Overview
"Differences in cultures and beliefs do not matter. But giving matter in cultures and beliefs make a difference."
Philindia gives a discussion about the culture of the Philippines and India. It identifies significant and distinct commonalities and differences in their geographic characteristics, livelihood, food, language, literature, arts and clothing. It also promotes the culture of both countries and encourage the people to respect other traditions aside from their own. It tells others not to be indifferent in knowing the lives of other races or people but to welcome and appreciate them in their own lives as well.
Philindia believes that diversity doesn't create harm. Because as stated by Steven Covey, "“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.”
Philindia believes that diversity doesn't create harm. Because as stated by Steven Covey, "“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.”
GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA & PHILIPPINES
Geography
B. Denise
The geography of India describes the geographic features of India, a country in South Asia. India lies largely on the Indian Plate, the northern portion of the Indo-Australian Plate, whose continental crust forms the Indian subcontinent. The country is situated north of the equator between 8°4' and 37°6' north latitude and 68°7' and 97°25' east longitude. It is the seventh-largest country in the world, with a total area of 3,287,240 square kilometres (1,269,210 sq mi).
On the south, India projects into and is bounded by the Indian Ocean – in particular, by the Arabian Sea on the southwest, theLaccadive Sea to the south, and the Bay of Bengal on the southeast. The Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar separate India from Sri Lanka to its immediate southeast.
The northern frontiers of India are defined largely by the Himalayan mountain range, where the country borders China, Bhutan, and Nepal. Its western border with Pakistan lies in the Punjab Plain and the Thar Desert. In the far northeast, the Chin Hillsand Kachin Hills, deeply forested mountainous regions, separate India from Burma. On the east, its border with Bangladesh is largely defined by the Khasi Hills and Mizo Hills, and the watershed region of the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
The Ganges is the longest river originating in India. The Ganges-Brahmaputra system occupies most of northern, central, and eastern India, while the Deccan Plateau occupies most of southern India. Kangchenjunga, on the border between Nepal and the Indian state of Sikkim, is the highest point in India and the world's 3rd highest peak. Climate across India ranges from equatorial in the far south, to alpine in the upper reaches of the Himalayas.
The Philippines is an archipelago comprising 7,107 islands. The 11 largest islands contain 94% of the total land area. The largest of these islands is Luzon. The next largest island is Mindanao. The archipelago is around 800 km from the Asian mainland and is located between Taiwan and Borneo.
The islands are divided into three groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Luzon islands include Luzon Island itself,Palawan, Mindoro, Marinduque, Masbate and Batanes Islands. The Visayas is the group of islands in the central Philippines, the largest of which are: Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Samar. The Mindanao islands include Mindanao itself, plus theSulu Archipelago, composed primarily of Basilan, Sulu Island, and Tawi-Tawi.
The Philippines is divided into a hierarchy of local government units (LGUs) with the 80 provinces as the primary unit. Provinces are further subdivided into cities and municipalities, which are in turn composed of barangays. The barangay is the smallest local government unit.
The Philippines is divided into 17 regions with all provinces grouped into one of 16 regions for administrative convenience. The National Capital Region however, is divided into four special districts.
Most government offices establish regional offices to serve the constituent provinces. The regions themselves do not possess a separate local government, with the exception of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
On the south, India projects into and is bounded by the Indian Ocean – in particular, by the Arabian Sea on the southwest, theLaccadive Sea to the south, and the Bay of Bengal on the southeast. The Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar separate India from Sri Lanka to its immediate southeast.
The northern frontiers of India are defined largely by the Himalayan mountain range, where the country borders China, Bhutan, and Nepal. Its western border with Pakistan lies in the Punjab Plain and the Thar Desert. In the far northeast, the Chin Hillsand Kachin Hills, deeply forested mountainous regions, separate India from Burma. On the east, its border with Bangladesh is largely defined by the Khasi Hills and Mizo Hills, and the watershed region of the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
The Ganges is the longest river originating in India. The Ganges-Brahmaputra system occupies most of northern, central, and eastern India, while the Deccan Plateau occupies most of southern India. Kangchenjunga, on the border between Nepal and the Indian state of Sikkim, is the highest point in India and the world's 3rd highest peak. Climate across India ranges from equatorial in the far south, to alpine in the upper reaches of the Himalayas.
The Philippines is an archipelago comprising 7,107 islands. The 11 largest islands contain 94% of the total land area. The largest of these islands is Luzon. The next largest island is Mindanao. The archipelago is around 800 km from the Asian mainland and is located between Taiwan and Borneo.
The islands are divided into three groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Luzon islands include Luzon Island itself,Palawan, Mindoro, Marinduque, Masbate and Batanes Islands. The Visayas is the group of islands in the central Philippines, the largest of which are: Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Samar. The Mindanao islands include Mindanao itself, plus theSulu Archipelago, composed primarily of Basilan, Sulu Island, and Tawi-Tawi.
