Wednesday, April 22, 2009

INDIA

What do you think about the culture of India? Do you have a favorite Indian food? Who here can make a mean curry?

18 comments:

Dean Elazab said...

I love their movies! devdas is crazy and the cinematography is so dramatic. i think the plot is also pretty good.

Stephen said...

I like the Devdas movie that is so dramatic and the cultural art that we have looked at so far. I personally am a picky eater, but I loved the authentic kurry food that I ate at Bobby's house.

Mr. Plainview said...

There seems to be a certain emphasis on balance. With the Taj Mahal, for example, there are the identical mosques on either side. Even though one is completely useless because of the sun, it remains there to provide balance and symmetry.

bballinsupasta said...

i agree with the balance idea. it also reminds me of greek architecture. i don't think that the greeks took it as far as the taj mahal symmetry with the acropolis

Aaron Nussdorf said...

I'm going to point out that the Taj Mahal was built by Muslim rulers, not the "local" Hindu population.

Dean Elazab said...

Nussdorf with the history burn! well speaking about india in general, the food seems great. I haven't tried too much of the food locally but would love to.

Ehren said...

I think indian food is so interesting. The way they combine sweet foods (like fruits) with savory foods is really cool. For example i saw one recipe where you marinade chicken in unripened papaya puree and then fry that with a bunch of indian spices. Yum!

joel derby said...

I think Indians need to be a little bit more like America! Just like every other culture!! Im just kidding, but really theyre social system leaes no room for movement, and I think the discrimination is just awful

joel derby said...

I'm Joel and I'm stupid and I leave my blogger account open for other people to write stuff in

Stephen said...

All the dancing aside, I like the plot line of the Devdas movie. Although it is basically not practiced in American culture, class systems are very important in other cultures. The fact that the girl is trying to marry her childhood friend, despite the fact that the parents know each other, seems like its a big deal.

Dean Elazab said...

the first post by joel is pretty spot on. I think the class system is pretty primitive, but i think that is only because we are looking from the outside in. The Indian elite would say that the system keeps the wealthy wealthy and the order of the nation intact. And it does not matter what the less than elite think because no one with their mindset will gain power lest a revolution breaks, which would be quickly stifled by the United Nations.

bballinsupasta said...

i agree with ehren. i like it when surprising foods are combined together. i think great food is definitely an art. take french frie dipped in frosty jk...it's good but not art....i digress

Dean Elazab said...

I think food can be an art too. the preparation and skill it takes to make dishes and present them is an art form that is temporary. you could see food like art installations, where every time its different and only last a short time.

Stephen said...

I think that food being an art form is more relevant in more asian countries as Dean said, however, in America especially NOLA we in a way define our culture and daily activities by our food choices and preperation. People certainly come to New Orleans to experience the food as it is known that we have the best seafood.

jp said...

In response to what Ehren said about combining sweet and savory foods - Papa John's makes Hawaiian barbeque chicken pizza - barbeque sauce instead of marinara, chicken, bacon, and effing PINEAPPLES! I submit that such a delicious creation is the highest form of art.

More on-topic, I think I need somebody to explain the Indian "it's impolite to not honk your horn all the time" thing again to me. I can understand most of the other cultural differences, but I... just... don't understand how that one makes sense or is even practical. ALL the time?

bballinsupasta said...

i agree with food being an art form. there's nothing more beautiful than a bowl of strawberry frosted mini wheaties and milk except for margaret's mom's pork sushi stuff

Manal said...

I don't know,I might be wrong, but I think the reason there is so much honking in India/ Pakistan is because transportation in the form of cars is not that common so people honk to show others that hey are in a car as a means of showing off. I remember that honking was constant on the streets, but that too was only in places such as busy streets with bazaars and vendors where there are alot of people. Like in the more professional areas and on the highways, there was barely any honking. But ofcourse, I could be wrong, and what the rour guide said was right seeing how he/she would be more knowledgable. If it is true, then I agree it is quiet strange.

Manal said...

I would also like to add that the reason there was so much dancing in the movie was because Indian religion, Hinduism, considers dancing and singing as a form of worship and praying. Every child, boy or girl, learns how to dance, sing, act early on. Ofcourse, they do not have to become dancers, singers, or actors, and they might not be the best at it, but they all learn. It is important to them religiously and culturally. For example, they even have a goddess of dancing. Just letting you know. Oh, and people tend to be very dramatic, not all but some.