Indian Culture

The customs, social behaviour, art, music and beliefs of a people or a society. In India, culture is a reflection of artistic traditions that date back thousands of years, of the land's rich mythology, philosophy, literature, music, dance, food and clothing. It has survived a rocky history and emerged, more or less unscathed into the modern world. Indian culture is a celebration not just of its various contributions to art, science, philosophy and politics, it is also a celebration of diversity and adaptability.

Due to its adaptability and comprehensiveness, Indian culture has survived the trials of the ages, including numerous invasions, a thousand years of Islamic invasions and centuries of British rule. Indian culture's innate ability to transform and accommodate has ensure its survival despite great odds. Unity in diversity makes Indian culture unique, born as it was through a synthesis of traditions through the ages.

India is considered the birthplace of some of the world's major religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism. The tents of the Vedic religions have become immensely popular around the globe, with the likes of ISKCON, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, Baba Ramdev and Sri Sri Ravishankar. Yoga has taken the world by storm, as well as the basic principles of Ayurveda, as people turn to healthy, sustainable living and cleaner, healing diets.

Simply put, what we recognize as 'Indian culture' today is a synthesis of several minor cultures. It is the collective fabric of India's art, festivals, music, dance, religions, architecture, food and clothing. Indian culture has also had over a thousand years of foreign influence.

India is home to one of the world's largest collections of songs, dance, music, theatre, folk traditions, performing arts, paintings, writings and rituals. These are all known as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.