The Philippines is divided into a hierarchy of local government units (LGUs) with the 80 provinces as the primary unit. Provinces are further subdivided into cities and municipalities, which are in turn composed of barangays. The barangay is the smallest local government unit.
The Philippines is divided into 17 regions with all provinces grouped into one of 16 regions for administrative convenience. The National Capital Region however, is divided into four special districts.
Most government offices establish regional offices to serve the constituent provinces. The regions themselves do not possess a separate local government, with the exception of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
India and Philippines
INDIAN & FILIPINO LIVELIHOOD
Livelihood
Agriculture is the main occupation in rural india. Seventy percent of the population live in villages and are dependent upon agriculture for their livelihood.
The Statistics Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization reported that India had grown to become the world's largest producer of the following agricultural produce: fresh fruit, lemons and limes, buffalo milk, castor oil seeds, sunflower seeds, sorghum, millet, spices, okra, jute, beeswax, bananas, mangoes, mango steens, guavas, pulses, indigenous buffalo meat, fruit, tropical, ginger, chick peas, areca nuts, pigeon peas, papayas, chillies and peppers, anise, badian, fennel, coriander and goat milk.
Fishing in India is a major industry in its coastal states, employing over 14 million people. Marine and freshwater catch fishing combined with aquaculture fish farming is a rapidly growing industry in India. In 2008 India was the sixth largest producer of marine and freshwater capture fisheries, and the second largest aquaculture farmed fish producer in the world. Fish as food—both from fish farms and catch fisheries—offers India one of the easiest and fastest way to address malnutrition and food security.
Textile industry in India, after agriculture, is the only industry that has generated huge employment for both skilled and unskilled labor in textiles. India is the second largest producer of fibre in the world and the major fibre produced is cotton. Other fibres produced in India include silk,jute, wool, and man-made fibers. 60% of the Indian textile Industry is cotton based.
The strong domestic demand and the revival of the Economic markets by 2009 has led to huge growth of the Indian textile industry. In December 2010, the domestic cotton price was up by 50% as compared to the December 2009 prices. The causes behind high cotton price are due to the floods in Pakistan and China.India projected a high production of textile (325 lakh bales for 2010 -11). There has been increase in India's share of global textile trading to seven percent in five years. The rising prices are the major concern of the domestic producers of the country.
The Philippines is still primarily an agricultural country despite the plan to make it an industrialized economy by 2000. Most citizens still live in rural areas and support themselves through agriculture. The country's agriculture sector is made up of 4 sub-sectors: farming, fisheries, livestock, and forestry (the latter 2 sectors are very small), which together employ 39.8 percent of the labor force and contribute 20 percent of GDP.
The country's main agricultural crops are rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane, bananas, pineapple, coffee, mangoes, tobacco, and abaca (a banana-like plant). Secondary crops include peanut, cassava, camote (a type of rootcrop), garlic, onion, cabbage, eggplant, calamansi (a variety of lemon), rubber, and cotton.
Fishing is another main source of livelihood in the Philippines. Six species are most important, according to BFAR. These species are: sardines, roundscad, frigate tuna, anchovies, milkfish, and tilapia. Indian mackerel, skipjack and yellowfin tuna, sea bass, red snapper, mullet, kawakawa, squid, and prawn are also plentiful. Principal commercial fishing grounds are off Palawan, north of Panay and Negros, and to the south and west of Mindanao. Subsistence fishing is conducted throughout the archipelago. Fish ponds, chiefly for cultivation of bangos or milkfish, are principally in the swampy coastal areas of western Panay and around Manila Bay. Pearl shells (including cultured pearls), sponges, sea cucumbers (trepang), shark fins, and sea turtles are exported.
This large milkfish, known locally as Bangus is the national fish of the Philippines
The Statistics Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization reported that India had grown to become the world's largest producer of the following agricultural produce: fresh fruit, lemons and limes, buffalo milk, castor oil seeds, sunflower seeds, sorghum, millet, spices, okra, jute, beeswax, bananas, mangoes, mango steens, guavas, pulses, indigenous buffalo meat, fruit, tropical, ginger, chick peas, areca nuts, pigeon peas, papayas, chillies and peppers, anise, badian, fennel, coriander and goat milk.
Fishing in India is a major industry in its coastal states, employing over 14 million people. Marine and freshwater catch fishing combined with aquaculture fish farming is a rapidly growing industry in India. In 2008 India was the sixth largest producer of marine and freshwater capture fisheries, and the second largest aquaculture farmed fish producer in the world. Fish as food—both from fish farms and catch fisheries—offers India one of the easiest and fastest way to address malnutrition and food security.
Textile industry in India, after agriculture, is the only industry that has generated huge employment for both skilled and unskilled labor in textiles. India is the second largest producer of fibre in the world and the major fibre produced is cotton. Other fibres produced in India include silk,jute, wool, and man-made fibers. 60% of the Indian textile Industry is cotton based.
