The Deras

More than a decade ago, intrigued by his encounter with a few people and a chance discussion about their religious beliefs, Santosh K. Singh began delving deeper into the phenomenon of the dera. What followed thereafter was an extensive engagement with this belief system. The dera culture in Punjab has an ancient history and stands on philosophically rich terrain. Deras are reflective of South Asia’s fluid, sacred geography and its propensity to constantly and seamlessly engage in multiple conversations within itself. Be it the hugely influential Dera Sachkhand Ballan, the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda or the many other deras dotting the landscape—all of these are complex institutions. They have a rich diversity of histories of time, people and communities that both draw from the past and negotiate with the present to carve out a new future. The Deras is an effort to discuss this fascinating and emancipatory realm, and prevent it from getting boxed in a narrow, sectarian and parochial framework.