Memory

Fredric Jameson, the prominent American literary critic and Marxist theorist, passed away on September 22, 2024. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1934, he made groundbreaking contributions to critical theory, particularly through his Marxist interpretation of culture. Jameson's most influential work, Postmodernism, Or the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism (1991), explored how social transformations were reflected in postmodern art, particularly in mass culture's commodification. Though his work delved deeply into the intersection of art and capitalism, Jameson is especially noted for his analysis of photography’s role in postmodernism, addressing themes of simulacra, reproducibility, and mass culture.

The artist community from around the world is deeply shocked by dance maestro Astad Deboo's sudden demise. Tributes have been pouring in. He has been a source of inspiration for many. Astad was also a good friend and mentor, always reachable and welcoming. A photographer mentioned that the last message he had received from Astad a week ago was a note of thank you. "Thank you for Photographing me all these years", Astad had said in that personal message. In fact, it is our privilege that we get to see these remarkable photographic visuals. Each one of us is indebted to these known and unknown photographers for these living pictures. As we mourn the loss of India's cultural treasure, PhotoMail brings together select photographs of Astad Deboo. Astad Deboo will live forever, in loving memory.

Punalur Rajan was an enigma – a mystery that requires further unfolding. He was an important person in the history of contemporary Kerala. In the time to come, we will be forced to look back to his photographs – for his contribution is something that knows no bounds. He will live through the slices of history he has left behind. No words could ever fully represent the politics and ideology to which he dedicated his life. I leave my pranaams to this remarkable person with the question – what are we going to do now?