Cultural and Traditional India

Indian cultural history has been derived by the absorbing customs, traditions, and rituals from both invaders and immigrants. Many Indian customs, cultural practices and languages are examples of this co-mingling over centuries. It was the birthplace of many religious systems like Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism which influenced not only this country but also the neighboring countries. With the following invasion of the Islamic rulers the culture of India was heavily influenced by Persian, Arabic, Turkish cultures.

The 5000 years old Indian culture is both ancient and varied. But unity in diversity which is the main mantra of Indian civilization can be seen if any one monitors its various art forms and traditional diversity.

Dance
The history of Indian traditional dance which traces its origin back in 2 BC is as colorful as it can be possible. Classical, folk and contemporary,all dance items are preformed here in India. Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Kathak, Manipuri, Odissi, Kuchipudi and Mohini Attam are the few leading forms of classical dance. Kathak the main dance form in North India comes form the Islamic invasion though in the later years it evolved into the Hindu gharanas like Banaras gharana , Jaipur gharna. Maximum classical dancing originated from the religious feelings . But in addition to these classical dancing there are numerous forms of folk tribal dance which can be found in India.

Music
Indians always believed in the divine association of the music. In India mainly two school of classical style can be found one is north Indian Hindustani style one is south Indian Carnatic style of singing. Like dance, music has a rich and robust folk tradition and music is inextricably woven into the fabric of rural India. Contemporary music of India includes even jazz. Pop, rock .

Paintings
Paintings are the favorite way of expressing some one's feelings. In ancient India it has been even used as a tool to demonstrate someones religious beliefs. Cave Paintings from Ajanata, Elora, Khajurago And Temple Paintings all are the testimony of this truth only. Most Rock art in India is mostly influenced by Hinduism or Buddhism. Painting is not necessarily always made on a paper canvas or on the rocks in India a freshly made colored flour design (rangoli) is still a common sight outside the doorstep of many (mostly South Indian) Indian homes.

Film
Popular cinema is how much popular can be understand with this small fact that over 900 films are made and released in India annually. In a country where cine stars get similar treatments like god nobody simply deny that popular cinema is very much an integral part of the Indian society, as we all know cinema is the mirror of the society.

Style of Dress
India is a land of color and diverse cultures, so evident in the varied dresses that grace its people. Indian traditional way of dressing is marked by variations, both religious and regional with a wide choice of textures and styles. Simple Sari is draped by the Indian girls of different region in different style. Traditional dress for Rajasthani and Gujarati girls are colorful Ghagra choli. South Indian girls Wear half sari with duppatta. Churidar kurta is worn by the north Indian girls but now a days quite popular with the young generation as well. Western dressing style is gaining its popularity amongst the urban youth.