The strong domestic demand and the revival of the Economic markets by 2009 has led to huge growth of the Indian textile industry. In December 2010, the domestic cotton price was up by 50% as compared to the December 2009 prices. The causes behind high cotton price are due to the floods in Pakistan and China.India projected a high production of textile (325 lakh bales for 2010 -11). There has been increase in India's share of global textile trading to seven percent in five years. The rising prices are the major concern of the domestic producers of the country.
The Philippines is still primarily an agricultural country despite the plan to make it an industrialized economy by 2000. Most citizens still live in rural areas and support themselves through agriculture. The country's agriculture sector is made up of 4 sub-sectors: farming, fisheries, livestock, and forestry (the latter 2 sectors are very small), which together employ 39.8 percent of the labor force and contribute 20 percent of GDP.
The country's main agricultural crops are rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane, bananas, pineapple, coffee, mangoes, tobacco, and abaca (a banana-like plant). Secondary crops include peanut, cassava, camote (a type of rootcrop), garlic, onion, cabbage, eggplant, calamansi (a variety of lemon), rubber, and cotton.
Fishing is another main source of livelihood in the Philippines. Six species are most important, according to BFAR. These species are: sardines, roundscad, frigate tuna, anchovies, milkfish, and tilapia. Indian mackerel, skipjack and yellowfin tuna, sea bass, red snapper, mullet, kawakawa, squid, and prawn are also plentiful. Principal commercial fishing grounds are off Palawan, north of Panay and Negros, and to the south and west of Mindanao. Subsistence fishing is conducted throughout the archipelago. Fish ponds, chiefly for cultivation of bangos or milkfish, are principally in the swampy coastal areas of western Panay and around Manila Bay. Pearl shells (including cultured pearls), sponges, sea cucumbers (trepang), shark fins, and sea turtles are exported.
This large milkfish, known locally as Bangus is the national fish of the Philippines
Filipino Livelihood
INDIAN & FILIPINO FOOD
Food
India has been known for its wide variety when it comes to food. Their traditional food has been widely appreciated for the clever use of herbs and spices. Their specialty also lies in the perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavors. India has also diverse cooking styles that vary from region to region. The basic cuisines in India includes wheat, rice and pulses with chana (Bengal Gram) which is considered most important. The way they prepare food reflects their culture and religion. Then again, Philippine food has also been known all throughout the world. The eating customs of Filipinos have progressed over centuries along with the blend of different influences of several cultures. Some popular dishes known around the globe are adobo, lechon, paella, kaldereta, kare-kare, puchero, sinigang and many more. Filipinos have also been fond of exotic food one of which is known to be “balot”. And for dessert many people have loved halo-halo. Food is very important for Filipinos because it is one way to show their hospitality and friendship.
Filipino Food
INDIAN & FILIPINO ARTS
The Philippines has a large and dynamic artistic society because of its cultural heritages while India has become a fascinating place with its ancient and intricate culture formed through captivating distinctions and splendid physical attributes. Arts in the Philippines are greatly influenced by religion and the culture of different regions; this goes the same for India. Early Filipinos have been involved with pottery and painting as well as literature especially in the Spanish regime. Many of the visual arts presented have inspired the different festivals that Filipino people celebrate. Filipinos have also been involved in theatrical arts. For an instance, there are a lot of folk dances in different regions and many Filipinos are famous in this field. In line with music, many composers and artists are known globally because of their world class talent. India’s prides are their crafts, dances, music and cinema. India has been famous for their theater and cinema which is commonly based on culture and history just like in the Philippines. Many have also been intrigued by their grand and artistic dances. Similar to the Philippines, India has adopted many other cultures in the past but it is very astounding to see continuity in their artwork depicting their culture for example their architecture. The famous architectural structure in India is the Taj Mahal whereas in the Philippines natural sceneries are known more like the Boracay Beach, Mayon Volcano, and the Underground River in Palawan. The art and culture of the Philippines definitely show their diversity formed through the union of the different ethnic and linguistic groups nevertheless, the remarkable thing about India is its uniqueness like how one can distinguish ‘Indian Music’, ‘Indian Theatre’, ‘Indian Cuisine’, ‘Indian Artistry’ and the list goes on.
Filipino Arts
INDIAN & FILIPINO LITERATURE
Literature
Indian Literature is one of the world’s oldest and richest literatures. The earliest works were composed to be sung or recited and were so transmitted for many generations before being written down. It is influence by a religious doctrine karma, the chain the chain of good and bad action and their inevitable consequences, which result to the repeated birth and death of the sou and also from the Mythology of dominant Hindu Deities.
Sanskrit Literature
Literature is written in Sanskrit language. Text were produced about 16th century BC by people known as Aryans (were cattle herders who were originally nomadic) who established kingdoms in North India.
Some famous Sanskrit Literatures:
VEDAS -“Book of Knowledge”
It is composed in Old Sanskrit by Aryan poets. Vedas constitutes the fundamental scripture of the Hindu religion and used as sacramental rites of Hinduism. It is the compilation of two major literary forms, the hymns of praise to nature deities and rritual chants to accompany Aryan religious rituals.
