January 25, 2012

Culture in Mumbai



Culture of Mumbai
At present Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city. It is an amalgamation of Hindu, Muslim, Parsi, Christian, Konkani, and the Portuguese cultures. The native inhabitants are the Kolis belonging to the fisheries community. As we go through the history of Mumbai we witness the influx of various cultures (foreign or regional) through various reigns. Mumbai attracted Parsis, Bhandaris, the Christians, and the Muslims. Thus Mumbai has become an epicenter for varieties of traditions. However, the folk of Mumbai would be pleased call themselves as Mumbaikars. The city is a conglomeration of diverse cultures, both traditional and modern.

The official language of Mumbai is Marathi; English, Hindi, Konkani, Urdu, Parsi are the other languages spoken. Their favorite drink is tea. Mumbai offers various blends of food, however, an average Mumbaikar would prefer to have snacks like Panipuri, Vada Pav, and Pav Bhaji. Iranian Cafes are much popular joints here. Mumbai offers food from Rajastan, Gujarat, Karnataka, TamilNadu, Bengal, and also from Kerala.

Mumbai has been catering seekers of art and music since the ages. As the influx of diverse cultures kept growing due to various reasons, the city has been witnessing the fusion of diverse cultural activities including art/music and dance. Mumbai attracts budding actors and actresses, painters, singers and performers. The city hosts many centers for art/music/ dance/ drama and Bollywood movies have been alluring talents from various parts of the country. We get to hear Pop, Indi Pop, Jazz, classical, semi-classical and Bollywood songs in Mumbai. However, the regional favorite has been Lavani dance and the songs sung by the Koli community do enthrall the Mumbaikars even today. Mumbai hosts the Bombay Chamber of Orchestra (established in 1962), the Symphony Orchestra of India (2006), and the National center for Performing arts.

Mumbai has been the place where the Indian movies were originated for the first time in India. The city hosts the famous R.K Studio (founded by Raj Kapur), and also the Rajkamal studio founded by V.Shantaram. Mumbai has cherished many stage artists and hosts many theatres. The Prithvi Theatre situated in Juhu is one among those theatres having worldwide recognition. The architecture of the city is mixture of European and Indian styles. The Victoria Terminus and Bombay University are two examples for the Gothic revival style. Apart from that we would also notice the structures built in indo-islamic style, and in Indo Saracenic style.

It is the city of Hindi cinemas, theatre movements, Dabbawalas, and of skyscrapers. An average day of a Mumbaikar would start at four in the early morning and ends at midnight. Mumbaikars have adapted themselves to a fast paced lifestyle.


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