British Indian Picture Postcards in Bengaluru: Ephemeral Entanglements

This book explores the lives of colonial-era postcards in India, combining ethnographic and archival research to reveal how they become objects of contemporary historical imagination. It shows that postcards have a long life from their production in the early 1900s to the present, acting as visual and material mediators in postcolonial productions of history, locality, and heritage.

Format: Hardback
Length: 164 pages
Publication date: 18 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the fascinating world of colonial-era postcards, exploring their historical significance and their role in shaping contemporary historical imagination in India. Through a meticulous blend of ethnographic and archival research, the author uncovers the rich tapestry of these postcards' lives, shedding light on their journey from their initial production and consumption in the early 1900s to their present-day role as visual and material mediators in postcolonial productions of history, locality, and heritage.

The book's foundation lies in original research conducted in Bengaluru, a city that played a pivotal role in the circulation and consumption of postcards during the colonial era. By meticulously examining the archives, newspapers, and personal collections, the author unravels the intricate stories behind these postcards, revealing the social, cultural, and political contexts in which they were produced and consumed.

What emerges from this comprehensive study is a profound understanding of the multifaceted nature of postcards as objects of historical inquiry. These seemingly mundane artifacts, imbued with personal messages and images, hold the power to evoke memories, shape narratives, and construct identities. The book demonstrates how postcards became vehicles for expressing cultural nationalism, promoting tourism, and shaping public perceptions of the colonial past.

Moreover, the book extends its analysis beyond the realm of postcards themselves. It explores how these artifacts have been appropriated and reimagined by contemporary artists, photographers, and filmmakers, who use them as a source of inspiration and a means of critiquing the legacies of colonialism. Through their creative lens, postcards are transformed into powerful tools for subverting dominant narratives, challenging historical amnesia, and promoting a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of India's past.

This book will appeal to a wide range of scholars and enthusiasts, including photographic historians, visual anthropologists, and art historians. It offers a rich and nuanced perspective on the historical significance of postcards, their role in shaping contemporary historical imagination, and their potential for ongoing exploration and interpretation. By delving into the lives of colonial-era postcards, this book contributes to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of historical memory and its impact on the present.

Weight: 489g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367549190