TRADITIONAL INDIA

INDIAN TRADITION AND
CULTURE
PRESENTATION BY
M. HARI KRISHNA

A NAMASTE TO ALL!
 Namaḥ, to bow
 te, "to you."
 namo: stu te
 "let there be a
salutation to you”

GARLANDING
There are basically two
reasons behind the
garlanding tradition of
India. Firstly, it
showcases one's
happiness at receiving
the particular guest and
secondly, it is a form of
publicly acknowledging
the guest's importance.

The National Flag
 The flag's saffron color
symbolizes courage and
sacrifice
 white stands for peace and
truth,
 and green is for faith and
chivalry,
 blue represents the color of the
sky and the ocean.
 The 24 spokes of the wheel
(Ashoka Chakra), correspond
with the 24 hours of the day,
implying that there is life in
movement and death in
stagnation.

There are 29 states and 7 Union Territories in India

 Total population: 1.06 billion people
 72% in Rural areas
 Religion: Hindu 81.3%, Muslim 12%,
Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other groups
including Buddhist, Jain, Parsi 2.5% ( AC
TO 2000 ss report)
 41.6% of the total Indian population in
India are Below Poverty Line.
 75% of the poor are in rural areas, most of
them are daily wagers, self-employed
householders , and landless labourers.

 1,652 mother tongues (languages) in
India. National Language is Hindi
 Official languages are English and Hindi
 There are four Major Castes in India the
Brahmins (teachers, scholars and priests)
, the Kshatriyas (kings, warriors and
administrators) , the Shudras (service
providers, laborers) and Vyshyas
(agriculturists and traders) which have
evolved to 1000 more castes and sub
castes.

The National Tree
 Indian fig tree, whose branches
root themselves like new trees
over a large area.
 The roots then give rise to
more trunks and branches.
 This tree is considered
immortal and is an integral part
of the myths and legends of
India.
 Even today, the banyan tree is
the focal point of village life
and the village council meets
under the shade of this tree.

The National Flower
 It is a sacred flower
and occupies a
unique position in the
art and mythology of
ancient India and has
been an auspicious
symbol of Indian
culture since time
immemorial.

Dining Etiquette
 Indian cuisine relishes in its flavors and spices.
 Much Indian food is eaten with the fingers.
 The guest of honour is served first, followed by
the men, and the children are served last.
 Women typically serve the men and eat later.
 You may be asked to wash your hands before
and after sitting down to a meal.
 Always use your right hand to eat, whether you
are using utensils or your fingers.
 Take off your shoes before entering the house.

Indian tradition
 The uniqueness of Indian culture lies in its
strong social system and family values .
 The elders are considered the driving force
and so are respected and loved .
 The guests are considered as gods and are
treated with respect and love, even if by
foregoing some of the personal pleasures.

Name Protocol
 Younger never uses the proper name of their
elders. (eg: Anna, Akka etc.)
 Only people of the same age will address each
other by first name.
 A Hindu wife never speaks the name of her
husband .
 CAUTION WITH FOOTWEAR: It is very
important to apologize immediately if one
touches someone with his or her shoe or sandal

 DISPLAYING AFFECTION: Married Hindu
couples do not hug, hold hands or kiss in public.
Even embracing at airports and train stations is
considered not wise. Men, however, frequently
walk hand in hand.
 MODESTY: Interaction in public between men
and women is much more restrained in Hindu
culture than in Western culture. In Hindu culture,
for the most part, men socialize with men, and
women with women. Men never touch women in
public unless the lady is very elderly or infirm.

 WOMANLY RESERVE: In mixed company
especially in the presence of strangers, a Hindu
woman will keep modestly in the background
and not participate freely in conversation. This,
of course, does not apply to situations among
family and close associates.
 SERVING AT MEALS: At meals women follow
the custom of serving the men first before
enjoying their own meal.

 CHAPERONING: It is customary for a woman to always
be accompanied when she leaves the home. Living
alone, too, is unusual.
 WOMEN IN PUBLIC: Generally it is improper for women
to speak with strangers on the street and especially to
strike up a casual conversation.
 HOME VISITS: Close friends can visit one another
anytime without being announced or making
arrangements first. When they drop in, at least a
refreshing drink is always served.
 WIFE HOME ALONE: If the lady of the house is in home
alone and a male visitor comes to see her husband, it is
not proper for her to invite him in, nor for him to expect to
enter. Rather, he will leave a message and depart.

Family Systems in India
 Bondage of love and affection is abundantly
found in Indian family system.
 Parents do not let their child to live
independent life until they get a marriage
match.
 Culture and tradition of India does not support
love-marriages and the divorce between a
husband and a wife .

 The Dowry System
 Class (Upper, Middle, Low)
 Purdah system
 Tribes
 Transport(Bullock, Tonga ,etc)

TRADITIONAL INDIA

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