Visceral Politics : Imaginaries of Power in South India

How is politics made not just present but also palpable, even existential? As they live their everyday lives, how do ordinary people theorize for themselves the workings of power? Beyond just ideology, self-interest or instrumentality, this book is about how politics moves people and gets them in its grip?

How can a brutal murder influence a person''s duty to their god? What do the bold actions of crows entering homes say about family relationships? How does meat reflect political beliefs? And what does the disappearance of gods, once roaming the earth and meeting their followers, tell us about the political changes happening in the world? This book studies the body of politics, revealing the deep connections and unseen forces that hold it together. It illustrates how power, political dynamics, and beliefs come to life through the actions of families, the land they inhabit, and the animals they sacrifice. The book pulls apart the messy, vital, and often mysterious aspects of human existence, examining the politics that shapes people. Along the way, it reveals how ordinary people, in their daily lives, also come to understand and challenge the systems of power around them.