Clearing a Space

Exploring the complexities of modern Indian identity, Chaudhuri's essays delve into personal experiences while examining the secular nature of India and the historical implications of concepts like the West and globalism. He addresses the dualities within Indian culture, discussing topics such as popular and high culture, urban landscapes, and the influences of empire and nationalism. With a focus on various cities, he reflects on cinema, literature, and the everyday creativity that shapes contemporary Indian life, all while engaging with broader themes of cosmopolitanism and post-colonialism.