NEPALI SAMAJ: The Century Old Participatory Culture of the Nepali Community and Its Changing Dynamics

Shashi Subba

Abstract 

Samaj is a terminology of Hindi language, whose meaning stands as “an official group or association” or “human society” as per online Collins Dictionary. However, In the Nepali community, this word apart from the similar meaning, has an alternative meaning associated with cultural practice of participatory nature.  This participatory approach around the word samaj, plays an important role within the community and helps to bind the community from within. However, over a period of time, there has been change in the pattern of participatory, to be specific from Barter System to Financial System. Through this paper, we shall discuss the various meaning and practice associated with the term, its relevance and importance within the community, as well as the changing dynamics of samaj. Literature part on this topic was very scare or to be precise near to non-exist. To understand the practice from within the community, four Nepali samaj were part of the sample study, based in Northern part of West Bengal, popularly termed as North Bengal. Interviews of the samaj members were conducted for the paper. Lastly, the paper is an attempt to contribute towards the diverse studies of culture and tradition.

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Published: July 2025 [Vol. 08, No. 07]

The Muslim Other: The Animal as a Demonizing Tool in Biriyaani

Dr. Adarsa A K

Abstract 

Islamophobia in India manifests as a product of Brahminism and its caste structure, the oppressive order which colonizes the Indian society. Positioned as the other to the hegemonical power, representation of the Muslim in Indian cinema has mostly been stereotyped, demonized, and misinterpreted. This study aims at probing into the sociological and political manifestations of how aspects of animal ethical philosophy have been manipulated to suit the dominant Brahminical interests in Indian context, especially that of Kerala, with reference to internationally acclaimed Malayalam movie, Biriyaani. Vegetarianism in India carries the brahminical supremacist notions of purity and superiority than the ethical notions of reducing animal abuse. The dominant brahminical hegemony has posited the Muslim as its other and has tried to create distaste towards almost everything related to the culture of this community. The paper tries to analyse how the Malayalam movie, Biriyaani, which tells the story of a Muslim woman, seeks to use the animal as a prop and projects its Islamophobic elements.

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Published: July 2025 [Vol. 08, No. 07]