H-Pop: The Secretive World of Hindutva Pop Stars

Through field reporting, interviews and profiles of creators, Purohit examines the audiences, networks and economic forces behind this cultural phenomenon. The book looks at how music, poetry, online personalities and historical narratives can become vehicles for political and social messaging.

Kunal Purohit is an independent journalist who has reported for nearly two decades on development, inequality, gender and politics. His journalism has also examined hate crimes and Hindu nationalism. He has received several journalism awards, including the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Civic Journalism.

H-Pop investigates the people and cultural networks behind songs, poetry, social-media content and other popular forms of entertainment that engage with Hindutva and contemporary political narratives. Purohit travels through different parts of India, profiles creators and examines their audiences, motivations, funding and methods of distribution. The book considers the relationship between popular culture, ideology, commerce and public discourse.