International Journal of Communication, Feb 8, 2016
The continuing tension between the necessity and impossibility of translation is explored within ... more The continuing tension between the necessity and impossibility of translation is explored within the context of the Kashmiri movement for self-determination. In this situation of conflict, the central term azadi is intensely contested, with different parties to the conflict inflecting the term with their own politically motivated interpretations. In addition, the act of translation itself becomes politicized, with the Indian government, the Indian mainstream press, and minorities within Kashmir insisting that Kashmiris reveal the "real" meaning of azadi and Kashmiri protestors refusing to pin down its meaning, using its polyvalence as part of the movement repertoire. In this fraught situation, engaged translation by progressive intellectuals is necessary to move beyond mutually exclusive interpretations of azadi so that new futures for Kashmir can be imagined.
This chapter argues for focusing on the communicative empowerment of "women of the South" (women ... more This chapter argues for focusing on the communicative empowerment of "women of the South" (women living in poverty and deprivation in every region of the world) in the conviction that it is by learning from these women that alternative visions for a more just and sustainable future can be created. Through a review of literature, this chapter documents the ways in which women of the South are silenced within (a) colonial discourse, (b) news and academic discourses, and (c) development discourse. The chapter then reviews literature describing a number of efforts by women to use traditional and modern communicative practice to create social change. This chapter derives insights from the literature on both the obstacles and possibilities that exist in the path to the communicative empowerment of women of the South.
This article examines a few appropriations of the main women characters in the Indian epics, the ... more This article examines a few appropriations of the main women characters in the Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, by ordinary women in their folk songs, as well as by women writers and artists in the feminist domain. The appropriations dip into already existing associations about the epic heroines, but rearticulate these to create greater space for the elaboration and positioning of postcolonial Indian feminisms. While the appropriation of the epics carries certain risks, such as unintentional complicity with right-wing conservative projects and the positioning of Indian feminism as exclusive of caste and class concerns, it is contended here that the risk is worth taking because the epics continue to be an important and contested part of the cultural field, and because the feminist appropriations are able to absorb and respond to the critiques to some degree. The appropriations in the folk domain are juxtaposed with those in the feminist domain: those of Sita from the Ramayana are juxtaposed with those of Draupadi from the Mahabharata. In addition, all appropriations are placed within the debate in Indian feminism over the use of traditional narratives in order to garner insight into the potential of the narratives as a resource for feminist projects.
This commentary makes the case for keeping marginal perspectives and experiences in clear view as... more This commentary makes the case for keeping marginal perspectives and experiences in clear view as we try to decenter the West/North in the field of global communication and social change. Otherwise, we risk replacing current blinders with new ones. To be truly relevant, we need to take into account the experiential reality of people who have historically been marginalized, but also those who continue to become marginalized by current economic and political forces, including neoliberal policies and practices. In addition, it will be useful to build upon existing bases of knowledge in the South within academia but also residing within marginalized communities. Such a grounded and reflexive approach promises to challenge our current perspectives and theories, harkening toward new paradigms.
All issues of India Abroad from January to June of 1983 and 1985 were perused to pick out stories... more All issues of India Abroad from January to June of 1983 and 1985 were perused to pick out stories pertaining to women. These women's stories were then coded in such a way as to ascertain the topics covered, the presentation of women's stories, and their overall treatment by the paper. It was found that there are very few stories on women, relative to the number of stories overall. Also, stories on women often appear as idiosyncratic events, unrelated to a larger perspective or to social causes. Women rarely speak for themselves in the stories about them; rather, bureaucratic males are usually used as sources. Women's stories are dispersed throughout the paper, but there are very few front page stories about women. In general, the tone of the stories is positive. After assessing the results, the potential for improvement is explored.
The continuing tension between the necessity and impossibility of translation is explored within ... more The continuing tension between the necessity and impossibility of translation is explored within the context of the Kashmiri movement for self-determination. In this situation of conflict, the central term azadi is intensely contested, with different parties to the conflict inflecting the term with their own politically motivated interpretations. In addition, the act of translation itself becomes politicized, with the Indian government, the Indian mainstream press, and minorities within Kashmir insisting that Kashmiris reveal the “real” meaning of azadi and Kashmiri protestors refusing to pin down its meaning, using its polyvalence as part of the movement repertoire. In this fraught situation, engaged translation by progressive intellectuals is necessary to move beyond mutually exclusive interpretations of azadi so that new futures for Kashmir can be imagined.
