Encyclopedia of Asian Culture

This is the first reference work of its kind about the vast, multi-hued panorama of Asian cultures which have a history dating back to thousands of years before Christ. The book contains 206 articles written by renowned scholars of Asia, specialists in their respective fields. The countries covered in this encyclopedia include Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The book portrays Asian culture through the ages in all its aspects–political organisation, social life, economic conditions, education and literature, art and architecture and religious and spiritual beliefs. Organised in thirteen parts, the topics covered range from birth and marriage customs to dress customs and traditions, houses, agrarian rituals and festivals, women in Asian villages, folk traditions, folk dances and folk theatre, music and performing arts, cinema, traditional sports and games, textiles and embroidery and myths and superstitions. It is rounded off with a section on the wondrous monuments of the region, standing testimonials of the civilizations which lived and flourished in these lands. This encyclopedia also highlights the several close cultural similarities among people of Asia. A notable example is Buddhism which continues as a living religion in many parts of Asia. Similarly, the two great Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata remain popular and influential in almost all the South East Asian countries. The Angkor temples, too, are an amazing example of the creative synthesis of different cultures. Even as the way of life and means of livelihood change with times, the essence of culture lives on in the knowledge, beliefs, art, values, the way of life and customs of a people. Encyclopedia of Asian Culture is a work of abiding reference value and offers a unique understanding of the rich and vibrant culture of the Asian peoples.