Alexandra Aguirre GCU 114 Changes in Indian Culture Evolution is defined as change over time.

Just like humans evolve so does a culture. India has a long ancient history with traditions rooting back several hundred years. Present day Indian culture has evolved from its ancient culture but has kept its core traditions and values have remained. Globalization has contributed to evolving many factors of Indian culture. India is one of the largest exporters of goods to the U.S. The exportation of agricultural goods has changed some of Indian culture. In the 18th century, India was home to many types of Basmati rice- the long-grained, aromatic and light rice which is served in Indian restaurants the world over (Indias Agricultural Industry). When India was colonized it was seen that the British have favored Basmati-370. This type of rice gradually became one of only few types of Basmati rice grown in India. The original biodiversity of Indias many rice population was now gone. The exporting market became flooded with Indian rice and slowly devalued rice, making many Indian farmers suffer. This Basmati rice is more than just a cheap good it is a culture export. A similar situation has occurred with another famous Indian good, the Indian Mango. Americans get tired with the same American food and crave to have something exotic and alluring making Indian food very appealing. Under the Bush administration they legalized the importation of Indian mangos. Americans imagination of tasting this exotic fruit could now happen. According the research there are, 1500 varieties of Indian mango; some are renowned for their flavor, others for their texture. However, although there are so many variations of this fruit only few are legalized in the U.S. Again, one can see the same effects of devaluing of many Indian goods

due to the legalizing of only a few types of mangos. Due to globalization and a struggling Indian economy they must sacrifice the biodiversity of many of these wonderful fruits for GPD growth. Now, if anyone would every want to try the other 1,500 variations of mango one must travel to the deep depths of India and hope these fruits are still being grown. There has been a culture change in the media as well. The famous city of Bollywood home of Indias major motion pictures has shown a culture change as well. Classic Bollywood movies were, were pretty conservative in regards to the amount of skin they would reveal and the body language that dance scenes displayed (India Culture Today). Over the decades this has started to change. Recent movies have had more sexual scenes displayed and provocative clothing looking like clothes from shows like, Dancing with the Stars. Again, globalization has played a role in the change in Indias film culture by providing doors to the western ideas. Arranged marriage an ancient practice in Indian culture has also changes over the years. Many, Consider the practice [arranged marriage] a central fabric of Indian society, reinforcing the social, economic, geographic, and the historic significance of India (Arranged Marriages). In arranged marriages, parents found a marriage partner for their son or daughter and would arrange a marriage between the two (India Culture Today). This was practiced for many years but now this traditional ritual has been altered to a more western form. Now both the guy and girl have the freedom of choice to choose some of their possible candidates. Also now some can meet before the marriage and decline if they do not want to marry the person. As one can see it has turned into a type of speed-dating that is practiced in the Western world. Culture change has been heavily influenced by globalization. Globalization allows easy access to the world and a pathway to exchange information with other people. Some issues like,

interchange of objects, people and ideas creates a situation of general confusion in which people experience the loss of their traditional references, i.e., the loss of what they call their cultural identity (Globalization). With all this access to other peoples lives could alter some peoples own culture. For example, the Western countries provide a heavy influence on other countries. This influence can be so heavy that it alters a countries own culture like seen in India. In conclusion, the Ancient Indian culture has been modified to fit an ever-changing modern world. Although the culture has changed Indias traditional core values have remained. Globalization has affected Indias culture and biodiversity.

Work Cited Arranged Marriages, Matchmakers, and Dowries in India. (n.d.). <i>Postcolonial Studies Emory</i>. Retrieved November 13, 2013, from http://postcolonialstudies.emory.edu/marriagein-india/ Globalization: A Threat to Cultural Diversity?. (n.d.). <i>Globalization: A Threat to Cultural Diversity?</i>. Retrieved November 13, 2013, from http://home.pacific.net.hk/~tonyhen/global.htm Indias Agricultural Industry: Causing a Loss of Biodiversity?. (n.d.). Triple Pundit RSS. Retrieved November 13, 2013, from http://www.triplepundit.com/2009/06/indias-agriculturalindustry-causing-a-loss-of-biodiversity/ What India Culture Today is Like. (n.d.). India Culture Today is a Mix of Traditional Values and Newer Cultural Ideas.. Retrieved November 13, 2013, from http://www.india-in-yourhome.com/India-Culture-Today.html