DOCSLIB.ORG

Observed Throughout the Country with Due Solemnity

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Observed Throughout the Country with Due Solemnity Volume 49 No. 18 Organ of the SOCIALIST UNITY CENTRE OF INDIA (COMMUNIST) 8 Pages May 1, 2016 Founder Editor-in-Chief : COMRADE SHIBDAS GHOSH Price : Rs. 2.00 Long Live Historic May Day 68th Foundation Anniversary of May Day proclaims the checkered one, dating back to May international fraternity and solidarity 1, 1886, when industrial workers SUCI(C) observed throughout of the toiling people of the world. Its across USA went on strike across true observance lies in the renewed the country, with the demand of 8 the country with due solemnity resolve of working class to continue hour working day instead of the SUCI (Communist), the genuine Indian national bourgeoisie whose the struggle unitedly for achieving gruelling 12-16 hours. Their demand communist party on Indian soil, was aim was to usurp all the fruits of and preserving their legitimate rights was met with brutal repression of founded 69 years back by Comrade freedom movements and grab power – and take pledge to fight not only the state machinery, including Shibdas Ghosh, an outstanding from the British imperialists through against the exploitation of capitalism indiscriminate police firing on Marxist thinker in the post-Lenin compromise. He further realized wreaking havoc on their life and peacefully demonstrating workers in period, on this historic day of 24 that this great betrayal to the people tens of thousands in was going to take Haymarket Square, place since there was Chicago, and public no genuine communist execution of 4 Union party who could by leaders, while others way of correct and got life term. concrete application However, the of the science of impact of this Marxism-Leninism on struggle of the the then Indian workers reverberated condition foil this not only across USA conspiracy of the but Europe too. This aspirant Indian Comrade Manik Mukherjee, Member, Polit Bureau, was also borne out Comrade Ranjit Dhar, veteran Member, Polit Bureau, bourgeoisie and lead SUCI(C), hoisting the Red Flag at the by the countless SUCI(C) offering red salute to Comrade Shibdas the freedom struggle Central Party Office, Kolkata on May Day Ghosh at Party’s Central Office in Kolkata on 24 demonstrations on the to its logical April morning living but also to intensify the day of 1 May to remember the April. Misery, oppression and culmination. Once he grasped this struggle to liberate mankind from the martyrs in the following years. The repression of the common Indians in truth, he took upon himself the grip of capitalism and open the path red flag proudly carried by the British imperialist rule stirred historic task of building a real of all round progress for human working class owes its origin to this Comrade Shibdas Ghosh so much communist party based on Leninist civilization. Today more than ever incident – the workers’ flag even when he was in his early teens model premised on the science of there is crying need of the workers drenched with martyr’s blood. It that he made it a mission of his life formation of a proletarian throughout the world to close their became the symbol of their resolve, to wipe away the tears of the revolutionary party. He made no ranks in international solidarity, as courage and revolutionary audacity. suffering countrymen. So he was mistake in understanding that the one by one their hard-earned rights And in 1889, under the leadership of initiated into the fold of the party going by the name Communist achieved through decades of great Engels, the Second uncompromising revolutionary trend Party of India did not develop working class struggle across the International decided to observe of anti-imperialist freedom struggle following the Leninist model and globe are being relentlessly curtailed, May Day to proclaim workers’ as a young volunteer. Right from could not assimilate the essence of and working conditions amidst ever fraternity and solidarity in the inception, Comrade Ghosh had a Marxist philosophy. So, it failed to soaring unemployment are plunging struggle for their rights. Engels also quest for truth, for unraveling truth read the situation correctly and from bad to worse, in rich and poor enjoined on the workers to take and acting in the process of truth— chalk out appropriate strategic line countries alike. pledge on this day to put an end to not subjective but scientifically befitting to that of revolutionary Time was when May Day was capitalism. And a few years later at tested objective truth. That singular proletariat. Comrade Ghosh also observed with great hope, when the the Zurich Congress he stressed: pursuit of truth spurred him on to understood that communism is the goal of emancipation of humanity “The demonstration on May First embrace Marxism-Leninism, the highest ideology of the time. Since seemed so palpably near. That was for the eight hour day must serve at philosophy based on scientifically the kernel of all great ideals of all when the socialist camp stood in full the same time as a demonstration of verified truth. While many others ages had been ingrained in their glory, shining as a beacon of hope determined will of the working class viewed Marxism just as a political higher ethical-cultural standard, and inspiration for the oppressed and to destroy class distinctions through theory, Comrade Ghosh accepted it Comrade Ghosh realized that it was exploited people of the world. The social change and thus enter on the as a life philosophy, a guide to action imperative for those who would socialist states demonstrated how in road, the only road leading to peace in every sphere of life. The truth of form the