Indian Culture, Food, Temples, and Clothing Annotated Bibliography

Sawe, Benjamin Elisha. “What Are Examples of Traditional Indian Clothing?” WorldAtlas, 2017.

• Key Terms: Traditional dresses, Indian fashion, saree, headgear
• Claim: Despite the inevitable impact of globalization and westernization, India is a country that could preserve its culture by wearing traditional clothes.
• Summary: India is known for its unique fashion and traditions developed through the ages. After the 1980s, Indian designers addressed the drivers of global fashion and economic boom but never stopped neglecting old elements. Indian citizens prefer to differentiate clothing for regular use and special occasions. The Indian saree, Lehenga Choli, Salwar Kameez, Churidar, Panche, and Angarkha are common female garments, while the dhoti, Bandhgala, Achkan, and turbans (one of the famous headgears) are worn by men. Indians use traditional clothes for informal events, while traditional style is frequently borrowed from the West. It is normal to see a woman wearing a traditional saree or a skirt and jeans on the same street. Men also choose suits for professional purposes and jeans and t-shirts for personal use. However, when a wedding or another significant event occurs, most participants demonstrate the richness of their wardrobes.
• Response: Although the author gives clear descriptions and explanations, I would like to know more about how Indians are able to combine their traditional garments and the western impact. It seems impossible to admire the true beauty of Indian traditions through the prism of external factors. I learned that there are many old clothes like saree or Angarkha, consisting of several layers and special material. Indians need to share their knowledge and skills through generations not to forget their cultural basics.
• Important Quotations/Questions:
  • “Emerging Indian designers merged both old and western elements and perfected the art of embroidery to make statement garments.”
  • “The Angarkha was an old Indian court outfit, famous for its flexibility and ease.”
  • “Globalization and westernization are influencing contemporary dressing in India.”

Srinivas, Tulasi. “Exploring Indian Culture through Food.” Education About ASIA, vol. 16, no. 3, 2011, pp. 38-41.

• Key Terms: Food, Indian culture, cooking, globalization
• Claim: Indian cuisine is not just an ordinary type of food that represents a nation but the way how different families, classes, and castes identify themselves in a long history of colonization and globalization.
• Summary: Food should be interpreted as an identity marker among various castes and tribes. Indians address their religious beliefs, financial resources, and personal preferences to choose meals properly. Another argument is related to the history of the country and the impact of other nations on Indian development. Many gastronomic choices were defined during colonization, and it is necessary to understand that some Indian tastes and preferences are similar to those of Turkey, Britain, China, and other Central Asian and Western regions. In addition to such evident diversity, regional differences in Indian food cannot be ignored. Food culture is predetermined by land and climate because not all citizens have access to the same resources. Local meals usually contain rice or wheat, vegetables, and meat curries. Indians like to organize regional festivals to share their culinary cycles and achievements in the industry. Globalization affects Indian food, promoting variety, world recognition, and consumption changes.
• Response: For a long time, I have enjoyed the specifics of Indian cuisine and the options citizens apply to create their flavors and tastes. After reading the article, I discovered that many Indian meals were determined by globalization and colonization in different periods. On the one hand, it is difficult to accept that there is no particular root in Indian cuisine. On the other hand, this article is another reason for fascinating the nation that could explore its culture and identify through properly integrated resources and food.
• Important Quotations/Questions:
  • “Food as something to be enjoyed and as part of Indian culture is a popular topic.”
  • “India is now a society where food appears plentiful, and the aesthetic possibilities are staggering.”
  • “Most Indians appreciate a wide array of flavors and textures and are traditionally discerning consumers who eat seasonally, locally, and, to a large extent, sustainably.”

Sunhadra. “16 Magnificent Shiva Temples in India That Are a Must-Visit for Every Shiva Devotee.” Treebo, 2020.

• Key Terms: Maha Shivratri, Shiva, temple, Hindu religion
• Claim: The celebration of Maha Shivratri is one of the reasons for learning about the most interesting temples in India for religious devotees to visit and demonstrate their respect for Shiva, a famous deity.
• Summary: Shiva is one of the most recognizable supreme powers in the Hindu religion, and Maha Shivratri is a festival where people honor their god. During this event, participants are free to visit several places and enjoy the beauty of the existing temples, their history, and their purposes. The author mentions 16 temples located in different Indian regions. Amarnath Temple is one of the most commonly visited temples in Kashmir. It is located in a cave that is at the height of 3888 meters. The location of another temple, Kedarnath, is also extreme, and only true devotees are ready to visit it for their religious purposes. Other places of interest can be found in different states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha, and Jharkhand. Tourists’ choices may depend on their preferences, finances, health, and even weather conditions that might allow or prevent enjoying the architectural beauty.
• Response: In my opinion, this article is very informative and clear in terms of its organization and language. There is no need to surf the web or read long stories about Indian temples to choose the place to visit. The author identifies the best temples and gives specific descriptions that may affect decision-making. Indian temples are closely related to local religions and traditions, and it was interesting to learn about the rituals during the Maha Shivaratri festival.
• Important Quotations/Questions:
  • “On the occasion of Maha Shivratri Shiva statues and Lingas in all the Shiva temples in India are offered milk, fruits and bael leaves and decorated with multicoloured flowers.”
  • “Kedarnath is famous for being an abode to one among the 12 Jyotirlingas and also a very famous Shiva temple in India.”
  • Kailasnath Temple is “a part of the 34 temples that are present in Ellora”

Works Cited

Sawe, Benjamin Elisha. “What Are Examples of Traditional Indian Clothing?”WorldAtlas, 2017.

Srinivas, Tulasi. “Exploring Indian Culture through Food.”Education About ASIA, vol. 16, no. 3, 2011, pp. 38-41.

Sunhadra. “16 Magnificent Shiva Temples in India That Are a Must-Visit for Every Shiva Devotee.” Treebo, 2020.