This conference celebrates the publication of The Land of the Bhutas by Professors Carrin and Tambs-Lyche, the distinguished ethnologists and anthropologists. Their recent work, especially in Saurashtra in Gujerat and South Kanara in Karnataka, has been crucial to the better understanding of the inter-relationship between religion, caste and identity in modern India.
As well as the authors as guest speakers, the programme will include contributions from senior academics and early career and postgraduate researchers. We welcome proposals for 15-minute papers on subjects related to any of the topics below, or performance-oriented presentations of a similar length. Online contributions may be a possibility for those unable to attend in person.
1. Religious ritual and identity (in South Asia and elsewhere) as
a. an assertion of place and ethnicity
b. an interpretation/endorsement of observance and hierarchy
c. a system of supplication and dispute resolution
c. a disrupter/reinforcer of authority/sexuality/gender
2. Performative ritual and the modern world:
a. Ethical aspects of anthropological approaches
b. Methodology of power and control, both in dramatic and in socio-political contexts
c. Spirit possession as a performance mode in theory and practice
d. Cultural “admiration” and “borrowing” in a postcolonial environment
Please submit abstracts of 250 words together with short biographies to [email protected] or [email protected]
by December 12th 2026. The organisers regret that they cannot offer you financial support.
This conference is funded by the University of Warwick’s Humanities Research Centre and Global History and Culture Centre, with support from the History and Theatre and Performance Studies Departments