Representing Calcutta

Modernity, Nationalism and the Colonial Uncanny

Nonfiction, History, Asian, India, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Ethnic Studies
Cover of the book Representing Calcutta by Swati Chattopadhyay, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Swati Chattopadhyay ISBN: 9781134289417
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: September 20, 2005
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Swati Chattopadhyay
ISBN: 9781134289417
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: September 20, 2005
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Representing Calcutta is a spatial history of the colonial city, and addresses the question of modernity that haunts our perception of Calcutta. The book responds to two inter-related concerns about the city. First is the image of Calcutta as the worst case scenario of a Third World city -- the proverbial 'city of dreadful nights.' Second is the changing nature of the city’s public spaces -- the demise of certain forms of urban sociality that has been mourned in recent literature as the passing of Bengali modernity. By examining architecture, city plans, paintings, literature, and official reports through the lens of postcolonial, feminist, and spatial theory, the book explores the conditions of colonialism and anti-colonial nationalism that produced the city as a modern artefact. At the centre of this exploration resides the problem of 'representing' the city, representation understood as description and narration, as well as political representation. In doing so, Chattopadhyay questions the very idea of colonial cities as creations of the colonizers, and the model of colonial cities as dual cities, split in black and white areas, in favour of a more complicated view of the topography.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Representing Calcutta is a spatial history of the colonial city, and addresses the question of modernity that haunts our perception of Calcutta. The book responds to two inter-related concerns about the city. First is the image of Calcutta as the worst case scenario of a Third World city -- the proverbial 'city of dreadful nights.' Second is the changing nature of the city’s public spaces -- the demise of certain forms of urban sociality that has been mourned in recent literature as the passing of Bengali modernity. By examining architecture, city plans, paintings, literature, and official reports through the lens of postcolonial, feminist, and spatial theory, the book explores the conditions of colonialism and anti-colonial nationalism that produced the city as a modern artefact. At the centre of this exploration resides the problem of 'representing' the city, representation understood as description and narration, as well as political representation. In doing so, Chattopadhyay questions the very idea of colonial cities as creations of the colonizers, and the model of colonial cities as dual cities, split in black and white areas, in favour of a more complicated view of the topography.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Karl Abraham by Swati Chattopadhyay
Cover of the book European Integration and National Identity by Swati Chattopadhyay
Cover of the book In Search of Structural Power by Swati Chattopadhyay
Cover of the book Reward Management by Swati Chattopadhyay
Cover of the book Refining Milestone Mass Communications Theories for the 21st Century by Swati Chattopadhyay
Cover of the book From Tsar To Soviets by Swati Chattopadhyay
Cover of the book Creativity in the British Television Comedy Industry by Swati Chattopadhyay
Cover of the book Higher Education Revolutions in the Gulf by Swati Chattopadhyay
Cover of the book Management of Environmental Problems and Hazards in Nigeria by Swati Chattopadhyay
Cover of the book Lesbian Ex-Lovers by Swati Chattopadhyay
Cover of the book Public Relations: The Basics by Swati Chattopadhyay
Cover of the book An Introduction to Tourism and Anthropology by Swati Chattopadhyay
Cover of the book Photography in Educational Research by Swati Chattopadhyay
Cover of the book Maternity and Reproductive Health in Asian Societies by Swati Chattopadhyay
Cover of the book The Corporation by Swati Chattopadhyay
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy