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Asian Communities

Indian Community

Indian Community in Hamilton | General Information about India

Indian Community in Hamilton

  • Population in Hamilton:

    Many thousands

  • History of immigration:

    Immigration to Canada started approximately 60 years ago.

  • Major Languages:

    Hindi, Punjabi, Marhati, English.

  • Major Religions:

    Hinduism, Buddism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Zoroastrean, Sikh.

Common Foods

Pee quorma Pee quorma Jambalaya Jambalaya Meal Meal Rice and chickpeas Rice and chickpeas Samosas Samosas

Typical Indian meals include: Basmati Rice, Dal (green beans) Subji (spicy vegetables) Roti (flat bread) Lassie (milkshake) Ladhu (milk sweets).

Traditional Clothing

Indian sari Indian sari Womens clothing Womens clothing Lehnga linkbar Lehnga linkbar

Clothing for women consists of Sari (silk dress), Nose ring, and Bracelets and anklets. Clothing for women consists of Kurta (cotton shirt) Dhoti (skirt like garment). Children's clothing is the same as that of the adults.

Indian dress varies according to religion, social status, etc. India has a large number of monks and seekers of truth, most of whom wear orange as a sign of renunciation. Women's dresses are traditionally very brightly colored, but if a woman's husband dies, she wears only white. India houses many different religions, and each group has a different manner of dressing.

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Art and Culture

  • Major sport activities:

    Cricket

  • Art Festivals:

    The Rathayatra is Toronto's annual two-day parade, which attracts as many as 50 000 participants and onlookers. It takes place in mid July and is organized by ISKCON Toronto.

  • Theatre:

    Indian theatre productions are usually on religious topics, such as the Ramayana or the Srimad Bhagavatam.

  • Music:

    India has a large movie industry (Bollywood) and movie songs are extremely popular. A. Rahman is one of the most popular pop composers. Other popular music is classical and religious.

  • Dance:

    Folk dance. India has some of the most intricate dances in the world, incorporating hand and eye movements.

  • Literature:

    Rabindrath Tagore, Osho, J. Krishnamurti.

  • Visual Arts:

    Rabindrath Tagore is a famous painter. Indian art revolves around animals, landscapes, and religious imagery.

  • Archaeological / Cultural sites:

    The Ganges river, The Himalaya mountains, as well as many historically important cities.

  • Musical Instruments:

    Sitar, Tamboura, Tabla, Flute

Sitar Sitar Bamboo flute Bamboo flute Santur Santur Tablas Tablas Rudraveena Rudraveena

  • Indian Community in Hamilton:

  • Hamilton's Musicians:

    Neeraj Prem

  • Ethnic businesses in Hamilton:

    restaurants and stores.

  • Major occupations of the community's members:

    Store Owners, Engineers, Doctors, Computer Professionals, Taxi Drivers.

  • Areas of residence of the community's members in Hamilton:

    East Hamilton and Stoney Creek.

  • Community Organizations/Associations in Hamilton:

    A Hindu temple in east Hamilton.

General Information about India

  • Location:

    Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan

  • Climate:

    Varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north

  • Capital City:

    Delhi

  • Policy and legislature:

    Federal, Presidential republic based on civil law system.

  • Celebrations:

    Mount Arafat Day - 1 February, Eid-ul-Adha - 2 February, El am Hejir New Year - 22 February, Ashura-Muharram - 2 March, Noruz - 21 March, Loss of Muslim Nation - 28 April, Labor Day - 1 May, Prophet's Anniversary - 2 May, Vesak - 2 June, Independence Day - 19 August, Pachtun's Day - 31 August, End of Ramadan - 14 November.

  • Holidays:

    Diwali, Holi, Pongal and Dussehra and the Muslim celebration of Eid

  • Major Languages:

    The Indian constitution recognizes 23 official languages. Hindi and English are used by the Union Government of India.

  • National Symbols:

    Lotus, Peacock, Tiger

    The National Flag The National Flag

    The flag has tricolor standard, with bands of saffron, white and dark green. The saffron represents courage, sacrifice, patriotism and reunion. It is also the color of Hindu people. The green stand for faith, fertility and the hope for unity and peace. In the centre of the white band is blue a wheel with 24 pieces. This is a Ashoka Chakra or "Wheel of law". The Chakra represents the continuing progress of the nation and the importance of Justice in life. Indian flag was officially adopted on July 22 1947 (National name: Bharat)

  • National anthem:

    Jana Gana Mana ("The Minds of All People")listen

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