Faculty Coordinators: S.V. Srinivas and Ashish Rajadhyaksha

Research Fellow: Radhika P.

Research Associate: Sanam Roohi

Email: theasianpopular@cscs.res.in

Description of Research Programme:
CIDASIA aims at demonstrating that the study of popular culture—its production, circulation and consumption—in the Asia region can change the way contemporary societies and politics is theorized. The programme examines old and new cultural forms in order to conceptualize how the popular becomes the foundation for social organization and political mobilization. Culture industries in India and the rest of Asia, their imbrication with various forms of mobilization on the one hand and livelihoods on the other will be a major focus of the programme.

Visiting Fellows 2007-2008
Professor M. Madhava Prasad, English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad.

Professor Earl Jackson Jr., Department of English Language and Literature, Korea University, Seoul.

 Forthcoming Event

 Asia Stakeholders’ Conference, 14^th – 16^th December 2008. In collaboration with Hivos, The Hague and Open Society Institute, Budapest.

 Ongoing Projects

 1. Cultural Rights, Cultural Policy and Culture Industries

2. The Asian Culture Industries Project

Completed Projects:
a) Culture Industries, Cultural Diversity and Cultural Policy in the Time of Globalization (supported by HIVOS). Completed in September 2008.
b) When The Host Arrived: A Study of the Korean Wave in India (supported by InKo Centre, Chennai). Completed in April 2008.

 Projects Completed Before 2005
1. Telugu Cinema: History, Culture, Theory (1999). Project outcome: Telugu and English language dossiers on Telugu cinema.
2. Cinema in Andhra 1921-1950: The Formation of a Public Sphere (1998-2000). Project outcome: published articles, materials uploaded on the CSCS media archive.
3. Democracy and Spectatorship in India: Telugu Popular Cinema and Hong Kong Action Film (2000-2002). Project outcome: published articles and website

Previous Conferences/Workshops:
1. Telugu cinema: History, Culture, Theory, August 1999 (National level workshop conducted in collaboration with Anveshi Research Centre for Women’s Studies. Funded by Ford Foundation, New Delhi).
2. Asian Cinema: Towards a Research and Teaching Agenda (February 2-4, 2007. Funded by Japan Foundation, New Delhi).
3. Asian Stars: Markets, Politics and Sex Appeal (April 19th, 2007).
4. Culture Industries, Cultural Diversity and Cultural Policy in the Time of Globalization (September 28-29, 2007. In collaboration with Alternative Law Forum, Bangalore. Supported by HIVOS).