In context of the diversity of India, can it be said that regions form cultural units rather than the States? Give reasons with examples for your view point.

Each and every community has a different set of cultures from the aspect of language, attire, foods, lifestyle, behavior, music, etc. India is well known for its unity and diversity.

History: In the post-independence time, demand for different states was raised on the basis of different languages. And in 1953, Andhra Pradesh emerged as the first linguistic state of India but as of now, the cultural harmony is still unharmed.

Different cultures of India: We can divide the states of India in the category of more or less similar culture

• In southern states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, the traditional Lungi is a common dress. Dosa, Idli, Sambhar are the common food. Vishnu and Shiva are the common revered god.
• The northeastern region is a mixed cultural region. Hindu, Christian, Buddhist cultures are practiced here. Nagaland and Manipur have patriarchal whereas Meghalaya’s Garo and Khasi tribes practice the Matrilineal law of inheritance.
• In the states of western India (Gujarat, Rajasthan), common foods are Daal-Baati, Churma. In Maharashtra, it is Pohay, Misal Paav, etc. In Gujarat and Rajasthan, people use a turban
• In the eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar Hindi, Urdu and Bhojpuri are common languages. In Delhi, the culture is a little different.
• In the Himalayan region like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, the dominance of Buddhism is evident.

Comment: It clearly indicates that the cultural units of different states in India are identical. Even amid the different cultural variety, unity and harmony are there regardless of the boundary.

Topics: GS-IV: Ethics and Human Interface