Nelada Nambike, a podcast, is posted every Wednesday at 1 pm on the Idina YouTube channel. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Bengaluru street vendor Sarojamma has a disabled son whom she has to take care of. When asked about her faith in God, she sings improvised songs in Telugu, getting angry at God for why he did this to her, lamenting what sin she has committed, and questioning what good people do. Why are you punished? Interestingly, she questions and is angry, but does not reject God.
His interview is part of a new podcast series titled Nelda NambikeWhich explores the diversity of everyday practices and beliefs of ordinary people in faith and religion, led by academic Janaki Nair, journalist CG Manjula and activist Anupama Hegde.
The podcast is posted every Wednesday at 1pm and is hosted by the Idina YouTube channel. The first episode of Sarojamma was aired on 15 January.
The same team led the ‘Varnamala’ series under the banner of Bahutva Karnataka to celebrate the golden jubilee of the state being renamed Karnataka in 2024, informing readers about the state’s rich heritage of diversity.
“The series is an exploration of the diversity of the everyday practice of faith and its place in the culture of our state. We do not interpret these testimonials that way. We only ask ordinary people about their faith and its practice. We hope it will also record the changing styles of faith, belief and piety,” said Professor Nair.
The trio have already recorded around 30 episodes, mostly speaking to common people of all religions and genders in the old Mysuru region, and intend to speak to people in other areas of the state as well.
Pro. Nair said that in the 30 episodes he has recorded, he has observed that almost no one’s faith is linked to any scripture or holy book. In many cases, he said, faith is deeply felt, serving as a source of solace, helping people come to terms with their reality and their expectations from life.
“There is no doubt that styles of worship have grown and spread significantly and the influences have been many, and mostly involve external factors such as the media, commercialisation, such as the Varamahalakshmi festival or even copying neighbours. As an urban historian, I also find that the preferred use of common or public space such as parks or grounds is for leisure, play, entertainment rather than some form of worship. This seems to be a priority for South Asians,” Prof. Nair hoped that the series would also document these changes between generations and in one’s own lifetime.
published – January 20, 2025 02:05 PM IST
