Unburdened by partisanship or political correctness, these essays by Shiv Visvanathan, one of India’s foremost public intellectuals, chronicle the democratic ferment and political upheavals in contemporary India. Written over the last twenty years, they engage with issues as diverse as the new dimensions of violence, the value of dissent, the creativity in popular culture and the pathologies of nationalism and religious fundamentalism. Always alert to nuance, Visvanathan offers novel portraits of politicians, intellectuals, and sport and film personalities. Combining wit, irony and analytical brilliance, the writings collected in Theatres of Democracy show a commitment to thinking creatively about India.
Review :
In this sparkling collection of essays, Shiv Visvanathan provides fascinating insights into science and religion, politics and society, cricket and film in contemporary India. Few social scientists are as insightful, fewer still as readable, and none so witty.’
— Ramachandra Guha
‘Shiv Visvanathan is one of India’s most important social thinkers. His intellectual range, his insights into the material and inner life of society, his imaginative power and broad cultural sensibility make him an unparalleled guide to our times.’
— Pratap Bhanu Mehta
'Shiv Visvanathan views India calmly, in the midst of all the furies. A gifted writer and impeccable scholar, he probes the Indian situation with compassion. He is not left, right or centre, but a passionate social scientist to whom the sanity of India matters.’
— Paul Zacharia
About the Author
Shiv Visvanathan (Author) is Professor, School of Law, Jindal University, Sonepat; the author of several books and a columnist for leading Indian dailies and magazines.
Chandan Gowda (Editor) is Professor, School of Development, Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, as well as a translator of Kannada fiction and non-fiction.
