Diana Dimitrova studies the representation of gender and religion in Hindi drama from its beginnings in the second half of the nineteenth century until the 1960s - the period when urban proscenium Hindi theatre; which originated under Western influence; matured and thrived. Her focus is on how different religious and mythological models pertaining to women have been reworked in Hindi drama and whether the seven representative dramatists discussed in this book present conservative or liberating Hindu images of the feminine. She examines how the intersections of gender; religion; and ideology account for the creation of the canon of modern Hindi drama; specifically the assertion of a conservative interpretation of orthodox Hindu images of the feminine as well as the exclusion of dramatists who introduce innovative liberating images of the feminine.The overt reason for the negative attitude toward this innovative representation of gender is that it is perceived as "Western" and thus "non-Indian." By contrast; the authors analysis of Hindu mythology; religion; and theatre history reveals that the new interpretation of gender is deeply embedded in Hindu tradition and is thus both Hindu Indian and modernist Western in character.
#3779899 in eBooks 2007-04-16 2007-04-16File Name: B00CS5BLIA
Review
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful. I cant say I enjoyed this book at allBy Chelsea BrownAs someone who not only enjoys art; but has gone to school for it; I cant say I enjoyed this book at all. Its unorganized; scattered in a matter that has the reader jumping from timeline to timeline; biography to practical lesson; art period/movements to elements. It just doesnt work. Im fully aware that the "101" series from AdamsMedia is organized in such a way that features colored pictures in the middle of the book; but thats exactly why "Art 101" should not have even been written. Art is exactly that; a visual representation. If not visual; its auditory; and since this is a book; that sense is unrelated. Theres no pictures. I know; I know; most readers are left to imagination; but are we really going to talk about color and only feature black and white hand drawn photos until a cluster page of tiny graphics in between page 128 and 129? Is that sensible? Honestly; out of all the "101" series; this is the one Im mostly disappointed by. I adore books; and I adore owning them even more; but I do regret this purchase. I dont recommend buying; I would recommend checking out at a library; if anything.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Anna OvertonBrilliant value product4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Incredibly useful little bookBy CustomerIncredibly useful little book. I am an art/art history college instructor and decided to require this book for all my classes in addition to other resources.I do not use traditional textbooks anymore because; as the author mentions in the introduction; they are unnecessarily complicated written by out-of-touch art historians who fail to communicate art history material to beginners in an digestible and clear way. Not to mention outrageous pricesstudents cant afford. Since I mostly use online materials; such as Khan Academy or Art Story; students leave the course not having anything "real" in their hand to look back on what they learned. This book is small and portable by which they will remember their art classes.