The widespread westernization of Indians, especially the seniors, causes a genuine and widespread concern among conservative Indians (especially the elders) that Indian culture and tradition may eventually be destroyed. They believe that the spread of Western products, including cuisine, clothing, festivals, fashion, and ideas, is occurring among the public.
Culture and tradition may be broadly defined as the following: the commemoration of holidays and religious rituals, as well as the arts, meals, traditional sciences, language, and way of life. We may have a solid hold on the subject and get a relatively accurate picture with a study along these lines.
Holidays and religious observances
Indians today observe a wide range of holidays that transcend religious boundaries. Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve, Halloween, Christmas, and other holidays that are thought to be foreign to India have received particular attention. Due to the widespread celebration of these among young people, there have been several threats of violence and in many cases actual physical harm.
The middle and upper classes in India now enthusiastically celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Even though Christmas is a significant religious holiday for Christians, many Hindus also observe the holiday. Valentine’s Day is becoming increasingly popular, especially among young people.
Clothing
The Indian population has been largely influenced by Western fashion. Some of the traditional Indian clothing, including the dhoti, turban, sari, and langa-blouse-daavani (for ladies), is vanishing.
During the British era, Indian dress began to become more westernized. Pants, skirts, shirts, ties, suits, and other clothing items have been fashionable for a while.
Indian clothing is still thriving. On all major events, particularly those involving children, traditional attire is the norm. Still often worn now are the salwar-kameez, kurta-pyjama, mundu, sari, and similar garments. A lot of people now wear Western apparel, possibly because of convenience.
Cuisine
The Western (and Eastern) culinary styles have been well-received in India. Indian cities and villages are filled with eateries serving pizza, hamburgers, ice cream, and noodles. Recent years have seen a rise in the popularity of tacos, pasta, lasagna, steaks, and other cuisines.
There were widespread worries that Indian dishes like dosa and idli were doomed when large Western restaurants began operating in India. Nothing of the kind has happened. The regional traditional characteristics of Indian cuisine have only strengthened. Both the roomali rotis and the appam are in sufficient demand.
Arts
Urban Indians like a lot of Western music and dancing. Western performers’ concerts are favorably accepted. At least in tier-1 cities, there is a respectable market for Hollywood films. Has this had an impact on Indian art?
The traditional arts of India appear to be flourishing as well. Light music, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Carnatic and Hindustani classical music all have large followings. Many people who are qualified for a variety of occupations also practice them, often renouncing their primary careers to pursue the traditional arts. The number of schools and instructors instructing in the classical arts appears to be sufficient. Hollywood should learn a thing or two from Bollywood, Tollywood, and other successful film industries.
Standard Sciences
There is a general perception among traditional scientists that only Western allopathic medicine is being promoted, whereas Indian medical systems like Ayurveda have been dismissed and mocked. Some people believe that Indian sciences, such as yoga, will only be valued if they are imported into the West.
In India, yoga has never stopped being practiced. The advantages of meditation, pranayama, and yoga asanas are now better understood. Today’s kids probably know more asanas than their parents because many schools teach these as part of the usual extracurricular activities.
Language
Learning Gaining greater career possibilities and, by extension, a better lifestyle, is considered a sine qua non-prerequisite. English usage is increasing and will continue to do so for some time.
Has there been a disregard for Indian languages? There may have been a downward tendency in serious student scholars’ studies of these. This is expected given that English is a means via which India may access international employment prospects. English is the natural language for learning science and engineering, and it is used for almost all terms. However, reading literature in regional tongues appears to be highly beneficial.
Rapid materialism and consumerism
The widespread consumerism and brand materialism are two more aspects of the lifestyle that are immediately apparent. In recent years, materialism has become more prevalent in India, with an obnoxious amount of products for the gratification of the flesh. This behavior has had an impact on all facets of life, not just cultural ones. This is also apparent in how crudely the old Indian ideals are being upheld. As an illustration, consider the size of the Ganapatis, the amount of money contributed to the extravagantness of the feasts, and other things.
Ancient Indian communities were not immune to this, but their opportunities were constrained. Because there was less automation and mechanization, people lived more slowly and were more in touch with nature.
Summary
The limits of the world in which we live are getting blurrier. Products and cultural elements cross geographical boundaries. Since India is currently growing faster than the rest of the world economy, cultural osmosis is inevitable. The western world is assimilating many characteristics of India. Similarly to this, Indians are stealing from several foreign nations.