Fifty Years of The History of Sexuality

Mrinal Chatterjee

Window Seat 

This year- 2026, marks the birth centenary of the French philosopher, writer Michel Foucault; it also marks the fiftieth anniversary one of his most influential books The History of Sexuality, Volume I. Half a century after the publication of the book, its arguments remain remarkably relevant in an age shaped by social media, surveillance, identity politics, and debates over gender and personal freedom.

Foucault challenged a widely accepted belief—that modern society had simply suppressed or silenced sexuality. Instead, he argued that sexuality had become the subject of endless discussion. Medicine, psychology, religion, education, law, and the family constantly encouraged people to confess, classify, regulate, and define their sexual lives. In other words, sexuality was not merely repressed; it was actively produced through institutions and public discourse.

The book introduced the powerful idea that knowledge and power are inseparable. Those who define what is "normal" or "deviant" also shape social behaviour. This insight transformed not only philosophy but also sociology, history, media studies, gender studies, and cultural criticism.

Fifty years later, Foucault's questions have acquired new urgency. Digital platforms collect intimate personal data, algorithms categorize identities, and online spaces encourage constant self-disclosure. The forms of surveillance have changed, but the relationship between power, knowledge, and the body remains strikingly familiar.

The History of Sexuality does not offer easy answers. Instead, it teaches readers to question accepted truths and examine how institutions shape human experience. That may be its greatest legacy. At fifty, Foucault's landmark work is not a relic of the past but a vital guide for understanding the politics of identity, privacy, and freedom in the twenty-first century.

Old Kolkata Windows

There is something magical about old Kolkata windows. They don't just open into rooms, they open into another century.

Mekhala Munshi writes about the window featured here:

This roaring red facade is a beautiful example of Colonial-era Neoclassical architecture, a style that flourished in Calcutta during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The elegant segmental arch, crowned by a decorative keystone, draws the eye upward, while the richly carved Corinthian capitals atop the pilasters reflect the enduring influence of ancient Greek and Roman design.

The emerald-green timber shutters stand in striking contrast to the deep terracotta-red façade, while the intricate cast-iron balustrade below the window showcases the fine Victorian craftsmanship of an era when even everyday architectural details were designed with artistry. Together, these elements tell the story of a city where European architectural ideals blended seamlessly with Bengali craftsmanship, creating a distinctive built heritage that continues to captivate long after the paint has faded and the plaster has weathered.

Paper Bags

Paper Bag Day is observed on 12 July annually to recognise the importance of the invention of the Paper Bag that we mostly take for granted. In 1852, Francis Wolle, an American schoolteacher, invented the first machine to mass-produce paper bags.  However, the bags looked like large, fragile mailing envelopes rather than the grocery bags we use today.

It was between 1868 to1871 Margaret E. Knight invented a machine that mechanized the production of sturdy, flat-bottomed bags. Despite an attempt by a male colleague to steal her design and claim that a woman couldn't understand the mechanics, Knight successfully defended her work in court and secured a patent in 1871.

Now that the world is fighting the menace of non-biodegradable polythene bags which is creating severe environmental and public health crises and environmentalists are advising use of biodegradable cloth and paper bags- remember the contribution of Francis Wolle and Margaret Knight.