Elite culture is the culture of the educated, aristocratic and wealthy people. It is also called high culture. Until few decades ago there were distinct two types of cultures in India.

One was high culture and second, that of the common peasant class, which was known as folk culture. The elite culture revolved around fine arts, literature and classical music.

The peasants had their folk culture, which consisted of street carnivals, public drinking, and singing and the telling of folk tales. Although people who participated in the elite culture could also enjoy folk culture, the reverse was not true.