This study examines the traditional culture of India that is found in film and SNS (Social Networking Services). Through analysis of such contents and popular usage, we aim to aid the development of cultural contents which are socially and cultural ...
This study examines the traditional culture of India that is found in film and SNS (Social Networking Services). Through analysis of such contents and popular usage, we aim to aid the development of cultural contents which are socially and culturally relevant to the present. This study analyzes the current trends in Indian movies and social media, as well their reception among Indians, focusing on traditional culture such as architecture, sculpture, paintings, music, and dance. By examining the occurrences of such material, popular reception and understanding, we aim to study their meanings and symbolics. A brief summary of the research follows below: Article 1: New Traditions in Bollywood Cinema: The Settings of Mohabbatein and 3 Idiots Bollywood cinema, in contrast to western cinema, has not focused so much on the aspects of realism or continuity, which has allowed directors to work much more freely throughout history. In this paper, we examine Three Idiots, the Bollywood movie with highest profit in India as well as the world, with Mohabbatein, a movie based in a similar academic setting. Particularly, by comparing Longleat, the setting of the school in Mohabbatein, and the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, the setting of Imperial College of Engineering and DWTS, the setting of Skitsal School in Three Idiots, we aim to discover the visual culture suggested and established by the directors. We also compare significant settings within the school: the headmaster’s office, the main hall, gardens and water tower, as well as settings outside and thus free from the authority of the school: the coffee shop, hospitals, and residences. Through such comparison we aim to analyze the approach towards authority and tradition in both movies and how the main characters/audience seek to overcome or establish new visual traditions. Article 2: An Analysis of Traditional Indian Culture Portrayed in Wedding Ceremonies of Bollywood Cinema Movies provide the most popular entertainment for people in India. Movies also reflect the ideas and notion of the general public as well as their aspirations and wishes. Thus we may argue that commercially successful movies have captured the prevailing spirit of its audience, particularly its social and national cultures. In this paper, we have focused on the topic of weddings in India, an event that brings together much of a society’s traditions and beliefs. Our analysis focuses on two periods of Indian history, pre-1990s, and the 1990s. While some ideas on marriage and weddings changed throughout this period, certain visual elements, including architecture and costume, as well as music and dance appear throughout the investigation. Article 3: A Case Study on Strategies for Using Social Media: Focusing on Culture and Arts Organizations in India In the last decade, the internet has evolved from a information provider into a more social and dynamic medium. Particularly social media has highly influenced our economy, education and culture. Due to the growing popularity of social media platforms such as Facebook and Youtube, Indian culture and arts organizations have been able to catch up with the rapidly changing digital landscape. As social media has developed to reach consumers globally through the internet. a considerable number of Indian people are also becoming active prosumers(producer + consumer) using social media channels in various areas of social and cultural communication. In this context, this study is aimed at presenting what the social media can mean for the cultural and arts organizations in India. It describes the present situation of social media in India. It also analyses in which way the cultural and arts organizations in India put social media to practical use. Focusing on ten major organizations, this study discusses the general characteristics of the current trends. It also investigates four organizations, particularly selected for case studies. It shows their strategies in using social media. Finally it draws conclusions and implications which will help us foresee their future trend. Article 4 : A study on the user’s evaluation for Indian culture & arts sites in Facebook The article attempts to investigate the realities of the use of traditional Indian culture using social media in social media arts organizations, focusing on the site of Facebook that has been acquiring more and more oversea Indians as users. Particularly, through FGI(Focus Group Interviews), this study analyzes the usability for users of services of Facebook. The results of the evaluation of the FGI conducted on 3 user groups show that regardless of the respondents’ majors, almost all respondents prefer the Facebook site of India Art Fair. Due to its variety of contents and representative of the circle of Indian art, India Art Fair covers art of all media and is able to disseminate the event to the public. Exotic India was also selected by the respondents as a site that best represents traditional Indian culture, because of UI and contents that show a plenty of the Indian cultural sensitivity. And then, the result from the evaluation of usability for users of its services indicates that IFA and IAF rank highest, followed by EI, SPI, IAN. This study, focusing on analysis of contents of traditional culture in movies and social media, two of the fastest expanding media among Indian youth, will provide much needed information on the topic. We believe that through the representation of the culture and life of the young Indian, this study has contributed to the understanding of India, as well as providing practical knowledge for companies or institutes aiming to work on India.