India's Culture: The State, the Arts, and Beyond

This book explores the fascinating aspects of India's diversified cultural base--its monuments, art, tradition, religion, philosophy, performing arts, and literature. It discusses the relationship between the state and market on cultural aspects, the debates regarding cultural preservation, harmonious aspects of Indian culture, the role of administration and the role of Archaeological Survey of India. This book integrates the two ideas--the uniqueness of India with a developed culture and yet a developing economy; and second, the recent trend of considering culture as a third factor in determining the status of a nation in the world after market and military strength. Providing a wide-ranging view of the various dimensions of culture, it explores the interconnections of culture with the social and political life of people in India. The manifestations of culture are not mere pursuits of individual artists or scholars; they constitute a social concern and provide a base for meaningful dialogue. This second edition an introduction, a postscript, and a new appendix which provide substantial information of the links between India's culture and various contemporary subjects like ecology, sustainable development, democracy and the space for pluralism making it a very topical volume.