classical dance forms that are rooted in the nation’s cultures and religions.
Vedic Chanting - There is a long tradition of reciting the Vedas, which are the ancient scriptures of Hinduism. They have been shared orally from generation to generation for over 3,000 years.
Yoga - Yoga originated in India over 5,000 years ago and it means to “join” or “unite” individual consciousness with the universal consciousness.
Games - Games have been popular across centuries. Chess - or Chaturanga the strategy game, and Parcheesi or Ludo also originated in India.
Clothing and Costumes - India is known for its diverse clothing, which can be bright and colorful or plain and simple. Men often wear a white dhoti or a chudithar from hip to ankle—and a kurta, which is a loose shirt that usually goes to the knees. Turbans are also worn in some parts in order to protect the head. One of the most well-known pieces of clothing from India is the sari, which is a colorful, graceful garment worn by Indian women. The fabric ranging from silks to cotton is 6 yards or 18 feet in length. Traditionally, the sari is worn in different styles in different regions of the sub-continent.
Other traditional women’s clothing in India include the ghagra or garara, an intricately designed full skirt, paired with a blouse and stole draped across the upper body. Women also wear versions of the chudithar or baggier trousers called the salwar, worn with a feminine-styled kurta on top and often a stole. Modern India has continued to create contemporary stylized versions from traditional clothing, especially for women.
Cuisine - It is the flavors of Indian spices that first inspired European explorers to set sail in search of India! The diversity of India's culture also extends to its cuisines. Indian food is beloved for its many different flavors, its wide range of dishes, and its use of a variety of herbs and spices. Staples of Indian cuisine vary by region. Northerners may choose tea and Indian bread varieties, while southerners may prefer coffee and rice-based offerings. Seafood delicacies abound in coastal regions. Flavorful vegetarianism is not uncommon and is often defined by an individual or family’s religious beliefs, leading to a wide and creative integration of beans and lentils in the Indian diet.
Indian cuisine has also been influenced by the nation’s historic past. Mughal-inspired naan, tandoori, and sweets are as popular as Portuguese-inspired sweets or British-inspired baked goods. Here you can download recipes for curries and chutneys, south Indian rice dishes, and cuisine from Nagaland.
Festivals and Holidays - As a culturally diverse society, India celebrates many different festivals and holidays. These celebrations include important national and religious events, and the specific occasions that are celebrated can even vary between the different states and territories of India. Here are some of the main festivals and holidays in India:
Republic Day (January 26th) is an annual celebration commemorating the adoption of the constitution of India on January 26, 1950
Independence Day (August 15th) celebrates the end of British rule in 1947 and the establishment of India as an independent nation
Gandhi Jayanti (October 2nd) celebrates the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, recognized as the “Father of the Nation” for leading the independence movement
Holi is known as the “Festival of Colors,” the “Festival of Spring,” and the “Festival of Love.” During the celebration, individuals throw colored water and powder on one another.
Raksha Bhandan is a unique celebration of the bond between a brother and a sister
Diwali is known as the “Festival of Lights,” and is perhaps the largest festival celebrated in India. It lasts for 5 days and involves feasts, fireworks, gifts, and decorating with diyas (lamplight) and rangoli (floor art mades from colored powder)
Buddha Purnima is the celebration commemorating the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Gautama Buddha—the founder of Buddhism
Mahavir Jayanti celebrates the birth of the founder of Jainism.
Islamic festivals, holidays, and celebrations like Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha
Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter
Guru Nanak Gurpurab celebrates the birth of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak.
At Tiyara, we seek to provide educational opportunities that will make life-changing differences for under-resourced young women and men in India. We understand the empowering, equalizing role education can play, and how it can help lead to positive outcomes, and we equip youth to pursue professional and skilled employment that will bring them stability and upward mobility.
These young women and men reflect India’s plurality and have had their lives affected by circumstances beyond their control. You can help build your legacy by providing technology for our students, other education-related costs, or by putting a deserving young person through college!