The present book examines cultural diversities of Northeast India. The sixteen essays included in the volume cover various aspects of cultural forms and their practices among the communities of Northeast. The present volume is expected to serve as a bridge between vanishing cultural forms and their commodification, on the one hand, and their cultural ritual origins, evolution and significance in identity formation, on the other. The book analyses continuity of cultural forms, their representations and often their reinventions under globalisation. Further, the book underlines historical forces such as colonialism and religious conversion that have transformed communities and their cultural practices. Yet some of the pre-colonial, ritual-performative traditions hold on. Through insightful analyses, this book offers an informed view of the region’s historical, ethnic and cultural practices. It is expected that the volume will be useful for scholars and students interested in Northeast studies.

Kailash C Baral, presently Vice Chairman of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), under the Ministry of Culture, GOI, was a former Professor of English and India Studies at the English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, where he also held the position of Pro-Vice Chancellor. He has authored and edited ten books so far; his latest work (2nd edition), published by Routledge, UK, is Theory After Derrida: Essays in Critical Praxis. He has more than 50 international and national publications in journals and about 30 book chapters. He was awarded the Narindra Pradhan Award by the former American Studies Research Centre at Hyderabad. Besides, he is also a recipient of the British Council Travel Fellowship. His research interests include Critical theory, India Studies and North East Studies.