India has a rich and varied culture that has resulted from thousands of years of often turbulent history. Despite countless invasions, India has always managed to absorb outside influences without losing hold of traditional Indian ways. Even as modern technology has begun to transform the country, India has maintained its deeply religious roots. Hinduism is practiced by eighty percent of the population and those religious beliefs along with those of the other religions there have permeated every level of society from worship to social systems to diet. Indian art draws from this same religious well, and displays a deep, vibrant pageantry that can be overwhelming from a Western perspective. With all their roots, India welcomes technology as well, with cinema and the Indian film industry supported by large audiences. India has also jumped hardily into the computer industry and provides a large market for software programming and support. For the traveler, make sure to enjoy the stunning festivals that occur throughout the year including Holi, Muharram, Ganesh Chaturi, and Diwali. Also not to be missed are the many cities with their stunning architecture that demonstrates the mix of cultures that have inhabited India over time: Delhi, Agra (location of the famous Taj Mahal), Jaipur, Shimla, Udaipur, and Varanasi. India provides a sensual wonderland for the open-minded individual who can accept diversity and flow happily along the currents of a complex whirl of worldviews.
Modern India has more than a billion citizens, nearly 16 percent of the world’s population. India today is a reflection of millennia of interaction and exchange across a wide spectrum of cultures and civilizations. Critical contemporary intellectual, political, and social issues—including security, social equality, economic and political development, and the role of historical relationships—are all being debated in India, and how these issues are addressed is of vital interest to the world community. The India Studies Program at Indiana University provides for the interdisciplinary study and critical analysis of the Indian subcontinent and its peoples from ancient times to the present. The primary focus of the India Studies Program is on modern India. Yet in order to understand present-day India, it is important to have basic knowledge of the great periods in history that have shaped modern India. This approach requires a sophisticated understanding of the country’s highly developed arts, music, literature, drama, philosophy, religions, and social and political structures. In addition to providing an overall, comprehensive education about Indian civilizations, the program allows for more specialized work in (a) literary and performance studies, (b) philosophical and religious studies, and (c) social, political, and historical studies. The India Studies Program also offers beginning and intermediate-level courses in several Indian languages. All students in the program are encouraged to take language classes, as well as to consider study abroad in India.
To enhance the experience of students and members of the broader Indiana University community, the India Studies Program sponsors lectures, performances, and films throughout the year for the general public. The program also provides educational materials and information to elementary and secondary school teachers throughout the United States. These outreach efforts are made possible by donations from individuals, families, corporations, foundations, and other organizations.
No comments:
Post a Comment