Culture and Power in Banaras: Community, Performance, and Environment, 1800-1980

This collection of essays explores everyday activities in Banaras, India, to understand shared values, identity formation, and community self-consciousness. It examines performance genres, neighborhood, leisure, and work, linking these experiences to larger worlds. The essays embrace the city's diversity, making it of interest to scholars and students of South Asia and comparative popular culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 310 pages
Publication date: 13 May 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

This captivating collection of ten essays delves into the vibrant and diverse urban landscape of Banaras,one of India's largest metropolitan hubs situated in the eastern Gangetic Plain. Through a meticulous examination of everyday activities, these essays explore a rich tapestry of shared values, motivations, processes of identity formation, and self-conscious constructions of community.

Part One of the collection takes a closer look at the performance genres that have captivated audiences from across the city. The essays examine the ways in which these genres serve as powerful mediums for expressing cultural identities, fostering social connections, and shaping collective narratives. By examining the performances of musicians, dancers, and storytellers, the authors shed light on the ways in which Banaras' rich cultural heritage is intertwined with the city's dynamic social fabric.

Part Two delves deeper into the intricate tapestry of Banaras' neighborhoods, leisure spaces, and workplaces. The essays explore the ways in which urban residents utilize a sense of identity to organize their activities and infuse meaning into their lives. The authors examine the role of social networks, cultural practices, and collective rituals in shaping individual and group identities, as well as the ways in which these identities intersect with larger social and political contexts.

Part Three of the collection establishes a broader framework for understanding the experiences of Banaras residents within the context of a larger world. The essays explore the interconnectedness of Banaras with language movements, political protests, disease ecology, and regional environmental impact. By examining these interconnections, the authors highlight the ways in which Banaras serves as a microcosm of larger social and ecological processes, shedding light on the complex dynamics that shape contemporary India.

Banaras is a multifaceted world, characterized by profound religious, caste, class, linguistic, and popular cultural differences. This collection embraces and celebrates those differences, showcasing the rich diversity of perspectives and experiences within the city. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars and students of South Asia, as well as for anyone interested in comparative discussions of popular culture.

This title is proudly part of UC Press' Voices Revived program, a testament to the publisher's commitment to seeking out and nurturing the brightest minds in the field. Voices Revived leverages print-on-demand technology to reissue high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship from the publisher's extensive backlist, making it accessible to a wider audience once again. Originally published in 1989, this title stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of UC Press in shaping intellectual discourse and promoting understanding across diverse communities.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520308916