Discuss how the elements of Little and Great Traditions combine in the emergence of social/political/religious movements, giving any one example to illustrate the issue.

Understanding Little and Great Traditions

Redfield’s framework isn’t a rigid dichotomy but a continuum. The Little Tradition is characterized by:

• Local focus and limited geographical spread.
• Oral transmission and reliance on memory.
• Strong connection to daily life and practical concerns.
• Flexibility and adaptability to local conditions.
• Often associated with lower castes and marginalized communities.

The Great Tradition, on the other hand, exhibits:

• Universalistic appeal and wider geographical reach.
• Scriptural basis and emphasis on textual authority.
• Association with elites, priests, and scholars.
• Greater rigidity and resistance to change.
• Emphasis on abstract philosophical concepts.

The Interplay and Emergence of Movements

Social/political/religious movements rarely arise solely from either tradition. Instead, they often represent a creative synthesis. The Little Tradition provides the grassroots base, the local grievances, and the pre-existing social networks. The Great Tradition offers a legitimizing ideology, a universal message, and a framework for challenging the status quo. This combination can manifest in several ways:

• Reinterpretation of Great Tradition: Movements may selectively reinterpret elements of the Great Tradition to address local concerns and mobilize support.
• Syncretism: Blending elements of both traditions to create a new, hybrid belief system.
• Resistance through Little Tradition: Utilizing local customs and beliefs as a form of resistance against dominant Great Tradition-based structures.
• Mobilization of Little Tradition by Great Tradition: Elite-driven movements utilizing local networks to spread their ideologies.

Case Study: The Bhakti Movement

The Bhakti Movement (8th-18th centuries) in India provides a compelling illustration of this interplay. Originating in South India and spreading northward, the Bhakti movement was a devotional movement that challenged the rigidities of orthodox Hinduism and the caste system.

Little Tradition Influence: The Bhakti saints often came from lower castes and marginalized communities. They utilized local languages (vernaculars) like Marathi, Kannada, and Telugu, making their teachings accessible to the masses. Their devotional songs (abhangs, vachanas) were deeply rooted in local folklore and traditions. They rejected elaborate rituals and priestly mediation, appealing directly to the emotional and spiritual needs of the common people. This resonated with the existing Little Traditions of devotional practices prevalent in various regions.

Great Tradition Influence: The Bhakti movement drew upon the philosophical foundations of the Upanishads, emphasizing the personal relationship between the devotee and God. Saints like Ramanuja and Madhva, while advocating devotion, also engaged with and reinterpreted Vedanta philosophy. The concept of bhakti itself, though present in earlier Hindu texts, was given a new emphasis and democratized. The movement also challenged the authority of the priestly class, but did so within the broader framework of Hindu cosmology and ethics.

Synthesis and Impact: The Bhakti movement successfully combined the emotional intensity and accessibility of the Little Tradition with the philosophical depth and legitimacy of the Great Tradition. This synthesis led to a significant social and religious impact, including:

• Weakening of the caste system and challenging social hierarchies.
• Promotion of vernacular languages and literature.
• Increased religious participation among the masses.
• Foundation for later reform movements.

The Bhakti movement demonstrates how a movement can gain momentum by tapping into pre-existing local beliefs and practices (Little Tradition) while simultaneously offering a broader, more universal message (Great Tradition). The movement’s success lay in its ability to bridge the gap between the elite and the masses, the scriptural and the experiential.