Circulations of Money

Gift-giving gestures in media representations

Abstract

This essay is concerned with South Asian ritual gestures of monetary gift-giving, such as showering banknotes over people (paisā uṛānā), circulating money above somebody’s head (sir vārnā) or offering a currency garland (note kī mālā). These ritual practices are analyzed in audiovisual representations and media discourses, with a focus on feature films, music videos and commercials. Such gestures contribute to the social and cultural embeddedness of money.