What is culture? Is there any precise definition? We come across the use of this word very indiscriminately. To a large section of the people it represents a broad spectrum of artistic and literary activities. It is not that easy to bring out the complete significance of the term and the complex set of concepts, so elusive and yet so tangible, which it represents. But it is highly important to identify the cultural activities, their roles and the institutional mechanism which can stimulate and facilitate the cultural endeavours of the highest quality. Let us not forget that it is culture which differentiates and distinguishes us form other creatures in the process of evolution.
In our society people are involved in their social existence in diverse range of creative activities
which can be broadly classified into two heads. The first category of activities relate to the production of goods of utility for physical use and consumption and these serve to fulfill our utilitarian wants and needs and the second category of activities pertain to the generation of cultural products in the form of artefacts, literature, painting, music and so on representing beauty, social ideas and moral values. Both these activities are the direct outcomes of our intimate interactions with nature and society acting as the medium. It is evident that the creative activities of the second category provide both the individual and the community with the poise necessary to sustain society by providing necessary energy. An individual may be involved in reflective and cultural at the same time in the generation of material values.
Thus it can be observed the term “culture” is comprehensive enough to encompass diverse creative activities like literature, visual and performing art and various forms of self-expression by the individuals, specialist or by communities which give a sense of purpose to human existence and at the same time these provide the reflective poise and spiritual energy so important to the development of a mature society.
