Sex, Drama, And The Politics Of Masculinity: A Treatise On The Indian Anti-Hero

Who is an anti-hero and what is his story? In her first book, Supriya Thanawala dives into the cultural politics of the new anti-hero in contemporary history. The journalist-turned-author shows us how each Indian anti-hero, like an antibody or antivirus, continues to emerge through new mutations and avatars time and again in literature, throwing up his own challenge for personal transgression. What began with the persona of the romantic and tragic male poet in the 19th and 20th centuries with the identity of a Mirza Ghalib, a Guru Dutt or the fictional character of a Devdas, later saw a power shift. There was the emergence of an amorous, comic, and sexually materialistic anti-hero, played out by writers like VS Naipaul and Khushwant Singh as well as Anurag Mathur who rebelled against that very experience of the classic tragic form. Sex, Drama, and the Politics of Masculinity is a treatise on that streak of masculine growth in both men and women, a take on such an endless psychological evolution — viewed from an emergent female gaze. Targeted at those who routinely consume international, journalistic writing at the intersection of fashion, politics, lifestyle, books, and the arts in general, this work is set to grab the attention of readers across ages and cultures who consciously consume and follow popular culture— particularly seeking to further an understanding of their personal self and seek emotional and holistic renewal and transformation. Through a study of mythic traditions that have been translated and adapted into the fast-growing modern-day Indian media, the book throws up questions on the political motifs behind how such a dramatic movement within the collective masculine psyche shaped itself over the last few decades and centuries — and what such a passive and subversive behavioural tool means to identity and gender politics in the 21st century.

• | Author: Supriya Thanawala
• | Publisher: Supriya Thanawala
• | Publication Date: Apr 27, 2022
• | Number of Pages: 292 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback/Literary Criticism
• | ISBN-10: 9356278768
• | ISBN-13: 9789356278769