Subaltern Desires and Liberal Discourses of Love
摘要
This chapter addresses the class-specific sensibilities towards love in general, and sexuality in specific with analyzing lyrics and performances. Taking a comparative account of ‘lower-class’ songs in Baul or folk forms and urban ‘middle-class’ (gentlemen) songs in Rabindrasangeet (Tagore songs), this essay examines the women’s subjecthood when it comes to negotiating desire. In both cases, cassettes that were easily found in the market during 1998–2000, the period of research for this essay, have been used as sources. Besides, the written omnibus of Rabindrasangeet has also been used as it is readily available. Though this write-up is about songs, it is different from the more familiar genres of essays on songs. The characteristics of love that are found in dominant middle-class sensibilities are primarily different from those of the lower class. Middle-class morality has, at times, thwarted the feelings of love. And it is reflected in their songs too. Liberal discourses here delineate the civilized conversations/discourses. Rabindrasangeet is chosen as its representative.