Book excerpt: In world anthropology different dimensions are fast emerging, and one of them is Visual Anthropology in which systematic and concerted efforts were made specially in sixties. However, sporadic efforts of people from anthropological as well as non-anthropological allied disciplines were precursors in this field. The new-wave films or parallel cinema were developed in Italy in post-war years, and later France and America followed suit. India did not remain immune to this movement. Satyajit Ray created a genere of films beginning from the Pather Panchali and others, and such Indian films show their relevance to Visual Anthropology. This book consists of nine important chapters which are mostly the trend-setters. It also includes the proceedings of the First International Symposium of Visual Anthropology. In all, it makes a formal beginning of Visual Anthropology in India. The five Appendices are fascinating and have references for supplementary readings. This book would be useful to the visual anthropologies, sociologists, historians, applied social scientists, Media people, those connected with social communication, development, and the enlightened laymen.