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"With 'Imagine Carnivalesque,' Rajamani offers a set of intelligent, provocative, and insightful essays on the psychology of sexuality hidden inside both modern and ancient literature of South Asia.  A well-researched and invaluable volume in the study of sex and gender within the arts."  -Timothy D. Bellavia, Lambda Literary-Nominated Author of "Pieces of Ice"

 

 

IMAGINE CARNIVALESQUE

A DUO OF PSYCHOANALYTICAL ESSAYS ON SOUTH ASIAN LITERATURE AND GENDER IDENTITY

Ashok Rajamani, award-winning author of The Day My Brain Exploded, returns with IMAGINE CARNIVALESQUE, his explosive first book of bold and insightful literary criticism. Uncover the unconscious in South Asian literature through two psychoanalytical essays that deconstruct gender codes and sexuality within Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children, Shyam Selvadurai's Funny Boy, and the Hindu epic poem Mahabharata. From Rushdie's manic hunt for feminine rapaciousness, to Selvadurai's proclamations of liberation through same-sex love, to the fiery transgendered battles in India's grandest poem, IMAGINE CARNIVALESQUE vividly explores subcontinental writing and its libidinous secrets of subversion.

the audiobook 
narrated by
deepti gupta

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How are we to understand my too-many women?

Salman Rushdie
Midnight’s Children
 



I felt amazed that a normal thing – like my friendship with Shehan could have such powerful and hidden possibilities.

Shyam Selvadurai
Funny Boy

 

 

Lord Shiva told Drupada he will at last have an heir, but with one clause:
“Your son will be both male and female.”
--Vyasa

Mahabharata

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