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Rise of Political Consciousness in Dravidian Cinema: Screening Social Justice in M. R. Radha Films

Film & Media Studies/V17N22025

244 views

Naren Kumar N L^1*& R. Subramani²
¹PhD. Research Scholar, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Periyar University, Salem, India. *Corresponding author.
²Professor, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Periyar University, Salem, India.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 17, Issue 2, 2025. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n2.04g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}
Abstract

M.R. Radha, the iconic actor of Tamil cinema, is renowned for his villainous roles in the industry. Being an actor who has appeared in a variety of roles like comedian, hero, character role, etc., his villainy and his Anti-hero roles have gained popularity among the Tamil cinema audience. M.R. Radha’s cinematic journey gave rise to a political consciousness among the audiences. His dialogues and anti-hero archetypes on screen forged a political consciousness that turned out to be the vehicle of the Dravidian wave in Tamil cinema. M.R. Radha’s on-screen presence became a site of ideological resistance that reflected subverting caste hierarchies, questioning religious orthodoxy and voicing the rationalist, anti-Brahminical tenets of the Self-Respect Movement. This paper examines the radical discourses in the film Rathakanneer to analyze how they promoted political consciousness within the Dravidian wave of Tamil cinema. Through a descriptive analysis, this paper investigates how M.R. Radha’s films foster political consciousness by analyzing how his Dialogues and characters challenge dominant moral, social, and political narratives, promoting the social justice values of the Self-respect movement.

Keywords: Social Justice, Anti-Hero, M.R. Radha, Storytelling as a Radical Tool, Political consciousness.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 13 March 2025. Revised: 26 May 2025. Accepted: 27 May 2025. First published: 29 May 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Kumar N. N. L. & Subramani, R. (2025). Rise of Political Consciousness in Dravidian Cinema: Screening Social Justice in M. R. Radha Films. Rupkatha Journal, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n2.04g

The Language of Ancestral Wisdom: A Study on Interpretive Strategies in Thirukkural Commentaries

Tamil Literature/V17N22025

58 views

Vinayagam G
Assistant Professor, School of Law, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 17, Issue 2, 2025. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n2.03g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}
Abstract

Commentaries play a crucial role in understanding ancient texts. They connect contemporary readers with texts from diverse temporal contexts. It is commonly acknowledged that comprehending many classical works would be nearly impossible without the support of the commentaries. At the same time, it is equally important to recognize that commentaries themselves do not always succeed in fully comprehending the meaning of the original text. Despite presenting meticulous, word-by-word renderings, commentators sometimes fall short of grasping and transmitting the ‘actual’ meaning of the text. This study examines one instance in which medieval commentators appear to struggle with the interpretation of a Kural. It analyzes five medieval commentaries on the Thirukkural, dating from the 10th to the 13th centuries, and explores the diverse strategies employed by commentators to ‘fix’ the meaning of a particular couplet. In doing so, the paper argues that commentaries do not merely disclose the meaning of the text, but actively participate in constituting that meaning. Thus, the study uncovers the dynamic and, at times, ideological processes of meaning-making practices within the tradition of Tamil literary commentary.

Keywords:Thirukkural, Commentaries, Meaning of text, Ancestral wisdom, Interpretation, Medieval commentary

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 13 March 2025. Revised: 26 May 2025. Accepted: 27 May 2025. First published: 29 May 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation:Vinayagam, G. (2025). The Language of Ancestral Wisdom: A Study on Interpretive Strategies in Thirukkural Commentaries. Rupkatha Journal, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n2.03g

Representing Desire in Minor Literature: Characterisation in The White Tiger

Indian Literature in English/V17N22025

120 views

Farooq Ahmad Sheikh
Assistant Professor, Department of English, North Campus, University of Kashmir, J&K, India.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 17, Issue 2, 2025. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n2.02g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}
Abstract

The Lacanian subject has two distinct aspects: one corresponds to the structural subject shaped by the symbolic order. At the same time, the other transcends symbolisation or coding, referred to by Lacan as the subject of desire or the Real. Minor literature, defined as the literature of minorities expressed in a major language, also seeks to disrupt dominant codifications and convey the flow of pure desire. Viewed through a Lacanian lens, minor literature primarily engages with the Real. This paper examines The White Tiger as an example of minor literature, with a particular emphasis on its characterisation. The central argument is that the novel’s characters do not conform to traditional types, identities, or subject positions. Instead, they embody pure desire and are better understood as Lacanian subjects of desire/Real, rather than as ideological constructs within a discourse. The primary focus of the novel is to represent the reverse side of the subject or the desire rather than the discursive formation.

