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About Convergence is a collection of image dominant posters that are an exploration of Indian culture. All of the posters are stand-alone pieces but also have common design elements that make them a set. All aspects of design have Indian elements in them which makes it authentic and original. The posters are all collages that are made from an assemblage of different images, text and design elements. Each piece is a photomontage that conveys a strong message about Indian culture. The main colour used in the posters is red along with black.
identity Identity is a person’s conception and expression of their individuality, of who they are and what they hope to become. An individuals identity is heavily influenced by the culture that surrounds them and it plays a very important role in defining who we are. If a person’s identity is always in the making then shouldn’t the culture that surrounds us also be constantly evolving? This constant evolution of the Indian culture and how it has converged with western influences over time has resulted in creating a unique identity for the people of India.
religion India is one of the most religiously vibrant and diverse nations in the world, with some of the most deeply religious societies and cultures. Religion still plays a central and definitive role in the lives of many people in India. But, an Indian has every liberty to adopt any belief system he/she wants, which makes India unique. Languages and religions are always subject to change. India is a place where Hinduism, Chirstianity and Islam co-exist. Apart from these three major religions, there are many other religions that are widely practiced. All the festivals of these various religions are celebrated throughout the year. Certain festivals in India are celebrated by multiple religions like Diwali, Holi, Durga Puja etc.
philosophy Indian philosophy is extremely diverse and has it’s roots in various ancient texts. There are amazing similarities between implications of theories of modern physics and Hindu philosophy. A number of early pioneers in quantum theory such as Bohr, Schrodinger, Heisenberg and later Bohm, were deeply influenced by these ideas. Waren Heisenberg had once famously said “After the conversations about Indian philosophy, some of the ideas of Quantum Physics that had seemed so crazy suddenly made much more sense”.
belief system People in India differ wildely depending on the region they are from and so their religious beliefs are also very different. Each household has a different set of religious traditions that they follow to suit their lifestyle. It is believed in India that all the religions are equal and are a means to connect with God. Why have only one God, when you can have a million?
tolerance Indian culture is an amalgam of pluralistic beliefs, that often conflict with each other. So, it is upto each person to decide their way of life. The Indian culture has lasted for so many years because of this flexibility. Growing up in an Indian household teaches you about diversity, tolerance and acceptance. From a young age children are exposed to a very diverse culture and they grow up to accept and respect people with different backgrounds. Because of this, spirituality and modernity coexsists with no paradoxical implications.
unique view Hinduism which is practiced by 80% of the Indian population has some unique set of principles that encourages people to live righteously. For instance there is no concept of Heaven or Hell and it is believed that every person will experience both heaven and hell in their after life. Also the concept of ‘Karma’ which is cause and effect is very strong in the Indian culture. The view that whatever we do will be receiprocated is a strong motivation for people to do good. These concepts are found throughout Indian mythology and Indian children are taught this even today.
animal welfare Mahatma Gandhi acutely observed that “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.� India is home to several religious traditions advocating non-violence and compassion towards animals. In Hinduism the cow is regarded as a symbol of non violence and brings good fortune and wealth. Vegetarianism is strongly linked with a number of religions that originated in India and is home to more vegetarians than any other country.
art A strong sense of design is an important characteristic of Indian art and can be observed in its modern and traditional forms. Indian art has had many cultural influences, as well as religious influences from Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. In spite of this complex mixture of religious traditions, generally the prevailing artistic style at any time and place has been shared by the majority of the people. Although the impact of western influences continues to increase to this day, India has done amazingly well at preserving it’s own cultural heritage and the majority of the Indian population continue to maintain their traditions and teach them to their children.
culture Indian culture has always been seen and perceived as being conventional, traditional, old fashioned and orthodox. In this modern era Indian culture has adapted itself to suit the fast paced life of urbanites. The Indian culture now is a unique blend of historical traditions and western influences which helps in preserving the unbroken thread of the Indian story. For an Indian living in the mordern era this gives a sense of order and happiness in otherwise fast changing world.
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