International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS)

A New God examines the workship of a Hindu diety known as Muneeswaram in contemporary Singapore. The strong presence and veneration of this male diety on the island, and the innovation styles of religiosity now associated with him, justify calling Muneeswaram a 'new' god from the diaspora.

Vineeta Sinha documents a neglected aspect of local Hinduism and the ritual domain surrounding guardian dieties (kaaval deivam) such as Muneeswaram. She raises a broader question: why has this diety, brought from Tamilnadu to Malaya more than 170 years ago, such a strong appeal for young Singaporean Hindus three and four generations removed from their Indian origin? Her exploration of these issues provides an ethnographic documentation of urban-based Hindu religiosity in contemporary Singapore, and makes an important contribution to the global study of religion in the diasporas.