Culture of India

‘Culture’ is derived from Latin term ‘cult or cultus’ meaning cultivating or refining and worship. The term ‘Sanskriti’ has been derived from the root ‘Kri (to do).

                    ‘prakriti’ (basic matter or condition),

 ‘Kri;            ‘Sanskriti’ (refined matter or condition)

                    ‘vikriti’ (modified/ decayed matter or condition)

When ‘prakriti’ is refined it becomes ‘Sanskriti’ and when broken/damaged it becomes ‘vikriti’.

                                           

CULTURE

• Culture is a way of life.
• Culture may be defined as the way an individual and especially a group live, think, feel and organize themselves, celebrate and share life.
• Culture thus refers to a human-made environment which includes all the material and non-material products of group life that are transmitted from one generation to the next.
• In deeper sense it is culture that produces the kind of  literature, music, dance, sculpture, architecture and various other art forms as well as the many organizations and structures that make the functioning of the society smooth and well-ordered.
• Culture is the expression of our nature in our modes of living and thinking.

                      Material (dress, food, and household goods)

• Culture    

                                  Non-Material. (ideas, ideals, thoughts and belief)

·         Self restraint in conduct, consideration for the feelings of others, for the rights of others, are the highest marks of culture.

CIVILIZATION

• ‘Civilization’ means having better ways of living and sometimes making nature bend to fulfill their needs.
• On the other hand ‘culture’ refers to the inner being, a refinement of head and heart.
• One who may be poor and wearing cheap clothes may be considered ‘uncivilized’, but still he or she may be the most cultured person.
• One possessing huge wealth may be considered as ‘civlilized’ but he may not be cultured’
• Civilization is advanced state of culture.

HERITAGE

• The culture we inherit from our predecessors is called our cultural heritage.
• Humanity as a whole has inherited a culture which may be called human heritage.
• A nation also inherits a culture which may be termed as national cultural heritage.
• Culture is liable to change, but our heritage does not.

Architectural creations, material artifacts, the intellectual achievements, philosophy, pleasure of knowledge, scientific inventions and discoveries are parts of heritage.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTURE

·         Culture is learned and acquired:

·         Culture is shared by a group of people:

·         Culture is cumulative:

·         Culture changes:

·         Culture is dynamic:

·         Culture gives us a range of permissible behaviour patterns:

·         Culture is diverse:

·         Culture is ideational:

IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE IN HUMAN LIFE

• Culture is closely linked with life.
• It is what makes us human. Culture is made up of traditions, beliefs, way of life, from the most spiritual to the most material.
• Human beings are creators of culture and, at the same time, culture is what makes us human.
• The three eternal and universal values of Truth, Beauty and Goodness are closely linked with culture.

CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIAN CULTURE

• Due to its adaptability and comprehensiveness, Indian culture has survived through the ages.
• Unity in diversity is one of the major characteristics of Indian culture which makes it unique.
• A synthesis of various cultures came about through the ages to give shape to what is recognised as Indian culture today.
• Spirituality and value based life style is the core of Indian culture but it has a scientific temperament too.