North Indian Culture

Beauty of Rajasthan

Trisul, Nanda Devi and Himalayan range from Kausani, Uttarakhand

North Indian Culture represents the rich cultural heritage of officially the seven North Indian states of Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh(Union Territory), Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan.^[1] The other states which are considered traditionally as part of North India, though not formally, are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.North Indian Culture pre-dominantly derives its roots from Indo-Aryan traditions and customs, with assimilation and impact from other cultures over long period of history. North Indian culture reflects the diversity of traditions and customs of the vast region it encompasses.

Traditional Clothing

Traditional dress of village man in Rajasthan

A rural woman in Madhya Pradesh

A North Indian woman prominently wears a sari except for states like Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana and Punjab where pheran, ghagra and salwar kameez along with dupatta or overcloth respectively is more common. Dupatta or overcloth forms an indispensable part of salwar kameez and symbolic of modesty. The primary use of a dupatta is to cover the head and/or any inadvertent cleavage and the contour of the bosom. Each state has some or the other attire that's unique to it for e.g. Patiala salwar is a famous female trousers from Punjab, similarly Banarasi sari are considered to be finest saris in India are known for their gold and silver brocade, fine silk and opulent embroidery from state of Uttar Pradesh. For men dhoti with kurta or shirt along with turban or pagdi forms the common dress in rural areas. Pagdi or Topi is a headgear symbolic of respect and status one holds. However western influence can easily be seen in urban as well as rural areas nowadays.

Cuisine

Rajasthani Thali

A Typical North Indian Meal at formal occasions

Wheat forms the staple diet of North India and is usually served in form of rotis /chapatis along with subzi. Prominent daily diet consists of vegetarian food except for Kashmir, however non-vegetarian food is too popular.Mughlai cuisine is known for non-vegetarian dishes with distinct aroma, taste and different style of cooking. Punjabi food is known for being spicy and tasty. Some of the famous dishes from Punjab includes Sarson da Saag, Dal Makhani, Choley (with naan or kulcha), Kadhi Pakora, Lassi etc. A number of Punjabi dhabas can be found all over region. Rajasthani cuisine is famous for its dishes like Daal-Baati, Churma etc. A variety of desserts can be found in North India, to name a few like Halwa(sweet pudding), Imarti, Gujia, Kheer, Petha(specially Agra Petha), Bal Mithai(from Kumaon).

Music

Main article: Hindustani Classical Music

Pandit Ravi Shankar

Hindustani classical music or Shastriya Sangeet represents the classical music of North India. It is a tradition that originated in Vedic ritual chants and has been evolving since the 12th century CE. Around the 12th century, Hindustani classical music diverged from what eventually came to be identified as Carnatic classical music. The central notions in both these systems is that of a melodic mode or raga, sung to a rhythmic cycle or tala. The tradition dates back to the ancient Samaveda, (lit. sāma=ritual chant), which deals with the norms for chanting of srutis or hymns such as the Rig Veda. These principles were refined in the Natyashastra by Bharata (2nd-3d c. CE) and the Dattilam (probably 3d-4th c. AD)).^[2] Indian classical music has seven basic notes, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni, with five interspersed half-notes, resulting in a 12-note scale. The rhythmic organization is based on rhythmic patterns called Taal. The melodic foundations are called ragas. Noted representatives of Shastriya Sangeet with a worldwide acclaim are Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.

Dance

Rajasthani Folk Dance

Kathak a classical dance form

The rich cultural heritage of North India is most prominently represented in different folk dance found here. Starting with Bhangra (men’s dance) and Gidha (women’s dance) from Punjab to Kathak; from Ghoomar and Kalbeliya dance from Rajasthan to Kinnauri Nati from Himachal Pradesh; Karma from Jharkhand to Panthi from Chattisgarh; from Jagars and Pandva Nritya from Uttarakhand to Rouf of Kashmir celebrates the richness of culture and traditions of North India. Kathak is one of the eight classical dance forms as conferred by Sangeet Natak Akademi. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or storytellers. Some believe it evolved from Lord Krishna's raas lilas, forms of which have also evolved into the popular Garba-style dances popular in other parts of region and Gujarat. It was quintessential theatre, using instrumental and vocal music along with stylized gestures, to enliven the stories.

Architecture and Paintings

Taj Mahal, Agra

Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, Bihar

The vastness of architectural marvels in North India can easily be exemplified by the fact that out of twenty-three cultural world heritage sites in India declarerd by UNESCO ten are present in North India.^[3] The Taj Mahal, a perfect blend of Muslim and Indian architecture, is one of the new seven wonders of world. The Mahabodhi Temple complex at Bodh Gaya, Bihar built by Emperor Ashoka in 260 BC, marks the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautam Buddha.Khajuraho temple and Buddhist monuments of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh finds itself in list of world heritage sites. Apart from these other renowned architecture/holy sites are Sri Harmandir Sahib(“The Golden Temple”) in Amritsar, Punjab, Urban and Architectural Work of Le Corbusier in Chandigarh, Dilwara Temples of Mount Abu, Rajasthan to name a few. A different genre of paintings evolved in North India specially the Miniature paintings. Rajput Painting a style of Indian painting that evolved and flourished during the 18th century, in the royal courts of Rajputana. Rajput paintings depict a number of themes, events of epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Krishna's life, beautiful landscapes, and humans. Madhubani Painting is a style of painting that is practiced in Mithila region of Bihar state. Themes revolve around Hindu Gods and mythology, along with scenes from the royal court and social events like weddings.

