Failed Masculinities - by Devapriya Sanyal (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Satyajit Ray belonged to a category of filmmakers and artists from newly independent countries whose work was used to define 'national culture'.
Failed Masculinities: The Men in Satyajit Ray's Films argues that a study of his films will give us a purchase on the moral trajectory of India in its first few decades of independence, particularly through examination of his male characters and their narratives. Films discussed by Sanyal include the Apu Trilogy, Shakha Prasakha, Ghare Baire and Kapurush.

Review Quotes

Sanyal draws some fascinating conclusions when reviewing the different kinds of ineffectual males populating Satyajit Ray's films from the 1950s to the early 1990s. Notions of modernity and nationhood intersect with masculinity to illuminate this historically contextualised study in which women - whether strong or subjugated - play a critical role too.

This is a marvelous volume that shows how a filmmaker, a national industry, and emerging modern masculinity impact one another, deepening questions of identity and manhood. Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals.