DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:44:23 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/books/why-translation-has-become-new-weapon-in-is-and-al-qaedas-propaganda-war-633806.html New Delhi Aug 23 The Islamic State IS is known for its propaganda material and among the terror groups it has the strongest propaganda media and its reach is higher than ones expectations Since its fall in Iraq and Syria the focus has been extensively on propaganda rather than running the outfit like a conventional terror group If one were to look at the Indian scenario it does not have its own modules but they are inspired Any three persons who follow the ideology of the Islamic State can come together and form a moduleSuch a module is inspired by the outfit but not funded by it Even the creation of such a module is done by people with a common thought process and the Islamic State does not even oversee the creation of such modulesWhile the first part of its drive was largely successful following its fall in Iraq and Syria the second part took some time to crack The first part of the propaganda drive led to several attacks by Islamic Stateinspired lone wolves in different parts of the world such as the UK the US and France Even in India there were two failed attempts by lone wolves one at Coimbatore and another at MangaluruIn India the Islamic State did create an impact but it found it hard to convey its message to a larger audience For instance in the Gulf the message could go out in Arabic The use of English and Urdu is also quite extensiveIndia on the other hand is a diverse country and the people of different states speak different languages This is what the Islamic State sought to crack and hence tasked its AlIsabah Foundation with the taskNot only does this foundation today circulate propaganda material by the Islamic State but ensures that it is translated into every single language that is spoken in India Today such propaganda material can be found in Marathi Tamil Malayalam Kannada Assamese Gujarati Bengali and Telugu among othersThe AlIsabah Foundation on its part set up the Islamic Translation Centre to ensure that the material goes out in multiple languagesTaking a cue from the Islamic State AlQaeda too decided to follow suit It immediately set up the AlKifah media to translate its material into multiple languages Both groups are aware that language is a sensitive issue and if the material is provided in a language of choice then the chance of success is much higherA similar trend is being witnessed in other parts of the world too When propaganda material is sent out to Sri Lanka the country would be referred to as the Wilayahs of Sri Lanka The same applies in the Maldives or Bangladesh For India the reference is the Wilayahs of KashmirWhat has stumped the agencies is that the messaging by these groups is not spread over a period of time They bombard with over 15 to 20 messages a day and this has made the job of the agencies even more challengingFurther these groups are also focusing largely on South India They realise that in states such as Kerala where the influence of Wahhabism in many parts is high it would be easier to cater to those people The success of the Popular Front of India PFI has also given these groups the confidence that there is a market in many parts of South India IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/why-translation-has-become-new-weapon-in-is-and-al-qaedas-propaganda-war-633806.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 21:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/stalin-reaffirms-dmks-commitment-to-minorities-pays-tribute-to-late-leader-633416.html Chennai Aug 21 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin on Thursday reaffirmed that his party would continue to stand unwaveringly with minority communities underscoring the Dravidian movements inclusive ideology In his remarks at an event to release five books authored by former DMK minister A Rahman Khan Stalin recalled the late leaders steadfast commitment to the partys principles and loyaltyHe said that despite repeated invitations from then Chief Minister and AIADMK chief MG Ramachandran to join his party Rahman Khan remained firmly rooted in the DMK and loyal to the leadership of party patriarch M KarunanidhiRahman Khan epitomised dedication to the DMKs values and leadership He never wavered in his political conviction and his loyalty was unshakeable Stalin notedThe Chief Minister lauded the former minister as an outstanding parliamentarian and speaker describing him as a star voice of the DMK during its years in oppositionHe recalled that Khan along with party seniors Duraimurugan and K Subbu was celebrated for his fiery oratory in the AssemblyThey were once fondly referred to as Idi Minnal and Mazhai Thunder Lightning and Downpour Stalin said evoking the spirited debates that defined that eraStalin emphasised that the DMK inspired by leaders like Karunanidhi and strengthened by dedicated cadres like Rahman Khan has always been at the forefront of protecting the rights of minorities and upholding social justiceHe said the present government too would continue to safeguard these values as part of its governance modelThe Chief Minister said Rahman Khans legacy was not only in the speeches he delivered or the debates he took part in but in the example he set for younger generations of party workers His life reminds us that loyalty to ideology and leadership combined with courage and clarity in expression is what strengthens the DMK His contributions will continue to inspire the party and the people of Tamil Nadu Stalin said IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/stalin-reaffirms-dmks-commitment-to-minorities-pays-tribute-to-late-leader-633416.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 22:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/rs-308-crore-allocated-for-promotion-of-indian-languages-in-2024-25-pradhan-632650.html New Delhi Aug 18 The Centre allocated a sum of Rs 30844 crore for promotion of Indian languages during 202425 the Parliament was informed on Monday Replying to a question by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi in the Lok Sabha Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan provided details of the budget allocation over the last 10 years under the Grants for Promotion of Indian Language GPILThe statement shows that the allocation which was Rs 28888 crore in 201516 was enhanced subsequently The highest allocation was Rs 45970 crore in 201920 Thereafter it came down Only Rs 19750 crore was allocated during 202122The minister also clarified that allocation of funds is not done on a language basis rather they are provided as per the requirement and utilisationUnder GPIL the Centre provides grants to the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan KHS the Maharishi Sandipani Rashtriya Ved Vidya Pratishthan MSRVVP the Central Institute of Classical Tamil CICT the National Council for Promotion of Sindhi Language NCPSL and the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language NCPUL for the promotion of Hindi Veda Classical Tamil Sindhi and Urdu respectivelyPradhan also stated the Centre is promoting Sanskrit through three Central Universities the Central Sanskrit University New Delhi the Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University New Delhi and the National Sanskrit University Tirupati Funds are provided to these universities for teaching and research in the Sanskrit language leading to the award of a degree diploma or certificate to the studentsThe minister also said in his reply that the policy of the government is to promote all Indian languages The National Education Policy 2020 lays a lot of stress on promoting multilingualism and making efforts to keep Indian languages vibrantThe government in the National Education Policy has provided that wherever possible the medium of instruction up to at least Class 5 and preferably up to Class 8 will be in the home languagemother tonguelocal languageregional languageThe policy emphasises that teaching should be in their home languagelocal language and learning of Indian languages should be integrated with school and higher education so that students have the option of studying in any Indian language he saidIn the Union Budget 202526 the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme has been announced to provide books in Indian languages for school and higher education in digital format the minister added IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/rs-308-crore-allocated-for-promotion-of-indian-languages-in-2024-25-pradhan-632650.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 17:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/ancient-practices-scientific-power-a-monks-bestseller-618205.html New Delhi May 27 A carefully distilled guide to inner harmony and mindfulness drawing on ancient Indian arts and sciences is fast emerging as the choice of readers Ishan Shivanands The Practice of Immortality A Monks Guide to Discovering Your Unlimited Potential for Health Happiness and Positivity provides a practical perspective for personal transformation through ancient yogic secretsAs per its publishers the work intended to be both a philosophical exploration and a handson guide focuses on reorienting readers relationship with time stress and internal conflict key issues of contemporary lifeIt draws on the acclaimed Acharya and mental health researchers two decades of monastic training and a 21generation yogic lineage to introduce Yoga of Immortals YOI his system integrating meditation martial arts and traditional healing methods from the Indian Knowledge Systems that can be a life changerCombining both meditative practices and reallife narratives the work encourages readers to adopt principles of mindfulness and presence as tools for longterm mental and physical vitalityPublished by Penguin Random House and Hachette Book Group and available in 15 countries it is earning rave reviews on AmazonMerely a week after its release this month it has become the number 1 bestseller across all major categories on Amazon India including health fitness and nutrition selfhelp for stress management society and culture as well as the overall books listIt is among the most preordered and most reviewed titles on the platform this year receiving a 5star rating from over 1200 readers within its first weekWith its message and practices evoking deep resonance with a wide and diverse audience there is widespread reader enthusiasmThe reviewers describe The Practice of Immortality as transformational particularly in the areas of holistic health ancient wisdom and mental wellbeing IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/ancient-practices-scientific-power-a-monks-bestseller-618205.html Tue, 27 May 2025 10:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/nagaland-guv-bats-for-preserving-naga-heritage-culture-customary-practices-615315.html Kohima May 10 Nagaland Governor La Ganesan on Saturday emphasised to protect Naga heritage culture tradition and customary practices Releasing a book titled The Lotha Naga Customary Law Practices amp Attires authored by P Pius Lotha at Raj Bhavan Kohima the Governor emphasised the importance of cultural rootedness in the face of globalisation Noting that tradition is not a relic of the past but the foundation of ones identity he said such documentation is especially vital for the youth fostering a sense of pride belonging and resilience In his address the Governor expressed great delight at being part of the occasion noting that the book launch was more than a literary event It was a tribute to the enduring spirit of the Lotha Naga community and a reaffirmation of the collective duty to preserve indigenous culture he said The Governor lauded Pius Lotha for his meticulous research describing the book as a source of invaluable knowledge that captures the essence of Lotha traditions governance family structures customary laws and traditional attire He highlighted that the work offers not just a historical account but a living dialogue between the past and the present Our society has long depended on oral narratives This written effort ensures that our customs and values are not lost to time but preserved for generations he remarked He noted that the tension between tradition and modernity often stems from a communication gap and books like this serve as conversation starters bridging generations and encouraging mutual respect By preserving Lotha Naga heritage we enrich not just our state but also contribute to the cultural mosaic of the nation he added The Governor congratulated the author for his perseverance noting that the book was the result of 14 years of dedicated effort He called upon everyone present to be custodians of culture and tradition asserting that in preserving heritage we bequeath to posterity the greatest wealth of all identity The event was attended by cultural leaders members of the Lotha community and government officials KN Mhonthung Lotha Chairman Kohima Lotha Hoho chaired the event IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/nagaland-guv-bats-for-preserving-naga-heritage-culture-customary-practices-615315.html Sat, 10 May 2025 18:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/daily-wisdom-for-holistic-living-baps-dr-gnanvatasaldas-swamis-first-book-unveiled-614252.html New Delhi May 5 BAPS Dr Gnanvatsaldas Swami is all set to draw the attention and focus of the followers and volunteers of the Swaminarayaan Sanstha through his writings as his first book titled Daily Wisdom for Holistic Living hit the stands on Monday The book penned by Dr Gnanvatsaldas Swami is a transformative guide for personal growth and wellness and gives valuable lessons on 365 days of mindfulness spirituality motivation and inner peaceGnanvatsaldas Swami is a Hindu monk global speaker and spiritual mentor and has spent over 30 years sharing timeless wisdom with modern relevanceDrawing on the teachings of his gurus Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj as well as personal stories and insights from over 15000 talks worldwide he has put together the profound ideas practical and accessible to all in his book For the first time he is revealing this wisdom in his debut bookThe books epilogue reads Life often feels like an endless race pulling us in every direction yet leaving us drained and disconnected Amidst the chaos how can we find clarity strength and peaceIt further says The answers we seek arent out there they lie within To transform the world around us we must first master ourselves Yet uncovering this truth requires a moment to pause reflect and explore lifes deeper meaningsThrough compelling storytelling and concise powerful chapters Swami empowers readers to overcome inner struggles and embrace lasting success Whether seeking inspiration or a clear path to personal growth this book will ignite your journey it concludesNotably Dr Gnanvatsaldas Swami has delivered series of insightful seminars during his visits to the UK and Europe in October 2023The presentations were held at BAPS mandirs and external venues in London Harrow Brent and Ilford and Leicester in the UK as well as in Interlaken Switzerland IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/daily-wisdom-for-holistic-living-baps-dr-gnanvatasaldas-swamis-first-book-unveiled-614252.html Mon, 05 May 2025 22:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/stalin-to-announce-nationalisation-of-literary-works-of-five-eminent-tamil-scholars-today-614124.html Chennai May 5 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will today announce the nationalisation of the literary works of five eminent Tamil scholars Rao Saheb G Kothandapani Pillai Dr R Mohan G Muthupillai MS Sambandam and Hamsaveni The move aimed at preserving and promoting Tamil intellectual heritage marks a significant step in making the contributions of these scholars widely accessibleAs part of the initiative the government will transfer royalty rights for these works to the families of the respective scholarsThis nationalisation is not merely an administrative exercise but a cultural imperative Stalin said in a statement ahead of the event adding By ensuring these great works are available to all we are reinforcing the richness of Tamil literature and honouring the lifelong efforts of these scholarsThe announcement will take place at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai in the presence of Ministers MP Saminathan Ma Subramanian and PK Sekarbabu along with other dignitariesThe Chief Minister will also attend the valedictory ceremony of Tamil Week celebrated annually to commemorate the birth anniversary of the revered Tamil poet Pavendhar Bharathidasan The event will include the distribution of prizes to the winners of various literary competitions held across Tamil Nadu during the weekBharathidasans vision and voice continue to inspire generations Stalin said adding Our government remains committed to fostering a vibrant literary culture that upholds Tamil pride and progressSince April 29 a series of literary events and discussions have taken place at district headquarters drawing wide participation from scholars students and literary enthusiastsThe celebrations come as the DMK government prepares to enter its fifth year in officeIn an official statement on Sunday the government highlighted key achievements over the past four years citing schemes such as the Chief Ministers Breakfast Scheme and Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam which have received national and international recognition including from the United NationsHealth Minister Ma Subramanian remarked Tamil Nadu has emerged as a model for the rest of India in both social welfare and healthcare This recognition is the result of visionary leadership and relentless executionThe statement also recalled the state governments handling of crises such as the Covid19 pandemic cyclones and floods Despite the Union governments indifference during such critical times we took proactive steps to safeguard our people it readThe government noted that its efforts have been appreciated by a wide crosssection of the public including women students workers entrepreneurs and the media and even acknowledged through awards from the CentreAs todays events unfold the occasion is expected to spotlight both Tamil Nadus enduring literary legacy and its strides in governance IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/stalin-to-announce-nationalisation-of-literary-works-of-five-eminent-tamil-scholars-today-614124.html Mon, 05 May 2025 11:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/sadhu-bhadreshdas-to-receive-saraswati-samman-2024-for-outstanding-sanskrit-work-608543.html New Delhi March 27 KK Birla Foundations prestigious Saraswati Samman 2024 will be conferred upon renowned Sanskrit scholar Mahamhopadhyay Sadhu Bhadreshdas for his outstanding book Swaminarayana Siddhanta Sudha in Sanskrit The decision was made during a meeting of the Saraswati Samman Chayan Parishad Chaired by Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri RetdOther members of the Chayan Parishad include Prof Ramdeo Shukla Dr Buddhi Nath Mishra Dr Kiran Budkuley Dr C Mrunalini Prof Kalidas Misra Prof Lalit Mangotra Maalan Narayanan Prof Milind Govindrao Joshi Dr Manabendra Mukhopadhyay Vijay Verma Priyavrat Bhartia and Director KK Birla Foundation Dr Suresh RituparnaSadhu Bhadreshdas an internationally acclaimed Sanskrit scholar and an ordained monk of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha BAPS was born on December 12 1966 in Nanded MaharashtraWith an illustrious academic backgroundincluding an MA PhD DLitt and Doctor of Science Honoris Causa from IIT Kharagpur he is widely recognized as a leading intellectual in Indian philosophyHe has made remarkable contributions to preserving and promoting Indias traditional Vedic knowledge system in the modern eraFor his invaluable scholarship he has been honoured with numerous prestigious titles and has also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Council of Philosophical Research ICPRAdditionally Silpakorn University Thailand conferred upon him the Vedanta Martanda AwardHe currently serves as the President of the BAPS Research Institute Swaminarayana Siddhanta Sudha published in 2022 has won the Saraswati Samman 2024 and expounds on the Prasthanatrayi presenting the complete philosophical vision of AksharaPurushottama Darshana in a simple yet profound manner that resonates with readers worldwideThis text proves that the tradition of philosophical discoveries in India is not just a page in history but a living tradition that still gives birth to new philosophical inventions By reading this text one can understand the worldconquering power of the Sanskrit languageThe power that the Sanskrit language possesses in explaining philosophical principles is found in this textThe Saraswati Samman is a literary award instituted in 1991 by the K K Birla Foundation It is given every year for an outstanding literary work written in any Indian language mentioned in Schedule VIII to the Constitution of India by an Indian citizen and published during the last 10 years It carries an award money of Rs 15 lakh a citation and a plaque IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/sadhu-bhadreshdas-to-receive-saraswati-samman-2024-for-outstanding-sanskrit-work-608543.html Thu, 27 Mar 2025 20:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/delhi-l-g-attends-event-to-celebrate-lakshmi-puris-bestseller-book-606555.html New Delhi March 15 Delhi Lieutenant Governor LG VK Saxena on Saturday attended the launch of Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puris book Swallowing the Sun becoming a national bestseller which was hosted at the Partition Museum Dara Shukoh Library Building in the national capital The book launch of Lakshmi Puri was hosted in the presence of LG Saxena as the Chief GuestThe event organised by The Arts and Cultural Heritage Trust in collaboration with The Lalit highlighted the novels historical significance and themesLG Saxena spoke about the significance of the Partition Museum saying The Partition was a huge tragedy It saw the dislocation of more than 20 million people and transformed the demographics of Delhi As such the Partition Museum in Delhi is both a memorial and a museum preserving not only the peoples history of a very traumatic time but also displaying their oral histories documents photographs objects and personal narrativesJyotsna Suri Chairperson and Managing Director of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group was also present reinforcing the importance of preserving historical narratives through literatureThe discussion was moderated by Kishwar Desai author playwright and founder of the Partition Museums in Amritsar and DelhiThe conversation explored the inspiration behind the novel the role of literature in keeping history alive and the continued impact of Partition on generations todayThe Delhi LG also highlighted the importance of the venue saying Indeed the location of this function at this historical building is riveting We are right now at a very historic space Dara Shukoh Library Building where the Partition Museum has been founded by the NGO led by Kishwar Desai This awardwinning museum is an excellent example of a publicprivate partnershipSwallowing the Sun follows Malati a fearless young girl navigating the challenges of preIndependence IndiaDuring the discussion Lakshmi Puri shared her motivations for writing the book the challenges of crafting historical fiction and its relevance in todays worldSpeaking at the event Lakshmi Puri remarked Im delighted to be here at the Partition Museum a museum which is a lasting and living monument to one of the most traumatic episodes in our recent history but which needs memorialising because we must never forget and we must make sure that history does not repeat itself And I pay rich tributes to the founder and the director of this museum Kishwar Desai whose vision commitment and passion have made this possible Here we see how the Partition happened what was the human tragedy that unfolded and how people pulled themselves back showing resilience and humanityJyotsna Suri reflected on the novel stating Lakshmi Puris Swallowing the Sun is a testament to resilience courage and the pursuit of equality against the backdrop of Indias Independence struggle Through the eyes of a young girl the novel explores sisterhood friendships and revolution capturing the essence of her journey This book is not just a storyit is a beacon of hope inclusion and empowermentDuring the event Lakshmi Puri presented a copy of the Refugee Rehabilitation Law drafted by her father BG Murdeshwar to the Delhi LGA copy of this historic document will also be preserved in the Gallery of Rehabilitation at the Partition Museum DelhiB G Murdeshwar played a pivotal role in the resettlement of Partition refugees by drafting and advocating for a policy that froze evacuee properties for rehabilitation purposesHis efforts which were later adopted by multiple provinces saved the governments of Punjab and India hundreds of crores of rupees while ensuring a structured resettlement processKishwar Desai remarked on the refugee rehabilitation process saying There is a connection to why we chose the Partition Museum for the celebration of Lakshmis bookher father had a major role to play in the refugee rehabilitation processThe panel discussion also highlighted Women in Power showcasing the leadership of Lakshmi Puri as a diplomat author and former Assistant SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations Jyotsna Suri as a business leader shaping the hospitality industry and Kishwar Desai as an awardwinning author playwright and the driving force behind the Partition Museums in Amritsar and Delhi ensuring that the stories of Partition survivors are preserved for future generationsThe event concluded with a QampA session where attendees inquired about Lakshmi Puris research process and the historical context behind the book Swallowing the Sun IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/delhi-l-g-attends-event-to-celebrate-lakshmi-puris-bestseller-book-606555.html Sun, 16 Mar 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/no-booksellers-or-publishers-from-bangladesh-to-participate-in-agartala-book-fair-593162.html Agartala Jan 1 Amidst the unrest followed by the political changes in Bangladesh no booksellers or publishers from the neighbouring country will participate in the Agartala Book Fair beginning from Thursday officials said The 13daylong 43rd Agartala Book Fair will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Manik Saha on January 2 and will continue till January 14After the Agartala Book Fair started in 1981 almost every year either publishers or booksellers from Bangladesh participate in the annual semitrade book festival In some Agartala Book Fairs earlier publishers or booksellers from Kolkata and other cities sold Bangladeshi books But this year no Bangladeshi book would be available in the Agartala Book Fair a senior official associated with the Book Fair told IANSLeading publisher Debananda Dam said that in view of the prevailing situation in Bangladesh after the fall of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinaled Awami League government no booksellers or publishers from that country seem to be ready to attend the book fair in AgartalaConsidering the situation in Bangladesh even no Indian publishers or booksellers are willing to sell Bangladeshrelated books in the Agartala Book Fair Dam told IANSAccording to the official like in previous years publishers and publishers from Kolkata Guwahati and Delhi would participate in this years book fair apart from local publishing housesHe said that more than 150 stalls a little less than last year would be set up in this years fairThe official said that recently protests were organised in some Book Fairs held in the districts of West Bengal after the Bangladeshi books were displayed thereNo Bangladeshi booksellers or publishers would also participate in the upcoming 13day long 48th International Kolkata Book Fair which would commence from January 28In November a Bangladeshi trader had to close his stall at the trade fair in southern Assams Silchar after some Hindu activists demanded it in protest against the atrocities on Hindus and other minorities in the neighbouring country IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/no-booksellers-or-publishers-from-bangladesh-to-participate-in-agartala-book-fair-593162.html Wed, 01 Jan 2025 22:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/vijayan-others-pay-tributes-to-keralas-legend-mt-2-day-mourning-declared-592070.html Kozhikode Dec 26 Kerala mourns the loss of its literary titan MT Vasudevan Nair who passed away at a private hospital on Wednesday night As a mark of respect the state government has declared a twoday mourning canceling all official functions on Thursday and Friday The 91yearold Jnanpith awardee and celebrated writer had been battling for his life for the past 10 days following a cardiac arrestAfter his body was brought to his Kozhikode residence Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan a steady stream of political leaders and luminaries including superstar Mohanlal visited to pay their respectsHis loss is an irreparable void for the Malayalam language which he elevated to unparalleled heights said VijayanPopularly known as MT Vasudevan Nair was a celebrated writer screenwriter and filmmaker whose contributions to Malayalam literature and cinema are unmatchedSuperstar Mammootty grieving the loss of his mentor took to social media saying Some say I was MTs discovery Ever since we first met our bond grew to the level of brotherhood Very recently he fell against my chest and for a moment I felt I was his son My greatest takeaway from my film career is the place I earned in his heartMT Vasudevan Nair a Padma Bhushan awardee had an illustrious career in Malayalam cinema directing seven films and penning the screenplays for around 54 films His screenplays now available as books are a treasure trove for aspiring filmmakersIn the literary realm MT won every prestigious award a Malayalam writer could aspire to He authored nine novels 19 collections of short stories and numerous essays and memoirs His iconic works remain a treasure house of Malayalam literatureBorn in 1933 in Kudallur Palakkad district MTs journey began as a teacher and a gramasevakan at a block development office in Taliparamba Kannur He later turned to journalism joining Mathrubhumi Weekly as a subeditor in 1957 eventually serving as its editor for a brief periodThe literary genius was also a pivotal figure in Malayalam cinema forming a legendary trio with director Hariharan and actor MammoottyDespite his public stature MT stayed true to his principles having expressed a wish that his body not be kept for public display Honouring his wishes his last rites will be performed at a nearby crematorium on Thursday eveningMT was married twice first to Prameela with whom he had a daughter Later he married Kalamandalam Saraswathy a renowned danseuse and the couple has a daughterCondolences continue to pour in from all sections of society mourning the departure of a legend whose legacy will endure for generations IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/vijayan-others-pay-tributes-to-keralas-legend-mt-2-day-mourning-declared-592070.html Thu, 26 Dec 2024 14:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/health-condition-of-jnanpith-awardee-vasudevan-nair-remains-critical-591403.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 22 The health condition of renowned Malayalam writer and Jnanpith awardee M T Vasudevan Nair who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode remains critical According to hospital sources while Nair is responding to medication to some extent his condition remains seriousHe is being treated in the emergency ward of Baby Memorial Hospital in Kozhikode for cardiac issuesThe hospital authorities noted a slight improvement in his health with Nair showing limited response to treatment However a medical bulletin issued by the hospital emphasised that his condition is still criticalSeveral prominent personalities continue to visit the hospital to enquire about the health of the hugely admired literary personalityNair also a Padma Bhushan awardee is considered an icon of Malayalam literature and cinemaHe has won four National Film Awards for screenplay writing and has directed seven films while scripting about 54 othersHis screenplays now available in book form are regarded as essential reading for aspiring filmmakersOver the years Nair has received numerous prestigious accolades including the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award Vayalar Award Vallathol Award Ezhuthachan Award Mathrubhumi Literary Award and ONV Literary AwardIn 2013 he was honoured with the JC Daniel Award for lifetime achievement in Malayalam cinema In 2022 he received the inaugural Kerala Jyothi Award the highest civilian honour bestowed by the Kerala GovernmentIn 1995 Nair was awarded the Jnanpith Indias highest literary honour for his outstanding contributions to literatureHe also served as the editor of Mathrubhumi Weekly for several yearsIn October this year Nair made headlines after gold ornaments were stolen from his residence while he and his wife were away The police later recovered the items implicating a domestic helper in the theft IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/health-condition-of-jnanpith-awardee-vasudevan-nair-remains-critical-591403.html Sun, 22 Dec 2024 15:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/91-year-old-jnanpith-awardee-mt-vasudevan-nair-in-critical-condition-591021.html Kozhikode Dec 20 Renowned 91yearold Jnanpith awardee and one of Keralas most celebrated literary figures MT Vasudevan Nair is critically ill and undergoing treatment at a private hospital here according to his close friend MN Karissery A medical board has been constituted and a team of specialists is closely monitoring the veteran writer and filmmakers conditionI visited him this morning He is in intensive care and his condition is serious He has been in and out of the hospital recently His wife and daughter are by his side said KarisseryPopularly known as MT Nair has been battling health issues in recent weeks including breathing difficulties and cardiac complicationsNair a Padma Bhushan awardee has left an indelible mark on Malayalam literature and cinema He has won four National Film Awards for screenplay and directed seven films while scripting about 54 films His screenplays now available in book form are regarded as essential reading for aspiring filmmakersOver the years Nair has been honoured with numerous accolades including the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award Vayalar Award Vallathol Award Ezhuthachan Award Mathrubhumi Literary Award and ONV Literary AwardIn 2013 he was conferred the JC Daniel Award for lifetime achievement in Malayalam cinema In 2022 he received the inaugural Kerala Jyothi Award the highest civilian honour bestowed by the Kerala GovernmentNair was awarded the Jnanpith Indias highest literary honor in 1995 for his outstanding contributions to literature He also served as the editor of Mathrubhumi Illustrated Weekly for several yearsIn October this year Nair made headlines after gold ornaments were stolen from his residence while he and his wife were away The police later recovered the items implicating a domestic helper IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/91-year-old-jnanpith-awardee-mt-vasudevan-nair-in-critical-condition-591021.html Fri, 20 Dec 2024 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/the-other-sister-a-tale-of-friends-faith-relationship-and-stress-587186.html New Delhi Dec 2 Amidst a vibrant reading session author Amrita Tripathi unveiled her latest novel The Other Sister here on Monday The book delves into the lives of a group of friends navigating postpandemic Delhi Tripathi told IANS that her book focuses on social media especially the millennial generation and the contours of our relationships in this world in which we are so wellconnected and yet isolatedInteracting with readers at Kunzum Books at MBlock market in Greater Kailash here Tripathi said the story captures the trauma of people who are unable to communicate adding that it deals with issues like faith relationships and stressThe author said it took her nine years to come out with her third novel which will be launched midmonth and also feature in the upcoming Bangalore and Jaipur lit festsAccording to the publisher The Other Sister weaves a complex web with a fair share of drama featuring an absent mother a rotating cast of friends and lovers an attentive but distant brother and Akira who defies description It is a haunting exploration of young lives in disarray a social media generation thats hyperconnected yet somehow still isolated and misunderstoodThe book features Maya as an urban millennial with a very full life So it comes as a shock to her friends when she goes offline and ghosts them all of a suddenAs their enquiry into her absence gets increasingly frantic Maya herself oscillates between fear and honesty therapy and godmen superstition and nostalgiaCrushed by generational trauma and longhidden secrets she chases faith and love in the most hopeless places knowing that the only way out is throughAmrita Tripathi is an Indian author and podcaster She is the foundereditor of The Health Collective which focuses on mental health and storytelling and founder of Tap in Tribe a network empowering women in leadershipTripathi has twenty years of work experience in the mediashe has been a news anchor and journalist as well as the former head of content partnerships for Twitter India She hosts the podcast SayAgain talking to leaders and changemakers about their own journeys as well as what makes them tickThe author of two previous novels Amrita has also coauthored the Mindscape series of books on mental health as well as a book on Indias suicide crisis IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/the-other-sister-a-tale-of-friends-faith-relationship-and-stress-587186.html Mon, 02 Dec 2024 21:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/wanted-to-present-harappan-civilisation-in-an-accessible-manner-author-devdutt-pattanaik-585809.html New Delhi Nov 24 While he illustrated several scenes of Ahimsa 100 Reflections on the Harappan Civilisation over two years ago author Devdutt Pattanaik decided to compile it this year I aimed to present it in a manner that it is accessible to the general public rather than only to academic circles he told IANS Stressing that the conversation on Harappa typically focuses on its art architecture geography or material culture but rarely delves into its mythology he observes that historians generally steer clear of mythologyI noticed many mythological ideas embedded in Harappas art and architecture and felt compelled to share them This led to the creation of the book he recalledFor him the most fascinating aspect of the ageold civilisation is its trading culture semiprecious stones from as far as Afghanistan and Gujarat travelled down the Indus River along the Makran coast through the Persian Gulf to Oman and to Mesopotamia covering a distance of 4000 km over 4500 years agoThis aspect of Harappa is rarely discussed People tend to associate Harappa with toilets far more than with tradeThe author said that despite the elaborate research he undertook he did not want this book to be just a collection of facts but an analysis that would prompt readers to think about geography the impact of monsoons on the Harappan civilisation and the coexistence of its urban and rural networks By the way some widely accepted notions such as the idea of a continuous cluster of cities along the river are exaggerated he addedPattanaiks process involves organising information classifying it and drawing connections I pay close attention to the sequence of chapters and the table of contents to ensure a clear progression from the first page to the last he saidThis medical doctor by qualification who has written more than 50 books on mythology besides other subjects said that he is fascinated by how human beings imagine the world differently in various places and periods and how these imaginings evolveMythology expresses itself through stories symbols and rituals influencing politics and economics Its a unique field and not many people study it deeply Even Western books on mythology often show a limited understanding as their authors are shaped by their belief systems and tend to present themselves as rational while being influenced by their myths he saidIn contemporary times when mythology is often confused with history he warns that they are distinct subjects although many people often blur the lineYes metaphors are used to convey supernatural imagery to convey profound philosophical metaphysical or spiritual ideas but the distinction is clear Just as one cannot confuse physics with chemistry mythology must not be confused with history he statedSpeaking about the drawings in the book he revealed that he always illustrates his books though the same often gets unnoticedI wanted readers to visualise Harappa beyond the usual seals and images Artists often depict Harappans as modern people with family structures resembling our own This is speculative at bestWe know little about Harappan marriage rituals and its challenging to identify gender from seal characters they could be male female androgynous or even crossdressers I wanted to present these possibilities to encourage future scholars to think critically he saidInterestingly the author has elaborated on the countryside of that period and not just the major cities He felt a civilisation is often linked to urban ecosystems but cities depend on villages for food agriculture cotton and raw materials Villages however can survive without citiesThe Harappan cities may have declined around 1900 BC but the rural ecosystems endured This fact about Harappa is often overlooked yet it underscores the interdependence of urban and rural networks he addedEven while civilisations like Mesopotamia and Egypt displayed signs of war and violence Harappa showed no such evidence There are no depictions of armies or weapons suggesting they maintained peace across vast lands through trade practicesAhimsa is not merely about vegetarianism or social justice At its core ahimsa is about fostering trade to prevent raiding Successful trading requires avoiding hoarding and ensuring fair regulations Harappans understood this which contributed to their longlasting peace he saidConsidering the fact that in these polarised times one is often branded a Rightwinger for discussing the richness of Indian culture and mythology he asserted Yes and it works both ways If you critique the caste system Rightwing groups label you Leftwing If you celebrate temples Leftwing groups label you RightwingHowever Indian culture cannot be understood in simplistic binaries You cannot discuss Hindu temples without acknowledging the Sufi influence on the Bhakti movement nor can you discuss Indian Islam without considering Hindu practices that shaped Indias dargahs Indias complexity resists such linear categorisation Scholars like me often find ourselves placed on the Left or Right arbitrarily even though we truly belong to neither and perhaps to both he concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/wanted-to-present-harappan-civilisation-in-an-accessible-manner-author-devdutt-pattanaik-585809.html Sun, 24 Nov 2024 09:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/meghalaya-has-younger-population-compared-to-other-states-cm-conrad-sangma-584212.html Shillong Nov 18 Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said that the population of Meghalaya is younger compared to other states in the country and the government is seeking to increase reading and writing habits in them Sangma on Monday attended the inaugural ceremony of the Fourth Edition of the Shillong Literary Festival hereHe said Meghalaya has a younger population in comparison to the rest of the country and we are trying to ensure that reading and writing becomes an integral part of development activities for our youthSangma mentioned The literary festival aims is to bring our writers together and provide them a platform since the people of the state have the interest talent and most importantly the passion to write and this platform in the form of the literary festival would encourage them to share their workHe further added that it is also an opportunity for the local writers to gain more exposure and share their ideas and thoughts with writers from other parts of the country and even the worldThe Chief Minister also said that the other objective of the festival is to evoke interest in reading and encourage people to writeHe stated We have pressed schools to participate as it would garner curiosity among students to inculcate the art of reading and writingSangma highlighted that the written art form is also a medium of documentation and research for preserving the rich culture and history of people of MeghalayaHe said that documentation is to be further strengthened and informed about the CMs Scholars Programme where the government supports 50 research scholars in their endeavour to research and document on various areas of the culture and society of MeghalayaThe Chief Minister reiterated that the festivals that are held in the state are an investment in the people to uplift them through various means particularly tourismHe also asserted that the government will spend about Rs 4000 crore in the development of infrastructure towards tourism in terms of hotels homestays amenities facilities etcMeanwhile the festival came a full circle with the attendance of prominent authors like Shobhaa De and Vikram Seth IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/meghalaya-has-younger-population-compared-to-other-states-cm-conrad-sangma-584212.html Mon, 18 Nov 2024 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/nainital-hills-to-come-alive-with-sound-of-literature-and-music-583509.html Nainital Nov 15 Returning to a physical form after a threeyearlong hiatus the Himalayan Echoes Literature Festival in its twoday ninth edition beginning in Nainital on Saturday will go beyond words to encompass music environment conservation sustainability and arts from the greater Himalayan region extending all the way to Bhutan The special features of this years festival include nineyearold artiste Karma Demath who will accompany her father Pema Samdrup the senior musician of Bhutans Royal Academy of Performing Arts in taking the programme to a primary peak with a performance of mountain songs Himalayan chronicler Dr Shekhar Pathak launching his latest and timely book Himank aur Kwathnank ke Beech based on his decadal trek to map changes in the terrain in an era of climate change and former diplomatturned bestselling author Vikas Swarup on his new thrillerOther highlights will include sessions by Nepalese economist and Himalayan Future Forum convenor Sujeev Shakya his compatriot and cookbook writer Rohini Rana and botanist S Natesh who will expound on Indias ecological heritage through 75 iconic trees he has visitedThe festival founded by author and social entrepreneur Janhavi Prasad and mentored by renowned author and JLF codirector Namita Gokhale is meant for meaningful dialogues about the Himalayas and to promote books poetry and research associated with the majestic mountains However its aim is by no means not limited to the literary realm but also showcases the cultural diversity and unity of the Himalayan people and local and regional art craft and farm produceThe venue is the heritage homestay Abbotsford House the home to the Prasada familyTerming the festival a celebration of mountain voices from across the northern belt of India Prasada says it is the only mountain festival with environment as its basic motif She says the theme of this edition is CALM or Creativity Art Literature Mountains postpandemicHimalayan Echoes is a joyous and inspirational festival rooted in the culture and heritage of the mountains CALM celebrates the creativity art literature and music of the Himalayan region Gokhale addsThe festival will also have Anju Khanna the mentor of the Khushali Project for village social empowerment in Ramgarh elaborating on the success of their programme and how it can be replicated in other regions while Chetan Mahajan from the Himalayan Writers Retreat will be conducting a writing workshop focussed on the next generation along with Mayur Foodie Highway on My Plate Sharma and Jennifer Nandi engaging with local schools for student interactionsWhile local Kumaon delicacies will be on the table a Kumaon Bazaar will be put up to showcase some regional wellness products awardwinning knitwear brands that involve mountain village women handicrafts and trademark art by Kumaons Aipan girl Minakshi KhatiThe festival is slated to end on a high note with a performance of Cholia the warrior dancers of KumaonThe ethos of the festival is aptly described by Dr Pathak who quips Himalayan Echoes connects humans with literature and nature together Any distancing between them must be avoided IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/nainital-hills-to-come-alive-with-sound-of-literature-and-music-583509.html Fri, 15 Nov 2024 19:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/cpi-m-backs-party-veteran-ep-jayarajan-amid-autobiography-controversy-583545.html Thiruvananthapuram Nov 15 Veteran CPIM leader EP Jayarajan presently embroiled in an autobiography controversy heaved a sigh of relief on Friday when the partys state Secretariat gave him a clean chit in the matter with state Secretary MV Govindan stating that this issue has in no way affected the party Jayarajan has categorically and emphatically said he has not done anything wrong The party is not going to conduct a probe into it moreover the Kerala Police has already begun a probe based on his complaint A controversy has been created out of thin air and the party is strongly behind him Govindan saidSince Wednesday the CPIM and Jayarajan were caught in controversy when TV channels aired reports about his autobiography slated for release by Keralas leading publishing house DC BooksThe book titled Kattan Chayayum Paripvada was quickly put on hold after the news surfaced about its contents following the controversy The book allegedly highlights Jayarajans dissatisfaction with the partys failure to listen to him It also criticizes the partys choice of candidates for the April Lok Sabha elections and the selection of P Sarin a former Congress member as the Left candidate for the upcoming Palakkad Assembly byelection on November 20Since then Jayarajan has repeatedly insisted that this was a conspiracy to defame him and his party On Friday he for the first time after he was removed as convenor of the Left Democratic Front in August came to take part in the state Secretariat meetingHe according to sources in the know of things told the meeting that he had done no wrong and left the meeting before it got overJayarajan since Wednesday has stated multiple times that he is writing still his autobiography and its going on for a while now and was shocked to hear the news of its releaseSince being denied a ticket in the 2021 Assembly elections Jayarajan has been unpredictable frequently putting his party in challenging positions On April 26 the polling date for the Lok Sabha elections in the state he after casting his vote said senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar had met him at the sons residence in the state capital city and this created a huge furore which eventually saw his exit as the Convenor of the ruling CPIMled Left Democratic Front IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/cpi-m-backs-party-veteran-ep-jayarajan-amid-autobiography-controversy-583545.html Fri, 15 Nov 2024 21:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/uncertainty-over-bangladeshs-participation-in-kolkata-book-fair-next-year-583572.html Kolkata Nov 15 Uncertainty looms over the participation of publishers from Bangladesh at the iconic annual Kolkata Book Fair scheduled from January 28 to February 9 next year against the backdrop of the ongoing political and social tension going on in the neighbouring country With Germany being the theme country for the event this time Publishers amp Booksellers Guild the organisers of the Kolkata Book Fair has got confirmation from other countries like the United Kingdom the United States France Italy Spain Spain Peru Argentina and Colombia among others but not from any publisher from BangladeshAccording to Guild President Tridib Kumar Chattopadhyay because of some political developments the organisers are looking for permission from the government on this issueWe will act according to the instructions of the government he saidAs per protocol publishers from other nations are required to make applications to the guild and their permission for participation is subject to approval from the Union government In case there is no participation from the publishers from Bangladesh it will be a major loss of attraction for the annual event since the Bangladeshi book stalls at the event attracted the maximum crowd among the foreign publishers considering that the same language of Bengal is spoken both in West Bengal and Bangladesh and there is also a cultural synergyBangladeshi book stalls also often made arrangements for interactions between writers and poets from West Bengal and BangladeshThis time there will be 1050 book stalls Explaining why Germany has been chosen as the theme country a Guild official said that the Kolkata Book Fair started in 1976 was inspired by the worlds first book fair organised in Germanys Frankfurt in 1949 Like every year the event will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/uncertainty-over-bangladeshs-participation-in-kolkata-book-fair-next-year-583572.html Fri, 15 Nov 2024 23:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/photos-of-10-punjabi-literary-icons-installed-in-delhis-punjab-bhawan-583249.html New Delhi Nov 14 The Punjab Language Department has installed photos of 10 renowned Punjabi writers at Punjab Bhawan here in the first phase The entrance floor features photos of Bhai Vir Singh the founder of modern Punjabi literature and celebrated writer Amrita PritamThe first floor near the Chief Ministers office showcases photos of three prominent Punjabi poets Shiv Kumar Batalvi Pash and Surjit PatarSimilarly the second floor features photos of Ishwar Chander Nanda the father of Punjabi theatre and Dr Mohinder Singh Randhawa known for his pioneering work for Punjabi art and cultureLastly the third floor displays photos of progressive poets Bawa Balwant Lal Singh Dil and Firoz Din SharafDirector of the Language Department Jaswant Singh Zafar informed that approximately 100 photos of prominent Punjabi poets writers thinkers and language experts would be installed on all floors of both A and B blocks of Punjab Bhavan in the near futureHe also said with the exhibition and sale of books by the department inside Punjab Bhawan premises literary people and readers have shown positive responses and an increase in the sale of books has also been witnessedResident Commissioner of Punjab Shruti Singh said that more plans are in the pipeline to display Punjabs cultural essence through art pieces inside rooms of the Bhawan She said that they would also seek assistance from the Punjab Arts Council in the same manner as the Punjab Language Department has taken initiative to display these photographsThe Resident Commissioner also revealed that to maintain and renovate the Punjabi Sahit Kendar of Language Department Punjab will be considered on a priority basisOn this occasion Assistant Director of the Language Department Alok Chawla Deputy Resident Commissioner Asita Sharma local office incharge Karuna were also present IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/photos-of-10-punjabi-literary-icons-installed-in-delhis-punjab-bhawan-583249.html Thu, 14 Nov 2024 20:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/military-literature-fest-honours-25th-year-of-kargil-war-583256.html Chandigarh Nov 14 Organisers of the Military Literature Festival MLF on Thursday announced that the eighth edition of the festival is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War The events venues are named after young officers and men who were awarded the Param Vir Chakra for supreme valour and devotion to duty to the point of courting deathThe festival will open with a tribute to the martyrs of the Kargil War through a wreathlaying at the Regional War Memorial at Sector 2 here on November 17 led by Gulab Chand Kataria Governor of Punjab and Administrator of ChandigarhA Bravehearts Ride in the form of a motorbike rally will then carry this message of courage sacrifice and patriotism to the corners of the tricity through the combined roar of 1286 motorcycles driven in from distant towns of the region It will be flagged off from near Chandigarh ClubOnce again the MLF would showcase technology youth power and the positive energy of sports and deliver a message of physical wellbeing and against drugs crime and terrorismAppropriately the Bravehearts Ride will conclude at the Khetarpal Officers Mess and Institute in Chandimandir near hereThe main event will be held on November 30 and December 1 at the Lake Club comprising panel discussions on topics of strategic military and historic interest featuring the top thinkers writers authors and analysts There will also be discussions on books of appropriate interestThe usual exhibitions stalls books cultural performances and military equipment display will as always enhance the interest and enjoyment of the spectatorsThe organisers thanked the Punjab government for supporting the event besides other partners Western Command and the Chandigarh administration for contributing in multiple ways IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/military-literature-fest-honours-25th-year-of-kargil-war-583256.html Thu, 14 Nov 2024 20:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/have-not-given-the-books-rights-to-anyone-reiterates-jayarajan-amid-autobiography-controversy-583285.html Palakkad Kerala Nov 14 Disgruntled veteran CPIM leader EPJayarajan on Thursday reiterated that he has not given his autobiography for release and termed it part of a big controversy as the claims were aired on the day when the state was having two elections Interacting with the media at Palakkad Jayarajan facing a barrage of questions on this topic said that he has filed a complaint with the state police chiefYesterday Wednesday I was really surprised to see on TV the news that my autobiography is being released How come when I am writing the book and is not complete I have not entered into any agreement with either DC Books who had announced the book release on Wednesday and was later cancelled or with any other publisher he saidJayarajan maintained that he himself is writing his autobiography and its going on for a while nowMy handwriting is not that good so I have asked a journalist a person known to me to help me check the language and such things Since that person is presently not in town I will speak to him when he returns about it he addedWhile Jayarajan continues to stand firm that he has done no wrong ever since the controversy surfaced the party leaders also appear to have given their full support to himAll eyes are on the CPIM state Secretariat meeting to be held in the state capital on Friday and he has reason to breathe easy after state party Secretary MVGovindan denied media reports that the party will be seeking an explanation from him at the meetingAlso with Jayarajan already sending a legal notice to DC Books besides filing a complaint with the state police chief seeking a comprehensive probe into the news reports about his autobiography release which he said was based on forged documents the police also is now involvedThe book titled Kattan Chayayum Paripvada purportedly to be launched by leading Kerala publishing house DC Books on Wednesday was quickly put on hold after the news surfaced about the contents following the controversyThe book allegedly highlights Jayarajans dissatisfaction with the partys failure to listen to him It also criticises the partys choice of candidates for the April Lok Sabha elections and the selection of P Sarin a former Congress member as the Left candidate for the upcoming Palakkad Assembly byelection on November 20Meanwhile Jayarajan on Thursday arrived to campaign for Sarin and praised him as the ideal person to represent PalakkadHe is the ideal candidate as he is a doctor by profession and later joined the civil services but left to take up the work with the people and joined the Congress Now he has quit the Congress and has come to where he actually belongs as he is basically a person with a Left outlook and ideology Now he is at the right place he addedSince being denied a ticket in the 2021 Assembly elections Jayarajan has been unpredictable frequently putting his party in challenging positions On April 26 the polling date for the Lok Sabha elections in the state he after casting his vote said senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar had met him at the sons residence in the state capital city and this created a huge furore which eventually saw his exit as the Convenor of the ruling CPIM led Left Democratic Front IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/have-not-given-the-books-rights-to-anyone-reiterates-jayarajan-amid-autobiography-controversy-583285.html Thu, 14 Nov 2024 21:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/disgruntled-cpi-m-veteran-ep-jayarajan-denies-autobiography-claims-582811.html Thiruvananthapuram Nov 13 Veteran CPIM leader EP Jayarajan known for making provocative statements on crucial election days stirred up another controversy by denying reports of an autobiography slated for release Reports emerged that the book titled Kattan Chayayum Paripvada to be launched by a leading Kerala publishing house DC Books on Wednesday has been postponed Excerpts of the autobiography which have been widely broadcast on TV channels were critical of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government The book allegedly highlights Jayarajans dissatisfaction with the partys failure to listen to him It also critiques the partys choice of candidates for the April Lok Sabha elections and the selection of P Sarin a former Congress member as the Left candidate for the upcoming Palakkad Assembly byelection on November 20DC Books was scheduled to release the book at 1030 am however after Jayarajan firmly denied the authenticity of the contents DC Books chief DC Ravi currently abroad announced that the release has been put on holdSpeaking to the media on the bypoll day Jayarajan refuted the claims saying I have not authorized anyone to release my book as it is not finished yet I only learned of its supposed release today from the news The contents being broadcast are not from meHe further alleged This is part of a conspiracy timed deliberately to coincide with todays bypolls to tarnish me and my party I will pursue legal actionThis incident follows another controversy on April 26 the Lok Sabha polling day when Jayarajan made a shocking revelation right after casting his vote He claimed that senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar had visited his sons apartment in Thiruvananthapuram for a meeting which fueled allegations by the Congressled UDF of a covert understanding between the CPIM and BJP This disclosure led to Jayarajan being stripped of his influential post as the convener of the Left Democratic FrontSince being denied a ticket in the 2021 Assembly elections Jayarajan has been unpredictable frequently putting his party in challenging positionsReacting to the latest controversy State BJP President K Surendran remarked that the CPIM in Kerala is at its lowest point and that Jayarajans statements are genuine Chief Minister Vijayans sole agenda is to position his soninlaw State Tourism Minister PA Mohammed Riyas as his successor sidelining veterans like Jayarajan The BJP assures Jayarajan that if needed we will stand by him Surendran declared IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/disgruntled-cpi-m-veteran-ep-jayarajan-denies-autobiography-claims-582811.html Wed, 13 Nov 2024 13:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/our-culture-amp-heritage-is-available-in-books-haryana-cm-580205.html Chandigarh Nov 4 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday inaugurated the third Panchkula Book Fair being organised at Indradhanush Auditorium in Panchkula near here He also inaugurated Sardar Patel libraries built in Arunai village in Kurukshetra district Bara village in Karnal district and Madana Kalan village in Jhajjar district through video conferencing He also went around the Book Fair and released several booksOur culture and heritage are available in books The darkness of life can be dispelled only with the light of knowledge The purpose of this book fair is also to enhance our knowledge the Chief Minister said He said the Prime Minister has said that where there is darkness it is not forbidden to light a lamp If we read even one book today that one book will light a lampSaini said the book fair features thousands of books in various languages Observing the large crowd gathered he underlined the significance of books in our lives Anyone with an interest in a particular subject can find valuable knowledge in the wide selection available at this fair he addedThe Chief Minister highlighted that Mata Saraswati the goddess of knowledge is revered in schools and libraries He emphasised that by learning under the guidance of teachers and studying in libraries we acquire indepth knowledge of various subjectsHe said the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam UHBVN has established over 25 libraries in the past three years through its CSR initiatives Today we inaugurated three more libraries which serve as an inspiration for other departments he saidSaini said the BJP government has committed to providing 2 lakh jobs for the youth He emphasised the importance of libraries for preparing for recruitment and competitive examinationsDistrictlevel libraries are already operational at district headquarters and the government is now upgrading digital libraries in colleges and schools The government is also opening libraries in villages equipped with computer facilities he said Online resources and ebooks are being made available allowing youth to access information about their subjects onlineHe said for the past 10 years the youth in the state have been securing jobs without the need for bribes or recommendations Now instead of seeking recommendations the youth are preparing for their future by utilising library resources he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/our-culture-amp-heritage-is-available-in-books-haryana-cm-580205.html Mon, 04 Nov 2024 19:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/prithviraj-kapoors-spectacular-journey-from-an-unpaid-extra-to-bollywoods-regal-patriarch-579775.html New Delhi Nov 3 In 1928 a strapping young man made his way into the office of the top Bombay film company boss getting past the stern Pathan guard at the gate by engaging him in his native Pashto and managed to wangle a job as an unpaid extra Prithviraj Kapoor held the job for all of 10 days and on the eleventh was signed as the hero of their next film How he landed the top job in his second week itself scarcely seems unbelievable and is a testament to his undeniable charm and confidence Shooting for a new film was set to begin but the hero was playing truant A miffed director took the heroine to the area where the extras were sitting and asked her to choose her leading man from them She straightaway pointed to himThis is how Prithviraj Kapoor 190672 born this day November 3 began his remarkable journey as a consummate performer on stage screen and personal life and the progenitor of the Hindi film industrys first family still flourishing in its fourth generationAs part of the latter he is possibly the only Indian actor who has appeared in two films featuring three generations of a family with his father and sons in Awaara 1951 and his son and grandson in Kal Aaj aur Kal 1971 It was no mystery why he came to be known as Papaji by most of the industry in his later lifeHailing