India’s Art ; Culture Essay Example

diversity including physical features, geological structure, flora and fauna, demographic structure, races, languages, religions, arts and crafts, as well as customs and traditions.

India is often referred to as "the Mini World", the "epitome of the world", and an "ethnological museum" due to its unrivaled diversity. However, beneath this diversity lies a continuous Indian civilization and social structure that has existed since ancient times. Throughout history, India's culture has been shaped by various waves of migration, which have become part of Indian society. These migrations began with the Indo-Greeks in the 2nd century B.C., followed by the Kushans in the 1st century A.D. In the 8th century A.D., India experienced invasions from Arab, Turkish, Persian, and other groups, resulting in the establishment of the Muslim empire by the 13th century. Later on, Europeans arrived and introduced new elements to India's arts, music, literature, customs, and traditions over time. As a result, not only has India's cultural heritage absorbed foreign influences but it has also spread its own unique culture worldwide since ancient times.

Historical records indicate that the rulers of the Chola dynasty had cultural connections with countries such as llamandalam (Sri Lanka), Sri Vijaya (Sumatra), Chavakam Cava), KamboJa (Cambodia), and Kadaram (Malay Peninsula). The art and architecture of these countries still bear evidence of these early Indian contacts. From the beginning of the Christian era, the Southeast Asian countries became a stronghold of Indian culture. The influence of Sanskrit can be seen strongly in the various Southeast Asian languages. The religion of Hinduism was adopted by many of these countries' previous kingdoms, and its impact can still be observed today.

India showcases an unparalleled example

of unity in diversity, unrivaled by any historical account. The nation encompasses a seamless fusion of various cultural facets, where religion and philosophy, fundamental to any civilization, manifest in the coexistence of major world religions: Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Zorastrianism, and Judaism. Moreover, India embraces regional diversity with each state possessing distinctive languages, tribes, festivals, arts and crafts, customs, and traditions.

In Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, there are Chenchus tribes. In Central India, there are Bhils and Gonds. In Jammu and Kashmir, there are Dogris, GuJJars, and Ladakhis. In the Northeast, there are Nagas, dodos, Mishmis, Gharos, and Khasis. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, there are tribes like the Jarewas, Onges, Andamanis, and Sentinelese. Some festivals are specific to certain states, cities, or towns. Examples include the Bonnalu of Andhra Pradesh, Pushkar of Rajasthan, RaJrani of Orissa, Tee] of Rajasthan, and Bogali Bihu of Assam.

Each region in India has its own unique folk and tribal dance forms, such as Puli Vesham in Andhra Pradesh, Keli Gopal in Assam, Chhau in Bihar, Dandia in Gujarat, Bhangra in Punjab, and Otthanthulal in Kerala. Similarly, there are similarities in folk drama, theatre, and arts and crafts across regions. The development of drama, music, dance, painting, and folk art forms occurred continuously under different political rulers in India. This has led to the emergence of a distinct "Indian" essence within each of these forms.

Indian culture includes a range of art forms such as 'Indian Music', 'Indian Dance', 'Indian Theatre', 'Indian Literature', 'Indian Fairs and Festivals', and more. The history of Indian music can be traced back to ancient times, with significant works like the

Natyashastra from the 2nd century AD that explore the science and technique of Indian drama, dance, and music. The establishment of Muslim rule in India brought changes to the style of Northern Indian music. During this period, the traditional Hindu devotional music form known as dhruvapad transformed into the classical dhrupad singing style.

The khayal emerged in the 18th century A.D. as a novel genre of singing and gained popularity among both Hindus and Muslims. Various ragas were introduced during the medieval era. Tansen is attributed with the composition of numerous ragas including Darbari Kanada, Darbari Todi, Miyan Ki Todi, Miya ki Malhar, and Miya ki Sarang, which are still considered the primary ragas of Northern India. Sultan Hussain Sarki of Jaunpur introduced ragas like Jaunpuri tori and Hussain's Kanada. Amir Khusro is credited with the creation of the Hemant, Prabhat Kali, and Hem Behag ragas.

