The Relationship Between Culture and Identity - Essay Example

Name: Course: Course Instructor: Date Submitted: Culture and identity Culture is referred to a state in which there is a great intellectual development or manners. In a broader definition it can be associated to economic, political and social factors that usually affect an individual in any given society. Indian culture is one of the most renowned popular cultures within Asia due to its richness in diversity and from its great uniqueness in various aspects. It is quite evidence that individual behaviors and way of communication acts as key components of culture (Ellis, pp 115). Research indicates that even when individuals try to adapt modern way of life and improve their lifestyles at the long run their beliefs and values remain unchanged. Focusing on the history of Indian cultures, ancient civilization within Indian indicates that there are several facts link to it especially on its heritage. It runs from understanding how kingdom ruled to various activities carried out by individuals in their daily activity. This study will widely focus on using the Indian culture as our nominated popular culture within India with reference to culture and identity. Further, the study will use text emanating from new media which is described by online websites and blogs (Ellis, pp118). India culture and identity have widely contributed to its growth in constitution. It is for this reason will focus on Indians identity in relation to secular constitution which is coupled with the deep culture of this country. Basing on its geographical India is considered as a sub continent with a substantial vast demographic that is more diverse on culture (Murphy, 495). Anthropological research carried on India indicates that various racial groups migrated into these countries in different times thus bring various cultural changes which have penetrated deeply into their roots (Ford-Ahmed, pp 75). Clearly, these cultural groups did not destroy one another but rather incorporated each other culture to constitute today rich and unique culture in India. It is due to this that diversity and variety permeates the whole sub continent which has penetrated to every state, district and village of this country. The Indian culture has never been rigid and it is for this reason that it is still been indentified even in this pride of modern era. It has timely imbibes various renowned culture and thus coming out as one of the most acceptable and contemporary tradition (Ford-Ahmed, pp 79). Indian women culture is widely indentified in their way of clothing. Across the globe the ethnic and traditional yet contemporary saris are very famous and renowned. The sari is also known as ghagara-choli in the rural areas of India. To spice up the identity in women dresses is the artistic and unique jewelry that blend nicely with these dresses (Gitlin, pp212). These jewelries are made up of gold and silver greatly represent the culture and tradition exhibited by Indians. The jewelry comprises of a resinous incrustation known as Iac mainly used for personal ornamentation and Iac bangles and bracelets normally worn to link all women from all states. As compared to men based on mode of clothing, men have no dearth in clothing variety. It is evident that from their dhoti kurta to shirt pants, men are presumably to prefer anything (Ellis, pp 115. Apart from clothing and jewelries, Indian women are identified in their rich culture of applying henna or mehdi which is a type of paste which they use in drawing their palms especially during special occasions such as marriage (Gitlin, pp215). The drawing of palms is a special form of India ancient folk art that is carried from one generation to another. Culture can widely be identified in religion and ways adapted by individuals while worshipping. In India culture and identity goes beyond way of lifestyle to nature worshiping. The beginning of a day in India begins with Surya Namaskar whereby water is offered to the sun and prayers made. Indians are greatly involved in worship of nature and this factor widely contributes to the uniqueness in its culture (Inman, 317). Trees and animals in Hindu religion are believed to be gods this can be explain by the fact that they offer fresh meal in the morning to a cow and last meal to a dog (Murphy, 497). This practice is a culture that identifies Indians since nowhere in the world exist such generosity. Children are taught to begin their day with hymns thus articulation these rich values and culture. This identity has further been incorporated in India educational systems thus facilitating Indian culture. With the different kind of religions and pilgrimage found in India, identity is defined through unity portrayed by people through their moral values that bind them together (Ford-Ahmed, pp 79). Ethnicity plays a very significant role on culture and identity. With a culture of more than one thousand and twenty seventy million, India is considered to be a colorful region which is widely portrayed by unique assimilation inn various ethnic groups thus diversification of culture and religion (Murphy, 503). It is from this factor that uniqueness in ethnicity makes this country different as compared to other nations. Identity is described in vastness in Indian nationalism which is highly accounted for through religion and plethora of culture. It is for this reason that India is identified to comprise of more seats in world civilization which goes beyond a mere state. It is evident that since ancient times, the land of India has displayed varied hues of race, culture, religion and language. These factors explain great variety in ethnicity which results to diversity in culture. Although most ethnicity defined in India can be considered to be vast in sanctum, differences in religion, language and race widely give an account of existence of various group divided by ethnic grounds thus emergence of a variety of characteristics and social behaviors. In India identity in ethnicity indicate that territories marked regionally plays a significant role in differentiating these ethnicities defined in both cultural and social identities. Religions that are widely prevalent in India are Islam, Hindu, Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism where there is great freedom of religion (Jambunathan & Counselman, pp 687). Not only has the culture of ethnicity recognizes different religion but has also incorporated twenty two different languages that prevalent in