Characteristics of the cultural personality of Indians in the North and South of India

Abstract

Recognised globally as one of the most ancient and geographically vast epicenters of human civilisation, India possesses an immensely rich cultural heritage. Although considerable academic attention has been devoted to investigating the general effects of Indian culture on the diverse cultures within Southeast Asia, a significant lacuna remains within the existing body of scholarship. Specifically, there is a conspicuous deficiency of academic articles or dedicated works that precisely clarify and differentiate the distinct cultural influences stemming separately from the northern and southern sectors of the Indian subcontinent on Southeast Asian nations. Therefore, this article seeks to bridge this knowledge gap. By strategically utilising established theories pertaining to cultural ecology, the concept of cultural regions, and cultural typology, and employing a rigorous comparative method combined with an interdisciplinary framework and qualitative data synthesis and analysis, this study aims to illuminate the fundamental causes and key characteristics underpinning the cultural differences between northern and southern India. In doing so, it provides essential reference materials indispensable for future scholarly investigations focused on discerning the divergent influences originating from these two major Indian cultural zones on the multifaceted cultures across Southeast Asia.