Indian Culture - The Modern Amalgamation
Indian culture is one of the most complicated around. It's a vast country with huge culture differences but it's still possible to find some things in common everywhere you go, Bollywood, India's equivalent to Hollywood and the other is sport. Cricket is huge in India and every village or street you work down you'll find numerous games taking place, most of which you will be invited to join in. Big games like those between India and Australia, England and especially Pakistan are cause for huge celebrations and amount to pretty much a national holiday. You'll find massive, excited crowds around television shops, games going on everywhere you look but most noticeably the singing and dancing that company's these sorts of special events. English football is also hugely popular out there and a huge topic of conversation between natives and foreigners so it's worth investing a little time in finding a favourite team and also learning the names of the English cricket team, both of which I failed to do before I left and felt a little ashamed after every encounter!
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Indian culture that I encountered was their love for singing and dancing. I remember taking a ferry to Elephanta Island, outside and Bombay and the whole boat burst into song and dance for no apparent reason and it continued for the entire duration of the journey! Of course, me and my friend being the only westerners on the boat were dragged up onto the Dance floor and proceeded to sing our rendition of Kay-sara-sara.
However popular music, films and sport are, a large part of Indian culture and a hot topic of conversation, whether it be lowly farmers or swanky business owners, is politics. Indians take more interest in the politics of their own country than any other I have come across. For good reason too, India's political history is probably one of the most exciting of any country and is riddled with assassinations, revolutions, corruption, wars and invasions.
Another thing about Indian culture that will stand out to you when you travel is how everyday life is influenced by religions and spirituality. Early morning Puja (prayer) is performed at shrines on the sides of roads, temples, in the home and for many, in cars and buses and shopkeepers won't open for business until appropriate blessings have been made to various gods. Hinduism, the main religion in India, is greatly known for its acceptance of other religions and culture, of course history hasn't always proved that but it hasn't stopped India being populated by a whole collection of different culture and religions and attracts thousands of religious and spiritual seekers from around the world every year.
Alongside religion the family is also highly respected and central to Indian society so expect much scrutiny about this from enthusiastic locals and possibly some very disapproving head wobbles especially about marriage, sex and your parents! Most Indians regard being unmarried and with no children after the age of 25 as inconceivable let alone 30! Families are core to most Indians and when you chat with the locals you realise how important their extended family are to them, often with uncles, aunts, grandparents, kids and siblings all living under one roof and sometimes in one room!
21st century, modern Indian culture is a huge melting pot of time honored tradition and new age technology, money and western influence. Modern business women carry mobile phones down the street next to old women in colourful saries carrying buckets of water on their heads, flash cars parked next to slums and a whole host of juxtapositions that are enough to give you a headache! However strange this might sound the contrasting lifestyles blend together with real beauty.
The age old caste (class) system in India is dieing out slowly but remnants remain although mainly in rural areas. Over the years it has been a main reason for disgusting cruelty, genocide and corruption. It's a hugely complex part of Indian culture and society but can be broken down into about five levels. At the top are the Brahmins or the holy men and land owners down to the Dalits or the 'untouchables' as they were known. It seems that within each caste there are subclasses, people who performed different tasks in the community ie. tanners were the lowest of the low and cobblers etc. The belief was that the rigid caste system kept the universe in perfect balance and if the person lived a good and honest life they would be reincarnated into the caste above.
One of my favorite aspects of the Indian people is the head wobble. It is hard to go a day in India without being subjected to the infamous headwobble. It can be translated as yes, no, maybe, don't care, go away and millions of other things. It was the subject of many discussions between me and my fellow travellers while I was out there, of course everyone has there own view, however, for me it was a great method of communication with everyone. Being a westerner in some parts of India can cause a great deal of excitement and some times large crowds come to have a quick stare. A quick wobble of the head can make you a local celebrity or at least a small time comedian. It seems that if you get in your mind what you want to put across to someone, wobble your head and the simple movement becomes the thought. Its seems ridiculous but it somehow works and deserves some practice when you get there, soon you'll lose all control of your head and you'll barely have to speak!
