Modern Hinduism in Text and Context - by Lavanya Vemsani (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Modern Hinduism in Text and Context brings together textual and contextual approaches to provide a holistic understanding of modern Hinduism. It examines new sources - including regional Saiva texts, Odissi dance and biographies of Nationalists - and discusses topics such as yoga, dance, visual art and festivals in tandem with questions of spirituality and ritual.

The book addresses themes and issues yet to receive in-depth attention in the study of Hinduism. It shows that Hinduism endures not only in texts, but also in the context of festivals and devotion, and that contemporary practice, devotional literature, creative traditions and ethics inform the intricacies of a religion in context.

Lavanya Vemsani draws on social scientific methodologies as well as history, ethnography and textual analysis, demonstrating that they are all part of the toolkit for understanding the larger framework of religion in the context of emerging nationhood, transnational and transcultural interactions.

Review Quotes

"Lavanya Vemsani, the editor, is to be commended for bringing together such a strong collection of essays, that will certainly serve as a useful reference work for many years to come." --Reading Religion

"The collection is well organized and highly engaging. It provides an ideal balance between the classical and the modern Hindu world. Without exception, the essays are well written and thought provoking. It makes and important contribution to Hindu Studies." --Sushil Mittal, Professor of Hindu Studies, James Madison University, USA

"Modern Hinduism in Text and Context offers an interdisciplinary, wide angle view into 20th century forms of Hinduism. Examining media, dance, state politics in Tamil Nadu, sacred groves in Nepal, councils of women religious in Rajasthan and other topics, this collection emphasizes the local nature of Hinduism, while acknowledging the ongoing "classical" influences of Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, and the Mother." --Christopher Key Chapple, Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology, Loyola Marymount University, USA

"Modern Hinduism in Text and Context by Lavanya Vemsani's provides a truly multilayered or multifaceted account of Hinduism in various regions of the world. The book helps cut through the often mythical aspects that get portrayed in various times and places as identities, ideologies devotional practices and get linked to gender, national and spiritual notions. By depicting the experiences of practicing Hinduism in some eastern and western country's it emphasizes the variety of ways which are essential to the understanding of Modern Hinduism in text and contextual specificities. Drawing upon the significant sources and carefully examined empirical evidence the book amplifies the way modern Hinduism evolves and is practiced the way it does at a time when the Hinduism is in a state of considerable rethinking. The work is very refreshing and offers a range of perspectives that show how the reality is uncovered only after we breakdown the surfaces of appearances. Professor Lavanya vemsani's contribution is a major new contribution in the study of India's Hindu religious tradition." --Rattan Lal Hangloo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Allahabad, University of Allahabad, India

"Modern Hinduism in Text and Context approaches this field of study in a new and exciting way. Written by a range of eminent scholars, it explores several areas that I have not seen elsewhere. By focusing its attention on modern regional text and context (including Nepal) and working thematically across groups of chapters, it provides the reader with an original and stimulating understanding of this complex field of study." --Lynn Foulston, Course Leader in Religious Studies, University of South Wales, UK

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