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VOL. 11, ISSUE 6 (2025)
Tradition, modernity and postmodernity: A case study of Sonajhuri Haat, Shantiniketan
Authors
Tania Ghosh
Abstract
This paper applies a Postmodern lens to
analyse the production, aesthetics, and cultural significance of the Sonajhuri
textile and associated practices in Santiniketan, West Bengal. Postmodern
concepts illuminate the complexities of the Sonajhuri textile and its related
cultural practices in Santiniketan. It moves beyond traditional, linear
narratives of craft and heritage to explore the contemporary realities of the
Sonajhuri area, particularly the weekly Sonajhuri Haat (local market). The
research argues that the Sonajhuri craft-scape exemplifies key postmodern
themes, including pastiche and hybridity. The textiles often blend local,
indigenous motifs with global design elements and contemporary materials,
challenging notions of a "pure" or "authentic" tradition.
Commodification and the simulacrum: The market environment, driven by tourism
and global demand, transforms cultural artifacts into commodities, where the
'authenticity' of the 'village craft' becomes a carefully curated spectacle, a
simulacrum that potentially masks the economic struggles of the artisans. This
piece of work is an attempt to discuss the transformation and transcedation of
culture from singularity to plurality in terms of its forms and nature.
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Pages:9-13
How to cite this article:
Tania Ghosh "Tradition, modernity and postmodernity: A case study of Sonajhuri Haat, Shantiniketan". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Vol 11, Issue 6, 2025, Pages 9-13
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