Abundance: Sexuality's History

Anjali Arondekar's book "Abundance" challenges the idea that archival loss is essential for a subaltern history of sexuality by arguing that the Gomantak Maratha Samaj's archives offer a rich and diverse source of information about sexuality. She suggests that abundance is linked to the histories of subordinated groups, challenging narratives of their constant devaluation. The book emphasizes the importance of considering sexuality within the context of area, post/colonial, and anti/caste histories.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2023
Publisher: Duke University Press

In her groundbreaking work, "Abundance," Anjali Arondekar challenges the prevailing notion that archival loss is a fundamental aspect of constructing a subaltern history of sexuality. She argues that the deficit of our marginalized pasts can be addressed not by seeking to acquire lost histories but rather by recognizing the radical abundance of sexuality that exists within the archives of the Gomantak Maratha Samaj, a caste-oppressed devadasi collective in South Asia. Arondekar posits that sexuality is not limited to rare or extraordinary events but is instead woven into the fabric of everyday life.

Through her analysis of the Gomantak Maratha Samaj's archives, Arondekar reveals that sexuality is not confined to the private sphere but is deeply embedded in social, cultural, and political contexts. She demonstrates how the devadasis collective used sexuality as a means of resistance against oppressive systems, challenging the hierarchies of caste and gender that prevailed in their society. Arondekar's work challenges the notion that subordinated groups are constantly devalued and highlights the ways in which they have created rich and diverse sexual practices and expressions.

One of the key insights of "Abundance" is that abundance is inextricably linked to the histories of subordinated groups in ways that challenge narratives of their constant devaluation. Arondekar argues that the pursuit of lost histories can perpetuate the notion that these groups are marginal and insignificant, while recognizing the richness and diversity of their experiences can disrupt settled genealogies of historical recuperation and representation. By centering sexuality within area, post/colonial, and anti/caste histories, Arondekar creates a multigeneric and multilingual framework that allows for a more comprehensive understanding of sexuality's role in shaping society.

Moreover, Arondekar's work is transregional and historically supple, recognizing the interconnectedness of different regions and periods in the construction of sexuality. She draws on a range of sources, including historical documents, oral histories, and cultural artifacts, to create a rich and nuanced understanding of sexuality's past and present. This approach allows for a more global perspective on sexuality, recognizing the ways in which it has been shaped by colonialism, globalization, and other forms of power and oppression.

In conclusion, "Abundance" is a groundbreaking work that challenges the dominant narratives of archival loss and sexuality. By recognizing the radical abundance of sexuality that exists within the archives of the Gomantak Maratha Samaj, Anjali Arondekar creates a new framework for understanding sexuality's past and present. Her work upends settled genealogies of historical recuperation and representation, highlighting the ways in which subordinated groups have created rich and diverse sexual practices and expressions. Through her transregional and historically supple approach, Arondekar creates a more comprehensive understanding of sexuality's role in shaping society, recognizing the interconnectedness of different regions and periods in the construction of sexuality.

Weight: 262g
Dimension: 152 x 232 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478019909