The Politics of Demolition and the Displaced People of the Tughlaqabad Village—Monjima Kar

Ruins of the Tughlaqabad Fort. The Tughlaqabad Fort, built around the 14th century, stands in ruins now, seven centuries later. What remains are the various settlements outside the fort enclosure. These settlements are equally old, built around the fort and inhabited by the working-class people ever since. While Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq might have found it difficult to … Continue reading The Politics of Demolition and the Displaced People of the Tughlaqabad Village—Monjima Kar →

Corruption Conundrum: The Political Anatomy of a Pecuniary Problem—Ritabrata Chakraborty

Cartoon by R.K. Laxman (Image Source: Public Domain) Often, encountering stunning images makes a deeper impact on us than reading stark facts in text. After years of stalled recruitments, legal deadlocks and sustained protests by a section of the deprived candidates for the School Service Commission examination, the pictures of a massive stockpile of cash, … Continue reading Corruption Conundrum: The Political Anatomy of a Pecuniary Problem—Ritabrata Chakraborty →

Samar Sen’s ‘Sans Reverence’—Translated by Suchintan Das

Samar Sen (1916-1987) [Image: Public Domain] The question of livelihood does not arise while discussing the term ‘intellectual’. The Bangla term ‘Buddhijibi’—one who lives off one’s own intellect—is therefore not an accurate translation. Perhaps the remnant of our old Brahminical baggage[1] has lingered on in this rendering. Brahmins were the custodians of intellectual culture and they … Continue reading Samar Sen’s ‘Sans Reverence’—Translated by Suchintan Das →

Tribulations for the Future of Classical Arts in India—Arnaaz Zaman

The eviction of veteran Odissi dancer, Padma Shri Mayadhar Raut The insular world of classical arts rarely surfaces on the mainstream news-headlines in India. Yet, the eviction of Mayadhar Raut, the doyen of the Odissi dance form, from his government accommodation in New Delhi brought the fraternity to the fore of the news-cycle. As images of … Continue reading Tribulations for the Future of Classical Arts in India—Arnaaz Zaman →

Can Periyar’s Politics Be Accepted In Today’s Anti-Caste Discourse?—Diya Maria Abraham

Periyar E.V. Ramasamy Naicker (Image Courtesy: Vikatan) “The Jews are only interested in themselves and nobody else. They somehow contrive to have the rulers in their pocket, participate in governance and conspire to torture and suck the lives out of other citizens in order that they live (in comfort).” “Are they not comparable to the … Continue reading Can Periyar’s Politics Be Accepted In Today’s Anti-Caste Discourse?—Diya Maria Abraham →

Documenting Dissent Through Art—Rayan Chakrabarti

“Painting is not made to decorate apartments; it is an offensive and defensive instrument of war against the enemy.” ---Pablo Picasso Art plays a pivotal role in shaping the nature of protests during any social upheaval. It allows the people to give a new direction to their political imagination and make powerful statements challenging authorities. … Continue reading Documenting Dissent Through Art—Rayan Chakrabarti →

Discontents of Development: Lessons from the Baghjan Gas Tragedy—Riya Lohia

Residents of Notun Gaon Protesting (Image Courtesy: Noihrit) On 27 May, one of the gas wells at the Baghjan oil field in Assam’s Tinsukia district had a blowout. Fearing that this uncontrollable release of natural gas and oil condensate might catch fire, Oil India Limited called a team of experts from Singapore to contain the … Continue reading Discontents of Development: Lessons from the Baghjan Gas Tragedy—Riya Lohia →

The Curious Case of Gambhīrā: Evolution of a Folk Performance from the Indo-Bangladesh Borderland—Asmita Sarkar

Picture Courtesy: Malda Malancha “Deshta kore bhagabhagi, abar cholchey jhogra jhati, Bharot holo shoshan, hey panchanan, purey hinshar oi aguney.” (The country was divided up, now people continue to bicker, India has become a crematorium, O Panchanan (Shiva), engulfed by violent flickers.) “Sommilito jatipunjer niom bhengey Dhonsompoder ohankarey korchish Baghdad akromon Besh to khush, ohey … Continue reading The Curious Case of Gambhīrā: Evolution of a Folk Performance from the Indo-Bangladesh Borderland—Asmita Sarkar →

The Alchemy of Well-Being—Suchintan Das

Angelus Novus by Paul Klee A pot of wine among the flowers. I drink alone, no friend with me. I raise my cup to invite the moon. He and my shadow and I make three. –––Li Bai, Drinking Alone with the Moon (Translated by Vikram Seth) These lines, penned by the eighth century Taoist poet … Continue reading The Alchemy of Well-Being—Suchintan Das →

Beyond the Academic: Indian Higher Education System’s Encounter with the Pandemic—Ananyo Chakraborty

The COVID-19 pandemic and the ill-planned and hastily executed nationwide lockdown that ensued as a combative policy, have exposed the grave fault-lines intrinsic to the Indian higher education system like never before. With colleges and universities being shut down and the scope of physical interaction between students and teachers being cancelled out completely, a set … Continue reading Beyond the Academic: Indian Higher Education System’s Encounter with the Pandemic—Ananyo Chakraborty →