Keywords: Representing Desire, Minor Literature, Characterisation, Indian Novel, The White Tiger

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 28 February 2025. Revised: 13 May 2025. Accepted: 14 May 2025. First published: 21 May 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Sheikh, F. A. (2025). Representing Desire in Minor Literature: Characterisation in The White Tiger. Rupkatha Journal, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n2.02g

Posthuman Aesthetics: A Postscript on Decadent Naturalism

Posthumanism/V17N22025

102 views

Armando Perez Crespo
Associate Professor, Department of Art and Management, Universidad de Guanajuato, Mexico.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 17, Issue 2, 2025. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n2.01g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}
Abstract

Posthumanism does not exist as a human reality at any tangible level whatsoever, except insofar as there are some very elementary robotic and self-regulatory applications of that technology in the real world, such as in interactive robotic scenarios of offices and restaurants or Robotic Cafes of Tokyo city. Thus, posthumanism remains an imagined terminology, based on cybernetic theorizing with no directly available experiences, nor repercussions, of that imagination in the technosphere. The originary meaning of a cultural posthumanism must be traced to Ihab Hassan’s script for the University of Wisconsin skit, which was designed essentially as an explicatory, parodic drama on the figure of Prometheus as a symbol of ‘humanism.’ Unfortunately, the current literature on posthuman aesthetics has not denounced neoliberal variations of the concept of body and the Self. What are the prototypes on which posthumanism might evolve in the global South? If an erroneous version of posthumanism is discarded, other values of primitive human naturalism may be sought in the new art.

Keywords: Posthumanism, posthuman aesthetics, technosphere, technology

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 03 March 2025. Revised: 10 May 2025. Accepted: 12 May 2025. First published: 21 May 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Crespo, A. P. (2025). Posthuman Aesthetics: A Postscript on Decadent Naturalism. Rupkatha Journal, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n2.01g

Common Spirit of Customary Law: Long-standing Practice of Ethnic Community in Bangladesh

Indigenous Studies/V17N22025

169 views

Parimal Kumar Roy^1* , Mashitah Hamidi² , Haris Abd Wahab³ & Sanjay Krishno Biswas⁴
¹Deputy Director, Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre. *Corresponding author.
²Associate Professor, Universiti Malaya.
³Professor, Universiti Malaya.
⁴Associate Professor, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 17, Issue 2, 2025. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n2.01}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}
Abstract

This paper examines the customary law of the Bangladeshi Santals, an ethnic community. From an anthropological perspective, the authors searched the literature on customary law and applied the concepts to the Santal community within the relevant local, regional, and international contexts of indigenous rights. Methodologically, this article follows the post-positivist paradigm and ‘capability approach’ to explore the gaps between mainstream and indigenous communities, such as the Santals. Consequently, the identified issue is that the Santals of Bangladesh errantly uphold the Sustainable Development Goals to establish their rights-based society. This has led to community tension in Bangladesh, as is frequently the case both there and in India. The tensions between ethnic and mainstream communities create hurdles to human rights and produce externalities in national development within the global context. This study recommends a sustainable community development framework due to the lack of ratified international documents regarding customary structure.

Keywords: Ethnic Groups, Customary law, Community Development, Sustainable, SDGs

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 03 March 2025. Revised: 14 May 2025. Accepted: 15 May 2025. First published: 21 May 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation:Roy, P. K., Hamidi, M., Wahab, H. A. & Biswas, S. K. (2025). Common Spirit of Customary Law: Long-standing Practice of Ethnic Community in Bangladesh. Rupkatha Journal, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n2.01

Sexual Citizenship: Contemporary Challenges of Gender Identity in Mexico

Gender Studies/Queer & LGBT/V17N12025

253 views

Sinuhe Estrada-Carmona^1* & Gabriela Isabel Perez Aranda²
¹Faculty of Humanities, Autonomous University of Campeche, México. *Corresponding author
²Faculty of Humanities, Autonomous University of Campeche, México.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 17, Issue 1, 2025. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n1.02g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}
Abstract

The recognition of sexual diversity and gender identity has gained prominence in contemporary discussions about rights, equality, and social inclusion. This paper examines the most representative arguments of the concept of sexual citizenship and its implications for the rights and experiences of transgender individuals, particularly in Mexico. It undertakes a theoretical exploration that invites critical reflection on the challenges in constructing sexual citizenship based on the binary system of sex and gender, as well as for the study of sexual diversities. In conclusion, the paper suggests that the binary system is currently being surpassed, and the opportunity is opening up to denaturalize, deessentialize, and perhaps debinarize gender identities.

