From the Jacket:

The indigenous protest movement called Bhakti Movement, comprising Bhakti cults of many hues and colours, had an impact on the status of women in India. Many of them tried to do away with the manifold taboos, pollutions and rituals with which Hindu religion was cluttered. While some accepted the equality of men and women, others reinforced the inequalities in practice.

The present case study of Virasaivism, a populous sect in Karnataka, deals with the impact of this movement on the status of women. After a careful research on a hundred families with first and second-generation women, the author finds that precepts and practices meet here in a unique way. Child training practices, the institution of marriage, the family and kinship system and the economic and socio-religious life of Virasaiva women enable them to enjoy a comparatively high status.

About the Author:

Dr. (Mrs.) Leela L. Mullatti (b. 1936) is presently Reader in Sociology, Karnatak University Belgaum Campus. She served earlier as Professor and Head, Department of Sociology of Karnataka Arts College, Dharwad. She secured her Master's degree from Karnatak University (1959) and after a stint at teaching went abroad where she did her M.A. at the University of British Columbia, Canada (1972). With an ICSSR Teacher Fellowship she completed her Ph.D. (1979) from the University of Pune.

Dr. Mullatti is actively associated with Indian Sociological Society (executive member, 1980-86), Karnataka Sociological Society (founder president) and other professional bodies. She has contributed extensively to learned journals and participated in national seminars. She is currently engaged in UGC and UNESCO-sponsored projects in the area of women studies.