For any Indian, culture and heritage go way beyond just historical monuments, culture, and traditions. Heres how!
What are culture and heritage?
To me they are emotions.
The goose bumps you feel when you hear of the countless people that died at the Jallianwala Bagh; The involuntary smile of pride when you stand at India Gate; The reflex of choosing a traditional outfit when you choose to go visit the Mahalakshmi temple; The way you bank on the beauty of the Taj when youre talking to an international friend; The piqued curiosity in our history when you stand outside the Chittorgarh Fort; The eagerness to stand in the crowd to watch the parade at the Red Fort.
Culture is the values you emulate and the habits you inculcate too.
Its the craving for that last piece of gulab jamun (an Indian sweet). Its the elegance of the dressing. Noor Jahan and the peach, cream and gold linings on her dresses; The detail in the architecture; The palaces in Rajasthan, their intricacy and magnanimity; The delicateness of the designs; The zari work on a bright green nauvari saree. The butter chicken and butter naan combo or the oily street Chinese food; The Prasad and the Mithais.
Its the small idol you will carry no matter where in the world you plan to shift. Its the feet you will touch no matter what. It is the hands you will fold and eyes you will close. It is the prayers that you will never forget and sing even after years of no practice.
That childhood phase when every girl tries a classical dance form and boy tries a Hindustani musical instrument; That moment when youve binged on modaks during Ganpati (lord Ganesha) but dont feel guilty because well, its Bappa (a colloquial term for lord ganesha); That instance while playing Holi (an Indian festival of colors) when youre dreading that the color wont come off but continue playing anyway; That special terrace you go to on Diwali (a festival of lights) to see the entire citys fireworks.
Without these, the Oxford dictionary meanings of culture and heritage hold no significance for an Indian.
Article by – Trishala Kulkarni