Annals of the International Communication Association, 2003
This chapter argues for focusing on the communicative empowerment of “women of the South” (women ... more This chapter argues for focusing on the communicative empowerment of “women of the South” (women living in poverty and deprivation in every region of the world) in the conviction that it is by learning from these women that alternative visions for a more just and sustainable future can be created. Through a review of literature, this chapter documents the ways in which women of the South are silenced within (a) colonial discourse, (b) news and academic discourses, and (c) development discourse. The chapter then reviews literature describing a number of efforts by women to use traditional and modern communicative practice to create social change. This chapter derives insights from the literature on both the obstacles and possibilities that exist in the path to the communicative empowerment of women of the South.
The decolonization of nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the late 20th century made po... more The decolonization of nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the late 20th century made possible the arrival of postcolonial academics who engaged in a critical and thoroughgoing analysis of the ways in which colonial histories have affected and continue to influence not only our understanding of phenomena, such as culture, but have influenced the very frames and processes of the creation and dissemination of knowledge about phenomena such as culture. While this work was initiated by postcolonial scholars of literature, postcolonial theory and frameworks have been adopted by several allied fields, including the communication field. Since the 1990s, communication scholars have been using postcolonial frameworks to deconstruct the colonial and neocolonial representations and tropes present in news and popular culture discourses. They have also brought communication theory to bear upon key concepts within postcolonial study, such as hybridity and diaspora. In the mid-1990s commu...
This essay examines personal narratives and gender-sensitive fictional representations of the Par... more This essay examines personal narratives and gender-sensitive fictional representations of the Partition between India and Pakistan to contribute to a counterhistory that takes centrally into account the ways in which nation formation was written on the bodies of women. The juxtaposition of my mother's stories, the oral histories gathered by feminist historiographers, and critical analyses of Partition-related fiction, allows us to see the limitations and potential of each. While dominant ideologies are seen to seep into the narratives, each in its own way also goes beyond the dominant version of Partition history to lay the ground for new ways of understanding and imagining the pain that women experienced and the responses they made to circumstances not of their own making.
This commentary makes the case for keeping marginal perspectives and experiences in clear view as... more This commentary makes the case for keeping marginal perspectives and experiences in clear view as we try to decenter the West/North in the field of global communication and social change. Otherwise, we risk replacing current blinders with new ones. To be truly relevant, we need to take into account the experiential reality of people who have historically been marginalized, but also those who continue to become marginalized by current economic and political forces, including neoliberal policies and practices. In addition, it will be useful to build upon existing bases of knowledge in the South within academia but also residing within marginalized communities. Such a grounded and reflexive approach promises to challenge our current perspectives and theories, harkening toward new paradigms.
The continuing tension between the necessity and impossibility of translation is explored within ... more The continuing tension between the necessity and impossibility of translation is explored within the context of the Kashmiri movement for self-determination. In this situation of conflict, the central term azadi is intensely contested, with different parties to the conflict inflecting the term with their own politically motivated interpretations. In addition, the act of translation itself becomes politicized, with the Indian government, the Indian mainstream press, and minorities within Kashmir insisting that Kashmiris reveal the " real " meaning of azadi and Kashmiri protestors refusing to pin down its meaning, using its polyvalence as part of the movement repertoire. In this fraught situation, engaged translation by progressive intellectuals is necessary to move beyond mutually exclusive interpretations of azadi so that new futures for Kashmir can be imagined.
The teaching of development communication, international communication, and international journal... more The teaching of development communication, international communication, and international journalism courses on the one hand, and the teaching of women in development (WID) on the other, have proceeded side by side with little crossfertilization thus far. A handful of educators have brought women in development centrally into development communication and international communication courses with good effect. This article makes the case for a wider adoption of both feminist content, and feminist and critical pedagogies in the teaching of development communication, international communication, and international journalism courses.'
