Tag: india: social life

Traditionally an integral part of the Tamasha folk theatre of Maharashtra Lavni is the most popular and best-known folk dance form of the state. The term Lavani derives from the word Lavanya which means beauty and is usually performed by women.

Angrakha translates to ‘body protector’. It is worn in Rajasthan by men as a traditional attire which is usually a shorter shirt or frock like upper garment ideally made of cotton to withstand dry and hot weather conditions in Rajasthan. The garment is usually made of a material that can withstand heat and absorb sweat, which typically is cotton.

The staple food of North India is wheat which is consumed in the types of rotis or chapatis with sabzi or curry. The greater part of the North Indian individuals incline toward vegetarian diet aside from the Kashmiris.

In Maharashtra, women wear the nine-yard, divided sari (Nauvari / Kachhoto). The Nauvari style saree has its roots in war. In earlier times, Maratha women fought battles alongside the men and felt the need for a garment that aided free movement. This idea gave birth to the Nauvari saree.

Kathiyawad thaali is a famous food in Gujarat and Dal Bati is a traditional dish from the State of the Rajasthan.

Ghummar is a folk dance of Rajasthan. It is a community dance performed by groups of women on auspicious occasions. The name is derived from the word ghoomna which is an act of spinning.

Apartheid was South African government policy that sanctioned racial segregation among white minority and non-white majority population. The Population Registration Act of 1950 classified South African's as Bantu (black African), colored (mixed race), white and Asian (Indian & Pakistani). Under administration of President Frederik Willem de Klerk legislation supporting apartheid was repealed in 1990. Klerk and Nelson Mandela jointly received Nobel Prize for peace in 1993 for their efforts in establishing non-racial democracy in South Africa. 

People in Western India speak  Gujarati, Marathi, Konkani, Rajasthani and Hindi. Gujarati is mainly spoken in the state of Gujarat, Marathi in the state of Maharashtra and Rajasthani in the state of Rajasthan. Konkani is widely spoken in Maharashtra and Goa whereas Hindi is spoken in most parts of Western India.

Costumes of Jammu and Kashmir are well known for their embroidery and intricate designs. The form of clothing is designed to counter the cold climate of the region. The traditional Pheran which is a long tunic stretching upto their feet with full, long sleeves is the most popular form of dress among both men and women. Men also wear Mughal type turbans or headgear whereas coloured scarf called Tarangas are worn by women on their heads.