Star Warriors of the Modern Raj: Materiality, Mythology and Technology of Indian Science Fiction

Star Warriors of the Modern Raj is a critical catalogue of contemporary Indian SF that explores how mythology, ideology, and technology shape the genre and its fictional reimaginings. It offers an alternative to a male Eurocentric perspective and develops a transMIT thesis to analyze how these elements interact in Indian SF.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2021
Publisher: University of Wales Press

India is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and its Science Fiction (SF) is evolving alongside it in fascinating ways. Star Warriors of the Modern Raj is a groundbreaking critical catalog that explores the vibrant landscape of contemporary India's anglophone SF, offering a unique perspective that blurs the boundaries between texts, vantage points, and frameworks. This study serves as an alternative to the traditional male Eurocentric lens of SF, avoiding the trap of essentializing definitions and delving into the intricate interplay between the world of SF and the writer/reader. By drawing upon a diverse range of paradigms, including Science Fiction Studies, South Asian Studies, and Postcolonial Studies, among others, the book unravels the complex dynamics between India and its SF. It develops a transMIT thesis to analyze how mythology (M), ideology (I), and technology (T) shape Indian SF and its fictional reimaginings.

In this comprehensive exploration, the study identifies the various manifestations of divine beings within SF, recognizing them as distinct epistemological categories. It also locates the modes of marginalization within the Indian popular imagination, identifying them as altars of alterity. Furthermore, the study delves into how newer technologies engage with socio-political anxieties in and through SF, offering insightful perspectives on the evolving relationship between technology, society, and the realm of imagination.

Star Warriors of the Modern Raj is a seminal work that not only sheds light on the rich tapestry of Indian SF but also contributes to the broader field of SF Studies. It provides valuable insights into the ways in which cultures interact, evolve, and are reimagined through the medium of SF, making it a must-read for scholars, enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the dynamic intersection of literature, culture, and technology.

Weight: 472g
Dimension: 144 x 221 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786837622