Indian Geography And Languages/Dress Etc..
15. Indian Geography and Languages/Dress etc..
15.1. Geography
Covering an area of 3.28 million sq kilometers, India is the seventh largest country in theworld. The mainland of India extends between 8 4 ' N and 37 6' North Latitude and 68 7 ' and 97 25 ' East Longitudes. It is 1/ 3 rd size of the US. There are 28 states in India.
Originally there were 25 states, but then 3 NEW states created in NOVEMBER of 2000.
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1. Andhra Pradesh |
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2. Arunachal Pradesh |
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3. Assam |
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4. Bihar |
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5. Chhattisgarh |
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6. Goa |
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7. Gujarat |
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8. Haryana |
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9. Himachal Pradesh |
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10. Jammu and Kashmir |
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11. Jharkhand |
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12. Karnataka |
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13. Kerala |
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14. Madhya Pradesh |
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15. Maharashtra |
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16. Manipur |
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17. Meghalaya |
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18. Mizoram |
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19. Nagaland |
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20. Orissa |
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21. Punjab |
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22. Rajasthan |
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23. Sikkim |
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24. Tamil Nadu |
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25. Tripura |
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26. Uttar Pradesh |
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27. Uttarakhand |
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28. West Bengal |
The 29th State of india is formed in 2014 Telangana
15.2. Languages - The mother tongue of India is Hindi. English language is the commonly used official language of India. It enjoys a special status and remains the additional official language of India. It is also the authoritative legislative and judicial language. Apart from the more widely spoken English and Hindi, there are the various regional languages as well. In fact, each state of India has its own official language, apart from the numerous dialects. However, the 8th schedule of the Constitution of India lists 22 such regional languages only, giving them official status.
Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri/Meitei, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.
Food reflects a perfect blend of various cultures and ages. Just like Indian culture, food in India has also been influenced by various civilizations, which have contributed their share in its overall development and the present form. Foods of India are better known for its spiciness. Throughout India, be it North
India or South India, spices are used generously in food. But one must not forget that every single spice used in Indian dishes carries some or the other nutritional as well as medicinal properties.
Though it can be more broadly classified into North, South, East and west, Let us try to classify a little more into detail. Most of the world knows Indian food as food prepared with CURRY. For Indians Curry means a blend of spices depending on what is going to be prepared.Curry has freshly ground spices like Turmeric, Cumin Seed, Cilantro seed,black pepper and plenty more. The following are different types of cuisines: Kashmiri, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Uttarpradeshi, Bengali, Tamil, Malayali, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi are to name a distinct few. Of course there are a variety of sweets from different parts of the country. After the food Paan (Betel nut) in various forms are provided. Anytime you are visiting India, be brave to try a different variety.
15.3. Music - Indian Music can be classified into Classical, Folk and Popular Music (Known
more as Bollywood). The two main branches of classical music are Hindustani (North Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian). They are distinctly different entities, though both at their core are built on the twin principles of raga/ragam (melody) and tala/talam (rhythm). Classical Music is performed in a more formal setting of 2 to 3 hour concerts. They are also sung in Temples and functions in 5 to 10 minute format. Folk music is immensely rich and diverse. Folk music is played during weddings, and religious festivities. Some of them accompany a story line. The newer styles like Indo-jazz fusion, bhangra pop from Punjab are played with different instruments. Popular Music - Indian Movies are entrenched with songs and dances which are commonly known around the world as Bollywood. These are 5 to 10 minutes in length and have theme lines to go with the movie.
15.4. Dance - Classical - Some of the more classical ones are Bharatanatiyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Mohini Attam, Odissi, Kathak and Manipuri. Indian folk and tribal dances are simple dances, and are performed to express joy. Folk and tribal dances are performed for every possible occasion, to celebrate the arrival of seasons, birth of a child, a wedding and festivals. The dances are extremely simple with minimum of steps or movement. Each form of dance has a specific costume. Most costumes are flamboyant with extensive jewels. While there are numerous ancient folk and tribal dances, they are more specific to the states.
15.5. FOLK DANCES OF INDIAN STATES
UP = Nautanki , Ras Lila, Kajri, Karan.
Gujarat = Dandiya, Ganpathy, Raslila, Garba.
Goa = Dhakto, Shimgo, Golf, Talagadi, Tongamel, Musssal Khel, Corridinbo.
Daman = Gherba ( during Diwali )
Pndicherry = Poorakkali, Kolkali, Mascarada.
Tamil Nadu = Peacock dance, Horse dance, Rope, Bamboo dance, Karagam, Kavadi.
West Bengal = Kathi, Chhau, Baul, Kirtan.
Karnataka = Suggi Kunitha, Kola-atta, Yakshagana.
Maharashtra = Dahikala, Tanassa, Dasaratar, Lezim, Dandaniya, Gafa,
Kathakeertan, Lovani.
Bihar = Jata Jatin, Gadur, Chhau, Kathaputli, Bakho, Natna.
orissa = Ghumara Sanchar, Chadya, Dandante.
Andhra Pradesh = Ghanta Mardala, Veedhi Natakam (Street Play ), Burrakatha.
Himachal Pradesh = Nati, Gurkhali, Bhangra & Raslila.
Punjab = Bale Bale, Giddha, Jummer, Ludi Sami.
Haryana = Phag, Loor, Dhamal, Jhoomer, Daph.
Rajasthan = Dhumer, Rai, Babajee, Garba, Ger, Lari, Dhokri, Gorba, Talwar, Natch,Shankaria.
Chhatisgarh = Panthi, Danda, Sarhul, Raut, Suaa, Karma.
Uttaranchal = Jagar, Chaufulla, Jhumaila, Jhoda.
Jharkand = Karma, Jhumri, Panwari, Jogida.
15.6. Dress - Indian traditional dresses are unique and can be recognized very easily. The culture, religion, languages spoken and attire of the people of India are as diverse as the landscape of this vast country. Due to its diversity this cultural hub does not have just one dress, which can be called as the National Dress or Indian Dress.
15.7. Indian Festivals
Indian Festivals celebrated by varied cultures and through their special rituals add to the colors of Indian Heritage. Some festivals welcome the seasons of the year, the harvest, the rains, or the full moon. Others celebrate religious occasions, the birthdays of divine beings, saints, and gurus (revered teachers), or the advent of the New Year. A number of these festivals are common to most parts of India. However, they may be called by different names in various parts of the country or may be celebrated in a different fashion. India has a national Holiday for Diwali, Id and Christmas. All major religious festivals are celebrated equally. Here are some of them:Pongal, Maha SHivarathri, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti, Baisakhi, Budha Poornima, Rath Yatra -Orissa, Onam, Krishna Janmashtami, Navratri, Dussera, Diwali, Gurpurab, Easter, Christmas, Id-ul-Fitr, Id-Ul-Zuha
15.8. Rivers
Rivers - Seven major rivers along with their numerous tributariesmake up the river system of India. The important rivers in India are Ganga, Indus, Bhahmaputra,Narmada, Tapti, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Bharathapuzha, Periyar & Pumba.
