Onscreen/Offscreen

Onscreen/Offscreen is a book that examines the politics and being of filmic images through ethnographic fieldwork in Tamil Nadu, exploring contestations over what an image is and offering a new vision for linguistic anthropology beyond the question of language.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2023
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

Based on extensive ethnographic fieldwork spanning over a decade in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Onscreen/Offscreen delves into the intricate politics and essence of filmic images. The book explores the ongoing debates within and outside the Tamil film industry regarding the definition of an image. Answers to this fundamental question can be found in the ontological politics that unfold on film sets, in theater halls, and within the social fabric of everyday life in South India. From the realm of populist electoral politics and the gendered dynamics of social spaces to caste uplift and dominance, the book uncovers the diverse range of factors that shape the visual representation of society. By seamlessly blending linguistic anthropology, film studies, visual studies, and media anthropology, Onscreen/Offscreen offers a groundbreaking reimagining of key issues related to the semiotic constitution of social life. It challenges any approach that seeks to separate image from its social context and presents a fresh perspective for linguistic anthropology, extending beyond the confines of language alone. Through its comprehensive analysis, the book provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between images, society, and power, shedding light on the ways in which filmic representations shape our understanding of the world.

Weight: 640g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487541774