core leadership of the new a society freed from capitalist for all peoples, to international life as well as of the given time party to first acquire that higher exploitation the workers live with peace.” (History of May Day) dawning upon him, with Marxism- proletarian culture through a socialist honour and dignity at their work- Yet, after the demise of Engels Leninism acting as the beacon, he struggle covering all aspects of life place and in social life. Even in the working class movement got could realize that the glorious and in that process derive capitalist countries working class bogged down by growing economist freedom movement, the heroic uniformity of thinking, one process struggle could wrest many rights and opportunist trends within. It was struggle and sacrifice of thousands of thinking, oneness in approach and until history took an unexpected turn great Lenin who again imparted a of martyrs was not going to achieve singleness of purpose — the as revisionism got entrenched, revolutionary orientation to the May the desired objective of essential precondition for reversed direction and finally Day observance, by rallying the emancipation from all sorts of establishing ideological centralism, brought on counter-revolution in one workers in the cause of “the great exploitation, deprivation and precursor to democratic centralism, socialist state after another. struggle for freedom of all the discrimination because the the living soul of a communist party. The history of May Day is a Contd. on page 7 leadership was appropriated by the Contd. on page 4 PAGE TWO MAY 1, 2016 PROLETARIAN ERA Tamilnadu election SUCI(C) contesting to uphold genuine leftist line as against opportunistic combinations of vote-based national and regional bourgeois parties and pseudo-Marxists Along with four other states of simple fact that with passage of control inputs to and trade in the two regional bourgeois parties, the country, Tamilnadu is also time, AIADMK and DMK have agriculture. Like other states, water, DMK and AIADMK as alternative holding its Assembly elections this become virtually indistinguishable power, agricultural implements and to each other, and two, the present month. Like all other states, in from each other save and except machinery, seeds, fertilizers, AIADMK government proving itself election or not, people of Tamilnadu, name. With crisis deepening, this pesticides — all have become to be shamelessly pro-rich and anti- too, are subject to ruthless capitalist identical character of both is prohibitively expensive. Even the poor, anti-middle class, aggressive exploitation wreaking havoc in their becoming more pronounced. For the government bungles with the even vindictive, utterly corrupt, life. But, like other states, not a last two decades or so, procurement prices of agricultural inhuman and callous to people’s single burning problem of people’s governmental power alternated produce like sugarcane or paddy sufferings. This could have been a life is featuring as election issue. between these two and whenever in etc., always keeping it lower than favourable situation for genuine left Instead, the whole focus is on which power, both of them have been what farmers demand as legitimate and democratic forces to forge unity of the regional bourgeois parties, adopting same nakedly pro- ones. As per recent data from and develop people’s movements on DMK or AIADMK, would win and corporate, aggressively anti- NSSO, 82.5% of Tamilnadu their burning problems. And in form government. To recapitulate democratic anti-working people or peasants are trapped in debt burden. course of that movement, the united the history of these two Dravidian anti-peasant policies. As regards All these together are driving left forces could have provided parties sharing power between corruption, misuse of power, increasing number of peasants to people with the desired left themselves alternatively in keeping nepotism, opportunism and bankruptcy and even to suicide. alternative in elections too. In fact, at with the sinister bourgeois design of distribution of freebies to the voters, While Vijay Mallya, who owes the instance of our Party, SUCI 2-party democracy, DMK was educated or illiterate alike, to win banks Rs 9000 crores, is allowed to (Communist), an effort was initiated founded way back in 1949 by late C.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Political Aco3mxddati0n of Primqpjdial Parties
    THE POLITICAL ACO3MXDDATI0N OF PRIMQPJDIAL PARTIES DMK (India) and PAS (Malaysia) , by Y. Mansoor Marican M.Soc.Sci. (S'pore), 1971 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FL^iDlMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Department of. Political Science) We accept this thesis as conforniing to the required standard THE IJNT^RSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA November. 1976 ® Y. Mansoor Marican, 1976. In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the Head of my Department or by his representatives. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department of POLITICAL SCIENCE The University of British Columbia 2075 Wesbrook Place Vancouver, Canada V6T 1W5 ABSTRACT This study is rooted in a theoretical interest in the development of parties that appeal mainly to primordial ties. The claims of social relationships based on tribe, race, language or religion have the capacity to rival the civil order of the state for the loyalty of its citizens, thus threatening to undermine its political authority. This phenomenon is endemic to most Asian and African states. Most previous research has argued that political competition in such contexts encourages the formation of primordially based parties whose activities threaten the integrity of these states.
