Papers by Tarun T Mukherjee
Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities, 2024
This paper critically engages with Anuj Lugun's poetics of resistance and reclamation by focusing... more This paper critically engages with Anuj Lugun's poetics of resistance and reclamation by focusing on his representation of the civilization of water, forest, and land. Lugun, an emerging voice in contemporary indigenous literature in India, uses poetry to articulate the struggles and resilience of tribal communities in India to resist the forces of displacement and environmental degradation and reclaim cultural identity. Through a close reading of selected poems translated by Pragya Shukla, this study analyzes the way Lugun weaves a narrative that challenges dominant historical and cultural discourses. The analysis also explores how Lugun represents the ongoing fight for Indigenous rights and environmental and social justice through a unique blend of traditional oral storytelling with modern poetic forms. This paper links Lugun's poetics with global Indigenous artistic practices by showing how Lugun's poetry addresses the same concerns. It also reflects the spirit of the United Nations' Sustainable Developmen
Chitrolekha Journal on Art and Design, 2024
This article reports the finding of a menhir adorned with intricate cupmarks at Chhind Kalo, near... more This article reports the finding of a menhir adorned with intricate cupmarks at Chhind Kalo, near Ambikapur airport in Chhattisgarh, India. This menhir, known as Thinthini Paththar for its acoustic qualities, provides valuable insights into the historical and cultural context of the area. The study aims to highlight the cultural significance of the menhir and the associated stone complex within the broader technological framework of the Chotanagpur plateau region. It seeks to attract scholarly attention from experts in the field to encourage further research. Additionally, the study urges non-governmental organizations and government authorities to take measures for the preservation of the site.
Chitrolekha Journal on Art and Design
The origin of patriarchy is shrouded in mystery. Perhaps it is even impossible to trace because o... more The origin of patriarchy is shrouded in mystery. Perhaps it is even impossible to trace because of our limited knowledge about the formation of the social systems and relations in the prehistoric periods of history. There is another big limitation: this kind of research deals with big time scales and vast spaces and different techno-complexes in different parts of the world. Some of the arguments may sound like oversimplifications and overgeneralizations. But despite this, some standard behaviour and response and symbolic structures are detected in the evolution of human culture right from the upper paleolithic period and they demand interpretation. I propose to consider whether the rise of the representation of the Phallus in the Early Farming stage in the human culture was an attempt at suppressing the primacy of the Vulva and the Mother Goddess in the earth in favour of establishing the Father in the Sky and whether some principles were derived to adopt and apply in the prehistor...
This paper delves into the Romanian and Indian (Bengali) literatures to discover the concept of s... more This paper delves into the Romanian and Indian (Bengali) literatures to discover the concept of self in poetic art in relation to nature and divinity, keeping in the spotlight two major literary figures belonging to these different cultures: Mihai Eminescu and Rabindranath Tagore. I roughly argue firstly that the authors and their works embody metachronotopic entities that enable points of convergence and divergence, as well as varied articulations of ‘reality’, and secondly that ‘some self of Eminescu’ and ‘some self of Tagore’ meet into a ‘global cultural unconscious’ from where intriguing revelations emerge. I illustrate these instances of emergence by comparative critical analysis of their works, fragments of their lives and ‘selves’. [
The softness of river line soil has softened our minds, which gave the opportunity for the ancien... more The softness of river line soil has softened our minds, which gave the opportunity for the ancient artists of this most fertile delta of the world, comprised of approximately 700 rivers, to draw coarse lines over muddy surface and to mold any shape by fingers, a hypothetical beginning of art in this land. After Pala consequence, synthesis of Islam and Hinduism in rural culture gave birth of Bengal’s own artistic language during medieval period, where art was something inherent, instinct and intuitive. Folk art was not; even still not iconoclastic but the study of nature is prior to there. Bengal art had been possible only for the thirst to acquire precise negotiation with the surrounding nature. This observation resulted in a metaphysical fancy and was relevant in all forms of art. It represents the emotion of our community, not of the individuals. Thus the artists are lost, in the womb of past but not their arts. Prominence of folk literature had shaped the art of Bengal. From Beng...
Chitrolekha International Magazine on Art and Design, 2016
Preservation of traditional arts and crafts has been an intriguing question for people and groups... more Preservation of traditional arts and crafts has been an intriguing question for people and groups concerned about the rapidly vanishing local traditions in the face of many a factor beyond the control of any singular approach or methods of preservation and revival. Protective approaches can be taken on case-based method having multidimensional remedial, protective and revivalist measures. We propose here one such step, Local Revival-which can support protective initiatives through a visual presentation of the local arts and crafts at different places locally. For instance, for the protection of the terracotta horse of Panchmura of Bankura, West Bengal, local authorities can think of displaying the pictures of the crafts and the famous artisans in institutions like schools, government offices in and around Panchmura. The local population, familiar with the crafts, will come to know its heritage value through a series of visual presentation, which can be just a gallery in the corridor of a building or a road show.
