Sanskritization at large: Cultural changes in contemporary India

The political rise of Backward Classes and Dalits, rising political consciousness and pride in one's caste, shaping of competitiveness among the caste groups and attempts by the Hindutva movement to integrate caste groups invites revisiting sanskritization. The specification of sanskritization...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Indian anthropologist 2013-07, Vol.43 (2), p.1-24
Main Author: Upadhyay, Surya Prakash
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Caste identity
Caste system
Cultural customs
Gurus
Hinduism
Hindus
Indian culture
Middle class
Political power
Religious rituals
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Summary:The political rise of Backward Classes and Dalits, rising political consciousness and pride in one's caste, shaping of competitiveness among the caste groups and attempts by the Hindutva movement to integrate caste groups invites revisiting sanskritization. The specification of sanskritization in terms of 'emulation of cultural goods of upper castes by the low castes' needs to be considered adequately. It is observed that 'sanskritic' culture propagated by modern spiritual gurus is also being followed by upper-caste Hindus, each trying to refine their respective culture through personality enhancement and spiritual engagement. This too could be described within the concept of sanskritization. However, the concept needs to be analysed and redefined to understand the dynamics of cultural change in contemporary India.
ISSN:0970-0927