Religious History Of Arunachal Pradesh

The book consists 27 research papers on religious culture of Arunachal Pradesh including tribal culture with emphasis on spirits and deities, sacred specialists, and sacred rituals etc. The Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism as practised by some Arunachali tribes are presented in a historical setting along with Brahminical culture in the foothills. This is the first such study of religious history of Arunachal Pradesh and their interaction with the people of Assam, Tibet and Myanmar through the ages.

The Book Is A Maiden Effort To Textualise Various Elements Of Religious Beliefs And Practices Of The Tribes Of Arunachal Pradesh

On the religious proselytizing of Dafla, Indic people of Arunachal Pradesh; a study.

Persecution of Christians was unleashed by the national and state political administrations on the innocent and gullible tribal people in Arunachal Pradesh (erstwhile North-East Frontier Agency) with a systematic effort to block any Christian influence from penetrating the state and to suppress the Christian community already in existence there. In spite of this, Christianity in Arunachal Pradesh grew from strength to strength on the shoulders of its dedicated and committed followers who stood up for their beliefs against all adversities and obstacles and succeeded in laying its unshakable foundation in the state. Today, Christianity is the majority religious denomination in the state having grown from a mere 1% of the population and is currently estimated to be between 50-60%. This is an account of the policies of the administration, the persecution that followed, and the coordinated effort of various Christian denominations to protest peacefully against it.

The book focusses on the indigenous faith of the people. Called Donyipoloism, the process of institutionalisation of this faith reveals an interesting story of how a community that is emerging from protected and isolated surroundings is adjusting to the modern day world.

Contributed articles presented at a seminar.

This Relationship Starts From Ancient Magico-Religious Rituals And Continues Through Ages Right Upto Present Times. In This Long History We Find Different Religions Adopting Different Attitude Towards Theatrical Arts. In Many Cases Theatre Became A Most Powerful Medium Of Propagation Of Religious Creeds. It Was Considered That The Best Way To Appeasse God Is To Offer Him Theatricals. Beautiful Maidens Were Consecrated To The Temples To Serve The Deities By Entertaining Them With Songs, Music, Dance And Drama. One Time The Magnificent Temple Of Brihadeshvara Had In Its Service Four Hundred Devadasis Skilled In Theatrical Arts. Advent Of Bhakti Movement In India Gave New Impetus To The Theatrical Arts In India. Various Theatrical Forms Purported To Depict Leelas Or Divine Acts Of Various Deities Emerged All Over The Country. Grants Were Made To Temples And Religious Establishments To Sustain Theatrical Activities. The Book Gives All Interesting Information About Various Facets Of Theatre-Religion Relationship. The Author, Known For His Erudite Scholarship, Examines Minutely Various Evidences Including Ancient Cave Paintings, Folk And Tribal Rituals, Inscriptions, Religious Scriptures And Theatrical Forms Themselves. The Book Is Must For The Serious Students Of Indology And Indian Theatre.