ABSTRACT
Emotions form a central area of subjective and social identity and have major significance for the constitution of individuals, communities, societies, and cultures. Conscious of the historicity and culturality of emotions and rituals, it is essential to make clear that emotions are properly understood neither as physical phenomena nor as mere social and cultural constructs. What is particularly conspicuous is the staging and performance of emotions in talk shows, in reality TV, or in shows like Deutschland sucht den Superstar and Indian Idol. Not individual emotions, but the capability to have and perceive emotions is what constitutes the conditio humana — in contrast to animals. Modern society — both in the West and in South Asia — is essentially characterized by the following new developments: the making public of “private” emotions, public education and upbringing, the gender aspect, new media, and the commercialization and politicization as well as psychotherapeutic treatment of emotional problems.
