Book Reviews – The Progressive Cultural Movement: A Critical History

A history, and not a hagiography, of the Progressive Cultural Movement in India was long overdue, but nobody attempted to undertake such a novel and noble task, as if (this is exclusively my perception) there was nothing to talk about it any more. Since the activities and the world-view of the Progressive Writers’ Association (PWA) and the Indian People’s Theatre Association’s (IPTA) were celebrated, and of some of the finest performers, activists and theorists who were associated with it – therefore, as if no critical assessment was necessary. There were indeed some stray critical works and discussions, but Sahmat’s brilliant enterprise is unparalleled. This book is not only a ‘critical history’, but also a touchstone for an understanding of the left cultural movement in India by some of the finest Left thinkers of the country.