Religions, Mumbai Style: Events-Media-Spaces by Prof Michael Stausberg
Religions, Mumbai Style: Events-Media-Spaces is an interdisciplinary academic volume edited by Prof. Michael Stausberg, published by Oxford University Press in 2023. It is recognized as the first international academic publication specifically focused on the religious dynamics of Mumbai (formerly Bombay). Core Themes and ContentThe book employs a thematic approach to explore how religion is practiced and manifested in the urban environment of a modern megalopolis.
Key areas of focus include:
- Spatial Settings: Chapters examine diverse urban spaces, ranging from marginalized areas like the Dharavi slums and Mumbra ghettos to public micro-spaces such as roadside shrines and taxis.
- Social & Religious Boundaries: Contributions analyze the crossing of boundaries through intermarriage and conversion, as well as the internal tensions within religious communities rather than just between them.
- Media and Performance: Research covers Twelver Shi'i public performances, media practices, and the influence of social media on the religious behavior of younger generations.
- Literary Perspectives: The final chapters address religion through the lens of Mumbai-based fiction and the poetry of Arun Kolatkar.
Bibliographic Details (2026 Edition Info)
- Editor: Michael Stausberg, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Bergen.
- ISBN-13: 978-0192889379.
- Publication Date: Originally released August 30, 2023; digital/eBook versions widely available as of 2025–2026.
- Format: 316-page hardcover and eBook.
Key ContributorsThe volume features work from several notable scholars, including:
- Martin Fuchs on Dalits in Dharavi.
- Sumanya Anand Velamur on the ethnography of Mumbra.
- Patrick Eisenlohr on Twelver Shi'i media practices.
- Claire C. Robison on place-making within ISKCON Mumbai.