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Women's Experiences of Hindu Traditions: A State of the Field Review
Author(s) -
Gunn Janet
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
religion compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.113
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 1749-8171
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-8171.2007.00055.x
Subject(s) - hinduism , contest , ethnography , sociology , field (mathematics) , gender studies , psychology , social psychology , aesthetics , anthropology , religious studies , art , philosophy , theology , mathematics , pure mathematics
Static models of Hindu women as marginalized and muted subjects have in recent years been enlivened by a body of work that investigates the ways in which women both subtly and overtly resist, contest, and re‐imagine these roles. This article presents a thematic survey of this field of study, drawing from a selection of recent ethnographic work that has contributed to our deepened understanding of the manifold ways – both positive and negative – that Hindu women experience their tradition. It serves as a beginner's guide to the literature tracing the multiplicity of meaningful engagements with Hindu belief and practice that mark the rhythms of women's daily lives, and points to new areas for research.