Watch the full video of the workshop (above), which deconstructs the ideals of love, romance and choice marriages as an urban phenomenon, associated specifically with the so-called progressive, modern, ‘neoliberal’ middle class.

This talk examines the construction of middle class identity by young professionals in Delhi, through their experiences of romance and criteria for selection of a spouse.

While the first part examines the changing landscapes of urban Delhi–coffee shops, restaurants, leisure spaces, and describes the specific ways in which these spaces enable a middle class identity, the second part of the talk focuses on the ideals of being middle class.

The two-part question and answer session that followed can be accessed here: Part 1, Part 2.