Chitrolekha Journal on Art and Design, 2021
The origin of patriarchy is shrouded in mystery. Perhaps it is even impossible to trace because o... more The origin of patriarchy is shrouded in mystery. Perhaps it is even impossible to trace because of our limited knowledge about the formation of the social systems and relations in the prehistoric periods of history. There is another big limitation: this kind of research deals with big time scales and vast spaces and different techno-complexes in different parts of the world. Some of the arguments may sound like oversimplifications and overgeneralizations. But despite this, some standard behaviour and response and symbolic structures are detected in the evolution of the human culture right from the upper Paleolithic period and they demand interpretation. I propose to consider whether the rise of the representation of the Phallus in the Early Farming stage in the human culture was an attempt at suppressing the primacy of the Vulva and the Mother Goddess in the earth in favour of establishing the Father in the Sky and whether some principles were derived to adopt and apply in the prehistoric periods i. This leads us to consider another vital question: whether the rise of the Phallus was a symbolic representation of the birth of Patriarchy in the Early Farming stage, in the Chalcolithic period, and whether the new forms of religion supported the establishment of patriarchy in that stage.
Chitrolekha Journal on Art and Design, 2022
The author along with his colleagues undertook explorations at various places of Dantan over a lo... more The author along with his colleagues undertook explorations at various places of Dantan over a long period from 2017 to 2021 and it resulted in the discovery of two large black and red ware sites, one at Satbahini sacred grove at the village, Kusturia and another at the village, Urisal. The article reports on the archaeological sites and the artefacts recovered from the places. Since the sites are a kind of conglomerates of various cultural phases, the article primarily comments on the early medieval Saptamatrika cult and the late medieval cult of Chandi and tries to locate the prehistoric cult of Mother Earth in the immediate context of the region. Based on the prehistoric and ancient artefacts, the author tries to comment on the Chalcolithic material culture of the region and makes an effort at relating them to other BRW sites recently discovered in the adjoining district of Purba Medinipur. Then, in the context of the Subarnarekha river and the larger techno-complex, the author tries to go beyond the material culture in order to explore their social formations based on totemic values. Finally, it seeks to explore the intellectual exercises reflected in the art of image-making and creating symbolic connections and representing through early art from the Chalcolithic times.
This article addresses a project of electronic edition of eighteenth-century drama manuscripts,
i... more This article addresses a project of electronic edition of eighteenth-century drama manuscripts,
introducing performance art as an active methodology. This was meant to isolate the specific
features of eighteenth-century drama manuscripts, in order to assess their improved electronic
edition. So, to fully grasp the distinctive features of these historical testimonies, performance art
was used as a mediation process, and different interrelated performance initiatives took place.
Through performance it was possible to restitute the “take place” (Kobialka, 2002) i.e. the
eventful nature contained in the manuscripts, instead of searching for metadata innovations, or
an ideal critical apparatus. The focus was laid on drama as a particular type of happening and
accomplishment, silenced amidst the archive. The happening quality of the manuscripts was then
put to proof through different contexts and practices of performance. The resultant digital
edition reflects the “remains” of taking drama manuscripts into performance practice, allowing
for a new format of reading material.
The land of Medinipur possesses unique cultural heritage, ethnic richness, eco-diversity and a nu... more The land of Medinipur possesses unique cultural heritage, ethnic richness, eco-diversity and a number of glorious phases of history. All these make the land ideal for creating tourism circuits. Tourism in Paschim Medinipur can directly and indirectly help in utilizing the human, natural and historical resources for
1. Conservation of heritage sites in scientific manner.
2. Promoting awareness about local history and heritage and thereby helping conservation.
3. Developing local infrastructure
4. Creating job opportunities and developing local economy.
5. Promoting advanced researches on the history and heritage of the areas.
History of Dantan needs to be rewritten. Many scholars like Haraprasad Sastri, Nagendranath Basu,... more History of Dantan needs to be rewritten. Many scholars like Haraprasad Sastri, Nagendranath Basu, A. K. Banerjee, B. N. Mukherjee made a number of guesses on Dantan. Long ago Nihar Ranjan Ray clearly identified Dantan with the ancient and medieval province Dandabhukti, the capital of which must have been in a few places of Dantan. For, a number of provincial rulers—sometimes in the status of independent monarch, ruled here and built their settlements. The archaeological remains of those sites are still visible here and there. The entire region of Dantan has yielded large number of ancient artefacts which are still to be studied academically. In fact, Dantan remained a neglected place for a long period—culturally and economically. It is high time now that we reconsider the historical and academic importance of Dantan in a new era of information technology.
With the discovery of a gigantic monastery (60Mx60M) by Prof. Asok Datta and his team from the D... more With the discovery of a gigantic monastery (60Mx60M) by Prof. Asok Datta and his team from the Department of Archaeology, Calcutta University following the excavations undertaken in six phases from 2003-2004 to 2011-12, researchers and enthusiasts have once again become interested in the elusive region of Dandabhukti. A general survey of the region around the modern-day muffasil town Dantan reveals that the entire region is rich in archaeological artefacts and certain place-names still contain the names recorded in the inscriptions from the 7th century. This article attempts to provide a general survey of the archaeological sites of the region as per the available records and artefacts, explore the options of relocating the ancient places as mentioned in the inscriptions and record some observations relating to its history and culture.
