A study.

A study.

The first major attempt that discusses, illustrates, critically analyses the revival of folk arts, life styles of folk artistes, their socio-economic background and measures to improve their conditions.

Third Completely Revised and Updated EditionMass Communication in India is a result of the author s in-depth study and understanding of the media. The book deals with a general introduction to Communication Theory, Advertising, Television, Effects of Media and Development. In short, the book is designed to give the student of Mass Communication a general and comprehensive view of the modern and traditional media in India. It meets the objective of being a text book as well as a book that gives an overview of mass communication in India.

Folk performances reflect the life-worlds of a vast section of subaltern communities in India. What is the philosophy that drives these performances, the vision that enables as well as enslaves these communities to present what they feel, think, imagine, and want to see? Can such performances challenge social hierarchies and ensure justice in a caste-ridden society? In Cultural Labour, the author studies bhuiyan puja (land worship), bidesia (theatre of migrant labourers), Reshma-Chuharmal (Dalit ballads), dugola (singing duels) from Bihar, and the songs and performances of Gaddar, who was associated with Jana Natya Mandali, Telangana: he examines various ways in which meanings and behaviour are engendered in communities through rituals, theatre, and enactments. Focusing on various motifs of landscape, materiality, and performance, the author looks at the relationship between culture and labour in its immediate contexts. Based on an extensive ethnography and the author’s own life experience as a member of such a community, the book offers a new conceptual framework to understand the politics and aesthetics of folk performance in the light of contemporary theories of theatre and performance studies.

In a traditional society like India, art is the Integral part of the general life of the people. The urge to express, communicate and share something beautiful gave birth to performing arts. Folk performing art is changing its structure , continuously modifying itself to the needs of the changing situation making it functionally relevant to the society. All this has been effectively brought out in this book.