BRAHMANAS
The Brahmanas are specific ritualistic. They are much like the Yajur Veda and its ritualistic approach but are not as old, nor do they have such an esoteric meaning. Yet they are more extensive. They show us how to recreate the ritual action of life itself, to portray the cosmic ritual in a few special actions.
UPANISHADS
It is composed by a group of sages who questioned the usefulness of ritual religion and consists of 108 dialogues between teachers and their students about the individual soul’s unity It is the India’s oldest philosophical treaties and form the foundation of major schools of Hindu philosophy
Mahabharata
It is “The Great Epic of the Bharata Dynasty) which is written by the poet Vyasal.It is one of the most important text of the Hindu Fait. The Mahabharata is more than 1.8 million words long, spread over 74,000 distinct verses, making it one of the longest poems in the world. It covers a great deal of material, ranging from simple histories to entire philosophies on living. It is about a tale of dispute between two branches of the Bharata clans over the right to rule the kingdom
Ramayana (The Way of Rama)
It is written by the poet Valkimi. Ramayana tells the story of the hero Rama, prince of Ayodhya and incarnation of the god Vishu. The Ramayana is extremely long and involves many side plots and additional stories. In its original form, it is made up of seven books comprising 24,000 verses and 500 epic poems or cantos. The Ramayana is not considered to be mere allegory, but serves as a religious text similar to the Christian Bible or Jewish Torah. Reading certain key passages is believed to protect and bless the audience.
Classical Sanskrit Literature
It started with the flowering of the Gupta dynasty. Classical literature are mostly about the great achievements in philosophy, sciences and arts and reflected values of Hinduism. One of the famous poet and playwright in Classical Sanskrit literature is Kalidasa. He occupies the same position in Sanskrit literature that Shakespeare occupies in English literature. He also wrote poems and long and short epics
Some famous Classical Sanskrit literature:
Puranas
It is one of the India’s most influential contributions to world literature. It consists of five books of animal fables and maging tales that were compiled. The five books are about the creation of the universe, the destruction and re-creation of the universe, he genealogy of the gods and holy sages, the reign of the Manus)legendary Hindu figures) and the histories of the kings who trace their ancestry the sun and the moon.
Panchatantra (The Five Strategies)
It is written by Vishnusharman. Panchatantra is a collection of stories in prose and verse, which feature animals as the characters, teach lessons about human conduct. It uses the technique of telling stories within the framework of the main story.
Colonial Period To Independence
The British became a colonial power and the colonial government introduced English education for upper-class Indians so that they can serve the colony. During Colonial period printing press was introduced that made possible the establishment of newspapers and journals.
Medieval Literature
Different regions began to develop its own distinctive culture and Islamic dynasties conquered many territories.Indian languages were influenced by Islamic religion, Persian and Arabic languages. Unique version of local myths, legends, romances and epics emerged.
Bhakti: Devotional Literature
Bhakti was an aspect of religion that involved passionate, emotional devotion to a particular god. They addressed devotional poems to the major Hindu gods and goddesses; Shiva, Vishnu, Bhrama, Krishna, Rama, Lakhsmi, Ganesha. Some major Bhatik poets were women and men of the lower caste. It is Bengal Renaissance.
Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore is a Bengali poet, philosopher, artist, playwright, composer and novelist. He is the first non-European winner of the Nobel Prize award for literature in 1913. Some of his well known novels are Gora, Ghare Bhaire, Shesher Kabita, Chaturanga, Char Adhyay, Jogajog and Noukadubi while his short stories have been published in compilations like the Golpoguchho. Tagore’s poetry has been full of mysticism, visionary, experimental, in an attempt to reconcile withthe inner divinity of man.
Independence Onwards
Indian independence from Britain in 1947 marked the start of modern Indian literature. It is characterized by the increase in globalization and migration of Indians to other parts of the world.It is the rise of female writers and feminist writings.Indian writers have written novels in English and experimental and avant- garde trends in poetry and drama.
Philippine literature is the literature associated with the Philippines and includes the pre historical legends, and the colonial legacy of the Philippines. Notable literature of the Philippines was mostly written during the Spanish period and the first half of the 20th century in Spanish language. Philippine literature is written in Spanish, English, Tagalog, and/or other native Philippine languages.
EARLY WORKS
1. Doctrina Christiana, Manila, 1593, is the first book printed in the Philippines.
2. Tomas Pinpin wrote and printed in 1610 Librong Pagaaralan nang mga Tagalog nang Uicang Castilla, 119 pages designed to help fellow Filipinos to learn the Spanish language in a simple way. He is also credited with the first news publication made in the Philippines, "Successos Felices", Classical literature in Spanish.
3. La Esperanza, the first daily newspaper, was published in the country on December 1, 1846. Other early newspapers were La Estrella on 1847, Diario de Manila on 1848 and Boletin Oficial de Filipinas on 1852.
4. El Eco de Vigan was the first provincial newspaper which was issued in Ilocos on 1884. In Cebu City "El Boletín de Cebú" (The Bulletin of Cebu), was published in 1890.