from a Punjabi Khatri family long engaged in government service Kapoor was born in Lyallpur and educated in Peshawar where he graduated from the renowned Edwardes College and studied Law for a year before deciding that it was not for him and decided on a film career instead He came to Bombay in 1928 with money borrowed from his fathers sister and was soon pitchforked to become a leading actor of the silent eraWith his chiselled looks imposing and imperious presence and emoting abilities honed by stage performances he never gave up till the 1960s Kapoor was set for a blazing career as sound arrived in Indian films despite the outspoken and opinionated film journalist Baburao Patel terming him an uncouth brawny PathanWhile Kapoor quelled him with a spirited riposte his career also showcased his prowess as he shuttled from films appearing in the first Indian talkie Alam Ara 1931 to theatre where his title role in Pathan and as Shylock from Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice among his top performances He also did a stint with the New Theatres in Calcutta in the middle of the 1930s with a highlight being President 1937 along with Indian films sole male singing superstar K L Saigal before returning to Bombay towards the end of the decadeIt was Sohrab Modis Sikandar 1941 where his Grecian looks made him perfect for the role of the legendary conqueror and his skills enabled him to hold his own against equally bombastic Modi playing Raja Porus that brought him to the limelight Coincidentally Kapoor would go on to play Porus himself nearly a quarter century later in SikandereAzam 1965Though Kapoor is most known for his role as Emperor Akbar in MughaleAzam 1960 where he played the title to the hilt whether walking barefoot in hot sands in full armour to the shrine of Sheikh Salim Chishti or suffering a heart attack as he pretended to get apoplectic at Anarkalis brazen effrontery in Pyar kiya to darna kiya there were many other roles including of kings historical or mythological he played with his panacheHe played Rama twice as well as Raja Dashrath and Ravana too both Arjuna and Karna Kings Vikramaditya and Harishchandra his 12th century Chauhan namesake Rana Kumbh Emperor Shah Jahan and Raja Mansingh among othersThough he cut down on film work from the mid1950s as at least two of his sons had taken over the acting mantle he still figured in many iconic films as stern Justice Raghunath in Awaara seer Satyananda in Anand Math 1952 onscreen father to his second son Shammi in Rajkumar 1964 and Janwar 1965 appeared opposite Suraiya in her swan song Rustom Sohrab 1963 the justiceminded king in Heer Ranjha 1970 and wise and caring patriarchs in Teen Bahuraniyan 1968 and Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai 1969 PunjabiYet one more facet of Kapoor among the first recipients of a Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowship needs to be brought to light his role in the success of son Shammi Kapoor after the latters 18 straight flop films It was Kapoor who created the role of a romanticminded rollicking young man that fitted Shammi perfectly on stage and would in films when filmmakers envisaged such a character in their productionsVikas Datta can be contacted at vikasdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/prithviraj-kapoors-spectacular-journey-from-an-unpaid-extra-to-bollywoods-regal-patriarch-579775.html Sun, 03 Nov 2024 11:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/how-sohrab-modi-acquainted-indians-with-their-golden-history-drew-blind-to-cinemas-579446.html New Delhi Nov 2 An indifferent student especially disliking history he was advised by his school principal to become a politician or an actor given his imposing personality and resounding voice As fate would have it Sohrab Modi became an instrument to teach cinegoers history bringing alive various facets of Indias glorious past from the era of Raja Porus to Rani Lakshmibai to the Ramakrishna Mission As an actor director and producer his forte was making and usually acting with his deep and thunderous but clear voice in the lavishlyproduced grand epic comparable with the best of Hollywoods DW Birth of a Nation Griffiths and Cecil B The Ten Commandments DeMille Though his outpost is modest around 30 appearances as an actor and 26 films directed or produced they are classics of Hindi filmsSohrab Merwanji Modi 18971984 born in Bombay on this day November 2 spent his childhood in Rampur where his father worked for the Nawab and he picked up flawless Hindi and Urdu His brush with films started in his teenage years as he and his brothers used to organise film shows across the Central Indian hinterland during the First World War In the 1920s he set up a drama company and this in the mid1930s was transformed into his film production company Minerva MovietoneHis grounding in theatre led to his first two films being adaptations of Shakespeare Khoon Ka Khoon 1935 and SaideHavas 1936 based on Hamlet and King John respectively However these were recordings of stage performances and his first proper film was Atma Tarang 1937 based on the principles of Swami Ramakrishna ParamhansThe film flopped and Modi recalled years later that he had gone to a Bombay theatre where the film was being screened but was aghast to find that the audience only numbered some twodozen people However a group of four approached him commended the film and assured him that he would be a successful filmmaker one day Modi said that it was only later that he found that all four were judges of the Bombay High CourtAn undeterred Modi kept on and went on to make a trilogy of socially relevant films Jailor 1938 remade in 1958 with a different cast with him reprising the title role the tale of a kind man turned domestic tyrant by betrayal Meetha Zahar 1938 on alcoholism and Bharosa 1940 dwelling on the taboo topics of illicit liaisons and incestModi like his contemporary V Shantaram realised the potential of films to deliver a powerful message on social issues and his pictures would go on to champion the right of Hindu women to divorce and criticise patriarchy outmoded traditions and undue stress on social status in changing timesBut it was the vibrant pageant of history that Modi was most known for and began with Pukar 1937 set in the times of Mughal Emperor Jahangir with him as loyal Rajput nobleman Sangram Singh and continued with Sikandar 1941 where he played Raja Porus opposite Prithviraj Kapoor as the Greek invader Prithvi Vallabh 1943 where he played the Parmar king and then as the Rajguru of Rani Lakshmibai in Jhansi ki Rani 1952 Indias first technicolour filmHis oeuvre also included NausherwanEAdil 1957 set in Zorastrianera Persia and which gave Raaj Kumar his break mythological films like Narasimha Avatar 1949 one of the few not to feature Jeevan as Narad Muni Kundan 1955 based on Victor Hugos Les Miserables and above all Mirza Ghalib 1954 which brought back the poet into public consciousness and the golden tones of Suraiya aided by Talat Mehmood and Mohammad Rafi gave a new life to his ghazalsIt was however in Sikandar that he developed the verbal confrontation as two titanic stars engage in a highsparks rhetorical duel as a major ingredient of Hindi cinema He demonstrated his prowess over the trait as bitter persecuted Jew Ezra in Bimal Roys Yahudi 1958 where he got top billing over hero Dilip Kumar Remember Tumhara gham hai gham auron ka gham khwaabokahani hai Tumhara khoon hai khoon hamara khoon pani haiHis voices power was such that it drew people just to hear him as he learnt once when he was checking the response to his latest film in a Bombay theatre and saw a viewer sitting with closed eyes It was found that the man was blind and came just to listen to ModiModi made his final appearance as Hema Malinis axetoting wazir in Razia Sultana 1983 and though in his mid80s was still game for a new film though his magnificent voice had weakened due to illness and ageAs his wife and frequent costar Mehtab once revealed her husband had no other interests apart from filmmakingVikas Datta can be contacted at vikasdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/how-sohrab-modi-acquainted-indians-with-their-golden-history-drew-blind-to-cinemas-579446.html Sat, 02 Nov 2024 10:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/reese-witherspoon-to-co-write-her-maiden-thriller-novel-with-author-harlan-coben-577289.html Los Angeles Oct 3 Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon is all set to turn writer as she will be copenning a thriller novel with bestselling mystery author Harlan Coben Witherspoon announced that she is cowriting a thriller novel with Coben Witherspoon did not yet reveal the title of the book but it is set for publication on October 14 2025 according to a preorder webpage reports varietycomThe website also stated that the novel is 352 pages and will be distributed by Grand Central PublishingIm beyond excited to share that Im cowriting my very first thriller with 1 bestselling author harlancoben Witherspoon wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of her and CobenAs a massive fan of Harlans work I cant believe he agreed to coauthor a novel with me Im either the most persuasive person alive or the idea of this book is just TOO GOOD Maybe both I honestly cant wait for you all to read itCoben has penned 35 novels including Win The Boy From the Woods Run Away Tell No One and the Myron Bolitar series Twelve of his books have been adapted for film and television including Fool Me Once which released on NetflixWitherspoon wrote a memoir Whiskey in a Teacup in 2018 and has authored three Busy Betty childrens books Her collaboration with Coben marks her first novelWitherspoon through her production banner Hello Sunshine has turned books into series including Big Little Lies Daisy Jones amp the Six and Tiny Beautiful ThingsLast month Witherspoon paid a tribute to her high school English teacher with the 100th pick for her book clubWitherspoon took to Instagram where she posted a picture of her teacher holding the book The Comfort of Crows A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl whom she met at her old Tennessee high schoolShe even announced that Septembers book is The Comfort of Crows A Backyard Year She founded the book club in 2017 under her media company Hello SunshineWitherspoon captioned the images Our 100th reesesbookclub pick TheComfortOfCrows by margaretrenkl is a beautiful love letter to nature and the world around us Divided into fiftytwo chapters it follows the creatures and plants in Margarets backyard over the course of a year capturing both the joy of natures ongoing pleasures and the grief of fleeting momentsShe added As my high school English teacher Margaret had a profound impact on my life making it incredibly special to have her as our 100th author Id love to hear about a teacher that had a positive impact on you in the comments belowThank you all for reading with me 100 books later Listen to TheComfortOfCrows on applebooks our official audiobook partner all month long IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/reese-witherspoon-to-co-write-her-maiden-thriller-novel-with-author-harlan-coben-577289.html Thu, 03 Oct 2024 12:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/prem-naam-hai-mera-bollywood-bad-man-who-made-his-name-a-catchphrase-575172.html New Delhi Sep 23 His lecherous look his salacious sneer and a voice that could range from silken menace to wheedling entreaty were all he needed and no woman his sly stare fell on was safe With the depredations he committed onscreen Prem Chopra just had to say his name to establish his notoriety In Bobby 1973 where Raj Kapoor got him to play a cameo but did not reveal its exact contours Chopra was dismayed to find that he had just had one dialogue of half a dozen wordsHowever those six words Prem naam hai mera Prem Chopra as he clutched the arm of the runaway nubile heroine made him immortal in Indian films and popular culture As Chopra recalled in his firstperson biography the dialogue that I had been unhappy with had made me a brand for life Overnight it became my trademark synonymous with meOver three decades later it resurfaced in Bollywood delivered by Ranbir Kapoor in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani Ajay Devgn in All the Best Fun Begins both 2009 and Chopra delivered it again in a flashback sequence in Golmaal 3 2010And in his heyday Chopra who turns 89 on this day September 23 once made the headlines for delaying a Delhibound train due to the same dialogueAs he recalls he was returning the Delhi from Dalhousie after shooting for Kala Sona 1975 by train when the train ticket TT inspector and the rest of the staff recognised me and must have informed the railway authorities ahead that I was on the train because when we reached the station there was a huge gathering clamouring for meThe TT requested me to come out and wave to the public When I stepped out the only thing they wanted of me was to say that one lineThe train stopped at every station till we reached Delhi and I repeated the performance at each stop The next day the headline in a Delhi newspaper read that the train from Dalhousie to Delhi had been delayed by an hour because of Prem ChopraBut Chopra who like many other starstruck youths had dreams of becoming a hero capitalising on his rakish looks fair complexion and acting experience in theatre found destiny had another pathway for himAfter his first foray into the Bombay film world fizzled out in 1955 he returned in 1960 and did become a hero in Punjabi film Chaudhary Karnail Singh 1960 but never got a big break Meanwhile on his fathers advice he looked for a job and eventually landed up as a supervisor in the Times of Indias circulation department responsible for eastern IndiaIt seemed his luck was changing when legendary director Mehboob Khan offered him a key role in his next film but it got stuck due to his illness In the meantime Chopra accepted a negative role in Woh Kaun Thi 1964 and the supernaturaltinged thrillers success sealed his fateAn angry Mehboob Khan told him that he had been impatient and would always remain a villain However a major studio chiefs aide asked Chopra if he wanted to be a popular actor make money and have a house and a car As he said yes to all three questions the actor was advised to forget his hero ambitions and remain a villainHe took the advice and flourished getting to play fast and loose or worse with Hema Malini Nutan Asha Parekh Sadhana Saira Bano Sharmila Tagore Dimple Kapadia Zeenat Aman and Rekha and others On the other hand it also meant he was thumped by every male star of his times Manoj Kumar Sunil Dutt Dilip Kumar Dev Anand Rajendra Kumar Shammi Kapoor Shashi Kapoor Dharmendra Rajesh Khanna Amitabh Bachchan Jeetendra Rajinikanth Rishi KapoorPositive roles as Raja Porus valorous younger son in SikandereAzam and intrepid revolutionary Sukhdev in Shaheed 1965 were eclipsed by the heartless lover of Kati Patang 1970 or wayward Westernised brat Omkara of Purab Aur Paschim 1970 criminal mastermind Drona in Hare Raama Hare Krishna 1971 Shambhu Singh of Kranti 1981 the scheming businessman of Trishul 1978 or Dostana 1980 moneyminded mine owner Seth Dhanraj in Kala Patthar 1979 and moreHowever sometime in the early 1990s he grew tired of getting beaten up and followed predecessors like Pran into character roles The truck driver in Bunty and Babli 2005 the grandfather in Rocket Singh 2009 and the mafia don in Agent Vinod 2012 are some examplesHaving the unique record of working with the entire Kapoor family across four generations from Prithviraj to Kareena and Ranbir and both generations of Bachchans Dutts Deols and both Khannas Rajesh and Vinod Chopra is still to bid adieu to the cameraVikas Datta can be contacted at vikasdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/prem-naam-hai-mera-bollywood-bad-man-who-made-his-name-a-catchphrase-575172.html Mon, 23 Sep 2024 10:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/decadent-despots-or-barriers-to-british-hegemony-awadhs-early-nawabs-and-begums-reexamined-574587.html New Delhi Sep 20 Leave alone the dynasty their title has become a byword for luxurious indulgence cultural refinement genteel fastidiousness the famed nafasat and nazakat and political passivity but do the Nawabs of Awadh deserve their posthumous largely ignoble reputation Or is it a historic hatchet job by a foreign power steadily gobbling up large tracts of the Indian subcontinent amid a tumultuous era and denigrating all the powerful national political entities that could have blocked its path of territorial aggrandisementIt is the latter thesis that author Ira Mukhoty focuses on in her latest work The Lion and The Lily The Rise and Fall of Awadh Aleph Book Company Rs 999 504 pages as she seeks to set the record straight on a largely tainted and skewed version of history especially with regard to the tumultuous eighteenth century and in particular pertaining to Lucknow and the province of AwadhThis she adds ensures that the multiplicity of truths and voices that make up the complex and intertwined world of the century comes to us largely in bland soliloquyAs she charts the course of the realm of Awadh and its first few nawabs her backdrop is not only the turbulent subcontinent throughout the 18th century but also the wider chessboard signifying the global duel for supremacy between the dominant powers of the day Mukhoty goes on to show that India was not just another battleground in Britain and Frances conflict but what happened there had its repercussions far around the world particularly the eastern coast of what was then British AmericaAnother major element that Mukhoty whose earlier works on Indian history include Heroines Powerful Indian Women of Myth and History 2017 Akbar The Great Mughal 2020 as well as debut novel Song of Draupadi 2021 is the outcome of the monochrome recording of Indian historyThis she argues suggests the inevitability of British expansion accompanied by a certain sighing acquiescence or worse still a simpering ineptitude on the part of many Indian rulers to this takeoverHowever British rule was never foreordained or easy she contends citing Maya Jasanoff author of Edge of Empire Lives Culture and Conquest in the East 17501850 2006 who chronicled how both indigenous powers and the French contested British expansion in IndiaIn fact Mukhotys book begins with what was the beginning of the European armed challenge to wellestablished authority long before Plassey and beyond the Portuguese who were content in their coastal enclaves and never confronted the Mughals when a French force which overran Madras in 1746 defeated twice a Mughal force led by the Nawab of the Carnatics son However the French did not follow throughMukhotys book and several other recent works like Roderick Mathews The Flaws In The Jewel Challenging the Myths of British India 2010 with its fine selection of counterfactual alternatives shows there were at least several powers who could have countered the British in the late 18th century These were the Nawabs of Awadh at least the first three the Great Maratha Mahadji Scindia and Mysores Tipu Sultan but the latter two had passed away or been eliminated by the centurys last decade and Awadh shackledFocusing on Awadh Mukhoty seeks to understand the finesse with which the nawabs and begums navigated a constantly changing worldThus apart from the Nawabs of which she covers the first four out of 10 and it is latter two who get the most prominence some of their indomitable and influential consorts like Nawab Aliya Sadrunissa or Nawab Begum wife of the second Nawab the famously monogamous Safdar Jang whose name lives on in large part of south Delhi and Aliya AmatuzZehra or Bahu Begum the wife of his successor ShujaudDaula get their dueBoth the Begums who used to live in Faizabad while it was the Nawabi capital and after controlled large fortunes and exerted considerable power beyond zenana politics As we learn here they had a role in the revolt of Raja Chait Singh of Benares a major threat to British expansion into the north They were to be hounded and vilified by the British But it did backfire on Warren Hastings history students will remember that the despoliation of Begums of Oudh was a charge against him in his impeachmentThis work also throws new light on a large host of many other contemporary Indian rulers and noblemen the courtiers of Awadh loyal especially Rajas Tikait Rai and Jhau Lal or timeserving venal powerhungry invaders and colonisers and intrepid French adventurers beyond the ubiquitous Claude MartinThe politics are interspersed with sections on religion art literature fashion and cuisine and the evolution of the GangaJamuni tehzeeb Hopefully there will be a sequel covering the latter NawabsVikas Datta can be contacted at vikasdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/decadent-despots-or-barriers-to-british-hegemony-awadhs-early-nawabs-and-begums-reexamined-574587.html Fri, 20 Sep 2024 10:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/mp-govt-honours-pune-based-writer-for-his-contribution-to-hindi-amp-marathi-literature-574305.html Bhopal Sep 18 Punebased veteran Hindi poet and writer Damodar Khadse was felicitated with the prestigious Rashtriya Hindi Seva Samman award by the Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday Khadse was facilitated by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at an event organised by the Cultural Department of the Madhya Pradesh government at Ravindra Bhavan in BhopalBesides mementoes he was also awarded Rs 5 lakh which was given by the Cultural Department for his contribution in Hindi and Marathi literatures Madhya Pradeshs Culture Minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi was also present as a special guest Khadse 75 has written about forty books which include novels stories poems reviews memoirs and books in various languages Translations of his works have been published in local languages as well as in English Khadse has translated about twentyfour Marathi books into Hindi and has also edited Marathi special issues of some Hindi magazines He has also won several awards in the past including the Sahitya Akademi and Goenka Hindi Sahitya Awards IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/mp-govt-honours-pune-based-writer-for-his-contribution-to-hindi-amp-marathi-literature-574305.html Wed, 18 Sep 2024 22:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/binay-kumar-singhs-book-the-four-attempts-on-narendra-modis-life-unveiled-574089.html New Delhi Sep 17 The Four Attempts on Narendra Modis Life a book authored by Binay Kumar Singh was unveiled in the national capital on Tuesday coinciding with Prime Minister Modis birthday The book provides a detailed account of four assassination attempts on the life of Prime Minister ModiThe book launch event was marked by key insights into these plots as well as discussions on broader issues such as terrorism Maoist insurgency and the role of Hindutva in Indian societyInteracting with IANS Singh said that three of the assassination attempts on Prime Minister Modi were confirmed by court rulings while the fourth was revealed during the Bhima Koregaon investigation which unearthed a 15000page charge sheetThe book authentically recounts these attempts and sheds light on the evolving nature of terrorism and Naxalism he saidHe also raised concerns about statements made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi abroad suggesting that some of these remarks echoed Maoist documents from 2007 a connection he explores in his bookThe form of terrorism and Naxalism is changing The most worrying thing is that Rahul Gandhi goes on foreign tours and talks about caste and other issues there His activities are matching with the documents of Naxalites This has also been mentioned in the book Singh saidHe further said The Shah Bano case was politically motivated such cases make the society more victimised Society benefits only when the government is vigilant and reaches every door The current government under Narendra Modi is providing electricity health services and other facilities without discrimination This is real developmentDuring the event Singh discussed judicial rulings related to assassination attempts on Prime Minister Modi mentioning that those involved in the 2013 Patna rally plot were sentenced to life imprisonment after an initial death sentence Similarly he referenced the 2022 Ahmedabad court judgment which confirmed a plot to kill the Prime Minister during an event in GujaratThe author also differentiated between what he termed bullet terrorism and intellectual terrorism citing the Ishrat Jahan case as an example of the former while labelling the accompanying narrative against Prime Minister Modi as the latterJNU Professor Dr Pravesh Kumar who also spoke at the event emphasised the importance of Hindutva in Indian culture A message should go out from JNU that it stands with Hindutva which embodies nonviolence peace and brotherhood he said adding that the book addresses many false accusations and propaganda made against Prime Minister Modi over the yearsThe event attracted significant attention with discussions underscoring both the threats Prime Minister Modi has faced and his governments focus on inclusive development IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/binay-kumar-singhs-book-the-four-attempts-on-narendra-modis-life-unveiled-574089.html Wed, 18 Sep 2024 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/a-cruise-through-englishs-cosmos-of-curiosities-and-conundrums-with-shashi-tharoor-572138.html New Delhi Sep 10 A perspicacious peregrination through the discombobulating gallimaufry that is the English language with its penchant for purloining from other languages its hermetic spellings its recondite pronunciation its abstruse punctuation and sundry other caprices requires an erudite yet venturous savant But the Tharoorosauraus is on the case The bedrock of all this bewildering expanse is words in all their glory their captivating derivations and the literary devices they fuel And who better to guide us through all this but the prodigious Shashi Tharoor whose extensive lexicon had sent thousands of Indians scurrying to dictionaries and Google to understand the meanings of uncommon words he bestowed on the unwary Farrago an addition to the English language way back in the 16th century was the first but not the lastIn A Wonderland of Words Around the Word in 101 Essays Aleph Book Company 470 pages Rs 999 a wideranging and entertaining exploration of the worlds most ubiquitous language Shashi Tharoor goes on to reveal why late Indian legal luminary MC Chagla bit more than he could chew when he ordered sandwiches in a New York hotel how a single punctuation mark can avoid making a family dinner a cannibal feast and which punctuation mark made its mark for the world wide web among other talesIt is not very difficult for the diplomatturnedpolitician who confesses to being besotted with words and attributes his fathers influence especially the word games he played with Tharoor and his siblings in their childhood for being a logophileNoting that often scepticism over unfamiliar words and an aversion to linguistic innovation are ingrained in children from a very early age by uninspiring parents and teachers he notes that he was blessed to have a father and teachers who taught me the exact opposite always uncover the most appropriate word even if wasnt widely usedThis may explain the emergence of words like sesquipedalian and the hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia this may evoke gonzo not a mystery for fans of Hunter S Thompson rodomontade muliebrity and Snollygoster in the aptly named Tharoorosauraus 2020However Tharoor in his new work goes deeper into the intricacies of the English language Delving not only through linguistics but history economics psychology sociology and fashion he engagingly acquaints us with how words are coined change meanings fall out of use or are otherwise shunned not only because of political correctness but personal preferences tooThe books 100plus essays drawn from his weekly column from Khaleej Times are divided into 13 sections beginning with various languages English has fattened its vocabulary from and variants of the language not only the usual British vs American but also Australian and Indian then moving on to the puzzles of punctuation and the equally arcane issue of English spellings watch out for the rule of ablautreduplicationHitting his stride Tharoor moves on to the world of typos superfluities and others where he deals with crash blossoms needless words pleonasms ghost words and other such issues and in one of the best sections deals with the language of love diplomacy environment phobias money elections and so on enlivened by some personal examples including a prominent actress not named thoughOther sections go on to deal with inappropriate words including how great writers dealt with their peers and critics a nonsense vocabulary about the word not in intrinsic value slang and its importance and euphemisms evil cousin dysphemismA highoctane section on literary tools not to be read in a single setting but in small doses deals not only with acronyms but bacronyms contronyms eponyms and homonyms Our logophile moves to linguistic acrobatics like eggcorns malapropisms paraprosdokians puns and spoonerisms among others and follows it with a part on kangaroo words kennings limericks and other odditiesSections on lexical evolution including the legacy of Watergate the socalled politically correct or inclusive language another mustread brace on the legacies of Captain Haddock and PG Wodehouse and finally on new words and changing language round off the workThough the author could do with some fact checks say the origin of berserker which was a collective noun for a horde of Viking warriors not one particular hero and one essay seems inspired by Richard Lederers Crazy English it is a tour de force especially for the key reason of the relevance of reading Tharoor dwells on in his forewordVikas Datta can be contacted at vikasdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/a-cruise-through-englishs-cosmos-of-curiosities-and-conundrums-with-shashi-tharoor-572138.html Tue, 10 Sep 2024 17:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/from-steve-jobs-to-50-shades-of-grey-srk-gives-a-peek-into-his-library-571804.html Mumbai Sep 9 Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is also an avid reader and shared a glimpse of his library and the books he likes to read A video of Shah Rukh was shared by Liberty Books where SRK was seen talking about some of his favourites books from his libraryI read Blink by a long time back so I dont know what each individual part is but I think it was about how in competition the guy who blinks first is the one whos going to go down Its a very aggressive thing to say but theres this talk about taking any business anything that you love and making it a success he said in the clipHe then went on to talk about Blake Snyders Save the Cat seriesIts very interesting to read every time Blake Snyders Save the Cat series on screenplay writing So any of you wanting to be writers I dont know where Blake is but I endorse this book the most I think its really cool Shah Rukh saidHe added that it is the best book on screenplay writing he has readThe superstar then picked up the book Steve Jobs by Walter IsaacsonThats how its pronounced This book here kind of changed my way of thinking about business I used to do a lot of stuff and then I kind of got to know that you should focus on only one thing So we changed all that We stopped television and some advertising production No well just make films and well do visual effects he saidA lot of stuff that I dont agree with But then who am I to disagree with Steve JobsHe then talks about the book Fifty Shades of Grey by British author E L JamesThere is going to be a day that Ill read this book fully said the actorThe superstar who has given backtoback successes with Pathan and Jawan said that he tried reading the book when he was in London when he was shooting for Jab Tak Hai Jaan along with Anushka Sharma and Katrina KaifI got lots of these copies then because they had become very famous I saw the movie I liked that a lot actually A lot of people might disagree But I liked the movie I thought it was quite interesting to put together he saidAnd the book I still need to read And then the second part is out now So I have to read these the actor concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/from-steve-jobs-to-50-shades-of-grey-srk-gives-a-peek-into-his-library-571804.html Mon, 09 Sep 2024 16:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/books-on-pm-modi-shines-in-netas-gallery-in-kerala-570467.html Kozhikode Sep 4 In whats billed as a firstofitskind Indias first political library books on Prime Minister Narendra Modi shine best among paperbacks on Indian politicians Set up by a retired History professor Vasisht at the Providence Womens College here the gallery has books on Indian political titansFor the library Vashist got the support of Susmitha Head of the Department of History Providence Womens College and the students attached to the Department of History and Political ScienceThe books on PM Modi present diverse perspectives from hailing him as the harbinger of development in works like Narendra Modi A Political Biography by Andy Marino and Narendra Modi Creative Disruptor by R Balashankar to critical examinations like Shashi Tharoors The Paradoxical Prime Minister Narendra Modi and His IndiaLate Atal Bihari Vajpayee one of Indias beloved Prime Ministers is the subject of works like The Untold Vajpayee by Ullekh N P and Vajpayee by Shakti SinhaVasisht said the corridors of Indian politics have echoed with the voices of leaders who have steered the destiny of our nationThese political titans have left an indelible mark on our history shaping the course of our nations journey through the turbulence of time In recent years there has been a surge in the literary exploration of these eminent figures resulting in a rich tapestry of political literature that provides profound insights into their lives ideologies and legacies said VasishtOver the past decade an impressive array of books in English has emerged delving into the lives and times of major political leaders of independent India Today any library in India could boast a dedicated section titled Netas Gallery housing a treasure trove of books about Indian political leaders added the retired history professorThe collection includes the legacy of Indias first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru a prolific writer Letters For A Nation from Jawaharlal Nehru to His Chief Ministers 19471963 edited by Madhav Khosla offers a twovolume collection of Nehrus letters providing valuable insights into his statesmanshipIndira Gandhi who served as Prime Minister during tumultuous periods in Indias history has been the subject of at least 20 publicationsThere are books about other members of the Gandhi family including Feroze Gandhi Sanjay Gandhi Rajiv Gandhi Sonia Gandhi and Rahul GandhiBooks on former Prime Ministers like Chandra Shekhar H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujral have also found their place in literatureThe gallery also houses books on former President Pranab Mukherjee George Fernandes Biju Patnaik C N Annadurai M G Ramachandran J Jayalalithaa N T Rama Rao Yogi Adityanath Chandrababu Naidu Naveen Patnaik Mamata Banerjee Lalu Prasad Yadav Nitish Kumar Arvind Kejriwal Captain Amarinder Singh Shibu Soren and M K Stalin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/books-on-pm-modi-shines-in-netas-gallery-in-kerala-570467.html Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/6th-edition-of-dehradun-lit-fest-to-celebrate-words-culture-amp-creativity-564307.html Dehradun Aug 6 The Dehradun Literature Festival DDLF is set to return for its sixth edition this year from November 810 at the Doon International School Mentored by Imtiaz Ali Ruskin Bond and Vishal Bhardwaj this annual festival intends to showcase a weekend filled with over 30 talks performances and interactions with more than 70 authors poets and artistsThe first day of the festival will include workshops talks theatres etc exclusively for students which will witness participation from different schools in Dehradun and beyond The next two days will be open for the public with multiple workshops award ceremonies book launches literature conversations and much moreThe festival founded with the vision to create a meaningful pause in an increasingly techdriven world aims to provide a space for literary enthusiasts to explore diverse perspectives and exchange ideas through panel discussions interactive sessions and workshopsFestival Founder Samraant Virmani said It gives me pride to note that over the past many years exceptional icons from the world of art and literature have graced our stage with national and global exposure opportunities being created for our communityWith the 6th edition of the festival we are coming back to the heart of the city with a programme that will offer value to our young citizens as well as a very enthusiastic writing community that has thrived for decades in our town Our attempt would be to cultivate sessions which address a multiplicity of issues relevant to contemporary times while drawing from past wisdom and future predictions he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/6th-edition-of-dehradun-lit-fest-to-celebrate-words-culture-amp-creativity-564307.html Tue, 06 Aug 2024 22:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/what-is-rashmika-mandannas-newfound-passion-in-the-last-two-months-562405.html Mumbai July 27 Actress Rashmika Mandanna has shared a glimpse of her newfound passion that she has discovered in the past two months which is reading books The diva took to Instagram Stories and shared a snap of some novelsIt is captioned These in the last 2 monthsI cant believe its taken me almost 28 years to find out how amazing reading feelsyes I would read before but it would be so hard to find books to enjoy and complete and then I entered the romcom worldmy godI shouldve started sooner please suggest some of your favourites I want to try reading them tooRashmika made her acting debut in 2016 with the Kannada film Kirik Party She has then featured in Kannada films like Anjani Putra Chamak Telugu movies Geetha Govindam Devadas Dear Comrade Bheeshma Pushpa The RiseShe has also starred in the Hindi action drama movie Animal directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga The film stars Ranbir Kapoor Anil Kapoor Bobby Deol and Triptii DimriRashmika has also featured alongside Sidharth Malhotra in the action thriller Mission Majnu directed by Shantanu Bagchi and produced by Ronnie Screwvala Amar Butala and Garima MehtaShe next has Pushpa 2 The Rule which stars Allu Arjun in the lead Produced by Mythri Movie Makers and directed by Sukumar Pushpa 2 The Rule is slated to release in theatres worldwide on August 15The 28yearold actress also has Rainbow The Girlfriend Chaava Sikandar and Kubera in the pipeline IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/what-is-rashmika-mandannas-newfound-passion-in-the-last-two-months-562405.html Sat, 27 Jul 2024 19:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/spiritual-guru-morari-bapu-releases-documentary-two-new-books-on-12-jyotirlinga-ram-katha-yatra-561853.html New Delhi July 24 Renowned spiritual leader Morari Bapu has released a captivating documentary film along with two compelling new books on 12 Jyotirlinga Ram Katha Yatra Rich in spiritual insights and personal experiences the documentary and the books were launched on July 21 which coincides with the same date when the pilgrims reached Kedarnath to commence the remarkable 12 Jyotirlinga Ram Katha Yatra in 2023These launches rich in spiritual insights and personal experiences promise to captivate audiences and provide deep inspiration Morari Bapu expressed his extreme happiness at the launch of the film and the books and pointed to the auspicious yogThe documentary film is titled Morari Bapus 12 Jyotirlinga Ram Katha Yatra by Train while the two books are Journey with an Invisible Power and Sacred Stories from the 12 JyotirlingasMorari Bapu and the devotees watched the premiere of the documentary at Chitrakutdhamin Talgajarada his native village in the Mahuva district of Bhavnagar GujaratMorari Bapus 12 Jyotirlinga Ram Katha Yatra by Train is a onehour documentary film on the spiritual leaders 12 Jyotirlinga Ram Katha Yatra It encapsulates the remarkable pilgrimage undertaken by Morari Bapu and his 1008 followers in JulyAugust 2023 Morari Bapu and the pilgrims sought divine darshan at each Jyotirlinga and immersed themselves in the spiritual discourse of Ram Katha Morari Bapu wove together tales folklore and legends related to each sacred siteThe film which has been in the making for months was shot by a dedicated team that travelled on one of the two trains It vividly captures all the major highlights of the journey including the views of devotees and Morari Bapu himselfThis unprecedented spiritual expedition covered the sacred route of the 12 Jyotirlingas the holiest shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva The journey spanned 12000 kilometres over 18 days traversing the icy Himalayan heights to verdant valleys and sprawling seacoastsMorari Bapu is a renowned spiritual figure in India known for his recitation of the Ramayana and for spreading the message of truth love and compassion He has been conducting Ram Kathas spiritual discourses worldwide for over 65 yearsMeanwhile the first book Journey with an Invisible Power is a remarkable travelogue that chronicles the historic pilgrimage covering the 12 JyotirlingasThe book eloquently captures the poetic beauty of the journey exploring the essence of each destination and delving into the history architecture and legends associated with the templesIt unveils for the first time the routine Morari Bapu followed sharing poignant moments that have remained concealed until nowThe book also takes an intimate look at the journey and several aspects of Morari Bapus own journey which is available on Amazon IndiaBorn on Shivratri in 1946 in Gujarat Morari Bapus grandfather and guru Tribhuvandas Ji taught him the deeper meanings of the Ramayana By the age of 12 Morari Bapu had imbibed the entire scripture in his heart and began reciting it at 14His second book titled Sacred Stories from the 12 Jyotirlingas talks about Morari Bapu inviting his followers to share their experiences regardless of whether they physically travelledTheir entries accepted in both Hindi and English form a repository of heartfelt narratives capturing the diverse experiences of devoteesWhat sets this book apart is its commitment to authenticity The rawness of language and depth of emotion have been retained without any editing preserving the genuine sentiments and personal reflections Each narrative offers an unfiltered glimpse into the devotees spiritual journeyThe compilation celebrates the universal pursuit of divine connection and inner awakening It showcases the beauty of devotion and the myriad ways in which seekers experience the grace and blessings of Mahadev and of Morari Bapu whose inclusive vision touches countless heartsSacred Stories from the 12 Jyotirlingas is available on Amazon IndiaMorari Bapus Kathas are noncommercial open to all and accompanied by vegetarian meals Morari Bapu actively supports social causes has reached out to marginalised communities and accepts bhiksha food as alms from people regardless of their backgrounds He advocates for environmental protection and has often raised funds for disasterstricken areas IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/spiritual-guru-morari-bapu-releases-documentary-two-new-books-on-12-jyotirlinga-ram-katha-yatra-561853.html Wed, 24 Jul 2024 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/ians-bookshelf-blood-in-the-sea-reveals-dark-history-of-hindu-oppression-in-goa-559188.html New Delhi July 15 As we stand in awe of the captivating reflections of Portuguese culture that adorn Goa there lies a deeper more enchanting narrative waiting to be uncovered Beyond the evident influence of Portuguese heritage Goas roots delve into the ancient annals of history intricately woven into the fabric of Hindu legends dating back to the times of the Mahabharata This profound connection expertly elucidated by the author Vinay Nalwa in her latest work Blood in the Sea The Dark History of Hindu Oppression in Goa echoes the regions extraordinary significance during the illustrious period of Hindu gods embodying a cultural richness that transcends the narratives often associated with this coastal havenBlood in the Sea is an insightful journey through the rich tapestry of Goas history masterfully weaving together geological origins ancient Hindu legends the assimilating culture of Hindu dynasties the oppressive Islamic rule of Adil Shah and the colonial era under Portuguese dominionThe book opens with a vivid exploration of Goas prehistoric geological formation drawing intriguing connections to ancient Hindu legends like that of Parshuram The narrative skilfully navigates through the glorious period when Hindu dynasties fostered a culture of art architecture and trade creating a harmonious tapestry that defined Goa for centuriesA significant portion of the book is dedicated to the dark era of Goas history under Portuguese rule The author does not shy away from detailing the painful chapters of mass conversions inquisitions and the desecration of Hindu temples by Franciscan and Jesuit priests The deliberate attempts to suppress the local language Konkani in favour of Portuguese and the destruction of cultural and religious practices are vividly brought to lightOne of the strengths of the book lies in its depiction of the resistance movements against foreign rule The liberation of Dadra Nagar Haveli by RSS volunteers and the two pivotal freedom struggle movements in Goa are explored in detail The narrative not only captures the courage and sacrifice of individuals but also illustrates how these acts of bravery inspired a collective resistance against the oppressorsThe book culminates in the joint operation of the Indian armed forces leading to the liberation of Goa It meticulously describes the supreme sacrifice of many Indians highlighting the profound impact it had on both the common people and the Indian government The author successfully portrays how the freedom struggle movements became a beacon of hope uniting people from all walks of lifeBlood in the Sea is a compelling read that not only educates about the historical nuances of Goa but also pays tribute to the resilience of its people Through meticulous research and a captivating narrative the author brings to life the struggles triumphs and the indomitable spirit of a region that has weathered the storms of time This book is a mustread for anyone interested in understanding the multifaceted history and cultural evolution of Goa IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/ians-bookshelf-blood-in-the-sea-reveals-dark-history-of-hindu-oppression-in-goa-559188.html Mon, 15 Jul 2024 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/ians-bookshelf-mythology-to-freedom-struggle-a-selection-for-the-week-559264.html New Delhi July 15 From the engrossing trial of Bhagat Singh Sukhdev and Rajguru to treats from Hindu Mythology to a walk through Sirinagar and then a journey from trauma to liberation here is IANS recommendation before you retreat or escape into your book nook this week Wendy Doniger The Dharma of Unfaithful Wives and Faithful Jackals Some Moral Tales From The Mahabharata Speaking Tiger Rs 499Indian mythology is replete with intriguing characters and concepts and one often wonders what purpose such elaborate craftsmanship of imagination servesFrom kingship to desire death anger and diseases to the seemingly outofplace animal character to the acts of gods that will keep one wondering the Mahabharatas Shanti and Anushasana Parvans is said to have the answers to an entire gamut of questions surrounding these enigmasWendy Donigers The Dharma of Unfaithful Wives and Faithful Jackals is an engaging anthology replete with knots and insights and a delight for Hindu mythology enthusiastsCelebrated as the greatest living mythologist octogenarian Wendy Diniger is an American Indologist with a career spanning over five decades Her popular works include The Hindus An Alternative History Asceticism and Eroticism in the Mythology of Siva Hindu Myths A Sourcebook The Origins of Evil in Hindu Mythology and Women Androgynes and Other Mythical BeastsSadaf Wani City as Memory Aleph Rs 399A valley of many wonders Kashmir seldom ceases to attract for one reason or another And Sirinagar not Srinagar the ancient city that bears in its bosom histories of centuries has one in the recent past of lulls and stormsthe aftermath of which remains lingeringSadaf Wani grew up through the 1990s when Kashmir was gripped in the inclement clutches of insurgency and her adolescent years through the 2000s had recurring tumultuous phases with bouts of violence and civilian protestsintertwined intricately with memories of growing up and growing through a turmoilridden homelandGrowing up in Varmulmost of the time spent indoors and occasional travels to Srinagar or Sopor had Sadaf feel an overwhelming sense of freedom Eventually she equated life with safety which is good and untimely death as a loss which is badAs she writes the professional association with Srinagar has allowed her the flexibility to change her lens towards the city and every time her research questions changed Srinagar has revealed its entirely different sides in responseThis book is a firsthand insider account of the dynamics of Srinagar city especially with regard to Downtown the mezzanine part of the ancient city which established itself as the nucleus of the resistance movement in the 90sThe author is a writer and communications professionalAparna Vaidik Revolutionaries on Trial Sedition Betrayal and Martyrdom Aleph Rs 999Studying afresh the Lahore Conspiracy Case and its celebrated martyrsthe selfproclaimed revolutionariesBhagat Singh Sukhdev and Rajguru Revolutionaries on Trial expands the scope of the historical enquiry by scrutinising the colonial state the revolutionaries and the Indian press and public in the roles of the plaintiff the defendants the spectators respectively along with the witnesses for the prosecutionWhile the book reconstructs the history it throws up questions like why were the revolutionaries even tried at all What was the strategy of this trial besides propaganda Can establishing the history of nationalism be a collaborationThis book is a vivid account of the people involved and of the events of a trial that marks the early chapters of Indias struggle for IndependenceThe author is a professor of History at Ashoka UniversityDhrubajyoti Borah The Rainbow Runners Niyogi Books Rs 695Accompanying the abovementioned nonfiction titles is Dhrubajyoti Borahs The Rainbow Runners the tale of young Simran whose life flips one day as he lives in insurgencyhit AssamLeft paranoid and reticent after being consumed by raw terror Simran finds himself wafting into the foggy realm of journalism and then to the former leaders who surrendered to the state and now work for it Yet there is another episode that moves the ground beneath his feetSeeking new ways to find himself his discovery of Tathagata Buddha leads him to learn about the tragic reality of the Tibetan refugees and their unwavering aspiration to restore their homelandSimrans story will resonate with anyone who seeks to find new meaning and hope in lifeRecipient of Sahitya Akademi award Dhrubajyoti Borah is an illustrious voice in contemporary Assamese literature who writes in both Assamese and English He has published more than 25 novels IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/ians-bookshelf-mythology-to-freedom-struggle-a-selection-for-the-week-559264.html Mon, 15 Jul 2024 18:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/delhi-court-restrains-sale-of-book-on-yes-banks-rana-kapoor-558938.html New Delhi July 14 A Delhi court has passed a stay order restraining the sale and distribution of a book about Yes Banks former MD and CEO Rana Kapoor Judge Naresh Kumar Laka of Tis Hazari Court was hearing a suit filed by Kapoor a cofounder of Yes Bank seeking a mandatory injunction on the publication of the book Yes Man The Untold Story of Rana KapoorKapoor contended that the book in question mentioned various defamatory remarks violating his fundamental rights protected under Article 21 of the Constitution His plea added that the media trial should not hamper a fair investigation by the investigating agency and should not prejudice the right of defence of the accused in any manner as it would amount to a travesty of justiceIn response the defendantpublisher argued that Article 19 of the Constitution grants a right to publish an article or a book and it contained no objectionable or defamatory content against Kapoor After assessing the content of the book the court in its judgment said that plaintiff Kapoor established a prima facie case in his favour against the publisher and author for harming his reputation without completely based on true factIt said The balance of convenience will also lie in favour of the plaintiff because the reputation of the plaintiff once defamed in the eyes of readers it cannot be reversed back if the plaintiff finally succeeds in the present case whereas the defendant will have only monetary loss only which is not greater than the reputation of the plaintiffThe CBI had registered the case in connection with alleged suspicious loans granted by Yes Bank and the quid pro quo between its copromoter Rana Kapoor and the Wadhawan brothers The investigation agencies have alleged that Rs 3700 crore was invested by Yes Bank in shortterm nonconvertible debentures of DHFL between April and June 2018 Allegedly Rana Kapoor received kickback over bogus loans extended by YES Bank to DHFL company which was owned by Kapil Wadhwan and Dheeraj Wadhwan and to its Group companies and those kickback amounts were misused by Kapoor for purchasing properties in the name of his family members IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/delhi-court-restrains-sale-of-book-on-yes-banks-rana-kapoor-558938.html Sun, 14 Jul 2024 16:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/goa-artists-amp-writers-launch-movement-for-restoration-of-kala-academy-555816.html Panaji July 2 Prominent artists and writers of the coastal state on Tuesday launched a movement over the restoration of the Kala Academy and demanded White Paper on the entire episode of refurbishment work Artists and writers who gathered outside the Kala Academy launched the movement traditionally by breaking the coconut They demanded that the government release a white paper on the entire issue and also requested a joint meeting to discuss the issue of restorationEarlier on June 17 they had demanded the resignation of Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude over alleged wrongdoing and substandard work carried out during the refurbishment of the Kala Academy buildingDesigned by architect Charles Correa and started in 1970 the Kala Academy has emerged as the premier art and culture centre of the stateThese artists and writers have now formed a forum Kala Rakhan Maand Goa KRMG to intensify their agitationKRMG convener and stage artist Devidas Amonkar addressing the media after launching the movement said that they will decide their next step if the government fails to take this issue seriouslyThe artiste community of Goa is deeply concerned that the iconic complex of Kala Academy of Goa at Panaji is presently in shambles even after being shut down for over three years for renovation When it was partially opened for cultural performances the artists found that not only was the structure leaking but the infrastructural facilities such as sound lights and acoustics had been replaced with lowquality material and equipment making it difficult to have smooth and quality performances the memorandum submitted to the government statedThey have demanded that the White Paper should be prepared by a committee of experts headed by a retired High Court judgeRenovation work started at the Kala Academy in 2021 and it was reopened in November 2023 However since its reopening the Academy has been in the news for water leakage and other issues In December 2023 the mirror in the green room collapsed a month after it was reopenedIn April people vented their ire against the government after the false ceiling of the Academy building collapsedIrked over a series of such incidents theatre artists writers and those associated with the Kala Academy on June 17 held a meeting here and vented their anger against the government for not resolving the Academys issues IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/goa-artists-amp-writers-launch-movement-for-restoration-of-kala-academy-555816.html Tue, 02 Jul 2024 17:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/ians-bookshelf-from-making-money-to-menstruation-the-eclectic-world-of-non-fiction-titles-552456.html New Delhi June 19 Now that the long Eid weekend is behind us and we are in the thick of work it may be a good idea to spend the evenings unwinding with a book instead of waiting to catch up with the latest OTT release Heres our selection of four nonfiction titles to help you charge your grey cells and enhance your knowledge bank Our subjects include a philosophy for everyday life tips on optimising wealth and attaining financial security an insight into the politics of Uttar Pradesh and menstruation and its mysterious connection with the moonWilliam Mulligan The Everyday Stoic Simple Rules For A Good Life Penguin Rs 550Popular on Instagram as The Everyday Stoic the page deconstructs modernises and makes the ancient wisdom of Stoicism practicalThe philosophy of Stoicism encourages the development of selfcontrol as a means to overcome destructive emotions According to the principles of Stoicism getting clear and unbiased in ones thinking allows one to understand universal reasonDeconstructing the core of Stoicism namely virtues such as wisdom courage justice and moderation helps make a person much more resilient in regular modern life bringing clarity and strengthTracing the history and origin of this philosophy the book serves to refine ones thinking showing how the ancient Roman philosophers Marcus Aurelius and Seneca remain relevant and helpful in daytoday problemsolvingLike it says in the book We all deserve to flourish Its only fair if we all get a chance to learn how to live better for ourselves and for the people we love This book is a lens to look at your life afreshShyamlal Yadav At the Heart of Power The Chief Ministers Of Uttar Pradesh Rupa Rs 395If there is one state in India that could serve as Indias indicator of its electoral and political future it is Uttar Pradesh and this very fact explains the political significance of the provinceThe author an awardwinning journalist with The Indian Express delves into the lives of all its 21 Chief Ministers thus far beginning with the years immediately after Independence to the presentPanning the spotlight on personalities from Govind Ballabh Pant to Yogi Adityanath and their distinguishing qualities each leader is presented in the light of their politics and imperatives of staying in power How they dealt with and triumphed over trying times and details of the sociopolitical landscape during their years in office have contributed significantly to shape the state into what it has become todayYadavs exhaustively researched book presents the legacy of 21 stalwarts their policies ideologies and leadership styles By understanding them we will be able to appreciate the complexities of governing the state betterScott Galloway The Algebra Of Wealth A Simple Formula For Success TorvaPenguin Rs 899Wealth is not all about just money So what must one have apart from an understanding of wealth The author says it is stoicism followed by a mindful understanding of focus time management in the larger sense of the expression and diversification with regard to economic securityMuch like the intricacies and equations of algebra Galloway decodes the mathematics of wealth splitting it as Focus Stoicism x Time x Diversification In a little over half a ream drawing the difference between having money and being rich the author has condensed his learnings as a professor mentor founder and parentDrawing on the authors experience this book offers insights into how to not just get rich but also attain financial security And it leaves the reader with a thought to be mulled over If money is the goal youll never have enoughA professor of Marketing at New York Universitys Stern School of Business Galloway has founded nine companies and authored books like The Four and The Algebra Of Happiness He is the founder of an online education platform that teaches business strategies to working professionalsNirmala Gowda Nayak Menstruation Moon Men and More Rupa Rs 1095An offering on living harmoniously and holistically the book encapsulates what is often a debate on public forums or sighladen utterance in quiet corners the need for rest reflection and rejuvenation during menstruation and smashing taboos around itClearing out misconceptions surrounding menstruation the author seeks to celebrate the womans womb as a symbol of femininity and power The book serves as a means to awaken a lessinformed community to the reality of this naturalness and understand and address impediments faced by women in the times we liveA handy guidebook to help you comprehend menstrual health understand the requirements of emotional wellbeing and the nutritional needs of individual body types with a holistic outlook it calls for as much awareness and mindful engagement of men and encourages them to help create an environment of acceptance and respectNirmala Gowda Nayak is a proponent of menstrual health education and womens empowerment through yoga and emotional wellbeing workshops IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/ians-bookshelf-from-making-money-to-menstruation-the-eclectic-world-of-non-fiction-titles-552456.html Wed, 19 Jun 2024 19:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/ians-bookshelf-reads-for-all-reasons-from-top-cops-memoirs-to-bollywood-lyrics-549679.html New Delhi June 9 With the mercury showing no signs of relenting sitting in the cool confines of your home with a book might just be the best exchange for stepping out in the scorching heat Starting with this weekend IANS will put out a curated selection of four books that cater to different sections of readers We begin with a list that spans political history an actual cop adventure a spiritual retreat and anecdotes from Bollywood of a different generationPrakash Singh Memoirs of a Top Cop Unforgettable Chapters Rupa Rs 395Dubbed an icon by the former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh retired BSF directorgeneral and prolific writer Prakash Singh did much for the nations security in his official capacityPolitics without the police is impotent Police without politics would lack a sense of direction With this statement Singh offers his readers glimpses of the foundations of our police setups before delving into other functional aspects of policingFrom uneasy equations with politicians to combating insurgency and securing the states in the northeast to defending the borders in Punjab and JampK to transborder operations the top cops autobiography also traces traces his journey as an IPS officerA ringside view of the engrossing world of law enforcement explained in the words of a seasoned officer this book is an insightful account of not only combatting insurgency and executing transborder operations in the constant effort to secure the nation but also of treading the tight rope the connects the police system and the politicians and their interestsWith regard to introducing reforms in police and its farreaching impact on the society Singhs takehome message is that the person donning the uniform also powers through his personal realm given the complexities of our citizenryWilliam Gould Santosh Dass and Christophe Jaffrelot Ambedkar in London Rupa Rs 995Heres a welldocumented chronicle of the lesserknown time of life in London of the man hailed as the father of Indias ConstitutionBR Ambedkars political ideas have not ceased to inspire and mobilise people to this day His views on caste labour women education and peoples rights and representation have resonated not only in the country but also around the worldThis compilation explores Ambedkars Londonbased studies and publication in the early 1920s allowing for a periscopic view of the global significance of Ambedkars ideas William Gould concludes that Ambedkar is immortalised as a single historical figure whose wider political significance is unmatchedThe coauthors of the book are William Gould Professor of Indian History at University of Leeds Santosh Dass a former civil servant and human rights campaigner who has been calling for the outlawing of castebased discrimination in the UK and Christophe Jaffrelot Professor of Indian Politics and Sociology Kings College LondonSwami Mukundananda Spiritual Secrets From Hinduism Essence of the Vedic Scriptures Rupa Rs 295India stands out in the world map as the land of spirituality and divinity sparking curiosity and fascination for its ancient knowledge system especially HinduismAncient rishis and sages are said to have had wisdom revealed to them and the buildup of knowledge that thus took place has enriched the heritage of IndiaSages and scholars put together their wisdom in sacred texts which we know as the Vedic scriptures Also included in this body of knowledge apart from the Vedas are the Puranas epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata the Brahma Sutras and similar textsIn the quest for the ultimate reality and absolute truth many have been drawn to India and several people even dedicafed their lives to this land The understanding of Hinduism that seems to largely prevail among the masses however is arguably vague Bringing clarity to the discourse this book helps one understand the essence of the Vedic scripturesThe author Swami Mukundananda a product of IIT Delhi and IIM Calcutta is a globally acclaimed spiritual guru and authority on mind management He renounced his earlier life of social and material success and embraced monkhoodSameer Anjaan and Shuja Ali Lyrics by Sameer Stories Behind the Iconic Songs Rupa Rs 295For an entire generation Sameer Anjaan is synonymous with popular Bollywood numbers most notably the title track of DhoomBut who knew that Shravan of the music director duo NadeemShravan had first refused to let a debutant Ajay Devgn enter the recording studio because he was convinced that he wasnt hero material Only after Sameer intervened did Shravan relent and allowed the nowacclaimed actor inAlso the immensely popular title track of Dhoom would never have seen the light of day but for Sameer because Aditya Chopra had rejected its signature tuneAs interesting as the stories of Bollywood films are the stories behind the making of those stories are just as interesting and intriguing With up to 50 such stories woven around some of the topmost hits of Sameer and the recounting of disagreements between music composers and film directors the coauthors one of whom is the lyricist himself and the other accomplished screenwriter and director Shuja Ali provide exclusive glimpses of the making of some of Sameers most iconic compositions in over three decadesSameer Anjaan holds a Guinness World Record with more than 640 films and 4500 songs to his credit and is the recipient of multiple laurels including three Filmfare trophies and the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Award IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/ians-bookshelf-reads-for-all-reasons-from-top-cops-memoirs-to-bollywood-lyrics-549679.html Sun, 09 Jun 2024 09:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/book-review-how-india-transitioned-from-fragile-five-to-first-five-540707.html New Delhi May 9 The prerequisite for visioning India as a developed nation Viksit Bharat by 2047 is selfreliance or Aatmanirbharta India is moving ahead with speed in scale and size It took us sixty years after Independence to become a USD 1 trillion economy whereas the next one and a half decades witnessed a threefold increase It was