    [Show full text]
  • COMPARATIVE POLITICS Directorate Of
    COMPARATIVE POLITICS MA [Political Science] Second Semester POLS 802C First Semester II (POLS 702C) [ENGLISH EDITION] Directorate of Distance Education TRIPURA UNIVERSITY Reviewer Dr Nivedita Giri Assistant Professor, Jesus & Mary College, University of Delhi Authors: Dr Saidur Rahman (Unit: 1.2) © Dr. Saidur Rahman, 2016 Dr Biswaranjan Mohanty (Units: 2.2, 3.2, 4.2.2, 4.5) © Dr. Biswaranjan Mohanty, 2016 Dr Jyoti Trehan Sharma and Dr Monica M Nandi (Units: 2.6-2.6.1, 4.6) © Dr Jyoti Trehan Sharma and Dr Monica M Nandi, 2016 Vikas Publishing House (Units: 1.0-1.1, 1.3, 1.4-1.12, 2.0-2.1, 2.2.1, 2.3-2.5, 2.6.2-2.12, 3.0-3.1, 3.3-3.10, 4.0-4.2.1, 4.3-4.4, 4.7-4.11) © Reserved, 2016 Books are developed, printed and published on behalf of Directorate of Distance Education, Tripura University by Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication which is material, protected by this copyright notice may not be reproduced or transmitted or utilized or stored in any form of by any means now known or hereinafter invented, electronic, digital or mechanical, including photocopying, scanning, recording or by any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission from the DDE, Tripura University & Publisher. Information contained in this book has been published by VIKAS® Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. and has been obtained by its Authors from sources believed to be reliable and are correct to the best of their knowledge.
    [Show full text]
  • 2. Textbook Regimes: Tamil Nadu Study Report
    TEXTBOOK REGIMES a feminist critique of nation and identity state Research Team Selvam Salai V Geetha State Project Coordinator V Geetha Tara Educational Research Society Project Coordinator Dipta Bhog Nirantar CONTENTS Introduction iv Divided Loyalties 1 Being A Tamil Subject In The Indian Nation A Question of Class 55 English Teaching in Tamil Nadu Haunted by India 103 Tamil History Books and the Indian Nation Landscape and Nation 151 The Manifold Uses of Geography and Civics Acknowledgements Textbooks Analysed Research Partners iv Introduction V. Geetha We began this study with a distinct sense of doing something novel – reading school textbooks as adults proved fascinating as well as disquieting. This creative unease, though, gave way to frustration as we sifted through Tamil and English language and social science texts for gender, caste and class details and references. We were appalled by what could only be termed an eloquent silence on crucial issues, such as the partition of India, for instance in the History texts; and by the indifference to issues of discrimination and power in the Civics books. As for gender, we had not expected the books to surprise us, yet we continued to be amazed at the manner in which the books constructed their intended reader – always already male, middle class and urban. Mid-way into the study, it became clear to us, as it did to researchers from other States, that textbooks from diverse contexts were yet informed by a common pedagogic logic. They appeared to share a set of assumptions about knowledge, its function and purpose in post-independent India.
