The increased visibility of a diverse range of gods and goddesses in texts and sculpture is perhaps this phase’s most striking characteristic. On one level, this shows that the major deities, Vishnu, Shiva, and the goddess, who were all represented in a variety of forms, were still revered and even had their worship extended.

Robert Redfield, a 20th-century sociologist, introduced the concepts of ‘great’ and ‘little’ traditions to describe cultural practices in peasant societies. Here’s a breakdown of these concepts:

1.Great Tradition: This refers to the cultural practices, rituals, and customs that are widely recognised and practiced across a society. They typically originate from dominant social groups like priests and rulers. These traditions are often more formal, codified, and are seen in the larger, more universal aspects of a society’s culture.

2.Little Tradition: In contrast, the ‘little’ tradition encompasses local, community-specific practices and customs. These are not necessarily aligned with the more widely accepted ‘great’ tradition. They are often more informal, rooted in everyday life, and vary significantly from one locality to another.

Interaction And Change: Redfield observed that both great and little traditions are dynamic, changing over time through interaction. This suggests a continuous cultural exchange where local practices can influence the broader culture and vice versa.

Criticism Of The Terms: While the concepts are widely recognised in sociology and anthropology, there is some discomfort with the implied hierarchy in the terms ‘great’ and ‘little’. Scholars often use quotation marks around these terms to indicate their problematic nature. The concern is that labelling one set of traditions as ‘great’ might undervalue or marginalise the ‘little’ traditions, despite their significant role in the cultural and social life of communities.