during the middle of 2020 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi provided an impetus for Atmanirbhar Bharat It was this timely realisation and focus that led him to further extend it for a greater mission Viksit Bharat by 2047 marking a century of Indian independence The challenge before all of us is how to become selfreliant in a sustainable way so that we are able to cherish the fruits for all times to comeWith this context in mind I read this book titled Aatmanirbhar A Swadeshi Paradigm edited by Professor Ashwani Mahajan It is an insightful volume providing different viewpoints on the whole idea of selfreliance from the perspective of Swadeshi Bharat The core of our growth lies in solving our problems with our resources or finding a match between available resources potential and application Moving from reliance to selfreliance or nirbharta to aatmnirbharta is the key to sustainable development within and beyond defined frames This book has 18 chapters authored by intelligent thinkers of contemporary India whose voice matters The editor deserves appreciation for being able to rope in experts from academics policymaking and industry to share their perspectives on Aatmnirbhar Bharat through their prudent contribution The foreword is written by Dr Mohan Bhagwat Sarsanghchalak Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh building context around purusharthas and beyond Western belief of materialism and consumerism The contributors include V A Nageswaran Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India Bibek Debroy Chairman Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India N K Singh Chairman 15th Finance Commission Government of India A K Lahiri Former Chief Economic Advisor Government of India Sanjeev Sanyal Member Economic Advisory Council to the PM apart from industry experts like Sanjeev Puri Chairman and MD ITC Sridhar Vembu CEO Zoho Corpn and Gopal Srinivasan CEO TVS Capital The experience of reading this book was enriching and sagacious travelling through the villages wageled growth industrial growth food security and international trade The mix of macro and micro problem and policy trade and technology are brilliantly interwoven through the volume The chapters cover almost all broader areas important for a country like India The three pillars of the economy viz Agriculture Industry and Services are addressed through expert viewsThe idea of Aatmanirbharta has been discussed across chapters taking cues from our cultural ethos that have shaped our growing as a nation Sachin Chaturvedi mentions one element that Gandhi emphasised and that is still relevant today is ethics in economic development Indian development and particularly Swadeshi ethos should nurture this going beyond corporate social responsibility At the same time it needs to be ensured as emphasised by PM Narendra Modi that there is sustainable consumption of production with a minimum carbon footprint p 17The manufacturing sectors growth is visible in many sectors that are propelling economic growth as well as creating employment opportunities The issues concerning food security energy deficit and the selfreliant defence sector have been excellently discussed by Shamika Ravi The initiative of the government to boost industrial growth through productionlinked incentives is mentioned by a few authors and I am sure that this scheme shall be one of the important engines of growth helping industry and employment through building appropriate competencies Sanjay Baru former media advisor and chief spokesperson during PM Manmohan Singh opines on the idea of Aatmnirbharta by tracing its roots in Indian thinking and appreciates the focus on the manufacturing sector Make in India apart from highlighting the impact of geopolitical conditions on economic growth Abhijit Dass paper emphasising international trade across sectors and industries warns the policymakers to carry out an indepth assessment as well as to have proper preparedness for facing ensuing scenarios after Free Trade Agreements wrt Canada EU and the UK Indias digital transformation story has become a case for the world The last few years have witnessed excellence in innovation through technology entrepreneurs especially in the domain of finance and banking making India one of the leaders Digital Public Goods as explained by Nageswaran p 69 play a key role in easing payments through safety features winning the confidence of the users The integration of different operations through appropriate technologies has helped us disrupt the economies of speed scope and scale Similar echoes are found in Chapter 13 written by Srinivasan who talks about JAM Jan Dhan Aadhaar Mobile trinity UPI Unified Payment Interface and OCEN Open Credit Enablement Network leading towards Aatmanirbhar BharatThe role of government in policy and its effective implementation has been nicely articulated by Ashima Goyal in Chapter 7 Indias response to the COVID19 pandemic has been phenomenal reflecting our resilience which has been discussed by quite a few contributors throughout the book Sanjeev Sanyal writes the AatmaNirbhar Bharat approach is a key ingredient of the overall economic thinking of the Indian government It is designed for an uncertain and unpredictable world By investing in an economic framework that is both flexible and resilient Indian policymakers are simply being pragmatic This is not ideologically blinkered isolationism or protectionism Moreover the strategy is open to evolution p 90The idea of reliance or dependence makes us weak and enthuses a sense of insecurity and an inferiority complex Our historical contribution to world trade is not unknown to contemporary policymakers The last few centuries weakened us both economically and socially which has affected our dependence on the other part of the globe disturbing the balance of trade visàvis the balance of paymentWe also need to build an ecosystem that focuses on ease of doing farming Sharma p 25 that shall sustain the industrial value chain and build us from within to be Aatmnirbhar Debroy and Sinha p 169 propose two important interventions for Aatmanirbhar Bharat one the need for investment for research development and innovation through technology two boosting exports through getting market access which is possible through pursuing regional trade agreements and international cooperation Ashish Chauhan weaves an interesting story around the role of stock exchanges in India for Aatmanirbhar Bharat starting with the Vedic period to the modern age The linkage has been established brilliantly to highlight our ancient thinking It is heartening to know that though we have lower per capita income yet we are able to create vibrant liquid and healthy markets p 188 in IndiaIt was in 1929 when there was an unequivocal agreement and resolve for Purna Swaraj complete independence that led India to become independent in 1947 After independence efforts have been to develop all spheres of economy and society There have been several initiatives and programs concerning infrastructure development the creation of institutions of national importance poverty alleviation green revolution privatisation and liberalisation However we never had a single focused agenda or resolve like developed India by 2047 It is in this context that being selfreliant is imperativeI recommend this book to all interested in seeing India becoming selfreliant and an economic power We have transitioned from the fragile five to the first five Apart from being the largest economy we need to focus on reducing inequalities and improving human wellbeing which should increase per capita income I am sure India shall regain its past and lost glory when all of us put forth our efforts in the direction of Viksit BharatThe writer is a senior professor in Delhi School of Economics IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/book-review-how-india-transitioned-from-fragile-five-to-first-five-540707.html Thu, 09 May 2024 17:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/aatmanirbhar-book-review-how-india-transitioned-from-fragile-five-to-first-five-540774.html New Delhi May 9 The prerequisite for visioning India as a developed nation Viksit Bharat by 2047 is selfreliance or Aatmanirbharta India is moving ahead with speed in scale and size It took us sixty years after Independence to become a USD 1 trillion economy whereas the next one and a half decades witnessed a threefold increaseIt was during the middle of 2020 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi provided an impetus for Atmanirbhar Bharat It was this timely realisation and focus that led him to further extend it for a greater mission Viksit Bharat by 2047 marking a century of Indian independenceThe challenge before all of us is how to become selfreliant in a sustainable way so that we are able to cherish the fruits for all times to comeWith this context in mind I read this book titled Aatmanirbhar A Swadeshi Paradigm edited by Professor Ashwani Mahajan It is an insightful volume providing different viewpoints on the whole idea of selfreliance from the perspective of Swadeshi BharatThe core of our growth lies in solving our problems with our resources or finding a match between available resources potential and application Moving from reliance to selfreliance or nirbharta to aatmnirbharta is the key to sustainable development within and beyond defined framesThis book has 18 chapters authored by intelligent thinkers of contemporary India whose voice matters The editor deserves appreciation for being able to rope in experts from academics policymaking and industry to share their perspectives on Aatmnirbhar Bharat through their prudent contributionThe foreword is written by Dr Mohan Bhagwat Sarsanghchalak Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh building context around purusharthas and beyond Western belief of materialism and consumerismThe contributors include V A Nageswaran Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India Bibek Debroy Chairman Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India N K Singh Chairman 15th Finance Commission Government of India A K Lahiri Former Chief Economic Advisor Government of India Sanjeev Sanyal Member Economic Advisory Council to the PM apart from industry experts like Sanjeev Puri Chairman and MD ITC Sridhar Vembu CEO Zoho Corpn and Gopal Srinivasan CEO TVS CapitalThe experience of reading this book was enriching and sagacious travelling through the villages wageled growth industrial growth food security and international tradeThe mix of macro and micro problem and policy trade and technology are brilliantly interwoven through the volume The chapters cover almost all broader areas important for a country like India The three pillars of the economy viz Agriculture Industry and Services are addressed through expert viewsThe idea of Aatmanirbharta has been discussed across chapters taking cues from our cultural ethos that have shaped our growing as a nationSachin Chaturvedi mentions one element that Gandhi emphasised and that is still relevant today is ethics in economic development Indian development and particularly Swadeshi ethos should nurture this going beyond corporate social responsibilityAt the same time it needs to be ensured as emphasised by PM Narendra Modi that there is sustainable consumption of production with a minimum carbon footprint p 17The manufacturing sectors growth is visible in many sectors that are propelling economic growth as well as creating employment opportunities The issues concerning food security energy deficit and the selfreliant defence sector have been excellently discussed by Shamika RaviThe initiative of the government to boost industrial growth through productionlinked incentives is mentioned by a few authors and I am sure that this scheme shall be one of the important engines of growth helping industry and employment through building appropriate competenciesSanjay Baru former media advisor and chief spokesperson during PM Manmohan Singh opines on the idea of Aatmnirbharta by tracing its roots in Indian thinking and appreciates the focus on the manufacturing sector Make in India apart from highlighting the impact of geopolitical conditions on economic growthAbhijit Dass paper emphasising international trade across sectors and industries warns the policymakers to carry out an indepth assessment as well as to have proper preparedness for facing ensuing scenarios after Free Trade Agreements wrt Canada EU and the UKIndias digital transformation story has become a case for the world The last few years have witnessed excellence in innovation through technology entrepreneurs especially in the domain of finance and banking making India one of the leadersDigital Public Goods as explained by Nageswaran p 69 play a key role in easing payments through safety features winning the confidence of the usersThe integration of different operations through appropriate technologies has helped us disrupt the economies of speed scope and scaleSimilar echoes are found in Chapter 13 written by Srinivasan who talks about JAM Jan Dhan Aadhaar Mobile trinity UPI Unified Payment Interface and OCEN Open Credit Enablement Network leading towards Aatmanirbhar BharatThe role of government in policy and its effective implementation has been nicely articulated by Ashima Goyal in Chapter 7 Indias response to the COVID19 pandemic has been phenomenal reflecting our resilience which has been discussed by quite a few contributors throughout the bookSanjeev Sanyal writes the AatmaNirbhar Bharat approach is a key ingredient of the overall economic thinking of the Indian government It is designed for an uncertain and unpredictable worldBy investing in an economic framework that is both flexible and resilient Indian policymakers are simply being pragmatic This is not ideologically blinkered isolationism or protectionism Moreover the strategy is open to evolution p 90The idea of reliance or dependence makes us weak and enthuses a sense of insecurity and an inferiority complex Our historical contribution to world trade is not unknown to contemporary policymakersThe last few centuries weakened us both economically and socially which has affected our dependence on the other part of the globe disturbing the balance of trade visàvis the balance of paymentWe also need to build an ecosystem that focuses on ease of doing farming Sharma p 25 that shall sustain the industrial value chain and build us from within to be AatmnirbharDebroy and Sinha p 169 propose two important interventions for Aatmanirbhar Bharat one the need for investment for research development and innovation through technology two boosting exports through getting market access which is possible through pursuing regional trade agreements and international cooperationAshish Chauhan weaves an interesting story around the role of stock exchanges in India for Aatmanirbhar Bharat starting with the Vedic period to the modern age The linkage has been established brilliantly to highlight our ancient thinking It is heartening to know that though we have lower per capita income yet we are able to create vibrant liquid and healthy markets p 188 in IndiaIt was in 1929 when there was an unequivocal agreement and resolve for Purna Swaraj complete independence that led India to become independent in 1947 After independence efforts have been to develop all spheres of economy and societyThere have been several initiatives and programs concerning infrastructure development the creation of institutions of national importance poverty alleviation green revolution privatisation and liberalisationHowever we never had a single focused agenda or resolve like developed India by 2047 It is in this context that being selfreliant is imperativeI recommend this book to all interested in seeing India becoming selfreliant and an economic power We have transitioned from the fragile five to the first five Apart from being the largest economy we need to focus on reducing inequalities and improving human wellbeing which should increase per capita incomeI am sure India shall regain its past and lost glory when all of us put forth our efforts in the direction of Viksit BharatThe writer is a senior professor in Delhi School of Economics IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/aatmanirbhar-book-review-how-india-transitioned-from-fragile-five-to-first-five-540774.html Thu, 09 May 2024 19:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/acclaimed-urdu-litterateur-salam-bin-razzaq-passes-away-at-83-in-navi-mumbai-540201.html Mumbai May 7 Renowned Urdu litterateur and academician Shaikh Abdussalam Abdurrazzaq famous by his pseudonym Salam Bin Razzaq passed away at his residence in Navi Mumbai after a prolonged illness a family friend said here on Tuesday Razzaq was 83 and is survived by his wife daughter son plus several grandchildren and greatgrandkidsThe last rites were performed at the Marine Lines cemetery in Mumbai in the presence of a large number of family members friends and literary figuresRazzaq won the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu literature for his acclaimed short stories collection Shikasta Buton Ke Darmiyan in 2004Born in 1941 at Panvel in Raigad district Razzaq had a very humble beginning in life He was deeply inspired by the trials and travails of the common masses which reflected in his writings both prose and poetryMany of Razzaqs popular characters in his literary narratives were based on the commoners around him encountering and conquering ordinary problems in life in their quest for survival He shot to relevance in the 1970s when Urdu fiction was receding in popularityOver four dozen of his stories were broadcast on All India Radio while more than a dozen of them are prescribed in the syllabi of school college and university studentsWorking as a municipal school teacher in Navi Mumbai in the early part of his career he also wrote three major collections of short stories including two in Urdu and one in Hindi and translated several Marathi fictions into Urdu besides being a chronicler of the communal riotsOver his long literary career spanning more than six decades Razzaq was decorated with honours like the Sahitya Akademi Award Ghalib Award Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Akademi Award and many moreTop figures from the Urdu literary fraternity academicians and others have condoled the demise of Razzaq many terming it the end of an era in Urdu literatureSome of Razzaqs literary creations include Nangi Dopahar Ka Sipahi Muabbir and Zindagi Afsana Nahin among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/acclaimed-urdu-litterateur-salam-bin-razzaq-passes-away-at-83-in-navi-mumbai-540201.html Tue, 07 May 2024 22:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/huma-qureshi-reveals-what-perks-her-up-even-when-she-is-sleep-deprived-538126.html Mumbai May 1 Actress Huma Qureshi who is currently busy shooting for her next project Gulabi shared what perks her up even when she is sleepdeprived The Maharani star took to her Instagram stories where she shared a video of her stepping into a bookstore The actress seems to be at the airport when she spots her maiden novel Zeba An Accidental Superhero kept in the highlight section in the bookstoreShe captioned it No matter how sleep deprivedThis always perks me upHuma also shared a glimpse from the shoot of her upcoming film Gulabi where she will be essaying the role of an autorickshaw driver The shoot was taking place in a desert region A glimpse also showed camels in the distanceAaj ka office Gulabi the actress wrote as the captionTalking about Gulabi which is directed by Vipul Mehta is based on a true story It tells the journey of a brave autorickshaw driver who inspired women to reclaim their destiniesHumas debut novel Zeba An Accidental Superhero is themed around magic wonder and resilience In the story the protagonist Zeba wears her hijab as a cape and turns into a relatable symbol of strength in the face of challenges IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/huma-qureshi-reveals-what-perks-her-up-even-when-she-is-sleep-deprived-538126.html Wed, 01 May 2024 09:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/why-dan-radcliffe-feels-sad-about-jk-rowlings-anti-transgender-comments-538152.html Los Angeles May 1 Actor Daniel Radcliffe feels really sad by Harry Potter author J K Rowlings constant antitransgender comments and her support for others with transphobic views The actor revealed that he has not spoken to the author during an interview with the Atlantic reports peoplecomIt makes me really sad ultimately because I do look at the person that I met the times that we met and the books that she wrote and the world that she created and all of that is to me so deeply empathic Radcliffe who played the title role in eight Potter films said of Rowling and her controversial commentsJo obviously Harry Potter would not have happened without her so nothing in my life would have probably happened the way it is without that person But that doesnt mean that you owe the things you truly believe to someone else for your entire lifeRadcliffe had also replied to Rowlings recent post on social media that he and his coactors Emma Watson and Rupert Grint can save their apologies and that she wouldnt forgive themRadcliffe said I will continue to support the rights of all LGBTQ people and have no further comment than that IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/why-dan-radcliffe-feels-sad-about-jk-rowlings-anti-transgender-comments-538152.html Wed, 01 May 2024 11:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/why-losing-keys-everyday-items-may-not-always-signal-poor-memory-537478.html New Delhi April 29 Are you worried that your habit of losing keys and everyday items may be a sign of poor memory Well a new book suggests that it may not be the case always The new book The Psychology of Memory by two US professors from Rhode Island College and Indiana University suggests that anyone can boost their powers of recall and that losing keys is normalIn the book Dr Megan Sumeracki and Dr Althea Need Kaminske stated that storing and retrieving information is far more complex than people thinkThe book also highlighted simple recollectionboosting techniques to improve learningBecause we are most aware of our memory when we have trouble remembering something our intuitions about how memory works might be a little biased Dr Kaminske saidYou may be unsurprised to learn that our memory systems are not necessarily designed to remember where we put our phones Or keys Or water bottlesThough we would hazard a guess that if we were in a survival scenario where dehydration was a concern we would be much more aware of water sourcesPeople are better at remembering information when they process it in a fitnessrelevant scenario such as being stranded in the grasslands of a foreign land the authors saidFurther the book shows how memory can be impaired by alcohol sleep deprivation and caffeineThe authors suggested memoryboosting techniques like retrieval practice the strategy of pulling facts from memory For example deliberately addressing a new colleagues name every time you see them may help you memorise the name IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/why-losing-keys-everyday-items-may-not-always-signal-poor-memory-537478.html Mon, 29 Apr 2024 11:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/plays-were-part-of-the-air-we-breathed-amal-allana-remembers-ebrahim-alkazi-535844.html New Delhi April 22 As his daughter he treated her with the utmost care and was loving and protective As a student he was a hard even harsh taskmaster and pushed her to give her very best But when she designed costumes for some of his productions he treated her as a professional and gave her complete freedom to express her creative ideas Former Chairperson of the National School of Drama NSD Amal Allana who recently wrote Ebrahim Alkazi Holding Time Captive Penguin told IANS that in all these associations her relationship with the father of modern Indian theatre altered thus giving her an insight into different aspects of his character personality and sense of aestheticsAlkazi was not just the founding director of NSD but also someone who lent new metaphors to Indian theatre and metamorphosed it through his unique vision as through his production of Girish Karnads Tughlaq at Delhis Purana Qila in 1972 which is considered to be one of the finest theatre productions till date and trained a generation of theatre persons who have been instrumental in breaking new grounds in every sense of the wordAllana said that in writing this biography she has had the opportunity to study her fathers life and work in greater detail albeit more dispassionatelyAlso yet another aspect of my research included studying his artworks leading me to curate several projects on him she said Working on these projects has helped me clarify and gain a fuller overall perspective of what he aspired for and set out to achieve throughout his lifeOne wonders if the daughter was under any pressure considering she was writing about such a towering personality She confessed that unconsciously she may have felt the pressure though her father allowed her the greatest freedom to find herself as a theatre artisteOnce I left NSD he never offered any criticism of my work but was supportive of it from a distance It was my mother on the other hand who took a great deal of interest in where I was heading creatively and would ask me about my work I think my fathers attitude of a certain distance helped me to grow and develop independently Allana saidNot much is known about Alkazis Arab lineage but the daughter constructs it in the book by interviewing her fathers immediate siblings the father himself and discovering some recent material from a few academics on the Arab merchant families who had settled in India mainly in BombaySeveral of my first cousins were born in Bombay and left for other countries by the late 1950s and early 1960s staying back for a full decade after Hamed and Mariam Alkazi my paternal grandparents along with some of their children had left Bombay postPartition Allana recalledMy cousins and I went to the same school in Bombay Cathedral I grew up with them and around them and experienced how the Arabs lived in India which was very unlike the way my parents lived We lived as westerneducated Bombayites and artists she added with a smileRemembering that theatre was not just a profession for Alkazi but an indispensable part of his being Allana said Even at home practical aspects of mounting productions as well as the deeper meaning of plays and rehearsals were part and parcel of the air we breathed As you know our home at Vithal Court also doubled up as my fathers workspaceMany of his students describe Alkazi as a strict disciplinarian but Allana remembers him as someone very kind loving and generous as a father Art was incorporated into our daily lives in a simple organic way becoming an enjoyable activity in which we all participated she recalledStressing that he had a positive attitude to life and was always very optimistic who believed that great things could be achieved in simple ways Allana pointed out that for Alkazi it was all about hard work focus and discipline She also says that he had a great sense of humour and was brilliant at communicating deep complex thoughts in an effective simple waySomeone who has devoted her life to theatre she feels that not only does the country need more theatre schools but also professional theatre companies in all the languages so that trained students can be employedWell we all know most NSD graduates tend to gravitate to Mumbai and get absorbed in the film industry Allana said Others return to their home states and struggle to do theatre in mostly abject conditions Surely nearly 80 years after Independence we should have understood that the performing arts need to be subsidised in major waysStressing the importance of introducing art appreciation courses in schools Allana said that art widens our horizons and helps us build a sensitivity towards other culturesAllana was quick to add though Remember appreciation is not enough art needs to be practised Subjects like dance music and painting are not given the attention they deserve in any school curriculum They are treated as peripheral subjects We should understand that talent and skill for the arts come naturally to us IndiansShe concluded with a timely reminder There are few countries such as India with our rich traditions in painting architecture sculpture dance and folk performing traditions A majority of Indians are artistically inclined it is in our genes We should have special schools devoted to the arts of India which will allow children to create and fashion art from a young age so that these traditions do not die out IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/plays-were-part-of-the-air-we-breathed-amal-allana-remembers-ebrahim-alkazi-535844.html Mon, 22 Apr 2024 19:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/a-silver-jubilee-biography-of-keralas-visionary-businessman-relives-tkm-531229.html Thiruvananthapuram Mar 30 A social reformer businessman author publisher visionary and largest employer in the world Thangal Kunju Musaliar TKM was a multifaceted personality TKMs base was Kollam once the cashew capital of the country and he was one of the stalwart cashew magnates Even today the family continues to be engaged in the businessA new silver jubilee edition of the biography penned by Kayamkulam Yoonus has enabled many to relive TKM and his contributions to Kerala It continues to ignite manyBorn on January 12 1897 TKM was the quintessential renaissance manMusaliars zeal in uplifting the society around him had him set up the Janakshema Samajam the cooperative movement he spearheaded It was a direct manifestation of his efforts in this regard which was the fire behind the empire he builtHe took the cashew business to a new height when there were 26 factories employing nearly 30000 people of which 25000 were womenTKM was popularly referred to as Musaliar and was named the single largest employer in the world by Fortune Magazine of the USThe words of Indias first President Dr Rajendra Prasad when he came to lay the foundation stone of the Thangal Kunju Musaliar College on February 3 1956 at Kollam will ring in the minds of many If all the rich men of our country had come forward like Janab Musaliar TKM many of our problems would have been solvedThis institution encapsulated Musaliars vision of holistic social development and the Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering inaugurated on July 3 1958He also dabbled in journalism he published Prabhatham daily for long it had a significant influence on the literary social and political lives of its readersHe authored a few books as wellThe impact of Musaliar was such that the government of India honored him with a commemorative stamp on the occasion of his birth centenaryYoonus when he felt that Musaliar never got due recognition decided to write a biography in 1997 and then went in for silver jubilee edition given the huge response to the first edition IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/a-silver-jubilee-biography-of-keralas-visionary-businessman-relives-tkm-531229.html Sat, 30 Mar 2024 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/karan-singh-chronicles-his-memorable-encounters-with-remarkable-women-527738.html New Delhi March 10 It was a brief meeting with Hellen Keller that lasted a few minutes but it left a lifelong impression on Karan Singh And it remains etched in his mind as an encounter with an iconic fighter for the cause of the disabled His memorable meeting with Eleanor Roosevelt whom he described as the first lady of the United Nations took place when he was just 17 years of ageFrom the depths of his remarkable memory veteran politician and public figure Karan Singh has dug out these and many more fascinating nuggets relating to some of his most memorable encounters with women and put them together in the form of his book Meetings with Remarkable WomenSure to be a collectors item the book in its Hindi edition and a new English edition was released by the author himself at New Delhis India International CentreThe English version first published in 2014 as a compilation of his impressions of the remarkable women he had met in his life has been updated with seven new additions including President Droupadi MurmuBoth English and Hindi versions are the first publications of the newly formed Karan Singh Foundation in collaboration with Motilal Banarsidass Publishing HouseSpeaking at length about the book at the launch event Karan Singh said In the course of my multifarious and varied public life which began some eight decades ago I have had occasions in India and abroad to meet with a large number of remarkable peopleand they have left an impression upon my mindThose memories resided in the recesses of his mind until Jyotsana prompted his daughter and chairperson of the Karan Singh Foundation and he decided to pen them down he revealedMany of the women who have made their way in his book were wellknown around the world however some were not in the public eyeBut according to the author They shared a certain intangible quality which has led me to include them in this book of reminiscencesThe launch event was attended by a galaxy of dignitaries from different walks of lifeThe event saw an exciting panel discussion between Karan Singh and Mala Thapar daughter of journalist and political commentator Romesh Thapar and Ameeta Mehra daughter of late Major P K Mehra The panelists also interacted with the audience on the occasion IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/karan-singh-chronicles-his-memorable-encounters-with-remarkable-women-527738.html Sun, 10 Mar 2024 19:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/director-storyteller-sudhanshu-rai-releases-book-of-short-stories-on-family-life-523743.html New Delhi Feb 26 DirectorstorytellerYouTuber Sudhanshu Rai released a book on family life titled Mom Says You Need To Be Strong authored by Aditi Gupta Notion Press Mom Says You Need To Be Strong is a collection of short stories depicting family life struggles losses dreams hopes and loveEach story in the book is essayed by a female protagonist and these focus on different issues that are faced by women who often emerge stronger from every situation as that is the only way forwardRai whos best known for his web series Detective Boomrah said that the emotions expressed through the characters in the stories are raw real and relatableJust the very idea of conveying them through diary entries is impressive Rai said In fact I feel men should read this book as much as women as it would make us aware of depth of emotions in every womanThe book is a compilation of 15 short stories that showcase different aspects of a womans life These are in the form of diaries except for one which is a journal of a grandmother being read by the grandsonThe chapters move around themes as varied as harassment of women infidelity being a single mother hitting puberty postpartum depression dealing with abusive relationships young love handling a creep in your office learning to wear the daughterinlaws hat a victim of child marriage the struggles of breastfeeding dealing with loss and how important it is to hold your family togetherThe author said the idea first came to her two years ago and it was actually her husband who encouraged her to go ahead with itI poured my heart out in the drafts worked through them diligently and I am glad that I have been able to express my thoughts for readers Gupta saidShe said that the book is a blend of fiction and reality as the characters are fictional but the incidents narrated in the stories are very much real and will surely touch the hearts of the readersThis 250page book is available in both paperback and digital editions across all online shopping websites IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/director-storyteller-sudhanshu-rai-releases-book-of-short-stories-on-family-life-523743.html Mon, 26 Feb 2024 12:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/insecurities-that-led-to-indira-falling-out-with-her-aunt-vijaya-lakshmi-pandit-523373.html New Delhi Feb 24 The origins of the fragile relationship between Jawaharlal Nehrus sister Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit and her niece Indira Gandhi which ended with the aunt becoming one of the fiercest critics of the Emergency 197577 has been a mystery for historians Pandits latest biographer Manu Bhagavan a professor of Modern Indian History at Hunter College New York untangles the complex relationship showing how the unravelling had started in the last years of NehruBhagavan shows how Pandit was rumoured to be the chosen one to succeed the then vicepresident Sarvepalli Radhakrishan but Nehru reportedly with his sisters consent opted for Zakir HussainWhether or not that was the reason but the relations between the siblings did get icy and Pandit blamed it on Nehrus closest aides VK Krishna Menon and MO Mathai his personal secretaryIn a note to Nehru which she asked him to keep to himself Pandit wrote After a long period of sharing the same wavelength we suddenly ceased to synchronise I do not know why this happened but part of it was certainly due to Krishna Menon and Mac Mathai Both in their own ways subtly misinterpreted my actions and deliberately gave you a wrong idea of me and my relationship with our own people The trust you had in me was damagedPandit went on to point out that this had been one of the reasons for my antagonism with Krishna Menon The other as I have perhaps told you is his habit of telling halftruths in order to present only the kind of picture he wishes to get acrossAt this time Pandit who had held top positions in the world of diplomacy including being the first woman to serve as President of the UN General Assembly was the Governor of MaharashtraThe tenuous family ties started fraying further after Nehru had a stroke in 1964 and started sinking The succession had become a subject of intense speculation and Pandit it was rumoured may get External Affairs a position that Indira too was eyeing Fearing her father may just agree to giving the plum job to her aunt Indira was doing her best to make it not happenAs Bhagavan writes It was not long before reports began to emerge that the two women were antagonists and that Indira taking advantage of her position as her fathers primary nurse and gatekeeper was going to lengths to prevent her aunt from spending time alone with the ailing prime minister Nan for her part dismissed such gossip chalking up her short visits to her brothers admonition that she should immediately get back to workNan is what Pandit used to be called lovingly by her family and she was then also leading the Indian delegation to the United NationsNehru passed away on the Buddha Jayanti Day in 1964 and Pandit found herself again at the centre of speculation especially after she resigned as Governor of Maharashtra Would Lal Bahadur Shastri Nehrus successor make her a minister in his cabinetThe question was raging in political circles and it subsided only after the Congress high command gave Pandit the ticket to contest from Nehrus pocket borough Phulpur in Uttar PradeshAccording to Bhagavan Indira wasnt keen to contest from Phulpur because she was uncertain about which way the political tide was turning as a result of the perceptible change in the public mood after the China WarPandit however trumped the opposition and got elected to the Lok Sabha with 60 per cent of the popular vote Nans victorious entry into politics sent the press into overdrive Stories flew in every direction suggesting that she might join Shastris Cabinet that she could become the next Speaker of the House and even that she potentially could become Indias prime minister in the future write BhagavanThe biographer continues A common thread running through many such narratives involved Nans relationship with Indira which was said to have blossomed into a fullfledged rivalryNehrus daughter was then the minister for information and broadcasting Newspapers wrote that if Nan joined the government she would immediately outrank her niece resulting in Indira most likely quitting and going abroad on a diplomatic postSo breathless were such reports from wagging tongues that Indira was forced to issue a denialNot content with becoming just another MP Pandit acquired quite a reputation for not pulling back her punches right after her maiden speech in Parliament where she spoke passionately about the demoralisation and decadence and deterioration that had overtaken the land She blasted the normalisation of corruption and said the government had become prisoners of indecisionAs if all this plain talk wasnt enough Pandit even filed her nomination papers against the partys high commands choice for Deputy Leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party She withdrew only after Shastri intervened personallyNot that Shastri was able to hold her back In a speech as relevant today as it was when it was first delivered Pandit said the Congress to quote Bhagavan paraphrasing her was growing increasingly disconnected from the masses it claimed to speak for and could soon find itself with no base of supportEchoing earlier observations in the press about backroom dealmaking she chastised the Congress for not being open to new bloodIn the middle of this Pandit continued to be a roving peacemaker but peace at home was turning out to be elusive Indira was getting upset about even small matters such as certain repairs that Pandit had carried out at their ancestral home Anand Bhawan in Allahabad now PrayagrajMore importantly Indira seemed to be upset that her aunt was holding on to Phulpur although as Bhagavan writes she assured her aunt that she was not at all interested in serving in the Lok Sabha in any capacity feigning disinterest in political life altogetherMeanwhile the Second IndiaPakistan War had come to an end Shastri passed away in Tashkent soon thereafter and after some political turmoil Indira became prime ministerThings started on the wrong foot when Nan was misquoted as saying that she felt her niece needs experience and that she was in very frail health indeed The papers repeatedly framed the relationship of the two women as one of competition Worse her critics soon took to calling Indira a prisoner of indecision the now famous phrase Nan had used the year before referring to the previous government Bhagavan writesElections followed in 1967 Pandit won a second term and Indira got elected from Rae Bareli but the Congress suffered its first decline in numbers in the Lok SabhaAnd as Bhagavan puts it Indira Gandhi in the meantime had not hesitated to send further signals that Nan was now persona non grataPolitically Pandit found herself at odds with Indira within the party worried at the direction it was taking under her nieces leadership The political ties were snapped finally when at a private meeting between Indira and Pandit Indias prime minister told her aunt point blank Well Puphi I dont really trust youPandit attended Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Mainos marriage but as Bhagavan puts it there was no serious rapprochement between aunt and nieceWithin months of the marriage Pandit quit Parliament saying she felt out of tune with what was happening in the government and she made the hard decision to quit public life at the age of 68The Emergency was the last nail in the coffin of their relationship Pandit was livid to find that Indira was having her spied upon and she kept her daughter the writer Nayantara Sahgal uptodate about what was happening in the countrySahgal on her part was one of the fiercest critics of the Emergency writing for publications such as New Republic and The New York Times Pandit too chose not to remain a silent chest beaterIn the words of Bhagavan roused to action by her daughters bravery Nan spoke out to a reporter from the Times announcing that she was profoundly troubled at the direction the Government was taking If there are no civil liberties and no dissent then where is the democracy we fought for she demanded to knowThen devastatingly she added It is far more repressive today in many ways than it was under the BritishManu Bhagavans biography Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit has been published by Penguin Allen Lane an imprint of Penguin Random House IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/insecurities-that-led-to-indira-falling-out-with-her-aunt-vijaya-lakshmi-pandit-523373.html Sat, 24 Feb 2024 18:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/an-ode-to-indian-visual-culture-and-history-alka-pandes-new-collection-of-14-books-520406.html New Delhi February 15 Art historian and curator Dr Alka Pande has written a set of 14 collectable books titled 108 Portraits of Indian Culture and Heritage that puts the spotlight on 14 disciplines ranging from art architecture objects crafts and more The immersive collection set is an encyclopedic work looking at the development and history of Indian visual culture through various eras of history to the contemporary worldComplete with anecdotal personal stories the author has employed the lens of Indian art and aesthetics to unpack the rich cultural history of the countrys illuminating art architecture and cultural landscape The subject of each book unfolds in a visual and textual story of 108 narratives Since the number 108 is of immense significance in Indian art and it also emerges from the Upanishadic tradition of Indian philosophy it has emerged as a connecting thread among the set of books through which images and histories of the subject engage with each otherThe set of books features historical cultural and visual exploration of subjects ranging from Objects Dance Food Architecture Printmaking Crafts and Music to Photography Sculpture Design Traditional Art Textiles Modern and Contemporary Art and Vernacular and Indigenous ArtEach book begins with a personal story by the author who reflects on how her childhood impressions and exposure have been pivotal in introducing her to the rich and myriad cultures of India She reminiscences about her first brush with kumhaars potters at her maternal grandmothers house in Meerut in the 108 Portraits of Indian Crafts book which soon delves deeper into the beauty of glazed pottery of the Indus Valley Civilisation and eventually takes readers through the craftsmanship of varied Indian statesIn the book 108 Portraits of Indian Objects the author delves into the designs of utilitarian objects and examines how they are both functional and pieces of aesthetic art The ubiquitous pot or lota is a recurring motif in this bookThe cultural significance of food in the form of prasad customs or rituals is documented in 108 Portraits of Indian Food The reader is taken through a journey of food in literature and painting before taking a deep dive into examining the broader culture of food across the globe Archaeology of raw and cooked food is looked at and the reader gets inside the heart of royal kitchens and regional Indian cuisines before illuminating the modern version of fusion cuisinesIndian textiles have a long rich and layered history The reader is taken on a fascinating exploration of the complex warp and weft techniques in 108 Portraits of Indian Textiles but also delineates costume styles Finer points of draped clothing and the stitched costumes of stylish chooridars and Mughal angrakhas luxurious silks and cotton natural pigments and dyes brocades and zardozi complemented with a finely curated selection of visuals of ancient sculptures paintings and textiles are discussedIn 108 Portraits of Indian Music various styles including the contributions of Amir Khusro to qawwali Swami Haridas and Tansen to dhrupad ancient Sanskrit and Tamil treatises Purandaradasa and the renowned Trinity to Carnatic music Pandit Bhatkhandes treatise on Hindustani classical music and Rabindra Sangeet are discussed This fascinating story is richly complemented by descriptions and images of performers and instrumentsIndian culture and heritage are vast diverse and deeply rooted in history spirituality traditions and art forms Attempting to encapsulate the entirety of Indian culture within a single book has indeed been a monumental task But it has equally been enriching to see how the set of 14 books encapsulates the enriching historical and contemporary journey of each discipline succinctly This set of books is my humble attempt to create an encyclopedia for each discipline to help readers understand the development of a particular subject from its beginning to the present says the author who was at the recently held Apeejay Kolkata Literary FestivalAdditionally each book comes with a takeaway it could be in the form of a recipe Food a masterclass in making your jama Textile or an insightful read on different types of aipan and creating your own Traditional Art The idea of including these nuggets of information and activities at the end of each book is to drive engagement and learningThe books have been published by the Artshila Trust and will be launched on February 18 IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/an-ode-to-indian-visual-culture-and-history-alka-pandes-new-collection-of-14-books-520406.html Thu, 15 Feb 2024 18:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/how-the-maker-of-the-taj-set-off-a-famine-ignored-by-historians-that-killed-74-mn-people-520040.html New Delhi Feb 14 Shah Jahan son of Jahangir was way ahead of his father in terms of barbarity It was merely in the first decade sixth year of his reign that he passed a farman to raze mandirs whose foundations had been laid during his fathers period and stood unfinished He was high with the zeal to revive Islam in the best possible way He intended to reflect Islam as a dominant religion and hence apart from demolishing mandirs he commissioned many grand mosques like the Jama Masjid in DelhiWell even the Taj has enough baggage of a gory past It is recorded that when the Taj Mahal was built in 1631 it cost around 418 million silver rupees To set things in perspective I am providing some mathematics for the readers On average the mean income of a farmers family was one dam copper coin per day One silver rupee was equivalent to forty dams and a single rupee would get you around 280 kilograms of generalgrade rice during Shah Jahans reign Now the question arises as to why this analysis was important and how it brought more shocks in my NCERT historyeducated lifeThis was the time when the great Deccan Famine 163031 had occurred and around 74 million had succumbed to the same It may sound strange but this famine was created by Shah Jahan himself In 1631 the army of Shah Jahan marched to the Malwa as one of his commanders stationed there had rebelled and joined hands with the Adilshahis of Bijapur and Nizamshahis of Hyderabad The army intended to teach the rebel commander a lesson The records state that Tīmurids distorted as Moghuls extracted an annual revenue of not less than around ten million rupees from the Malwa province in the seventeenth centuryThe fertile belt of Malwa was a hen with the golden egg for the Tīmūrids The rebellion had eclipsed this massive income and the attack on Malwa as well as the Deccan had become inevitable Two years before it commander Khwaja Abu Hasan had invaded Malwa These acts briefly led to the massive famine of 163032The destruction of crops in Malwa and Deccan by Shah Jahans royal armies has been well recorded by court chroniclers and foreign travellers For example Inayat Khan in Shah Jahanama talks about how Shah Jahan had ordered the imperial army to ravage the country from end to endThe order of Shah Jahan was carried very comprehensively and Inayat writes There is scarcely a vestige of cultivation left in this country Like his ancestors Shah Jahan did not leave his wives behind during the wars And it was during his campaign against Burhanpur that Mumtaz Mahal died from a postpartum haemorrhage while struggling to give birth to their fourteenth child She suffered around thirty hours of labour And it was here that he decided to dedicate the tomb to her corpse which is known to the world as the Taj MahalShah Jahans campaigns were of course set to lead to results The scarcity of rain coupled with devastations brought by the Imperial Tīmūrid Army added to the great famine of 163032 The regions affected were Gujarat Malwa and DeccanJust to set the destruction in perspective we read about the Bengal famine of 1943 which led to the death of three million people and for which Winston Churchill continues to be held accountable Yet the Deccan famine of 163032 which killed more than twice the number of people who died in the Bengal famine gets whitewashed with ease And of course even if we hear a few murmurs about the famine no one asks Why did Shah Jahan kill so manyI was shaken after reading the agony of people and surprisingly court chronicler Abdul Hamid Lahori did not roll a carpet over it Inhabitants were reduced to the direst extremity Life was offered for a loaf but none would buy Dogs flesh was sold for goat flesh The pounded bones of the dead were mixed in flour and sold Men began to devour each other and the flesh of a son was preferred to his love The number of deaths caused obstruction on the roads Those lands which had been famous for fertility and plenty of resources retain no traces of productionPeter Mundy the seventeenthcentury British traveller and merchant who visited the region during the famine wrote in his diarySurat Gujarat Great famine highways unpassable infested by thieves looking not for gold but grain Kirka Town empty Half inhabitants fled Another half dead Dhaita Children sold for 6 dams or given for free to any who could take them so they might be kept aliveNandurbar Maharashtra No space to pitch a tent dead bodies everywhere Noisome smell from a neighboring pit where 40 dead bodies were thrown Survivors searching for grains in the excrement of men and animals Highway stowed with dead bodies from Surat to BurhanpurMundy provides details of how the Tīmurid lords were treating peopleHe wrote In Bazaars lay people dead and others breathing their last with the food almost near their mouths yet dying for want of it they not having wherewith to buy nor the others so much pity to spare them any without money There being no course taken in this Country to remedy this great evil the rich and strong engrossing and taking perforce all to themselvesThere was no food for the general public while it was abundant for the Royal Tīmurids When the entire province was on its deathbed Shah Jahans war camp was in fair shape It was spacious and plentifully stored with all provisions The camp was receiving supplies from all the corners far and nearNot only did Shah Jahan ensure that people felt the wrath of the famine but the great Tīmūrid prince also collected a tax to build the tomb for Mumtaz The Timurid Empire established by Babur was known for collecting the highest taxes in the world The estimates tell us that they used to take a share of more than half of what the peasants producedIn contrast Hindu kings like those of the Vijayanagar Empire charged onesixth of the produce This was almost four times less than the TīmuridsI even came across details of Shah Jahans revenue utilisation He invested a little more than onethird of the revenue in the sixtyeight princes and amirs Onefourth of the revenue went to his 587 officers This implies that almost 62 per cent of the revenue was spent on merely 665 members of the ruling eliteAfter having read around the subject it did not take me much time to conclude that Shah Jahan brought the famine over to Gujarat Malwa and the Deccan by ravaging the crops completely And then the diversion of the revenue to build the Taj Mahal coupled with the scarcity of rain caused the famine in which around eight million people died This number is well attested in a letter written by a Dutch East India Company lawyerI was startled If Churchill can be held responsible for genocide in Bengal then Shah Jahan should also be held responsible for the genocide of around eight million people The building that everyone has described as the pride of Bharat was built at the cost of the blood of so manyThe author is an architect and historian This extract has been taken from his introduction to his book Babur The Chessboard King from Vintage an imprint of Penguin Random House with the permission of the publisher IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/how-the-maker-of-the-taj-set-off-a-famine-ignored-by-historians-that-killed-74-mn-people-520040.html Wed, 14 Feb 2024 17:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/historian-sugata-bose-explores-how-india-china-can-revive-the-asian-dream-519270.html New Delhi Feb 12 Celebrated historian Sugata Bose who holds Harvard Universitys prestigious Gardiner Chair of Oceanic History has said in his latest book that the Asian Dream remained unfulfilled because of two major events that unfolded in the last centuryThe first was Japans invasion of China in 1937 and the second Chinas incursions into India that led to the 1962 WarIn his new book titled Asia After Europe Imagining A Continent In The Long Twentieth Century HarperCollins Bose who also served as a TMC MP in the Lok Sabha between 2014 and 2019 writes Japans invasion of China undermined the idea of Asia as never beforeHe notes that Rabindranath Tagore who kept a close watch on Japan was dismayed because of the invasion and in his correspondence in 1937 with the Japanese poet Yone Noguchi who had visited him in Santiniketan in 1935 revealed the chasm in their interpretations of the SinoJapanese conflictBose whos also Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses grand nephew and director of the Netaji Research Bureau Kolkata writes that although the Congress then led by Netaji sent a medical mission to China under Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis as a gesture of Asian solidarity in the face of Asian aggression the Japanese invasion was the first big crack in Asian cohesion that did not healBose avers that during the 1910s Tagore and fellow poetphilosopher Muhammad Iqbal had been shocked by the carnage triggered by European rivalries fuelled by intense nationalism The decade of the 1930s showed that Asia was by no means immune to the virus of nationalismHe writes that one of the most dramatic manifestations of this trend was the dissolution of the bonds of the muchtrumpeted brotherhood between India and China that culminated in a brief but bitter border war between the two countries in the autumn of 1962Yet even at that moment of rivalry and conflict between Asian nationstates an intellectual quest began to discover what a Japanese scholar of modern Chinese literature Takeuchi Yoshimi evocatively called in a 1960 lecture Asia as method Bose notesGiven all the faultlines between Asian nations economic interdependence among Asian nations has grown rapidly between 1979 and 2019 with East Southeast and South Asia conducting more than half of their international trade among themselves in the 2010s compared with onethird in the 1980sCultural flows have been enhanced contributing to fresh synergies in the domains of Asian arts and humanities the pace of intraAsian migration quickened with people on the move across the vast continent in numbers unimaginable between the 1940 and the 1980s Bose writesHe writes that the dream of Asian universalism had been shattered in the twentieth century by the conflict between Japan and China Its fate in the twentyfirst century will depend to a significant extent on the ability of China and India to peacefully manage their simultaneous rise Bose saysHe writes that both Asian giants are beset with internal problems of inequity and their ability to address those may be just as important as the state of their mutual relations IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/historian-sugata-bose-explores-how-india-china-can-revive-the-asian-dream-519270.html Mon, 12 Feb 2024 12:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/climate-change-discussed-at-aklf-2024-519009.html Kolkata Feb 11 The second day of the ongoing Apeejay Kolkata Literature Festival witnessed two diverse sessions on the climate changes taking place across the globeIn the first session titled Climate Fiction Moves authors Rajat Chaudhuri and Gargi Rawat actress Dia Mirza and climate activist Bittu Sahgal conversed with moderator Neela Majumdar on how books films and the arts help champion climate issuesThe panel focused on climate activism advocacy and proactiveness being the way forward to protect our biodiversityRaising awareness and understanding about the climate is crucial in our efforts to protect the environment Climate literacy and education play a vital role in fostering engagement at all levelsSpeaking on the importance of climate awareness and literature Rajat Chaudhuri a climate fiction writer discussed how climate fiction or clifi could be a potent way to reach a wider audienceRajat opined that climate fiction uniquely connects people to the upcoming realities of climate change and elevates it from simply being a piece of fictionThere are two types of clifi One talks about mitigating the challenges of climate change and the other about adapting to the aftereffects of climate change Both of these send an essential message about the changing natureActor Dia Mirza who attended from Mumbai spoke about the climate campaigns she has been associated with including her first Save the Tiger campaign with NDTVWhile quoting her mentor Bittu Sahgal who was also a part of the speaker list said You could be anyone an actor or any other professional You have to understand that everything you want to be comes from the EarthShe reiterated the importance of protecting the climate and biodiversity at all costs and how not enough is being done She also shared that climate is not a part of any vote bank politics and that everyone must work on it equallyGargi Rawat an environmental reporter turned author shared her motivation for writing her book titled Tiger Season Despite being a fiction title she added how her book mentions some of her reallife experiences while reportingRawat shared her views on how television campaigns create a sense of collective responsibility and bring the issue of climate change closer to peoples hearts and minds by showcasing the reallife consequences and highlighting the urgent need for actionBittu Sahgal shared how the climate crisis is real He also emphasised the importance of acting with urgency as we have less than five years left before experiencing the fullblown effects of the changing climateThere is a real urgency in ensuring that people act and they must act now We cannot keep underestimating our biggest asset nature and expect not to suffer its consequences IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/climate-change-discussed-at-aklf-2024-519009.html Sun, 11 Feb 2024 16:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/oxford-bookstore-book-cover-prize-2024-shortlist-announced-519078.html Kolkata Feb 11 Alka Pande Priti Paul Kunal Basu and Anja Riedeberger have announced the seven shortlisted titles on the second day of 15th Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival AKLFThe shortlisted book covers include The Book Beautiful designed by Bhavi Mehta The Penguin Book of Indian Poets designed by Ahlawat Gunjan Azad Nagar designed by Saurav Das The Adornment of Gods designed by Saurabh Garge Not Quite a Disaster after All designed by Amit Malhotra When Indian Flowers Bloomed in Europe designed by Sashi Bhushan Prasad Mystics and Sceptics designed by Bonita Vaz ShimrayThe list was chosen by a jury comprising author Kunal Basu novelist Shobhaa De art curator Alka Pande MP and author Shashi Tharoor and Priti Paul from Apeejay Surrendra Group Guest Jurors Director Institut français in India and Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Action French Embassy in India Emmanuel Lebrun Damiens and Director Information Services South Asia GoetheInstitut Max Mueller Bhavan Anja Riedeberger were also announced at the eventIn its first year Bena Sareen was awarded the prize for the book Talking of Justice by late author Leila Seth published by AlephEstablished in 1919 Oxford Bookstore is one of the oldest heritage bookstores in the country It is Indias only bookstore to curate multiple literary festivals like Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob and Hindi Sahitya Utsav IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/oxford-bookstore-book-cover-prize-2024-shortlist-announced-519078.html Sun, 11 Feb 2024 17:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/new-book-documents-genesis-of-gandhi-jinnah-clash-that-led-to-partition-518672.html New Delhi Feb 10 A new book titled What If There Was No Congress Rupa Publication by author and political brand strategist Priyam GandhiMody has shed light on an elite Indian party which sowed the seeds of Partition by setting off a clash of the egos of two GujaratisThere is a famous party that took place in 1914 for Mahatma Gandhi when he stopped over in London after returning from South Africa in which MA Jinnah was also present It is believed that this is where the two gentlemen first met and had a conversation presumably on Indian politics writes the authorTwo years later they met again this time at a party thrown by the Congress leader Gopal Krishna Gokhale at Jinnahs house in Bombay and here is where the earliest signs of the lifelong divide between Gandhi and Jinnah became evidentGandhiMody writes that at this party where Jinnah was the host Gandhi took to the stage at one point and said of Jinnah I am so pleased to see that not only is a Muslim a part of the Congress but that he is in charge of his branch of itJinnah found these remarks rather condescending because not only was he Gandhis senior in the legal profession he had also made a name for himself as a result of the progress he had made in fighting the British in the courtsGandhiModi writes that Jinnah and the Mahatma had several personal clashes that ended up eventually to the events leading up to PartitionAt the Nagpur session of the Congress in 1920 according to GandhiMody Jinnah tried to make an agitated plea referring to Gandhi as Mr Gandhi and not Mahatma He was at once heckled and shut down by Gandhis supporters in the audience For the thinskinned Jinnah being interrupted by his junior colleagues supporters was too much of an insult to take in notes the authorJinnah quickly realised that in front of the godly status that Gandhi had begun to acquire among members and supporters of the Congress because of the Hindu imagery he kept invoking his own vision of the subcontinents future stood no chanceGandhiMody writes that Jinnah grew increasingly arrogant and selfserving Many including Nehru believed that Jinnah had taken the League leadership to get back at the Congress which he believed had deprived him of what he thought was deservingly hisWrites GandhiModi One of the gravest mistakes the Congress leadership made was to underestimate Jinnahs intentions and abilities By not being able to understand Jinnahs character Nehru went on to make errors while dealing with him in the years 193948GandhiMody notes that several people had several views on Jinnah but the one point that everyone seemed to concur with was that the founder of Pakistan had a fragile ego and he liked to win at any cost famously by trapping his opponents in the details IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/new-book-documents-genesis-of-gandhi-jinnah-clash-that-led-to-partition-518672.html Sat, 10 Feb 2024 13:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/huma-qureshi-spends-time-in-delhi-bookstore-signing-copies-of-debut-novel-518404.html New Delhi Feb 9 Actress Huma Qureshi who officially turned writer in December 2023 following the release of her first novel Zeba An Accidental Superhero HarperCollins India spared some time on Friday in the city where she grew up signing copies of the book at a popular bookstoreAs she signed copies of the book for her fans Huma looked stunning in an olivecoloured outfit paired with gold jewelry and sunglassesThe actress even posed with a copy of the book for the shutterbugs present at the bookstoreHuma had said on another occasion that the fantasy novel explores the transformation of a willful and rebellious girl into a superheroZeba An Accidental Superhero according to the books blurb is a story of magic wonder and resilience where the protagonist Zeba wearing her hijab