On 1863, the Spanish government introduced free public education that had an important effect on the ability of the people to read in Spanish and further in the rise of an educated class called the Ilustrado (meaning, well-informed). Spanish became the social language of urban places of the archipelago. There are good Spanish newspapers that were published like the El Renacimiento which was the most influential newspaper printed in Manila. A tool in promoting Filipino nationalism in Spanish was the foundation of La Solidaridad (more fondly called La Sol by the members of the propaganda movement) in 15 February 1885. With the help of this organ, Filipino national heroes like José Rizal, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and other ilustrados.
There are different kinds of poetry and metrical romances in the Philippine Literature:
1. Ladino Poems – Were natives of first Tagalog versifiers who saw print: highly literate in both Spanish and the vernacular.
2. Corridos –widely read during the Spanish period for entertainment as well as edifying reading matter in their leisure moments.
3. Awit – like corridos, these were also widely read during the Spanish period as entertaining, edifying, reading manner in their leisure time
Prose
The prose works of the Spanish Period consisted mostly translations of religious writings in foreign languages.
TYPES OF DRAMA
1. RELIGIOUS DRAMA
a. The Panunuluyan– Literally, seeking entrance, the Tagalog version of the Mexican Las Posadas. Held on the eve of Christmas, it dramatizes Joseph's and Mary's search for Bethlehem.
b. Cenaculo – Was the dramatization of the passion and death of Jesus Christ.
c. Salubong – An Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of the Risen Christ and His Mother.
d. Moriones – Refers to the participants dressed roman soldiers, their identities hidden behind colorful, sometimes grotesque, wooden masks.
e. The Santacruzan – Performed during the month of May which have the devotion for the Holy Cross. It depicts St. Elena's search for the cross on which Christ died.
f. Pangangaluwa – An interesting socio-religious practice on All Saint's Day which literally means for The Soul.
2. SECULAR DRAMAS
These were generally held during the nine nights of vigil and prayers after someone's death, on the first death anniversary when the family members put away their mourning clothes.
a. The Karagatan – comes from the legendary practice of testing the mettle of young men vying for a maiden's hand. The maiden's ring would be dropped into sea and whoever retrieves it would have the girl's hand in marriage.
b. The Duplo – A forerunner of the balagtasan. The performances consist of two teams; One composed of young women called Dupleras or Belyakas; and the other, of young men called Dupleros or Belyakos.
c. The Comedia – It is about a courtly love between, a prince and a princess of different religions. It is about a Christian-Muslim relationship.
Modern literature (20th and 21st century)
The greatest portion of Spanish literature was written during the American period, most often as an expression of pro-Hispanic nationalism, by those who had been educated in Spanish or had lived in the Spanish-speaking society of the big cities, and whose principles entered in conflict with the American cultural trends.).
Apart from the works in Spanish, the only remarkable and valuable Filipino writer writing in the English language is Nick Joaquin.
Sanskrit Literature
Literature is written in Sanskrit language. Text were produced about 16th century BC by people known as Aryans (were cattle herders who were originally nomadic) who established kingdoms in North India.
Some famous Sanskrit Literatures:
VEDAS -“Book of Knowledge”
It is composed in Old Sanskrit by Aryan poets. Vedas constitutes the fundamental scripture of the Hindu religion and used as sacramental rites of Hinduism. It is the compilation of two major literary forms, the hymns of praise to nature deities and rritual chants to accompany Aryan religious rituals.
BRAHMANAS
The Brahmanas are specific ritualistic. They are much like the Yajur Veda and its ritualistic approach but are not as old, nor do they have such an esoteric meaning. Yet they are more extensive. They show us how to recreate the ritual action of life itself, to portray the cosmic ritual in a few special actions.
UPANISHADS
It is composed by a group of sages who questioned the usefulness of ritual religion and consists of 108 dialogues between teachers and their students about the individual soul’s unity It is the India’s oldest philosophical treaties and form the foundation of major schools of Hindu philosophy
Mahabharata
It is “The Great Epic of the Bharata Dynasty) which is written by the poet Vyasal.It is one of the most important text of the Hindu Fait. The Mahabharata is more than 1.8 million words long, spread over 74,000 distinct verses, making it one of the longest poems in the world. It covers a great deal of material, ranging from simple histories to entire philosophies on living. It is about a tale of dispute between two branches of the Bharata clans over the right to rule the kingdom
Ramayana (The Way of Rama)
It is written by the poet Valkimi. Ramayana tells the story of the hero Rama, prince of Ayodhya and incarnation of the god Vishu. The Ramayana is extremely long and involves many side plots and additional stories. In its original form, it is made up of seven books comprising 24,000 verses and 500 epic poems or cantos. The Ramayana is not considered to be mere allegory, but serves as a religious text similar to the Christian Bible or Jewish Torah. Reading certain key passages is believed to protect and bless the audience.
