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 →

D.D. Kosambi: Revisiting the Historian and his Legacy—Shashi Singh

D.D. Kosambi bathing his dog Chatya (Image courtesy Permanent Black) Aijaz Ahmad, the legendary Marxist theorist who passed away recently, was of the opinion that universities have been transmogrified into markets and malls selling enticing theories of postmodernism and postcolonialism to students. He was a fervent critic of these theories since he felt that their … Continue reading D.D. Kosambi: Revisiting the Historian and his Legacy—Shashi Singh →

Mask, Maker, and the Market: Dispatches on Chhau from Charida—Debayan Das

A Chhau mask depicting Goddess Durga Introduction Chhau is a unique tribal martial dance performed in the month of Chaitra across villages in the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha, by mostly all-men troupes. Its practice in these three states gave rise to three different schools or styles of Chhau: Seraikela, Purulia and Mayurbhanj. … Continue reading Mask, Maker, and the Market: Dispatches on Chhau from Charida—Debayan Das →

Is Reproductive Choice a Myth for Women?—Krishna Priya

Image Courtesy: MSI Reproductive Choices The union cabinet has recently voted to raise the minimum age for girls to marry from 18 to 21, bringing them into line with boys. The new decision was made in response to the rising number of early pregnancies that endanger both mother and child's lives, as well as for … Continue reading Is Reproductive Choice a Myth for Women?—Krishna Priya →

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 →

Rahul Sankrityayan’s ‘Mental Slavery’—Translated By Satyam Jha

Poster by Bisakh Sarkar The greater the antiquity of any civilization, the stronger it is gripped by the bonds of mental slavery. Since the civilization of India is unquestionably ancient, there are greater impediments on its path of advancement. Mental slavery is the biggest hurdle to progress. Our sufferings, our myriad economic, social and political … Continue reading Rahul Sankrityayan’s ‘Mental Slavery’—Translated By Satyam Jha →