as a cape becomes a relatable symbol of strength in the face of challenges IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/huma-qureshi-spends-time-in-delhi-bookstore-signing-copies-of-debut-novel-518404.html Fri, 09 Feb 2024 17:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/odisha-cm-naveen-patnaik-opens-kalinga-literary-festival-518478.html Bhubaneswar Feb 9 The 10th Kalinga Literary Festival KLF commenced in Bhubaneswar on Friday setting the stage for a journey through the Legends of Ancient Bharat and Beyond The event opened with a virtual speech by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other guests of honourThe first day unfolded with an array of sessions where prominent writers poets and journalists engaged in insightful discussions on diverse topics such as literature media women nationalism and moreIn his opening address the Chief Minister said The Kalinga Literary Festival is more than an event it is a bridge connecting the past with the present ancient wisdom with contemporary insights As participants immerse themselves in Bharats literary legacy the festival becomes a platform to explore solutions proposed by ancestors for societal challenges and rediscover the beauty and relevance of tales in the modern worldWelcoming the dignitaries Founder and Director of KLF Rashmi Ranjan Parida emphasised the responsibility that comes with this inheritance to ensure the wisdom of the ages enlightens and guides humanity toward compassion justice and harmonyNotable figures including Santrupt Mishra Amish Tripathi Sitakant Mahapatra and Paramita Panda shared their insights into Odishas ancient culture celebrated literature and art as they highlighted the symbiosis between literature and art They also emphasised the opportunity to dismantle barriers between thought leaders and artistsThe KLF Literary Honour was conferred upon Nasira Sharma and Beena Paudyal while author and veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai and writer Amish Tripathi received the National Living Legends Awards recognising their contributions to journalism and literatureIn addition to the literary discussions the Kalinga Art Festival an integral part of the event showcased the creative brilliance of Odisha Over 70 paintings by prominent artists adorned the virtual gallery providing a visual feast for art enthusiasts The exhibition celebrated the diverse expressions of Odishas artistic landscape offering a glimpse into the creative minds shaping the cultural narrative of the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/odisha-cm-naveen-patnaik-opens-kalinga-literary-festival-518478.html Fri, 09 Feb 2024 20:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/odisha-cm-naveen-patnaik-to-inaugurate-klf-517954.html New Delhi February 8 Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik will inaugurate virtually the tenth edition of the Kalinga Literary Festival KLF which will revolve around the theme Legends of Ancient Bharat and Beyond Inspiring Lived Experience in the 21st Century Set to be held from Feb 9 to 11 at Bhubaneswar the festival will witness speakers from four nations including Japan Sri Lanka and NepalWhile four women writers Nasira Sharma Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri Prof Beena Poudyal and Radhika Iyengar will be given the Kalinga Literary Awards in different categories the 300 speakers will include Arundhathi Subramaniam Sandeep Bamzai Sitakanta Mohapatra Amish Tripathi Paramita Satapathy Usha Uthup Uday Prakash KR Meera Dr Hindol Sengupta Milee Ashwarya Yatish Kumar Maria Goretti Koral Dasgupta Nila Madhab Panda and Sudharsan Pattnaik among othersThese sessions will explore diverse topics ranging from democracy and digital revolutions to cultural nationalism and climate justice The festival will also unveil over 30 new literary works and scholarly monographs and the winners of the Kalinga Book Awards will be announced on February 11Rashmi Ranjan Parida founder of KLF added As India emerges as a global leader the legends of our ancient past offer a compass for ethical leadership and inclusive progress IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/odisha-cm-naveen-patnaik-to-inaugurate-klf-517954.html Thu, 08 Feb 2024 17:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/living-with-irrfan-still-sutapa-sikadar-517984.html New Delhi Feb 8 She says he never left That snatches of him keep coming back reminding her that those we love leave a part of them with us But writer Sutapa Sikdar wife of late actor Irrfan also says that these days when she takes two steps forward something pushes her back That lifes chronology seems to have altered and time moves with an erratic rhythm He was not just my husband Our relationship began with friendship and he stayed my best buddy A partner of 30 years how do you deal with that loss It has been more than three years but I was never prepared but then we never are she told IANSA National School of Drama NSD graduate who began her career with Govind Nihlani Sikdar who was at the recently concluded Jaipur Literature Festival JLF to be part of the session Irrfan A Life in Movies and has written the Hindi version of a Bengali film besides consulting on two shows says I told the writer of Irrfan A Life in Memories Shubra Gupta that the book must be launched in Jaipur as Irrfan was from here so it has been a homecoming of sortsSikdar says she has not given anyone permission to write his biography and all books on him explore the different facets of him as an actor and what his coactors thought about himRemembering him from the time he entered NSD Sikdar recalls He was a very shy guy But there was a certain depth to him the conviction to understand his craft thoroughly He always wanted to exceed his expectations and kept working on his craftFilmmaker Anup Singh who directed the late actor in Qissa and The Song of Scorpions has also written a beautiful book on him titled Dialogues with the WindHe is a very close family friend who knew different facets of Irrfan I liked what he has writtenStressing that Irrfan was an extremely private man and there are many sides of him that Sikdar says she has discovered through the books written by othersI am discovering so much more about him He shared a special relationship with everyone and everyone has a story to tell There are times when I get surprised by peoples stories about him says Sikdar who has written various television series including Banegi Apni Baat and films like Kahani Khamoshi and ShabdShe has also produced many bestsellers and films such as Madari and Qareeb Qareeb SinglleEven as their son Babil Khan has now entered films the mother confesses that she never wanted him to get into this profession Unlike our times there is so much insensitivity now Look at the venomous posts on social media he is a very sensitive child but no one will care about that Also there is an unfair comparison and abnormal expectations It is just not right to compare him with Irrfan Earlier he would get distressed with the comparison but now he has realised that he is his own person who has an individual journey He told me once Baba would not have liked if I followed his style IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/living-with-irrfan-still-sutapa-sikadar-517984.html Thu, 08 Feb 2024 17:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/ram-brings-us-together-devdutt-pattanaik-517355.html New Delhi Feb 7 In times when Lord Ram has ceased to be just God author Devdutt Pattanaik who has to his credit around 50 books on mythology stresses that for him he symbolizes the eternal soul and someone who believes in taking everyone alongIt cannot get more inclusive than Him Let us not forget that he is the Maryada Purshottam For him dharma is paramount As a king he always follows the path of righteousness no matter what the consequences the author saysTalk to him about the fact that in these highly polarised times when anyone talking about mythology and the richness of Indian culture can be branded rightwing Patnaik tells IANS Honestly Right thinks I am Left and vice versa What needs to be understood is that we do not need such binaries in a country like India After all Shiva is on the right and Shakti sits on the left They have to be together This divide is foolish The king must take everyone together Left means goddess right is god The sad part is that some people try to contain me in political ideologies without even reading my books or listening to lectures Anyways everyone is free to brand me anything just buy my booksEven as the cloud of homogeneity looms supreme when it comes to mythology and culture Pattanaik opines that whoever claims to have arrived at the truth is lyingWe all are trying to get to the truth It will always be an eternal journey Hindu religion has multiple layers and everyone interprets its different facets in hisher way which lends richness I have always said it is not important to seek out the original as everything is interpretation says the author who was at the Jaipur Literature Festival JLF2024 to talk about his latest book Bahubali 63 Insights Into Jainism HarperCollins IndiaPattanaik feels that there is an intense focus on Hindu mythology and little interest in understanding others like Jainism and Buddhism In recent times when several historians have pointed out the tendency to paint mythology as history the writer a doctor by education says Well what can you do if someone is determined not to be convinced History is about the past while mythology lives in the past present and future History is about events and mythologies are about ideas While the former deals with facts the latter is about conviction And the medium is interesting stories But again not much can be done when some people just cannot differentiate no matter how much you guide them And I also believe that no society can exist without mythsPattanaik believes that religion is important to make us feel secure Humans are essentially an insecure lot and religion tends to give them a certain strength It is important to remember in this context that even atheists have a religion in the form of ideology for example the Marxists The key point is that religion must make you shant it is not supposed to have a dopamine effectFor someone who has also been involved with television and OTT he feels that most channels are just looking for TRPsSo many times they ask me for more drama But then I know what Valmiki has written how do I bring in elements that result in more eyeballs Well they aim to please Laxmi while I seek Saraswati he concludes IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/ram-brings-us-together-devdutt-pattanaik-517355.html Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/fake-encounters-are-just-cold-blooded-murders-ex-ips-officer-amod-kanth-516901.html Jaipur Feb 6 Believing in the strength of Indian laws and the judicial system former IPS officer and author Amod Kanth stresses that extrajudicial killings by the police are nothing but coldblooded murders Never in my entire career did I allow an encounter I am of the firm belief that the police have no right to take shortcuts Whether they are endorsed by the governments or the public it speaks of a dangerous trend We have seen many people showering rose petals on those who executed the encounter and leaders boasting about them this is an extremely dangerous trend and will have major ramifications for the society and the justice system he tells IANS during the Jaipur Literature Festival JLF2024In his latest book Khakhi on Broken Wings Police Diaries Part 2 Bloomsbury Publishing India Kanth argues for the radical restructuring of the criminal justice system so that the police and the justice system can protect the helpless instead of being subservient to the rich and the powerfulHe writes about police and its role and how the wings of the criminal justice system are fundamentally wrongStressing they are the byproduct of the 1857 revolt and the IPC and other acts were framed in the same light he adds Even now the content and character and provisions of the law remain the same The recent Criminal Reform Laws have not broken free from the past the majority are the same The architecture of the criminal justice system would not change owing to these new lawsIn his new book Kanth narrates the story of the mafia lord Romesh Sharma who terrorized his targets to extort properties worth hundreds of crores and thwarted investigations using his access to the powerful in the political and corporate worldHe also recounts how Bikini Killer Charles Sobhraj managed a sensational escape from the highsecurity Tihar Jail in Delhi and the complex story behind the fight for justice in the BMW hitandrun case that left several people deadKanth however stresses that the most difficult case for him to crack was the Rajiv Gandhi assassination Investigationwise it was the most complicated one Let us not forget that it had an international angle too Had it not been for the fact that the assassins were involved in a previous case things would have been very tough for us We conducted a methodical investigation that had many angles and layers Cases like Charles Sobhraj and Jessica Lal were also important but this was extremely complicated he recountsThe former IPS believes that it is important that every police station has an investigations department with its core competency in detective work These cops should focus only on that and should not be involved in law and order traffic or other dutiesHe feels that it is important that policemen be treated as humans and facilities provided to others must apply to them tooWhen it comes to basics like weekly offs better salaries perks and holidays why should they not get them You just cannot expect him or her to do his best if even the basics are not taken care ofTalking about his next book Kanth says I have a lot of material on some important cases including the Harshad Mehta one IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/fake-encounters-are-just-cold-blooded-murders-ex-ips-officer-amod-kanth-516901.html Tue, 06 Feb 2024 07:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/women-writers-sweep-kalinga-literary-awards-2024-517193.html New Delhi Feb 6 All four Kalinga Literary Awards for the year 2024 have gone to women writers informed Rashmi Ranjan Parida Founder and Director Kalinga Literary FestivalHindi novelist Nasira Sharma and former assistant secretarygeneral at the United Nations Diplomat writer novelist Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri will be conferred Kalinga Literary Awards Nepalese writer Prof Beena Poudyal will receive the Kalinga International Literary Award for her contribution to literature art and culture while young writer Radhika Iyengar will receive the Kalinga Literary Award YouthKLFPublishing House of the Year Award will be conferred on Penguin Random House and HarperCollins Publishers IndiaThe awards will be conferred to the winners at the inaugural Ceremony of the 10th Kalinga Literary Festival on February 9 at Swosti Premium in BhubaneswarNasira Sharma is an acclaimed Hindi writer who has published 10 Hindilanguage novels including Parijat Mere Priya Kahaniyaan and Ajnabi JajiraLakshmi Murdeshwar Puri has been an Indian Foreign Service diplomat for 28 years She served in leadership positions at the United Nations for 15 years She is the recipient of the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights among others Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puris debut novel is Swallowing The SunProfessor Bina Paudyal lives in Kathmandu Nepal In her 40 years of teaching and researching she has published more than 100 research articles so far in the field of culture and 19 books including the history of Nepali cultureRadhika Iyengar is an Indian journalist writer and recipient of the 2018 Red Ink Awards in the category of human rights After eight years of research on the Dom community of Varanasi she wrote Fire on the Ganges Life among the Dead in Banaras published in 2023 by HarperCollins IndiaThe festival will run from February 9 to 11 in Bhubaneswar and will host over 400 speakers from across a vast array of nationalities It will feature a range of themes including the ongoing climate justice debate under the urgency of borrowed time theme the great women writers and artists focusing on the female voice and identity crime fiction memoir translation poetry economics tech morality and Artificial Intelligence the global crisis cuttingedge science India and the World art and photography health and medicine amongst others IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/women-writers-sweep-kalinga-literary-awards-2024-517193.html Tue, 06 Feb 2024 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/taking-a-leaf-out-bhishmas-rajdharma-and-pm-modis-vision-assam-scripts-new-destiny-516618.html New Delhi Feb 5 It is the foremost duty of a ruler to keep his subjects happy and gain their confidence In the same manner it is also his duty to always uphold the truth and maintain honesty and sincerity in his behaviour In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata Bhishma Pitamah gives the aforementioned treatise on Rajdharma or the principles of governance to Dharmaraj Yudhishthira This ancient wisdom of Rajdharma serves as an inspiration to public servants like meWhen I became the Chief Minister of Assam on 10 May 2021 I sought to emulate these ideals In front of me was the inspirational story of Prime Minister Narendra Modi a man who has lived up to the ideals of Rajdharma and served as an embodiment of righteousness In 2014 he undertook a series of mammoth confidencebuilding initiatives to gain the trust of the people of the Northeast and win over their hearts with sincere love and devotionAs a result when I took office my mission was clear I had to take forward the vision of PM Modi and implement his policies on the ground We have envisioned an Assam where we eliminate the problems faced by the people and script a new destiny for their futureUpon assuming office we undertook various administrative reforms to improve governance For example we took the decision to hold weekly Cabinet meetings so as to make sure we are regularly communicating and updating ourselves to best govern the people of Assam We have also held Cabinet meetings outside the capital decentralising governance quite literally and taking it to different districts and townsThrough such measures we have been able to take decisions and implement policies that have laid the foundation of a new Assam Our doubleengine government has been working in the relentless pursuit of Rajdharma through various avenuesThe first major challenge we faced after assuming office was to improve the economic growth of a state that has historically been plagued by insurgency and militancy Assam was lagging behind in key aspects of health education and infrastructure The state had minimal business activity despite its tremendous potentialThe first step towards regenerating economic growth was the construction of infrastructure and then the clearing up of legal and administrative bottlenecks This was a process that had speedily begun since 2014Assam in particular has witnessed unprecedented development in recent times with the addition of several newly constructed bridges the expansion of roads and highways and the ongoing construction of a tunnel under the Brahmaputra This infrastructure boost offers massive headroom for connectivity via road air and sea fostering economic growthThese measures by the Union government are being complemented in Assam by our state government policies that promote ease of doing business With the decriminalisation of labour laws we have eliminated the risk of imprisonment for economic offences that do not involve mala fide acts We have also repealed 364 old Acts to reduce the compliance burden on citizens and businesses With a cheap land bank made available for industrial use Assam paved the way for investors to establish manufacturing and other industries in the stateThe state currently boasts of more than 50 industrial parks with sectorspecific infrastructure an industrial zone of 994 miles along the National Highways near Guwahati and the only industrial growth centre in India with access to four countries within 750 km at MatiaThe latter is the most crucial as Indias total exports to Bangladesh Myanmar Bhutan and Nepal stand at 17 billion making Assam Indias gateway to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN and the AsiaPacificIf we purely look at numbers Assams gross domestic product GDP and per capita income have grown at unprecedented rates since 2014 The steep rise is a proof of the central governments constant push for the development of Assam and the NortheastThe result of these measures has been that the gross state domestic product GSDP of Assam for 202324 at current prices is projected to be Rs 567 lakh crore amounting to a growth of 15 per cent over 202223In 202223 Assams per capita income at current prices was estimated to be Rs 118504 an increase of 15 per cent over 202122 In 202223 Indias per capita income was estimated to increase by 14 per cent to Rs 170620 According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey in 202122 Assams unemployment rate was 49 per cent as per current weekly status lower than the national unemployment rate of 66 per centCurrently we are also working to calculate the GDP at the district level so as to understand the economic conditions of each district and work towards achieving equitable economic progress throughout the stateThese steps taken by the state government coupled with the Centres push for strengthening geographical connectivity through building robust road and railway infrastructure along with building new airports gave Assam the title of most improved big state by India Today IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/taking-a-leaf-out-bhishmas-rajdharma-and-pm-modis-vision-assam-scripts-new-destiny-516618.html Mon, 05 Feb 2024 14:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/germans-dont-have-to-feel-guilty-forever-about-crimes-of-others-author-john-boyne-516125.html Jaipur Feb 4 John Boyne the Irish author of the recently released All the Broken Places a sequel to his bestselling The Boy in Striped Pajamas also adapted into a major film feels that it is high time that German people stop feeling guilty about the crimes they did not commit The German people have confronted the crimes of their ancestors over the years and it is unfair to hold them responsible for that Also let us not forget that almost every country has encountered a dark period in its history says this writer of 14 novels for adults six novels for younger readers two novellas and one collection of short storiesHis novels are published in over 50 languagesWhile The Boy in Striped Pajamas which was also adapted into a film by Mark Herman deals with the friendship between a Jewish boy living in the concentration camp and the son of a Nazi commander while being oblivious to the reality of the situation All the Broken Places tackles the tale of Gretel Frensby who does not talk about her father a commandant of a concentration campBoyne told IANS at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival JLF that the sequel was conceived in 2004I had kept a lot of notes which came extremely handy The book continued to change as I wrote it Frankly this was not the book I had planned to write he saysAdding that The Boy in Striped Pajamas had a certain naivety to it he smiles This one is the work of an experienced writerTalk to him about the fact the AuschwitzBirkenau Memorial Museum warned that the book should be avoided by anyone who studies or teaches the history of the Holocaust Boyne says that he felt surprised by the advisory as he never claimed it to be a textbook or that it should be prescribed in schoolsIt is a novel when did I say that it should be taught That is why I found their statement quite unfairFor someone who faced a lot of social media backlash for his My Brothers Name is Jessica narrated through the eyes of a boy experiencing his siblings transition Boyle was accused of decentring the novels trans characterThere were even calls for a boycottThat is when he decided to go off social mediaIt was a depressing time People who had not even read the book were commenting on it There were death threats and abuses hurled Now I use social media only to make announcements he saidBoyne who has also written novellas like Water also Earth Air and Fire in which a character from one becomes the narrator in the next one says that he is working on the last oneThey are just forty thousand words I feel it is always a challenge to tell a story in fewer words IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/germans-dont-have-to-feel-guilty-forever-about-crimes-of-others-author-john-boyne-516125.html Sun, 04 Feb 2024 01:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/amish-tripathi-fast-and-512139.html New Delhi Jan 25 Ask author Amish Tripathi about what he has been working on lately and the list seems almost endless Even as his latest Idols Unearthing the Power of Murti Puja HarperCollins India which he authored with sister Bhavna Roy released recently he adds My nonfiction one which was released a few months ago is doing well I am currently working on a book on Emperor Rajendra Chola which will be published this year besides the fifth and final book of the Ramachandra series which I will start writing this year I also host and produce documentaries now and did two for Discovery TV We just finished one on the Ram temple in Ayodhya The fastestselling author in Indian publishing history known best for The Shiva Trilogy and Ram Chandra Series says there is a lot inside him and he just cannot wait to write more The first fiction I wrote was ages ago and all of my books are thick There is a lot of research involved Sometimes I feel it would be unfair to take credit for all I have written as it is only owing to Lord Shivas blessings that I have managed to achieve all this I cannot credit my creativity for that Talk to him about fascinates him about mythology and he asserts it is India its traditions and culture that fascinate him no end And I am extremely proud of them My effort is to present them in a way that they resonate with the young he tells IANS during the recently concluded Kerala Literature Festival KLF Asias biggest literary event Tripathi finds it unfortunate that those who talk and write about Indian culture and its magnificence are immediately branded as rightwing I find it unfortunate Frankly this right and leftwing debate does not apply in India considering every party now supports welfarism The real difference is between those who are globalists and the ones who are rooted But let me be clear here I am not against the West there is so much to learn from there However my core is rooted In my heart and outlook it is Indianness that I relate to most says this IIMCalcutta graduate who worked for 14 years in the financial services industry While there is a tendency to take writers working on mythology casually Tripathi feels that it is best to remain unaffected by people who do that Stressing that some may look down while others may look up to authors writing in this genre the author who served as Director of the Nehru Centre London and Minister Culture amp Education at the High Commission of India in the UK from October 2019 to October 2023 adds Frankly I prefer not to react at all For me it is important to be respectful and polite even with those criticise me Believing that it is important for an author to pay attention to marketing hisher book Tripathi opines that many books could have done exceptionally well had they been marketed better But remember no matter how good your marketing skills are a bad book would not work So you need both solid writing and good marketing It cannot be either of the two says the author whose books have sold seven million copies and been translated into 20 Indian and international languages since 2010 Tripathi feels that literature festivals are important for writers as they get to meet their readers as these gatherings are also about coming together of diverse writers I need to listen to different points of view It does not matter if you agree or disagree with their thoughts concludes the author who will next work on Rise of Meluha with his sister Roy IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/amish-tripathi-fast-and-512139.html Thu, 25 Jan 2024 07:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/how-sunil-gavaskar-then-not-yet-a-cricket-icon-straight-drove-a-publishing-record-509220.html New Delhi Jan 17 Very few independent publishers have achieved so much in their lifetime with the world knowing so little about them as the unassuming softspoken Rajen Mehra The Chairman of Rupa Publications and Aleph Book Company however has finally narrated the story of his starstudded life within the covers of a bookNever Out of Print The Rupa Story It is teeming with stories of the bestsellers he commissioned and the writing stars he created not the least of them being Ruskin Bond and Chetan Bhagat Rajen Mehra singlehandedly scripted a homegrown publishing success story by building on his uncle Daudayal Mehras humble beginnings dating back to the time when he sold books mainly dictionaries from a pavement in College Street Kolkata in 1936 into one of Indias top publishing houses whose authors list ranges from leaders spanning generations and ideologies from Acharya JB Kripalani fiery Communist MP Mohit Sen and the countrys eighth President R Venkataraman to LK Advani and Jaswant Singh to Titans of their age from Maharani Gayatri Devi and JRD Tata to Don Bradman Among Mehras many claims to fame is the firstever biography of Indira Gandhi by Ela Sen with a cover embellished by the bold brush strokes of Satyajit Ray yes the auteur was an artist too In the excerpts that follow from the book Mehra shares the comedy of errorsstyle story of how he got the rights to publish Sunil Gavaskars autobiography in 1976 and rolled it out in 121 days The book Sunny Days began with tepid sales but a century by the Little Master at the Wankhede Stadium the last of Indias disastrous home Test series against England sent the sales flying into stratosphere It hasnt stopped selling since then and is now into its 31st reprint making it a record of sorts in the history of sports publishing Excerpts from Rajen Mehras Never Out of Print The Rupa Story Niche paan ki dukaan upar gori ka makaan was the song from the movie Silsila by Yash Chopra starring Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor I adapted that song to fit someone I idolised My version of that story went Niche paan ki dukaan upar mere idol ka makaan This was because the Rupa office in Bombay was in the Konark building which also housed the office of the Little Master Sunil Gavaskar When Rupa published Sunny Days I never anticipated that the sun would never set on the title I signed off on its first print run in 1976 and my son Kapish signed off on its 31st reprint edition in 2023 To date it is the longest running sports autobiography we have published and to my knowledge no other cricket autobiography has been in print for that long It hasnt been out of print in 46 years and its longevity and sales numbers are quite likely a record for any cricket book published anywhere in the world Just like Gavaskars time on the cricket pitch Sunny Days is a delight and we found it enormously fulfilling to publish it However its journey began with a little confusion just as two batsmen at the crease often are prone to misunderstandings that could lead to a run out Our confusion pertained to a meeting venue which had been a wrong call on my part But thankfully our innings went on On 28 August 1976 my friend the renowned Bombaybased media baron Khalid Ansari the owner of Sportsweek and MidDay his father had started the Urdu daily Inquilab and Sharad Kotnis who was the associated editor of Sportsweek arranged an appointment with Gavaskar for me We were to meet at the Taj at Apollo Bunder I thought the venue was the coffee shop at the Taj while Gavaskar thought it was the Sea Lounge Mobile phones were still 20 years away and it took us some time to sort out the confusion Thankfully when I finally rushed to the correct venue Gavaskar was still waiting Once the adrenaline rush subsided I was able to focus on what he was saying Famously Gavaskar played with a straight bat and there was no exception to this practice here either he told me without dissembling that hed had offers from AH Wheeler and Symonds I appreciated his honesty and presented my offer He would get a percentage of the books sales royalty and there would be no advance To my astonishment and relief the rising star of Indian cricket agreed to sign up with Rupa He had just one condition the book should be out on 16 December just as India were to start its home Test series against England This meant that I had three and a half months to transform the manuscript into a book These were the times of rather primitive printing and communications technology as compared to today no computerised typesetting no latest digital versions of offset printing no mobile phones no WhatsApp But if Rupa had to make its presence felt as a serious publisher of sports books it had to accept this challenge Ajit Wadekars My Cricketing Years by Vikas Publishing House had just been published and was a bestseller already The pressure to match the sales of My Cricketing Years was immense With the manuscript in my hand I said goodbye to my idol assuring him that in three months he would add author to his biodata I left the hotel and headed straight to the YMCA near Maratha Mandir where I was staying The sky was overcast and it soon started pouring It rained incessantly till the streets were flooded and all the taxis seemed to have magically disappeared And there I was clinching the unprotected manuscript by Gavaskar the only copy on the planet Something had to be done quickly to prevent it from getting wet A grocery store owner nearby came to my rescue I got a plastic bag from his shop and wrapped my prized possession in it Holding a manuscript in one hand and my shoes in the other I had taken them off so I could feel my way along the flood street with my bare feet the city was notorious for its open manhole into which unwary pedestrians could fall I crept along and somehow reached the lobby of the YMCA with my precious cargo intact Having changed out of my wet clothes I ordered a hot coffee from room service and settled down to read the manuscript But before I began reading I turned on the radio and heard the announcement that a singer many loved Mukesh had just passed away in New York Memories of my tuneless singing of Mukeshs songs in the office canteen flooded my mind I also recalled Gavaskar telling me how he had used a Mukesh song to spur on the spinner BS Chandrashekhar to great heights when he had been bowling in a cricket match in Calcutta Apparently no sooner had he sung a Mukesh song that the spinner bowled out the batsman in his next ball It was a strange sensation to be reading the manuscript of the finest cricket book I would ever publish while listening to the songs of the immortal singer playing on the radio On 16 December 1976 we released Sunny Days just a day before the Test series with England started at home And what a beating the home team took We lost the first Test the second and the third The fourth was won by India but so far my author had been mild with the bat Naturally the response to the book was lukewarm The final rubber at Bombay was drawn but Gavaskar shone with his bat A century against his name on the Wankhede Stadium scoreboard set the cash registers ringing for Sunny Days On the field the cricketer was scripting history and in the stores he and Rupa were smashing sales records So how did Sunny Days prove to be the monster hit it became Gavaskars profile notwithstanding I believe it succeeded because it was a noholdsbarred account of the life of one of our greatest cricketers ever The Little Master tells us with wit and honesty the key details of his life How the baby Gavaskar was switched at birth in the hospital ward with the newborn of a fishermans family but was luckily restored to his rightful place by an eagleeyed uncle how he almost broke his mothers nose with a mighty hit how he was at times booed by the crowd when he was playing domestic cricket as his uncle happened to be a selector And then at the age of 21 at Port of Spain West Indies Gavaskar burst upon the international cricket scene with the sound of thunder IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/how-sunil-gavaskar-then-not-yet-a-cricket-icon-straight-drove-a-publishing-record-509220.html Wed, 17 Jan 2024 21:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/pak-attacks-ex-indian-envoys-book-advances-fictitious-narratives-on-balakote-attack-507470.html New Delhi Jan 12 Pakistan has criticised Ajay Bisaria Indias former high commissioner to Islamabad for allegedly presenting a fictitious narrative surrounding the February 2019 Balkote crisis in his recently published book Anger Management It appears that the book seeks to advance Indias fictitious narratives around the developments of February 2019 and the usual chest thumping that Indian officials have adopted as their default narrative a spokesperson for the Pakistan government said during a press briefing in Islamabad On August 7 2019 Pakistan expelled Bisaria from Islamabad it was the first time an Indian head of mission was declared persona non grata and asked to leave by Pakistan Bisaria who had served as late former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees private secretary was Indias high commissioner to Pakistan from 2017 to 2020 It was during his tenure that the Balakote crisis erupted He notes in his book Anger Management The Troubled Diplomatic Relationship Between India and Pakistan how an angry Prime Minister Narendra Modi refused to take the call of his then Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan who had wanted to lower the political temperature In his criticism of the book the spokesperson for Pakistan noted that it is a matter of common knowledge that the ruling dispensation in India used the Pulwama episode for domestic political gains He pointed out that as the Lok Sabha elections draw closer it is not surprising that a Pakistan bashing jingoistic and militaristic narrative is being unleashed in India The spokesperson added Mr Bisaria knows very well that Balakot was a military fiasco for India It was an instance of Indian adventurism that went badly and embarrassingly wrong for them as Indian aircraft were shot down and an Indian pilot was taken prisoner by Pakistan Continuing his diatribe the spokesperson said It is also very shocking that a professional diplomat is advocating coercion and use of force as a means to conduct diplomacy This reflects the rise of a fascist mindset in India It also demonstrates that India is not ready to assume the important responsibilities that it so desires on the global stage Responding to the criticism the publisher of the book David Davidar said the angry response of Pakistan only goes to show the importance of Bisarias revelations about and analysis of the diplomatic relationship between India and Pakistan Davidar added that he hoped the book would be widely read and discussed including in Pakistan In his account of what happened then Bisaria writes that an intense phase of diplomacy began soon after the Pulwama attack in Kashmir in which New Delhi shared its outrage with the international community In South Block the MEA had drafted a comprehensive response aimed at Pakistan reminding the world that it was a wellknown fact that JaisheMohammad and its leader Masood Azhar are based in Pakistan It was in response to Imran Khans address to his nation on February 19 2019 Bisaria writes that as the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Sultan travelled from Pakistan to India on February 21 PM Modi shared Indias anguish with him telling him publicly that punishing terrorists and their supporters was important for both countries Continuing with its diplomatic push the author narrates how India suggested to Japan that it should consider postponing the scheduled visit by Pakistans then Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi or if he did show up to highlight the terrorism issue Qureshi eventually canceled his Tokyo trip Bisaria claims that Pakistan was bracing itself for such action by India but did not know when and in what shape it would come He also notes that the then Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa may not have known about the specific operation that took place in Pulwama but it was likely that the operation had been cleared by the DG InterService Intelligence ISI General Bipin Rawat told me that the retaliatory attack that India was planning would be much bigger than the surgical strikes of 2016 and it was coming soon enough the author claims Bisaria also writes that Rawat believed Pakistans corps commanders were not too happy with the Bajwa doctrine for it seemed to be diluting traditional postures and that affected staff morale IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/pak-attacks-ex-indian-envoys-book-advances-fictitious-narratives-on-balakote-attack-507470.html Fri, 12 Jan 2024 19:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/bhupender-yadav-highlights-huge-emissions-gaps-beween-west-and-global-south-506124.html New Delhi 9 Jan Analysing and addressing the compounding crisis of climate change and energy security and spotlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modis efforts to drive environmentfriendly policies and practices Union Minister for Environment Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadavs book Modi Energising A Green Future was launched here with a call to the West to scale back its emissions before preaching and pontificating The volume brought out by Pentagon Press is a curation of 18 chapters by experts from India and abroad It is edited by RK Pachnanda Chariman Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission Bibek Debroy Chairman PMs Economic Advisory Council Anirban Ganguly Director Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation and Uttam Kumar Sinha Senior Fellow Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses and leading commentator on transboundary water issues and climate change This book is yet another volume from Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation brought out by the quartet Yadav whos also the Union Minister for Labour and Employment said that the over the last 300 years development across nations has been propelled by the exploitation of energy sources and consequently the earth has gotten worryingly warmer The Wests model of development is anthropocentric he said adding that it is in urgent need to be balanced with biocentric development Referring to the worlds firstever conference on the environment namely the 1972 Stockholm Conference Yadav said it was only after the 1970s that an ecological sense developed on a much wider scale and this essentially meant moving back to Eastern philosophy We protect nature nature protects us Quoting figures he said that Western nations contribute up to 60 per cent of emissions against India whose share is a mere 5 per cent and lesser than that is the load of the 54 African nations put together The Global South cannot be stopped from development he said emphatically Directing attention to the necessity of addressing climate change from multiple dimensions Yadav said the Big Cat Alliance and MISHTI Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats amp Tangible Incomes which are led by India are pivotal to the conservation of natural habitats and water systems The discussion regarding our environment does not end with electronic buses and vehicles he concluded Speaking on the occasion however Debroy could not help but refer to ebuses to highlight how developed nations do not walk the talk He pointed out that New York has only 15 ebuses compared with more than 100 ordered for Guwahati alone The West only believes in preaching and pontificating and and not delivering on its promises Debroy remarked Kavya Dubey may be reached at kavyadgmailcom IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/bhupender-yadav-highlights-huge-emissions-gaps-beween-west-and-global-south-506124.html Tue, 09 Jan 2024 16:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/a-space-in-time-kasauli-art-centre-and-those-who-never-left-504931.html New Delhi Jan 6 She was not very clear about what the late artist Vivan Sundaram expected when he asked her to write a book on the Kasauli Art Centre But certain things were lucid she would not write a definite history it would imbibe the fact that people from all across came here leaving a part of them at the centre Yes there would be voices of many but no paraphrasing and the author would have her space she would transcend genres and she would wander to absurd the essence of many minds The first thing that hits about author Belinder Dhanoas Kasauli Art Centre 19761991 set up at Ivy Lodge in Kasauli that artists Vivan and Navina Sundaram inherited from their mother Indira SherGil in 1975 published brilliantly by Tulika Books is the fact that it is one of the bestdesigned books of 2023 One enters the book with caution first taking in the images of some of the masters like Nilima Sheikh Gulammohammed Sheikh Bhupen Khakhar Geetanjali Shree and Anuradha Kapur who worked and stayed at the Ivy Lodge There are families artists are working in the outdoors in rhythmunrhythm and there are images of long discussions in the night of sitting around children playing and those completely unaware of the camera following them Sometimes a direct gaze is frozen and many times eyes focus on nothingness Dhanoa a writer of fiction and nonfiction with training in Visual and Cultural Studies who teaches Literary ArtCreative Writing at the Ambedkar University Delhi through a gripping narrative captures the many concerns of those times the Vietnam War and interdisciplinary interactions on the rise of fundamentalist ideas Multiple schools of art and thought come together and letters of artists who were part of the residencies provide a glimpse of how the shared space opened many chasms for them How the space found a permanent spot inside them Dhanoa tells IANS that she knew most of the work that had to be done by meeting and interviewing participating artists that the centre did not exist in isolation and that the people who participated brought different parts of themselves with them there I have brought in Baroda Mumbai and other spaces The Centre existed in the times before liberalization before the many art galleries started dotting major Indian cities Adding that it was paramount to bring to light the critique and dialogue within the artists community of that time the author stresses the fact that the book had to have a lot of voices So much is from memory which may not be a very reliable source nevertheless it lends many new dimensions when recounted While she managed to put together the book in a year it took much longer to source photographs and for the actual production Interestingly the SherGil Sundaram Arts Foundation is reviving the Centre which will invite artists hold workshops and give grants shortly While it might be different as we live in a time with other concerns there will be memories on the wall I clearly remember one of the artists telling me A very intense aspect of the Centre was the fact that you could think and discuss issues that you could give only moments to in your everyday life It was a different space in time there Dhanoa says despite their immense importance such places do not exist Adding that dialogue between activists and people who are involved with culture is paramount she adds We must realise that those involved in the cultural scene are affected by everything around them and they should have spaces that allow them to discuss The author is currently working on her new novel on silence not just the one that every individual needs but also its consequences in tough times IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/a-space-in-time-kasauli-art-centre-and-those-who-never-left-504931.html Sat, 06 Jan 2024 08:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/himachal-cm-releases-three-shimla-investigators-books-500901.html Shimla Dec 25 Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu on Monday released three books part of SHIMLA Investigators series by children and young adults based on Shimla once known as the Queen of Hills These books are coauthored by Minakshi Chaudhry and young writers Gauri Chauhan 12 Atharv Vats14 and Sirisha Chauhan 19 This effort is a result of Keeklis Angels a coauthorship and mentoring programme for children an initiative by the prolific author Chaudhry in collaboration with Keekli Charitable Trust Trust President Vandana Bhagra said Keekli promotes creativity among children by various initiatives including literary skillbuilding workshops and events aimed at nurturing young talent and encouraging a love for reading and writing Over the past one year Minakshi Chaudhry has dedicated her expertise and passion to mentor three young talents guiding them through the intricate art of storytelling The sale proceeds from these books will be used to further nourish the dream of young writers through creative writing events she added The SHIMLA Investigators series is a brainchild of Chaudhry the lead author which will have 21 books The first book is Lost in the Apple Country coauthored by Chaudhry and Gauri a 12yearold student of Convent of Jesus and Mary in Shimla This enchanting tale promises to transport readers to a world of mystery betrayal and wonder within the heart of the apple country Jubbal also the home town of Gauri The second The Fatal Arrival crafted by Chaudhry and Atharv a 14yearold Class 9 student of Modern School in Kundali in Haryanas Sonipat is a gripping saga of tragedy drugs and kidnapping that keeps readers on the edge from start to finish The Deadly Kitty penned by Chaudhry in collaboration with Sirisha a secondyear college student pursuing BSc Honours Forestry from Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Solan promises an exhilarating journey through the world of womens kitty party intertwined with murder mystery and intrigue IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/himachal-cm-releases-three-shimla-investigators-books-500901.html Mon, 25 Dec 2023 20:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/it-is-time-for-national-book-policy-aditi-maheshwari-497082.html New Delhi Dec 15 The recent recipient of the French governments Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters 2023 Aditi Maheshwari Goyal 37 publisher and CEO of Vani Publications stresses that to ascertain that the National Education Policy works it is paramount to have a welldefined National Book Policy I am currently drafting the concept note and will be presenting it to the authorities concerned Our languages must be allowed to play an important role in the cognitive development of children There has to be due recognition given to the richness of multiple languages in India The government needs to step in to ascertain that there is infrastructure and funding available for translations between different Indian languages The different akademis must be revitalized and we need to go back to our roots of creating sahitya ghosties And yes there has to be zero tolerance for piracy she tells IANS Even as the major honour from the French government at a young age has put her in the spotlight Maheshwari is optimistic that the same will push her to break new grounds Of course this also means more responsibilities says the publisher Smiling that looking after a huge publishing house also means inheriting not just friends but also enemies from ones father she admits it is tough not to be misunderstood Well I also know that I cannot be fighting all the battles all the time and I have learned that the hard way Talk to her about the generational change she has brought to one of the largest Hindi publishing houses and she talks about overhauling the systems hiring experts from across industries including English more transparency and building a diverse list My father started building the list from scratch The base was there For me it was important to diversify it as I firmly believe that Hindi has a huge capacity Known for experimenting with different genres Maheshwari started multiple imprints some years back including Vani Business Vani Prithvi on environment and Satrangi Vani LGBT As a publisher it is important to reflect the issuesconcerns in the everevolving society to remain relevant Yes risks are always there but then who wants to be in the comfort zone Even as the number of literature festivals continues to grow across the country including smaller towns participation by language authors may be increasing but it is not tough to spot the near absence of Hindi publishing houses Honestly literature festivals and their economics are not conducive for local languages and the highly charged discussions are for a different ecosystem Yes we cannot spend as much on marketing and publicity as our English counterparts Stressing that the need of the hour is to translate from one Indian language to another and explore this possibility to the hilt she adds Such fantastic work is being done in different languages Sadly it becomes inaccessible owing to the lack of availability in different languages I feel this is one area we all need to work on Commercial publishing is something that interests Maheshwari To write for it is an art For an author to produce content takes a lot of work especially for such a large audience and one has to leave the ego aside and become a careful listener At Vani we are taking small steps towards it Let us hope we can have a breakthrough soon Please with the kind of visibility and respect the award has brought to Hindi publishing she says Thirtyseven years ago a couple who had a daughter decided not to get her married at the age of 19 and allow her to have a worthwhile life I must thank them IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/it-is-time-for-national-book-policy-aditi-maheshwari-497082.html Fri, 15 Dec 2023 07:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/kalinga-literary-festival-announces-longlisted-titles-for-annual-klf-book-awards-497385.html New Delhi Dec 15 The Kalinga Literary Festival has proudly announced the longlisted titles in English for its prestigious annual KLF Book Awards showcasing a diverse range of literary works across various genres The longlist featuring fiction nonfiction poetry business childrens literature translations and debut works represents the best of contemporary literature The shortlist will be revealed on January 15 with the ultimate winners to be announced on February 11 coinciding with the final day of the 10th Kalinga Literary Festival in Bhubaneswar Additionally the longlisted titles in Hindi will be announced on December 27 This years longlist includes notable works such as Amitav Ghoshs Smoke and Ashes A Writers Journey through Opiums Hidden Histories Salman Rushdies Victory City Devika Reges Quarterlife A Novel Ranjit Hoskotes Icelight and former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajans Breaking the Mould Reimagining Indias Economic Future These selections exemplify the rich tapestry of narratives that the KLF Book Awards aim to honour The KLF Book Awards are not just accolades but a celebration of the enduring power of literature to connect inspire and transform As Rashmi Ranjan Parida Founder and Director of Kalinga Literary Festival eloquently states Literature is the mirror and the lamp of society it reflects our realities and illuminates our dreams At KLF we strive to honor those literary works that challenge our perspectives enrich our experiences and elevate our understanding of the world and ourselves Over the years KLF has emerged as an annual flagship programme in the literarycultural calendar of India with an unwavering focus to rekindle the bearing with literature and foster the culture of reading and writing overlooking any artificially created hurdles It offers a democratic international platform with a global appeal and bridges the gap between literature in English and other Indian languages supremely rich with their literature KLF Book Awards established by KLF in 2021 opens up the opportunities to identify recognise acknowledge encourage and honour the literary talents across genres for both established and new writers The objective has been to shape the future literary icons IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/kalinga-literary-festival-announces-longlisted-titles-for-annual-klf-book-awards-497385.html Fri, 15 Dec 2023 20:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/ians-md-and-editor-in-chief-sandeep-bamzai-to-be-conferred-with-national-living-legend-award-at-kalinga-literary-festival-497386.html New Delhi Dec 15 Sandeep Bamzai Managing Director and EditorinChief Indo Asian News Service will be conferred with the National Living Legend Award on the inaugural day of 10th Kalinga Literary Festival KLF on February 9 KLF has also invited Sandeep Bamzai to join as the speaker at the 10th Kalinga Literary Festival KLF to be held from February 911 at the Swosti Premium in Bhubaneswar Bamzai has been invited to speak on this years central theme of festival Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Literature The topic has great relevance to literature and peace building in India and around the world Your work as an author entrepreneur and journalist has set benchmarks and as a public intellectual you have represented the diversity of India with pride and distinction As a leading voice of Indian literature and plural traditions your presence at the Kalinga Literary Festival will inspire the young minds of India KLF said in the invitation to Bamzai IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/ians-md-and-editor-in-chief-sandeep-bamzai-to-be-conferred-with-national-living-legend-award-at-kalinga-literary-festival-497386.html Fri, 15 Dec 2023 20:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/veteran-hindi-poet-writer-satirist-madhup-pandey-dies-at-82-497004.html Nagpur Dec 14 Veteran Hindi litterateur Madhup Pandey the guru of Union minister Nitin Gadkari passed away following a brief illness at his residence early on Thursday his close friends said here He was 82 and is survived by his wife Madhulika and daughter Madhuli said a family acquaintance Pandeys last rites were performed at the Ambazari Ghat crematorium on Thursday evening in the presence of a large number of literary figures Hindi scholars friends and fans As per his last wishes Pandeys eyes were donated since he desired to see people smiling with his eyes after his demise A prolific writer poet and satirist in Hindi he was conferred with several prestigious honours including the Maharashtra State Sahitya Academy Hindi Sevi Award SahityaShri Hasya Ratna and Vidarbha Hindi Sahitya Award among others He was the codirector of the first World Hindi Conference and participated in or organised several other national and international literary meets programmes etc Among his students in the college days was the present Union Minister for Road Transport amp Highways Nitin Gadkari who paid a touching tribute to My Guru Madhup Pandey Sir of many years Gadkari said that by participating in literary meets in India and abroad Pandey Sir had created a huge fan following through his poetry His literature was honoured with many awards Being his student I also enjoyed his literature May God give peace to the departed soul and strength to his family to bear this loss said Gadkari The Working President of Maharashtra State Sahitya Academy Sheetala Prasad Dubey and Executive Member Gajanan Mahapurkar also paid tributes to Pandey his works and his legacy IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/veteran-hindi-poet-writer-satirist-madhup-pandey-dies-at-82-497004.html Thu, 14 Dec 2023 21:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/shashi-tharoor-hosts-kerala-literature-festivals-curtain-raiser-in-delhi-496628.html New Delhi Dec 14 Author and politician Shashi Tharoor hosted the curtain raiser for the seventh edition of the Kerala Literature Festival KLF in the national capital on Tuesday which was attended by diplomats publishers and authors The curtain raiser offered a glimpse into KLF2024 with Turkey taking centre stage as the guest country of honour The country will be celebrating its 100 years of republic at KLF 2024 and will be represented through music dance food and various art forms The UK Wales Spain Japan USA Malaysia Spain and France will be the other participating countries The festival will feature 400 global speakers and will be officially inaugurated by the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan KLF has truly flourished over the years transforming into one of the leading literature festivals in the region This upcoming edition promises to be the most spectacular one yet Right from the beginning KLF has been committed to spotlighting Indias remarkable literary talent on the global stage bringing together some of the worlds most exceptional storytellers said Ravi Deecee Chief Facilitator Kerala Literature Festival The sessions at KLF aim to map literature through discussions on Science and Technology History amp Politics Environment Literature Business and entrepreneurship Health Art Cinema Theatre Music and Leisure Travel and Tourism Gender Economy and various facets that shape human consciousness The festival will feature Nobel laureates Booker Prize winners literary luminaries historians diplomats senior politicians poets journalists Film amp Theatre Personalities and celebrities from diverse professional backgrounds Some of the notable attendees include Gurcharan Das Shashi Tharoor Prakash Raj Raghuram Rajan Abraham Verghese Piyush Pandey Mallika Sarabhai P Sainath Mani Shankar Aiyar Raghuram Rajan Kailash Satyarthi Perumal Murugan Jerry Pinto Parakala Prabhakar Francesc Miralles and Jiban Narah among others The Kerala Tourism amp Cultural Department join hands with DC Books to make the KLF a mega event and one among the top six festivals in Kerala The festival will also host concerts by TM Krishna and Vikku Vinayakram Surbahar and Sitar concert by Padmabhushan Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/shashi-tharoor-hosts-kerala-literature-festivals-curtain-raiser-in-delhi-496628.html Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/kailash-satyarthi-i-will-see-the-end-of-child-slavery-in-my-lifetime-495675.html New Delhi Dec 11 When Kailash Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Prize nine years ago he was often asked What now It was however a sevenyearold Devlis question that made the social reformer keep going Why asked Devli didnt you come sooner Sathyarthis consistent dedication to the cause of rescuing children from abuse and his efforts spanning decades are encapsulated in his book Why Didnt You Come Sooner Speaking Tiger The campaigner against child labour released his book in the Capital on Sunday December 10 which is also observed as Human Rights Day And it was also on December 10 2014 when Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize The book contains 12 hearttugging stories that speak of not just extremely dire conditions but also of the resilience of children rescued from these circumstances and the hope they embody for freedom and a better future One story is about a thirdgeneration child labourer who only upon being rescued saw a banana for the very first time and did not know that it had to be peeled before being eaten Titles such as Why was I punished for Gods mistake Can I take two rasgullas for Abbu please Am I still a little child and Please save me bhaiya ji set the tone for some of the conscienceshaking narrations about children subjected to unimaginable forms of abuse but were fortunate enough to be rescued and rehabilitated Several such children have grown up and built for themselves a respectable life of freedom and dignity The book and the discussion inspired by it have revealed that child abuse and slavery are practices that manage to survive due to the prevailing social order and the lack of a legal recourse to check it in early stages The story of Kanhaiya Guruji is an example Kanhaiya as a child was forced to work as a labourer because his father could not repay the loan he had taken from a zamindar for his sisters wedding Kanhaiya was later rescued rehabilitated and now is a teacher Kanhaiya Guruji along with Ram Kripa Guruji and Vijay released the book with Satyarthi and literary figure and translator Rakhshanda Jalil Ram Kripa was rescued as a child from a quarry in Faridabad Haryana and Vijay was saved from a life consigned to a brick kiln in Sitamarhi Bihar Vijay later helped in the rescue of several more children working in inhuman conditions there In the course of the conversation around the book Satyarthi pointed to a key component that makes rescues possible and which lends hope for a better and secure future compassion Quoting recent examples of minors rescued from abuse Satyarthi narrated the tale of Ashraf a domestic help enslaved at the home of a senior bureaucrat residing in the heart of the Capital Ashraf had succumbed to his temptation and drank two sips of leftover milk in the glass of his employers child His punishment was severe his hands and feet were burnt It was a local watchman who tipped off a journalist who in turn alerted Satyarthis team and Ashraf was rescued Rakhshanda Jalil asked that the senior bureaucrat was expected to be neither illiterate nor ignorant morally legally or educationally so how can compassion be taught See anothers problem as your own and try to make it right without any expectations in return Satyarthi replied With compassion comes courage Thats why the watchman narrated the story to a journalist The crusader added Kindness puts the givers above the receivers but compassion puts them at the same level not one over the other Satyarthi has a vision for a system that will disallow any child to be enslaved or abused He envisions an India where no child suffers abuse due to forced labour trafficking marriage slavery or any other means He sees every child going to school Beginning with the grassroots he suggests that villages nurture a childcentric democracy where they will be able to discuss their issues at school so that their elders can address them seriously Such a practice will help instill the values of responsibility and accountability in individuals from a younger age Satyarthi pointed out Lamenting that children are not a priority in development agendas Sathyarthi said India is the best place to set the benchmark for a society where every child should be free to be a child And he was brimming over with hope and determination when he said I will see the end of child slavery in my lifetime IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/kailash-satyarthi-i-will-see-the-end-of-child-slavery-in-my-lifetime-495675.html Mon, 11 Dec 2023 19:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/writers-life-is-balance-between-how-much-to-be-in-midst-of-everything-and-solitude-to-create-geetanjali-shree-493224.html New Delhi Dec 5 Even as she gives final edits to her upcoming novel titled Sahsa Geetanjali Shree International Booker Prize winner 2022 for Ret Samadhi translated as Tombs of Sand for who the last year has been about attending multiple literature festivals book launches and giving talks says a writers life is always about striking the desired balance between how much to be in the midst of everything and how much to go into retreat and solitude to mull over things and create Adding that Booker has brought home that negotiation in a very dramatic and intense way and overnight she stresses that currently she is catapulted by it into a very public space of much visibility and audibility which is daunting for a person with the opposite leanings that she is It is also rattling to be seen as an expert of wellnigh anything and answer questions about any and everything Even more traumatic if you will is the aggravated embroilment with forces such as the market advertising and selling The final edits of Sahsa need a concentrated slot of time which I am not able to get so it is happening spread out over several slots of time she tells IANS Shree also feels that