Classical Sanskrit Literature
It started with the flowering of the Gupta dynasty. Classical literature are mostly about the great achievements in philosophy, sciences and arts and reflected values of Hinduism. One of the famous poet and playwright in Classical Sanskrit literature is Kalidasa. He occupies the same position in Sanskrit literature that Shakespeare occupies in English literature. He also wrote poems and long and short epics
Some famous Classical Sanskrit literature:
Puranas
It is one of the India’s most influential contributions to world literature. It consists of five books of animal fables and maging tales that were compiled. The five books are about the creation of the universe, the destruction and re-creation of the universe, he genealogy of the gods and holy sages, the reign of the Manus)legendary Hindu figures) and the histories of the kings who trace their ancestry the sun and the moon.
Panchatantra (The Five Strategies)
It is written by Vishnusharman. Panchatantra is a collection of stories in prose and verse, which feature animals as the characters, teach lessons about human conduct. It uses the technique of telling stories within the framework of the main story.
Colonial Period To Independence
The British became a colonial power and the colonial government introduced English education for upper-class Indians so that they can serve the colony. During Colonial period printing press was introduced that made possible the establishment of newspapers and journals.
Medieval Literature
Different regions began to develop its own distinctive culture and Islamic dynasties conquered many territories.Indian languages were influenced by Islamic religion, Persian and Arabic languages. Unique version of local myths, legends, romances and epics emerged.
Bhakti: Devotional Literature
Bhakti was an aspect of religion that involved passionate, emotional devotion to a particular god. They addressed devotional poems to the major Hindu gods and goddesses; Shiva, Vishnu, Bhrama, Krishna, Rama, Lakhsmi, Ganesha. Some major Bhatik poets were women and men of the lower caste. It is Bengal Renaissance.
Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore is a Bengali poet, philosopher, artist, playwright, composer and novelist. He is the first non-European winner of the Nobel Prize award for literature in 1913. Some of his well known novels are Gora, Ghare Bhaire, Shesher Kabita, Chaturanga, Char Adhyay, Jogajog and Noukadubi while his short stories have been published in compilations like the Golpoguchho. Tagore’s poetry has been full of mysticism, visionary, experimental, in an attempt to reconcile withthe inner divinity of man.
Independence Onwards
Indian independence from Britain in 1947 marked the start of modern Indian literature. It is characterized by the increase in globalization and migration of Indians to other parts of the world.It is the rise of female writers and feminist writings.Indian writers have written novels in English and experimental and avant- garde trends in poetry and drama.
Philippine literature is the literature associated with the Philippines and includes the pre historical legends, and the colonial legacy of the Philippines. Notable literature of the Philippines was mostly written during the Spanish period and the first half of the 20th century in Spanish language. Philippine literature is written in Spanish, English, Tagalog, and/or other native Philippine languages.
EARLY WORKS
1. Doctrina Christiana, Manila, 1593, is the first book printed in the Philippines.
2. Tomas Pinpin wrote and printed in 1610 Librong Pagaaralan nang mga Tagalog nang Uicang Castilla, 119 pages designed to help fellow Filipinos to learn the Spanish language in a simple way. He is also credited with the first news publication made in the Philippines, "Successos Felices", Classical literature in Spanish.
3. La Esperanza, the first daily newspaper, was published in the country on December 1, 1846. Other early newspapers were La Estrella on 1847, Diario de Manila on 1848 and Boletin Oficial de Filipinas on 1852.
4. El Eco de Vigan was the first provincial newspaper which was issued in Ilocos on 1884. In Cebu City "El Boletín de Cebú" (The Bulletin of Cebu), was published in 1890.
On 1863, the Spanish government introduced free public education that had an important effect on the ability of the people to read in Spanish and further in the rise of an educated class called the Ilustrado (meaning, well-informed). Spanish became the social language of urban places of the archipelago. There are good Spanish newspapers that were published like the El Renacimiento which was the most influential newspaper printed in Manila. A tool in promoting Filipino nationalism in Spanish was the foundation of La Solidaridad (more fondly called La Sol by the members of the propaganda movement) in 15 February 1885. With the help of this organ, Filipino national heroes like José Rizal, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and other ilustrados.
There are different kinds of poetry and metrical romances in the Philippine Literature:
1. Ladino Poems – Were natives of first Tagalog versifiers who saw print: highly literate in both Spanish and the vernacular.
2. Corridos –widely read during the Spanish period for entertainment as well as edifying reading matter in their leisure moments.
3. Awit – like corridos, these were also widely read during the Spanish period as entertaining, edifying, reading manner in their leisure time
Prose
The prose works of the Spanish Period consisted mostly translations of religious writings in foreign languages.