India. Uniqueness in Indian culture is also widely defined in the great artistic nature. Indian artistic nature can be revealed in their mythology, classical literature and religion which are considered to form the basis of performing arts. Indian art can be categorized into two mainly performing arts and visual arts. Performing arts within Indian culture is mainly defined in dances, music and theatre. Performing art culture in India is identified in mythology, religion and classical literature which form its basis (Jambunathan & Counselman, pp 657). Theatre forms a unique culture within this society since it focuses on puppet shows, puppets are used in creating awareness on various social values which usually inculcating good moral values in children. Indians have such a regenerated vigor when music is played. They high consider music as food to the soul since Vedic period; music captures the heart of every Indian. Films also form basis of India performing arts which is very popular across the globe. The country culture in film making is been displayed in the fact that more than one thousand movies are produced which are not popular in local markets but also in both Asia and Europe continents. It is said that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, but on identity and culture of Indians this phrases changes into beauty lies in the hand of Indian artists. It is quite evident that Indians prominence in painting is visible right from the caves of Ajanta, Ellora, Jain text and Buddhists palm leaf manuscript. It is from Ajanta paintings and leaf painting that India is famous on this form of visual art. Identity in this visual art emanates from the gracefully and unique paintings. By way of focusing on tradition and culture, it is quite sensible to indentify Indian artists as imbibe in their quality that usually gives a final impression of contemporary India culture. It is due to the uniqueness in this culture that from the Cholas dynasty to current era that Indian is been able to be identified and ranked top position on sculpture. Temples of Elephant and Ellora are main contributor to this mastery art of sculptures. While Christians, Jews and Muslim constantly pray for their soul will go to heaven after death, Hindus have a different idea about life after death. Most Indians who are believers of Hindu religion have a certain fundamental belief in relation to reincarnation. Their belief creates a culture of identity whereby one soul is believed to reincarnate for uncountable number of time depending on the balance of sins and good deeds during their lifetime. This belief further explains for the various inequalities of caste system. It is perceived that one is born in a particular caste either one which is low or high as a result of gathered virtues or sin one acquired in his previous life. Most Indians hope that they are never moves out of one caste but rather do that in their next reincarnation. For Hindus it have been noted that cremate their dead on a pile of logs but this at times seem to be expensive for the poor who prefer burying their dead. Medically healing is also used in indentifying a particular culture. For years India tradition is one which extends to a tradition of medical healing which goes for more than 2000 years. Today, the country medical system is divided into two major systems not forgetting dozen localized and tribal system that greatly depend on herbal treatment. The oldest four systems are defined by Ayurveda which is means science of long life. This system is considered to be highly developed whereby it is characterized by hospitals, pharmaceuticals, clinics and medical books. It highly depends on non invasive herbal treatment whereby treatment and diagnosis is emphasis based on a holistic approach. Sidda is strictly distinct by tradition which developed in south India and it follows physiology principles closely related to those of Ayurveda. Here, diagnosis highly depends on careful examination of pulse thus treatment is focused on both herbal and psychological approach. The third form of system is unani. Here, holistic treatment and diagnosis approach with a great use of human physiology theory which is considered to be distinct. It is evidence that all of these three systems greatly attribute disease to an imbalance existing in various underlying constituents. The fourth method is not culturally linked to India but rather it’s a system favored in both scientific and biomedicine. In conclusion, it is quite evidence that despite many diversity in culture, they are been able to be identified because of being united and greatly practicing their culture and tradition. Further, both locally and internationally India has widely displayed its talent and culture which is verse in international film festivals and beauty pageants. Even with the rule from many rulers Indians have chosen to preserve their culture as opposed to acquiring modernity thus great diversification in their tradition. It is quite notable that in many years to come, India culture will adapt flexibility thus being more fashionable and acceptable. The interface of development which is defined by cultural identity within Indian contextual is within interrelated dimension namely the civilization and pan-Indian normally guarded by composite ethos defined by India therefore India can be termed as both a multicultural and multi religious country. Thus, in the coming years to come this country will continue to embrace cultural identity and diversity due to their unified nature. It is therefore very important to understand that culture unifies people regardless of the many differences that may exist between individuals which may be due to religion, culture and language. Uniqueness of culture is what makes a culture acceptable throughout many generations. Acceptance of wider variety in religion, medicine, clothing and language causes uniqueness of language thus creating wide and rich diversity. Work cited Arendell, T. (1997). Contemporary parenting: Challenges and issues. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Constantine, M. G., & Ladany, N. Cultural value conflict: An examination of Asian Indian women’s bicultural experience. In D. S. Sandhu (Ed.), Asian and Pacific Islander Americans: Issues and concerns for counseling and psychotherapy. 1999. (pp. 31–41). Commack, NY: Nova Science. Ellis, C. Evocative auto ethnography: Writing emotionally about our lives. In W. G. Tierney & Y. S. 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