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India's culture is marked by
a high degree of syncretism; it has managed to preserve
established traditions whilst absorbing new customs, traditions,
and ideas from invaders and immigrants. Many Indian cultural
practices, languages, customs, and monuments are examples of
this co-mingling over centuries. Famous monuments, such as the
Taj Mahal and other examples of Mughal architecture, have been
inherited from the Mughal dynasty. These are the result of
traditions that combined elements from all parts of the country.
Indian music is highly
diversified. Classical music is mainly split between the North
Indian Hindustani and South Indian Carnatic traditions. Highly
regionalized forms of popular music include filmi and folk music
like bhangra. Many classical dance forms exist, including
bharatanatyam, kathakali, kathak, kuchipudi, manipuri, odissi
and yakshagana. They often have a narrative form and are usually
infused with devotional and spiritual elements.
The earliest literary traditions in India were mostly oral and
were only later transcribed. Most of these are represented by
religious texts such as the Vedas, the Mahabharata, and the
Ramayana; Sangam literature from Tamil Nadu is among India's
oldest. |
