In Conversation With Rakhshanda Jalil
Rakhshanda Jalil straddles being a writer, a translator and a literary historian and is thus at a vantage to give us an unparalleled view of Urdu literature, Indian writing, and the rise of translation, among several other things. We spoke to her about these and more – her journey as a writer, translator, and Urdu […]
Writing Meetup: unBlock 107
Metaphors, poetic prose, and abstract musings dominated our seventh writing meetup, unBlock 107. Written and visual prompts were mixed, stretched, interpreted and laid out in unconventional ways, facilitating a major unBlocking of that crippling writer’s block. The writing meetup had participants sharing important feedback on each other’s works. The value small details add, quantity of […]
Amphan’s effect on publishing: How to Help
The publishing industry was going through a tough time already with the lockdown, and it has to now deal with Amphan’s effect on publishing. When cyclone Amphan hit Kolkata on 20th May, it further aggravated the woes of the book industry. For book lovers, it is heartbreaking to see beloved Boi Para, a.k.a., College Street, […]
In Conversation with: Jane Borges
We caught up with author Jane Borges, whose debut fiction novel Bombay Balchão released in 2019, captures the life and role of the Catholic community of Bombay, from independence to today. Let’s start by talking about the non-fictitious nature of Bombay Balchão. You mentioned you carried out extensive research to learn about Cavel and its […]
Bombay Balchão by Jane Borges
Undoubtedly the first thing that attracts you to Bombay Balchão is its cover – filled with colour, and people – like the city of Mumbai itself. There was another reason for me. Having lived among Catholics for the first 20 years of my life, and with my convent schooling, I was also curious to read […]
In Custody by Anita Desai
In Custody is a Booker Prize-shortlisted novel, by Indian American author, Anita Desai. Plot Summary The story is set partially in a town called Mirpore and partly in Delhi. Deven, the protagonist, teaches Hindi at Lala Ram Lal College. Leading a dreary existence in a small town, Deven has just one passion to look up […]
Greatest Kashmiri Folk Tales By Onaiza Drabu
Remember when we passed our evenings lying on Grandma’s lap, listening to the tales from Panchatantra? Grandpa’s animated voice as he would try to mimic one of the characters from Katha Sarit Sagar? Those invaluable moments spent with our parents and grandparents, listening to them bring the stories to live in front of us, has, […]
Her Stories 20th Century Bengali Women Writers
Her Stories is a set of eight stories by eight eminent Bengali women writers translated by Sanjukta Dasgupta. It is a collection of short fiction centred around women, where some reconcile with and some fiercely resist patriarchy. The unique thing about Her Stories is that each story is preceded by a brief introduction and a […]
Woman to Woman, Stories by Madhulika Liddle
Woman to Woman Stories by Madhulika Liddle is a collection of a dozen short stories about women. The cover is a minimalistic yet stunning peak into the stories we are about to enter, filled with beauty, grace, violence and death. The Women and their Stories The women in these stories come from different social strata, […]
Ten novellas to kickstart that reading habit
Situated between a sprint and a marathon, novellas are the perfect remedy for our shortening attention spans. Longer than a short story, and shorter than a novel, a novella contains the makings of just the right reading experience – a straightforward plot that does not meander, yet immerses you in a world entirely its own. […]