TYPES OF DRAMA
1. RELIGIOUS DRAMA
a. The Panunuluyan– Literally, seeking entrance, the Tagalog version of the Mexican Las Posadas. Held on the eve of Christmas, it dramatizes Joseph's and Mary's search for Bethlehem.
b. Cenaculo – Was the dramatization of the passion and death of Jesus Christ.
c. Salubong – An Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of the Risen Christ and His Mother.
d. Moriones – Refers to the participants dressed roman soldiers, their identities hidden behind colorful, sometimes grotesque, wooden masks.
e. The Santacruzan – Performed during the month of May which have the devotion for the Holy Cross. It depicts St. Elena's search for the cross on which Christ died.
f. Pangangaluwa – An interesting socio-religious practice on All Saint's Day which literally means for The Soul.
2. SECULAR DRAMAS
These were generally held during the nine nights of vigil and prayers after someone's death, on the first death anniversary when the family members put away their mourning clothes.
a. The Karagatan – comes from the legendary practice of testing the mettle of young men vying for a maiden's hand. The maiden's ring would be dropped into sea and whoever retrieves it would have the girl's hand in marriage.
b. The Duplo – A forerunner of the balagtasan. The performances consist of two teams; One composed of young women called Dupleras or Belyakas; and the other, of young men called Dupleros or Belyakos.
c. The Comedia – It is about a courtly love between, a prince and a princess of different religions. It is about a Christian-Muslim relationship.
Modern literature (20th and 21st century)
The greatest portion of Spanish literature was written during the American period, most often as an expression of pro-Hispanic nationalism, by those who had been educated in Spanish or had lived in the Spanish-speaking society of the big cities, and whose principles entered in conflict with the American cultural trends.).
Apart from the works in Spanish, the only remarkable and valuable Filipino writer writing in the English language is Nick Joaquin.
Indian Literature
INDIAN & FILIPINO LANGUAGE
Language
The Languages of India belong to several language families, the major ones being the Indo-Aryan languages spoken by 74% of Indians and the Dravidian languages spoken by 23% of Indians. Other languages spoken in India belong to the Austroasiatic, Tibeto-Burman, and a few minor language families and isolates. The official language of the Central Government of Republic of India is Standard Hindi, while English is the secondary official language. The constitution of India states that "The official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script." Neither the Constitution of India nor Indian law specifies a national language, a position supported by a High Court ruling. However, languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian constitution are sometimes referred to, without legal standing, as the national languages of India.
Individual mother tongues in India number several hundred; the 1961 census recognized 1,652. According to Census of India of 2001, 30 languages are spoken by more than a million native speakers, 122 by more than 10,000. Three millennial of language contact has led to significant mutual influence among the four language families in India and South Asia. Two contact languages have played an important role in the history of India: Persian and English
In the Philippines, there are 8 major dialects namely Bikol, Cebuano, Hiligaynon (Ilonggo), Ilocano, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, Tagalog, and Waray. The languages being taught all over the Philippines are Tagalog and English. They are also the official language of the country. The Cebuano dialect originated in Cebu, Visayas. However, it spread to neighboring islands and in the northern and eastern parts of Mindanao. This was probably facilitated by the American and Spanish policies to Christianize Mindanao. Meanwhile, the Tagalog and Bikol dialect (Bikolandia) boundaries seem to remain predominantly they were centuries ago. Southeastern Mindanao is populated with Ilocano, Tagalog, and other dialects, but Cebuano has become the dominant dialect in that area. The Ilocano dialect has spread out from its origin in the western coast (Ilocandia), which was also probably facilitated by Spanish and American policies.
Individual mother tongues in India number several hundred; the 1961 census recognized 1,652. According to Census of India of 2001, 30 languages are spoken by more than a million native speakers, 122 by more than 10,000. Three millennial of language contact has led to significant mutual influence among the four language families in India and South Asia. Two contact languages have played an important role in the history of India: Persian and English
In the Philippines, there are 8 major dialects namely Bikol, Cebuano, Hiligaynon (Ilonggo), Ilocano, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, Tagalog, and Waray. The languages being taught all over the Philippines are Tagalog and English. They are also the official language of the country. The Cebuano dialect originated in Cebu, Visayas. However, it spread to neighboring islands and in the northern and eastern parts of Mindanao. This was probably facilitated by the American and Spanish policies to Christianize Mindanao. Meanwhile, the Tagalog and Bikol dialect (Bikolandia) boundaries seem to remain predominantly they were centuries ago. Southeastern Mindanao is populated with Ilocano, Tagalog, and other dialects, but Cebuano has become the dominant dialect in that area. The Ilocano dialect has spread out from its origin in the western coast (Ilocandia), which was also probably facilitated by Spanish and American policies.
Filipino Language
INDIAN & FILIPINO CLOTHING
Clothing
Clothing in India varies from region to region depending on the ethnicity, geography, climate and cultural traditions of the people of that region, however in the Philippines; clothing varies according to ethnic groups and religion.
