Venomous Touch: Notes on Caste, Culture and Politics

Book Details:

• Book Title: Theorizing Resistance

• Author: Ravi Kumar

• Edition: Second Edition

• Binding: Paperback

• ISBN: 9789381345887

• Number of Pages: 302

• Release Date: 01-12-2023

• Language: English

About the Book:

Theorizing Resistance by Ravi Kumar is a collection of essays that brings his intellectual concerns to a wider audience. These essays, many of which are translated from Tamil for the first time, explore a variety of pressing issues within contemporary India. They range from caste politics, communalism, media influence, education, censorship, and literature, offering a critical analysis of the power dynamics that shape democratic India.

Drawing on the works of Marx, Bakunin, Derrida, Foucault, and other prominent philosophers, Ravi Kumar addresses questions of power, resistance, and historical oppression, with a focus on Dalit narratives and their unexpected developments. The book is divided into five parts, charting the history of Dalits, land ownership, labor, and education. Kumar also critiques the role of cinema in documenting social issues, analyzing the film Knock-Out by filmmaker Lenin.

The final section of the book contains powerful accounts of Dalit oppression, including the systematic violence and legal neglect faced by Dalits in India. A new piece titled ‘Theorizing Resistance’ provides fresh insights for readers to engage with, making this collection a thought-provoking and challenging read.

Key Features:

• Engages with Marxist and postmodern philosophy to explore power and resistance.

• Critical analysis of caste, communalism, media politics, and Dalit narratives.

• Includes translated essays from Tamil literature, offering a new perspective on Indian society.

• Documentation of Dalit oppression, violence, and historical injustices.

• Theoretical insights into resistance movements and their social impact.