The advent and introduction of digital technology has created a challenging situation for all and... more The advent and introduction of digital technology has created a challenging situation for all and
slowly but steadily we are experiencing its immense impact on education. In the wake of this
digital revolution, we witness the rise of a converged platform in the form of World Wide Web,
which has become favorite destination for information seekers. With the platform theoretically
available anywhere anytime, the task of a researcher has become on the one hand easier and
on the other very complicated. This paper is an attempt at understanding the context and tries to
formulate certain methodology for making effective use of a new medium for scholarly research
and publication.
Art as an applied practice depends much on the material medium of communication. The availability... more Art as an applied practice depends much on the material medium of communication. The availability of the medium, on the other hand, means much to the creator, patron, publisher and the audience/spectator/reader. The scarcity and costliness of the material medium determines, to a great extent, the nature and type of art. In the case of written texts, for instance, the primitive materials -stones, animal skins, papyrus etc, also played a great role in making logos sacred. In other words, scientific and technological inventions and innovations in the field of communication influence the production/reproduction of literature almost politically; as such that that they gather around themselves over the ages ideological colours. Now in our time we are witnessing a new medium revolutionizing the production, reproduction and access of arts-namely the digital medium. The digital mode and medium offers certain facilities of communication, dissemination and preservation which other modes and medium cannot. A digitally produced or reproduced literature can be incorporated into a computer programme for automatic response to a user's query from any corner of the earth and at any time provided that, as Borgman says, i.) the user has the basic technical knowledge and skills, ii.) the technology is viable, iii.) the information is relevant and usable (Borgman 2000, 57). Following the principle of automation, digital libraries arose and from the very beginning they depended on the classics for popular and academic acceptance. In this
Book Reviews by Tarun T Mukherjee
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Papers by Tarun T Mukherjee
introducing performance art as an active methodology. This was meant to isolate the specific
features of eighteenth-century drama manuscripts, in order to assess their improved electronic
edition. So, to fully grasp the distinctive features of these historical testimonies, performance art
was used as a mediation process, and different interrelated performance initiatives took place.
Through performance it was possible to restitute the “take place” (Kobialka, 2002) i.e. the
eventful nature contained in the manuscripts, instead of searching for metadata innovations, or
an ideal critical apparatus. The focus was laid on drama as a particular type of happening and
accomplishment, silenced amidst the archive. The happening quality of the manuscripts was then
put to proof through different contexts and practices of performance. The resultant digital
edition reflects the “remains” of taking drama manuscripts into performance practice, allowing
for a new format of reading material.
1. Conservation of heritage sites in scientific manner.
2. Promoting awareness about local history and heritage and thereby helping conservation.
3. Developing local infrastructure
4. Creating job opportunities and developing local economy.
5. Promoting advanced researches on the history and heritage of the areas.
slowly but steadily we are experiencing its immense impact on education. In the wake of this
digital revolution, we witness the rise of a converged platform in the form of World Wide Web,
which has become favorite destination for information seekers. With the platform theoretically
available anywhere anytime, the task of a researcher has become on the one hand easier and
on the other very complicated. This paper is an attempt at understanding the context and tries to
formulate certain methodology for making effective use of a new medium for scholarly research
and publication.
Book Reviews by Tarun T Mukherjee
introducing performance art as an active methodology. This was meant to isolate the specific
features of eighteenth-century drama manuscripts, in order to assess their improved electronic
edition. So, to fully grasp the distinctive features of these historical testimonies, performance art
was used as a mediation process, and different interrelated performance initiatives took place.
Through performance it was possible to restitute the “take place” (Kobialka, 2002) i.e. the
eventful nature contained in the manuscripts, instead of searching for metadata innovations, or
an ideal critical apparatus. The focus was laid on drama as a particular type of happening and
accomplishment, silenced amidst the archive. The happening quality of the manuscripts was then
put to proof through different contexts and practices of performance. The resultant digital
edition reflects the “remains” of taking drama manuscripts into performance practice, allowing
for a new format of reading material.
1. Conservation of heritage sites in scientific manner.
2. Promoting awareness about local history and heritage and thereby helping conservation.
3. Developing local infrastructure
4. Creating job opportunities and developing local economy.
5. Promoting advanced researches on the history and heritage of the areas.
slowly but steadily we are experiencing its immense impact on education. In the wake of this
digital revolution, we witness the rise of a converged platform in the form of World Wide Web,
which has become favorite destination for information seekers. With the platform theoretically
available anywhere anytime, the task of a researcher has become on the one hand easier and
on the other very complicated. This paper is an attempt at understanding the context and tries to
formulate certain methodology for making effective use of a new medium for scholarly research
and publication.