Ways to learn more about art & culture

In the Indian society, there’s often a large emphasis placed on math and science, while less importance is placed on the arts and culture. While math and science are certainly important, the arts should receive equal recognition. If you and your family are interested in learning more about art history and culture, follow these tips.

ENROLL IN ART CLASSES Art classes can be advantageous for the whole family. For kids, taking an interest in the quest for expressions for a few hours every week can prompt to expanded levels of bliss and enhanced scholastic execution. For grown-ups, partaking in art classes gives an escape from an unpleasant workday and the chance to work towards self-change. Regardless of whether you're keen on a specific kind of art or you're just in it for the fun, these classes can be fun and instructive for the entire family. Depending on your interests and your budget, consider group or private art classes.

LEARN A SECOND LANGUAGE

Many Indians are only able to speak their native language and English; If you’re hoping to branch out and learn more about other cultures, learning a new language is one of the best ways to do this. If you have a trip scheduled to visit another country, it’s never too late to start learning the language. While it’s true that it’s easier to learn a new language as a child, adults can learn another language through hard work and dedication. Whether you choose to use a program like Duolingo or enroll in a foreign language class at a local college, you’ll benefit from becoming multilingual.

TRAVEL AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN

If you’ve never been outside your home state, let alone out of the country, it’s time to start setting aside travel funds. For inexperienced travelers, start small and visit a state that’s much different from your own. You might be amazed by how different the culture is just a few kilometres away. For instance, if you live in a small town in North India, you’ll likely be surprised by the diverse culture in Mumbai. Once you’ve experienced different cultures within your own country, traveling to other countries should be next on your to-do list.

START TRYING DIFFERENT CUISINES

To learn more about other cultures and break out of your comfort zone, start learning about and trying different cuisines. If you’re interested in learning more about new food, start small by researching different options online and finding something that sounds intriguing. Even if the dish doesn’t sound particularly appetizing, it’s always worth a try. You never know—you might be surprised by how much you enjoy cuisine from another state or even a country.

VISIT ART GALLERIES

To encourage art appreciation and increase your knowledge of art from different eras and countries, visit art galleries whenever time allows. Research popular art galleries in your area and overseas and write down a list of those that are most appealing. For example, if you know that you’d like to take a trip to Amsterdam to study Van Gogh's artwork, The Van Gogh Museum should definitely be on your to-do list. The Museum houses the world's largest collection of Van Gogh paintings, alongside drawings & letters.

STUDY THE ARTS AT HOME

Are you interested in contemporary art, or are you fascinated by architecture in different cities? No matter where your interests lie, there are countless books available for you to engage in and share with your friends and family. Spend some time browsing your favorite bookstore or library and take home a new book that interests you each week. To immerse yourself in arts and history, start by picking up a good book. By the time you’re ready to visit a new country or walk into an art gallery, you’ll be leaps and bounds ahead of where you’d be without the aid of educational books.

All in all, you will learn abundance about art through language, food, traditions, history and mythology & your knowledge will be unfathomable by the layman.

#art #culture #srishti