Religion, Performances, and Democracy: Challenges to Cultural Freedom in South Asia (1940s-Present) (Routledge Advances in Theatre & Performance Studies)

Religion, Performances, and Democracy examine how religion has profoundly influenced the socio-political and cultural landscape of South Asia, shaping identities, public and private spaces, and social relationships over centuries. This book delves into the intricate intersections of religion, politics, and performing arts across South Asia from the 1940s onward-a pivotal era marking the transition from colonial subjugation to independence.It explores how religiosity, competitive devotionalism, and the warped notions of secularism have impacted democratic ideals and cultural idioms in post-colonial nation-states.Through critical analysis, the volume examines how performing arts-both mainstream and alternative-have navigated these turbulent waters, occasionally challenging religious animosity yet remaining constrained by structural limitations.Drawing on themes of gender, communalism, and cultural politics, the book situates performances within broader discourses of power, identity, and