on the converse side Booker has returned literature to her Stressing that it came soon after the world started to open postpandemic the author says The latter had turned the future into a big gloomy question and writing too despaired though it carried on because while you are alive you breathe But suddenly overnight as I said I was back in the world of readers writers and books with a vengeance It has been overwhelming to connect with so many more of my community and my love Of course I need my writers space back I am slowly getting it back The Booker she won for the novel translated into English by Daisy Rockwell revolves around an elderly woman confronting depression who decides to visit Pakistan after several years of the partition has not only illuminated her work but also brought into focus the entire South Asian region Shree says How can I feel anything but good about it After all however much of a loner one might be we all represent more than just our own single self I carry my community my world my times and society in me and in a mysterious symbiotic umbilical cord link we are made of whispers and echoes of each other I am happy that through me the light is shed on a larger world around me it is my moment but also a collective one Mention the fact that the entire conversation is around Ret Samadhi only and a lot of her other important work including Khali Jagah Hamara Shehar Us Baras Tirohit and Yahan Hathi Rahate The not getting the attention they deserve and she asserts What is the attention one deserves Who gets it A mishmash of things especially in todays world of hype and market affects that I have never been the sort of writer who stresses about how much or how little attention I am receiving Readers must reach out and search out books I am hardly going to spend my time beckoning them Yes Ret Samadhi is in focus because Booker pointed that way Serious readers know an award is recognition but does not birth the author I like to believe they are interested in the writers entire oeuvre Ret Samadhi is enjoying its moment Lovers of literature will explore further or elsetheir loss For someone who prefers to stay away from social media a space now being used quite aggressively by many writers and artists Shree feels that the medium is a mixed blessing It has worked well for quick communication and relaying of ideas and debates but on the converse side also led to wile conversations and rumourmongering It has also often dumbed down debate and arrogated to itself the presumption that it is a reliable judge of quality and will make and break reputations I prefer to keep far from it much as I keep away from market considerations as a guide to my writing life Marketing is not of primacy to me and certainly not what I wish to expend my energies on Of course I am a creature of my times caught in the winds that blow So I cannot claim that market forces do not touch me but I just do not concern myself with them What happens and does not happen there is a dynamic of things not of my will or desire I prefer it that way The writer and her work belong to her time but people aggressively in a market rat race forget this importantly also to a space and time that is beyond today and which is where Literature revels and resides We can only do what we are doing sincerely and time and space will give us a slot Or not she adds However she does say that encounters with readers can be most lifeaffirming for a writer Citing an example of an emotional son who approached her during a literature festival and said her book was the last book his mother read and after reading it she folded her hands together he repeated her gesture I cannot exactly replicate it and she said to him that she wants to meet this writer It was sad and joyous to connect with her son and feel her humanity appreciation and presence It certainly makes you grateful for the community you belong to and humbles you proudly for a small joy you have been able to give Even as debates rage on the role of a writerartist about recording political and social scenarios of their times and the observation that the divisiveness of Partition is not just a thing of the past she believes that recording stories all stories is important and they dont just belong to the present but also to the past and the future that we imagine want or fear But it may not be a conscious agenda of the writer to record something Rather her sensitivity which hones her observation and intuition takes her naturally along that way Partition is a reality in North India It continues to ramify into new and undesirable effects I do not have to try to write about it It is in my and our being But partition is also a universal human experience and mostly a painful one From which emanate innumerable stories which will continue to be told in all parts of the world says Shree who was recently in Chandigarh for Literati The writer who believes in discovering the stories already fluttering inside her or in those around intuition plays a huge role However she believes in intuition not as some glorified superhuman place but rather a source in us which is refined as we go along by our locations of all kinds be it history geography autobiography biographies sensitivities observations imagination aesthetic sense even chance I can hardly make an expert exhaustive list I often quote Ustad Ali Akbar Khan on this that when he starts he plays the sarod and soon the latter takes over and plays him That is the beauty of artistic creation Also some of our deepest possibilities both good and bad lie in our subconscious our entrails if you will A writer takes courage to discover those lights and darknesses both One is of course surprised at various points in the creative process where did that come from But that is precisely where that undefinable energy or breath lies which enlivens a work of art she says While the past decade has seen a major rise in translations from Hindi and other languages into English and there may also be fears of something being lost in the process she feels there is a need for translations among other languages The hierarchy with English on the top is limiting and has monolanguage repercussions which feeds into all kinds of monocultural impulses And that monocultural impulses make easy linkups with dictatorial ambitions Besides there is such a rich conversation out there for humanity in celebrating the plurality of languages as language comes with its culture and philosophy and the vocabulary of seeing being and expressing gets extended for all The writer and the translator are matchingly important mutually so too One facilitates the other and also extends the other Something is always lost in translation But let me hasten to add that everything is translation starting from rendering an inchoate inarticulate thoughtfeeling into words Just shifting from one set of expressions to another is translation and that is a process not a complete exercise So something constantly changes but also opens another world Lost must not be seen as a negative here Perhaps changed is a better word Translation approximating towards that is exciting enriching ongoing evocative No closure here Most importantly translation is not about moving technically from some exact meaning to the same meaning replicas are not being sought or possible except by machines and maybe not even there The endeavour is to carry across a feel an experience a sensibility and sensitivity a cadence a philosophy and it acquires a new dimension as soon as it is uttered in another language Pyar and love echo their own separate worlds So translation is the same and also always different and it is an energy that does not end This inconquerability uncontrollability has to be enjoyed for its all about the ephemerality changeability malleability volatility and fluidity of experience Translation is life not death she concludes IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/writers-life-is-balance-between-how-much-to-be-in-midst-of-everything-and-solitude-to-create-geetanjali-shree-493224.html Tue, 05 Dec 2023 08:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/jaipur-music-stage-to-run-concurrently-with-jlf-491416.html New Delhi Nov 30 As Jaipur prepares for the 17th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival JLF the Jaipur Music Stage JMS which will run concurrently with the festival has unveiled its lineup of performers JMS will present a diverse array of artists from the Indian subcontinent including singer songwriter and poet Alif Mohammad Muneem will be performing on the first evening He is the recipient of multiple awards including the Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival Award for the single Lalnawat IRAA Award for the single Like a Sufi and the IIMA Award for Best Folk Song Ride Home The evening will also feature The Tapi Project comprising Yogendra Saniyawala acoustic amp bass guitar lyrics composition Swati Minaxi voice Gaurav Kapadia drums and Biju Nambiar keyboards bass and drums The band experiments with intricate genres in music like folk triphop jazz and ambient textures and uses folk instruments as an essential part of their band The second evening of JMS will feature Prabh Deep a Delhibased multifaceted artist While ClassSikh was a deeply autobiographical project Deep showcased his ability to craft intricate and vivid narratives that spoke to larger audiences in subsequent releases This can be seen on his K I N G EP and his critically acclaimed Tabia The second evening will also feature a performance by The Revisit Project a group that unravels the complexity and rigor of jazz with a distinctive and characteristic twist Their music combines a solid groove oldschool funk and rhythmic jazz The final evening will witness singersongwriters Harpreet and Salman Elahi Harpreet is a versatile artiste who sings original musical compositions in Hindi Punjabi Bengali Assamese Rajasthani and Haryanvi Mumbaibased musician Salman Elahi writes and sings primarily in Urdu and Hindi and believes in using his music to express his thoughts about life and selfdiscovery The evening will also showcase the band When Chai Met Toast WCMT The band consists of vocalist Ashwin Gopakumar guitarist Achyuth Jaigopal keyboard player Palee Francis and drummer Pai Sailesh IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/jaipur-music-stage-to-run-concurrently-with-jlf-491416.html Thu, 30 Nov 2023 16:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/twinkle-unveils-fourth-book-in-the-presence-of-dimple-akshay-kjo-491114.html Mumbai Nov 29 Actress bestselling author and columnist Twinkle Khanna unveiled her fourth book Welcome To Paradise Juggernaut here on Wednesday The event was attended by her husband Akshay Kumar mother Dimple Kapadia filmmaker Karan Johar and the actresses Vidya Balan and Kiara Advani among others According to the books promotional blurb Welcome To Paradise offers rich narratives that explore the depth of loneliness heartbreak and deception The blurb goes on to describe the quartet of stories on offer noting Humas divided family Team Cemetery and Team Crematorium clash hilariously over matters involving pigs and penises as they decide what to do with Ammas body Madhura Desai writes an email to the chief justice of India urging him to choose a nice cutoff age to die sending shockwaves across the nation Along the shores of Satpati Nusrat grapples with the loss of her son and her voice And Amita tells her husband about her breast implants but not about Bua Bangalore and beautiful men The blurb promises that the book is Perfectly observed shot through with light and shadow and wry humour and it confirms Khannas reputation as one of our most masterful storytellers Twinkle looked radiant in a black and golden coord set with a satin browncoloured tank top She kept her hair open opted for nude makeup and golden hoops were her choice for accessories Akshay was seen sporting a black shirt and matching pants KJo wore a casual grey suit set with a black tee shirt He completed the look with white sneakers Dimple was seen wearing a breezy black outfit which was complemented with big golden earrings Kiara looked pictureperfect in a lilac pink coord set with white tank top She kept her hair open opted for glossy makeup and sported golden hoops earrings In 2015 Twinkle released her first nonfiction book Mrs Funnybones and established herself as a writer to look out for Her second book is The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad a collection of short stories one of which was based on social entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganantham which became the inspiration for R Balkis Akshay Kumarstarrer Pad Man Twinkles previous book was Pyjamas Are Forgiving IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/twinkle-unveils-fourth-book-in-the-presence-of-dimple-akshay-kjo-491114.html Wed, 29 Nov 2023 19:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/nairobi-born-british-indian-debutante-novelist-chetna-maroo-in-race-for-booker-490096.html London Nov 27 Nairobiborn Chetna Maroo who is of Indian origin and a resident of London is one of the six novelists shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize whose winner will be named at a glittering ceremony in East London on Sunday 9 pm GMT Monday 230 am IST Since its inception in 1969 the 50000 pound prize has been won by six writers of Indian descent They are VS Naipaul 1971 Salman Rushdie 1981 plus the Booker of Bookers in 1993 and Best of Bookers in 2008 Arundhati Roy 1997 Kiran Desai 2006 Aravind Adiga 2008 and Gitanjali Shree 2022 International Booker Prize Maroo is in the fray with her debut novel Western Lane Picador which she says took her three years to write and sees the world through the eyes of 11yearold Gopi She and her sisters have recently lost their mother says Maroo quoted in the Booker Prize website Their Pa is bereft and struggling to parent his daughters At the same time the girls aunt and uncle watch the family hoping to help Pa by taking one of the girls to raise as their own Looking back to her writing experience Maroo says As I was writing I was feeling my way I didnt have a plot or outline for the whole novel but I had a sense that the story would turn on this one question Would Pa bring himself to let one of his daughters go Explaining her creative process Maroo says I write slowly the first pages in longhand then typing I usually try to get each sentence and paragraph sounding right before I go on reading and editing from the beginning of the story My own process seems unwise to me because I know Ill eventually cut sections that I have spent weeks or months going over but I have no other way I have to trust that the work will benefit in the end from the rhythm and slow quality of this attention The other contenders for the Booker Prize are Canadian writer and scholar Sarah Bernstein Study for Obedience the other debutant on the list Jonathan Escoffery If I Survive You the American Professor of English Paul Harding This Other Eden acclaimed Irish novelist Paul Lynch Prophet Song and Paul Murray The Bee Sting whos also an Irishman IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/nairobi-born-british-indian-debutante-novelist-chetna-maroo-in-race-for-booker-490096.html Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/paul-lynch-wins-booker-prize-2023-becoming-the-fifth-irish-author-to-get-it-490122.html London Nov 27 Prophet Song by the celebrated Irish novelist Paul Lynch has been named the winner of the Booker Prize 2023 according to an official announcement by the organisers of the prestigious literary award The author received 50000 pounds and was presented with his trophy by Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka the 2022 winner at a ceremony held at Old Billingsgate London on Sunday November 26 Nairobiborn accountantturneddebutant novelist Chetna Maroo who is of Indian origin and a resident of London was one of the six writers shortlisted for the prize which since 1969 has been awarded to the top writers of our times Six of the awardees have been writers of Indian descent The glitterting award event on Sunday was hosted by British journalist and writer Samira Ahmed and broadcast live as a special episode of BBC Radio 4 Front Row It was also livestreamed in an hourlong YouTube presentation hosted by Jack Edwards and featuring interviews with notable guests the official announcement said The ceremony included a keynote speech delivered by Nazanin ZaghariRatcliffe who was released from prison in Tehran last year She described the ways in which books had saved her when she was in solitary confinement The chairperson of the jury Esi Edugyan who was once a nominee described the winning book as soulshattering and true adding that readers will not soon forget its warnings Prophet Song was the bookmakers favourite to win the Booker Prize according to the information provided on the official website Heralded in one review as a crucial book for our current times Prophet Song captures some of the biggest social and political anxieties of our age from the rise of political extremism to the global plight of refugees Speaking about the book Paul Lynch observed Prophet Songis partly an attempt at radical empathy I wanted to deepen the readers immersion to such a degree that by the end of the book they would not just know but feel this problem for themselves Lynch is the fifth Irish author to win the Booker Prize after Iris Murdoch John Banville Roddy Doyle and Anne Enright The Northern Irish writer Anna Burns won in 2018 Lynch was one of four Irish writers to make this years longlist Prophet Song is published in the UK by Oneworld The independent publisher previously won the prize two years running in 2015 and 2016 with Marlon Jamess A Brief History of Seven Killings and Paul BeattysThe Sellout according to the official website IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/paul-lynch-wins-booker-prize-2023-becoming-the-fifth-irish-author-to-get-it-490122.html Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/a-tale-of-displaced-families-murugans-fire-bird-bags-jcb-literature-prize-487233.html New Delhi Nov 19 Fiction while mirroring the society and times we live in serves as a compass pointing to directions we might wish to go The JCB Prize for Literature which went to Perumal Murugans Fire Bird rewards this phenomenon of impactful storytelling Setting the tone for the evening the prize ceremony began with a performance by Fouzia Dastango of DastaaneAttila conceptualised from RK Narayans evergreen classic Malgudi Days The narration brought out the grey shades of a story and how it is told The Rs 25lakh award now in its sixth edition was announced in New Delhi on Sunday evening Fire Bird Penguin Random House India has been translated from the Tamil original by Janani Kannan The translator received an additional sum of Rs 10 lakh Both the writer and translator could not be present at the ceremony to receive the award Originally titled Aalandapatchi Fire Bird is a thoughtprovoking exploration of the human desire for stability in an everchanging world Perumal Murugan draws from his personal experiences of displacement and explores the fragility of our fundamental attraction to permanence and the ultimately futile efforts to attain it The author in his video message upon receiving this award expressed his hope that the novel emotionally connects with displaced families A scholar and literary chronicler who writes in Tamil Murugan has authored 12 novels six collections of short stories six anthologies of poetry and a number of nonfiction books Ten of his novels have been translated into English Janani Kannan is a USbased architect translator and singer She has also translated Rising Heat Murugans first novel This prestigious literary award was announced virtually by Lord Bamford Chairman of JCB Group The trophy titled Mirror Melting is a sculpture by Delhibased artists Jiten Thukral and Sumir Tagra and was awarded by Deepak Shetty CEO and Managing Director JCB India Limited to Sundaram Kannan and Manasi Subramaniam the Tamil publisher of the original and editor of the English translation respectively IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/a-tale-of-displaced-families-murugans-fire-bird-bags-jcb-literature-prize-487233.html Sun, 19 Nov 2023 14:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/gurcharan-das-explains-the-political-dilemma-confronting-liberals-today-483309.html New Delhi Nov 6 Acclaimed author Gurcharan Das has talked at length about the political dilemma of liberals like him who find it difficult to vote for Rahul Gandhi and are equally opposed to the present ruling dispensation I think the Hindutva shelf is thin because it goes against the liberal temper of our country but what is the alternative he asked William Dalrymple who was a moderating a discussion with Das to mark the launch of his new book Another Sort of Freedom Penguin Random House Das who retired as managing director of Procter amp Gamble Worldwide to become a fulltime writer in his 50s is best known for his books India Unbound and The Difficulty of Being Good Continuing on the liberal dilemma Das said That is another problem who else do you vote for I cant vote for Rahul Gandhi That is the liberal dilemma not only in our country but in other countries too Talking about his other favourite theme economic liberalisation Das noted that India achieved economic freedom only in 1991 and the Congress left wing turned against PV Narasimha Rao because of the thrust he gave to economic reforms which were able to lift 400 million Indians out of poverty The Congress isolated Rao and treated him very badly Das pointed out None of the Congress leaders defended the economic reforms he added not even P Chidambram or Montek Singh Ahluwalia who werevery much a part of the Rao government He said he had great hopes when Manmohan Singh became Prime Ministercff because it was under his watch that the economic reforms were first pushed But the Left and the dynasty were in charge so this poor guy Manmohan Singh wasnt able to deliver any reforms Das said And then the UPAII government was caught up in corruption scandals which spurred the Anna Hazare movement We were all disgusted because of the scandals and the corruption Das said Liberals like him were confronted with another dilemma when Narendra emerged as the national alternative The choice between reelecting a corrupt regiome and Modi and all that he stood for Das said He said that although he was a Modi critic he supported him publicly because of his mantra of maximum governance and minimum government which was the classical liberal dream Das emphasised that Modis Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas slogan which had caught the imagination of the country had floundered against the rising rate of joblessness He concluded by declaring that it was time for the country to give a chance to someone else to govern it But then as would be expected from a certified liberal Das did not offer any suggestion for an alternative in the absence of an endorsement for Rahul Gandhi to the Prime Minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/gurcharan-das-explains-the-political-dilemma-confronting-liberals-today-483309.html Wed, 08 Nov 2023 19:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/lahore-pays-tribute-to-india-origin-punjabi-literary-intellectual-couple-482861.html Lahore Nov 7 A Shahmukhi book on Giani Gurdit Singh was released during a function at the Dyal Singh Research and Cultural Forum here which commemorated the birth centenary of two literary intellectuals from Punjab India Giani Gurdit Singh and Inderjit Kaur Sandhu on Tuesday Wasif Nagi the Chairman of Khalil ur Rehman Memorial Society and senior journalist associated with the Daily Jang newspaper was the chief guest on the occasion The guests of honour were Shaista Nuzhat a Punjabi poet writer linguist and researcher on Punjabi language and literature and Tanveer Qasim Rana Director Coordination Punjab Higher Education Commission The DIrector of Dayal Singh Research and Cultural Forum Abdul Razzak Shahid welcomed the guests and praised the literary services of Giani Gurdit Singh and Inderjit Kaur He shed light on the educational services of Inderjit Kaur Events dedicated to their birth centenary both were born in 1923 are being celebrated all over the world Gianiji was the owner and editor of the Punjabi newspaper Prakash He was also the editor of Singh Sabha Patrika a monthly magazine on Sikh ethos From 1956 to 1962 he was a member of the Punjab Legislative Council Inderjit Kaur completed her MA in Philosophy from the Panjab University in Lahore along with her Bachelor of Teaching She started her professional life as a teacher In 1975 she became the ViceChancellor of the Punjabi University Patiala She was the third VC of the university and the first woman VC of North India She passed away last year at the age of 98 The event was organised by the Canadian organisation Hardarshan Memorial International Trust with the support of Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Trust the UK After the introduction of both the personalities a voice message was read by Jaiteg Singh Anant a resident of Canada Slides based on the lives and achievements were shown of both spouses whose relatives and friends were present in the ceremony through a Zoom link Roopinder Singh the son of Gurdit Singh talked about both his parents saying that an entire generation appreciates their literary and academic services Gurinder Mann attended the event from New York while Khushal Singh represented the Kendri Sir Guru Singh Sabha Chandigarh Baldev Singh Sadaknamas monograph on the Maker of Modern Indian Literature Giani Gurdit Singh was released in Shahmukhi Punjabi and Urdu The book originally published in Gurmukhi discusses the literary and personal journey of Giani Gurdit Singh Prizes named after these two eminent personalities were distributed to the former Principal of the National College of Arts and CEO of Thap Sajida Haider Wandal and noted Punjabi writer novelist travel writer and poet Aashiq Raheel who were given Lifetime Achievement Awards and cash prize Recognising his services to Punjabi language and literature Kalyan Singh Kalyan Ibad Nabil Shad and Satwant Kaur were honoured with the Punjabi Sevak Award IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/lahore-pays-tribute-to-india-origin-punjabi-literary-intellectual-couple-482861.html Tue, 07 Nov 2023 19:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/jlf-announces-second-list-of-speakers-480525.html Jaipur Nov 1 The organisers of the annual Jaipur Literature Festival JLF has announced the second list of speakers for the 17th edition of the festival set to take place from February 15 2024 at Hotel Clarks Amer Jaipur The second list of 25 speakers has a diverse mix that include Akhil Katyal poet translator scholar and author of Like Blood on the Bitten Tongue Delhi Poems and How Many Countries Does the Indus Cross Amia Srinivasan academic and author of The Right to Sex Andrew Quintman scholar in Buddhist traditions of Tibet and the Himalaya and author of The Life of Milarepa Arundhathi Subramaniam poet and Sahitya Akademi awardee Bonnie Garmus copywriter creative director and debut novelist of Lessons in Chemistry Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni author of bestselling books such as The Palace of Illusions The Forest of Enchantment The Last Queen and Independence Damon Galgut Booker Prize winning novelist and playwright Diana Evans Orange Award winning novelist journalist and critic and noted poet lyricist and scriptwriter Gulzar The list continues with Hernan Diaz Pulitzer prizewinning author Kai Bird Pulitzer Prize winning biographer journalist and author Katie Kitamura journalist and art critic and awardwinning author Kelly Dorji Bhutanese actor model and artist and the author of The Hidden Rainbow Luke Syson British museum curator and art historian and Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum at the University of Cambridge Justice Madan B Lokur former judge of the Supreme Court of India and Supreme Court of Fiji Malcolm Turnbull former Prime Minister of Australia Maria Goretti television presenter actor and writer of the cookbook From My Kitchen to Yours and Merve Emre academic and writer of The Annotated Mrs Dalloway The festival will also feature former Ambassador Navdeep Suri Roger Cohen Pulitzer and George Polk award recipient journalist Sarnath Banerjee graphic novelist artist and filmmaker Shumona Sinha awardwinning author of Down with the PoorVincent Brown academic and author of The Reapers Garden Death and Power in the World of Atlantic Slavery Vivek Shanbhag author editor and playwright and Yascha Mounk Germanborn American political scientist and author Since its inception in 2007 the festival has hosted nearly 5000 speakers and performers while drawing over a million bookenthusiasts from around the globe IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/jlf-announces-second-list-of-speakers-480525.html Wed, 01 Nov 2023 17:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/kerala-lit-fest-2024-will-have-participants-from-nine-countries-480585.html New Delhi November 1 The seventh edition of the Kerala Literature Festival KLF is all set to begin from 1114 January 2024 on the beaches of Kozhikode With a halfmillionfootfall KLF has become Asias Largest Literature Festival today Organised by DC Kizhakemuri Foundation and copromoted by DC Books KLF 2024 will feature Nobel laureates Booker Prize winners literary luminaries media personalities and celebrities Renowned Writer Prof K Satchidanandan is the Festival Director Kozhikode the venue of choice for the Kerala Literature Festival was named the City of Literature by the Unesco Creative Cities Network UCCN making it the first such city in India Spanning four days insixvenues at the Kozhikode beach thefestival will feature 400 global speakersand will be inaugurated by the stateChief MinisterPinarayi Vijayan This edition of KLF will featureTurkey as the guest country of honor featuring its literature and art forms TheUK Wales Spain Japan USA Malaysia Spain and France will be the other participating countries The initial list of speakers includes Arundhati Roy Mallika Sarabhai Shashi Tharoor Piyush Pandey Prahlad Kakkar William Dalrymple Gurucharan Das Mani Shankar Aiyer Catherine Ann Jones Monika Halan Durjoy Dutta Manu S Pillai The Festival will also host concerts by TM Krishna andVikku Vinayakram Surbahar and Sitar concert by Padmabhushan Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/kerala-lit-fest-2024-will-have-participants-from-nine-countries-480585.html Wed, 01 Nov 2023 18:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/who-killed-moosewala-screen-adaptation-will-uncover-truth-behind-the-punjabi-rappers-life-and-death-480341.html Mumbai Nov 1 Assassinated rapper Sidhu Moosewalas story is set to unravel on the screen as the book Who Killed Moosewala is being adapted for an audiovisual experience The book authored by crime journalist Jupinderjit Singh sheds light on Punjabi music industry offering a spinechilling account of crime fame and tragedy in the life of Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu popularly known as Sidhu Moosewala Moosewala an iconic figure in the international Punjabi music scene rose to stardom as his lyrics and themes resonated deeply with the youth across the world His work was not without controversy it delved into raw unfiltered issues making him a voice for many However his rise to fame was tragically cut short and Who Killed Moosewala attempts to uncover the truth behind that shocking event Author Jupinderjit Singh expressed his excitement as he said The moment the book was published there was a lot of interest from various production houses I was really impressed with the kind of work Matchbox Shots is producing and I am thrilled that they have taken the rights to the book to develop it further The rights to the book have been acquired by Matchbox Shots mentored by Sriram Raghavan The book delves into the ominous influence of drugs and the eruption of violence driven by gangsters growing dominance in Punjab The narrative is more than just a mystery it paints a comprehensive picture of the dark underbelly of an industry often glamorised but rarely understood Sarita Patil of Matchbox Shots shared her perspective on the project emphasising the connection between the music industry and gang wars in Punjab She stated We have always found the macabre relationship between the music industry and gang wars in Punjab extremely intriguing With Jupinderjits book Who Killed Moosewala we know we have a strong backbone for our story The project is led by Dikssha Jyote Routray of Matchbox Shots Dikssha Jyote Routray said The story is an intricate interplay of crime fame and music in Punjab a narrative that demands contemplation and understanding IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/who-killed-moosewala-screen-adaptation-will-uncover-truth-behind-the-punjabi-rappers-life-and-death-480341.html Wed, 01 Nov 2023 12:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/32-years-after-the-firm-john-grisham-plunges-mitch-mcdeere-into-libyan-hostage-drama-475620.html New Delhi Oct 19 Three decades after he launched his writing career with the global bestseller The Firm John Grishams publishers have announced that his new novel The Exchange will be released in India on October 27 Billed as the epic followup to The Firm The Exchange says a media release issued by the publishers Hodder amp Stoughton and Hachette India will take you on a rollercoaster journey across the globe from New York to London and Rome to Marrakech The twoline blurb that follows the books title says Ten days to save a life One second to end it Heres how the story unfolds in the words of the publicity release The new legal suspense thriller marks the return of Mitch McDeere who has cheated death and come out on the other side Fifteen years ago he stole 10 million from the mob and disappeared Now with his enemies jailed or dead he has fought his way to the top of the biggest law firm in the world When a new case takes Mitch to Libya danger awaits him he finds himself embroiled in the biggest hostage negotiation in recent history with terrorists who have murdered and will murder again Their demand is staggering a ransom of 100 million must be paid within 10 days But this isnt a random kidnapping its personal And no one not even Mitchs wife in New York is safe With the clock ticking can Mitch stay one step ahead of his enemies This time theres nowhere to hide Speaking about the sequel Grisham said When last seen in The Firm Mitch McDeere and his wife Abby were fleeing Memphis with the bad guys in hot pursuit Now theyre back 15 years later and living in New York where Mitch is an international lawyer and a partner in a megafirm His work takes him across the globe and not always to safe places During a trip to Libya his trusted associate is kidnapped and an execution is threatened unless an enormous ransom is paid Only Mitch can facilitate the exchange Beginning with The Firm in 1991 Grisham has published at least one No 1 bestseller every year His books have been translated into 45 languages and have sold more than 350 million copies worldwide Ten have been adapted to film including The Firm The Pelican Brief and A Time To Kill His Theodore Boone series for young readers is now in development at Netflix An avid sports fan he has written two novels about football one about baseball and in 2021 he published Sooley a story set in the world of college basketball His lone work of nonfiction The Innocent Man was adapted into a sixpart Netflix docuseries A graduate of Mississippi State University and Ole Miss Law School he lives on a farm in central Virginia around the corner from the youth baseball complex he had built in 1996 Grisham still serves as its commissioner IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/32-years-after-the-firm-john-grisham-plunges-mitch-mcdeere-into-libyan-hostage-drama-475620.html Thu, 19 Oct 2023 15:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/ex-poll-panel-chief-sy-quraishi-calls-for-decriminalisation-of-defamation-471834.html New Delhi Oct 8 Former Election Commissioner of India SY Quraishi has said that there should not be selective efficiency in disqualifying Opposition MPs in defamation cases In his justreleased book Indias Experiment with Democracy The Life of a Nation Through Its Elections HarperCollins India Rs 699 Quraishi while referring to the recent disqualification of Rahul Gandhi says that in a political environment charged with hate speech and vitriolic narratives how many politicians can truly survive the test of Section 153 a and Section 505 promoting hatred between different groups of the IPC Conviction under these Sections can lead to an MPs disqualification under the Representation of Peoples Act 1951 There should not be selective efficiency in disqualifying Opposition MPs in defamation cases while turning a blind eye towards the members of the ruling dispensation Quraishi writes The ruling party themselves are stating repeatedly that equity before the law is the cardinal principle and no one is above the law he notes Quraishi says it is high time that India must review and do away with the use of defamation cases like in the case of most democratic countries including the UK USA and closer home Sri Lanka which have decriminalised the defamation law It may do us well he says if we follow these precedents On another equally contentious issue that of tampering of EVMs Quraishi emphasises that it is impossible for anyone to tamper with the machines EVMs he reminds readers have been in use since the last 20 or more years and the country has seen constant changes of government at the Centre and in the states He points out that EVMs have a fourtier security system starting with the technical safeguards The machines are made exclusively by two central public sector undertakings Bharat Electronics Limited and the Electronics Corporation of India Limited which make highsecurity defence equipment He adds The software is burnt on to a onetime programmablemasked chip so that it cannot be altered or tampered with The machines are not networked either by wire or by anything wireless with any other machines or system which rules out hacking The other three security layers in EVMs which the author mentions are foolproof protective custody in all stages of transportation oversight by an independent Technical Advisory Committee and the repeated clean chits given by high courts that heard petitions challenging the functioning of the ECIEVM has been challenged before several high courts which after examining technicians and computer experts were satisfied that there is no possibility of tampering the EVMs Quraishi says the allegations of EVM tampering came into the limelight after AAP lost the Delhi municipal elections in 2017 The party has since been the most vocal critic of EVM tampering in the country On the Jammu and Kashmir Delimitation Report the former ECI writes that the Kashmirbased mainstream political parties have alleged a proruling party BJP bias in the report which gives a clear advantage to the minorities of that region to consolidate the vote for a particular party Mainstream parties have clearly rejected the report claiming that it is politically motivated and certain to disempower the Kashmiris Quraishi writes in the book He goes on to also discuss the pros and cons of social media its impact on elections and its use by antisocial elements against Muslims which has led to the lynching of not only Muslims but of Dalits too Quraishi writes that the BJP dominates social media platforms and the money it spends on Facebook Twitter and Google surpasses the budgets of all other political entities in India On Google BJP accounted for 414 per cent of the political advertising Rs 1219 crore with the DMK coming a distant second accounting for 136 per cent Rs 4 crore and the Congress third with 10 per cent Rs 3 crore The BJP also dominates Facebook accounting for 147 per cent Rs 43 crore of the money spent on political advertising on the platform Quraishi of course notes that althougth Prime Minister Narendra Modi dominated social media platforms all this while it was only after 2017 that Rahul Gandhi started getting his online strategy together after the Congress lost the Uttar Pradesh elections Quraishi points out that more than 23 crore Indians use the Metabased WhatsApp which makes the country a major player on the messaging biggest platform Here again the BJP is in the most dominating position and it is mainly via this platform that false fake and deliberate hate messages are spread against Muslims There have been more than a dozen innocent civilians who have been murdered o lynched in broad daylight influenced by WhatsAppfuelled hatespewing paranoiainducing fake news writes Quraishi Although the book is a detailed account the figures quoted in the book are years old The chapters have not been updated and the figures have been taken from the year 20172018 This absence of updation is not expected from a seasoned writer of Quraishis stature Nonethless his observations are bound to trigger discussions especially at a time when the country is heading towards a general election Daanish Bin Nabi can be mailed at daanishnabigmailcom IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/ex-poll-panel-chief-sy-quraishi-calls-for-decriminalisation-of-defamation-471834.html Mon, 09 Oct 2023 21:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/norwegian-playwright-novelist-jon-fosse-awarded-nobel-prize-in-literature-470186.html StockholmNew Delhi Oct 5 In line with its standard for bringing lesser known authors to global limelight the Swedish Academy on Thursday announced Norwegian novelist and playwright Jon Fosse whose stark and gritty works offer an unforgettable portrayal of the ambiguities vicissitudes and disquietude of the human condition as the recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature for 2023 Fosse 64 was awarded for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable Born in 1959 in western coastal Norway Fosse whose work in the Nynorsk variant of Norwegian spans plays novels poetry essays childrens books and translations is one of the most widelyperformed playwrights having an enthusiastic reception in Tehran His prose work which began with the debut novel Raudt svart Red Black in 1983 is no less famous He came to notice with the 1999 Paris performance of his play Nokon kjem til a komme 1996 Someone Is Going to Come English 2002 which showcases in simplest terms possible the significant human emotions of anxiety and powerlessness and loss of orientation However his sentiment is negative like forebears like say Samuel Beckett Thomas Bernhard and Georg Trakl While Fosse shares the negative outlook of his predecessors he is not solely nihilistic as more salubrious sentiments and humour can also be discerned in his works His second novel Stengd gitar 1985 Closed Guitar presents a searing examination in his characteristic minimalist style of human irresolution through the medium of a young woman locked outside her house with her baby inside On the other hand his play Natta syng sine songar 1998 Nightsongs 2002 shows the long drawnout yet undecided dilemma of a woman considering a new relationship after abandoning her present with her lack of decision leading to consequences for all three The tragic Dodsvariasjonar 2002 Death Variations 2004 is a oneact play about a girl who commits suicide told backwards from the time of her death and in short accounts by six nameless characters from different generations both alive and dead A key prose work of his is the Biblicallytinged saga Trilogien Trilogy 2016 consisting of Andvake 2007 Olavs Draumar 2012 and Kveldsvaevd 2014 where more discernible emotions like love and violence figure set in the barren coastal landscape where almost all of his fictional works are set Another key work is the novel Det er Ales 2004 Aliss at the Fire 2010 200 questions on the unresolved shadowy borderland between life and death are discussed in some sixdozen pages His most notable prose is Septology completed in 2021 Comprising Det andre namnet Septologien III 2019 The Other Name Septology III 2019 Eg er ein annan Septologien IIIV 2020 I Is Another Septology IIIV 2020 and Eit nytt namn Septologien VIVII 2021 A New Name Septology VIVII 2021 the work extending over 1200 pages is a long unbroken and seemingly endless monologue in which an elderly artist over the course of seven days speaks to himself as another person Among the consultants to the translation of the Bible into Norwegian in 2011 Fosses long list of translations into Nynorsk includes Georg Trakls Sebastian i draum 2019 and Rainer Maria Rilkes Duinoelegiar 2022 Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikasdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/norwegian-playwright-novelist-jon-fosse-awarded-nobel-prize-in-literature-470186.html Thu, 05 Oct 2023 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/acclaimed-tamil-author-cs-lakshmi-gets-tata-lifetime-award-2023-469247.html Mumbai Oct 3 Acclaimed Tamil author CS Lakshmi who writes under the pseudonym Ambai has been conferred the Tata Literature Live Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023 an official said here on Tuesday Mumbaibased Lakshmi 79 is a leading feminist writer academic and was decorated with the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2021 She is credited with transforming Tamil fiction especially the short story genre imaginatively experimenting with both form and language Her contribution to the field of Indian literature cannot be overstated said the official Through her womens stories Lakshmi explores their love relationships quests and journeys incisively said the festival codirector Amy Fernandes Born in Coimbatore in 1944 Lakshmi earned her graduation and postgraduation degrees from Bangalore and Madras universities and then completed her PhD from the Jawaharlal Nehru University JNU in Delhi Starting as a teacher in school and college she pursued research while continuing to pen fiction with many publications to her credit in Tamil and English Lakshmi bagged the Sahitya Akademi Award the countrys highest literary award for her novel Sivappu Kazhuthudan Oru Pachai Paravai A RedNecked Green Bird Most of her Tamil works have been translated into English among them being Veetin Mulaiyil Oru Samayalarai A Kitchen in the Corner of the House translated by Lakshmi Holmström which is a riveting composition about the lives of three generations of women in a Rajasthani household portrayed through the gaze of a Tamil daughterinlaw Lakshmi is a pioneering archivist in womens studies and acofounder of SPARROW Sound and Picture Archives for Research on Women Indias first archive dedicated to only women which holdsa range of writings and visual and oral records Tata Sons Brand Custodian Harish Bhat said that Lakshmis extensive body of work has left an indelible mark and her voice embodies courage in challenging the stereotyping of women brims with empathy unwavering conviction and a delightful sense of humour spanning diverse forms including research translations poetry and both novels and short stories Her literary contributions not only push the boundaries of storytelling in regional languages but also enrich the global literary landscape offering a wealth of profound experiences said Bhat Thrilled by the announcement Lakshmi termed it as an honour to the Tamil language in which she writes Some of the past recipients of the Tata Literature Live Lifetime Achievement Award include Mahesh Elkunchwar Anita Desai Ruskin Bond Shanta Gokhale Sir Mark Tully Girish Karnad Amitav Ghosh Kiran Nagarkar MT Vasudevan Nair Khushwant Singh Sir VS Naipaul and Mahashweta Devi IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/acclaimed-tamil-author-cs-lakshmi-gets-tata-lifetime-award-2023-469247.html Tue, 03 Oct 2023 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/stories-unite-us-jaipur-literature-festival-to-take-place-from-feb-1-to-5-466670.html New Delhi Sep 26 The 17th edition of Jaipur Literature Festival JLF 2024 will take place from February 1 to 5 at Hotel Clarks Amer Jaipur The upcoming edition of the festival celebrates how Stories Unite Us exploring the transformative power of literature Teamwork Arts the producer of the Festival informed that like earlier editions this edition will celebrate linguistic diversity featuring a broad spectrum of languages The programme will host sessions that focus on literary works in languages like Assamese Hindi Kannada Kashmiri Malayalam Marathi Odiya Punjabi Tamil Urdu and many more The first list of 25 speakers released on Tuesday includes author Anand Neelakantan awardwinning British journalist and author Superior The Return of Race Science Angela Saini awardwinning Assamese author and journalist Anuradha Sarma Pujari critically acclaimed Tamil and Malayalam language writer and literary critic B Jeyamohan British reviewer columnist and author Ben Macintyre leading Indian art historian academic and author BN Goswamy awardwinning author and academic Brian A Catlos awardwinning playwright author amp Broadway actress Catherine Ann Jones and awardwinning Australian historian author broadcaster and public commentator Clare Wright acclaimed travel writer and novelist Colin Thubron The list also includes the Elizabeth Moynihan Curator of South Asian and Southeast Asian Art at the National Museum of Asian Art Smithsonian Institution Debra Diamond debut novelist of Quarterlife Devika Rege bestselling American author of The Heat Will Kill You First Life and Death Jeff Goodell prizewinning and bestselling broadcaster curator and author Jerry Brotton Kashmirborn and New Yorkbased writer and translator of For Now It Is Night Kalpana Raina Classicist and writer of the prizewinning books Pompeii SPQR and Women amp Power Mary Beard acclaimed Hindi novelist and writer of the famous books Chittacobra Kathgulab and the Sahitya Akademi awardwinning Miljul Mann Mridula Garg Cofounder and CoCEO of Archie Comics Publications Nancy Silberkleit awardwinning author of three novels Nilanjana S Roy awardwinning journalist and author of the international bestsellers Say Nothing Empire of Pain and Rogues Patrick Radden Keefe Indian journalist and novelist Raj Kamal Jha Former DG CSIR amp President Indian National Science Academy National Innovation Foundation and recipient of 47 honorary doctorates RA Mashelkar author of The Case for Nature Siddarth Shrikanth former Chief Justice of Orissa High Court and Judge of the Punjab amp Haryana High Court and Delhi High Court S Muralidhar and awardwinning historian translator and broadcaster Tom Holland Namita Gokhale writer publisher and CoDirector of the Jaipur Literature Festival said The 2024 edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival will bring our living library of ideas books and writers into the hearts and minds of book lovers from around the world Fiction and faction poetry and music debates and discussions await us with a brilliant and diverse list of speakers and performers A vintage year with classic themes and stimulating contemporary interpretations Sanjoy K Roy Managing Director of Teamwork Arts said that the 17th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival will focus on Indian literature and the celebration of diverse voices Registration and access to the Festival will be available for Rs 200 per day IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/stories-unite-us-jaipur-literature-festival-to-take-place-from-feb-1-to-5-466670.html Tue, 26 Sep 2023 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/huma-qureshi-turns-author-with-debut-novel-zeba-an-accidental-superhero-462194.html Mumbai Sep 15 Actress Huma Qureshi who is known for films such as Gangs of Wasseypur Badlapur Monica O My Darling and her streaming series Maharani has turned author with her debut fantasy novel Zeba An Accidental Superhero The actress weaves a tale that combines magic wonder and intense passion in the book It is a story of heroism transformation and the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity Talking about her novel Huma said Ive learned that accepting who you are with all your quirks and uniqueness is the most empowering journey one can embark on We live in a world that needs diversity and every individuals story is a piece of that beautiful mosaic The actress further mentioned Stories of fierce women are not just the need of the hour they are the timeless tales that inspire generations reminding us that strength and resilience know no boundaries We need these stories to remind ourselves that we too can be the heroes of our own lives This novel is deeply personal and it puts out there the rawest most unfiltered version of me Humas journey is an intriguing one as an outsider in Indian cinema Her journey from Delhi to the pinnacle of the film industry is a source of inspiration for many outsiders hoping to live their big Bollywood dream The book will hit the stands this year in December The actress also shared the news with her followers on her Instagram as she shared a picture of herself with the book cover Huma wrote in the caption Finally the cat is out of the bag Super excited to share the announcement of my debut novel Zeba An Accidental Superhero Been working on this for the past 2 years and everyone around me knows how much this means to me Book out in Dec 2023 IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/huma-qureshi-turns-author-with-debut-novel-zeba-an-accidental-superhero-462194.html Fri, 15 Sep 2023 16:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/musk-got-upset-with-bezos-when-not-invited-to-blue-origins-factory-book-461535.html New Delhi Sep 13 Tesla SpaceX CEO Elon Musk got upset when Amazon founder Jeff Bezos did not invite him to visit Blue Origins factory Musks biography by American authorjournalist Walter Isaacson has revealed The new biography titled Elon Musk highlights the early stages of his relationship with Bezos when he invited the Amazon founder to tour SpaceX in 2004 reports Insider Following the tour Musk sent Bezos a curt email expressing his disappointment at not being invited to see Blue Origins factory in return according to Isaacson A surprised Bezos then responded to the email with an invitation According to the biography after touring Blue Origin the couple had dinner with their then wives MacKenzie Scott and Justine Musk Apparently the dinner did not go over well due to Musks seemingly unwanted advice to Bezos as reported in this book and in Christian Davenports book The Space Barons However its unclear what the advice was the report mentioned Since that dinner the two have traded digs publicly sparred over their space ambitions and traded places as the worlds richest people According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index Jeff Bezos is the worlds thirdwealthiest person with a net worth of 165 billion owing largely to his stake in ecommerce giant Amazon Musk currently holds the top spot on the list with a net worth of 242 billion Meanwhile the biography also revealed that Musk and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates got into a verbal spat after the Tesla CEO confronted the Microsoft founder over shorting the electriccar companys shares last year Isaacson wrote that in early 2022 Gates spoke to Musk and said he wanted to come see him and talk about philanthropy and climate at a meeting The meeting happened at Musks Texas plant where the SpaceX owner confronted Gates over the decision to short Tesla stock Musk said in April 2022 that Gates had taken a halfbillion dollar short position against Tesla Gates apologised for the move but Musk was still upset and became super mean to the Microsoft founder IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/musk-got-upset-with-bezos-when-not-invited-to-blue-origins-factory-book-461535.html Wed, 13 Sep 2023 19:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/musk-was-super-mean-to-me-bill-gates-on-shorting-tesla-stock-worth-15-bn-460638.html New Delhi Sep 11 Elon Musk and billionairephilanthropist Bill Gates got into a verbal spat after the Tesla CEO confronted the Microsoft founder over shorting the electriccar companys shares last year Musks upcoming biography by American authorjournalist Walter Isaacson has revealed In excerpts from the book named Elon Musk by CNBC Isaacson wrote that in early 2022 Gates spoke to Musk and said he wanted to come see him and talk about philanthropy and climate at a meeting The meeting happened at Musks Texas plant where the SpaceX owner confronted Gates over the decision to short Tesla stock Musk said in April 2022 that Gates had taken a halfbillion dollar short position against Tesla Gates apologised for the move but Musk was still upset and became super mean to the Microsoft founder He was super mean to me but hes super mean to so many people so you cant take it too personally Gates told Isaacson Grimes Musks exgirlfriend and the mother of three of his children called the incident a little bit of a dkmeasuring contest Gates apparently told Isaacson his decision was a business move as he anticipated the supply of electric vehicles would soon outpace demand leading to a price drop The two billionaires have been in a feud since Gates shorted Tesla stock last year Musk publicly mocked Gates on Twitter now X a couple of times for shorting Tesla stock while claiming to support climate change action He tweeted a picture of Gates accusing him of shorting Teslas stock Gates had replied saying Musks tweeting doesnt bother me IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/musk-was-super-mean-to-me-bill-gates-on-shorting-tesla-stock-worth-15-bn-460638.html Mon, 11 Sep 2023 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/indian-american-physician-in-uks-top-non-fiction-prize-longlist-458585.html London Sep 6 A book by IndianAmerican cancer physician and researcher Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee has been longlisted for the prestigious 50000 pound Baillie Gifford Prize for NonFiction in London The Song of the Cell An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human which is among the 13book longlist announced on Wednesday highlights how cellular research has revolutionised medicine enabling the treatment of lifealtering diseases including Alzheimers and AIDS The judging panel described the 53yearold Rhodes scholars work as his most spectacular book yet The cell is the foundational unit of life Its discovery reshaped our understanding of our bodies and brains as never before This revolutionised medical practice in the past and centuries on holds evergreater clinical promise for the future the judges said Mukherjee provides the definitive account of this remarkable cellular story authoritative yet at the same time personal He has that rarest of scientific gifts the ability to pull back the magical curtain of complexities to reveal like cells themselves the foundations of life His other works include The Gene An Intimate History which was a 1 New York Times bestseller and The Emperor of All Maladies A Biography of Cancer which won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize in general nonfiction An Associate Professor of medicine at Columbia University Mukherjee graduated from Stanford University University of Oxford and Harvard Medical School He has published articles in many journals including Nature The New England Journal of Medicine Cell The New York Times and The New Yorker The selection was made from 265 books published between November 1 2022 and 31 October 2023 by a panel of judges which included Literary Editor of Financial Times Frederick Studemann chair awardwinning author Andrea Wulf theatre critic for The Guardian Arifa Akbar the writer and historian Ruth Scurr journalist and critic Tanjil Rashid and Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Arts Andrew Haldane The books on the longlist share an ability to communicate lucidly and engage with readers in an intelligent and relevant way Frederick Studemann chair of judges said Six finalists for the award will be announced on October 8 in a live event at Englands annual Cheltenham Literature Festival and the winner will be revealed on November 16 at a ceremony at the Science Museum in London Founded in 1999 the prize covers all English nonfiction in the areas of current affairs history politics science sport travel biography autobiography and the arts Last years winner was Katherine Rundells poet biography SuperInfinite The Transformations of John Donne IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/indian-american-physician-in-uks-top-non-fiction-prize-longlist-458585.html Wed, 06 Sep 2023 17:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/manoranjan-byapari-perumal-murugan-on-jcb-prize-for-literature-longlist-for-third-time-456751.html New Delhi Sep 2 The jury for the Rs 25lakh JCB Prize for Literature has unveiled the longlist of the muchanticipated awards sixth edition From entries sent by authors from 24 cities writing in eight languages including English the longlist has been narrowed down to four translations from Bengali Hindi and Tamil along with six books originally written in English West Bengal MLA and Dalit activist Manoranjan Byapari whos a former convict and rickshaw puller and Tamil author and scholar Perumal Murugan who is on the International Booker Prize 2023 longlist have been longlisted for the third time for the JCB Prize Tanuj Solanki acclaimed young novelist and founder of the Bombay Literary Magazine joins the list for the second time Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar who was longlisted for the prize as an author in the past returns to the list as a translator for Manoj Rupdas Hindi book This is Hansdas firstever translation of a book Three debutants have also made it to the longlist They are Geeta Chaturvedi it is also her translator Anita Gopalans first foray into translation Tejaswini ApteRahm and Bikram Sharma Urdu writer and Jamia Millia Islamia professor Khalid Jawed won the Prize last year for The Paradise of Food translated from the Urdu by Baran Farooqi For the 2023 Prize the jury chaired by author travelogue writer and translator Srinath Perur consists of Mahesh Dattani wellknown playwright and stage director Somak Ghoshal author critic and learning designer Kavery Nambisan author and surgeon and Swati Thiyagarajan conservation journalist and filmmaker Recounting his experience jury chair Srinath Perur said The jury read the entries over the last few months meeting online every couple of weeks We read for freshness relevance accomplishment and ambition among other things And we read for pleasure The complete longlist for 2023 includes The Secret of More by Tejaswini ApteRahm The Nemesis by Manoranjan Byapari translated from the Bengali by V Ramaswamy The East Indian by Brinda Charry Simsim by Geet Chaturvedi translated from the Hindi by Anita Gopalan Fire Bird by Perumal Murugan translated from the Tamil by Janani Kannan Everything the Light Touches by Janice Pariat Mansur by Vikramajit Ram I Named My Sister Silence by Manoj Rupda translated from the Hindi by Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar The Colony of Shadows by Bikram Sharma and Manjhis Mayhem by Tanuj Solanki The shortlist of five titles will be unveiled on October 20 The winner will be declared on November 18 and will receive a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh If the winning work is a translation the translator will receive an additional cash prize of Rs 10 lakh Each of the five shortlisted authors will also receive Rs 1 lakh if the shortlisted work is a translation the translator will get Rs 50000 IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/manoranjan-byapari-perumal-murugan-on-jcb-prize-for-literature-longlist-for-third-time-456751.html Sat, 02 Sep 2023 12:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/we-can-do-surgical-strikes-in-pak-but-have-no-courage-to-talk-to-them-mani-shankar-aiyar-454026.html New Delhi Aug 23 Former diplomat MP and veteran Congressman Mani Shankar Aiyar has said that India has the capability to do surgical strikes inside Pakistan but the countrys leadership doesnt have the courage to sit down and talk to settle issues with Pakistan The Pakistani people are not our enemy It is the Pakistan government which does things inimical to us The question is do we have the courage to talk to them Aiyar said at the release of the first of the three volumes of his memoirs Aiyar said the majority of the officials at the Indian Foreign Office are completely wrong about Pakistan Our officials are very good in dealing with Paraguay but wrong on Pakistan They will go out of the way to do things for a distant country like Paraguay but will not do it for Pakistan which should have been our priority Aiyar said after the release of Memoirs of a Maverick The First Fifty Years 1941 1991 published by Juggernaut Books He said we are completely wrong about Pakistan although we have brilliant minds and hard working people in the Foreign Office Pakistan has a brilliant diplomatic corps Had Partition not happened I am afraid I may not have done well in my diplomatic career Pakistan diplomats are utterly brilliant Aiyar said to an audience that included former Vice President of India Hamid Ansari former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former RAW chief AS Dulat Elaborating on Indias troubled relations with Pakistan Aiyar said our neighbour had been made a dog whistle in presentday India only to keep Muslims in check He said Why do we always ask all Khans Salman Shah Rukh and Aamir to go to Pakistan Why not to Bangladesh Saudi Arabia or any other Middle Eastern country Pakistan is no longer a foreign office issue for us We have completely made it a domestic issue now He added When we do not know how to tackle Pakistan and how to bring peace in our region how can we boast about bringing an end to the Ukraine and Russia war Former Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon who gave the opening talk said that the first volume is charming and witty just like Mani Shankar Aiyar When I went to Pakistan in 2001 he recalled that was after 21years Mani had been there and the first thing that Pakistanis inquired about was Mani They only asked about him such was the aura he left behind in Pakistan Menon said that Rajiv Gandhis Prime Minister Office PMO reflected Indias many verities and Aiyar one among them He noted that Aiyar was very serious during his career and his courage to leave the Foreign Service and join politics speaks volumes about his courage Talking about the late Rajiv Gandhi Aiyar said he was an honest upright and good and not a devious person Rajivs faults were his virtues He has always put the nation first He brought peace to many states during his tenure He was a great statesman he pointed out He said that at the time Rajiv took over as prime minister Mizoram was violent The peace we see in Mizoram today is all because of the efforts of Rajiv Gandhi he said He said that the blunder which Rajiv Gandhi committed was to bring back RK Dhawan to the PMO For the first four years Rajivs PMO was all technical After Dhawan was inducted everything started to go wayward for the prime minister as well for the PMO Aiyar noted Thanking Sonia Gandhi Aiyar said she has always been a support for him Sonia has always been there for me he stressed She has always stood for me When Rajiv was assassinated most wanted me out but Sonia stood for me It was only because of her that I was back in the party and only because of her I was made a cabinet minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/we-can-do-surgical-strikes-in-pak-but-have-no-courage-to-talk-to-them-mani-shankar-aiyar-454026.html Thu, 24 Aug 2023 21:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/journalist-neerja-chowdhurys-book-on-indian-politics-released-448152.html New Delhi Aug 8 Journalist Neerja Chowdhury on Tuesday during the release of her new book How Prime Minister Decides said that she initially intended to write on demonetisation however she had to abandon the idea knowing that she would not be able to acquire required information on the subject The author described Indian politics as a great Indian Nautanki drama NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar who released the book said that Narasimha Rao was the best prime minister The book launch took place at the Prime Ministers Museum and Library Society Teen Murti Bhavan Kerala