Book Cover of Video Culture in India: The Analog Era, by Cinema Prof Ishita Tiwary
Ishita Tiwary, Concordia prof and Canada Research Chair of Media and Migration at the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, has released a new book. Video Culture in India: The Analog Era, published by Oxford University Press, explores the history and cultural impact of video technology in post-1980s India.
Launched in India in September 2024, Tiwary’s book was released in Canada earlier this year. It has received positive reviews from critics and media, garnering mentions in outlets such as Scroll.in, The Hindu, Hindustan Times and LiveMint.
Drawing on oral histories, discarded tapes and forgotten archives, Tiwary uncovers analogue video's significant yet often overlooked role in shaping India’s media landscape. She examines the widespread popularity of wedding videos, the lesser-known history of shot-on-video-films, the influence of video news magazines and the rise of religious videos.
The book also connects this history to the ongoing impact of video culture in contemporary media, including television news, digital photography, streaming services, and social media platforms like WhatsApp.
In addition to her professorial role at the university, Tiwari directs Concordia’s Raah Media Research Lab — the first dedicated institutional hub in Canada for the study of media and migration. Researchers at the lab examine the intersection of migratory processes and media practices. Raah operates on a community-driven model, assembling scholars, activists and community partners to conduct their research activities under one roof.
For more information on Video Culture in India: The Analog Era by Ishita Tiwary or to purchase a copy of the monograph, visit the Oxford University Press website.
Learn more about Concordia’s Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema.