Astitva - cultural differnces

trupti286 thumbnail
Posted: 19 years ago
#1
Some of the things that happen in astitva seem too ridiculous to viewers in India but not to those who live abroad and vice versa.

eg. Sia and sid's closeness may seem perfectly natural and not objectionable to many and taking autograph on cast may not seem that ridiculous to many. I think the bottomline is the things that you see in real life are accepted as "normal" by many of us.

I have seen a lot of western influence on Indian younger generation in recent years. Everytime we visit India we look very orthodox and outdated compared to the city crowds. Do you think these serials reflect reality of life in India or are there double standards?

Any views about indians living abroad and trying to maintain Indian culture vs. indians living in India trying to develop western culture?

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umi82990 thumbnail
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Posted: 19 years ago
#2
i think they do becuase when some one sees someone on tv they really really like then they would want to be like that person and when they do then the western outfits come in use...because now days everyone is wearing western outfits even on the kurthas....they wear....so i think the outfits the people they see on tv is how they want to be
xyzee thumbnail
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Posted: 19 years ago
#3

Originally posted by: trupti286

Some of the things that happen in astitva seem too ridiculous to viewers in India but not to those who live abroad and vice versa.

eg. Sia and sid's closeness may seem perfectly natural and not objectionable to many and taking autograph on cast may not seem that ridiculous to many. I think the bottomline is the things that you see in real life are accepted as "normal" by many of us.

I have seen a lot of western influence on Indian younger generation in recent years. Everytime we visit India we look very orthodox and outdated compared to the city crowds. Do you think these serials reflect reality of life in India or are there double standards?

Any views about indians living abroad and trying to maintain Indian culture vs. indians living in India trying to develop western culture?

I see your points. However,whenever I visit India I tend to see only improvements in India in most aspects. As for Westernism in India - well, true that many more people wear Jeans, etc. but there are many many people who still dress in Salwars, etc.. As for the behaviour, etc. as I have mentioned before in some posts, the middle class and upper middle class there is still largely very Indian in terms of their culture, beliefs, etc. You see all kinds in a population of over a billion but the average middle class guy or girl there is still very culturally aware and are very balanced individuals. I do not believe that the culture has gone haywire, etc..Just my observations in cities like Hyderabad, Madras and B'lore from my frequent visits to India every year or every other year..

In fact from what I have observed I have only seen greater patriotism amongst the younger generation (college going or just graduated) in India today and a greater pride in being Indian than say 10-15 years ago..

Edited by xyzzee - 19 years ago
Kruts thumbnail
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Posted: 19 years ago
#4

Originally posted by: xyzzee

I see your point here. But i dont think it is a gap between being in India or in the West, it is good old generation gap. Older people are likely to find somethings offensive the the newer generation is more accepting of - and this applies to even a small gap of say 10 years. I dont feel that i am orthodox when i go to india nor do i feel outdated. However, i do see that the youth is more open about being "themselves"; about being Indian in culture and yet being able to keep in step with the rest of the world

What you call "Western" infudence is over-rated. Having observed westerners and their families in close contact for more than seven years now, i can safely say that basic morals are not different than those in India. The youth here is also going to the dogs, just as the youth in India.

Just as the westerners are used to thinking of India in terms of "slums of calcutta where mother teresa helped out the lepers" we Indians are used to thinking about the west as "the countries where women would do anything and sex is all that matters." These both points of view are media-created biases and it is a shame on us that while we strive to remove the biased image of ourselves, we forget to change our image of the "Wild West"!!!! - Krutilynn.


I see your points. However,whenever I visit India I tend to see only improvements in India in most aspects. As for Westernism in India - well, true that many more people wear Jeans, etc. but there are many many people who still dress in Salwars, etc.. As for the behaviour, etc. as I have mentioned before in some posts, the middle class and upper middle class there is still largely very Indian in terms of their culture, beliefs, etc. You see all kinds in a population of over a billion but the average middle class guy or girl there is still very culturally aware and are very balanced individuals. I do not believe that the culture has gone haywire, etc..Just my observations in cities like Hyderabad, Madras and B'lore from my frequent visits to India every year or every other year..

In fact from what I have observed I have only seen greater patriotism amongst the younger generation (college going or just graduated) in India today and a greater pride in being Indian than say 10-15 years ago..



I agree with you XYZZEE!!!😊
Edited by krutilynn - 19 years ago
sree thumbnail
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Posted: 19 years ago
#5

A good topic to debate on!! As far as i see it, the way you live your life depends mainly on what you like and how you want to live it... Basically, i can see things changing and my next generation different from what I am. I am just 28, but when i see girls around me who are younger to me, I feel they are not like me. They dress differently, they speak differently. They do not have so much values imbibed in them as we were.

This makes me feel times are changing. When we go to a public place, be it a Coffee Shop or a Cinema Complex, you find so many girls dressed up in jeans and tights. They are little college girls who have come out to have fun, see amovie, etc. But the way these girls project themselves in public really makes my skin go tight. I just get one question in my mind. "How will the parents of these girls allow them to be dressed like this, mingle with boys like this in a public place? " Sorry Friends, my thought might just be outdated. But i really believe in one thing. The way a person projects himself / herself in public speaks a lot about the person's character... So for me, I really find that Times are changing, little girls and boys are taking undue advantage of the freedom given by their parents and elders. We cannot blame them, as this is the trend that is rolling on now... As for me, i really feel pathetic to see such happenings around me....

xyzee thumbnail
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Posted: 19 years ago
#6
Thanks Kruti!! I am glad you saw my point! I have observed my parents's neighbours in Bangalore and yes, many of them wear Jeans, etc.. but being he middle class families that they are, I feel they are extremely respectful, decent, culturally aware individuals who are very respectful of their elders (I am talking of 19-22 year olds mostly)- I have seen them them talk to my parents, mingle with friends, etc.. so I know.. Of course the high society kinds are very different but that is the case everywhere..But of course my exposure is mostly with the middle class families - so in my opinion, it all depends on heir upbringing and friends circle..I guess the basic morals are the smae all over the world but the way they live here, often independetly at 16 or so is different. I know my colleagues are surprised that I stayed with my parents before marriage.. But other than these differences I feel it is ultimately what your parents have given you and your friends who speak volumes for what you are.
xyzee thumbnail
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Posted: 19 years ago
#7

Originally posted by: chweety

good post!
yes...young generation in India is definitely not what it used to be.but wearing jeans is fine according to me.i see nothing wrong in it as long as it looks decent.any dress for that matter,as long as it is within the limits of decency is ok.it shudn't be vulgar or unpleasant.shud be graceful.

it will be good if their thoughts,perspective and way of looking at things is modern as well.or rather broad-minded and sensible.they should be balanced.keeping the morals and values in mind and not fogetting their roots.

astitva is just a serial and cannot be taken as a personification of western influence in india.it used to be sensible,practical and realistic to some extent in the beginning when compared to other serials like those saas-bahu sagas.but not anymore.it's getting worse day by day.or rather becoming a comedy lately!

bottom line is ppl shud maintain a balance and apply their modern thoughts positively,keeping the traditions and morals intact.

Very very well put!! I agree completely..!! I loved this sentence of yours: "bottom line is ppl shud maintain a balance and apply their modern thoughts positively,keeping the traditions and morals intact." I think the young Indian generation is trying its best to do that as well. As you said nothing wrong in wearing Jeans so long as it is decent!! I grew up in a relatively small town in India but even then when I used to visit Bangalore and other cities I would see girls in Jeans, etc..So it was always more common in big cities - and that does not mean that those girls were "bigda hua".. My cousin used to wear Jeans 90% of the time and when I see her now and her son as well - I feel she has done great in all aspects of life - as a daughter, wife and mother. Her son who is 12 is an embodiment of a cultured, really sweet boy!

Edited by xyzzee - 19 years ago
Aparna_BD thumbnail
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Posted: 19 years ago
#8
I honestly don't feel being Westernised in their approach( the youth) are loosing their Indianess . The kids may dress in Jeans and very tight tops ,speak in English etc . But in their upbringing the Indian Values are safely intact . You can see the Kids respect elders , are afraid of elders 😆 ,they still belive in the most crucial things are parents taught them that promiscuity is not acceptable .

Frankly i was always the sort a teanager who wore short shorts and mini , but my parents were strict about me being out late , they kept a watch on me and looked for behavior that was not acceptable and punished it . So i see the same thing with the generation now . Dressing doesn't always speak for the "character" of the person . Kids like to imititate the MTV characters .....that does not mean there character is questionable!!

Also i have seen the Indians living abroad being so obssesed with maintaing what the remember as Indian values . When the first gen Indian left the country 10- 20 years ago , those values may have been applicable then - example talking to boys ,going to a party would have been frowned on . but now in changing times these things are no longer taboo in our society .there i see the confusion in their kids and the conflict between parents .
Edited by indygirl - 19 years ago
xyzee thumbnail
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Posted: 19 years ago
#9

Originally posted by: indygirl

I honestly don't feel being Westernised in their approach( the youth) are loosing their Indianess . The kids may dress in Jeans and very tight tops ,speak in English etc . But in their upbringing the Indian Values are safely intact . You can see the Kids respect elders , are afraid of elders 😆 ,they still belive in the most crucial things are parents taught them that promiscuity is not acceptable .

Frankly i was always the sort a teanager who wore short shorts and mini , but my parents were strict about me being out late , they kept a watch on me and looked for behavior that was not acceptable and punished it . So i see the same thing with the generation now . Dressing doesn't always speak for the "character" of the person . Kids like to imititate the MTV characters .....that does not mean there character is questionable!!

You hit the nail on the head!! Very good points!!

xyzee thumbnail
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Posted: 19 years ago
#10

Originally posted by: indygirl


Also i have seen the Indians living abroad being so obssesed with maintaing what the remember as Indian values . When the first gen Indian left the country 10- 20 years ago , those values may have been applicable then - example talking to boys ,going to a party would have been frowned on . but now in changing times these things are no longer taboo in our society .there i see the confusion in their kids and the conflict between parents .

More very good points!! I too have heard many Indians in the US say that Indians in US are more Indian than Indians in India. LOL! Oh, come on, is what I say.. While I agree it is possible to give an "Indian" uprbinging and a good upbringing to Indian kids raised here in the US, that does not mean that it is not possible to do so in India.. Being in India, being part of the system, being a part of life is what makes Indian kids in India "Indian". With due respects and apologies to many, I have to say that it is the case of sour grapes for many Indians in the US (Not all, but many that I have seen in person)..In many cases, I have seen it is a way of justifying their stand - in this case their decision to be abroad and raise their children outside of India. In my opinion, give the child the right upbringing, but please do not look down on Indian kids in India and say that they are worse off culture wise than their US counterparts.. That to me is not fair and not true either. I apologize if I have hurt anyone here - I am only writing what I have observed in many Indians out here in New York that I have come across.

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