Governor Arif Muhammed Khan who was also a guest during the panel discussion said that he had been reading the book for the last three days Indian politics should transcend party lines and focus on working for the greater good Making supreme sacrifices possessing good manners and conduct acquiring vast knowledge and we should accommodate all Khan said Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai said that the book unveils how the government operates and exposes mistakes of various political parties who have governed India BJP leader Dinesh Trivedi acknowledged Neerjas research efforts for writing the book Maharashtra former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said that no other author would have approached this book the way Neerja did Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said it is a must read book IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/journalist-neerja-chowdhurys-book-on-indian-politics-released-448152.html Tue, 08 Aug 2023 21:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/museum-of-pop-culture-removes-exhibitions-of-jk-rowling-due-to-her-transphobic-views-447365.html Los Angeles Aug 6 The Seattle based Museum of Pop Culture MPC or MoPOC which is dedicated as implied by its name to celebrate pop culture has removed all exhibitions of English author JK Rowling from its Harry Potter exhibition in light of her alleged transphobic views As reported by Deadline the MOPC had previously published a blog explaining its decision to airbrush Rowling from its display due to her controversial views and allegedly negative views Project manager Chris Moore who is transgender wrote in the piece Theres a certain cold heartless joysucking entity in the world of Harry Potter and this time it is not actually a Dementor We would love to go with the internets theory that these books were actually written without an author but this certain person is a bit too vocal with her super hateful and divisive views to be ignored For the time being the curators decided to remove any of her artefacts from this gallery to reduce her impact Its not a perfect solution but its what we were able to do in the shortterm while determining longterm practices While initially the museum kept a memorabilia in light of her sociopolitical controversies the MOPC removed that as well as such fully dusting her off the shelf Rowling has made no secret of her disdain for LGBTQ movement and its activists and while she has expressed her support for transsexual people as well as the gay lesbian and coloured community she had said that gender is determined solely by biological sex and as such cannot be altered on the basis of social identification For this comment she had received a lot of flak including from her Harry Potter actors such as Daniel Radcliffe Rupert Grint and Emma Watson all of whom said that they felt hurt over Rowlings comments This led to her being barred from the 25th celebration of her first Harry Potter novel The Philosophers Stone In addition she also did not attend the Harry Potter reunion which marked two decades of the film franchise IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/museum-of-pop-culture-removes-exhibitions-of-jk-rowling-due-to-her-transphobic-views-447365.html Sun, 06 Aug 2023 23:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/goa-celebrates-the-feast-of-sao-joao-441017.html Panaji June 24 Goa on Saturday celebrated the monsoon feast of Sao Joao dedicated to Saint John the Baptist which comes on June 24 every year amidst heavy rainfall The feast of Catholic prophet Saint John the Baptist comes exactly six months before Christmas and has its roots in a Biblical tale The feast is locally known as Zanvoyanchem Fest which means the feast of son inlaw wherein the newlymarried son inlaw is invited for lunch by his mother inlaw Many tourists also join the celebration in coastal area which is home to a large section of Goas Catholic population where amid the din of drums and rhythmic earsplitting thump of the thick fibrous coconut leaf stems slapped hard against the ground the state celebrates the monsoon feast of Sao Joao During the celebration Sao Joao revelers wearing wreaths of flowers and leaves locally called copels dive in and out of wells and ponds across their respective villages as a mark of celebration The state government had also organised the aSao Joao celebration program in Old Goa wherein many people participated and danced to the tune of local music Revelers were seen singing the Konkani songs specially composed on this feast and jumping in wells and ponds The state government tried to promote this festival by attracting tourists so they can explore the tradition of Goa IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/goa-celebrates-the-feast-of-sao-joao-441017.html Sun, 25 Jun 2023 10:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/sandalwood-box-gifted-by-pm-modi-to-biden-made-by-jaipur-artist-440834.html Jaipur June 24 An aestheticallly carved sandalwood box by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to US President Joe Biden was made by Mohit Jangid a Jaipurbased National Award winning artist Made of sandalwood brought from the forests of Mysore the box has come into global limelight for its exquisite beauty and carving Jangids family said that their ancestors used to initially made almond boxes A total of 11 people from the artists have won the National Award for their unique craftmanship The family has also set several world records Mohit is the fourth generation artist of the family We had sent this box for the collection of Central Cottage Emporium in Delhi It was from here that a team from the Prime Ministers Office selected it as the gift he said The box is 15 inches in height and consists of different parts The carving is based on the peacock theme A peacock figure is made on the top of the box as well as all around it with fine carvings in different styles It took two months to make the box The specialty of Mysore sandalwood is that it is oily Due to the oil its brown colour comes out and the carving on it also comes out in a wonderful way This box is designed in a different way inside which there are many compartments in which different things can be kept he added Earlier Prime Minister Modi had gifted a sandalwood Krishna Pankhi fan also made by Mohit to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/sandalwood-box-gifted-by-pm-modi-to-biden-made-by-jaipur-artist-440834.html Sat, 24 Jun 2023 20:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/designer-anita-dongre-i-live-a-very-basic-life-strive-to-do-better-every-day-440870.html By Janvi Sonaiya Ahmedabad June 24 In the midst of the glitz and glamour of her latest outlet launch in Ahmedabad Anita Dongre the quietly composed fashion maven reflected on her journey She shared her experiences and insights offering a glimpse into her world of creativity leadership and conscious fashion I had my share of failures but people just look at the success Its been a long journey Anita revealed One of the major failures was when I was launching my brand AND some 21 years ago The collection was rejected by most stores so I opened my own store and got into retailing and fashion She is a quiet entrepreneur She is the person behind westernwear for women under the brand AND boho chic fashion Global Desi bridal couture and pret options by Anita Dongre including menswear handcrafted jadau jewellery through Pinkcity and luxury indowestern designs with Grassroot As a leader Anita has embraced the role of mentorship and talent recognition Today my role as a leader is to recognise great talent and to mentor them she explained I am learning to be a good leader through books Its something I am always trying to do better Amidst the challenges of leading a large team Anita maintains a simple and disciplined lifestyle I live a very basic life she shared I wake up at 530 am start my exercise at 630 am and by 830 am I am at work Every day brings new challenges when you work with 700 people I work like a labourer and strive to do better every day Anita added In my head Im 28 years forever and thats how I remain relevant from the 1980s to today I am still excited about life still eager to go to office every day and creating a new collection is still the highest point of my life Passionate about conscious and mindful fashion Anita emphasised the importance of living and buying mindfully Conscious and mindful fashion Living mindfully buying mindfully she expressed embodying her commitment to a sustainable and ethical approach Anitas family has played a significant role in her journey The best part of working with my family is they are so loyal and supportive she acknowledged However she also acknowledged the challenges that come with familial ties The worst is that many times I am not taken so seriously just because I am their sibling Over the years my mom has been my biggest support system She is my role model Drawing inspiration from legendary Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani Anitas passion for design has remained unwavering I did my thesis in college on Giorgio Armani I found him inspiring He was in his 80s full of life and still designing He still goes to office every day she shared In recent years Anita has found inspiration in designers who prioritise conscious fashion particularly Stella McCartney She believes in the power of collective efforts to make the world a better place Anitas dedication extends beyond the realm of fashion With a growing concern for animal welfare she aims to transition towards nonviolent and vegan fashion What I have done is just a drop in the ocean I want to keep designing I have so many ideas in my head she expressed As time becomes a pressing factor Anita is determined to contribute even more and create a positive impact IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/designer-anita-dongre-i-live-a-very-basic-life-strive-to-do-better-every-day-440870.html Sat, 24 Jun 2023 22:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/mapping-india-with-zac-o-yeahs-palette-440620.html By Sukant Deepak New Delhi June 23 Disclaimer You really do not have to be a foodie to enjoy Zac O Yeahs Digesting India A Travel Writers SubContinental Adventures With The Tummy A Memoir A La Carte Speaking Tiger Even as it treads the diverse Indian food landscape unheard of dishes and unique food habits this Scandinavianborn author settled in Bangalore who has been exploring the subcontinent for over three decades now never ceases to surprise himself and the reader with the everyday magic of India This time he discovers it through food as he journeys the country through the pleasures of drinking beer in Bengaluru toddy in Kerala eating boiled vegetables and masalaless curries in Sevagram the Mahatmas ashram in Maharashtra or the rich lal maas in royal Rajasthan The writer who has 15 books including several fiction and nonfiction bestsellers to his credit tells IANS that even before the Pandemic struck he had been thinking of donating his boots to a museum considering he had been travelwriting for 25 years When I started out in the previous millennium one carried a portable nonelectrified typewriter in the backpack and sent stories by post to the magazines it was a very Hemingway lifestyle still in the 1900s Today it is all about social media handles and hand sanitisers and nobody swills gin and tonic for antimalarial protection anymore Feeling like a dinosaur he thought it was time to focus on writing about history rather than travel because thats where dinosaurs belong I think when the pandemic came lots of people found reasons to rethink their lives and what they value about being on this planet I thought if I cannot go forward right now it would be the perfect time to look backward instead So what initially looked like the end of my career actually turned out to be the beginning And this book is a result of that So more than just a book about the best food you can eat in India its existential philosophy in an enjoyable and adventurous format Though it is a memoir he did during gaps in the lockdowns revisit some favourite places to see how they fared however the book is largely based on past experience as he mostly focuses on old and timetested restaurants that have survived in many cases for over a hundred years and are likely to remain relevant for centuries to come And many of the Indian cuisines I explore are thousands of years old Thats where the research comes in one has to check old sources like say Sangam poetry to see what was written about millets in their poems for example and it actually gives a very interesting perspective considering that 2023 has been declared the year of millets which is considered to be a power food that can save the world today while in fact it was considered a royal food already then in ancient India In between humans perhaps lost sight of millets though in the south Karnataka region millets never ceased to be relevant I have been a great fan of ragimudde for decades ever since I was introduced to it at a roadside shack around 2001 Best food ever This founderdirector of Bangalores WorldFamous SemiDeluxe Writing Programme the first semiprofessional writing school in India whose recent works include the novel Tropical Detective and the travelogue A Walk Through Barygaza says that writing about Indian food is a great challenge and a very interesting one Adding that in the past three decades he has learned to appreciate the complexity of Indian food as this country is like an endless ocean of very different culinary philosophies In South food is very ricebased even rotis are made of rice such as the lovely akki roti I had for lunch yesterday then you go north and suddenly you are tempted by tandoori naans and aloo parathas and if theres rice at all on the table it will usually be in the form of mutton biryani In the book I describe overland journeys and how just by moving from one town to the next maybe only an hour away you find yourself negotiating an entirely different food culture Ask him if anything like Indian food exists and he is quick to assert that one cannot speak of an Indian food but it should always be rephrased as the foods of India which reflects the diversity of Indian culture in general Adding that while in the West they think they know what Indian food is tandoori chicken and palak paneer which could probably be called the national dishes of Sweden considering how people in his home country love that classic dhaba combo he says here in India the scene is way more fascinating Once I was besotted by aloo bonda then my love became vadasambhar then I got a passion for mackerel recheado then grew a lifelong love for ragimudde in between I had an affair with Bihari littichokha and I also could not resist kersangri in Rajasthan then I fell for pandi kari and more recently Ive been completely bewildered by the tribal foods of the Northeast and how they cook there I even went to stay with a lady in Garohills last year and was her kitchen helper in order to understand how she cooked their typical dishes like different kinds of dried fish But when it boils down to what it boils down to I think the best food in the world is probably dalroti When one just needs to eat well like if youre on a long trek in the Himalayas nothing beats a bowl of dal and hot rotis Having said that I also think UNESCO should grant world heritage status to masala dosa and Udupi As the conversation veers towards the fact that the viewpoint of an outsider is mostly enriching he remembers a chat with psychoanalyst Sudhir Kakar who made him realise that it is only when one goes abroad and stays outside ones home country for some time that one begins to understand ones country When one is where one is heshe takes everything around for granted So it is travel that broadens ones vision This is why Gandhi to take one example which I discuss in my book became the Mahatma he went abroad in his late teens and returned when he was a successful professional and he was able to see then what needed to be done to end colonialism Of course thats to slightly simplify things as it took until 1947 to achieve that and many others contributed too but his experiences from abroad were definitely crucial And it also changed his perspectives on Indian food habits too So the insideroutsider vision can be very useful as it makes one examine things rather than take them for granted And thats the beauty of travel you go somewhere and you become more aware of yourself if you are mindful enough to notice the possibility And once you become aware of yourself you become aware of many other things that you may have been blind to before IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/mapping-india-with-zac-o-yeahs-palette-440620.html Sat, 24 Jun 2023 05:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/gandhi-peace-prize-for-gita-press-congress-says-it-is-a-travesty-438873.html New Delhi June 19 Congress criticised the government for conferring Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 to Gita Press saying that the decision is a travesty and is like awarding Savarkar and Godse The Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 has been conferred on the Gita Press at Gorakhpur which is celebrating its centenary this year There is a very fine biography from 2015 of this organisation by Akshaya Mukul in which he unearths the stormy relations it had with the Mahatma and the running battles it carried on with him on his political religious social agenda The decision is really a travesty and is like awarding Savarkar and Godse Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet criticising the government The Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 will be conferred on Gita Press Gorakhpur in recognition of its outstanding contribution towards social economic and political transformation through nonviolent and other Gandhian methods according to an official statement The jury headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi unanimously decided to select Gita Press as the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize as per the statement issued by the Ministry of Culture Established in 1923 Gita Press is one of the worlds largest publishers having published 417 crore books in 14 languages Prime Minister Modi congratulated Gita Press for winning the prize and commended their contribution in the field I congratulate Gita Press Gorakhpur on being conferred the Gandhi Peace Prize 2021 They have done commendable work over the last 100 years towards furthering social and cultural transformations among the people Gita Press PM Modi had tweeted on Sunday IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/gandhi-peace-prize-for-gita-press-congress-says-it-is-a-travesty-438873.html Mon, 19 Jun 2023 16:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/gita-press-declines-cash-reward-for-gandhi-peace-award-438915.html Gorakhpur June 19 The Gita Press in Gorakhpur has refused to accept Rs one crore cash reward for the Gandhi Peace Award It said that it would only accept the citation and not the cash prize The jury headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had unanimously selected Gita Press as the recipient of the award The announcement of the Gandhi Peace Award was made on Sunday The prize includes a reward of Rs one crore a certificate of appreciation and a plaque Refusing to accept the honorarium Gita Press in a statement suggested the government should spend the money elsewhere Gita Press said it would only accept a certificate of appreciation The decision to award the Gita Press did not go down well with the Congress Party leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the move and called the selection of Gita Press for the award a travesty He also said that giving the Gandhi Peace Prize 2021 to Gita Press would be like awarding Savarkar and Godse He argued that Akshaya Mukul an author had written a biography titled Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India Ramesh said the book talks about Mukuls stormy relations with Mahatma Gandhi Meanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Gita Press for winning the prize and commended its contribution to the field Gita Press based in Uttar Pradeshs Gorakhpur is one of the worlds largest publishers having published 417 crore books in 14 languages including 1621 crore Shrimad Bhagavad Gita an official statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/gita-press-declines-cash-reward-for-gandhi-peace-award-438915.html Mon, 19 Jun 2023 18:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/online-book-fair-by-rajkamal-prakashan-underway-438742.html New Delhi June 19 Rajkamal Prakashan Samuh is holding an online book fair till June 25 on their website Apart from all the books published by Rajkamal Prakashan those by 350 new authors will also be available at the online book fair Readers will not have to pay any delivery charge for purchasing books at the fair This is the second online book fair by the group Last year readers from more than 40 countries visited the first edition The separate category of the 350 books published specially for the fair boasts 75 novels 40 story collections 65 poetry collections and more than 25 books on criticism Executive Director of Rajkamal Prakashan Samuh Amod Maheshwari said We are committed to publishing the best books and making them accessible to as many readers as possible Due to the Covid19 pandemic events like World Book Fair and other similar gatherings couldnt take place for two years Keeping in mind the needs of readers we organised an online book fair IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/online-book-fair-by-rajkamal-prakashan-underway-438742.html Mon, 19 Jun 2023 07:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/history-of-goa-revolution-day-will-be-included-in-textbook-cm-sawant-438649.html Panaji June 18 Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday announced that the history of Goa Revolution Day June 18 1946 will be introduced in the History text book of Class 11 from the next academic year Sawant was speaking at the statelevel function of Goa Revolution Day at Martyrs Memorial at Azad Maidan Panjim Extending his greetings on the occasion of Goa Revolution Day the chief minister said On June 18 1946 Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr Juliao Menezes led the initiative to resist persecution by Portuguese rulers and people of the Goa started mass revolution to take back their homeland from Portuguese History of Goa revolution day is already included in the syllabus of IV standard Gomantak Bhal Bhartiya textbook However this history will also be introduced in the History text book of Class 11 from the next academic year Sawant said Sawant informed that within one and half month the pending pension of Freedom fighters will be processed immediately Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai said that freedom is not only confined to political but also social and economic freedom We can proudly say our system is developing day by day and our Indian Constitution is accepted as one of the finest in the world he said Pillai also recalled the contribution of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr Juliao Menezes who fought against the Portuguese regime and said their contribution should be passed on to the new generation Goa having the highest per capita income will be able to make the best affluent State in the country he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/history-of-goa-revolution-day-will-be-included-in-textbook-cm-sawant-438649.html Sun, 18 Jun 2023 19:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/the-rebellion-play-gujarats-voh-ladkiyon-wala-natak-challenges-the-norm-438680.html By Janvi Sonaiya Ahmedabad June 18 While Gujarat was battling with one of the worst cyclones this week there was another wave too this one was of feminism At the experimental theatre space Prayogshala in Ahmedabad a bunch of young girls could be seen in loose black clothes without makeup dancing to Bollywood songs on unchoreographed steps everything liberating that a woman would do in her room they were doing it on stage In Gujarat people cannot afford to take a stand be it political or feminist because no one wants to do anything that might disturb hisher dhandha business Here Voh Ladkiyon Wala Natak comes as a breath of fresh air The allwoman nonlinear piece of theatre rebellion actually is centred around women and their take on love lust anger frustration and various other emotions This Gujaratbased production has also performed at Thespo Theatre Festival Mumbai Written by a young Gujaratbased writer Chaitali Das the play opens up with a conversation around masturbation and why its alright if women want to experience desire and pleasure A reference to a vibrator in a play in Gujarat is worth noting In another scene a youngster Durga a reference to the goddess is seen fighting against Mahishasura but in the middle of the yuddha war Durga gets a phone call from her family Lord Shiva about where the milk is Whats the OTP And who will bring their little Ganesha home With humour they address the glorification done around women and multitasking One of the leading characters in the play Kamala is played by Preeti Das She is Laadli awardee journalist now an academician who talks about feminism through comedy and theatre Das said These young girls were tired of the male narrative in theatre and in life in general and therefore they came up with their side of the story Other team members include Teertha Anannya Aayushi Neha Lipi Yashi Kanksha Chaitali Snigdha and Paridhi There are moments in the play where one could feel like they said out loud what you have been feeling and experiencing as a woman for so long After all the idea of suppression is universal At the end of the play the women come together and talk and talkand a character says Ladkiya to sirf baate kar sakti hain nahi Women can only talk right With this the houseful audience gave thundering applause The end brings more questions than answers Can violence ever be called love As a housewife what is my purpose in this relationship Is it alright if women dont meet the beauty standards set for them The play gives the feelgood factor of breakfast not the satisfaction of lunch But the silver lining is some at least scratched the surface in a state where everyone else is too scared of taking a stand politically or otherwise IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/the-rebellion-play-gujarats-voh-ladkiyon-wala-natak-challenges-the-norm-438680.html Sun, 18 Jun 2023 21:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/sixth-serendipity-arts-festival-to-be-held-from-december-15-to-23-in-goa-437869.html New Delhi June 15 The sixth edition of the Serendipity Arts Festival is scheduled to take place between December 15 and 23 in Panjim Goa The key focus will be on supporting artists and creative expressions from the South Asian region With a mandate of making art accessible to everyone the programming of the nineday interdisciplinary festival rests on the pillars of creating an environment of engagement participation and amplifying local interaction Spanning across disciplines of Performing Visual Culinary and Performance Arts and Craft this years curators will be marrying the tapestry of traditional and folk cultures with the contemporary idiom with an aim to reimagine and recreate a visual vocabulary across the arts Spread across multiple venues important cultural spaces such as the Old GMC Complex the Art Park and Nagalli Hills Ground among others will be home to creative stimulation The curation lineup of the 6th edition brings together a diverse set of individuals Sandeep Kumar Sangaru and Anjana Somany will be curating the section on Craft Quasar Thakore Padamsee who curated last years theatre section of the festival is back to helm the Theatre segment of the festival that will showcase an eclectic selection of plays Food is an indispensable aspect of the festival and for this edition Chef Thomas Zacharias and The Locavore Team will take visitors through a gastronomical journey that ties people and cultures Bickram Ghosh along with Ricky Kej will curate the Music section with a wide range of concerts covering diverse genres Geeta Chandran and Mayuri Upadhya will put together classical experimental and contemporary dance performances and workshops The Visual Arts curators for this edition will be Veeranganakumari Solanki and Vidya Shivadas This edition will also feature a set of special curators including Zubin Balaporia Music Elizabeth Yorke and Anusha Murthy with Edible Issues who will be the special curators for culinary arts while Bhagyashree Patwardhan will return to curate a project around local Goan design practices There will be additions to the list of special curators closer to the festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/sixth-serendipity-arts-festival-to-be-held-from-december-15-to-23-in-goa-437869.html Fri, 16 Jun 2023 08:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/sacred-rocks-from-nepal-to-be-placed-for-worship-in-ayodhya-436386.html Ayodhya UP June 11 The two sacred rocks brought from Nepal to Ayodhya will be preserved at the Ram Mandir complex but they will not be used in the making of Ram Lallas idol The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra the trust that manages the temple said that it was a tough decision to rule out the ancient rocks from Nepal for the idol After several tests the Nepal rocks were not found to be suitable for Ram Lallas idol as they developed cracks However the trust has decided to retain these rocks at the Ram Mandir complex itself so that devotees can worship them They are devshilas and will be given full respect a trust member stated Meanwhile renowned sculptors are carving out three idols of Lord Ram from the rocks of Karnataka and Rajasthan The best of them will be installed in the sanctumsanctorum of the temple The trust has decided to use the Karnataka and Rajasthan rocks for Ram Lallas idol the member added Ganesh Bhatt of Karnataka is making the idol from Nellikaru rocks black stones which are also known as Shyam shila or Krishna shila due to their resemblance to Lord Krishnas complexion Satya Narayan Pandey of Rajasthan is expected to make an idol from white Makrana marble stones Famous sculptor Arun Yogiraj of Mysore will carve out an idol from another rock sourced from Karnataka The two devshilas ancient rocks from Nepals Gandaki river in the Muktinath area had reached Ayodhya on February 2 this year They weighed at 14 and 26 tonnes The trust has planned a grand ceremony on Makar Sankranti in January next year when Lord Rams idol depicting his childhood will be enthroned in the sanctumsanctorum of the Ayodhya temple IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/sacred-rocks-from-nepal-to-be-placed-for-worship-in-ayodhya-436386.html Sun, 11 Jun 2023 20:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/from-road-to-rage-the-musical-journey-of-a-kashmiri-singer-436138.html By Sheikh Qayoom Srinagar June 10 Kashmiri musician Mohammad Muneem popularly known as Alif who shot to fame with the recentlyreleased wedding song Kya Karie Korimol has released his latest number Fitna Fitoor Alif became a household name in Kashmir for hits like Ride Home that won him the best folk song at Indian Independent Music Awards IIMA He is now on a roll with his next track which is streaming on YouTube Fitna Fitoor delves into the profound theme of resilience and the human journey towards selfdiscovery amid chaos and uncertainty The song encapsulates the notion that true strength lies in holding onto belief and waiting for the light to break through the darkness It metaphorically portrays humanity being tossed in a turbulent sea oscillating between weaker moments and strong moments creating and destroying and then finally being reborn as an allnew being Through its captivating lyrics and evocative melodies Fitna Fitoor explores the inherent struggles and the relentless pursuit to overcome obstacles showcasing the indomitable spirit of the human soul In a world filled with chaos and madness this powerful composition encourages listeners to find their own paths to triumph to persevere and to be reborn as their new selves Beautifully shot with surreal imagery and featuring Alif himself the song showcases his grasp over a unique style of fusion that brings together poignant contemporary poetry and freespirited instrumentation Alif started his musical journey in 2008 and went on to win an award at the Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival 2018 for the single Lalnawath and the IRAA Awards for the track Like a Sufi He also teaches songwriting and Urdu poetry at Punes Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce and is a cofounder of Muzi Club a company offering music training services He is an adept storyteller who also conceptualises and directs videos for himself and others Alifs Kashmiri poem Korkun was published by Seagull in their anthology Reclaiming Plurality Amid Hatred He said that Fitna Fitoor is both a documentation of lived experiences and an articulation of bigger social realities I believe that any medium has the potential to become the purveyor of a meaningful idea or thought Fitna Fitoor is also a dialogue with the self and the world and is about the search for the light that is within and around but which escapes unnoticed as we thrash around looking for something nameless he said Alif recently made a powerful impact with an episode in Coke Studio Bharat He will also be featuring in Season 2 of the Amazon Prime Series Made in Heaven IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/from-road-to-rage-the-musical-journey-of-a-kashmiri-singer-436138.html Sun, 11 Jun 2023 01:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/kasauli-club-hosts-101st-kasauli-week-434803.html New Delhi June 6 The Kasauli Club established in 1880 is hosting the 101st Kasauli Week The weeklong celebrations that started on Monday were inaugurated by the Chairman of the club Brig CS Pathania On Monday a military seminar and several sports events were held A seminar by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage INTACH on the role of Kasauli and Dagshai in Indias Independence followed by Karma Band Night by speciallyabled persons will be organised on June 6 Yoga and art activities besides sports events followed by Rajasthani folk will be witnessed on June 7 Similarly June 8 will see a meditation session followed by a Punjabi night In remaining days several activities including dance classes magic shows music cooking classes fashion show and the Members Night will be organised The beating retreat is scheduled for June 11 IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/kasauli-club-hosts-101st-kasauli-week-434803.html Tue, 06 Jun 2023 20:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/bihar-museum-biennale-to-open-on-aug-7-434824.html New Delhi June 6 The second edition of the Bihar Museum Biennale will be inaugurated on August 7 at the Bihar Museum in Patna Organised by the state governments Department of Arts Culture and Youth Affairs the firstever Museum Biennale in the country and the world was opened in March 2021 in a hybrid format providing a gateway to the richness and treasures of Indian museums and also bringing together a highlight of key collections from various museums across the world The biennale aims to sensitise the public to the importance and significance of museum culture in India and facilitate an understanding of the Indian culture building a strong sense of identity nationhood and the self Dr Alka Pande will be the chief curator for the forthcoming event As a Curtain Raiser to the Biennale the museum will present a photography exhibition titled Brasilia 60 and the Construction of Modern Brazil from June 21 to July 22 This exhibition pays tribute to the notable achievements of Brasilia the capital city of Brazil as it celebrates 200 years of independence Brasilia an idea that emerged in the early 19th century gained immense significance over time and was eventually inscribed in Brazils constitution In 1956 President Juscelino Kubitschek recognised this idea and selected Lucio Costas urban plan the Plano Piloto as the winning concept for the new capital The renowned Brazilian modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer skillfully captured the inherent beauty of Brasilia by integrating Costas meticulous urban layout with distinct buildings that exude functional rhythmic structures intricately designed facades and minimalist clean and linear designs The exhibition showcases the artistic documentation of Brasilia capturing its unique character essence and architectural intricacies It features a collection of photographs that depict symbolic palaces such as the Parliament the Presidents residence the Presidents office the Ministries and a significant number of apartment buildings These architectural marvels paved the way for the capitals transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia in 1960 forever shaping the urban landscape of Brazil Another exhibition titled Nature Strikes Back by the Ambassador of France to India Emmanuel Lenain will be on view from June 22 to July 21 inviting visitors to explore the darker side of nature and its delicate relationship with human existence While documenting the deterioration of the environment the haunting beauty of his images captivates viewers inviting them to contemplate the intricate balance between man and nature The exhibition features a series of evocative blackandwhite photographs each offering a unique perspective on the decaying remnants of our environment Both exhibitions have been curated by Dr Pande Anjani Kumar Singh Director General of Bihar Museum talking bout the forthcoming biennale said We promise a transformative experience as this new iteration aims to surpass its predecessor presenting a betterenriched form to connect people connect cultures and interrogating museums With a broadened scope of programming the grand event will commence with the prestigious G20 exhibition catapulting the biennale onto the global stage of artistic excellence IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/bihar-museum-biennale-to-open-on-aug-7-434824.html Tue, 06 Jun 2023 22:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/bengal-beyond-boundaries-in-new-delhi-from-july-6-434830.html New Delhi June 6 Get set for a show of Bengals masters Bengal Beyond Boundaries which will see works by both past and contemporary artists as Aakriti Art Gallery between July 6 and 16 is bringing to Bikaner House in the national capital seminal works by Abanindranath Tagore Nandalal Bose Jamini Roy Hemen Majumdar Somnath Hore Rabin Mondal Ganesh Pyne Arpita Singh Jogen Chowdhury Anjolie Ela Menon Paresh Maity and several others Conceptualised by artist Jogen Chowdhury and curated by Uma Nair the exhibition seeks to place the history of the Bengal School as one that is born of the reflection of human understanding and affinity for a love of nature as well as the recording of human history through a fine selection of handpicked works The show will have paintings drawings prints as well as sculptures Arranged in chronology the exhibit exemplifies the ingenuity as well as the ethos of modern and contemporary art practices A rank of works that transcend time the images of human figures as well as expressionist works will reflect the incessant human desire to explore the macrocosmic and the microcosmic through the experience of memory as well as history These works will offer many journeys of discovery and contemplation and signify the enduring need for artists to provide a context and commentary around artistic journeys says curator Uma Nair The hallmark of the show will be the coming together of many big names in the art fraternity who have been practitioners for decades to young new upcoming talents The artists printmakers and sculptors have unravelled internal journeys of discovery to provide an insight that focuses on the finest details of communication as well as the contemplative idiom in the creation of their own art The show will include a quest that reaches out to capture the known as well as the unknown it blends into a narrative of a prism of social and cultural as well as a memoir of personal and public contemporary developments born out of the leaves of memory and Bengali heritage Divided into Bikaner Houses maze of galleries in the Centre for Contemporary Art the show will feature the breadth of mediums artists worked within including sculptures drawings paintings and graphic works as well as representations from Aakriti Art Gallerys archival collection built up over decades From the early Kalighat mythic moorings to contemporary characters to the complexities of politics and power and faith and fervor this show is a novel look at presentday practices in the light of the past IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/bengal-beyond-boundaries-in-new-delhi-from-july-6-434830.html Tue, 06 Jun 2023 22:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/goa-environmental-film-festival-kicks-off-with-the-elephant-whisperers-433977.html Panaji June 3 The first edition of Goa Environmental Film Festival GEFF kicked off on Saturday with the Oscar winning documentary The Elephant Whisperers The threeday film festival which highlights global issues related to the environment was inaugurated by state Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral Secretary Protocol and Nodal Officer of G20 Goa Sanjit Rodrigues and Chairman of Goa State Pollution Control Board Mahesh Patil were present on the occasion Speaking at the inaugural of the Environmental Film Festival Nilesh Cabral said that 50 films will be screened in the film festival Everyone should try to protect the environment I hope we will make efforts in this regard he said He said that GEFF has been organised on the sidelines of G20 meetings taking place in Goa however it will be an annual event from this year Cabral informed that films from Bulgaria Canada Croatia Finland Ireland Oman Portugal Russia Spain and other countries will be screened during the film festival He said that various aspects of protecting the environment could be learnt by watching these films Hence I appeal to the student community and general public to watch these films by participating in film festival he said Sanjit Rodrigues said I think environment is a very dear subject and a very touchy subject too As we are working with such a fervour towards nine meetings of G20 in Goa we thought that there should be a connection with the local population here and thus the film festival idea was put forward which unites people here He further said that such films show what is happening across countries with issues related to the environment and how these countries tackle them Film is a great medium to bring such awareness to our level and is a medium which is acceptable to all And at the same time we have brought in the local Goan perspective at this film festival It will help us see how we fare in this medium Im happy that the response towards this festival has been overwhelming Rodrigues said IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/goa-environmental-film-festival-kicks-off-with-the-elephant-whisperers-433977.html Sun, 04 Jun 2023 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/from-bhiwanis-bylanes-to-londons-nehru-centre-a-journey-with-strokes-433981.html By Sukant Deepak New Delhi June 3 As a schoolgoing boy he would always stop seeing men making natural dyes and pigments in one of the bylanes of Bhiwani Haryana He remembers finding the process fascinating This went on for several months until one of them invited him to sit with them Well for several days I was asked to get tea and do odd jobs guess they were testing me Thank God I passed It was here that I learnt everything smiles artist Ram Pratap Verma Fast forward to the present Paintings stacks of drawings sculptures and awards they mark their presence almost everywhere in his apartment Antiques collected over the years are in the balcony and there is another room full of paintings Panchkulabased Verma is busy giving the final touches to the 25 works in natural pigments and acrylic that will be exhibited during his solo show Past in Present Tense at the Nehru Centre in London from July 3 to 7 In so many ways the past lives in the present and gives direction to the future Through multiple metaphors I want to narrate my own past which is in sync with my present The works to be exhibited have been inspired by the wall paintings in Havelis In fact the artist also wrote the book Wall Paintings The Vanishing Treasure and documented the same in a film by the same title that was released last year The movie will be released in the UK on July 5 This College of Art passout has documented the remarkable paintings executed since the 18th century based largely on mythological themes Spending several months researching the artwork artists their styles the kind of colours they used and how the prevailing situations at that time influenced the artists works Verma says multiple times periods and diverse styles came together to create those works on the walls He has already started work on the second film which will document the temple art of Madhya Pradesh I have completed the still photography part and will be hiring a film crew from Mumbai as I did for the first one For me it is extremely important to work with professionals and not compromise on quality he said Investing his own money in the films he said either one can make art or get trapped in the bureaucratic red tape of procuring funds I did try approaching government agencies but the whole process is so tedious I may not be from a rich family but do understand that making art is all about giving For Verma it was important to start major work after his wife passed on My poet friend Nirupama Dutt would call me often and exhort me to start a project that would keep me occupied It made all the sense to go back to Fresco paintings which were a part of my growing up I just hope that a heritage body or a government agency comes forward to preserve them before they vanish owing to neglect IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/from-bhiwanis-bylanes-to-londons-nehru-centre-a-journey-with-strokes-433981.html Sun, 04 Jun 2023 01:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/comic-books-capture-interest-of-a-wide-range-of-audiences-from-children-to-adults-amar-chitra-katha-ceo-432679.html By Vishnu Makhijani New Delhi May 31 Amar Chitra Katha which has a legacy of familiarising millions of children with Indian history and mythology through wellillustrated comics recently launched two books under its The Pioneers of Progress series that depicts the lives of Ardeshir Pirojsha Godrej and Naval Godrej In an interview Preeti Vyas CEO Amar Chitra Katha tells IANS about their latest outing Excerpts IANS How was the project conceived Vyas Our content team has a long wish list of titles for new content Based on our bandwidth certain projects take priority The story of Ardeshir Godrej had also been on our wish list When we were approached for this collaboration we knew that it would make a wonderful biography especially because it included three people and not just Ardeshir Godrej The two books in The Pioneers of Progress series tell the story of the Godrej family which had a humble beginning in Bharuch in Gujarat before migrating to Bombay to build a multibilliondollar empire We have also published books on the founders of other Indian conglomerates such as Tata and Birla IANS Why were only three individuals chosen from the vast variety of Parsis who have contributed to Indias growth Vyas While selecting stories we do not focus on a particular community but choose to tell tales that would inspire millions When we started reading the material that was sent by the Godrej Boyce team we were thrilled to read the fascinating history of the organisation They were passionate about Make in India long before it became a mantra for indigenous manufacturing This series focuses on the values of integrity employee welfare hard work trust and care for the environment which are portrayed very well in the stories IANS Tell us about the research that went into it Vyas Malini Sehgal the author of the series worked in collaboration with Godrej Archives to put these books together The content was supported by archival material from the 1900s and included letters agreements product history and advertisements We delved into the 125yearlong history of the company and its various highlights such as the manufacturing of bestinclass safes Indias first indigenous typewriter the launch of Chandrayaan II and other highlights The author read the complete fivevolume set biography and a lot more books by various authors about the history of Godrej to verify facts She mapped the timeline of the Godrej history to the timeline of landmark events such as the industrial exhibitions and the Swadeshi movement The stories of Ardeshir Pirojsha and Naval transport you to a Bombay of a different era What really helped was that the Godrej Archives Team of Godrej Boyce provided photographs transcripts and letters to narrate the story in a comicbook format Each founder had a distinct personality and it was interesting to capture this The onus of imagining how the pioneers reacted to the historic incidents or movements was an interesting challenge that Malini handled very well IANS But doesnt the comic book style leave a vast number of readers out of the ambit Vyas We always create comics for 8 to 14yearolds but our readership has been 8 to 80yearolds Comic books capture the interest of a wide range of audiences from children to adults who enjoy graphics as well as light and reluctant readers However the goal of this collaboration was to reach a younger audience IANS Any chance of the series being taken forward Vyas We are always looking out for new stories to tell and will continue to carry forward our legacy of familiarising millions of children with Indian history and mythology through our comics Our content has been translated into various languages and also many formats such as animation webcomics web articles audiobooks and more We are open to the possibility of further books in the Pioneers of Progress series and its translations for a wider reach The interview was conducted by Mr Vishnu Makhijani before his demise IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/comic-books-capture-interest-of-a-wide-range-of-audiences-from-children-to-adults-amar-chitra-katha-ceo-432679.html Wed, 31 May 2023 08:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/varanasi-artisans-make-miniature-models-of-new-parliament-432700.html Varanasi UP May 31 Artisans of GItagged woodcraft and zardozi work here have made 15 3D miniature models of the new Parliament building Women artisans have also prepared an angavastram stole in Banarasi zardozi craft showing the images of new and old Parliament buildings Both the items have been sent to the Central government and will be available for the public in the coming days Just as the new Parliament building complex was prepared under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a short span of time artisans including Shalini Divya Sanjay Prajapati Sanjay Chaurasia Satyam Kumar Sanoj Kumar Ajay Pratap Singh Monika Devi and Meena Pal have worked tirelessly to prepare 15 similar models of the new Parliament building said GI expert and Padma Shri awardee Rajni Kant He added that this has been possible with the guidance and technical support of national merit awardee Rameshwar Singh and state awardee Rajkumar Singh These GItagged products of Kashi as well as Indias intellectual property have been sent to the Central government will be available for the public in the coming days said Kant adding that it is expected that it will prove to be one of the most wonderful mementos in the coming times and a new employment opportunity for the wooden craft artisans of Varanasi IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/varanasi-artisans-make-miniature-models-of-new-parliament-432700.html Wed, 31 May 2023 09:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/wont-allow-texts-and-lessons-that-poison-childrens-minds-siddaramaiah-assures-writers-432441.html Bengaluru May 29 There is no question of compromising on the issue of protecting the harmony and secular heritage of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday asserting that hate politics will not be tolerated and the environment of fear will be eradicated He gave these assurance in a meeting held with more than 40 writers and heads of various organisations at his home office Krishna Siddaramaiah congratulated the writers for taking a firm stand against the BJP which is putting the country at risk and destroying its pluralism and volunteering to warn the people in this regard during the recent Assembly elections He assured that the act of polluting childrens minds through texts and lessons cannot be condoned As the academic year has started we will discuss and take action so that the education of the children is not disturbed he said False cases against Kannada fighters farmerslabourDalit movements literature and writers will be withdrawn he said The education sector will not be allowed to be adulterated in the name of New Education Policy NEP A separate meeting will be convened in this regard once again to discuss it comprehensively and take strict and definite decisions Siddaramaiah stated I have already issued stern instructions to the state Director General of Police to take strict action against moral policing slanderous trolls and those who threaten writers he said Siddaramaiah said that he will consider the facts in the letter given by the writers seriously Our government will take action as per requirement he said Those who take the law into their hands and carry out communal riots will be punished according to law Moral policing which weakens the moral strength of the police is not allowed This cannot be tolerated for any reason Siddaramaiah asserted IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/wont-allow-texts-and-lessons-that-poison-childrens-minds-siddaramaiah-assures-writers-432441.html Tue, 30 May 2023 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/moderate-muslims-must-raise-voice-against-terrorism-in-name-of-islam-pakistani-author-shahbaz-taseer-432491.html By Sukant Deepak New Delhi May 30 He says it had to be a memoir of faithDespite the fact that he was abducted by a Talibanaffiliated group and kept in captivity for five years in Afghanistan Even when every inch of his skin bore witness to his abductors hatred Pakistani author Shahbaz Taseer whose book Lost to the World A Memoir of Faith Family and Five Years in Terrorist Captivity Penguin recently hit the stands stresses that while he is a Muslim owing to the family and country he was born in he did not see how practising or devout he was before the lifealtering incident Still it is the only religion that I am affiliated with When I was kidnapped I discovered my faith When you have no one no human being privilege and power on earth that can help you it is only spirituality that you can rely on And for me it was Allah he tells IANS Son of assassinated Governor of Punjab Pakistan Salman Taseer Shahbaz himself was not involved in politics but he was a public figure who represented a more tolerant internationally connected Pakistan that the militant group IMU condemned What followed his kidnapping was nearly five years of torture and constant peril as Taseer was held captive in the ungoverned reaches of Pakistan and Afghanistan his fate subject to the unpredictable whims and machinations of terrorists Lost to the World is his memoir of that time a story of extraordinary sorrow but also of empathy and faith It is also a tale about resilience Taseer countered his captors narrative of a holy war by immersing himself in the Quran in search of hope and a means to see his own humanity under even the most inhumane conditions and ultimately to find a way back to his family Stressing that it is high time that moderate Muslims raise their voice against terrorism in the name of Islam Taseer says My father was a moderate Muslim and was shot 29 times just for his opinion Imagine in a country of 250 million people not one person was willing to say a word So I do believe moderate Muslims across the world and not just in Pakistan need to speak up and raise their voices against draconian laws that extremists propagate as Islamic laws but have nothing to do with Islam Recalling his days in captivity the author says he asked for death more times than he probably prayed for anything else Adding that explaining the physical pain and lending words to it in the book was easy but the dehumanizing aspect of it and the intense loneliness he felt just cannot be defined There were times when I held the blade close to my wrists but I just could not do it it felt like the most cowardly act possible despite what I was enduring It would be unbecoming of Salman Taseers son who gave up his life for his convictions Also I recalled this beautiful line To give up hope is to give up on the idea of God This held me back In such a dark and lonely place a miracle seemed like the only thing to save me Why would I give up on that right then I started seeing those small miracles Taseer says the point when he moved in with his kidnappers family he found pieces of humanity there He was a cruel man I would call him godless but in his family with his children I found my happiness a reason to smile again In the book he writes about Ayah the kidnappers motherinlaw who defied the purdah and shouted for the torture to stop as Taseer was in her house She gave him access to a shower once a week a toothbrush toothpaste and soap I often wonder how lucky I am to be of sane mind body and soul I dont know how many people have been tortured and survived As human beings there is a thin line between our sanity and insanity Our mind is a very volatile organ and can be broken very quickly The problem with breaking the mind is there are very few cases where it has been put back together In many ways she took the first step to ensure that if I ever made it home I would go back a sane man Taseer also recalls Ayah her children and her grandchildren being murdered in cold blood That is something I can never forget But you know before leaving I looked at one of my kidnappers and told him that while he did everything to me in Gods name it is His name that I forgive him I said this because I did not want to be a prisoner anymore And how was it adjusting back to life after his release The author says it took him a long time to understand what normal was My normal during captivity was waking up at ungodly hours praying five times a day no food or toilet sometimes Even now sometimes when I want to go to the restroom I am looking to ask someone for permission I was so used to sleeping on a hard surface that it was tough to be on my bed I had to get a bamboo sheet put on my mattress so that it felt like a little bit of the floor Every time I would hear an aircraft I would look for cover concludes Taseer who wants to write a book on his father next Sukant Deepak can be reached at sukantdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/moderate-muslims-must-raise-voice-against-terrorism-in-name-of-islam-pakistani-author-shahbaz-taseer-432491.html Tue, 30 May 2023 15:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/the-sculptor-of-mural-in-new-parliament-building-431992.html New Delhi May 28 As the newlyinaugurated building of Parliament becomes the confluence of the countrys ancient legacy with the principles of democracy for New India it is also a proud moment for the art maestros behind the curtain Ace sculptor Naresh Kumar Kumawat had decorated the new Parliament building with Samudra Manthan mural Kumawat the man with the golden chisel from Rajasthans Pilani has given his special touch to a number of murals and sculptures that now adorn the majestic New Parliament Building For me it is an honour to contribute in the making of this new Parliament It was our Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision to create a scene from Samudra Manthan and the churning of the sea to extract elixir as a symbol of serving in a righteous manner from the sacred Parliament which would turn into elixir for our country and countrymen said Kumawat IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/the-sculptor-of-mural-in-new-parliament-building-431992.html Mon, 29 May 2023 03:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/secrets-of-prez-murmus-old-address-ranchis-9-decade-old-raj-bhavan-431785.html By Shambhu Nath Chaudhary Ranchi May 28 President Droupadi Murmu who visited Jharkhand from May 2426 said Ranchis Raj Bhavan has once again mesmerised her I am feeling extremely happy after entering the premises of Raj Bhavan The moment I entered it all the memories of me staying here for the past six years came alive she wrote in the visitors book It was quite natural for President Murmu to get nostalgic as she had served as Governor of Jharkhand for six years However the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi has been a centre of attraction since the British era for its unique architecture and beauty Let us have an insight into Ranchis nine decade old Raj Bhavan the old residence of President Murmu where she stayed for six years during her tenure as Jharkhand governor Though Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar on November 15 2000 the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi is more than nine decades old Due to its climate and natural beauty Ranchi used to be the summer capital of undivided Bihar during which the Raj Bhavan was constructed According to Jharkhand Raj Bhavan website impression of two sealed trapdoors can be seen on each on the floor of Durbar hall and adjoining office As per legends These trap doors are connected lead ouside Raj Bhavan into hidden destinations During British rule secret tunnels were made in important buildings to escape a disaster According to the Ranchi district Gazetteer this twostoreyed building was built during British rule at a cost of around Rs 75 lakh The construction of the Raj Bhavan started in 1930 and its architect was Sadlow Ballerd According to heritage activist Sridev Singh though the building has primarily a British design it seems to have been adapted to suit the local climate The building has a roof with double Raniganj tiles to deflect the heat Spread over an area of 62 acres the main Raj Bhavan Campus covers 52 acres and Audrey House 10 acres The ceilings are 1820 feet high while the walls are 14 inches thick Some of the tiles of the ceiling still have Made in England inscribed on them The ground floor of the Raj Bhavan has the Durbar Hall dining hall recreation room waiting room sitting room and offices while the first floor has the Governors living quarters presidential office and guest suites The antiques in the collection at Raj Bhavan include kerosene operated fans and refrigerators The Durbar Hall has several paintings by FrenchBritish artist Daniel which date back to 1796 and many frames by renowned photographer Bishu Nandi The photos by Bishu Nandi depict the rich traditions and tribal life of Jharkhand There is a chandelier in the Durbar Hall which is a symbol of the British era The dining table has a seating capacity of 32 people The recreational room has a British era billiards table The premises has various gardens with over 15000 roses of 250 varieties The gardens have been named after eminent personalities A big hall in Raj Bhavan is called Birsa Mandap where cultural activities are held It also has a kitchen garden with plants of clove cardamom cinamon and bay leaf Carrots brinjals and tomatoes are also grown there through organic farming The compost is made from dung It also has a cow shelter and herbal medicinal plant having 35 varieties of herbs Besides rudraksha kalpataru trees it also has orange Thai guava apple berries and different varieties of lemons The premises has nine fountains and arrangements for kids to play IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/secrets-of-prez-murmus-old-address-ranchis-9-decade-old-raj-bhavan-431785.html Sun, 28 May 2023 12:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/recording-ramcharitmanas-is-bhu-teachers-guinness-feat-431403.html Varanasi May 26 The worlds longest recorded song is now the Shri Ramcharitmanas composed and recorded in a single track by BHUs vedic science teacher Jagadeesh Pillai The Guinness World Records has acknowledged Pillais feat which is the fifth Guinness honour for him in the past 11 years The longest officially released song is 138 hr 41 min 20 sec and was achieved by Dr Jagadeesh Pillai India in Varanasi Uttar Pradesh India on 12th April 2023 says the citation from The Guinness World Records Earlier the longest officially released song was of 115 hours 45 minutes by Mark Christopher Lee and The Pocket Gods from St Albans Hertfordshire UK on December 1 2021 Pillai recorded a single track consisting of over 11000 verses and it took four years to achieve this feat Pillai composed and recorded a single track based on the entire book of the epic Shri Ramcharitmanas which consists of more than 11000 verses It is written in Avadhi language and composed by the 16thcentury bhakti poet Goswami Tulsidas UP Minister of State Independent charge Daya Shankar Mishra Dayalu met Pillai and expressed his best wishes to him The minister said that despite not being from a Hindi speaking state singing such a long song in Avadhi language in such a beautiful and emotional way with bhajans and kirtans as per the rules of Guinness record are really amazing Pillai made it to the Guinness records for the first time in 2012 when he made an animation movie in the shortest possible time of 35 hours The earlier record was of six hours made by a Canadian Next he set the record for longest line of postcard with a collection of 16300 postcards He next registered in the Guinness records by doing the largest poster awareness campaign under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao public awareness campaign Next he made the longest envelope as part of the Yoga Mass Awareness campaign to earn the Guinness honour for the fourth time IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/recording-ramcharitmanas-is-bhu-teachers-guinness-feat-431403.html Sat, 27 May 2023 07:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/writer-director-of-the-diary-of-west-bengal-summoned-by-kolkata-police-431478.html Kolkata May 26 Sanoj Mishra the writer and director of the controversial movie The Diary of West Bengal has been served a legal notice by Kolkata Police and has been asked to be present at a city police station on May 30 for the purpose of questioning Police sources said that the trailer of the movie was released on YouTube recently following which there was a complaint on May 11 alleging that the movie seemed to have been made as a deliberate attempt to malign the image of West Bengal Following preliminary investigation the top brass of the city felt that there is sufficient ground to question the director in the matter and hence a notice has been served to him asking him to report at Amherst Street Police station at 12 noon on May 30 a city police official said The notice has been issued under Section 41A of the Criminal Procedure Code CrPC Recently the West Bengal government was in controversy for imposing a ban on the screening of The Kerala Story on grounds that the content of the movie can hamper communal harmony in the state The director of the movie Subrata Sen moved the Supreme Court and the ban was finally lifted The state government faced criticism from the opposition parties civil society intellectuals and celebrities for imposing the ban IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/writer-director-of-the-diary-of-west-bengal-summoned-by-kolkata-police-431478.html Sat, 27 May 2023 13:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/poet-munawwar-rana-critically-ill-431317.html Lucknow May 26 Acclaimed poet Munawwar Rana has been admitted to a hospital in Lucknow and is on ventilator support Munawwar Rana 70 has been admitted to the Apollo Hospital here after his health deteriorated following a surgery to remove gallbladder stones said his daughter Sumaiya Rana The poet was also suffering from throat cancer and undergoing dialysis Sumaiya Rana said her father had undergone a gall bladder