Protestant Textuality and the Tamil Modern: Political Oratory and the Social Imaginary in South Asia

Protestant Textuality and the Tamil Modern explores how speech and storytelling have united communities and mobilized movements in Tamil-speaking South India over the last three centuries, charting the development of political oratory and its influence on society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 17 August 2021
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Throughout history, the power of speech and storytelling has been instrumental in uniting communities and driving social change. In the context of Tamil-speaking South India, the study of Protestant Textuality and the Tamil Modern delves into this captivating phenomenon, exploring how political oratory has evolved and influenced society over the past three centuries. Bernard Bate, the author of this insightful work, begins by tracing the origins of the sermonic genre when Protestant missionaries introduced it to the region. He then takes the reader on a journey, showcasing how this genre underwent local vernacularization, transforming from a religious discourse into a powerful tool for galvanizing support for new social imaginaries.

From the struggle for Indian independence to the rise of Tamil nationalism, political oratory played a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of the region. Bate's meticulous archival research complements his narrative, providing a rich tapestry of historical evidence. The book is a collaborative effort, completed by a team of Bate's colleagues, who bring together expertise in linguistic anthropology, performance studies, and political history. This interdisciplinary approach sheds light on new geographies of belonging in the modern era, challenging traditional notions of identity and power.

Protestant Textuality and the Tamil Modern offers a valuable contribution to the field of cultural studies, providing a deep understanding of the intersection of language, politics, and identity. It demonstrates how the spoken word can be used as a catalyst for social transformation, and how narratives can shape the course of history. This book will be of interest to scholars, students, and anyone who seeks to explore the complex dynamics of language, culture, and power in South India and beyond.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503628656