Evaluate continuity and change as a characteristics of indian culture
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Answer:
CONTINUITY AND CHANGE IN INDIA
PEOPLE
- Indian culture is family-orientated and patriarchal.
- This strongly religious society has great respect for age, tradition and sacred symbols.
- People dress and present themselves modestly and don’t tolerate behaviour contrary to religious traditions.
- The nurturing of relationships, tolerance, social harmony and hospitality is paramount.
- People do things through family and friends.
- India is a collectivist culture
- Ideals of humility and self-denial is respected.
SOCIETY
- Traditional society is based around family and respect for elders.
- Respect for tradition is highly valued.
- India is an ancient civilization and its people have a predominantly religious attitude to life marked by clear authority structures and distinct social status lines
- Caste is the basic social structure of Indian society
- Indians take great strength from families which are larger and more extended than those in most western societies.
CULTURE
- Indian culture reflects both its history and geography
- From north to south and east to west, the people are different, the language is different and the customs are different.
- The fundamental belief is in the continuity of life. The cause of this attitude is the very deep seated belief in karma and reincarnation.
- Although Hindi is the national language, there are 18 official languages and more than 1000 dialects
- The incredible and colourful atmosphere of Indian daily life / celebration expresses itself in the musicals of Bollywood, the decorations of temples and even the advertising in towns.
- Indians admire the simple life and the purity of the soul.
- Key Indian values are:
1. Respect for tradition
2. Compromise
3. Respect for family
4. Respect for elders
5. Compassion
6. Democracy
7. Creativity
GLOBALISATION AND TECHNOLOGY
The emergence of a ‘global culture’ has impacted on India through the new technologies of world information systems and the spread of global consumerism via the TNC’s. The introduction of such technologies as satellite TV and the internet have allowed western ideals to encroach in the conservative values of India.
Long entrenched cultural values are being challenged as acculturation brings Indian societies into contact with different attitudes and ideologies. A strong component of globalization is westernization, meaning the western style consumerism, attitudes, fashion and music infiltrate non-western culture.
TRENDS THAT INFLUENCE THE PROCESS OF GLOBALISATION
MOBILITY
- money, ideas and people move more freely across borders. Mobility is linked to improved means of communication and cheaper travel. The internet and satellite TV allow Indians to travel more easily giving them, absorbing ideas from other cultures.
SIMULTANEITY
- sophisticated communication systems allow new consumer goods,, new technology and cultural interaction to be introduced at almost the same time in different places across the world.
BYPASS
- because of the many and various ways of communication now available, it is more difficult for traditional authorities to maintain control over the information and ideas received by members of Indian society.
PLURALISM
- the once dominant majority cultures are not so dominant anymore. The question remains are Hindus in general and Brahmins losing control over Indian society.
THE INFLUENCE OF SATTELITE TV
25% per cent of Indian households now have access to News Corporations Star TV channel, with access to western soaps, movies and music videos. Many of these western programs stress physically, fantasy and sexuality over intellectuality, realism and self-sacrifice. Hindu values are not being represented. These programs portray a life of easy success and instant pleasure that is attractive to young people, but fundamentalists argue, that it does nothing to prepare them for the real world. Many hindus fear the impact of sattelite TV programs on their society. They see them as a threat to traditional society and a signpost to a time when Hindu culture has been absorbed by the westernised global village. The future is likely to see a continuism of the struggle between fundamentalists and the global media.