The major research question was, "What are the social implications of transferring marketing meth... more The major research question was, "What are the social implications of transferring marketing methods and principles from a first world, commercial context, to a third world, social context?" A case study of the Family Planning Social Marketing Project of Bangladesh was done to address the question, with project documentation and interviews constituting the major sources of evidence. An interpretive-critical approach was taken.
Sex determination techniques have diffused rapidly in India , and are being used to detect female... more Sex determination techniques have diffused rapidly in India , and are being used to detect female fetuses and subsequently to abort them. This technology has spread rapidly because it imparts knowledge that is of great value within the Indian context, and because it fits in neatly with the modernization dynamic within India, which itself has enmeshed with traditional patriarchal institutions to oppress Indian women. More research needs to be done on ways to stem the adoption of problematic innovations.
This article reviews the feminist literature on the conceptualization of "choice" within the repr... more This article reviews the feminist literature on the conceptualization of "choice" within the reproductive rights movement in the United States, focusing particularly on the critiques of "choice" by women of color and women with disabilities. The article then zeroes in on the debate surrounding female foeticide in India, and draws out the implications for both the conceptualization of "choice," in light of the critiques presented by women at the margins, and in light of the struggles taking place in the arena of reproductive politics.
This essay examines personal narratives and gender-sensitive fictional representations of the Par... more This essay examines personal narratives and gender-sensitive fictional representations of the Partition between India and Pakistan to contribute to a counterhistory that takes centrally into account the ways in which nation formation was written on the bodies of women. The juxtaposition of my mother's stories, the oral histories gathered by feminist historiographers, and critical analyses of Partition-related fiction, allows us to see the limitations and potential of each. While dominant ideologies are seen to seep into the narratives, each in its own way also goes beyond the dominant version of Partition history to lay the ground for new ways of understanding and imagining the pain that women experienced and the responses they made to circumstances not of their own making.
This textual comparison of articles on female foeticide in the Indian English Press based in Bomb... more This textual comparison of articles on female foeticide in the Indian English Press based in Bombay, and activist literatures and documentaries, found that news frames followed closely the activists' own frames of interpretation, although certain themes were amplified and others attenuated. The meshing of frames enabled a construction of the female foeticide issue that was favorable to the campaign, but it also created important absences that could stem the radical potential of the women's movement.
This article examines a few appropriations of the main women characters in the Indian epics, the ... more This article examines a few appropriations of the main women characters in the Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, by ordinary women in their folk songs, as well as by women writers and artists in the feminist domain. The appropriations dip into already existing associations about the epic heroines, but rearticulate these to create greater space for the elaboration and positioning of postcolonial Indian feminisms. While the appropriation of the epics carries certain risks, such as unintentional complicity with right-wing conservative projects and the positioning of Indian feminism as exclusive of caste and class concerns, it is contended here that the risk is worth taking because the epics continue to be an important and contested part of the cultural field, and because the feminist appropriations are able to absorb and respond to the critiques to some degree. The appropriations in the folk domain are juxtaposed with those in the feminist domain: those of Sita from the Ramayana are juxtaposed with those of Draupadi from the Mahabharata. In addition , all appropriations are placed within the debate in Indian feminism over the use of traditional narratives in order to garner insight into the potential of the narratives as a resource for feminist projects. Keywords: Draupadi / feminist appropriation of epics / Indian epics / Indian feminism / Mahabharata / postcolonial feminism / Ramayana / Sita, Surpanakha The appropriation and reworking of traditional narratives has been an important strategy for women to interrogate dominant ideologies and articulate emergent and resistant ideologies and identifications. For example, it has been 6-26_2 Luthra (135-61).indd 135 6/13/14 8:23 AM
International Journal of Communication, Feb 8, 2016
The continuing tension between the necessity and impossibility of translation is explored within ... more The continuing tension between the necessity and impossibility of translation is explored within the context of the Kashmiri movement for self-determination. In this situation of conflict, the central term azadi is intensely contested, with different parties to the conflict inflecting the term with their own politically motivated interpretations. In addition, the act of translation itself becomes politicized, with the Indian government, the Indian mainstream press, and minorities within Kashmir insisting that Kashmiris reveal the "real" meaning of azadi and Kashmiri protestors refusing to pin down its meaning, using its polyvalence as part of the movement repertoire. In this fraught situation, engaged translation by progressive intellectuals is necessary to move beyond mutually exclusive interpretations of azadi so that new futures for Kashmir can be imagined.