Keywords: Citizenship, Sexual Citizenship, Sexual Rights, Diversity, Gender Discordance.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 15 January 2025. Revised: 26 March 2025. Accepted: 27 March 2025. First published: 31 March 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Estrada-Carmona, S. & Aranda, G. I. P. (2025). Sexual Citizenship: Contemporary Challenges of Gender Identity in Mexico. Rupkatha Journal, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n1.02g

Evolving Political Culture in West Africa: A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Presidential Elections in Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana

Cultural Studies/Human Rights Studies/V17N12025

326 views

Ebim Matthew Abua^1* , Enya Inok-Kuti Ebak² , Gloria Mayen Umukoro³ , Ayeni Queen Olubukola⁴ & Bassey Ekpenyong Anam⁵
¹Department of English and Literary Studies, University of Calabar, Nigeria. *Corresponding author.
²Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, University of Calabar.
³,4Department of Modern Languages and Translation Studies, University of Calabar.
⁵Institute of Public Policy and Administration, University of Calabar.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 17, Issue 1, 2025. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n1.01g}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}
Abstract

This study examines the electoral gains achieved in West Africa by focusing on the presidential elections in Nigeria (2015), Liberia (2023), and Ghana (2024), respectively. Generally, elections in developing democracies are viewed as a ‘war’ with an ideological posturing of ‘win’ or ‘mar’ the process. However, the 2015, 2023, and 2024 presidential elections held in the three West African countries represent a paradigm shift from the usual rancorous aftermath of elections to a more peaceful atmosphere. The losers in these elections, who were sitting presidents in the three countries in focus, not only accepted their defeats but also congratulated their opponents—a feat that had never been achieved on the entire African continent. Data for the analysis were elicited from online reactions to the declaration of the elections in focus. For a more precise understanding, the data from the Nigerian elections are labelled as NGR, while those from Liberia are labelled as LBR, and the Ghana elections data are labelled as GHA, as captured in the analysis. The analysis reveals cases of political reawakening, consciousness, and maturity in a hitherto politically tense continent that is just emerging from ethnic and militia wars, military regimes, and truncated democratic experiences. This study aims to expand the literature on political maturity, which can help deliver political dividends rather than backbiting, warfare, disintegration, and acrimony.

Keywords: CDA, Evolving Political Culture, West Africa, Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, Presidential Elections.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 18 January 2025. Revised: 24 March 2025. Accepted: 27 March 2025. First published: 30 March 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation:Abua, E. M., Ebak, E. I., Umukoro, G. M., Olubukola, A. Q. & Anam, B. E. (2025). Evolving Political Culture in West Africa: A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Presidential Elections in Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana. Rupkatha Journal, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n1.01g

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Architecture: The Case Studies of Star Architects

Architecture/Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Human-Computer Interaction/V17N12025

528 views

Günes Mutlu Avinç^1* , Hilal Ayci² & Asli Tas³
¹Department of Architecture, Mus Alparslan University Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Mus, Turkey. *Corresponding author.
²Department of Architecture, Gazi University Faculty of Architecture, Ankara, Turkey.
³Department of Architecture, Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Nevsehir, Turkey.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 17, Issue 1, 2025. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n1.04}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}

