Hinduisation of the Vernacular: Folk Deities and Subaltern Beliefs
Significance of folk-practices A. L. Basham described India, as in truth, a land of contrasts and diversities, a great mosaic in which different elements exist side by side and yet possess a unity which pervades all its varied manifestations. ‘Culture has been referred to as man’s ‘social heritage’ and as ‘the man-made part of the […]
China’s Soft Power Strategy: A Cinematic Approach
Many superpower states use soft power strategies through cultural industries to expand their sphere of influence and hegemony, leading to the internal system’s power shifts. US soft power policies significantly contributed to establishing America’s hegemony in unipolar world order. However, the global community is witnessing a transformation towards a multipolar world order due to the […]
The Cultural and Social Dynamics of Melanesia
Introduction to Melanesian Culture and People In the words of Edward B. Tylor, Culture is that complex whole that includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. The term “Melanesian” refers to the Indigenous people of Melanesia, a region in the southwestern […]
Why do Goans have an affinity for Portuguese, while the rest of India lacks a similar connection with British
Colonialism in India was made possible, sustained, and strengthened by cultural technologies of rule as by the more obvious and brutal modes of conquest that initially established power on foreign shores. What factors enabled the British or Portuguese to rule Indian society for such an extended period? Despite the history of exploration and expropriations, why […]
A Dual Tale of Cultural Resilience & Amalgamation: The Goan Experience of Cultural Colonialism
In Nicholas B. Dirks’s words, Colonial conquest was not just the result of the power of superior arms, military organisation, political power or economic wealth as important as these things were. Colonialism was made possible and then sustained and strengthened as much by cultural technologies of rule as it was by the more obvious and […]
An animal of Controversy as well as Prosperity : Analysis of Horse’s role in Indian History
Over the past decades the field of ‘animal studies’ has emerged, running in parallel with other counter-hegemonic disciplines such as women’s studies. The academic disciplines have observed a significant shift towards incorporating animals as central subjects and utilising new sources in historical writing. It predominantly resides within the realm of social or socio-environmental history. Animals […]
Understanding Matrilineal System : A detailed Analysis of a near Utopian Society
In today’s world, kinship remains a cornerstone of social organization, defining roles and relationships within families based on established rules and principles. Predominantly, societies operate under a patriarchal system, where men hold primary power and inheritance is passed down through the male line. This patriarchal structure is seen as the norm in many cultures, influencing […]
TD Explains: Hellenistic influence on Gandhara Art
India’s art is more original and more varied and her forms of civilisation present an ever-changing variety, such are nowhere else to be found. India is a living entity. India is a complete cosmos in itself. India’s west, having one door of communication, across the Indus, was open to the outer world. Across that stream, […]
Sanskritization and Social Mobility: Why Does Forbidden Fruit Always Taste better?
Sanskritization is a specific term used in the context of Indian society, akin to that of acculturation. First appeared in the work of MN Srinivas, “Religion and Society among the Coorgs of South India”, it refers to a process wherein the members of the lower strata of the society tries to emulate the practices of […]
Since when did Indian women start wearing Blouse: A Sociological Perspective
Human cultures evolved through a continuous exchange of ideas, belief, habits, and forms. Dressing habits in particular constitute a fertile plain in which this exchange takes place. The traditional attire evolved over centuries, reflecting religion, ethnicity, geography, cultures, climates as well as communities in India. This essay paints a picture of clothing during the colonial […]