A wide range of foreign musical instruments such as Harmonium, Sarod, Shehnai, Sitar, Tabla, and Violin were introduced in India to enhance the existing ancient musical instruments like Flute, Nadaswaram, Veena, Gootuvadhyam, Thavil, Mridangam, and Plain drum. The six notable Sanskrit playwrights of all time, Shudraka, Harsha, Visakhadatta, Bhasa, Kalidasa, and Bhavabhuti, have greatly contributed to the field of drama. Kalidasa's Shakuntala, King Harsha's Ratnavali, and Bhasa's

India's ancient times boasted a highly advanced theatre tradition, as showcased in Sanskrit plays like Swapna-vasavadatta, Bhavabhuti's Uttara-rama-charita, Mahavira-charita, and Visakhadatta's Mudrarakshasa. This stood out compared to many other countries, where theatre was still in its early stages. Furthermore, Sanskrit literature can be traced back to the Rig Vedic poetry, specifically the Rigveda. Comprised of 1028 suktas or hymns, these poems

are grouped in ten books known as mandalas. This collection is considered among the world's earliest poetry.

The two great Sanskrit epics in Indian literature are the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Valmiki composed the Ramayana, while Wasa composed the Mahabharata. Along with the Puranas, these epics form the foundation of Indian literary tradition. The Manu Smriti, written in the 1st century BC, is a text that explains Hindu religious laws known as Dharma-sastras or Smritis. In ancient times, many renowned writers such as Kalidasa, Bairavi, Sudraka, Vishnu Sharma, Dandin, and others created numerous literary masterpieces. India's contributions to the world also include significant advancements in astronomy, mathematics, and medicine.

In ancient Indian texts such as the Aryabhatiya, Dasagitika-Sutra, and Aryastasata from the 5th century, Aryabhatta proposed that the earth revolves around the sun and that eclipses occur when the earth's shadow covers the moon. Other significant Indian astronomical works include Varahamihira's Pancha-siddhantika, Brahmagupta's Brahmasphuta-siddhanta and Khanda-khadyaka, Bhaskaracharya's Siddhanta-shiromani and Karana-kutuhala, and BhoJa's Raja-mriganka.

Ayurveda, the earliest school of medicine, is believed to be the origin of Europe's languages as it was written in Sanskrit. It also influenced our philosophy and mathematics through the Arabs. The principles found in Christianity are thought to have originated from Ayurveda via the Buddha. Ayurveda is also seen as the foundation for self-government and democracy through community living. Mother India embodies Indian culture's essence. Sushruta, a prominent figure in Ayurveda, earned the title 'Father of Surgery' for his skilled use of over 125 surgical instruments during complex procedures.

The utilization of anesthesia was well-known in ancient India, and various ancient Indian texts contain comprehensive references to anatomy, physiology, etiology, embryology,

digestion, metabolism, genetics, and immunity. One notable contribution from India is the concept of zero (O), referred to as Shunya in ancient texts. Additionally, India is the origin of algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. A significant accomplishment in Indian mathematics is the decimal system. The first instance of its use can be found on a plate from 595 AD where the date 346 AD was written using decimal place-value notation.

Aryabhatta, known for calculating the value of 11 as 3.1416, also contributed to the development of Algebraic analysis. In the 6th century, Budhayana explained the concept of the Pythagorean Theorem. Brahmagupta's Brahma-Sphuta-Siddhanta comprised two chapters focusing on arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. For many centuries, Bhaskara's Lilavati served as a standard work on arithmetic and mensuration in the East. The world's first university, established in Takshila in 700 BC, offered more than 60 different subjects to over 10,500 students from all around the world.

The University of Nalanda, established in the 5th century BC, was a renowned educational center in ancient India often called the "Oxford University of Mahayana Buddhism". It provided instruction in various subjects including literature, logic, grammar, medicine, philosophy, and astronomy. Forbes magazine declared Sanskrit as the predecessor to all European languages and recommended its use in computer software. Vaishali in present-day Bihar is acknowledged as the world's first republic with a duly elected assembly and efficient administration dating back to the 6th century BC.

India's culture and heritage are vast and deeply rooted, making it a complex subject that requires considerable time to fully understand. Over the course of history, India has fascinated numerous global explorers, including Fahien, Hiuen Tsang, Ibn Batuta, Alberuni, Ferishta,

Vasco da Gama, Marco Polo, and others. Even Albert Einstein recognized the contributions of Indians and their expertise in mathematics as crucial to scientific advancements.

Max Muller, a renowned German Indologist, proclaimed that if he were to search the entire world for a country blessed with the utmost riches, power, and beauty bestowed by nature - some parts of which resemble a true paradise on earth - he would undoubtedly single out India. In addition, when asked about the sky under which the human intellect has flourished with the most exquisite talents, deeply contemplated upon the greatest existential questions, and discovered solutions for certain dilemmas worthy of attention even from scholars well-versed in the works of Plato and Kant, Muller would again direct attention towards India. These sentiments are echoed by the remarkable American philosopher and writer, Will Durant.