operation at the hospital last Tuesday When he was brought to the hospital for dialysis it was found that his gallbladder was damaged due to stones He was operated upon but since then his health has been deteriorating she said Rana a prominent name in mushaira circles is one of Indias most popular and admired poets who writes both in Hindi and Urdu One of his most famous poems is Maa in which he used the genre of ghazal to extol the virtues of a mother IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/poet-munawwar-rana-critically-ill-431317.html Sat, 27 May 2023 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/manoj-muntashir-shukla-set-to-host-docuseries-ananth-anaadih-vadnagar-431612.html Mumbai May 26 Owing to its historical significance and enduring legacy Vadnagar located in Gujarats Mehsana district is set to enthral audiences with a twopart docuseries Ananth Anaadih Vadnagar The series explores the enduring history of Indias fortified city where each episode delves into a specific era beginning with Vadnagars evolution from a modest settlement to a prominent town during the Mauryan Era The IndoGreeks constructed imposing fortifications in the 1st Century BCE while Buddhism thrived with the discovery of numerous monasteries The series will be hosted by writerlyricist Manoj Muntashir Shukla Vadnagars significance as a trade hub grew through coin mints various industries and buzzing marketplaces prove the continued significance of Vadnagar as centre for commerce and trade in Gujarat during ancient and mediaeval periods Manoj Muntashir Shukla said The opportunity of hosting this docuseries has been uniquely reassuring and a learning experience for me and for that I am truly grateful to Warner Bros Discovery This project marks my first collaboration with them He further mentioned Despite Vadnagars widespread recognition there were numerous fascinating aspects about the city that remained unknown to me and I am confident that there will also be revelations for many people in India The discoveries made in the docuseries took me by surprise and I cannot wait for viewers to explore this untold narrative and be equally surprised Ananth Anaadih Vadnagar will premiere on June 7 at 900 pm on Discovery Channel and is available to stream on the discovery platform IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/manoj-muntashir-shukla-set-to-host-docuseries-ananth-anaadih-vadnagar-431612.html Sat, 27 May 2023 21:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/nyc-mayor-honours-india-born-woman-for-promoting-cultural-literacy-431008.html New York May 25 Indiaborn entrepreneur and author Anu Sehgal has been honoured by New York City Mayor Eric Adams for promoting South Asian cultural literacy in the US Sehgal founder and president of The Culture Tree was honoured on Tuesday at the Asian American and Pacific Islander AAPI Heritage Reception 2023 in New York which was attended by 800 prominent members of the diaspora and Asian communities Were applauding you for your effort to foster crosscultural exchange while uniting our vibrant South Asian community together we look forward to the many ways you have helped the AAPI New Yorkers and you will continue to make a positive difference Mayor Adams said The Mayor added that he is pleased to recognise the accomplishments of Sehgal a proud IndianAmerican who has strengthened New York for nearly two decades The Meerutborn author has lived in America for over two decades having moved to New York from Delhi in 1995 post her graduation Sehgal says after moving to the US she was starved for authentic Indian experiences and community and once she became a parent the lack of quality and authentic Indian programs and classes became even more evident to her As an active parent Sehgal says that an awareness of ones heritage culture and language is key for children to become selfaware and confident individuals As a cultural educator I am looking forward to providing children with authentic immersive and inspiring experiences Through classes and events we can offer crosscultural exposure that can help shape knowledgeable openminded and respectful individuals Sehgal says in her website bio She founded The Culture Tree in 2016 with an aim to provide South Asian children with the opportunity to learn about and be proud of their South Asian Culture IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/nyc-mayor-honours-india-born-woman-for-promoting-cultural-literacy-431008.html Fri, 26 May 2023 09:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/tipu-sultans-sword-fetches-over-17-million-at-london-auction-431073.html Hari Budha Magar former Gurkha veteran and double amputee climber who scaled Mount Everest is welcomed upon arrival at the airport in Kathmandu Nepal Tuesday May 23 2023 The former Gurkha veteran had lost both his legs in Afghanistan when he accidentally stepped on an improvised explosive device in 2010 Magar who was a soldier in the Gurkha regiment was born in a remote mountain village in Nepal and later was recruited by the British army He now lives with his family in Canterbury England PTI London May 26 Erstwhile Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultans Bedchamber Sword had sold for more than 14 million pounds 17 million at an auction in London Described as one of the worlds rare artefacts the swords sale was conducted by Bonhams a privately owned international auction house in London on Tuesday achieving 14080900 pounds against an estimate of 15 million to 2 million pounds The auction house said the sword was found in Tipu Sultans private quarters of his palace after he was killed by British forces on May 4 1799 Following his death the sword was presented to British Major General David Baird as a token of his courage according to Bonhams The auction house said that the swords extremely rare calligraphic hilt is a masterpiece of late18th century Indian manufacture intricately inlaid in gold with fine calligraphic invocations to God The English inscription to the blade presumably added by Baird or a descendant explains how it was found in Tipu Sultans bedchamber following the fall of Seringapatam now Srirangapatna and presented to the General as a trophy of his victory On the spine of the blade a gold inlaid inscription reads Shamshire Malik or The Sword of the King The sword has an extraordinary history an astonishing provenance and unrivalled craftsmanship CNN quoted Nima Sagharchi group head of Islamic and Indian Art at Bonhams as saying in the statement It was no surprise it was so hotly contested between two phone bidders and a bidder in the room We are delighted with the result he added According to Bonhams CEO Bruno Vinciguerra the spectacular sword is the greatest of all the weapons linked to Tipu Sultan still in private hands Its close personal association with the Sultan its impeccable provenance traceable to the very day it was captured and the outstanding craftsmanship that went into its manufacture make it unique and highly desirable he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/tipu-sultans-sword-fetches-over-17-million-at-london-auction-431073.html Fri, 26 May 2023 11:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/favourite-for-film-shootings-this-railway-station-to-get-a-makeover-430182.html Lucknow May 23 The City station located in old Lucknow is emerging as a favourite shooting location for filmmakers The railways have now decided to give a makeover to the City station The station with a daily traffic load of 1600 passengers is to be modernised under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme of the Union Ministry of Railways The makeover cost is around Rs 8 crore Mahesh Gupta public relation manager NER said The station which is already the most soughtafter railway station for film shooting these days would benefit from the revamp in terms of demand and facilities Because it is located in old Lucknow and has an ambience of the Lucknow of the past it is popular with filmmakers and production houses In the last few years this has led to an increase in railway revenue recorded from the shooting of these films and web series In just one financial year NER has earned approximately Rs 9 lakhs from two films shot in the city station Some of the movies that have been filmed here in recent times include Bareilly Ki Barfi Chhote Nawab Jabariya Jodi Pati Patni Aur Woh 14 Phere Inspector Avinash Kanjoos Makkhichoos Umesh Chronicle and Single Salma Meanwhile two web series Manfordganj and Breathe Season 2 were also shot at the station According to the railway officials the modernisation will be carried out for which a master plan has been prepared and will be implemented in a phased manner These include development of the circulating area of the main entrance beautification of station including local art and culture upgrading of platform surface and improved lighting IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/favourite-for-film-shootings-this-railway-station-to-get-a-makeover-430182.html Wed, 24 May 2023 02:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/meet-the-artist-from-ganderbal-who-creates-unique-art-using-rock-powder-429939.html Srinagar May 22 Ganderbal district in central Kashmir is home to a remarkable artist whose creative talent has earned him global recognition Manzoor Ahmad Bhat transforms rock powder sourced from the mountains of Kashmir into breathtaking paintings that leave the viewers in awe His unique artistic process showcases the harmonious fusion of natures raw beauty and his own artistic brilliance The journey of Manzoor Ahmad Bhat began amid the towering peaks and serene valleys of Kashmir Drawn to the mystique of the regions mountains he began collecting rocks from various locations fascinated by the diverse hues and textures they presented As he immersed himself in this pursuit an idea took root in his mind to create art using the very essence of these mountains When I hold a rock in my hand I feel a deep connection with nature I wanted to capture the essence of these mountains and showcase their beauty in a way that hasnt been done before Bhat said Bhats artistic process is a testament to his unwavering dedication and meticulous craftsmanship At his home studio he grinds the collected rocks using a mortar carefully extracting vibrant pigments that retain the essence of their natural origins The resulting rock powder serves as his medium which he skillfully mixes with binders to create his works The process of grinding rocks is both physically demanding and mentally stimulating Each rock is unique and it takes patience and precision to extract the desired colours Its like revealing the hidden secrets of the mountains through art Bhat said With a palette of colours derived from the mountains Bhats brushstrokes breathe life onto his board His paintings depict breathtaking landscapes traditional Kashmiri motifs and poignant portraits each stroke capturing the spirit of the region The intricate details and vibrant tones evoke a sense of awe and wonder transporting viewers to the very heart of Kashmirs natural beauty Bhats talent has garnered him international recognition with his artworks displayed in prestigious galleries and art exhibitions worldwide Collectors and art enthusiasts are captivated by the unique texture and depth that the rock powder brings to his paintings creating an unmatched visual experience I believe that by using materials sourced directly from the mountains my art becomes a bridge between people and nature Its a way to remind ourselves of the importance of preserving our environment and appreciating the beauty that surrounds us Bhat said As Bhat continues on his artistic journey he hopes to inspire a new generation of artists to explore unconventional mediums and develop a deeper connection with their surroundings He conducts workshops and mentorship programmes to share his techniques and ignite the spark of creativity in others I want to encourage artists to think outside the box and challenge the boundaries of traditional art There is so much beauty and inspiration in the world waiting to be discovered and interpreted through our unique perspectives Bhat said Bhats artistic prowess transcends conventional boundaries unveiling a world where natures essence converges with human creativity Through his remarkable paintings he invites us to pause immerse ourselves in the splendour of the mountains and appreciate the intricate wonders that lie within the rocks beneath our feet In the words of Bhat Art has the power to reveal the hidden stories of our world By capturing the essence of the mountains I hope to awaken a sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us all Through his exceptional talent Bhat serves as a true inspiration reminding us that the ordinary can become extraordinary with a touch of artistic brilliance and a deep connection with nature IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/meet-the-artist-from-ganderbal-who-creates-unique-art-using-rock-powder-429939.html Tue, 23 May 2023 12:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/worlds-first-lip-kiss-occurred-in-mesopotamia-4-500-years-ago-research-429403.html New Delhi May 21 In a startling revelation researchers now report that lip kissing was practiced by the peoples of the ancient Middle East 4500 years ago moving the earliest documentation for kissing back 1000 years Earlier research hypothesised that the earliest evidence of human lip kissing originated in a very specific geographical location in South Asia 3500 years ago from where it may have spread to other regions simultaneously accelerating the spread of the herpes simplex virus 1 Now researchers from the University of Copenhagen and University of Oxford in a new article published in the journal Science draw on a range of written sources from the earliest Mesopotamian societies saying that kissing was already a wellestablished practice 4500 years ago in the Middle East In ancient Mesopotamia which is the name for the early human cultures that existed between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in presentday Iraq and Syria people wrote in cuneiform script on clay tablets Many thousands of these clay tablets have survived to this day and they contain clear examples that kissing was considered a part of romantic intimacy in ancient times just as kissing could be part of friendships and family members relations said Dr Troels Pank Arboll an expert on the history of medicine in Mesopotamia Therefore kissing should not be regarded as a custom that originated exclusively in any single region and spread from there but rather appears to have been practiced in multiple ancient cultures over several millennia he added In addition to its importance for social and sexual behaviour the practice of kissing may have played an unintentional role in the transmission of microorganisms potentially causing viruses to spread among humans However the suggestion that the kiss may be regarded as a sudden biological trigger behind the spread of particular pathogens is more doubtful The spread of the herpes simplex virus 1 which researchers have suggested could have been accelerated by the introduction of the kiss is a case in point There is a substantial corpus of medical texts from Mesopotamia some of which mention a disease with symptoms reminiscent of the herpes simplex virus 1 Dr Arboll said In fact research into bonobos and chimpanzees the closest living relatives to humans has shown that both species engage in kissing which may suggest that the practice of kissing is a fundamental behaviour in humans explaining why it can be found across cultures added Dr Sophie Rasmussen IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/worlds-first-lip-kiss-occurred-in-mesopotamia-4-500-years-ago-research-429403.html Sun, 21 May 2023 20:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/agra-roads-unsafe-for-walking-tourists-428993.html By Brij Khandelwal Agra May 20 In a memorandum to the Agra Municipal Commissioner concerned citizens of Agra have appealed to him to initiate appropriate measures to make the Taj city pedestrian friendly Most roads in the city do not have pavements and where pavements are available the problem of encroachment remains unresolved A large number of foreign tourists who are used to walking long distances do not find Agra roads safe for walking Not just rampaging vehicles but dogs and stray animals are a huge nuisance said a German tourist At least the Yamuna Kinara road along the river can have safe walking spaces from Taj Mahal to Water Works so that tourists can see all the grand Mughal monuments while walking in the evening or in the morning The pavement is already there it needs to be cleared of encroachments by transport companies and repaired at some points said environmentalist Devashish Bhattacharya of the River Connect Campaign This long stretch of the river front affords picturesque view of not only the river Yamuna but half a dozen Mughal monuments from the Taj Mahal Agra Fort to Babars Ram Bagh The controversial Taj Corridor spread over 20 hectares of the encroached river bed is now a lush green stretch sandwiched between two world heritage monuments the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort In 2003 the controversy had resulted in the fall of Mayawati government In the last two decades as the population of humans and motor vehicles on the roads has shown an upward trend life has become insecure and unsafe for the pedestrians and cyclists in Agra Pedestrians are victims not only of vehicles but are also almost daily attacked by simians canines and bovine population Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadavs dream project the Rs 140 crore cycle track from Etawah to Agra is in a shambles The city faces an acute problem of parking space compounded by encroachments of roads and pollution due to heavy emissions according to senior citizens who keep flooding the social media platforms with complaints Each year hundreds of pedestrians and cyclists are hit by speeding vehicles Zebra crossings also one can not cross the road without fear of being hit by a wayward vehicle says senior citizen Sudhir Gupta who has stopped going out for his daily walks When town planners design roads for vehicles and not human beings and when traffic plans become sacrosanct while mobility plans are thrown to the winds you can only expect widespread chaos The city is already in a traffic mess due to construction of the Metro line and repair and maintenance of two major ROBs while the Sikandra chicken neck on the Delhi national highway is a permanent bottleneck causing untold inconveniences to travelling public according to activists flooding local whatsapp groups with complaints The grim reality is that city of the Taj Mahal and a dozen other historical monuments that annually attract millions of visitors can no longer cope with the exploding human and automobile population plus of course the marauding monkeys the stray dogs and the wayward stray cattle on the roads To further compound the problem half a dozen departments the Taj Trapezium Zone Authority the Agra Development Authority the Agra Municipal Corporation the district board the local police and the huge army of bureaucrats are all at loggerheads pulling one another in different directions That is why there is chaos on the roads The city does not yet have a comprehensive longterm mobility plan for human beings Vehicles are registered without verifying whether the owners have garages or not Little wonder you find vehicles parked all over the city along roads restricting mobility Agras population has crossed five million Keeping pace is the phenomenal increase in the number of vehicles on the roads In addition to more than two million registered vehicles Agra also sees thousands of vehicles from other states using the two Expressways and several national highways crisscrossing the city After the Yamuna Expressway and the Agra Lucknow Expressway became operational the pressure on Agra roads has gone up many times The situation is truly alarming says Rajiv Gupta former president of the National Chamber of Industries and Commerce To add to the woes of the locals the exploding simian bovine and canine populations are major concern areas that the city planners need to address urgently The alarming rise in the number of private vehicles has hastened the collapse of the traffic management system if ever there was one Long traffic jams angry commuters increased street fights and accidents are the daily features of the traffic scenario in the Taj City Local citizens forums and voluntary organisations say that the first major step should be to recognise and respect the rights of pedestrians and humble cyclists who should always get a favoured treatment on the roads The second is to plan mobility management and not traffic management Humans have to be the chief focus of urban planning not vehicles and accommodation the activists demanded IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/agra-roads-unsafe-for-walking-tourists-428993.html Sat, 20 May 2023 16:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/between-art-and-fashion-viraj-khannas-new-self-428556.html By Sukant Deepak New Delhi May 19 It was during the first lockdown when the companys Instagram page needed more content that he decided to pick up the hundreds of fashion magazines lying at home and create collages Seeing his work on the social media platform Gallery Art Exposure from Kolkata invited him to do a show And a new journey started for Viraj Khanna Fashion designer Anamika Khannas son Viraj who was always involved in the financial and management aspect of the family business and whose body of work now includes sculptures textiles mixedmedia paintings and NFTs recently presented his personal experiences through 2D modern forms of art and dived into the countrys rich handloom to encourage viewers to think about their lives ideologies and behaviour during Chivas Glassware Alchemys Kaleidoscope of Time in Mumbai Looking back Khanna feels that the pandemic kept him happy himself more than he used to be While adding that when he is practicing art there is much selftime and a need to introspect and think about ones own life he says It has made me deep dive into the things that I really enjoy in life more than just flowing with it Art gives me much more perspective as a human being as to the things that I want to do in the future Still deeply involved in fashion for Khanna striking a balance between the two is not a complicated stitch It all depends on the need of the day Sometimes there is so much design required in terms of the fashion aspect of my life and I am more involved in that I keep switching and moving between the two worlds However both constantly merge into each other So many figures that I make with my art go on to the clothing and much of the clothing is also moving into my art Considering he works a lot with textiles nowadays the artist takes the different techniques that have been used over generations by the kaarigars in Bengal and gives them a contemporary spin moving them into art So theres always a backandforth happening in my practice While he may have entered the art world without any formal education he now wants to apply at top colleges for formal education While a lot of people do not really encourage him to go for a course he thinks differently Right now since I have no education I am just doing whatever I feel like in exploring every single medium that I want to Of course there is much freedom however there is a feeling that I will eventually reach a point where I want to learn the techniques acquaint myself with art history and make a deeper dive into my practice In fact at the Chivas platform he showcased how his art journey started with the collages which formed the blueprint of his practice going to different mediums which he keeps exploring as he gets into textiles You can also see how textile comes from that collage and the sculptures that I make There is a sculpture that I made as the centerpiece of the installation which almost prompts the viewer to ask what comes next Smiling that his mother and brother would ask him to tear off work if they did not like something he made Khanna says he would get critical feedback from them in terms of the design aesthetic Initially they kept telling me what to do but it has stopped now I do not think I rely on any of that anymore I just do what I feel like because as an artist you need to keep making what you like and keep growing he concludes Sukant Deepak can be reached at sukantdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/between-art-and-fashion-viraj-khannas-new-self-428556.html Fri, 19 May 2023 07:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/salman-rushdie-makes-1st-public-appearance-since-stabbing-incident-428565.html New York May 19 Nine months after a nearlethal attack that left him debilitated and without vision in one eye Booker Prizewinning author Salman Rushdie made his first appearance at the PEN Americas annual gala in New York City His appearance at the 2023 Literary Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan on Thursday night came as a surprise as it had not been earlier announced PEN America honored the Indiaborn author with the PEN Centenary Courage Award Rushdie accepted the award in person in his first public appearance since he was severely wounded in a knife attack nine months ago said the nonprofit organization that works to defend and celebrate free expression in the US and worldwide through the advancement of literature and human rights As the crowd greeted him with cheers and a standing ovation the 75yearold noted author said Well hi everybody Its nice to be back as opposed to not being back which was also an option Im pretty glad the dice rolled this way I just thought if theres a right thing to chose as a reentry its this Its being part of the world of books the fight against censorship and for human rights Rushdie said he was accepting the award on behalf of the heroes who rushed the dias at the Chautauqua Institute in New York State and tackled his assailant after he was repeatedly stabbed on August 12 2022 If it had not been for these people I most certainly would not be standing here today I was the target that day but they were the heroes The courage that day was all theirs I owe my life to them As a result of the murderous attack Rushdie who had received death threats from Iran in the 1980s after his novel The Satanic Verses was published lost sight in one of his eye had three serious wounds in his neck one hand incapacitated because the nerves in his arm were cut as well as about 15 more wounds in his chest and torso Hadi Matar 24 accused of stabbing Rushdie pleaded not guilty to seconddegree attempted murder and assault charges when he appeared in court on August 18 2022 Concluding his speech the author said Terrorism must not terrorise us Violence must not deter us The struggle goes on PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said After the shock of the attack there was a long period when we had real doubts about whether Salman was going to make it and what kind of shape he might be in if he did So to see him back in action at this event with his PEN America family is a remarkable testament to his resilience and strength and a kind of emblem of our work that in the face of lethal threats the writer triumphs and the voice continues IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/salman-rushdie-makes-1st-public-appearance-since-stabbing-incident-428565.html Fri, 19 May 2023 09:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/krishna-saksenas-god-is-love-released-by-vk-singh-428769.html New Delhi May 19 Cabinet Minister General retd Dr VK Singh released the book God is Love written by Dr Krishna Saksena at his residence in the capital on Friday Stressing that the book will impart readers with a new meaning to their lives he said We all worship God every day but at times fail to cherish the power of the Almighty Praising the writing skills of the 94yearold author he said Mrs Saksena is a living legend and inspiration to the young generation Her book has really inspired me The author in her address said that Goddess Durga gave her strength to write this book when she was unwell But the flow of thoughts and her willpower gave her the strength to keep going She added that love is the only word that can inspire the world and unite each one of us She urged youngsters to write more and watch less TV Among others the event was attended by Bharati Singh and publishers Prabhat Kumar and Piyush Kumar who also gave the Vote of Thanks IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/krishna-saksenas-god-is-love-released-by-vk-singh-428769.html Fri, 19 May 2023 20:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/kalinga-literary-festival-introduces-nepal-yashaswi-book-awards-428112.html New Delhi May 17 The Kalinga Literary Festival KLF has introduced the Nepal Yashaswi Book Awards for 15 writers in 15 categories from the year 2023 for Kathmandu KLF The awards will be given in various categories including fiction and nonfiction poetry books in translation business and strategic affairs environmental books biographical and autobiographical childrens literature sports lifestyle and emerging trend books They aim to open up opportunities to identify recognise acknowledge encourage and honor the literary talents across genres for both established and new writers The books were selected from those submitted and nominated by publishers and writers across all categories The winners will be felicitated and awarded during the annual Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival The award consists of a prize a trophy and a specially designed citation KLF will host the annual Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival Kathmandu KLF on September 1 2 3 The authors will be taking part in a host of conversations workshops debates panel discussions straight talks and more The festival will host more than 60 sessions IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/kalinga-literary-festival-introduces-nepal-yashaswi-book-awards-428112.html Thu, 18 May 2023 02:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/best-selling-author-amish-tripathi-gets-married-in-london-427916.html New Delhi May 17 Months after he announced his engagement Amish Tripathi better known as Amish the writer of Hindu mythologybased bestsellers has tweeted that he has finally tied the knot Continuing to identify his wife as just Shivani and not disclosing more for sake of her and her childs privacy Amish said in his tweet A moment comes in life when its beauty is in its simplicity And more importantly the wonderful woman you share the moment with At a simple registration ceremony in London yesterday Monday May 15 with the blessings of Lord Shiva and our parents and the love of our respective children siblings and siblingsinlaw Shivani and I tied the knot We are now husband and wife Amish is in London where he met his wife as the Director of The Nehru Centre His first wife Preeti Vyas is the CEO and President of Amar Chitra Katha publishers of the knowledgebased comic books started by Anant Pai Amishs marriage announcement comes months after he tweeted about War of Lanka his fourth book in the Ram Chandra Series IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/best-selling-author-amish-tripathi-gets-married-in-london-427916.html Wed, 17 May 2023 14:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/book-release-supreme-court-on-commercial-arbitration-by-dr-manoj-kumar-427427.html New Delhi May 15 A compendium of three volumes with Judgments spanning from the year 1988 till 2022 covering Arbitration Act 1940 and 1996 the book titled Supreme Court on Commercial Arbitration by Dr Manoj Kumar and fore worded by R Venkataramani was released on May 13 being the founders day of Hammurabi Solomon Partners Welcoming a galaxy of judges and legal luminaries Shweta Bharti Senior partner of Hammurabi Solomon Partners explained that in view of the substantial jurisprudence laid down by the Honble Supreme Court the evolution of Arbitration in the country a need was felt to put all the significant Judgments of the Apex Court on Commercial Arbitration at one place to have a better understanding on how the law has evolved over the past century Giving the opening address Dr Lalit Bhasin President of the Society of Indian Law Firms and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators India Chapter said this contribution to Arbitration law will help Indian arbitration framework develop at par with counterparts such as ICC SIAC etc Justice MR Shah Judge Supreme Court of India gave a keynote address on the occasion and said adaptability of Foreign awards in India has made the Indian Arbitration diaspora respectable before the International key players Attorney General of India R Venkataramani recalled the good old practices of legal reporting had a corpus of history of law over multiple statutory frameworks over nearly 125 years leading to the Uncitral model and that the time has come for a New Delhi Convention now Generation of trust and faith in institutions is the right way forward for the success of arbitration and mediation in India In his special address former Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said the arbitration space has evolved a lot and we have been encouraging young lawyers to have faith in the same There are faults in the system that young lawyers must question but they must never doubt in its capabilities to accomplish what the western counterparts have achieved In his concluding remarks the author DrManoj Kumar thanked the dignitaries present and in particular the Attorney General R Venkataramani for agreeing to review and foreword the book which had commenced with guidance and blessings of Padma Bhushan Dr NR Madhava Menon Dr Kumar further added that an efficient and robust arbitration framework is the bridge to a Global India where businesses thrive not for profit motives alone but contribute to generating employment growth and national security Justice Shiva Kirti Singh former judge Supreme Court of India Justice Sachin Datta Judge Delhi High Court Justice Kailash Gambhir former judge Delhi high court Ranjit Kumar and Aryamma C Sundaram Senior Advocates Sanjay Jain Chetan Sharma Madhavi Diwan and Vikramajit Banerjee Additional Solicitor Generals of India joined a galaxy of luminaries to release the Book at the India Habitat Centre New Delhi IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/book-release-supreme-court-on-commercial-arbitration-by-dr-manoj-kumar-427427.html Tue, 16 May 2023 02:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/up-now-holds-second-position-in-gi-tagged-products-427684.html Varanasi UP May 16 Uttar Pradesh now holds second position in the country in terms of having the maximum number of Geographical Indicationtagged goods after receiving GI tags for three more ODOP crafts The ODOP crafts that have received GI tags include Mainpuri tarkashi Mahoba Gaura stone craft and Sambhal horn craft While Tamil Nadu leads with 55 GItagged goods UP and Karnataka follow with 48 and 46 GI products respectively However UP is first in terms of GItagged handicrafts with 36 crafts to its credit With this feat UP beating Karnataka has become the second state with maximum GItagged goods in the country UP also has the maximum number of GI tags in handicrafts in the country said GI expert Rajni Kant a Padma Shri awardee and head of Human Welfare Association HWA that facilitated these handicrafts to get the GI certification According to him of the 48 GI goods of UP 36 products belong to the handicraft category In Varanasi region alone 18 GItagged goods out of 23 belong to the handicraft category Uttar Pradesh is not only the biggest exporter of GItagged products but it also involves the largest amount of manpower in this sector making the highest annual turnover in the country claimed Kant Kant added that 20 more applications from UP for the GI certification are in the final stages He said that so far his organisation has provided technical facilitation to file 175 applications in 18 states out of which 46 products received GI certification Maximum applications were filed during the Covid period after 2019 he said According to him Tarkashi Handcrafts Cooperative Society had applied for Mainpuri tarkashi Gaura Udyog Industrial Cooperative Society had applied for Mahoba Gaura stone handicraft and Handicraft Welfare Society had applied for Sambhal horn sing craft Tarkashi is a technique of inlaying brass copper or silver wires in wood It is a unique and artistic product of Mainpuri district It is used for decorating jewellery boxes name plaques and other similar items The Sambhal horn craft gets its raw material from the horns of dead animals that makes this industry environment friendly Sambhals horn and bone products are known all over the world Sambhal offers a wide range of decorative hornbone handicrafts that are available in different attractive looks designs and patterns Mahoba is known nationwide for its exquisite Gaura stone craft Gaura stone craft is made of radiant whitecoloured stone that is predominantly found in this region Gaura stone has a soft texture It is cut into several pieces which are then used for making various craft items that are used for ornamental purposes IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/up-now-holds-second-position-in-gi-tagged-products-427684.html Tue, 16 May 2023 20:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/we-confuse-hinduism-as-religion-its-culture-cluster-of-civilisations-author-anand-neelakantan-427119.html By Sukant Deepak New Delhi May 14 One of the countrys topselling authors Anand Neelakantan with more than 13 books to his credit including the Bahubali trilogy The Rise of Sivagami Chaturanga and Queen of Mahishmati the official prequel to SS Rajamoulis Bahubali films stresses that he feels no apprehension in reinterpreting texts like Ramayana and Mahabharata and telling the tales with a fresh perspective in his books Why should I have a fear of being misread This fear can come if we confuse Hinduism as a religion Let us not forget it is a culture and a cluster of civilisations This is not the first time someone is reinterpreting mythology Every Ramayana is different There are more than 1000 to 2000 Mahabhartas There is nothing like the book We are an allaccepting culture Every generation will write and rewrite it according to the needs of that generation and the viewpoint of the writer he told IANS He adds I never deviate from the plot and do not put elements that were not there I just change the perspective of writing the story and the plot remain similar it is only the mind of the character that changes Also for me it is important not to adopt a linear narrative I explore multiple angles His latest book Nala Damyanti tells the tale of love from Mahabharata narrated by Hemanga the golden swan of Mansarovar Its an ageold tale a determined woman fighting the fate that has kept her lover from her So it is a modern book even though its one of the oldest love stories says this screenplay writer of many popular television serials who attended the recently concluded Sikkim Art and Literature Festival organised by the state government in collaboration with Teamwork Arts Lamenting that there seems to be a tendency to club together authors writing on that era as mythological writers Neelakantan says each ones books are very different He also stresses that it is important for him to talk about the contemporary through such ageold tales People who can read deeply can immediately grasp the reflection of the present in the ancient tales I tell As a writer I should not be expected to spoonfeed Neelakantan feels that in the last few decades there has been a tendency to oversimplify mythological texts and present a linear perspective Look at the Ramayana It was not written with such a streamlined narrative The intention was not to show that whatever Ram was perfect but that there are multiple perspectives to everything and how they come forth through different times Sadly that has gotten sidelined and there is such a great loss of all the layers and complexities Preferring to call himself a storyteller and not limited to one genre the author says he is not really bothered by language but wants to focus on tales Stories came before languages Stories are much older than languages and all the stories are oral they were written down much later So it shows that storytelling is language neutral No matter what the format novels short stories or screenplays I just tell the story says the author admitting that short stories are his favorite medium The author who researched and wrote extensively during the Pandemic is also pitching another film There is an audiobook too and two books for children books as well Besides a selfhelp book I am compiling my research on Krishna There is also a book about the Tamil Puranas on the cards he concludes Sukant Deepak can be contacted at sukantdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/we-confuse-hinduism-as-religion-its-culture-cluster-of-civilisations-author-anand-neelakantan-427119.html Mon, 15 May 2023 09:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/rare-assamese-journals-and-books-to-be-digitized-426366.html Guwahati May 12 A community project Digitizing Asom has been launched aiming at the digitization of rare Assamese journals and books published between 1813 and 1970 for public use The launching ceremony was attended by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday evening An initiative of the Nanda Talukdar Foundation and supported by the Assam Jatiya Bidyalay Educational SocioEconomic Trust this project is going to digitize every possible rare Assamese language book and journal regardless of their location and making them available to the public for posterity through a dedicated website In the first phase of the project journals published between 1840 and 1970 have been included encompassing 3071 editions of as many as 161 journals with a total of 245680 pages The second phase of the project under process shall cover books published between 1813 and 1962 Sarma said that launch of this project would prove decisive in conferring the world of Assamese literature its rightful exalted status in days to come Referring to the 19th century as the era that led to a new dawn for Assamese literature he credited literary stalwarts such as Lakshminath Bezbaruah Chandra Kumar Agarwala and Hemchandra Goswami for its forward march The 20th century brought with itself greater avenues for growth of Assamese literature Sarma added Referring to the 21st century as the digital era he said digitizing rare Assamese literary works would go a long way in preserving such remarkable works for ages The coming generations would be able to appreciate the works of literary gems in the Assamese language through such initiatives I appeal to members of the general public in possession of such rare works to come forward so that all books can be digitized he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/rare-assamese-journals-and-books-to-be-digitized-426366.html Sat, 13 May 2023 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/ayodhya-to-be-painted-with-spiritual-themes-425794.html Ayodhya May 10 The identity of Ayodhya as a spiritual city will be further reinforced when the facade flyovers and walls of private and government buildings get painted with spiritual themes The Ayodhya Development Authority ADA has floated a competition for students and other individuals interested in providing the designs art works and concepts for the major streets of the temple town Officials said that once the entries are received the process to shortlist and select the best design and art works will commence While maintaining the overall theme of Ramayana life of Lord Ram and history of Ayodhya UP the murals sculptures facade art and other elements being planned will incorporate modern artistic technique and styles said vicechairman of the ADA Vishal Singh Cash rewards to the tune of Rs 10 lakh along with certificates are going to be handed over to the winners The authority wants to give a complete makeover to enhance the experience of the pedestrians and commuters who take the four key arterial roads of the city once the Ram temple gets ready next year The four roads where facade control guidelines are also being implemented will give a similar look and feel to the external walls of the buildings shops and other structures include Ram Path Janmabhoomi Path Bhakti Path and Dharam Path The minimum width of the four roads would be 12 metres The four routes are expected to witness major movement of the tourists and pilgrims in the years to come and facade lighting and decorative elements are also going to be installed once the wall murals and art works are complete The murals will be in 3D form IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/ayodhya-to-be-painted-with-spiritual-themes-425794.html Thu, 11 May 2023 02:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/walking-through-fog-with-author-anuja-chauhan-425573.html By Sukant Deepak Yuksam Sikkim May 10 A permanent gray envelopes everything around Clouds an arms length away are doing somersaults on the mountains wearing thick greens The light is tricky for a photo shoot but author Anuja Chauhan is game like her writing she believes in chance After all every time she writes it is an exercise to look through the fogThere may be silhouettes and mist around when you start but then it slowly melts and you walk with the faith that there is something out there Also my process changes with different books The reasons for writing may be different too sometimes a compelling theme other times a conflict Chauhan tells IANS during the Sikkim Art and Literature Festival organised by the state government in collaboration with Teamwork Arts Currently doing final edits on her upcoming book centering around a murder that takes place on Karva Chauth the author makes it clear it is not exactly a sequel to Club You to Death as reported widely The only common character is detective ACP Bhavani Singh The book is set in Bangalore Some of Anuja Chauhans previous bestselling novels include Those Pricey Thakur Girls Baaz The Zoya Factor and Battle for Bittora In factThose Pricey Thakur Girls is now a web series Dil Bekaraar being streamed on Hotstar and Baaz has been taken by Yashraj and it could be a web series The author who started her writing career with advertising and continues to write for different genres stresses the same keeps her sharp I write a column for major magazine as well because its a different medium and I have to read the newspapers for that And I write books as well of course Advertising also shows up It is like multitraining in the gym doing new stuff to keep surprising the body for best results Someone who detests labels like being called a Chick Lit writer Chauhan says it is sad that everything is being labelled There are labels on behavior too the kinds that never existed before Why dumb down things by labelling them Yes it may work for publishers but it is not healthy concludes the author who during her advertising days wrote lines like Yeh Dil Mange More Pepsi Dar Ke Aage Jeet Hai Mountain Dew and Teda Hai Par Mera Hai Kurkure Sukant Deepak can be contacted at sukantdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/walking-through-fog-with-author-anuja-chauhan-425573.html Wed, 10 May 2023 13:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/lucknow-gears-up-for-bada-mangal-festival-425112.html Lucknow May 8 All Hanuman temples in the state capital are being spruced up for the Bada Mangal festival that is celebrated on every Tuesday during the Hindu month of Jyestha The festival interestingly was celebrated only in Lucknow but is now being held in other parts of the state as well This year Bada Mangal will fall on May 9 16 23 and 30 According to the popular legend the tradition was started by JanabeAlia the Hindu wife of Nawab ShujaudDaulah in the late 18th century The Begum could not conceive and someone told her to pray at the Hanuman temple in Aliganj She complied and was blessed with a son She dreamt of a divine entity commanding her to build a Hanuman temple so she got the old temple renovated and a new one built and thus began the Bada Mangal celebration and fair a tradition which continues till date said secretary of the Aliganj Shri Mahaveerji Trust Naya Hanuman Mandir Rajesh Pandey Devotees visiting Naya Aliganj Mandir will be able to see the renovated structure of the temple For the first time women will be allowed to enter the temple from the main gate Besides the sanctum sanctorum has been embellished with silver The Bhandara community feast will continue all day and a variety of food items will be distributed among the devotees said Pandey At Hanumant Dham people will get to hear Agnihotri brothers reciting the Sunderkand on May 9 This year we are replacing the disposable plates with clay pots to promote the cause of environment said temple priest Mahant Ramsewak Das Several provisions have been made for devotees at Hanuman Setu Temple We have arranged for an aircooled tent from the parking till the main hall The entry from the main entrance will however remain closed and a prasad of boondi laddoos will be distributed among devotees said secretary of the temple trust Diwaker Tripathi Devotees who visit the Lete Hue Hanuman Mandir on Bada Mangal in traditional attire will get the opportunity for offering sindoor A team from ISKCON will be performing during the festivities as Hanuman is considered a music lover said temple trust president Vivek Tangdi A laddoo weighing 525 kg will be offered as bhog every Bada Mangal Besides sermons related to various aspects of the social life will be part of satsang he added Meanwhile to streamline traffic and maintain cleanliness the Lucknow police has issued guidelines ahead of Bada Mangal Deputy Commissioner of Police Central Aparna Rajat Kaushik said that prior permission will have to be taken for organising bhandaras This is a must to ensure smooth traffic flow Section 144 has also been imposed in the city she said Devotees keen to hold bhandaras should have volunteers to ensure that vehicles are parked properly Besides they will also be required to clean the place after the bhandara gets over Strict action will be initiated against organisers if they do not adhere to the guidelines the DCP added IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/lucknow-gears-up-for-bada-mangal-festival-425112.html Mon, 08 May 2023 23:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/between-food-and-the-mouth-identity-history-and-religion-424630.html By Sukant Deepak Yuksam Sikkim May 7 If we are what we eat then what are we This collection of essays Turmeric Nation A Passage Through Indias Tastes Speaking Tiger looks at food through tradition religion history habits genetics geography and habits by author Shylashri Shankar a Delhibased senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research serves as an assertion that it is only through hybridity and not uniformity that the true essence of India comes forth And I actually feel very strongly about it The fact that we are not uniform truly defines us and this holds true for our food culture as well Shankar tells IANS at the ongoing first edition of Sikkim Art and Literature Festival May 68 organized by the state government in collaboration with Teamwork Arts While the country may have been subjected to several conquests in the past she feels none of them completely flattened the way of life here but surely adopted several cultural aspects of this land Citing the examples of Mughals who introduced spices in their food after coming in contact with local food here and developed many new recipes she adds By the way it is Muglai food that is known as Indian food abroad It is incorrect to talk about the notion of food without taking into account the way it incorporates so many different meanings and makes it is own that is where the taste comes from Looking at different identities created by food as mosaics and examining diverse mosaics the author also looks at food through different religions While Muslims used Unnani and Hindus Ayurvedic principles in the past before modern medicine took over there was also a holistic way of what to eat The cooking style was about balance While having a mango drink you needed to balance it with something else or no fish in the rainy season etc It is also about how it impacts many things about our personalities and the way we return to our childhood foods You keep returning to comfort food but also experiment And let us not forget in the past food was a major marker of ones identity caste religion and hierarchy The Brahmins would not eat nonvegetarian while Kshatriyas and others would But what made a political analyst write about food Shankar asserts it has always held a peculiar fascination for her and for the past 25 years she has been reading food memoirs and recipe books trying out new things at any given time Calling herself a novice she feels the questions she has would be similar to what a lot of other people too the author adds And I just followed those queries into different streams for this book I went to science anthropology and archaeology and looked at the ways the scholars had answered the questions That is what makes Turmeric Nation slightly different the approach of as a novice so it is highly experimental thus some essays are better than the others And now the author wants to focus on something she has always been fascinated by crime fiction In fact her manuscript is already with her agent in London However it has been really hard to give up my training as an academician While the latter requires you to be upfront crime fiction demands you hold on till the end Sukant Deepak can be contacted at sukantdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/between-food-and-the-mouth-identity-history-and-religion-424630.html Sun, 07 May 2023 08:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/indian-art-market-makes-turnover-of-1443-mn-in-fy-2023-report-424212.html New Delhi May 5 The Indian art market has clocking in a mammoth turnover of 1443 million through the sale of 3833 works in FY23 according to a report on Friday The State of the Indian Art Market Report FY23 by Grant Thornton Bharat and Indian Art Investor shows there is a 9 per cent rise in turnover and a 6 per cent rise in the number of works sold from the previous year making FY23 the most successful year for Indian art at auction Art has always been a lucrative investment among highnetworth individuals HNIs for diversifying wealth and creating value Today the pool of investors looking to include fine art in their investment strategies is widening said Pallavi Bhakru Partner Private Client Services Grant Thornton Bharat in a statement By setting clear requirements doing extensive research and seeking help and advice from professionals who can guide and manage this investment avenue investors can acquire desirable works of art thereby adding value to their portfolio for generations to come she added The report showed that the Indian art market at auction witnessed noteworthy traction this year with a total of 132 auctions offering 4240 works an increase of 11 per cent in terms of works that came up for sale from the previous year The market observed high liquidity with an impressive sellthrough rate of 904 per cent The Indian art market is at an alltime high Data from the report reveals that the auction market has grown by 265 per cent since FY13 The mean auction estimate for FY23 stood at 931 million At a turnover of 1443 million the market recorded a positive deviation of 55 per cent from its mean estimate said Arvind Vijay Mohan Founder of Indian Art Investor in the statement There were a total of 164 artists who set new records this year and every year is witnessing new records rising volume and increasing sales turnover All these are indicators of buoyancy and positive sentiment in the Indian art market he added Modernists and premodernists both witnessed a 7 per cent increase in the number of artists featuring at auction in FY23 Unlike the previous year the art market witnessed a decline in the number of Contemporary artists at auction and the decline was significant at 9 per cent Over the next few years premodernists are expected to gain more dominance in the market There were a total of 103 online auctions held in FY23 accounting for 45 per cent of the total turnover generated and 75 per cent of the works sold in FY23 At 1597 works over 40 per cent of the works sold this year were sold above their upper estimates indicative of great demand by patrons Overall the market recorded impressive numbers in FY23 and along with the previous 2 years has set the foundation for a successful decade ahead for Indian art IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/indian-art-market-makes-turnover-of-1443-mn-in-fy-2023-report-424212.html Fri, 05 May 2023 22:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/revamped-avadh-gallery-to-be-tech-driven-422747.html Lucknow May 1 The Avadh gallery at the State Museum housed in Lucknow Zoo campus is being revamped to provide people with a better insight into the rich culture and heritage of the region The renovated gallery which will reopen in June will be technology driven and is being renovated and redesigned by the Uttar Pradesh Awas Vikas Parishad with an estimated cost of Rs 18 crore The gallery was established 50 years ago with the objective of making make people aware of Avadhs culture and showcases 120 objects in two halls The exhibits include clothes with chikan and zari embroidery worn during the Nawabi era bidri metal work and objects made of ivory and clay Museum director Anand Kumar Singh said Both the halls of the gallery will be technology driven and will have audio visual presentations informing people about the exhibits and their history and relevance Besides the addition of new exhibits old and wornout ones will be replaced Visitors will be provided with mobile tablets fed with all information related to exhibits These tablets will serve as digital guides as a person will be able to easily access the information about specific exhibits on display while taking the tour of the gallery New items to be added in the gallery include paintings of the Nawabi era dioramas of monuments musical instruments and sculptures that will inform the visitor in detail about the history and rich culture and heritage of the Avadh region that included Lucknow and Ayodhya apart from other places At the entrance people will get information about the history and geography of the Avadh province Soon after entering the first hall a visitor will find a portrait of Lord Ram and information about his rule followed by a section displaying the clothing items of the Nawabi era metalwork and pottery etc and a diorama of Rumi Darwaza The entrance of the second hall has been designed to appear as Lakhi Gate Once inside the hall one will find showcases with musical instruments of the Nawabi era on display followed by a section which will depict Nawabi court scene with the help of life size sculptures The woodwork and designer carvings on doors and jharokhas of the Nawabi era will also be on display At the end of the gallery visitors will get information about the 1857 War of Independence in Awadh which will be displayed through infographics on posters and archival documents IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/revamped-avadh-gallery-to-be-tech-driven-422747.html Mon, 01 May 2023 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/100-sand-radios-made-for-100th-episode-of-pms-mann-ki-baat-422134.html Bhubaneswar April 29 Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a sand sculpture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with 100 radios to celebrate 100 episodes of Mann ki Baat at Odishas Puri beach Pattnaik has created the 8ft high sand art to mark the feat by using about seven tonnes of sand He also created a sand sculpture of the Prime Minister with 100 sand radios Students from his sand art school joined him to complete the sculpture Earlier I created a few sand sculptures on Mann ki Baat on different occasions Besides sand sculpture on radio was also created on occasions like World Radio Day Pattnaik said Modis flagship radio address which aired for the first time on October 3 2014 will complete 100 episodes on April 30 So far the Padmawinning artist has participated in more than 60 international sand art competitions and festivals around the world and won many prizes for our country He always tries to create awareness on different social issues through his sand art His sand arts are appreciated by the UN WHO and UN Environment IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/100-sand-radios-made-for-100th-episode-of-pms-mann-ki-baat-422134.html Sat, 29 Apr 2023 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/four-from-up-juvenile-home-register-presence-in-national-competition-422033.html Lucknow April 28 Four inmates of the government boys juvenile home at Mohaan Road here have qualified for a national level competition while registering their presence among thousands of entries from across the country The boys competed in poetry and prose in Hindi and English in the Kalantar Annual Art Competition This is an online contest organised yearly by the Kalantar Art Foundation in Noida in which the participants of all age groups compete in art writing dance music and acting The inmates two of whom are 16 years of age and the other two are 17 are among nearly 50 other kids from across the country who made it to the first qualifying round They submitted two Hindi poems one English poem and a prose in Hindi Ashok name changed who has been at the juvenile home for the last two years sent a poem on the subject Ruk jana nahin tu kahin haar ke and said that he has always been a writer at heart We are preparing for the next rounds by reading more books and stories to improve our language he said He is among 13 others to have qualified out of 2600 submissions by children aged below 18 from all over India The competition had a total of almost 10000 entries across categories Nishant name changed also qualified in the Hindi poetry category I wrote my poem on the topic of Wah Uttar Pradesh he said The other two boys who qualified have been released on bail from the juvenile home and they will visit the home next month for another round of competitions Superintendent of the home Saurav Pathak who also tutors the high school students at the shelter said This was the first time that children from the juvenile home have participated in the competition We are very proud of the boys and encourage them to work hard and prepare for the next round IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/four-from-up-juvenile-home-register-presence-in-national-competition-422033.html Fri, 28 Apr 2023 22:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/habitat-film-festival-2023-to-be-held-from-may-5-to-14-in-the-national-capital-421846.html New Delhi April 28 The Habitat Film Festival 2023 scheduled to be held from May 5 to 14 at the India Habitat Centre in the national capital promises to offer a selection of the finest of Indian cinema The panIndian platter includes about 60 features documentaries and short films in 17 languages Films will be screened in Malayalam Kannada Tamil Telugu Bengali Assamese Maithili Odia Hindi English Gujarati Marathi Punjabi Sanskrit Ladakhi Meiteilon and for the first time Kumaoni For the first time several films will have their national and Delhi premieres at the festival The national premiers include the Malayalam film Meghdoot The Cloud Messenger directed by Rahat Mahajan and two Bengali films Sujit Kumar Pynes Meghbari and Aritra Sens Ghore Pherar Gaan The Homecoming Song Delhi premiers include Toras Husband an Assamese film by awardwinning filmmaker Rima Das Gautham Ramachandrans Tamil film Gargi and Arivu Mattu Guruvu The Word and The Teacher a multilingual film by Prashant Pandit This year marks the birth centenary of filmmaker Mrinal Sen A small retrospective of some of his seminal films including Khandhar Ek Din Pratidin and Ek Din Achanak will be screened Some documentaries that will be shown include All That Breathes Urf Colours of Life The Show Must Go On and Mask Art of Majuli Talks and book launches will also be held Entry is through registration which starts on May 1 wwwhabitatworldcom IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/habitat-film-festival-2023-to-be-held-from-may-5-to-14-in-the-national-capital-421846.html Fri, 28 Apr 2023 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/first-edition-of-the-sikkim-arts-and-literature-festival-from-may-6-421847.html New Delhi April 28 The government of Sikkim has announced a new initiative the Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival Khangchendzonga SALF to be presented in collaboration with Teamwork Arts that will be held at the historic town of Yuksam a UNESCO World Heritage Site from May 6 to 8 The programme will celebrate the literary landscape of the region along with addressing important local and global concerns including climate change wildlife conservation and biodiversity history culture and ethnicity poetry architecture folklore mental health writings from the North East fiction Young Adult literature among others PS Golay Chief Minister of Sikkim said The artistic and literary treasures of Sikkim are deeply ingrained in the cultural matrix of India and the first landmark edition of this festival will open them up for the entire country and beyond to explore and partake of Sanjoy Roy Managing Director Teamwork Arts added We are delighted to announce our first festival in the North East SALF which will focus on bringing together local writers and artistes with national and international writers thinkers and artistes The choice of one of the most pristine world heritage sites the Khangchendzonga National Park as our primary location is to continue our effort to focus on climate crises and the need for environmental awareness and positive action The festival next to the Himalayan mountain of Khangchendzonga will boast of speakers including Shobhaa De author and columnist Amit Sen Director Senior Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Children First Anand Neelakantan author and screenwriter Ankush Saikia author and journalist Anuja Chauhan author Hoihnu Hauzel journalist and writer from Manipur Manjiri Prabhu author and filmmaker Moushumi Kandali author Nawaraj Parajuli Nepalese poet Neel Madhav public speaker and author Priyadarshini Gurung who works at the Remote sensing and Climate Change division of Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology Rosy Chamling academic and writer and Shombi Sharp United Nations Resident Coordinator for India The music section will include Kutle Khan Project a collective of Rajasthani folksufi musicians led by Kutle Khan vocalist Harpreet Bipul Chettri an Indian singersongwriter who sings in the Nepali language and plays Himalayan folk music with a contemporary touch The programme will include local performers from Sikkim as well IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/first-edition-of-the-sikkim-arts-and-literature-festival-from-may-6-421847.html Fri, 28 Apr 2023 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/classical-has-been-the-foundation-of-my-musical-journey-musician-sheykhar-421667.html By Sukant Deepak New Delhi April 27 Popular singer and composer Sheykhar from the VishalSheykhar duo stresses that Classical has been the foundation of his musical journey and feels lucky that his father introduced him to music at a young age and he was able to receive mentorship from Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh My vocal training began under the tutelage of Niyaz Ahmed Khan and the years I spent learning from him have been invaluable in shaping me as a musician Classical music teaches discipline attention to detail and a deep understanding of music theory and technique all of which are critical skills for any musician Sheykhar tells IANS adding today he continues to learn and grow as a musician building upon the foundation that was laid for him by my early training in classical music One of the most successful music composers VishalSheykhar has been streamed more than three billion times on YouTube has had 72 numberone singles and been featured on more than 350 film soundtracks Sheykhar who