Essay written for Korea Contest by my Daughter
Tasty Korean noodles, beautiful city of Seoul, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Gagnam style dance, dad’s Samsung smartphone, mom’s LG washing machine, and our Hyundai car strike me when I hear Korea. Korea is twined with my life!!! I Googled further and came across facts about establishment of Kim dynasty by an Indian Princess from Ayodhya, spreading of Buddhism by monks who travelled from India. I further found many more facts to prove pre-historic relations between countries:-
- Korean
language has so many words present in Tamil. Ex: AMMA, APPA.
- The
Hangeul alphabetical system has no clear demarcation between “Cha” - “Jha”,
“Pa”- “Bha”, “Ga” - “Ka” similar to Tamil.
- The
traditional dance of Korea Grand Drum resembles Tamilnadu dance–Thappattam.
- Mountain
gods San-Sin and Muruga are worshipped in Korea and Tamilnadu respectively.
- Tamilnadu
Pandiya dynasty coins minted with two beautiful fishes resembles Korean coins.
- Transformations
between animals and humans is common in both country’s religions. Ex:
Jambavathi, bear women.
- Both
countries have bright yellow summer fruits (pear and mango) as national fruits
and tigers as national animal.
- Both
follow lunar calendar and align traditional activities to it.
- Women have
large ear lobes due to wearing of heavy rings and practice of lifting heavy
stone to test strength of men prevail in both countries.
- Arranged
marriages are common and parents seek the words of fortune teller. People do
not marry with same family name, similar to Gothra in India.
- Korean’s
staple food is steamed rice along with number of colorful side dishes (vegetables
and meat) similar to Indians.
- Korean
women tie their hair in a braid till marriage and put a knot similar to Indian
women after marriage.
- Family
structure in both countries is similar. Elders are respected. Elder son takes
leadership role.
- Both Koreans
and Indians are hard-working, workaholic, caring, sharing, creative,
imaginative and talented.
We students of India and Korea
would strengthen our relationship and work together for a better tomorrow.
