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Synopsis The long-standing and continuing debate on Indian culture and on what constitutes 'Indianness' manifests itself in many ways, some more subtle than others. In India, the historical passage to modernity, mediated by colonial authority and by nationalist resistance to it, has impacted all cultural disciplines. This collection of 17 original essays provides insights into the various ways in which the interrelated issues of culture, identity and Indianness are expressed in contemporary times. Divided into four sections, the contributions range from detailed and scholarly essays to critical reviews of literature and reflections on experience. The first two sections deal with music, art, literature and translation, theatre and philosophy. These are fields of knowledge and practice in which there are well-developed indigenous traditions. Sections three and four cover fields in which the very existence of indigenous traditions is a matter of controversy and debate--feminism, the writing of history, and science. Overall, the fields of inquiry chosen are those where traditional practices have entered into a dialogue with 'modern' perspectives, leading to significant outcomes. The contributors--distinguished specialists writing for a general readership--outline and evaluate significant developments since independence in their respective fields. This interdisciplinary volume testifies that the theme of identity continues to be a potent reference point, even in the more abstract, formal, academic, creative and symbolic realms of culture. It will attract a wide readership in disciplines such as cultural studies, anthropology, sociology, the visual and performing arts, and gender studies.