Sculpture and Art

Lion Capital of Ashoka, Sarnath, Madhya Pradesh

An example of Gandhara School of Art

One of the most prominent example of North India sculpture is Lion capital of Ashoka, Sarnath which also forms the national emblem India. It gives a hint to the richness and grandeur of ancient Mauryan empire. The Rampurva Bull capital is one of the best specimens of animal sculpture. Two different schools of art namely Gandhara and Mathura school of arts evolved which represented the developments in sculptures, stucco and clay as well as in mural paintings. The Kushana kings, particularly Kanishaka, encouraged the Gandhara artists to sculpture themes from Buddha’s life and the Jatakas. The distinctive school of art which grew here is called the Gandhara school of art. A large number of the images of the Buddha and the Bodhisattavas were produced. Mathura art, however, reached its peak during the Gupta period (AD 325 to 600). The human figure reached its highest sublimation in the Gupta classical phase when the divine images conceived and rendered in the shape of a human being assumed a superhuman aspect and attained the true spiritual import. The sculptures were marked by sharp and beautiful features, graceful and slim body, with many folds of transparent drapery and a new style of coiffure.

Literature and Philosophy

A painting depicting a scene from Abhijnanasakuntalam

North India boasts of the legacy of one of the greatest poet and dramatist ever born, Kalidasa, who wrote classic Sanskrit plays like Mālavikāgnimitram, Abhijñānaśākuntalam and Vikramōrvaśīyam and poems like Raghuvaṃśa, Kumārasambhava, Ṛtusaṃhāra and Meghadūta where use of imagination and similes remains unmatched with any other literary work. Apart from the Sanskrit dramas, we can also find that Panini`s Ashtadhyayi standardized Sanskrit grammar and phonetics. Panini has left an indelible mark on Sanskrit grammar and phonetics. Panini was a grammarian from approximately 5th century B.C. His masterpiece is called Ashtadhyayi and is a study in brevity and completeness. Medieval North India had great literary scholars like Tulsidas, Surdas, Chand Bardai, Amir Khusro whose work Ramcharitmanas, Sur Sagar, Prithiviraj Raso and Khamsa-e-Nizami respectively contributed to richness of literarture. From 19th century onwards Khadiboli became the general Hindu language; Khadiboli with heavily Sanskritized vocabulary or Sahityik Hindi (Literary Hindi) was popularized by the writings of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Bhartendu Harishchandra and others. Other important writers of this period are Premchand, Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi, Maithili Sharan Gupt, R N Tripathi and Gopala Sharan Sinha. Premchand works like Godaan, Gaban have been translated into various languages, and are known for its subtleness and display of human psychology and emotions.

Communities

North India is predominantly Indo-Aryan and includes various ethnic groups such as Brahmins, Ahirs, Jats, Rajputs, Gurjars, Khatris, Kambojs, Banias and Dalits. Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism are the dominant religions in North India. Other religions practiced by various ethnic communities include Jainism and Buddhism. The states of Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh are overwhelmingly Hindu. Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in India with a majority Muslim population while Punjab is the only state with a majority Sikh population.

See also

• Culture of India
• North India
• Jammu & Kashmir
• Himachal Pradesh
• Punjab
• Chandigarh
• Haryana
• Uttrakhand
• Rajasthan
• Uttar Pradesh
• Bihar
• Jharkhand
• Madhya Pradesh
• Chattisgarh

Notes

1. ^ North Zone Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India official website. URl accessed on August 25, 2011
2. ^ A Study of Dattilam: A Treatise on the Sacred Music of Ancient India, 1978, p 283, Mukunda Lāṭha, Dattila
3. ^ World Cultural Heritage Listed Sites in India. URl accessed on August 25, 2011.

References and Bibliography

• NZCC Compilation. “Flavours of India”, North Zone Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
• Puran Chand Sharma. “Sanskriti ke Stambh”, North Zone Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
• Kālidāsa; Johnson (editor), W. J. (2001), The Recognition of Śakuntalā: A Play in Seven Acts, Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780192839114
• MacDonell, Arthur Anthony (2004), A History of Sanskrit Literature, Kessinger Publishing, ISBN 1417906197
• Massey, Reginald (2006), India's Dances, Abhinav Publications, ISBN 8170174341
• Thapar, Romila (1990), A History of India, 1, New Delhi and London: Penguin Books, ISBN 0140138358