The Great Heritage Of India

India shines gloriously with its vast cultural and religious diversity. Each State has carved out its own cultural niche. Still India preserves its National identity because its civilisation is bound by common history. The religious flavour has a strong influence and pervades the whole world.

India is the birth place of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Persian , Arabic, Turkic culture is also imbibed in
India's culture following Islamic invasion in India.

According to Mark Twain, India is great grand mother of Tradition. The cultural policy of India is to preserve the cultural heritage of India.

Literature: There are 415 living languages prevalent in India.
VEDIC culture is supreme and many foreigners come to India to learn and recite Veda Hymns. The epics like Mahabharata, Ramayana and Bhagavat Ge eta depicts the tradions and culture of India and Indians who hail this culture are held in esteem. Ge eta teaches the morals , behaviour science, rule of the land and meaning and purpose of life.

Poetry:- Kamba Ramayana in Tamil, Kalidasa's Shakuntalam, Magha Kavyam, Kabir's Poems, Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali, to mention a few, stand as literary master pieces.

Music and Dance culture of India is world renowned. The variety includes, Carnatic, Hindustani, Pop and fusion music besides rich traditional instrumental music like Nagaswara, Violin , Flute and Veena. Indian Dance forms like Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipadi, Kathakali, Yakshagana, and Mohini Attam takes the audience world over by wonder.

Theatre groups exist in every city and puppet theatre is famous in rural India.

CAVE PAINTINGS in Ajanta, Ellora, Sittanavasal, Rajput paintings and Mughal Arts earn a considerable foreign exchange.

Sculptures bring out the historical and Gothic culture in India. Pink Sand Stone culture in Mathura depicts Gupta's' period. Brahadeeswarar Temple in Tanjore carves out the niche of Chola period. Khajurah is a big attraction in India.

New sculptures in North west in Stucco, Schist or clay display very strong blending of Indian post Gupta mannerism and classical Architecture.

Architecture Beauty in Buddha Stu pa , Sri Ranganathar Temple in Srirangam, Hill Temple devoted to Ganesa in Tiruchi exhibit rich traditions.
Mughal Architecture style can be seen, in Tajmahal, Fatehpur Sikhri, Gol Gumbos, Red-fort.

Victoria Memorial in Calcutta, Vidhan Soudha in Bangalore are notable examples of European Gothic architecture.

VA-STA SASTRA serves as India's version of FENGSHUI and creates much curiosity to visitors abroad. Indus Valley civilisation was characterised by well planned cities and houses.

Indian Cuisine is loved by foreigners including the Queen of England. Its taste is unique in Dal's, curries, yogurts, Chutney, and achars. Street goods like panipuri, vada pav, Bhelpuri, Samosa are devoured with great appetite.

Popular Media is cinema, TV and Radio besides umpteen news papers and journals. India has produced Satyajit Ray , the famous Director Personality.

Amartia Sen is Asia's first noble prize winner.

Philosophy in India is a big Tourist Attraction. There are repute Ashrams set up by Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Vivekananda, Dr.Ravi Shankar., Guru Ramdev, Saibaba, Sankara Mutts, Bhagvan Ramana Maharishi Centre for Learning, which conduct seminars, exhibitions, lectures on Indian philosophy , traditions and culture and they include visiting faculty from abroad in addition to foreign guests who attend these classes.

Indian Tourism has emerged as an instrument for earning foreign exchange and plays a vital role in achieving the national objectives of promoting socio-cultural integration and cultural cohesion. Besides organising FESTIVALS IN INDIA FAIRS abroad, they host Trade Fairs in a India and abroad.

PUSHKAR fair on Karthik Pournima is gigantic and is held in Pushkar, 11 k.m. from Ajmer. Sacred dip in Pushkar Lake is believed to cure all ills. It is also a biggest venue for camel market, besides horses and bullocks.

The SONEPUR fair in Bihar is the venue for Asia' biggest
Cattle Fair.

The Bhavnath fair in Gujarat highlights the series of cultural programs presented by leading exponents of Bhajans, kirtans, bhavai, folk songs on all five days and takes place in Feb./ march months.

Sarkhej Fair is the most important Muslim Fair conducted in Ahmadabad which is attended by an estimated 25000 people. It is held in the vicinity of mausoleum of Shah Ahmed Khaltu Gunj Baksh, saint and mentor of Ahmadabad.

Trade Fair of India in Pragati Maidan in Delhi has become a major annual event in promoting Indian Trade and Culture.

Cultural Institutions promote the software in a rich manner. Allahabad Museum, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, Birla Industrial and Tech. Museum Calcutta, Connemara Library in Chennai, Indian Museum in Calcutta, La lit Kala Academy in Delhi, Visveswaraya Industrial tech. Museum in Bangalore, Nehru Science Centre , Mumbai - to cite a few majors.

The essay, facts and figures enumerated above portays vividly the credibility of India's Soft Power in Culture and has immense scope to guide the India's conduct in world affairs.