Rajiv Naresh

I am a student of Law at University College London. I grew up in the mecca of modernity (on steroids) - Dubai. I originally hail from the south of India. After graduating from high school, I studied English Literature at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University.

Three years in Delhi showed me two things: culture and reality. As a student of literature, studying culture studies has changed the way I view the world. It has opened my eyes to the nuanced and mercurial monster of popular culture. I have learnt many valuable things from hours of procrastination that have been devoted to the noble pursuit of television.

I moved to London in September to begin my Law degree. I am confronted with the phenomenon of culture every day and it continues to intrigue me.

Apart from attempting to read a gargantuan amount of cases and trying to find inspiration in mortgage law, I have been involved with the Drama Society. I was Secretary of the Shakespeare Society at St. Stephen’s College where I acted and directed in several plays. Since being here I have played Barry the Baptist in an adaptation of Guy Ritchie’s magnum opus, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. I also played Antonio in Much Ado about Nothing. I am a mentor with the DebateMate program where I teach debate to the kids at Haverstock Camden School every week.

Where do I stand in the numerous debates that pepper the world of pop culture?

While being wary of labels, I conclude with a succinct ‘cultural’ autobiography.

‘The Wire’ is the best television show known to man. I have posters of Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Tupac Shakur and Jay-Z in my room. Life in a British university has varied my palette: I have learned that Dubstep and Minimal Techno are immensely cool. ‘Breaking Bad’ is probably the second best television show known to man. Othello is my favourite Shakespearean play. In the hipster-mainstream debate I would classify myself as an agnostic fence-sitter. I am not a Star Wars fanatic. I enjoy sports films far too much. YouTube has my vote for the greatest invention of the 21st Century. I have clandestine dreams to be a stand-up comedian.

I write this blog because being able to investigate the most incredible and far-reaching phenomenon of our times is both daunting and amazing.