‘These four autobiographies of artists and writers who shaped the Parsi theatre at its peak are as riveting as the fare that the theatre itself provided, and Kathryn Hansen’s lifelong and perceptive involvement with their rumbustious enterprise infuses every word of her translation of these texts.’ —Girish Karnad, award-winning playwright, screenwriter, actor and director
‘Kathryn Hansen has given us a special kind of book – one with many voices, on many layers, which cohere in a single, satisfying picture, enriched by the author’s considerable knowledge of this theatre. This well-produced text presents original thinking about a number of topics, including autobiographical writing in India, its history, and first-person narratives as a form of cultural memory. The narratives themselves, which lie at the heart of the book, are lovingly translated, combining humour, flare and intimacy.’ —Stuart Blackburn, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
‘‘Stages of Life’ is a unique book, providing vivid insiders’ portraits and incisive commentary on a colorful and lively period in India’s urban culture. Hansen’s ground-breaking research and sharp interpretations will be of interest to scholars and students of Indian culture and notions of modernity in general.’ —Peter Manuel, John Jay College and the Graduate Centre, CUNY