    [Show full text]
  • Paper 9 Contemporary History of India from 1947-2010
    1 DDCE/PAPER-9 Contemporary History of India from 1947-2010 By Dr. Manas Kumar Das 2 CONTENT Contemporary History of India from 1947-2010 Unit.No. Chapter Name Page No UNIT- I. The Legacy of Colonialism and National Movement : a. Political legacy of Colonialism. 3-13 b. Economic and Social Legacy of Colonialism. 14-29 c. National movements: Its significance, Value and Legacy 30-48 Unit.II. The making of the Constitution and consolidation as a new nation. a. Framing of Indian Constitution - Constituent Assembly – Draft Committee Report – declaration of Indian Constitution, Indian constitution- Basic Features and Institutions 49-74 b. The Initial Years: Process of National Consolidation and Integration of /Indian States – Role of Sardar Patel – Kashmir issue- Indo – Pak war 1948; the Linguistic Reorganization of the States, Regionalism and Regional Inequality. 75-105 UNIT – III . Political developments in India since Independence . a. Political development in India since Independence. 106-121 b. Politics in the States: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir, the Punjab Crisis. 122-144 c. The Post-Colonial Indian State and the Political Economy of Development : An Overview 145-156 d. Foreign policy of India since independence. 157-162 UNIT – IV. Socio-Economic development since independence. a. Indian Economy, 1947-1965: the Nehruvian Legacy Indian Economy, 1965-1991, Economic Reforms since 1991 and LPG 163-175 c. Land Reforms: Zamindari Abolition and Tenancy Reforms, Ceiling and the Bhoodan Movement, Cooperatives and an Overview, Agriculture Growth and the Green Revolution And Agrarian Struggles Since Independence 176-205 c. Revival and Growth of Communalism 206-215 b.
    [Show full text]
  • Kalki's Avatars
    KALKI’S AVATARS: WRITING NATION, HISTORY, REGION, AND CULTURE IN THE TAMIL PUBLIC SPHERE DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Akhila Ramnarayan. M.A. ****** The Ohio State University 2006 Approved by Dissertation Committee: Professor Chadwick Allen, Adviser Adviser Professor Debra Moddelmog, Adviser Professor James Phelan Adviser English Graduate Program ABSTRACT Challenging the English-only bias in postcolonial theory and literary criticism, this dissertation investigates the role of the twentieth-century Tamil historical romance in the formation of Indian and Tamil identity in the colonial period. I argue that Tamil Indian writer-nationalist Kalki Ra. Krsnamurti’s (1899-1954) 1944 Civakamiyin Capatam (Civakami’s Vow)—chronicling the ill-fated wartime romance of Pallava king Narasimhavarman (630-668 CE) and fictional court dancer Civakami against the backdrop of the seventh-century Pallava-Chalukya wars—exemplifies a distinct genre of interventionist literature in the Indian subcontinent. In Kalki’s hands, the vernacular novel became a means by which to infiltrate the colonial imaginary and, at the same time, to envision a Tamil India untainted by colonial presence. Charting the generic transformation of the historical romance in the Tamil instance, my study provides 1) a refutation of the inflationary and overweening claims made in postcolonial studies about South Asian nationalism, 2) a questioning of naïve binaries such as local and global, cosmopolitan and vernacular, universal and particular, traditional and modern, in examining the colonial/postcolonial transaction, and 3) a case for a less grandiose and more carefully historicized account of bourgeois nationalism than has previously been provided by postcolonial critics, accounting for its complicities with ii and resistances to discourses of nation, region, caste, and gender in the late colonial context.
    [Show full text]
  • Case Study of Conflicts in Indian Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Nagaland
    macro Minority Rights and Conflict Prevention: Case Study of Conflicts in Indian Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Nagaland By Maya Chadda India is a land of myriad ethnic, religious, caste and linguistic minorities affiliated to distinct belief systems, sub-cultures and regions. Integration of these diverse communities – some large enough to aspire to a regional homeland and others content to remain as part of the Indian state – has been a central preoccupation of Indian governments since 1947. This study explores India’s policies and practice towards minorities, and three violent ethnic conflicts: the Sikh struggle for an independent state in the Punjab region; the Kashmiri Muslim demand for the separation of the states of Jammu and Kashmir from India; and the Naga claims to an independent state of Nagalim in the north-east. While these regions have experienced turmoil, other parts of India have been peacefully integrated, or at least have witnessed no violent insurgencies. This study seeks to explain the failures in Punjab, Indian Jammu and Kashmir (IJK) and Nagaland1 in the context of a representative case of comparatively successful ethnic integration of the Tamil people in the state of Tamil Nadu. It suggests that failures to integrate are Sikhs being rounded up by the Indian Army in Amritsar, Punjab, 1984. caused by (1) denial of democratic rights to minorities, (2) Raghu Rai/Magnum Photos lack of political participation on the part of minorities, (3) interference by the central government and also (4) serious human rights violations by the state. response to such riots has been ineffective. Nor have anti- Why focus on minorities? discriminatory laws prevented caste wars in Bihar and atrocities against Dalits all over India.
