Wikipedia defines culture as “The arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively”. The word culture has been derived from Latin word ‘cultura’, meaning cultivation.  In 18^th or 19^th century, the word culture was used in Europe to refer a process of cultivation or improvement. Later in the 19^th century, the term evolved and started being used for referring betterment or refinement of the society and, then to fulfillment of national ideals or aspirations. In 20^th century, it finally emerged as an important concept in anthropology describing the human related phenomena that cannot be considered genetically inherited. It is an attribute referring to members of groups. Culture is always transmitted by the society not by an individual.

The definition may seem very difficult to understand but the meaning of culture is not that difficult. As in the definition, we are referring to arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement; we are talking about the creative side of human nature. When we are referring to a country’s culture, we will be referring to the reflection of country on its various art forms. Now, the art is a vast subject, it may define the dance, music and food related to the country.  Culture can be used to define the food that is eaten, how that food is prepared, etc. in general context to a particular society. Culture helps in sharing knowledge by a relatively large group of people. Culture also indicates the art and manners that are favoured by a group. It is basically the sharing of values and knowledge by a society. When a major portion of the society adopts the knowledge and carries out the activities accordingly, it is considered to be a part of the culture.

The most important thing to differentiate between them is to consider that, if the beliefs and behaviors have been forwarded from the previous generation to the next  generation, then it is considered a tradition otherwise not, whereas culture reflects the beliefs, governments, and ways of life that makes a community distinct from the other. It is important to note that the word ‘traditional culture’ is used to describe the culture that has retained the traditional values. Culture can be traditional or modern. A modern culture is just opposite to traditional. It does not focus much on the values and beliefs of earlier generations whereas, it deals with the modern thought process.

Traditions and culture forms the identification of a particular society. Traditional activities always reconnect us with the past, whereas the culture defines the attributes of a particular society at a particular time and place. Both traditions and culture are in danger due to rate of modernization. The traditions are getting extinct and the culture is not getting preserved much in terms of arts. Thus, important measures are required to keep the traditions alive and enrich the culture.