Islamism, modernity and the transformation of contemporary South Indian Muslim society.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sussex
Department Name: Sch of Global Studies
Abstract
This project examines contemporary identity transformations among South Indian Muslim community, Calicut Koyyas. Central to recent shifts in practice and redefinitions of self and community are local Islamist movements, which are engaged in long term projects of transformation of religious practices and subjectivites. Local Islamism is enhanced by modernity, the rise of a new middle class and intensifying links to global reformism - factors identifiable from the 1920s but intensified post 1970s, with the revitalisation of economic life and transformation of Kerala society generally which result from increased migration and business within the Persion Gulf region.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Filippo Osella (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Martin M
(2022)
Should I Stay or Should I Go? South Indian Artisanal Fishers' Precarious Livelihoods and Their Engagement with Categorical Ocean Forecasts
in Weather, Climate, and Society
Osella C
(2008)
Food, Memory, Community: Kerala as both 'Indian Ocean' Zone and as Agricultural Homeland
in South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies
Osella C
(2015)
Muslim Style in South India
in Fashion Theory
Osella Caroline
(2006)
Men and Masculinities in South India
Osella Caroline
(2006)
Once upon a time in the West? Stories of migration and modernity from Kerala, South India
in JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE
OSELLA F
(2018)
Charity and Philanthropy in South Asia: An introduction
in Modern Asian Studies
OSELLA F
(2018)
'You Can Give Even if You Only Have Ten Rupees!': Muslim charity in a Colombo housing scheme
in Modern Asian Studies
Osella F
(2011)
Migration, Neoliberal Capitalism, and Islamic Reform in Kozhikode (Calicut), South India
in International Labor and Working-Class History
Osella F
(2012)
Malabar Secrets: South Indian Muslim Men's (Homo)sociality across the Indian Ocean
in Asian Studies Review
Osella F
(2014)
Patronage as Politics in South Asia
| Description | This project explored recent transformations among South Indian Muslims. Islamism is enhanced by modernity, the rise of a new middle class and intensifying links to global reformism - factors identifiable in the region since the 1920s, but intensified post 1970s, with the revitalisation of economic life and transformation of Kerala society resultant from intensified traffic with the Gulf region. Issues around gender and family relations emerged as important: Calicut Muslims are conventionally matrilineal / matrifocal and men are often absent 'Gulf migrants'. Economic liberalisation is also leading to shifts in expectations of family / married life. At the same time, the research highlighted the emergence of new forms of religiosity, and the connection between the latter and various forms of economic entrepreneurship. |
| Exploitation Route | This project has had impact in several arenas beyond south Asian / Indian academic circles: expanding networks of Indian Ocean studies, placing south India into context with East africa and south-east Asia to discuss the role of (for example) trade or Islam in spreading populations, ideas and artefacts; discussions about 'globalised' Islam; the emerging field of 'Gulf studies', with an agenda quite distinct from pre-existing studies (dominated by strategic / international relations perspectives). |
| Sectors | Other |
| Description | This award was part of the Research Leave Scheme and was awarded in 2006. As such, its impact has been purely academic, focused on publications [see publication list]. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2007 |
| Sector | Other |
| Impact Types | Cultural |