About the book
In Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds, Joyce Burkhalter Flueckiger analyzes the agency of materiality—the ability of materials to have an effect on both humans and deities—beyond human intentions. Using materials from three regions where Flueckiger conducted extensive fieldwork, she begins with Indian understandings of the agency of ornaments that have the desired effects of protecting women and making them more auspicious. Subsequent chapters bring in examples of materiality that are agentive beyond human intentions, from a south Indian goddess tradition where female guising transforms the aggressive masculinity of men who wear saris, braids, and breasts to the presence of cement images of Ravana in Chhattisgarh, which perform alternative theologies and ideologies to those of dominant textual traditions of the Ramayana epic. Deeply ethnographic and accessibly written, Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds expands our understanding of material agency as well as the parameters of religion more broadly.
Editions of Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781438480114
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781438480121
- PDF
- ISBN 9781438480138
Read an Excerpt
In Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds, Joyce Burkhalter Flueckiger analyzes the agency of materiality—the ability of materials to have an effect on both humans and deities—beyond human intentions. Using materials from three regions where Flueckiger conducted extensive fieldwork, she begins with Indian understandings of the agency of ornaments that have the desired effects of protecting women and making them more auspicious. Subsequent chapters bring in examples of materiality that are agentive beyond human intentions, from a south Indian goddess tradition where female guising transforms the aggressive masculinity of men who wear saris, braids, and breasts to the presence of cement images of Ravana in Chhattisgarh, which perform alternative theologies and ideologies to those of dominant textual traditions of the Ramayana epic. Deeply ethnographic and accessibly written, Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds expands our understanding of material agency as well as the parameters of religion more broadly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds about?
In Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds, Joyce Burkhalter Flueckiger analyzes the agency of materiality—the ability of materials to have an effect on both humans and deities—beyond human intentions. Using materials from three regions where Flueckiger conducted extensive fieldwork, she begins with Indian understandings of the agency of ornaments that have the desired effects of protecting women and making them more auspicious. Subsequent chapters bring in examples of materiality that are agentive beyond human intentions, from a south Indian goddess tradition where female guising transforms the aggressive masculinity of men who wear saris, braids, and breasts to the presence of cement images of Ravana in Chhattisgarh, which perform alternative theologies and ideologies to those of dominant textual traditions of the Ramayana epic. Deeply ethnographic and accessibly written, Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds expands our understanding of material agency as well as the parameters of religion more broadly.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds?
Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs > Hinduism
Where can I read a sample of Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781438480114
How long is Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds and how many pages does it have?
Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds has 206 page(s)
Is Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series SUNY Press Open Access
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds?
Joyce Burkhalter Flueckiger
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781438480114) and paperback(ISBN 9781438480121) and pdf(ISBN 9781438480138)
Where can I buy Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds from below
Where can I buy Material Acts in Everyday Hindu Worlds?