Abstract
“Inculturation” is a key concept, which basically describes the process of adaptation, interpenetration and mixing of different elements that characterises the encounter of Christianity with local cultures. Theoretically speaking, it could be seen as a synonym of syncretism. In India, from the beginning of the evangelization, there have always been attempts of inculturation of Christianity. Recently, a group of theologians proposed to introduce Indian classical dance in the liturgy. The mudras (positions of the hands) and the modalities of expression have been changed to represent episodes of the Bible and to perform Christian prayers. This experimentation presents some problems related to technical and theological issues. For these reasons, the Catholic Church has not officially approved the introduction of Indian classical dance in the Mass.
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Mortillaro, M.C. (2017). Creative Modalities of Adaptation of a Hindu Bodily Form of Rituality to Christian Spirituality. In: Palmisano, S., Pannofino, N. (eds) Invention of Tradition and Syncretism in Contemporary Religions. Palgrave Studies in New Religions and Alternative Spiritualities. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61097-9_6
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