Namdev is a central figure in the cultural history of India; especially within the field of bhakti; a devotional practice that has created publics of memory for over eight centuries. Born in the Marathi-speaking region of the Deccan in the late thirteenth century; Namdev is remembered as a simple; low-caste Hindu tailor whose innovative performances of devotional songs spread his fame widely. He is central to many religious traditions within Hinduism; as well as to Sikhism; and he is a key early literary figure in Maharashtra; northern India; and Punjab. In the modern period; Namdev appears throughout the public spheres of Marathi and Hindi and in India at large; where his identity fluctuates between regional associations and a quiet; pan-Indian; nationalist-secularist profile that champions the poor; oppressed; marginalized; and low caste. Christian Lee Novetzke considers the way social memory coheres around the figure of Namdev from the sixteenth century to the present; examining the practices that situate Namdev's memory in multiple historical publics. Focusing primarily on Maharashtra and drawing on ethnographies of devotional performance; archival materials; scholarly historiography; and popular media; especially film; Novetzke vividly illustrates how religious communities in India preserve their pasts and; in turn; create their own historical narratives.
#403822 in Books Norman Davies 2005-07-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x 1.50 x 6.10l; 2.00 #File Name: 0231128193591 pagesGod s Playground A History of Poland Vol 2 1795 to the Present
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Norman Davies is the English speaking authority on Polish historyBy RacerRickNorman Davies is the most authoritative English speaking author on Polish history in the world. Davies; more than any other author; has earned the right to tell the Polish story to the entire world. He corrects many myths and mis-truths introduced to the English speaking world by Polands 3 powerful political opponents: the Germans; Jews; and Russians.Other interesting facts: The Polish deciphered the Enigma Code and listened to secret German communications even before the initial 1939 invasion (the popular movie Imitation Game is the sequel; so to speak; to this history).Early Polish history is absolutely fascinating. Freedom of speech and religion in the 1500's. Two houses of congress and an elected "King". Never would have guessed!The most common version of the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 shows the Polish Cavalry getting decimated by German tanks in a humiliating defeat. How about pointing out that the Germans suffered 16;000 casualties and 75;000 wounded in the opening campaign of the war? I didn't know that the Germans took such a licking when they went into Poland; until reading Davies book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. It's pretty much a history textBy Dorothy VallerioDifficult book to read. It's pretty much a history text; but very accurate and unbiased.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. God's Playground: A History of Poland; Vol. 2: 1795 to the PresentBy Ted KaczorProbably the best Poland's history ever written. Recomended for anyone to learn about the country of Poland history that was either twisted by soviets or ignored and hidden by western countries. It was written by ouysider Norman Davies; the man that not only understands polish history but also feels it. So far only he could do that. This book is one of most important doccuments of Polish history that helps you understand it. RECOMENDED.
