Culture, State and the Rediscovery of Indian Politics

Culture, State and the Rediscovery of Indian Politics Ashis Nandy The relationship between culture and the state may be viewed in two ways. One is to look for the means by which culture can be made to contribute to the sustenance and growth of the state. Elements of culture which help strengthen the state are seen as good; those which do not help the proper functioning of the state or hinder its growth are seen as defective. The second way of looking at the relationship between culture and the state is to do so from the stand-point of culture. This approach may regard the state as a protector, an internal critic or a thermostat for culture, but not as the ultimate pace-setter for the society's way of life.