Looks at the ideals of masculine Hinduism—and the corresponding feminine ideals—that have built the Indian nation; and explores their consequences.Make Me a Man! argues that ideas about manhood play a key role in building and sustaining the modern nation. It examines a particular expression of nation and manliness: masculine Hinduism. This ideal; which emerged from India's experience of British imperialism; is characterized by martial prowess; muscular strength; moral fortitude; and a readiness to go to battle. Embodied in the images of the Hindu soldier and the warrior monk; masculine Hinduism is rooted in a rigid "us versus them" view of nation that becomes implicated in violence and intolerance. Masculine Hinduism also has important connotations for women; whose roles in this environment consist of the heroic mother; chaste wife; and celibate; masculinized warrior. All of these roles shore up the "us versus them" dichotomy and constrict women's lives by imposing particular norms and encouraging limits on women's freedom.Sikata Banerjee notes that the nationalism defined by masculine Hinduism draws on a more general narrative of nation found in many cultures. If the outcomes of this narrative are to be resisted; the logic of masculinity; armed manhood; and nation need to be examined in diverse contexts.“…Make Me a Man! is very useful reading for any student or teacher who is interested in the cultural; political; religious; and gender economies of modern India and is indispensable for those who are interested in the Hindutva movement.†— International Journal of Hindu Studies“Sikata Banerjee’s [book] provides a welcome addition to the discourse on gender identity; masculinity; and femininity among Hindu men and women … The [book] is a great comment on the interconnections among gender and political climate that is not often discussed.†— Sex Roles“…Banerjee … includes data from fieldwork interviews that offer a contemporary human angle.†—Religious Studies Review “Banerjee’s work addresses the need to bring together aspects of colonial rule; religious nationalism; and gender that have often been dealt with separately. Her work also; by examining the role of gender in imaginings of citizenship and nation; highlights the importance of historicizing modern-day tension within India.†— Studies in Ethnicity and Nationalism"Banerjee uses relevant theory; multicultural studies; and her own fieldwork to produce a fascinating analysis of the construction of the concept of masculinity in the contemporary Hindu nationalist movement in India." — Robert N. Minor; author of The Religious; the Spiritual; and the Secular: Auroville and Secular India
#604131 in Books State University of New York Press 1991-02-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .55 x 6.00l; .80 #File Name: 0791404609244 pages
Review
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Ricky TThis is one of my favorite books. It illuminates a remote part of ancient Chinese history. I bought this book after purchasing a giant dragon turtle and I needed to find out more about this wonderful object. What I didn't expect was how this book helps clarify passages in the I Ching. I received "KUAN" hexagram #20 which freezes the seeker at the moment between ablution and sacrifice hence translated by Wilhelm as "contemplation and being seen". Sarah Allen takes you there. Wow! Love this book!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Help!By PhilipThis is really more a commentary on reviews of this book than on the book itself. I have been some way into the world of academia and scholarship; I have an MA in Native American Studies. Just to introduce this.I know something of China from many years ago (I'm 60). I find it a fascinating if somewhat opaque culture; possibly best approached tangentially. I come from a mixed cultural background so I'm not unfamiliar with cross-cultural perspectives.I'm looking for interesting and informative books on China; whether by western or Chinese authors. As an intelligent reader; I'm looking for a wide range of authors and perspectives. If for example I see an author is based at SOAS in London that will interest me immediately. If I see that a western author on China knows Mandarin Chinese well I will be immediately interested. If they have spent time in China I will be immediately interested. Looking at Chinese authors is a new experience. I will go for readability first. In any case I will research the author (Western and Chinese) for previous publications; experience in their field; interesting and original and indigenous viewpoints if possible. I will proceed from there.What I am not interested in reading in reviews is attacks on authors. I am also entirely put off by reviews that look more like academic rebuttals of a book’s entire thesis; or attacks on an author’s academic record and astanding. Point by tedious point. If after extensive reading and over time I find certain facts; perspectives etc. erroneous I will discard them.I don’t need an reviewer to write the equivalent of a 2 page rebuttal detailing a books failings. I would prefer they left that for academic book reviews in specialist journals.An review for me is a reasonably brief summation of a books general qualities to alert a reader to either general merits or failings or a few specific points of interest. Its not a place for a diatribe. As a reader who has in the past found reviews useful and enlightening and some actually highly relevant as warnings; I hold them in high regard. The more so therefore that I object to diatribe-type reviews that seem to serve more for book bashing (or author bashing) than for reader guidance. If I am guilty of going against this in any of my reviews then I apologise for that. As I get older hopefully I become wiser…Final word: Thank God for previews!Thank you.12 of 14 people found the following review helpful. Positively Wonderful!By CustomerThis book is packed with wonderful illustrations and wisdom about the myths and archeology of Shang China. A splendid book for people wondering where concepts of yin and yang; stems and branches; and even the orientation of tombs in later China originate. Although a common-enough book in collegiate circles; this deserves a much wider appreciation among the public.
