India’s culture and its valuable teachings in renowned all over the world. From greeting strangers with folded palms to seeking blessings of elders by touching their feet, people have followed these traditions for thousands of years and continue to do so. In the last century or so, these traditions have crossed continents and inspired many in the West. But today, the advent of social media is changing how we see and share those traditions, with one of the best examples being shooting reels and clicking photographs everywhere we go. This article looks at how social media’s presence is shaping the way children learn these values and how adults are applying them in their daily lives. No doubt that people still follow and remember old customs, but whether that emotional factor still plays a role is a matter of question.

India’s Rich Cultural Heritage

India’s culture is like a divine thread connecting millions and billions of people across languages, regions, and religions, showing love, respect, and gratitude not only to humans but also to animals and plants. From treating guests as God to throwing feasts on special occasions, and from keeping grains and water for animals to thanking the rain Gods during the time of harvest, these customs try to unite all matter in this universe till the last atom! These centuries-old traditions have been passed down through stories, rituals, festivals, food, and small daily habits. Even how you begin your morning by thanking the Almighty for being able to see another dawn is a part of this marvelous culture!

But today, social media has created both connection and confusion. While the older generations find it a medium of learning and spreading new traditions, the younger generation finds it as a medium to showboat the fact that they are still holding onto their customs in this age of modernity. Traditions that were once taught by parents and grandparents are now being learnt through reels and posts. India’s culture is still strong, but the way we experience and pass it on is evolving.

Tradition Meets Technology

In earlier times (in fact, till just a few decades back), cultural traditions were passed down nicely and slowly. For eg, a grandmother taught her grandchild to listen to their parents, help them in daily chores, and how to thank nature was its gifts, while the grandfather narrated stories of virtuous and chivalrous personalities who left their mark in history. The father made his child sit in festivals and rituals and allowed the child to observe and learn how things are done. The mother, on the other hand, taught her child how to sympathize, stand for what is right, and show kindness and love. These weren’t just family classes going on, but moments of emotion, trust, and bonding, which encouraged children to grow up to be good humans. Even you must have heard the phrase, ‘All I want to be is a good person,’ which most people use today as well.

Today, technology has changed all that. A YouTube video will show you how to tie a saree; an Instagram reel will teach you the history of tying Rakhi; a Facebook post will inform you of the upcoming festival in the country, and finally, a 100-week streak on Snapchat will let you know about different holy places you can visit. Online platforms have indeed made it easier to share and spread traditions, but they are also making it harder to feel their depth. With meanings of rituals, customs, and festivals being lost behind hashtags and filters, we often scroll through quickly without ever experiencing the culture. Technology isn’t bad, but keeping the soul of our customs alive in its presence is becoming challenging.

Social Media’s Influence on Tradition

As with everything else in this universe, social media’s influence on how Indians continue to follow their traditions has both advantages and disadvantages.

Positive Impact

1. Content, especially in the form of videos and reels, has helped bring back folk dances, traditional food recipes, handicrafts, and lost sites of importance
2. Diaspora Indians learn about their traditions through social media, helping them stay connected to their roots even from far away.
3. Social media promotes these traditions among people of different religions. For eg, Raksha Bandhan is now celebrated with chosen siblings and friends, and not just with people connected by blood. Many foreigners from different religions are acknowledging the value that Indian traditions carry and are implementing them in their daily lives. For eg, after the Covid-19 pandemic, the world shifted from handshakes to greeting with folded palms, being inspired by the same Indian tradition.
4. These ancient traditions are being spread with a tinge of modernity. For eg, creators remix classical music and bhajans with contemporary styles, attracting younger audiences while preserving musical heritage.

Negative Impact

1. Rituals that carry deep meaning are often shown as 1-minute YouTube shorts with music and filters. The focus on visuals overshadows the reason behind the practice.
2. Many users listen to the reel, think for a few seconds, and then scroll away to the next content. This leads to minimal importance being given to traditions that otherwise carry spiritual importance.
3. Weddings, pilgrimages, festivals, and other special occasions are depicted with great pomp and show, making it a glamorous show with fashion walks and photo shoots where emphasis is laid on the decoration and dress worn and not on values like modesty and simplicity. Prayer and cooking prasad are quiet moments where the soul remains in peace, and we try to connect with God. But now these moments are being filmed and shared, making them a formality and public stunt.
4. Sometimes, seeing others’ traditions and rituals often builds barriers based on comparison and pride for one’s traditions. Some people often promote these traditions without reading about them in depth, which can lead to intolerance and cultural policing.

Conclusion

 Social media is increasingly becoming a big part of people’s lives, influencing almost everything beyond traditions as well. On one hand, it brings back forgotten traditions and gives voice to marginalised communities. However, it also changes how and why rituals are conducted and the significance they carry. As we move forward, it's important to enjoy these platforms while also respecting the importance of our age-old customs. Culture is more than what we post; it's what we live, learn, and pass on with heart.

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