Southern States of India
Culture and tradition of southern states
South India
There are four Southern states: Kerala,Karnataka,Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
Differnces in Food between south and north India
North Indian cuisine has been heavily influenced by the Arabs and Persians and the dishes are much heavier and creamier. South Indian dishes are heavily influenced by rice and coconut and the dishes have higher water content.The staple crop in North India is wheat, so a majority of dishes are based around this crop. This crop is mainly used to make naans, parathas, rotis, chapattis, etc.Southern dishes are said to have sharp, intense flavors. The meals are generally surrounded around rice being paired up with sambaar, rasam, dry and curried vegetables and a lot of coconut based chutneys.
Southern food is spicier than the northern food.
Diwali:
In North India, Depawali is associated with the return of Sri Rama to Ayodhya after vanquishing the demon Ravana. The people of Ayodhya, overwhelmed with joy, welcomed Rama through jubilation and illumination of the entire capital.
In South India, Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura.
To the Jains, Depawali has an added significance to the great event of Mahavera attaining the Eternal Bliss of Nirvana.
Though, Diwali is mainly a 5 day festival but people start preparing for Diwali weeks ahead by cleaning and decorating their households. It is said that Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth roams the earth on this day and enters the house that is pure, clean and brightly illuminated.
Dussehra or Vijayadashmi
Dussehra or Navratri is one of the most popular festivals of India. Dussehra is the anniversary of the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo-headed demon, Mahishasura, giving the goddess her name Mahishasura-Mardini (the slayer of Mahishasura). Dussehra also commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana of Lanka. The theme of this festival is the victory of good over evil.
Holi
In the South, especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, it is believed that Kama Deva, the God of love, aimed his arrow at his wife Rati. The arrow hit Shiva by mistake. Kama was burnt to ashes by the fire coming out of the third eye of the enraged Lord Shiva. Rati, was so grief-stricken that Shiva relented and granted her the power to see Kama deva but without a physical form. In Tamil Nadu, the festival known as Kaman vizha, Kaman pandigai, or Kama Dahanam commemorates the burning of Kama.
In the North, it is believed that a mighty King Hiranyakashipu ordered his people to worship him as a God. But Prahlad, his only son, refused to accept his father as a God, because he believed only in Lord Vishnu. The King tried to kill his son, but every time Prahlad was saved as he uttered the name of Vishnu. Finally, Prahlad's aunt Holika, claiming herself to be fireproof, took the child in her lap and sat in the fire to burn him alive. When the fire subsided, the king found, the child alive while Holika had perished.
Durga Puja
In North India the nine-day period from the first to the ninth day in the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra is also known as Navaratri and is dedicated to the worship of nine different aspects of Devi. The ninth day in this month is also celebrated as Ramanavami.
In Gujarat, this is the time for the joyous Garba and Dandia dances and people pour out at night to participate in this community festival.
In Tamil Nadu, the first three days of the festival are dedicated to Lakshmi, the next three to Durga and the last three to Sarasvati.
To know more about Indian festivals visit:http://www.isamaj.com/bhakti/festivals/festivals2.htm
South Indian Music
North Indian Music
Dances of South India
Padayani (Kerala), Kummi (Tamil Nadu), Kollattam (Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu), Perini (Andhra Pradesh) Thapetta Gullu (Andhra Pradesh) . These are the folk dances of Southern India.
Dances in other parts of the country
Bihu dance,Jhumur Nach, Bagurumba ,Ali Ai Ligang (Assam) Garba,Padhar,Raas,Tippani Dance(Jharkhand)
Tertali,Charkula,Jawara,Matki Dance,Phulpati Dance,Grida Dance,Maanch,Gaur Maria Dance(Madhya Pradesh)
to know more visit:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indian_folk_dances