Televising Religion in India: An Anthropological Reading

This book explores how religion manifests itself in television, focusing on how religious traditions, practices, and discourses have been incorporated into non-religious programs and how they bring the community and media into the fold of religion. It traces the cultural and institutional history of television in Sikkim, India, and analyses three televised shows that captured the community's imagination and became ceremonial and religious engagement. It also examines the engagement of televised religion with audiences, its reach, relevance, and contents, and its relationship with urbanity, tradition, and identity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 18 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the fascinating realm of how religion manifests itself on television, shedding light on the intricate ways in which religious traditions, practices, and discourses have seamlessly integrated into non-religious programming. By exploring the profound impact of this integration on both the community and the media, the author offers a comprehensive examination of the role that television plays in shaping religious experiences and perceptions.

The volume begins by tracing the cultural and institutional history of television in the state of Sikkim, India, providing a rich backdrop for understanding how it became an integral part of the local communities' cultural life. Through meticulous analysis, the author uncovers the ways in which television has become a powerful medium for ritual and religious engagement, reshaping the very fabric of traditional institutions and practices.

In order to illustrate the profound effects of televised religion, the author selects three televised shows that have captured the imagination of the community and become deeply ceremonial and religious in nature. Through in-depth case studies, he highlights the ways in which these shows function as powerful agents of cultural transmission, reinforcing and transforming identities based on religion, cultural tradition, and politics. The author also delves into the complex interplay between televised religion and audiences, examining the extent to which it reaches, resonates, and impacts viewers.

Furthermore, the book explores the relationship between televised religion and urbanity, tradition, and identity, shedding light on the ways in which these factors shape and influence the way in which religion is experienced and expressed on television. The volume concludes by offering valuable insights into the future of televised religion, discussing the potential challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as the medium continues to evolve and adapt to the changing social and cultural landscape.

This comprehensive volume is a must-read for students and researchers in the fields of media and communication studies, cultural studies, religious studies, sociology, cultural anthropology, and history. It provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between religion, television, and society, offering valuable insights into the ways in which these forces shape and influence one another.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367757533