Theory Sessions
November 4, 2026
6:00PM
STVH 3165
The Uneven Developmental Aesthetic: Mani Kaul and Kumar Shahani as Cine-Philosophers of an Asian Modernity.
Abstract
Mani Kaul (1944-2011) and Kumar Shahani (1940-2024), the most theoretically articulate filmmakers associated with Indian modernism, demonstrate the objective, concrete situations from which certain modernist form-solutions, such as the quest for a purely temporal cinema, arise. They reveal the motivations often obfuscated in the official Western histories of media and the arts, and by theories of modernism that overemphasize "autonomy" or authorial worldviews. Their theoretical and artistic practices help dispel confusion regarding the increasingly “global” experience of an “Asian” modernity.
I read their aesthetics alongside that of Georg Lukács, who, I claim, may be considered the philosopher of the so-called Asian Century. He was responsible for supplying both an ontology and an aesthetics for a “developmental” vision of human emancipation, of the kind that arguably informs Asian high modernist ambition in our times. In light of this peculiar convergence, we can revisit and reassess Lukács’s influential critique of an aesthetic modernism. Lukács, in his infamously prescriptive aesthetic writing, condemned art that fails to grasp the social totality and objective social development. Versions of his debate with Brecht over the politics of art were echoed throughout the world, especially in the Global South and in Asia.
Taking the example of two Indian filmmakers and theorists of cinema, I argue against any straightforward framing of the figure of the modernist artist as necessarily opposed to a historically optimistic, developmental humanism. We see, instead, informing the works and writings of filmmakers like Kumar Shahani and Mani Kaul, a deep appreciation of the ontological fact of uneven development. This awareness sharpens their contributions to film theory and to Modernist aesthetics, deepening their insights into cinematic specificity and modern temporality. Mani Kaul’s concept of "space-time variance" and Shahani’s debt to the innovative brand of Marxist historiography developed by D. D. Kosambi may be productively read alongside Lukács’s theory of uneven development.
Bio
Deepro Roy is a PhD Candidate at the Centre for the Study of Theory and Criticism. He researches the question of modern temporality through debates within the tradition of Marxist aesthetics and argues for their relevance to contemporary theorizations of an "Asian Century" or an Asian modernity. He is interested in the history of popular movements in South Asia and the intellectual output associated with them. He hopes to make his theoretical interventions, informed by an interest in Romanticism, Marxism, German Idealism, and theories of modernism, in the fields of film, the political economy of media, and cultural theory more broadly. He believes in working closely with practitioners to advance theoretical consciousness in these areas.
Theory Sessions are a student-run tradition at the Centre for the Study of Theory and Criticism. It promotes interdisciplinary research across the campus, providing students and faculty with the opportunity to present their work and engage in lively discussions. We welcome all topics and enjoy presenting an eclectic range of scholarship. We have held sessions from scholars in a wide range of disciplines such as computer science, medical science, philosophy, English literature, women’s studies, sociology, political science, visual arts, art history, psychology, history, and more.
The presentations are 20 minutes long. Following the presentation, at least one designated respondent will initiate a discussion with the presenter. Anyone attending the session is welcome to join this discussion period. These will typically last 20-30 minutes.
Theory Sessions facilitates an academically rigorous environment to present cohesive and cogent thoughts on subjects that our speakers are genuinely passionate about. Our sessions aim to bring forward meaningful and productive discussions, and provide a rich opportunity to develop papers for publication, prepare for conferences, and develop performance art or presentation skills. We encourage you to have fun and experiment in our community of curious and caring thinkers.
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