The Other in South Asian Religion, Literature and Film: Perspectives on Otherism and Otherness (Routledge Contemporary South Asia Series)

This book introduces the term "otherism" and looks at the discourse of otherism and the issue of otherness in South Asian religion, literature and film. It examines cultural questions related to the human condition of being the "other," of the process of "othering" and of the representation of "otherness" and its religious, cultural and ideological implications. The book applies the perspectives of ideological criticism, theories of hybridity, orientalism, nationalism, and gender and queer studies to gain new insights into the literature, film and culture of South Asia. It looks at the different ways of interpreting "otherness" today. The book goes on to analyze the ideological implications of the creation of "otherness" with regard to religious and cultural identity and the legitimation of power, as well as how the representation of "otherness" reflects the power structures of contemporary societies in South Asia. Offering a well-thought-out reflection on important cultural questions as well as a deep insight into the study of religion and "otherness" in South Asian literature and film, this book is a pioneering project that is of interest to scholars of South Asian Studies and South Asian religions, literatures and cultures. Cover The Other in South Asian Religion, Literature and Film Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents The editor Contributors Note on transliteration On otherism and othering: an introduction Part I In “other” lands: diaspora, religion and literature 1 The religion of coolitude 2 Religion and “otherness” in a new world: the Radhasoami movement in transnational space Part II Creating otherness: language, religion and literature 3 ‘Othering’ through language: the construction of two languages and communal identities in British India 4 The idea of a nation: H. R. Bacchan’s palimpsestian The House of Wine 5 The politics of “otherness”: the Hindi plays of Urdu-Hindi author Upendranath Ashk (1910–1996) Part III Representing the “other”: otherness, gender and sexuality 6 Imagining the powerful ‘other’: representations of Razia Sultan 7 Queer Bollywood: same-sex sexuality, gender transgression and ‘otherness’ in Indian popular cinema of the 1990s 8 Towards an inclusive, fluid construction of gender and sexuality in commercial Indian cinema(s) Index Looking at the discourse of otherism and issue of otherness in South Asian religion, literature and film, this book examines cultural questions related to the human condition of being the ‘other’, of the process of ‘othering’ and of the representation of ‘otherness’ and its religious, cultural and ideological implications.