Kumbha Mela as Assemblage: A Performative Study of Rajeev Gautam’s Sprits of Moksha

Abstract

The main claim of this thesis is that territorialization and deterritorialization allow the Kumbha Mela to adapt to changing social, political, cultural, and technical conditions while maintaining its customs. The Kumbha Mela is a living assemblage of people, places, ceremonies, physical artifacts, institutions, and communications that takes place throughout India. Drawing on assemblage theory as articulated by Gilles Deleuze, Félix Guattari and Manuel DeLanda, and performance theories proposed by Victor Turner, Catherine Bell and Richard Schechner, this thesis explores the interaction among pilgrims, ascetics, sacred waterways, ritualistic customs, mythic stories and media technologies in the formation of a transient yet potent sacred space. The purpose of this dissertation is to critically analyze the documentary Spirit of Moksha directed by Rajeev Gautam. The representation of the Kumbha Mela in the documentary film will be the focus of the thesis. The documentary shows the festival as a global spiritual quest, but leaves out the political, economic, environmental or institutional components of the event. According to recent study, the documentary is beneficial in creating and promoting religious experiences for audiences around the world. It provides a framework for analyzing performative assemblage in big religious gatherings by integrating assemblage theory and performance studies. The interaction of physical entities, places, rituals, technological development, institutions and symbolic activities produces sacred experiences.