Papers by Rajarajeshwari Ashok
Journal of Moving Image , 2023
An examination of film publicity materials within the broader framework of printed images dissemi... more An examination of film publicity materials within the broader framework of printed images disseminated in the state of Kerala since the 1960s.
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South Asian History and Culture , 2020
Captivating film posters and advertisements with images of idolized actors like Mammootty and Moh... more Captivating film posters and advertisements with images of idolized actors like Mammootty and Mohanlal blended in with vivid colours and appealing captions is a spectacle that is a part of the cultural identity of Kerala. The massive six-sheet posters that command attention, the smaller 30 × 40 posters that line the walls of the streets and the enticing advertisements that catches one’s eye in a magazine, are all ways in which cinema is weaved into the Malayalee milieu. Publicity materials epitomize aspects of the film that it is promoting. In time it signifies not only the personal, social and cultural memories of the viewer and the augmentation of a film industry, but also the process it goes through to become the cultural product that people see. This article analyses newspaper and magazine advertisements designed by
publicity designers working in the Malayalam film industry during the 1970 s and 1980 s. It argues that the publicity industry shifted from Madras (now Chennai) to Ernakulam during the 1980 s while the larger Malayalam film industry was still centred in Madras, and tries to understand the grounds for this spatial shift and evaluate its co-relation with the production of publicity materials, and the rise of an independent film publicity industry in Kerala.
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Caesurae: Poetics of Cultural Translation, 2018
Krzysztof Kieslowski's television series called Decalogue (1989), based on the Ten Commandments, ... more Krzysztof Kieslowski's television series called Decalogue (1989), based on the Ten Commandments, depicts various moral and ethical concerns of a group of people living in an apartment complex in Warsaw. Academicians like Christopher Garbowski and Slavoj Zizek have studied the Decalogue series with respect to the influence of the Commandments either on individual films in the series or on all the films in the series. Since the films are based on the Commandments, many see the television series as religious, and often tend to look at how each film in the series portrays the essence of what each Commandment stands for. This article however argues that Kieslowski's representation of the Commandments is not religious. That is, the director does not adhere to its literal meaning but instead, is searching for its practicality in daily life. The technique that the director has used to accentuate the influence of the Commandments and the segments in which its influence can be felt are explored here.
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Many studies in adaptation have been concerned with the ideas of 'fidelity' and 'specificity'; so... more Many studies in adaptation have been concerned with the ideas of 'fidelity' and 'specificity'; some scholars (like Brian McFarlane) argue that the idea of fidelity is not a helpful criterion for enquiry, but it keeps coming back. In this context, the screenwriter's perspective on the process of adaptation is invaluable. The film Adaptation (2002) makes the process of adaptation explicit and through the narrative deals with several important dilemmas in adaptation. This paper reads the film Adaptation (2002) for its view on the adaptation process; it goes forward to examine 'adaptation' as a transformative life process. It also deals with the idea of mediated transformation taking the case of the book (The Orchid Thief) and the film inspired from it ('Adaptation'). In this context it discusses the ideas of 'real text', 'hypertextuality'and 'intermediality'.
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Books by Rajarajeshwari Ashok
Claims on the City: Situated Narratives of the Urban, 2023
This interdisciplinary paper investigates the enduring presence of single screen theatres in Erna... more This interdisciplinary paper investigates the enduring presence of single screen theatres in Ernakulam, amidst its rapid urban development. Using a mixed-methods approach, it explores their historical, socio-cultural, and spatial dimensions, offering insights into the city's film viewing style and its relationship with urbanization. Through archival research, interviews, and spatial analysis, the study uncovers the role of these theatres as cultural landmarks and community spaces. It examines film viewing practices, preferences, and cultural experiences associated with these spaces, highlighting its interplay with urban environment. By connecting cinema, urbanization, and cultural identity, this paper provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of cinema and urban life.
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Papers by Rajarajeshwari Ashok
publicity designers working in the Malayalam film industry during the 1970 s and 1980 s. It argues that the publicity industry shifted from Madras (now Chennai) to Ernakulam during the 1980 s while the larger Malayalam film industry was still centred in Madras, and tries to understand the grounds for this spatial shift and evaluate its co-relation with the production of publicity materials, and the rise of an independent film publicity industry in Kerala.
Books by Rajarajeshwari Ashok
publicity designers working in the Malayalam film industry during the 1970 s and 1980 s. It argues that the publicity industry shifted from Madras (now Chennai) to Ernakulam during the 1980 s while the larger Malayalam film industry was still centred in Madras, and tries to understand the grounds for this spatial shift and evaluate its co-relation with the production of publicity materials, and the rise of an independent film publicity industry in Kerala.