    [Show full text]
  • REGIONALISM Student Notes: Contents
    REGIONALISM Student Notes: Contents 1. Regionalism- An Introduction .................................................................................................... 2 1.1. Characteristics of regionalism ............................................................................................. 2 1.2. Types of Regionalism ........................................................................................................... 2 1.3. Regionalism in Indian Politics .............................................................................................. 3 1.4. Basis of Regionalism ............................................................................................................ 4 1.5. Reasons for persistence of regional disparities in India ...................................................... 6 1.6. Impact of Regionalism ......................................................................................................... 6 1.7. Regionalism and National Integration ................................................................................. 7 1.8. Regionalism & Federalism ................................................................................................... 8 1.9. Clashes related to Regionalism in India .............................................................................. 8 2. Past Year UPSC GS Mains Questions .......................................................................................... 9 3. Vision IAS GS Mains Test Series Questions ................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Cultural Nationalism in India Aditi Athreya* Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, Maharashtra, India
    thropolog An y Athreya, Anthropol 2016, 4:2 Anthropology DOI: 10.4172/2332-0915.1000165 ISSN: 2332-0915 PerspectiveResearch Article OpenOpen Access Access Cultural Nationalism in India Aditi Athreya* Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, Maharashtra, India Introduction nationalism can be defined as either devotion (political or emotional) to one’s nation or as a policy of national independence [6]. Therefore, a The concept of Nationalism is linked to the idea of sovereignty nation, or the idea of nation must exist in order for a national identity and hence; it has to be associated to the principle of self-determination to be founded. [1]. In the 19th century, John Stuart Mill argued that nationalist movements were dependent on ethnicity, language and culture. These To better ality, one can also use Anderson’s ideas of a nation which were the basis of the demand for statehood. While this stood true for is an ‘imagined political community’ [7]. Thus is if a nation is considered most nationalistic movements, Hurst Hanum of the Fletcher School as something imaginative, the very elements that are required for it to of Law and Diplomacy remarked that in this era, the notion of self- exist can be a myth. Even if a community does not share a common determination was used by groups to divide rather than unify territory language, religion or ethnicity, a nation is formed on the basis of a [2]. The disintegration of the Ottoman Empire can be used as an strong formed identity. Anderson used the term ‘imagined’ because example. members of even the smallest nations will not know everyone and yet they will be aware of their image of the entire communion.
    [Show full text]
  • Emergence of Tamil Nationalism- a Socio- Political Study Dr.T.Umarsadiq Assistant Professor of History, Jamal Mohamed College, Tiruchirappalli 620 020
    SSRG International Journal of Economics and Management Studies ( SSRG – IJEMS ) – Volume 4 Issue 5 May 2017 Emergence of Tamil Nationalism- A Socio- Political Study Dr.T.UmarSadiq Assistant Professor of History, Jamal Mohamed College, Tiruchirappalli 620 020. Abstract Tamil Renaissance was the revival of Tamil Tamil Nationalism could be defined as the language and literature. It also denotes awakening and earnest political aspiration of the Tamil elite who advancement of the Tamils in all spheres of life. It was wanted to carve out a state for the protection and the not a sudden outburst but an evolution. It was a promotion of their cultural ethos as well as their phenomenon of the nineteenth century mainly due to material interests. But Tamil Nationalism had westernization. The European contact with the Tamils experienced ups and downs in its journey. The Non- and their language dates back to the sixteenth century Brahmin movement sowed the seeds of Dravidian or A.D 3 when the Portuguese began to establish trade Tamil Nationalism. However the Tamil renaissance, factories on the westernseaboard. The English, Dravidian consciousness and the Non-Brahmin however, ultimately superseded all the other European movement are regarded by some scholars as „distinct commercial competitors and later became the and separate political forces‟.1 permanent ruler of the land. They, therefore, naturally During the second decade of the 20th century exerted the greatest and most lasting influence which the term Dravidian gained a racial as well as a linguistic quickened the process of westernization and fertilized meaning. From the time of the formation of the Justice the Tamil language and literature as no other foreign Party the term Dravidian applied to non-Brahmin castes contact except that of Sanskrit had ever done before.