Traditionally in India, men and women's clothing has evolved from simple Langotas and loincloths to cover the body to elaborate costumes not only used in daily wear but also on festive occasions as well as rituals and dance performances. In urban areas, western clothing is common and uniformly worn by people of all strata. India also has a great diversity in terms of weaves, fibers, colors and material of clothing. Color codes are followed in clothing based on the religion and ritual concerned. For instance, Hindus wear white clothes to indicate mourning while Parsis and Christians wear white to weddings. For woman clothing in the north and east are saris or gaghra cholis and while many south Indian women traditionally wear sari and children wear pattu pavadai. Saris made out of silk are considered the most elegant. Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is one of India's fashion capitals. In many rural parts of India, traditional clothing is worn. Women wear a sari, a long sheet of colorful cloth, draped over a simple or fancy blouse. Little girls wear a pavada. Both are often patterned. Bindi is a part of women's make-up. Indo-western clothing is the fusion of Western and Subcontinental fashion. Churidar, dupatta, Khara Dupatta, gamchha, kurta, mundum neriyathum, sherwani are among other clothes.The traditional style of clothing in India varies with male or female distinctions. This is still followed in the rural areas, though is changing in the urban areas. Girls before puberty wear a long skirt (called langa/paawada in Andhra) and a short blouse, called a choli, above it. For men, traditional clothes are the Sherwani, Lungi, Kurta and Dhoti or Pajama. Also, most recently Pant and shirt have also been accepted as traditional Indian dress by the Government of India.
In the Philippines, a traditional garment for men is the barong tagalog , an embroidered outer shirt, worn untucked. It has collars, long sleeves and mid-thigh horizontal hemline with side slits. It is made from piña (pineapple fibers), jusi (raw silk) or ramie (grass fibers). Women wear the heavily starched, butterfly-sleeved terno and a matching long skirt on formal occasions. Back in the old days, Filipinas used to wear ‘camisa de tsino’ at home and a ‘Filipiñana’ during special occasions. This way of clothing has been influenced by the Spanish people. However, the various Muslim groups in the south and the mountain tribes have their own distinctive garments. The Maranao Muslims of southern Mindanao, for instance, have the colorful malong. It is a large cloth wrapped around the body and is worn by both men and women.
Traditionally in India, men and women's clothing has evolved from simple Langotas and loincloths to cover the body to elaborate costumes not only used in daily wear but also on festive occasions as well as rituals and dance performances. In urban areas, western clothing is common and uniformly worn by people of all strata. India also has a great diversity in terms of weaves, fibers, colors and material of clothing. Color codes are followed in clothing based on the religion and ritual concerned. For instance, Hindus wear white clothes to indicate mourning while Parsis and Christians wear white to weddings. For woman clothing in the north and east are saris or gaghra cholis and while many south Indian women traditionally wear sari and children wear pattu pavadai. Saris made out of silk are considered the most elegant. Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is one of India's fashion capitals. In many rural parts of India, traditional clothing is worn. Women wear a sari, a long sheet of colorful cloth, draped over a simple or fancy blouse. Little girls wear a pavada. Both are often patterned. Bindi is a part of women's make-up. Indo-western clothing is the fusion of Western and Subcontinental fashion. Churidar, dupatta, Khara Dupatta, gamchha, kurta, mundum neriyathum, sherwani are among other clothes.The traditional style of clothing in India varies with male or female distinctions. This is still followed in the rural areas, though is changing in the urban areas. Girls before puberty wear a long skirt (called langa/paawada in Andhra) and a short blouse, called a choli, above it. For men, traditional clothes are the Sherwani, Lungi, Kurta and Dhoti or Pajama. Also, most recently Pant and shirt have also been accepted as traditional Indian dress by the Government of India.
In the Philippines, a traditional garment for men is the barong tagalog , an embroidered outer shirt, worn untucked. It has collars, long sleeves and mid-thigh horizontal hemline with side slits. It is made from piña (pineapple fibers), jusi (raw silk) or ramie (grass fibers). Women wear the heavily starched, butterfly-sleeved terno and a matching long skirt on formal occasions. Back in the old days, Filipinas used to wear ‘camisa de tsino’ at home and a ‘Filipiñana’ during special occasions. This way of clothing has been influenced by the Spanish people. However, the various Muslim groups in the south and the mountain tribes have their own distinctive garments. The Maranao Muslims of southern Mindanao, for instance, have the colorful malong. It is a large cloth wrapped around the body and is worn by both men and women.
Filipino Clothing
CONCLUSION
Every nation has its own unique culture and thus, the people. Everybody has his own beliefs and each has the right to choose whether to accept the tradition or to have his own. Some tries to fit in what others do so as not to be judged but others prefer to give their own influences. This is where diversity comes out - when there are differences in the mindset and beliefs of the people. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive and nurturing environment. Most of the times, these differences give more good to the people rather than harm because these stimulate new ideas and variety . Unfortunately, others attribute diversity to colonial mentality. It is not colonial mentality because the old traditions are still preserved, only with new ones. Diversity doesn't push people to leave the old school but only gives more options to choose from.
If one learns to respect diversity, one can realize the unending fulfillment and happiness not only in the culture and traditions but also in one's everyday life. Accepting others' cultures is not killing one's own but accepting others' cultures means strength and equality.
Every culture deserves respect.
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