Description

Book Synopsis


Trade Review

In this unique and fascinating volume, the author calls the realm of her concern 'body art,' which is intended to denote all aesthetic modifications and supplementations to the body. Using rich firsthand interviews and information from modern India, folklorist Shukla (Indiana Univ.) traces the art of the body through the production of saris, bangles, and other goods and commerce and shopping, both of which are the arena of men. From this point, the author interviews individual women on personal adornment and finishes her study with a discussion of body art in the life cycle, with particular reference to weddings. For folklorists and cultural anthropologists, this is a treasure trove of information. For students of religion, it provides the material reference to the system of beliefs. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.

* Choice *

Well-researched and well-produced, The Grace of Four Moons is a welcome addition to the scholarly canon for a wide range of academic as well as more popular objectives. 69.1, 2010

* Western Folklore *

For folklorists and cultural anthropologists, this is a treasure trove of information. For students of religion, it provides the material reference to the system of beliefs. . . . Highly recommended.September 2008

* Choice *

The Grace of Four Moons provides a wealth of information about clothing and jewelry as an outlet for women seeking freedom of expression in India, while staying with a traditional framework.June 18, 2008

* India Currents Magazine *

The book is skillfully organized, written in a clear, jargon-free, unpretentious style . . . and it is an outstanding first work by a most promising young scholar. October 15, 2008

-- Charles G Zug III * Journal of Folklore Research *

Table of Contents

Contents
Acknowledgments

Part 1. Introduction
1. Body Art in Banaras
2. Getting Ready
3. Gaze, Sacred and Secular

Part 2. Production and Commerce
4. Shopping for Clothes
5. Weaving Saris
6. Making Jewelry
7. Kanhaiya Lal
8. Shopping along the Vishvanath Gali
9. Assembling Bangle Sets

Part 3. Personal Adornment
10. Nina Khanchandani
11. Neelam Chaturvedi
12. Mukta Tripathi

Part 4. Body Art in the Lifecycle
13. After the Wedding
14. Before the Wedding
15. The Wedding

Part 5. Conclusion
16. The Study of Body Art

Glossary
Notes
Bibliography
Index

The Grace of Four Moons

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    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 4 Aug 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Pravina Shukla

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      View other formats and editions of The Grace of Four Moons by Pravina Shukla

      Publisher: Indiana University Press
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 16/10/2015
      ISBN13: 9780253021137, 978-0253021137
      ISBN10: 0253021138

      Description

      Book Synopsis


      Trade Review

      In this unique and fascinating volume, the author calls the realm of her concern 'body art,' which is intended to denote all aesthetic modifications and supplementations to the body. Using rich firsthand interviews and information from modern India, folklorist Shukla (Indiana Univ.) traces the art of the body through the production of saris, bangles, and other goods and commerce and shopping, both of which are the arena of men. From this point, the author interviews individual women on personal adornment and finishes her study with a discussion of body art in the life cycle, with particular reference to weddings. For folklorists and cultural anthropologists, this is a treasure trove of information. For students of religion, it provides the material reference to the system of beliefs. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.

      * Choice *

      Well-researched and well-produced, The Grace of Four Moons is a welcome addition to the scholarly canon for a wide range of academic as well as more popular objectives. 69.1, 2010

      * Western Folklore *

      For folklorists and cultural anthropologists, this is a treasure trove of information. For students of religion, it provides the material reference to the system of beliefs. . . . Highly recommended.September 2008

      * Choice *

      The Grace of Four Moons provides a wealth of information about clothing and jewelry as an outlet for women seeking freedom of expression in India, while staying with a traditional framework.June 18, 2008

      * India Currents Magazine *

      The book is skillfully organized, written in a clear, jargon-free, unpretentious style . . . and it is an outstanding first work by a most promising young scholar. October 15, 2008

      -- Charles G Zug III * Journal of Folklore Research *

      Table of Contents

      Contents
      Acknowledgments

      Part 1. Introduction
      1. Body Art in Banaras
      2. Getting Ready
      3. Gaze, Sacred and Secular

      Part 2. Production and Commerce
      4. Shopping for Clothes
      5. Weaving Saris
      6. Making Jewelry
      7. Kanhaiya Lal
      8. Shopping along the Vishvanath Gali
      9. Assembling Bangle Sets

      Part 3. Personal Adornment
      10. Nina Khanchandani
      11. Neelam Chaturvedi
      12. Mukta Tripathi

      Part 4. Body Art in the Lifecycle
      13. After the Wedding
      14. Before the Wedding
      15. The Wedding

      Part 5. Conclusion
      16. The Study of Body Art

      Glossary
      Notes
      Bibliography
      Index

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