    [Show full text]
  • The London School of Economics and Political Science Tamils and The
    The London School of Economics and Political Science Tamils and the nation: India and Sri Lanka Compared Madurika Rasaratnam A thesis submitted to the Department of Government of the London School of Economics for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, London, May 2012 1 Declaration I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the MPhil/PhD degree of the London School of Economics and Political Science is solely my own work other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others (in which case the extent of any work carried out jointly by me and any other person is clearly identified in it). The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgement is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without my prior written consent. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. I declare that my thesis consists of 102,245 words. MADURIKA RASARATNAM 2 Abstract This dissertation examines the divergent trajectories of ethnic and national politics in the Tamil speaking regions of India and Sri Lanka. Despite comparable historical experiences and conditions, the south Indian Tamil speaking areas were peaceably accommodated within a pan-Indian framework whilst Sri Lankan politics was marked by escalating Tamil-Sinhala ethnic polarisation and violent conflict. The dissertation explains these contrasting outcomes by setting out a novel theoretical framework that draws on the work of Reinhart Koselleck and his analysis of the links between concepts and political conflict.
    [Show full text]
  • Iasbaba's 60 Days Plan – Day 36 (History) 2018
    IASbaba’s 60 Days Plan – Day 36 (History) 2018 Q.1) Consider the following statements with regard to Indian classical music: 1. Raga is the basis of melody and Tala is the basis of rythm. 2. The Ragas are classified according to the period of time of day and night. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) None Q.1) Solution (c) In the Indian Classical Music, Raga is the basis of melody and Tala is the basis of rhythm. Each melodic structure of Raga has something akin to a distinct personality subject and to a prevailing mood. Tala is the rhythmical groupings of beats. A Raga is a series of five or more notes. They are classified according to the time of day or night for which they are the most appropriate. For instance: Bhairava: Performed at dawn Megha:Performed in morning Dipaka and sriraga: Performed in the afternoon Kuashika and Hindola: at night Do you know? A characteristic contribution of India to musical rhythm is the tala. Tala is a cyclic arrangement of time units. The basic units of time division are laghu, guru, and pluta. These are actually derived from poetic prosody. THINK! Khayals Q.2) It is a form of semi classical vocal music inspired by the folk songs of camel riders in the Punjab area. It is characterized by jumpy and flashy tonal movements with rhythmic and rapid notes. The above description best describes which of the following music form? a) Powada b) Qawwali c) Tappa d) Hori 1 IASbaba’s 60 Days Plan – Day 36 (History) 2018 Q.2) Solution (c) Tappa, Punjab Tappa is a form of semi classical vocal music inspired by the folk songs of camel riders in the Punjab area.
    [Show full text]
  • Universalism, Dissent, and Canon in Tamil Śaivism, Ca. 1675-1994
    BEYOND THE WARRING SECTS: UNIVERSALISM, DISSENT, AND CANON IN TAMIL ŚAIVISM, CA. 1675-1994 by Eric Steinschneider A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department for the Study of Religion University of Toronto © Copyright by Eric Steinscheider 2016 Beyond the Warring Sects: Universalism, Dissent, and Canon in Tamil Śaivism, ca. 1675-1994 Eric Steinschneider Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department for the Study of Religion University of Toronto 2016 Abstract Scholarship on the formation of modern Hindu universalism in colonial South Asia has tended to focus on the Western-gazing and nationalist discourses of acculturated elites. Less attention, however, has been paid to comparable developments within the regionally situated vernacular religious traditions. The present dissertation addresses this issue by considering how several distinctly vernacular Śaiva traditions in Tamil-speaking Southern India transformed through the impact of the colonial encounter. At the center of this transformation, which produced “Tamil Śaivism” as a monolithic Tamil religion, was a shift in the way in which these sectarian traditions articulated and contested specific interpretations of Śaiva theology and sacred textuality. Chapter One contextualizes the thesis’ arguments by focusing on the internally diverse character of early-modern Tamil Śaiva intellectual culture, and more especially on the phenomenon of pan-sectarianism in two contemporary eclectic Tamil Vīraśaiva treatises. The next three chapters explore how such pan-sectarian claims were placed under enormous pressure in the nineteenth century. Chapter Two examines a low-caste commentary on a classic of Tamil Advaita Vedānta that attempts to critique the orthodox religious establishment and reinscribe Śaivism as a monism.
    [Show full text]