This chapter argues for focusing on the communicative empowerment of "women of the South" (women ... more This chapter argues for focusing on the communicative empowerment of "women of the South" (women living in poverty and deprivation in every region of the world) in the conviction that it is by learning from these women that alternative visions for a more just and sustainable future can be created. Through a review of literature, this chapter documents the ways in which women of the South are silenced within (a) colonial discourse, (b) news and academic discourses, and (c) development discourse. The chapter then reviews literature describing a number of efforts by women to use traditional and modern communicative practice to create social change. This chapter derives insights from the literature on both the obstacles and possibilities that exist in the path to the communicative empowerment of women of the South.
This article examines a few appropriations of the main women characters in the Indian epics, the ... more This article examines a few appropriations of the main women characters in the Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, by ordinary women in their folk songs, as well as by women writers and artists in the feminist domain. The appropriations dip into already existing associations about the epic heroines, but rearticulate these to create greater space for the elaboration and positioning of postcolonial Indian feminisms. While the appropriation of the epics carries certain risks, such as unintentional complicity with right-wing conservative projects and the positioning of Indian feminism as exclusive of caste and class concerns, it is contended here that the risk is worth taking because the epics continue to be an important and contested part of the cultural field, and because the feminist appropriations are able to absorb and respond to the critiques to some degree. The appropriations in the folk domain are juxtaposed with those in the feminist domain: those of Sita from the Ramayana are juxtaposed with those of Draupadi from the Mahabharata. In addition, all appropriations are placed within the debate in Indian feminism over the use of traditional narratives in order to garner insight into the potential of the narratives as a resource for feminist projects.
This commentary makes the case for keeping marginal perspectives and experiences in clear view as... more This commentary makes the case for keeping marginal perspectives and experiences in clear view as we try to decenter the West/North in the field of global communication and social change. Otherwise, we risk replacing current blinders with new ones. To be truly relevant, we need to take into account the experiential reality of people who have historically been marginalized, but also those who continue to become marginalized by current economic and political forces, including neoliberal policies and practices. In addition, it will be useful to build upon existing bases of knowledge in the South within academia but also residing within marginalized communities. Such a grounded and reflexive approach promises to challenge our current perspectives and theories, harkening toward new paradigms.
All issues of India Abroad from January to June of 1983 and 1985 were perused to pick out stories... more All issues of India Abroad from January to June of 1983 and 1985 were perused to pick out stories pertaining to women. These women's stories were then coded in such a way as to ascertain the topics covered, the presentation of women's stories, and their overall treatment by the paper. It was found that there are very few stories on women, relative to the number of stories overall. Also, stories on women often appear as idiosyncratic events, unrelated to a larger perspective or to social causes. Women rarely speak for themselves in the stories about them; rather, bureaucratic males are usually used as sources. Women's stories are dispersed throughout the paper, but there are very few front page stories about women. In general, the tone of the stories is positive. After assessing the results, the potential for improvement is explored.
The continuing tension between the necessity and impossibility of translation is explored within ... more The continuing tension between the necessity and impossibility of translation is explored within the context of the Kashmiri movement for self-determination. In this situation of conflict, the central term azadi is intensely contested, with different parties to the conflict inflecting the term with their own politically motivated interpretations. In addition, the act of translation itself becomes politicized, with the Indian government, the Indian mainstream press, and minorities within Kashmir insisting that Kashmiris reveal the “real” meaning of azadi and Kashmiri protestors refusing to pin down its meaning, using its polyvalence as part of the movement repertoire. In this fraught situation, engaged translation by progressive intellectuals is necessary to move beyond mutually exclusive interpretations of azadi so that new futures for Kashmir can be imagined.
