Stage-managed spirituality

The theatre state has scaled up and nationalised what was being done in spiritual cults

- DEVDUTT PATTANAIK

There are four reasons there is a bhakti boom. First, the realisation that science helps rich people get richer but does not resolve emotional issues or social problems. Second, the discovery of the joy of enchantment thanks to the Harry Potter books that took the world by storm around the start of the millennium. Third, the shock of observing how seemingly rational and secular social activists have an inexplicable defence for all things Islamic, despite its obvious misogyny, homophobia and tribalism. Fourth, the doom-scroll of digital information where nothing is censored, except that which threatens the state.

We are being exposed to different kinds of sciences and different kinds of histories, and constantly told by charming influencers not to trust experts, academicians, teachers or intellectuals. We feel lost, we seek a safety raft. Who do we trust? Even parents look lost. Everyone is seeking answers. And that is where a theatre state comes to the rescue—one that tells you all problems will go away if you participate in the ritual, that establishes your credentials as a believing submissive party member, a citizen. The theatre state has now scaled up and nationalised what was always being done in most spiritual cults.