Christian Women’s Journals and Vernacular Christianity: A Case Study of Vivekavathi in Telugu-Speaking Regions

Abstract

This article investigates the Vivekavathi journal, established in 1909 by Protestant Christian female missionaries for women readers in the Telugu-speaking regions of the Madras Presidency, India. The study delves into the journal’s influence on the formation and dissemination of Christian beliefs and values within the Telugu society during the early twentieth century, a period marked by the rise of a reading public facilitated by colonial state efforts and Christian missionary initiatives. Furthermore, the article reveals how Protestant female missionaries utilised the journal to promote a novel concept of womanhood among the Telugu-speaking population. The research underscores the journal’s effective engagement with women, highlighting their active participation in shaping religious practices, an exceptional accomplishment in light of the pervasive patriarchal systems and values that often imply limited agency for women in religious contexts.