Bollywood’s variation on the firanginess theme: Song-and-dance sequences as heterotopic offbeats

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Date
2017-12-20Author
Abstract
Song-and-dance sequences have widely been studied as disruptive elements in the narrative of popular Hindi cinema and as quintessential traits of this industry. While the utopic dimension of such musical intervals has largely been theorised, the aim of this article is to expand on this framework to articulate the heterotopic dimension of these interludes. Foucault’s concept of heterotopia allows further study of how song-and-dance sequences are elements responsible for communicating both social and cultural aspects. On a similar note, it must be mentioned that the use and representation of foreigners in Indian cinema dates back to its origins, when foreign actresses were often employed in films, replacing local performers. Through historical exploration, this paper will specifically investigate how song-and-dance sequences are important ‘malleable elements’ of the narrative, which are able to articulate identity and to discourse on the representation and articulation of firanginess in popular Hindi cinema
Description
This project branches out from the presentation at a selective small colloquium at Sonoma State University (California) that partially funded my stay in US, along with receiving the support of the CATH Research Centre.
Citation : Acciari, M. (2017) Bollywood’s variation on the firanginess theme: Song-and-dance sequences as heterotopic offbeats. Journal of South Asian Popular Culture, 15 (2-3), pp. 173-187
Research Group : Cinema and Television History Research Centre
Research Institute : Cinema and Television History Institute (CATHI)
Peer Reviewed : Yes
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- Leicester Media School [1420]