Bhavika Behal

Background

About Bhavika Behal

I'm a scholar of Modern South Asian Studies with an M.Phil. from the University of Cambridge, where my research examined the evolution of photojournalistic images and the enduring visual tropes used to depict violence-prone regions in the subcontinent —tracing continuities from the colonial to the post-colonial state. My academic interests lie at the intersection of visual culture, political power, and minority representation. I explore how photographs, films, and documentaries shape public perception and historical memory, particularly in relation to marginalized communities. Most recently, I have taught two interdisciplinary courses at the university level: Forgotten Soldiers: India’s Role in WWI and WWII, which recovers the overlooked contributions of Indian soldiers in global conflicts, and Cinema and Society in India, which examines how film reflects and informs social realities. I'm passionate about bridging historical inquiry with visual analysis to better understand the politics of representation in South Asia.