
Dr Chinmayee Satpathy - orcid.org/0000-0002-8688-0859
Visiting Research Fellow, August - October 2022
Dr Chinmayee Satpathy is a distinguished scholar in the State of Odisha in India as evident from her academic track record and research performances. She has successfully accomplished her research studies in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities. Her field of specialization relates to cultural & religious studies, gender and tribal issues etc. Dr Satpathy is presently engaged as a IASH Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, UK, 2021-22 and her research study relates to Decolonization of Religion and Indian Nationalism: A Study of Jagannatha Temple at Puri, Odisha. In addition to this, she is also awarded as Senior Fellow of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), 2019 and continuing research on Religious & Cultural Significance of the Monasteries in Rituals & Festivals of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha.
Besides, Dr Satpathy has successfully completed her research studies on Socio-Cultural Profile of Women Artists in Appalachia and India as Fulbright SIR Fellow, USA, 2016 and researched on Indo-USA Intercultural Dialogue in the University of South Florida (USF), USA as a UNESCO Fellow, 2007-08 and Implications of Jagannath Culture and Philosophy on State, Society, Culture & Identity Discourses of Odisha, as Tagore National Fellow of Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, 2019, the Nabakalebara Ceremony of Lord Jagannath in 2019 as Tagore National Scholar, Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, 2019, Implication of Development on Human Rights of Tribal Women in Odisha as a Postdoctoral Fellow of Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), 2012.
Dr Satpathy has been awarded Doctorate and D Litt Degree in Sociology from Utkal University, Odisha in 2006 and 2019 respectively. Besides, she has served as Senior Consultant and Special Rapporteur of Ministry of Women & Child Development, Govt of India. Apart from this, she has organized many national conferences, delivered lectures in and outside India and has published many research papers and articles in academic referred journals, books and edited volumes.
Project Title: Decolonization of Religion and Indian Nationalism: A Study of Jagannatha Temple at Puri, Odisha, India from 19th to 20th Century
In a multi-cultural religiously diverse nation like India, people from different castes, classes, groups, communities and territories defined themselves and construct their identities in terms of religion in a larger national context. Lord Jagannath as Lord of the universe is an important deity of the Hindus and Jagannath Temple is a holy shrine for all Hindus in and outside India. The specialty of Jagannath is that, he is not simply a religious icon, but embodiment of Indian identity, culture and heritage. The British referred to Lord Jagannath as 'Juggernaut' which means a huge, powerful and overwhelming force who broadly regulates the socio-cultural and religious lives of the people of Odisha. The profound impact of Jagannath Culture is deeply reflected in art, culture, painting, dance, music and fabric of Indian life. Lord Jagannath as powerful force is the source of collective identity, loyalty and sentiment for maintaining national legacy. However, under the influence of colonialism, the people were divided on religious lines which gave major setback to Indian identity. In 1946-47, India was partitioned on religious lines into two independent nations-such as India (Hindu) and Pakistan (Muslim). Second World War gave serious blow to the colonial powers which led to decolonization of religion resulting in radical transformation, deconstruction of religious thoughts, ideologies & values putting an end to colonial way of thinking.
The British were aware of the sanctity of Jagannath temple and had given direction for protection of its property, valuable assets and treasures. In the year 1806, the British enacted legislation for administration and management of the Jagannath Temple and the King of Khurda (Puri Gajapati) was appointed as hereditary superintendent of the temple under the supervision of British. But, in the year 1840, the King of Puri was vested with absolute authority of the Jagannath temple and the pilgrim tax was abolished. However, the East India Company made necessary arrangements for huge donations and finances for the holy shrine of Lord Jagannath.