Culture vs tradition what’s your take ?

 

Culture vs tradition what’s your take ?

Growing up in a Hindu family, I thought culture and tradition were basically the same thing. Now, after 50+ years of life, I think I finally understand the difference. Tradition is what we do. Culture is what we carry.

For example… Touching elders’ feet.

That’s a tradition. The respect for elders behind it? That’s culture.

Lighting a diya during puja. The diya is the tradition. Taking a few quiet moments to pause, pray and feel grateful—that’s culture.

Making 10 different dishes for a festival because apparently one kitchen should be able to feed a small wedding! That’s tradition.

The joy of getting everyone around the same table—that’s culture.

Fasting on certain festivals. The fasting is a tradition. Discipline, devotion and understanding why we do it—that’s culture.

Dancing Garba during Navratri.

The steps, music and clothes are tradition.

The feeling of community, celebration and belonging—that’s culture.

And then there are those wonderfully mysterious Indian traditions where you ask- But WHY do we do this? And the answer from Mom or Grandma is usually:Because… we have always done it.

I remember doing so many things as a child without questioning them. As I grew older, I started asking questions. And now, as a mother and someone raising the next generation away from India, I see it differently. I don’t think we have to preserve every tradition exactly as it was.

We need to preserve the values behind the traditions. My daughter may not celebrate every festival exactly the way I did growing up. She may not know every ritual by heart. But if she understands respect, gratitude, family, compassion, generosity and the stories behind our traditions, then I feel we’ve passed something meaningful forward.

Because culture isn’t a museum piece. It evolves. Traditions can change. Food can change. Festivals can look different. Even the way we pray can change. Even in India across the various states and in fact within the state different families of the same household .. for the same festival we often accept the various versions “humare yeha to aisa hota hai ! “

But the values that connect us to our roots?

Those are worth carrying forward. Maybe that’s what being Indian is really about: Keeping the roots… while allowing the branches to grow.

And honestly, if the next generation also keeps the ability to make chai, argue passionately about which side of the family makes the best food, and call Mom for every festival recipe…

I think our culture is going to be just fine.

I observe hartalika teej do nirjal fasting .. the one day I blindly follow what my heart tells me to do .. this if for our love, better future .. better health .. in a cotton silk neon green beauty with golden and hot pink border saree .. got a lot of compliments for us the sindoor from Bihar area often starts from the nose tip on these special festive occasions like teej etc. Get a glimpse of that in the group pics

Quiz - Now is this tradition of culture ?

The Red Saree & Me… A Little Bit of Bollywood, A Lot of Auspiciousness

 

The Red Saree & Me… A Little Bit of Bollywood, A Lot of Auspiciousness

Some colors are beautiful. And then there is RED — a color that carries a little bit of magic, tradition, love, and शुभता.

Draping a red saree always feels like stepping into a beautiful Bollywood moment…

a little Madhuri, a little Raveena, a little Karishma… and of course, a whole lot of ME!

But beyond the glamour, red has always held a special place in our traditions.

It symbolizes love, strength, prosperity, celebration, and new beginnings.

So today, I’m wearing these six yards not just as an outfit, but as a little reminder to welcome good energy, happiness, abundance, and beautiful moments into life.

Because perhaps the best part of growing older is realizing…

You don’t need a special occasion to celebrate life. Sometimes, you ARE the occasion.

Draped in a repeat red linen silk saree gifted to me by one of my dear friends from India attending a Pooja at a dear friends Sanyukta’s place .. it was a pleasure meeting like minded friends who let you be you.. and it was awesome to meet aunty who is so passionate and full of life !!

Seattle times...

 POV: You visit your kiddo at her workplace… and suddenly YOU are the guest visiting her

Wait… wasn’t this the little girl who needed us to drop her everywhere, help set up everything and basically run her life?!

Fast forward to today.

She’s graduated, moved away, got her first full-time job, and is building her own life.

And we had given her complete freedom to choose her career path.

She chose Microsoft.

Which, btw, was once MY dream company.

So clearly, good genes.

I’ve visited the Microsoft campus before for work.

But this time was different.

No client meeting.

No work agenda.

No PowerPoint.

No negotiations..

Just Ria’s mom visiting Microsoft.

We walked around the gorgeous campus, checked out the cafeterias, lounges, conference rooms, coffee spots… basically did the official “Mom’s Microsoft Tour.”

And yes, I carried my silk half-and-half saree specifically for the occasion.

Because apparently Microsoft + Mom + Saree = important cultural delegation.

But the real plot twist was way before when she left for Seattle ..

She didn’t ask us to drop her ..

Didn’t ask us to help set up her apartment.

Instead:

“Please Come see me in three months. By then I’ll be settled and I can properly entertain you.”

Ummm… EXCUSE ME?

Since when did the kiddo become the host?!

And then came her AI infused ChatGPT + Claude-generated Seattle itinerary.

Pike Place. Local food. Coffee. Crescent Lake. Water views.. City buzz. Quiet corners. Redmond’s largest Ganpati ..

She made sure we saw Seattle through HER eyes.

And somewhere between Microsoft and Seattle, it hit me…

We spent years preparing her to live independently.

And now she actually is.

The little girl who once needed us for everything is now confidently saying,

“I’ve got this. You just come visit.”

That feeling? A little surreal. A little bittersweet. And honestly…one of the best parts of being a parent.

And yes… i was going to wear a saree to Microsoft. Some traditions are non-negotiable. And she knew it and loved me more for doing it !!!