The Ramnami Samaj is a religious movement founded by Scheduled Caste Ram devotees (bhaktas) in the late 19th century in what is now central and northern Chhattisgarh. Denied entry to temples and forced to use separate wells, these low-caste Hindus in the Chhattisgarh first tattooed their bodies and faces with the name of “Ram” more than 100 years ago as an act of defiance and devotion. A largely illiterate community, they taught themselves to read and write, to be able to read the ‘Ramcharitmanas’ written by Tulsidas, and also developed their own musical and clothing traditions. The movement which has largely remained apolitical and devoid of formal hierarchical structures is now witnessing a new era, with the current generation of Ramnamis navigating their way between old traditions and a modern lifestyle.