Abstract

This research examines the projects of star architects who develop architectural designs using artificial intelligence and the impact of this technology on changing the role of the star architect. In this context, nine prominent architectural groups—Zaha Hadid Architects, Coop Himmelblau, Morphosis, Foster & Partners, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Vincent Callebaut, Arup, MAD Architecture, and UN Studio—are analyzed to demonstrate how these architects integrate artificial intelligence into the creative process and how the traditional role of the architect has changed. The originality of the research lies in its focus on the relationship between artificial intelligence and the star architects standing at the intersection of architecture and technology. Star architects shape architecture with their productions and discourses. The study is based on qualitative analysis, and the documents and publications of the projects of star architects were evaluated by the content analysis method. Our findings indicate that artificial intelligence has expanded the architect’s role in creative processes. With artificial intelligence, each star architect is rediscovering the boundaries of architecture and creating innovative and creative designs. Consequently, the study examines how artificial intelligence influences architectural practice by analyzing the works of renowned star architects.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, AI in architecture, AI technology, architectural design, star architect.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 03 January 2025. Revised: 20 March 2025. Accepted: 21 March 2025. First published: 26 March 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Avinç, G. M., Ayci, H. & Tas, A. (2025). The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Architecture: The Case Studies of Star Architects. Rupkatha Journal, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n1.04

The Actual Use of Generative AI in Online Literary Production: An Exploratory Study with Lusophone Writers on Wattpad

Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Generative AI/Human-Computer Interaction/V17N12025

378 views

Paulo Reis Mourão^1* & Yun Liu^2*
¹Department of Economy, University of Minho, Portugal. *Corresponding author.
²Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Lisbon.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 17, Issue 1, 2025. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n1.03}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}
Abstract

Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) has become one of the most controversial topics in literary production. There have already been several reflections in this area, but more remains to be known about the actual use of Generative AI in online literary production. Therefore, this exploratory study, based on the responses provided by a sample of users of the Wattpad platform, aims to contribute to the knowledge of the self-consciousness modes of application, as well as perspectives about Generative AI in online fiction production. We tested two major hypotheses: i) the use of AI provides more consciousness of future injustices, and ii) the concerns about plagiarism clarify the capacity of AI contribution to literary production. The collected data were then analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The main results show that writers are generally self-aware about the use of Generative AI, and authors with greater ethical concern assume a lower propensity to use Generative AI in content production.

Keywords: Generative Artificial Intelligence; online literary production; plagiarism; Wattpad; survey.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 15 January 2025. Revised: 07 March 2025. Accepted: 20 March 2025. First published: 26 March 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Mourão, P. R., & Liu, Y. (2025). The Actual Use of Generative AI in Online Literary Production: An Exploratory Study with Lusophone Writers on Wattpad. Rupkatha Journal, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n1.03

Robotic Intervention in Preserving Artifacts: The Case of the Bini Cultural Artifacts in Nigeria

Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Cultural Studies/Digital Humanities/Human-Computer Interaction/V17N12025

289 views

Harrie U.M. Bazunu¹ , Patience A. Edo² , Celestina O. Isiramen³ & Peter O. O. Ottuh^4*
¹Senior Lecturer, Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Delta State University, Nigeria.
²Lecturer I, Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Delta State University, Nigeria.
³Professor, Department of Religious Management and Cultural Studies, Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria.
⁴Professor, Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, Delta State University, Nigeria. *Corresponding Author

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 17, Issue 1, 2025. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n1.02}
^{Full-Text PDF Issue Access}
Abstract

This study examines the role of robotic assistance in preserving cultural artifacts, with a particular emphasis on Bini artifacts in Nigeria. The objective is to mitigate the loss of Bini artifacts, which contain cultural treasures representing the pride and distinctiveness of the Bini people in Nigeria. Robots are considered a critical possibility in this context, as they can function remotely in hazardous areas and protect cultural artifacts. This study employs a phenomenological methodology, using semi-structured interviews with museum curators, robotics scientists, and cultural heritage preservationists. The results indicate that the design and application of robotic devices, such as drones, arms, mobile robots, cameras, sensors, and excavators, can engage with and preserve the Bini artifacts. This research suggests a promising avenue for studying robotic engagement in global digitized conservation efforts, reconstruction, and the curation of cultural items in the twenty-first century and beyond.

Keywords: Robotic Intervention, Preservation, Bini, Cultural Artifacts, Art, Religion, Africa, Nigeria.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Funding: No funding was received for this research.
Article History: Received: 09 January 2025. Revised: 21 March 2025. Accepted: 21 March 2025. First published: 26 March 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 by the author/s.
License: License Aesthetix Media Services, India. Distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Published by: Aesthetix Media Services, India
Citation: Bazunu, H. U., Edo, P. A., Isiramen, C. O., & Ottuh, P. O. O. (2025). Robotic Intervention in Preserving Artifacts: The Case of the Bini Cultural Artifacts in Nigeria. Rupkatha Journal, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v17n1.02

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