The first of its kind, this fascinating, exploratory and descriptive yet empirical
study explores what compels Mumbaikars, i.e., urbanites to indulge in religious
activities. Using Symbolic and Interpretive Anthropology, the role that symbols play in
society and the theories of Cultural Anthropologists like Geertz and Turner; it delves
deeper into how people celebrate an experience, how experiences become part of culture and
how culture is renewed. Moreover, devotional practices are in reality a safety-valve that
helps people to keep their sanity in a complex "electronic" world. The book is
firmly grounded on careful and painstaking study on two contextualized cultural
performances of Christians in Mumbai, i.e., Novena at St. Michael's Church and Pilgrimage
at Mount Mary's Basilica. The author has prudently analyzed and interpreted the same and
has succinctly presented her unique and revealing research findings together with a few
recommendations. The book is a scientific study offered by the author as an easy to read
guide. It will surely be beneficial for research in Sociology, Anthropology and Religion.
Contents
Foreword
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Understanding Culture : Symbolic and Interpretive Anthropology - Geertz and Turner
3. An Overview of Christians in Mumbai
4. Popular `Cultural Performance' : The Novena at Mahim
5. Christian Transformative Site at Mahim : Analysis and Interpretation
6. Over-four-hundred-year-old Pilgrimage at Bandra
7. Pilgrimage Centre : A Cathartic Effect
8. Bandra Fair : Crossing Boundaries
9. Major Findings : Beyond Religious Boundaries
Bibliography
Dr. (Sr) Mudita Menona Sodder RSCJ is a Religious of the Sacred Heart
of Jesus (Sophia College, Mumbai). She is a brilliant student and a committed creative
educationist. Sr. Sodder is a first class first double Post Graduate in Sociology and
History; has a Bachelor of Education in English and History and a PhD in Anthropology -
all from the University of Mumbai. She is passionate about Sociological &
Environmental issues; and is a resource person for Eco-Spirituality, Value Education,
Women Empowerment and Inter-Faith Dialogue. She also writes in religious and secular
magazines, newspapers and presents research papers at National Seminars and Conferences.
Presently, she teaches at St. Xavier's College of Management and Technology, Patna, Bihar
and is the President of (FOIM) Fellowship of Indian Missiologists.
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