Annals of the International Communication Association, 2003
This chapter argues for focusing on the communicative empowerment of “women of the South” (women ... more This chapter argues for focusing on the communicative empowerment of “women of the South” (women living in poverty and deprivation in every region of the world) in the conviction that it is by learning from these women that alternative visions for a more just and sustainable future can be created. Through a review of literature, this chapter documents the ways in which women of the South are silenced within (a) colonial discourse, (b) news and academic discourses, and (c) development discourse. The chapter then reviews literature describing a number of efforts by women to use traditional and modern communicative practice to create social change. This chapter derives insights from the literature on both the obstacles and possibilities that exist in the path to the communicative empowerment of women of the South.
The decolonization of nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the late 20th century made po... more The decolonization of nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the late 20th century made possible the arrival of postcolonial academics who engaged in a critical and thoroughgoing analysis of the ways in which colonial histories have affected and continue to influence not only our understanding of phenomena, such as culture, but have influenced the very frames and processes of the creation and dissemination of knowledge about phenomena such as culture. While this work was initiated by postcolonial scholars of literature, postcolonial theory and frameworks have been adopted by several allied fields, including the communication field. Since the 1990s, communication scholars have been using postcolonial frameworks to deconstruct the colonial and neocolonial representations and tropes present in news and popular culture discourses. They have also brought communication theory to bear upon key concepts within postcolonial study, such as hybridity and diaspora. In the mid-1990s commu...
This essay examines personal narratives and gender-sensitive fictional representations of the Par... more This essay examines personal narratives and gender-sensitive fictional representations of the Partition between India and Pakistan to contribute to a counterhistory that takes centrally into account the ways in which nation formation was written on the bodies of women. The juxtaposition of my mother's stories, the oral histories gathered by feminist historiographers, and critical analyses of Partition-related fiction, allows us to see the limitations and potential of each. While dominant ideologies are seen to seep into the narratives, each in its own way also goes beyond the dominant version of Partition history to lay the ground for new ways of understanding and imagining the pain that women experienced and the responses they made to circumstances not of their own making.
This commentary makes the case for keeping marginal perspectives and experiences in clear view as... more This commentary makes the case for keeping marginal perspectives and experiences in clear view as we try to decenter the West/North in the field of global communication and social change. Otherwise, we risk replacing current blinders with new ones. To be truly relevant, we need to take into account the experiential reality of people who have historically been marginalized, but also those who continue to become marginalized by current economic and political forces, including neoliberal policies and practices. In addition, it will be useful to build upon existing bases of knowledge in the South within academia but also residing within marginalized communities. Such a grounded and reflexive approach promises to challenge our current perspectives and theories, harkening toward new paradigms.
The continuing tension between the necessity and impossibility of translation is explored within ... more The continuing tension between the necessity and impossibility of translation is explored within the context of the Kashmiri movement for self-determination. In this situation of conflict, the central term azadi is intensely contested, with different parties to the conflict inflecting the term with their own politically motivated interpretations. In addition, the act of translation itself becomes politicized, with the Indian government, the Indian mainstream press, and minorities within Kashmir insisting that Kashmiris reveal the " real " meaning of azadi and Kashmiri protestors refusing to pin down its meaning, using its polyvalence as part of the movement repertoire. In this fraught situation, engaged translation by progressive intellectuals is necessary to move beyond mutually exclusive interpretations of azadi so that new futures for Kashmir can be imagined.
The teaching of development communication, international communication, and international journal... more The teaching of development communication, international communication, and international journalism courses on the one hand, and the teaching of women in development (WID) on the other, have proceeded side by side with little crossfertilization thus far. A handful of educators have brought women in development centrally into development communication and international communication courses with good effect. This article makes the case for a wider adoption of both feminist content, and feminist and critical pedagogies in the teaching of development communication, international communication, and international journalism courses.'
The major research question was, "What are the social implications of transferring marketing meth... more The major research question was, "What are the social implications of transferring marketing methods and principles from a first world, commercial context, to a third world, social context?" A case study of the Family Planning Social Marketing Project of Bangladesh was done to address the question, with project documentation and interviews constituting the major sources of evidence. An interpretive-critical approach was taken.
