Welcome

to

India

Namaskar !!

Introduction

India is a land of rich cultural heritage and myriad facets.

India is the biggest and most ancient experiment where almost all racial and ethnic groups of the world have met and mixed.

India is situated in Southern Asia, between Burma and Pakistan.

India is a peninsula flanked by the Arabian Sea in West , Bay of Bengal in East & Indian Ocean in South

Location on World map

India comprises of 27 states & 7 union territories

India is a quasi federal political system wherein each state acts independently as well as there is a central govt. to control the political unit

India – a Political Unit

This free flow of thought, life style from times immemorial has been taking its own course and the end result has been shaping the humanity and the rich cultural heritage of India

India – Cultural heritage

Cultural heritage - Language

India is cradle of 416 different languages

• Official language Hindi/English

• Two major language families are–Indo-Aryan (North India)

–Dravidian (South India)

Literature – Poets & Epics

• Indian literature is generally acknowledged as one of the oldest in the world.

• It is Inspired by music , religion & rich traditions.

• Famous poets like Rabindra Nath Tagore & Kalidas were born here.

Literature – Poets & Epics

• Great epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata belong to the land of India

• These epics serve as folk epics of other Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia too

Performing Arts – Music & Dance

• Includes variety of folk, popular, pop and classical music

• Diverse regional dances like Bhangra in Punjab , Bihu in Assam , Ghoomar of Rajasthan, Kathak in U.P, Bharatnatyam in Tamil nadu

Visual Arts - Painting

• India has rich heritage of Rock paintings (older than 550 B.C.)

• Cave paintings in Ajanta and Ellora testify love of God

• Freshly made coloured flour design (Rangoli) is coomon

Different types of painting

• Madhubani painting• Mysore painting• Rajput painting• Mughal painting

Visual Arts – Sculpture & Architecture

• India is famous for Stone and bronze carvings, Temple carvings,Pink sandstone culture of Mathura,Fatehpur Sikri,Taj Mahal,Qutab Minar, Red Fort , Victoria Memorial ,Lotus temple

• The white marble TAJ MAHAL is amongst the SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD

Recreation & Sports

• India sports numerous indigenous as well as international games like kabaddi , chess, cricket , hockey etc.

Clothing

• India has given birth to a variety of clothing and has been the hub of innovation

• Various ensembles like saree, salwaar kameez , dhoti , kurta as well as western outfits are fashioned by Indians

Cuisine

• India has given birth to the use of spices and herbs that has given birth to Ayurveda, Homeopathy used for treating ailments

Various preparations like chutneys and pickles are Indian speciality

Cinema

Indian cine industry popularly called Bollywood (Hindi movies) produces max. movies and ranks #1 in terms of no. of tickets sold

Movies are also made in various other languages like

Kannada, Tamil, Marathi.

Religion & Philosophy

India is a home of diverse religions in the world were born in India like Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Islam ,Christianity , Zoroastrianism, Judaism.

India is a living example of UNITY in DIVERSITY

Rajasthan – the Great Indian desert

• Rajasthan is the largest state of India

• It is a colorful state with multi facet culture

• Jaipur – pink city is the capital

Rajasthan – the Great Indian desert

• Rajasthan is also known as “The Great Indian Desert” as the western region comprises of Thar desert

• This state has lakes in Udaipur , desert in Jaisalmer, vegetation in Ganganagar , mines in Bhilwara & palaces & forts all across the length & breadth

Rajasthan – fairs & dance

• Celebration for every religious occasion, every change of season, every harvest almost round the year

• Part of life in Rajasthan• Lively and exhilarating• Famous dance is

ghumar

Jaipur – the pink city• Jaipur, the pink city was

founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, a Kachhwaha Rajput, who ruled from 1699-1744.

• Jaipur is the first planned city of India and the King took great interest while designing this city of victory. He consulted several books on architecture and architects before making the lay out of Jaipur

Jaipur – Splendid city• In 1853, when Prince of Wales

visited Jaipur, the whole city was painted in Pink color to welcome him. Still, the neat and broadly laid-out avenues, painted in pink provide a magical charm to the city.

• Jaipur is rich in its cultural and architectural beauty, which can be traced in the various historical and aesthetic places that reside in the city.

• This city of victory really wins the hearts of the people with its splendid charisma

Jaipur - Monuments

• Jaipur has various monuments which are famous all over the world for majestic grandeur.

• Famous among them are Hawa Mahal , Jantar Mantar, City Palace, Amber Fort etc.

Hawa MahalJal MahalCity PalaceAmber Fort

Jaipur – Fairs & Festivals

• Elephant Festival commences with a parade of decorated Elephants marching towards the ground.

• Different competitions are organized to enjoy the festival to its full. Elephants engaged in races, polo-matches and tug-of-war with men make the spectators spellbound.

Jaipur – Fairs & Festivals

•Teej Festival is one of the most popular festivals of India. Festival of Teej is widely celebrated, but its real charm can be found only in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Teej celebrates the arrival of monsoon, after the scorching sun of summers. •Kite Festival is celebrated in January when kites of different colors are flown in sky

Jaipur – Fairs & Festivals

• Gangaur is a significant festival of Jaipur, especially meant for the women. Gangaur festival is widely acclaimed and celebrated throughout the state of Rajasthan.

• The festival of Gangaur starts with the subsequent day of Holi and persists for about 2 weeks.

• Gangaur is celebrated in the honor of Goddess Gauri, who is considered as the symbol of virtue, devotion, fertility and a perfect married woman

Jaipur – Specialties

• Jaipur is renowned all over the world for semi-precious stones , camel leather items, jewellery , blue pottery , block printing, carpets etc.

•To conclude , I would like to invite u all to the city of palaces & splendour – Jaipur

•Come to feel the magnificance !!

It was a presentation by Smriti Gangwal !!

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Vidyashram

Jaipur, India

Shukriya!!