Sex determination techniques have diffused rapidly in India , and are being used to detect female... more Sex determination techniques have diffused rapidly in India , and are being used to detect female fetuses and subsequently to abort them. This technology has spread rapidly because it imparts knowledge that is of great value within the Indian context, and because it fits in neatly with the modernization dynamic within India, which itself has enmeshed with traditional patriarchal institutions to oppress Indian women. More research needs to be done on ways to stem the adoption of problematic innovations.
This article reviews the feminist literature on the conceptualization of "choice" within the repr... more This article reviews the feminist literature on the conceptualization of "choice" within the reproductive rights movement in the United States, focusing particularly on the critiques of "choice" by women of color and women with disabilities. The article then zeroes in on the debate surrounding female foeticide in India, and draws out the implications for both the conceptualization of "choice," in light of the critiques presented by women at the margins, and in light of the struggles taking place in the arena of reproductive politics.
This essay examines personal narratives and gender-sensitive fictional representations of the Par... more This essay examines personal narratives and gender-sensitive fictional representations of the Partition between India and Pakistan to contribute to a counterhistory that takes centrally into account the ways in which nation formation was written on the bodies of women. The juxtaposition of my mother's stories, the oral histories gathered by feminist historiographers, and critical analyses of Partition-related fiction, allows us to see the limitations and potential of each. While dominant ideologies are seen to seep into the narratives, each in its own way also goes beyond the dominant version of Partition history to lay the ground for new ways of understanding and imagining the pain that women experienced and the responses they made to circumstances not of their own making.
This textual comparison of articles on female foeticide in the Indian English Press based in Bomb... more This textual comparison of articles on female foeticide in the Indian English Press based in Bombay, and activist literatures and documentaries, found that news frames followed closely the activists' own frames of interpretation, although certain themes were amplified and others attenuated. The meshing of frames enabled a construction of the female foeticide issue that was favorable to the campaign, but it also created important absences that could stem the radical potential of the women's movement.
This article examines a few appropriations of the main women characters in the Indian epics, the ... more This article examines a few appropriations of the main women characters in the Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, by ordinary women in their folk songs, as well as by women writers and artists in the feminist domain. The appropriations dip into already existing associations about the epic heroines, but rearticulate these to create greater space for the elaboration and positioning of postcolonial Indian feminisms. While the appropriation of the epics carries certain risks, such as unintentional complicity with right-wing conservative projects and the positioning of Indian feminism as exclusive of caste and class concerns, it is contended here that the risk is worth taking because the epics continue to be an important and contested part of the cultural field, and because the feminist appropriations are able to absorb and respond to the critiques to some degree. The appropriations in the folk domain are juxtaposed with those in the feminist domain: those of Sita from the Ramayana are juxtaposed with those of Draupadi from the Mahabharata. In addition , all appropriations are placed within the debate in Indian feminism over the use of traditional narratives in order to garner insight into the potential of the narratives as a resource for feminist projects. Keywords: Draupadi / feminist appropriation of epics / Indian epics / Indian feminism / Mahabharata / postcolonial feminism / Ramayana / Sita, Surpanakha The appropriation and reworking of traditional narratives has been an important strategy for women to interrogate dominant ideologies and articulate emergent and resistant ideologies and identifications. For example, it has been 6-26_2 Luthra (135-61).indd 135 6/13/14 8:23 AM
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Papers by Rashmi Luthra
historically been marginalized, but also those who continue to become marginalized by current economic and political forces, including neoliberal policies and practices. In addition, it will be useful to build upon existing bases of knowledge in the South within academia but also residing within marginalized communities. Such a grounded
and reflexive approach promises to challenge our current perspectives and theories, harkening toward new paradigms.
historically been marginalized, but also those who continue to become marginalized by current economic and political forces, including neoliberal policies and practices. In addition, it will be useful to build upon existing bases of knowledge in the South within academia but also residing within marginalized communities. Such a grounded
and reflexive approach promises to challenge our current perspectives and theories, harkening toward new paradigms.