introduced himself by being part of the music reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa feels that there are not many platforms for singers to showcase their talent Adding that while a few years back there were more platforms they have decreased significantly feels music reality shows provide an excellent opportunity for singers from small cities villages and remote areas to audition and showcase their talent to the world It is truly amazing to witness how they have helped talented individuals from all over the country to make a name for themselves It is heartwarming to see how these platforms have helped individuals prosper in their careers doing film singing and album work Talk to him about his long years of collaborating with Vishal and how they solve creative differences and the musician says they always put passion for music above everything else and that has been the driving force behind the collaboration Whenever we have had any creative differences we have always approached the situation with an open mind and a willingness to find a solution that works for both of us Our drive for creating great music has allowed us to navigate any challenges that come our way and continue to produce wonderful music together Sheykhar who was recently in Noida for Global SchoolsSheykhar Ravjiani School of Music says he was invited by Atul Temurnikar Chairman and CoFounder Global Schools Foundation to conduct a workshop in Singapore for three years from the year 2016 It was during the pandemic that they decided to start their own music school GIIS Sheykhar Ravjiani School of Music now known as Global SchoolsSheykhar Ravjiani School of Music starting off with Zoom sessions and he had the opportunity to visit a few campuses in Singapore Dubai Pune and now Noida Our focus is on providing the best guidance and training to our students so that they can achieve their full potential and succeed in their careers as musicians For composing music Sheykhar draws inspiration from his surroundings and personal experiences and believes it is important to constantly evolve and adapt to changes in the industry Whether it is the way scripts are written songs are made or work culture is shifting it is paramount to embrace the evolution of the entertainment industry Interestingly during the lockdown he challenged himself to write one song every day from 9 am to 6 pm It was a routine that I started from day one and over the past twoandahalf years he has amassed a considerable collection of music Three months ago I decided to take things to the next level and started my own record label called Garuudaa Musiic which has been a longstanding dream of mine and is envisioned to become the most powerful creative platform where I can collaborate with dynamic independent singers lyricists and music producers he concludes Sukant Deepak can be reached at sukantdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/classical-has-been-the-foundation-of-my-musical-journey-musician-sheykhar-421667.html Thu, 27 Apr 2023 17:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/du-to-launch-panchang-on-april-28-to-disseminate-ancient-indian-knowledge-421549.html New Delhi April 27 The Delhi University DU will release a Panchang religious almanac prepared by it on April 28 which will be shared among the students across the country with an aim to connect the youth to the rich ancient Indian knowledge system and tradition The Panchang will be released by DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh in the presence of several personalities from the fields of literature and culture including the varsitys department heads teachers students and researchers among others The chief guest at the programme will be Ramlal the allIndia Sampark Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS The varsity will release the Panchang with a focus on the theme Indian Knowledge Tradition on the occasion of its centenary year The Panchang has been prepared by the varsitys Value Addition Courses Committee Our Panchang is more advanced than the Western calendar It is more scientific and informative Delhi Universitys Value Addition Courses Committee is all set to script a new history on this the committees president Niranjan Kumar told IANS It is quite unfortunate that Panchang has disappeared from our homes as well as from the minds of the youth Through this Panchang DU is trying to connect the students to the Indian knowledge system The Western calendar only provides dates and holidayrelated information But the Indian Panchang contains dates days of the week nakshatra karan yog etc along with all our festivals and other important dates Kumar added The Panchang will be provided for everyone free of cost during the programme at the varsity According to DU it would also tell students about the importance of Indian Panchang and the accuracy of mathematical calculations of Panchang in the Indian knowledge tradition Describing the launch of the almanac as a historic event Kumar said that this is happening for the first time in the history of DU when the varsity is releasing a Panchang for the dissemination of ancient Indian knowledge The Panchang will be a useful step in introducing students to the rich and ancient Indian knowledge tradition he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/du-to-launch-panchang-on-april-28-to-disseminate-ancient-indian-knowledge-421549.html Thu, 27 Apr 2023 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/ngma-to-host-maharajas-treasure-select-works-of-art-from-air-india-collection-420537.html New Delhi April 20 National Gallery of Modern Art NGMA and the Union Ministry of Culture will present Maharajas Treasure Select works of art from the famed Air India collection an exhibition that opens on April 27 and continues till July 2 at the NGMA in Fort Mumbai Over the period of eighty years Air India put together an impressive art collection to showcase and celebrate Indian art and culture across the globe This collection comprises of paintings and sculptures by famous artists such as V S Gaitonde B Prabha MF Husain GR Santosh KH Ara Pilloo Pochkhanawala Raghav Kaneria to name a few traditional paintings such as Phad and Pichwai paintings of Rajasthan Kalamkaris from Andhra Pradesh Thanjavur gilded and glass paintings to an exquisite array of textiles jewellery and decorative art spread across the subcontinent It was officially decided that this collection will be handed over to the Ministry of Culture and is to be housed at the NGMA for posterity The exhibition will be inaugurated in the presence of Union Minister of Culture Tourism and DoNER Development of North Eastern Region G Kishan Reddy It gives me immense pleasure to launch the first exhibition on the Air India collection here at NGMA This is the first of many to celebrate the iconic collection which was a pioneer in promoting our heritage across the globe The exhibition consists of a thematic display of around 200 meticulously chosen artworks that brings to you a portion of the collection that Air India used to redefine air travel in its own maharaja style says Nazneen Banu Director NGMA The exhibition begins with a glimpse of a few iconic works from the collection by masters such as KH Ara VS Gaitonde NS Bendre GR Santosh Manu Parekh B Prabha MF Husain Anjolie Ela Menon and B Vithal An untitled canvas by VS Gaitonde from 1970 stands prominent evoking a serene mood through the warm hues spread across the canvas The highlight of this section is the famous ashtray designed by surrealist Salvadore Dali which is in the form of a sea shell with a serpent coiled around its rim and supported by elephant heads which in reverse become swans Proceeding to the next floor brings to life the various portrayals of women and their contributions to life and society Arpana Caurs canvas depicting a woman with a blue crescent moon on her head is part of a larger composition titled Women Hold up Half the Sky showing women in construction sites where the heavy vessel on her head takes the shape of the moon Shanti Daves painting is an extension of the same theme The section also dedicates a corner to the fisherwomen painted by B Prabha and AA Raiba Open window panes always generate a multitude of possibilities of imagination and a sense of freedom that lies on the horizon This section highlights various vignettes showing landscapes laden with huts buildings birds and people engaged in farming Both the works of Anjolie Ela Menon mounted on window frames titled Nawab with pigeon depicts the little girls longing to break away from the patriarchy that holds her back inside the confines of ageold traditions represented by the figure of the Nawab and in the second work titled Lady with kite represents the little girls desire to experiment with the possibilities that exist outside Expressionism and abstract form take prominence on the next floor The vibrant canvases of Achuthan Kudallur and Laxman Shrestha bring forth various shapes that do not confer to a particular identifiable object but take ones mind on a journey to infinite thoughts The section proceeds to more fluid forms of the Kalpavriksha the tree of life flanked by Hindu deities Ganesha and Brahma by SG Vasudev The second half of this section is dedicated to landscapes that climax with the formidable mountains of Serbjeet Singh IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/ngma-to-host-maharajas-treasure-select-works-of-art-from-air-india-collection-420537.html Thu, 20 Apr 2023 08:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/assam-govt-to-award-rs-25-000-cash-prize-to-performers-for-guinness-world-records-420107.html Guwahati April 18 Assam has created two Guinness World Records one with the traditional dance of 11304 Bihu artistes and the other with the largest drumming performance which included 2548 participants Each artiste will receive a cash prize of Rs 25000 for hisher stellar performance that marked double entries into the Guinness World Records officials said on Tuesday The state government has planned a threeday programme to award the prizes to the performers A top government official said Between May 6 and 8 the Bihu performers will be felicitated in their respective districts The artists were selected from each district of the state to perform for the world records Meanwhile Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said The cabinet ministers will travel to the districts to award cash prizes to the artists I will also personally go to at least five districts to felicitate the performers The artistes were practising for the last one month Sarma said He further mentioned Assams Bihu performance was praised globally this time I have received many greetings not only from different corners of the country but also from abroad The Chief Minister claimed that the present government has been focusing on portraying state resources on a global stage State cultural minister Bimal Bora said The cabinet ministers will interact with the artists during their visit to the districts The prizes will be awarded to the bank accounts of each of the performers by direct benefit transfer Notably Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended the traditional Bihu dance and drumming performance in Guwahatis Sarusajai stadium during the Bihu celebration IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/assam-govt-to-award-rs-25-000-cash-prize-to-performers-for-guinness-world-records-420107.html Wed, 19 Apr 2023 02:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/adopt-a-givers-mindset-advises-biz-coach-manoj-gursahani-in-new-book-419434.html By Vishnu Makhijani New Delhi April 16 Author business coach and global strategist Manoj Gursahani believes the only way forward in the modern world is to change your lens from a transactional mindset that looks for what others can do for you to one of generosity Adopt a givers mindset and this alone will change your life and open doors to unimaginable abundance and opportunities Gursahani author of The Human Connect told IANS in an interview about his debut book that details the secrets of effective networking drawn from his vast and diverse experience across the global business landscape This is not a laborious read but relevant to current times where less is more It has easytofollow relatable practical tips and anecdotes that will resonate with you and offer guidance that I wish someone had extended to me when I was just starting out I hope that it will help every reader who picks it up to have deeper personal and professional relationships create the blueprint of a successful inspired enriched life and build a thriving business added Gursahani who also advises various corporates on mergers and acquisitions across the world The book is my way of reaching out to young Indians who are completely overwhelmed by technology and social media and have lost an organic connection with the world I wanted to remind them of the beauty of synergy over competitiveness and was inspired to change the lens of transactional networking which is a western concept This book expands on the idea of Giving which is another form of receiving and can be more fulfilling than just doing something for someone with a vested interest Gursahani explained That explains the inspiration behind writing the book The quest to find the key to a happy life led me to understand that meaningful relationships if nurtured and sustained over a period of time can empower our personal and professional journey and help us to grow in unimaginably enriching ways This is the thought that lies at the core of this book When I started researching the subject of networking I figured that most of the books we have in fact approach networking from a transactional mindset of You scratch my back and I will scratch yours I wanted to change this narrative and approach it from a givers mindset and the perspective of genuinely investing in relationships I did not want this shift to be superficial and instead argued for the need to actually change our lens when we meet someone The point is to have a genuine and sincere approach and the attitude of what we can do for someone rather than what they can do for us The book illustrates this point with several examples and stories Trust me the adherence to these principles in our daytoday life will turn us into human magnets and open doors and opportunities beyond our wildest dreams he maintained Why is a book like this important for young India In the times we are living in life is becoming increasingly dominated by technologydriven tools like Chat GPT and the youth are missing out on human connections due to their dependence upon social media and cell phones We are all living in isolation in our respective silos and the young generation in particular has a shrinking attention span and an urgent need for instant gratification I have something important to say and my book says it in a crisp succinct way It is a fast read and after each chapter gives practical mantras that young readers can derive benefit from he added If readers apply even 20 per cent of the principles he has shared in the book it will help them build more meaningful bonds Strong relationships are crucial for their wellbeing and will help them to overcome bouts of depression habits of overthinking and anxiety and adopt positive attributes like gratitude empathy and social responsibility Gursahani contended How can this book help readers recognise their flaws and skills and how to work on them A conscious awareness of our flaws and skills helps us to evolve and grow Once we become cognizant of our weaknesses and strengths we can then change or pivot our approach Once we start radiating this energy of inner transformation it will help us build better and longlasting business and personal relationships Changing for the better also makes us happier as human beings The book elaborates how by remembering names cultivating the art of effective listening improving our body language and staying in touch with people can help us to forge stronger bonds I have also offered a list of do and donts which can serve as navigation guide and selfhelp tool kit the author sad To that extent each chapter ends with a mantra For instance Its in giving that we receive Develop sincerity in your giving nature without expecting in return and Listening is not a skill its a discipline Not surprisingly his favourite chapter is the 19th which elucidates his take on an unimaginable return on investment ROI This is actually the crux of the book and can help us to build relationships that are not based on networking and are incredibly fulfilling Gursahani concluded So there you have it Heres a book that takes the concept of Human Resource Development to a whole new level in a world driven by technology and social media Vishnu Makhijani can be reached at vishnumakhijaniiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/adopt-a-givers-mindset-advises-biz-coach-manoj-gursahani-in-new-book-419434.html Mon, 17 Apr 2023 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/serendipity-arts-festival-announces-curators-for-upcoming-edition-419111.html New Delhi April 15 Serendipity Arts Festival which is scheduled to host its sixth edition in December in Goa has announced its lineup of curators for the upcoming edition Sandeep Kumar Sangaru and Anjana Somany will be curating the section on Craft and bring forth varied crafts practices that blend traditional and contemporary practices Quasar Thakore Padamsee who curated last years theatre section of the festival is back to helm the theatre segment of the festival that will showcase an eclectic selection of plays Food is closely linked with festivities and is an indispensable element of the festival and for this edition Chef Thomas Zacharias and The Locavore Team will curate the important Culinary entries for the festival through a gastronomical journey that ties people and cultures Bickram Ghosh along with Ricky Kej will curate the Music section with a wide range of concerts covering diverse genres and addressing various socialcultural ideas and topics Geeta Chandran and Mayuri Upadhya will put together classical experimental and contemporary dance performances and workshops Visual Arts curators for this edition will be Veeranganakumari Solanki and Vidya Shivdas Spread across multiple venues in Panjim and around Goa the festival will continue to promote innovation and experimentation within the arts adhering to its core values of sustainability inclusivity and accessibility The festival will continue to be a celebration of community with regionspecific projects as well as workshops for people with special needs as well as a dedicated segment with childrens programmes Speaking about the Festival Sunil Kant Munjal Founder Patron of Serendipity Arts and Founder of THE BRIJ said South Asias unparalleled cultural richness has been shaped by multiple influences over the centuries While being an amalgam of many our arts and culture still have their own unique richness We are lining up topnotch curators and collaborators for the upcoming Serendipity Arts Festival SAF in Goa this December as part of our journey to capture South Asias richness and diversity and blend these with the best global art practices While looking at multiple art forms we also investigate and present the interdisciplinarity of the many art forms broadly through visual performing culinary and performance arts This edition of the festival will also feature a set of special curators including Zubin Balaporia Music Vikram Iyanger Dance Elizabeth Yorke Anusha Murthy with Edible Issues who be the special curators for culinary arts While Bhagyashree Patwardhan will return to curate a project around local Goan design practices There might be additions to the list of special curators closer to the festival Smriti Rajgarhia Director Serendipity Arts Foundation and Festival said We are happy to announce our new lineup of curators for the Serendipity Arts Festival 2023 who will help us in reimagining the arts and will be creating an array of projects that are engaging inclusive and immersive prompting the public to think beyond the white cube and proscenium spaces IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/serendipity-arts-festival-announces-curators-for-upcoming-edition-419111.html Sun, 16 Apr 2023 02:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/up-naubat-khana-now-in-asi-list-of-protected-monuments-418543.html Lucknow April 14 The famous Naubat Khana or Nakkar Khana housed in the Bada Imambara Complex now figures in the list of ASI protected monuments The Archaeological Survey of India ASI has issued a notification giving the structure a protected monument status as that of Bada Imambara and other heritage monuments in the city Built on the opposite side of the Imambara and part of the heritage complex this Naubat Khana was constructed to accommodate the drummers who used to beat their nagadas drums to declare the hour of the day and also welcome esteemed guests in the court of the Nawabs While the Bada Imambara was declared a protected monument by ASI in 1920 the Naubat Khana was still left behind in occupying the same status over a period of decades resulting in heavy encroachment Lawyer Mohammad Haider said The monument is reeling under extreme encroachments as a result of neglect and administrative apathy There are squatters and encroachers who are living inside the said protected monument and are causing irreparable damage threatening the very existence of this magnificent edifice Even the Archaeological Survey of India has opened up its office in the Naubat Khana a part of the said protected monument which is a highly regrettable action on the part of the protectors A portion of the Naubat Khana has been converted into a public toilet which is in clear violation of law The protected monument status will hopefully help in restoring the monument IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/up-naubat-khana-now-in-asi-list-of-protected-monuments-418543.html Fri, 14 Apr 2023 15:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/srinath-perur-to-head-jury-for-rs-25-lakh-jcb-prize-for-literature-2023-417951.html New Delhi April 11 As it enters its sixth year the JCB Prize for Literature one of Indias most coveted and richest literary awards at Rs 25 lakh on Tuesday named author and translator Srinath Perur as the head of its jury Its other members are Mahesh Dattani playwright and stage director Somak Ghoshal author critic and learning designer Kavery Nambisan author and surgeon and Swati Thiyagarajan conservation journalist and filmmaker The jury will announce the longlist of 10 titles in September subject to change followed by the shortlist of five titles in October subject to change The winner of the prize will be announced in November 2023 If the winning work is a translation the translator will be awarded an additional Rs 10 lakh Each of the five shortlisted authors will receive Rs 1 lakh if a shortlisted work is a translation the translator will receive Rs 50000 Representing a range of backgrounds languages and mediums of expression between them the jury brings a set of diverse points of view to the task of selecting the best of fiction from India for the year The JCB Prize for Literature is funded by Indias leading manufacturer of earthmoving and construction equipment JCB India Ltd and administered by the JCB Literature Foundation Commenting on this years jury Mita Kapur Literary Director of the JCB Prize for Literature said Last year has truly been a milestone year for us For the first time our jury put forth a shortlist that were all translations India speaks and reads in so many languages and the books that are submitted for the JCB Prize are a true representation of the many Indias that reside within one The 2022 JCB Prize for Literature was awarded to The Paradise of Food by Khalid Jawed translated from the Urdu by Baran Farooqi and published by Juggernaut The book is a brutal and mesmerising account of the contemporary body home and nation told through the food and kitchen In a world consumed by hyperconsumerism the book provides a bracing counternarrative making it an important piece of work With an aim to increase inclusivity in readership the book along with the other four shortlisted novels of 2022 was also made available by the JCB Literature Foundation in a digitally accessible format for anyone in the visually impaired spectrum I am happy to be part of the jury for the JCB Prize for Literature 2023 It represents an opportunity to celebrate books that speak to our times and bring to notice books that may have been unfairly overlooked In this regard I particularly appreciate the Prizes efforts at encouraging publishers to send in translations Srinath Perur said About the Jury Srinath Perur is the author of the travelogue If Its Monday It Must Be Madurai He has translated Kannada novel Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag and the memoir This Life at Play by Girish Karnad He writes on a variety of subjects including science travel and books Somak Ghoshal has worked in publishing and media with major Indian organisations for over 15 years especially as a critic and book publisher His work has appeared in Mint HuffPost The Telegraph Open The Hindu The Voice of Fashion Mekong Review Index on Censorship CNN Style and other Indian and international publications Mahesh Dattani is a playwright stage director and mentor His works as a playwright have been translated and performed in many languages across India and abroad For his anthology Final Solutions and Other Plays Dattani received the Sahitya Akademi Award Kavery Nambisan started her writing career with childrens books Her adult novels include The Scent of Pepper A Story that Must Not be Told and A Town Like Ours Her nonfiction book A Luxury Called Health is her most recent work She also contributes articles and essays to national newspapers and international anthologies Swati Thiyagarajan is a multiaward winning conservation journalist She is the former Environment Editor of NDTV and helmed and created one of their flagship shows Born Wild She authored the book Born Wild Journeys into the Wild Hearts of India and Africa IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/srinath-perur-to-head-jury-for-rs-25-lakh-jcb-prize-for-literature-2023-417951.html Wed, 12 Apr 2023 10:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/every-artist-has-personal-dialogue-with-art-form-dancer-rama-vaidyanathan-418010.html By Sukant Deepak New Delhi April 12 For several years now she has been venturing into new avenues of Bharatanatyam with respect to vocabulary poetry and treatment Choreographing multiple dance compositions that can become a part of the traditional repertoire Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardwinning dancer Rama Vaidyanathans latest New Dimensions to Margam born out of these ventures will have its India preview on April 21 at India Habitat Centre in the national capital as part of Madhvi Festival One of the directors of Ganesha Natyalaya the dancer says it has been an exciting journey discovering her dance form celebrating it and adapting it to her body mind and intellect Every artist has her personal dialogue with her art form and it is this phenomenon that helps the art form to evolve In my case as well I was able to harness the vocabulary that I learned from my gurus and search for a fresh impetus and different approach which then became my own individual statement she tells IANS For someone who started creating her own pieces quite early in life there was never any apprehension about what the purists would think Well I was too busy having fun with my dance and doing that you seldom stop to think of its repercussions The madness of exploring deciphering and reconstructing had engulfed me so strongly that all I could do was to throw myself wholeheartedly into creating new compositions she recalls Anyone who has witnessed Vaidyanathan on stage can effortlessly gauge that her performances go beyond grammar and conventions She says it is imperative to go beyond the form because the same is the basic medium of communication and its essence and beauty will be enhanced only if there is a soulful liberation in its execution It is a tool that we need to utilize with aesthetics and sensitivity It is a path need to walk on to discover new spaces and embark on exciting journeys Managing to maintain a fine balance between tradition and innovation the dancer says it is impossible for her body to move in a un Bharatanatyam manner My technique has always been grounded she adds Staying in Delhi Vaidyanathan has always been exposed to multiple art forms and follows sculpture painting literature music and genres of dance as well This has helped me open several doors in my mind and has widened my perspectives Particularly with regards to poetry in different languages that find a lot of space in my repertoire Pleased with the many performance courses that have been introduced by different private universities she feels dance is serious and needs to be studied just as other disciplines of learning are done Along with the actual practical stream of dancing such courses teach about the treatises on dance its history social connotations and areas of research This gives the dancer a very holistic approach to dance and at the end of the course it throws open many more vistas of exploring for the student Performance is just one aspect of dance there are many other areas especially scholarship that we actually need many more youngsters to adopt Stressing that the country needs more professional setups for dance with proper payments opportunities for performance and research where artists can make a living from art Vaidyanathan adds that there is also a need for schemes for pensions for aged artistes and scholarships for young dancers from weak economic backgrounds who do not have resources and the capacity to enter into this world She also feels that the private sector needs to support classical dance more liberally considering in India the government is still engaged in providing basic medical needs and education to a large section of our society It is definitely the responsibility of the society as a whole to preserve cherish and propagate our ancient arts Sukant Deepak can be reached at sukantdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/every-artist-has-personal-dialogue-with-art-form-dancer-rama-vaidyanathan-418010.html Wed, 12 Apr 2023 14:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/lucknow-to-have-theatre-for-elderlies-soon-417800.html Lucknow April 11 Peoples Initiative a citybased nonprofit organisation has come up with the concept Theatre for elderlies by them and for them The members plan theatre workshops for elderly and have discussed how senior citizens can be engaged and plays can be produced revolving around themes related to them where they can play different characters and also how the youth can be involved in understanding their perspective The examples of veteran actor Anil Rastogi and theatre director Puneet Asthana who are pursuing their passions in their 60s and 70s were also given Theatre for senior citizens can go a long way in sensitizing our community to the way they look at old age and the contribution it can make to later generations The ensemble activity of theatre itself requires bonding that is essential to the building of a selfreliant social structure that is at the core of our survival and wellbeing Instead of thinking of seniors as individuals over the hill we should see them as the core of our foundation said theatre director Salim Arif Theatre veteran Sangam Bahuguna said Theatre can influence and have a deep impact on peoples minds The problems faced by senior citizens are evident Through stories related to comedy giving out a positive message is required Sharing a recent anecdote from the recent 30 Days 30 Plays event Bahuguna said While we were sceptical on how people will come to see the plays on all 30 days but it was overwhelming to find that not only the auditorium was jam packed but most people in the audience were the elderlies Theatre artist Gopal Sinha said Only senior artists should not be given the role of elderly people If a youngster can play the role of a senior citizen it should be vice versa too Members of the organisation agreed that a 40day theatre workshop should be organised where elderly people can teach learn write enact and get involved in whatever way they can and also institute an award for creative writing by and for the elderly To engage more senior citizens the members also discussed how they can do baithaks sittings and qissa goi storytelling and organise small gatherings in their locality so that people can become aware of such ventures According to a survey done by organisation HelpAge India titled Bridge the Gap Understanding Elder Needs 47 per cent of the elderly are dependent on family support as their source of income and 34 per cent depend on pensions Only 21 per cent elderly people are still working and earning IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/lucknow-to-have-theatre-for-elderlies-soon-417800.html Tue, 11 Apr 2023 21:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/over-85l-people-visit-kochi-biennales-5th-edition-417416.html Kochi April 10 As curtains comes down on the fifth edition of Kochi Biennale on Monday evening the 109day long exhibition saw the largestever turnout as more than 85 lakh people had visited the art event Held after a fouryear gap following the Covid19 pandemic the record turnout has surprised many as the previous edition of the Biennale had six lakh visitors This edition featured more than 200 projects of around 100 artists Founded in 2010 the Kochi Biennale Foundation KBF was started by artists for other artists with the aim to bring contemporary art and ideas from across the world to South Asia The present edition was held on December 23 2022 The 109day event witnessed meetings talks dialogues discussions and art programmes including workshops movie screenings and music shows and has enthralled art lovers The highlight of this edition was that a good number of foreign diplomats visited the event IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/over-85l-people-visit-kochi-biennales-5th-edition-417416.html Mon, 10 Apr 2023 21:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/bihars-khajuraho-an-example-of-nepali-architecture-is-a-picture-of-neglect-417168.html today With its glorious history it is looking for people who can save and preserve its historical art While some play cards here on lazy afternoons the homeless ones sleep on its campus in the night This Nepali temple located at Kaunhara Ghat in Bihars Hajipur is called Mini Khajuraho Today it is in a dilapidated condition due to lack of maintenance Earlier a large numbers of tourists used to come from faroff places to visit the temple Some tourists still visit the temple but most of them usually return disappointed This temple of Lord Shiva is built on Kaunhara ghat at the confluence of GangaGandak in Hajipur The temple displays beautiful workmanship of wooden art which depicts different postures of Kamkala which is also why it is known as Bihars Khajuraho The entrance to this pagodastyle temple is also made of wood which has squarepatterned nets on it There is a Shivling inside and 16 rectangular wooden panels The lower part of the panels depict men and women in different postures of Kamkala It is believed that the temple was built around 500 years ago Today its interior walls are seen collapsing Youngsters have scribbled their and their lovers names on the walls of this historical monument while some have written messages for their beloved to find The priceless panels have now become food for wood termites BK Pandey a retired professor apprised that the historical temple was built by the commander of the Nepalese army in the 18th century Commander Matbar Singh Thapa Since the temple was built by a Nepalese commander locals also refer to it as a Nepali cantonment Pandey said that its preservation could not be done properly and that it is priceless He said the temple comes in the category of protected monument Mahant Arjun Das of Kabir Math located at Butan Das Ghat nearby said that there are artistic wooden pillars on the four sides of the temples centre Iron pillars bricks rocks and an abundance of wooden strips were used to construct the temple Das said that the Shivling is installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple He added that some idols were stolen in 2008 He stated that Kamashastra is depicted through different postures in the panels and the temple is of real importance and has doors in all four directions The temples caretaker Vijay Shah said that he has been looking after the temple but has not received a salary for years which is why he is forced to sell chana gram on the streets Shah added that they explain the situation to the officials and leaders whenever they visit Hajipur but to no avail as they do not seem interested in saving the historical heritage site Locals say that if the Nitish Kumarled government in the state that makes claims of preserving history saved this temple it could increase tourism and prove to be very advantageous The locals still hope that the government will someday take action in the matter and preserve the monument They also fear that the whole monument will just be confined to pages in history books if not revived soon IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/bihars-khajuraho-an-example-of-nepali-architecture-is-a-picture-of-neglect-417168.html Mon, 10 Apr 2023 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/nlf-fellowships-for-childrens-book-creators-announced-416764.html Bengaluru April 8 The Neev Literature Festival NLF has announced the firstofitskind fellowships for childrens book creators writers and illustrators to facilitate highquality richly detailed childrens books that mirror Indian lives and experiences Proposals have been invited to produce a book in any genre that has the power to connect with young readers universally Selected book creators will be supported with a grant of Rs six lakh each for a period of one year for researching and writing their books Kavita Gupta Sabharwal CoFounder Neev Literature Festival In a fragmented market that is swamped with international childrens literature and a publishing ecosystem that has traditionally underinvested in Childrens literature from India the NLF Fellowships aim to fill a gap that will hopefully encourage Indian writers to embark on imaginative ambitious and researchdriven literature for Indian audiences that are rooted in Indianness Apart from the financial support the NLF Fellowships will provide mentorship and editorial support ensure greater visibility and appreciation for wellcrafted books and explore realistic routes to take these books globally There is no restriction with regard to the genre it could be a picture book a graphic novel a work of fiction or nonfiction The Fellowship is open to Indian citizens and residents who are persons of Indian origin The Jury for the Fellowship currently includes Neev Trust Founder Kavita Gupta Sabharwal Ameen Haque Founder Storywallahs as well as the NLF Director Karthika Gopalakrishnan The Fellows are expected to author original books Though the Fellowships are not restricted in terms of genre theme or ideology the NLF expects proposed works to contribute to a fuller understanding of India Members of the NLF Fellowships Jury shall assess the proposals and prepare a shortlist of eligible candidates The shortlisted candidates will be subject to a thorough interview process with a panel consisting of the NLF Fellowships Jury Members as well as other eminent persons from the world of childrens writing and scholarship The last date to apply is June 30 2023 IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/nlf-fellowships-for-childrens-book-creators-announced-416764.html Sat, 08 Apr 2023 18:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/next-generation-art-prize-2023-julius-baer-announces-six-winners-from-asia-416261.html New Delhi April 6 Julius Baer has announced the six winners of the second edition of the Julius Baer Next Generation Art Prize for Asia the Groups second home market These include Viraag Desai India Andre Wee Singapore Carla Chan Hong Kong Jamela Law Hong Kong Natalie Wong Hong Kong and Wan Kyn Chan Singapore Each of the winners will receive 10000 and embark on a threemonth Art and Technology Accelerator Programme as they develop their proposed concepts into digital artwork to be exhibited at a virtual showcase in the second half of 2023 The Art and Technology Accelerator Programme is the first of its kind in Asia aiming to provide access to resources and mentorship from industry experts to help artists develop their ideas and push the boundaries of digital art The jury comprised acclaimed artists Refik Anadol and Shubigi Rao curator Fu LiaoLiao Simon Fisher art specialist Shivajirao Gaekwar and Theresa McCullough Shubigi Rao commented There were a number of compelling proposals that depicted imaginative and optimistic futures beyond the anxieties of a postclimate age The strongest submissions to the Julius Bear Next Generation Art Prize stood out for their sureness of purpose poetic imagination creative use of live feed datasets and thoughtful engagement with the audience Jimmy Lee Member of the Executive Board Julius Baer Group Ltd and Head Asia Pacific said The Julius Baer Next Generation Art Prize represents our commitment to support the contemporary perspectives of nextgeneration artists We aim to empower young talents who are leading the change in the digital age by providing them with crucial development networking and mentorship opportunities We are excited to see how our winning artists bring their exceptional proposals to life IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/next-generation-art-prize-2023-julius-baer-announces-six-winners-from-asia-416261.html Fri, 07 Apr 2023 07:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/once-sentenced-to-silence-in-kashmir-badshah-lear-roars-again-416307.html Wilfredo Salvador grimaces after he was nailed to the cross during a reenactment of Jesus Christs sufferings as part of Good Friday rituals April 7 2023 in the village of San Pedro Cutud Pampanga province northern Philippines The reallife crucifixions a gory Good Friday tradition that is rejected by the Catholic church resumes in this farming village after a threeyear pause due to the coronavirus pandemic PTI By Sukant Deepak New Delhi April 7 While in his teens he once accompanied his father theatre director MK Raina to Kashmir encountering the Bhands Kashmirs traditional folk theatre artists who were banned by militants from performing in the Valley Years later when the theatre director made an adaptation of Shakespeares King Lear with the folk artists in the Valley and Anant Raina accompanied a Stanford University in the US professor wanting to write about it as part of her thesis he was shocked It was such a powerful performance that I immediately decided that I wanted to make a film on it I barely knew any filmmaking at the time but the story had to be told so I just did it There was an effort to get funding etc but nothing panned out That was also the time when DSLRs were just becoming popular for filming so I bought one and started shooting remembers the filmmaker who finished the film Badshah Lear in 201819 but owing to the pandemic could not screen it Now showing the movie reflecting the tragedy of land against the madness of its rulers at different venues Anant who grew up in Delhi says his introduction to Kashmiri culture came when along with his father he made a film on Kashmiri Sufi music for which they would go to the Valley every season The young director admits it took him several years to finish the film as he kept secondguessing whether his effort was worthy Also having been rejected for funding multiple times from various documentary forums working practically by myself on it there were times I did feel as if it was just me who was interested in this story I am not going to lie it was quite a struggle internally In many ways the film is not just about the Bhands but also operates on different layers the Pandit exodus the idea of Kashmiriyat and censorship among others In one of the scenes MK Raina says After several years when I visited my ancestral house in Kashmir it was locked I knocked a few times and then returned I cannot describe how I felt Houses remain we perish Anant had abandoned the initial plan for the film because it just was not turning out to be interesting He then let the footage lead him to a story Adding that censorship emerged as a theme without him planning for it as it is inherent in the story of the Bhands he says I have an intense dislike for hierarchy and authority because it only serves to narrow down the human experience Art is diametrically opposed to that because it is about freedom expanding our experiences and seeing the world in newer ways For me this story in particular is a tale about the resilience of art tinged with melancholy as you realise that the battle of ideas is never really over We need to constantly push back The director who comes from a culturally mixed home mother being part Maharashtrian and Bengali while MK Raina is Kashmiri Anant when asked if MK interfered with his creative process during the shoot of the film that unfolds through the latters eyes laughs One particular day during the shoot he kept giving instructions to one of the Bhands At first I told him that I was recording sound so he should not say anything But he did not stop I finally had to tell him angrily that this was my film not his Things were a bit tense for some time but it was smooth sailing later MK Raina tells IANS that for him the most striking aspect of the film is that it deals with a subject that while being political is not part of any discourse in the country The natural way of unfolding of Kashmiri syncretic life without any underlying or deliberate attempts to propagate the Kashmiriyat theme and how it has vanished is established honestly The celebration of culture as a resistance despite being marginalised in a wider violent political turmoil is the high point for me I like his prologue and epilogue his deliberately avoiding the often repeated Kashmiri pretty pictures landscapes cliche which would have dwarfed the depth of the film it is a very important document of the culture of the people for the people who work in conflict zones One does not witness a blackandwhite approach says Raina who assures that he followed the sons instruction as he would do for any director Sukant Deepak can be reached at sukantdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/once-sentenced-to-silence-in-kashmir-badshah-lear-roars-again-416307.html Fri, 07 Apr 2023 10:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/khurshid-drabu-gen-hasnain-release-sandeep-bamzais-the-gilded-cage-416247.html New Delhi April 6 Author and IANS EditorinChief MD and CEO Sandeep Bamzais book on the tumultuous political history of Jammu and Kashmir from 1931 to 1953 was released on Thursday in the presence of senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain eetd IIC Director KN Shrivastava and JKs former Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu The slim yet insightful book titled Gilded Cage Years That Made and Unmade Kashmir will be invaluable to any scholar or journalist trying to make sense of what is happening in Kashmir today It offers a riveting account drawing from previously unaccessed private papers of what transpired in the Valley between the sunset years of the British Raj and the events leading up to the dismissal and imprisonment of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on August 8 1953 Racily written and packed with new details the book which is the third part of the authors Kashmir Trilogy gives details of how Sheikh Abdullah jettisoned Jinnahs dream to grab Kashmir for Pakistan a dream that Maharaja Hari Singhs Prime Minister Ram Chandra Kak would have happily fulfilled how the Kashmiri nationalist leader convinced Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to initiate military action against the Pakistani tribal raiders infiltrating into the Valley to annex it and eventually how the Sheikh boxed himself into his exclusivist vision of an independent Kashmir minus Jammu completely at odds with Nehrus expansive Idea of India leading to Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad the Sheikhs deputy and Nehrus eyes and ears in Kashmir displacing him as leader of the National Conference Fleshing out this dramatic story of the Years The Made and Unmade Kashmir Bamzai has dug deep into the hitherto unpublished papers of his grandfather KN Bamzai Delhi bureau chief of The Blitz who later served as Sheikh Abdullahs private secretary and OSD to Nehru seeing the estrangement of the two political allies one of the most unfortunate happenings in the years that followed Independence from a privileged position IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/khurshid-drabu-gen-hasnain-release-sandeep-bamzais-the-gilded-cage-416247.html Fri, 07 Apr 2023 05:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/madras-hc-advocate-resigns-from-kalakshetra-foundation-complaints-committee-415449.html Chennai April 4 Internal Complaints Committee ICC member of the Kalakshetra Foundation and practicing advocate of Madras High Court BS Ajeetha has resigned from the post following the sexual allegations against some faculty members Girl students have alleged that some male teachers were abusing them Advocate BS Ajeetha in her letter to the Director of the Kalakshetra Foundation said I am disturbed at the recent developments in your institution and the response of the administration to the issues The present atmosphere in the institution and the largescale discontent of women students and staff makes me rethink whether I should continue to be an external member of the Internal Complaints Committee of the institution Advocate Ajeetha in the letter also said that she had her own reservations regarding the responses made by the administration in the controversy She said that on the basis of these issues she doesnt want to further associate with the Kalakshetra Foundation In her resignation letter she said I dont want to associate anymore with your institution and particularly to continue as a member of the Internal Complaints Committee and I hereby tender my resignation from the membership of the ICC and it shall come into force with immediate effect Advocate Ajeetha said that she expected that better counsel will prevail in the administration and that things would be sorted out in a judicious manner which will be affected to all the affected students The practicing advocate has been working for the past four years as a member of the Internal Complaints Committee of the institution constituted under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Places Act 2013 Several women students of the institute had levelled allegations of sexual abuse against the Assistant professor of the institute Hari Padman and three other staff members Hari Padman has already been arrested by the Chennai Police and is in judicial custody IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/madras-hc-advocate-resigns-from-kalakshetra-foundation-complaints-committee-415449.html Wed, 05 Apr 2023 01:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/singing-begum-akhtar-is-like-sticking-your-neck-out-vidya-shah-415021.html By Sukant Deepak New Delhi April 3 She makes it clear that whenever she does Akhtari her curated tribute to the revered Begum Akhtar there is a conscious attempt not to copy her Singer Vidya Shah feels it is important to maintain ones individuality instead of imitating I am extremely grateful to my mentors who taught me to imbibe and not copy Of course it is quite daunting whenever I sit down for Akhtari and wonder if it must have been a foolish night that I came up with this smiles Shah Adding that while the world of music is strange and one has to sing the same thing it also works at a very personal level the singer who trained under Shanti Hiranand in Thumri Dadra and Ghazal says the best part is the stories Through Shanti ji I connected to Begum Akhtar at multiple levels While everyone loved her work there was a feisty and feminist side That side of an artist especially in the preindependence era the respect that I have for her grew immensely says Shah who was recently in Chandigarh to perform Akhtari The singer who also trained under Padma Shree awardee vocalist Shubha Mudgil in Khayal Gayaki says the biggest thing she learned from her is how to create a niche while being immersed in music that is structured There may be 500 people singing Yaman But how do you make it yours Mudgal internalizes music something that inspires me no end Known for her interactive concerts Shah whose audience also comprises young audiences says collecting stories is something that has always fascinated her She remembers the time when someone came up gave her cassettes and told her what he was holding was real music I heard so many voices but knew none And there were some songs where names were being taken and it was revealing to me And I wanted to find out who the person was behind the songs There was very little about them and it bothered me I started collecting stories it became very interesting I started particularly looking at the gramophone era because thats the music I got A lot of women had transitioned to bai jis And then I wanted to share it with my audience as well That is how the Women on Record project was put together And it was about the women who sang on the record and also about the women who are not on record says the singer who started learning music at the age of 12 Talk to Shah about collaborations she laughs and says she is very greedy and that they push her creative spirit Grateful that she had the opportunity to pursue formal education which also got her closer to lyrics she says I have worked with William Dalrymple on his books as well There are so many interesting folk narratives which I have tied with music Someone who spent a lot of time in Madhya Pradesh and collected folk songs Shah is currently working on a production with the classical dancer Ananda Shankar Jayant It will be Bharatnatyam Hindustani ragas in sync IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/singing-begum-akhtar-is-like-sticking-your-neck-out-vidya-shah-415021.html Tue, 04 Apr 2023 00:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/jks-basohli-painting-gets-gi-tagging-415104.html Jammu April 3 World famous Basohli painting from JKs Kathua district has obtained the Geographical Indication GI tag following approval by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development NABARD an official statement said on Monday Geographical Indication GI is a form of intellectual property right that identifies goods originating from a specific geographical location and having distinct nature quality and characteristics linked to that location The process for GI tagging of nine products from Jammu region was initiated by NABARD in consultation with the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom in December 2020 during the difficult times of the Covid pandemic The GI tags have now been granted to these products after a long legal process Basohli painting of Kathua district is the first independent GI tagged product from the Jammu region Now only an authorised user has the exclusive right to use the GI tag in relation to these products IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/jks-basohli-painting-gets-gi-tagging-415104.html Tue, 04 Apr 2023 06:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/young-kashmiri-content-creator-on-mission-to-revive-language-414978.html By Sajid Raina Srinagar April 3 In a world where many are forgetting the beauty of their mother tongue one young content creator is on a mission to revive the Kashmiri language Muneer Ahmad Dar a native of Khag in central Kashmirs Budgam district is determined to bring back the cultural richness of the valley through his content in pure Kashmiri language Known by his social media handle Muneer Speaks this young visionary has captured the hearts of people of all ages boasting over 300000 followers on social media and over 303000 subscribers on his YouTube channel Mr Koshur According to Dar his captivating content includes everything from extracting Nadur Lotus Stem in Dal Lake to showcasing the sevenstorey house TilweineWan and even making Pulhor grass slippers Muneers unique approach of creating content solely in Kashmiri language has gained him a special audience he said His videos get millions of views and engagement making him the only content creator in Kashmir to produce content in this language Muneer has become a household name not just in the valley but across the globe During the 2021 lockdown Muneer initiated the ReviveKoshur campaign creating a series of 30 videos reciting Shalook Shruk of SheikhUlAlam each day with translations into Urdu to ensure wider understanding The series he said garnered immense positive feedback from viewers on social media inspiring Muneer to continue his mission With the help of his research team Muneer explores unknown places in the valley speaking about their cultural importance in the Kashmiri language he said His content is researchbased and he is grateful to his team for their contribution to his vision Muneer admits that he initially struggled to speak in Kashmiri language on camera but with practice he has honed his skills becoming a prominent speaker Muneer sees his content as his contribution to society hoping that future generations will learn from his videos preserving the cultural heritage of the valley He emphasizes the importance of saving the language culture and traditions of the region and invites others to join him in his mission Muneers videos are all shot with a smartphone and are short in duration recognizing the attention span of social media users He believes that social media has created institutions in individuals globally taking his message to every home across the globe Muneer encourages young content creators in the valley to focus on their goals work hard and pursue their passions His inspiring work is a testament to the power of determination and dedication in preserving cultural heritage IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/young-kashmiri-content-creator-on-mission-to-revive-language-414978.html Mon, 03 Apr 2023 21:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/gigi-thanks-under-fire-varun-for-making-her-bollywood-dreams-come-true-414657.html Mumbai April 2 American supermodel Gigi Hadid put to rest the controversy surrounding Varun Dhawan lifting her in his arms onto the stage on Day 2 of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre NMACC opening on Saturday night Sharing the viral video of Varuns action on her Instagram Stories Gigi wrote Varundvn making my Bollywood dreams come true It looked spontaneous but Varun said it was planned and the video even shows RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani cheering Gigi after shes brought back by Varun to the spot where the celebrity guests had gathered Social media users however slammed Varun for mishandling a woman and alleged that Gigi looked affronted Gigi incidentally carried off effortlessly her white and gold Chikankari saree paired with a gold statement blouse both by Mumbais bestknown fashion designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla Responding to the outpouring of criticism Varun said I guess today you woke up and decided to be woke So lemme burst ur bubble and tell u it was planned for her to be on stage so find a new Twitter cause to vent about rather than going out and doing something about things Now that Gigi seems to be lauding him Varuns critics can finally look for another cause to vent about IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/gigi-thanks-under-fire-varun-for-making-her-bollywood-dreams-come-true-414657.html Mon, 03 Apr 2023 03:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/tn-womens-panel-to-submit-report-on-kalakshetra-foundation-sexual-harassment-issue-414040.html Chennai March 31 Amid the ongoing controversy over sexual harassment charges filed by students of the Kalakshetra Foundation Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women Chairperson AS Kumari stated that she would present a report of her findings to the state government on Monday She said that she will examine the complaints submitted to her by the students of the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts at the Foundation on Friday AS Kumari said Fridays enquiry included personal interviews with 12 students and virtual interviews with five other students She said that they have also received nearly 100 written complaints against four teachers in the college Earlier in the day Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin informed the Assembly that action would be taken against the guilty persons The Kalakshetra Foundation management had decided to close the college for a period of six days from Friday onwards in the wake of the controversy after the students staged a sitin protest in the premises since Thursday The students have accused four faculty members of verbal and sexual harassment and have written to the Ministry of Culture in this regard However matters came to a head after the internal complaints committee of the institute had concluded that the sexual harassment allegations were baseless On Wednesday the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women NCW had also visited the campus and made inquiries about the allegations Established in 1936 by dancer Rukmini Devi Arundale Kalakshetra Foundation is an institute of national importance and offers courses in traditional Indian art forms such as Bharatanatyam dance and Carnatic music IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/tn-womens-panel-to-submit-report-on-kalakshetra-foundation-sexual-harassment-issue-414040.html Sat, 01 Apr 2023 10:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/sahitya-akademi-awardee-poet-chandra-kanta-murasingh-passes-away-412472.html Agartala March 27 Noted poet Chandra Kanta Murasingh 66 who was Sahitya Akademis first Bhasha Samman awardee from the northeast passed away in Agartala on Monday following a cardiac arrest family and hospital sources said Murasingh who wrote poems prose and drama in both Bengali and Tripuras tribal Koknorok language is survived by two sons a daughter and wife In recognition of his contribution to Kokborok literature Sahitya Akademi had conferred the prestigious Bhasha Samman award on him which is given to poets and authors of nonscheduled languages in 1997 Murasinghs monumental contribution was the Kokborok translation of Rabindranath Tagores Geetanjali Murasingh was the also the Director of the Northeast Colloquial Language Centre His close friend and writer Sekhar Datta said that Murasingh went away as silently as he had come leaving behind a huge trail of happy memories of his enlightened company for friends and wellwishers Scores of people including politicians and social activists paid their tributes to Murasingh at the Nazrul Kalakshetra and Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhawan here before the cortege headed for his native village in Tuibandal for the last rites Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha along with many intellectuals and organisations including the Tripura Sanskrity Samannay Kendra have condoled Murasinghs demise IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/sahitya-akademi-awardee-poet-chandra-kanta-murasingh-passes-away-412472.html Tue, 28 Mar 2023 03:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/there-is-a-peculiar-pull-to-write-on-kashmir-author-sandeep-bamzai-412207.html Israeli police use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking a highway during a protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government to overhaul the judicial system in Tel Aviv Israel Monday March 27 2023 Tens of thousands of Israelis have poured into the streets across the country in a spontaneous outburst of anger after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly fired his defense minister for challenging the Israeli leaders judicial overhaul plan PTI By Sukant Deepak New Delhi March 27 A pause And he says when it comes to writing on Kashmir there is an emotional quotient involved That is not just due to the fact that he was born there but also that the Pandit community which has contributed immensely in diverse spheres was forced to leave the Valley and become a migrant in its own country Author Sandeep Bamzais latest book Gilded Cage Years that Made and Unmade Kashmir Rupa chronicles the time from the emergence of Sheikh Abdullah in Kashmirs politics up to his arrest to the disillusionment of the Kashmiri masses from their leadership From Jinnahs obsession with Kashmir to Sheikh Abdullahs hatred for Jinnah from Jawaharlal Nehrus comprehension of the Valley being a shop window for his brand of secular politics to Maharaja Hari Singhs streak of remaining independent in the face of both India and Pakistan this book covers the vital years that defined Kashmirs accession to India The author whose latest is the third part of the trilogy after Bonfire of Kashmiriyat and PRINCESTAN How Nehru Patel and Mountbatten Made India tells IANS that he feels a certain compulsion to write the Valleys real story as superficiality seems to have become the norm and many people are just not interested in delving deep into history Frankly as a nation we have not documented our own independence and freedom struggle adequately precisely why I have been stressing the need for a Freedom Archives for long There are many unsung heroes of the freedom struggle and those who ascertained integration of different states and Kashmirs accession to India including VP Menon KN Bamzai and Dwarka Nath Kachru It is important that the real story is uncovered something that pushes me to write A nonfiction Gilded Cage that speaks of exhaustive research reads like a thriller something which makes it accessible even to nonhistory buffs Bamzai a student of economics who did not study history formally calls himself an amateur historian who has developed a fascination for modern history I guess curiosity as a journalist is probably acting as a catalyst but I have immersed myself and done a deep dive into history When it comes to research even if you have papers documents letters and multiple memoirs or whatever written by several of the people who have been mentioned in this book to connect the dots and create a narrative out of that is an extremely difficult process adds the EditorinChief MD and CEO of IndoAsian News Service While writing Gilded Cage the author looks at the key dramatis personae of the time who were involved in Kashmir between 1931 and 1953 and splits them into two parts protagonists and antagonists In the narrative there are some dark figures and nationalist personalities I have tried to build a narrative in the push and pull of the protagonists and antagonists The other thing much different from my other two books in the trilogy is the conscious tighter narrative and fictionlike flow I have written a story building on the tent poles with the papers and the documents that were given to me Talk to him about the contemporary situation in Kashmir and Bamzai says the revocation of Articles 370 and 35A has been a seminal measure ascertaining integration and mobility And it was done so effectively that one must give complete credit to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister for that He however feels that unless peace is restored in the Valley it would be unfair to expect Pandits to return to their homeland You cannot build a ghetto for them on the left or right side of the Jhelum The community would never back that It has been 30 years and people have moved on built their lives again from scratch The Pandits being targetted in lone wolf attacks in the Valley are soft targets who being economically backward could not move out of there The message coming out of Kashmir is You can come here as a tourist but not live and work there if you are a nonMuslim We will kill you And that is exactly what is happening says this Kalinga Book award Princestan winner The author who has worked in major media houses in senior positions for more than 40 years now admits that both Indian and international media have failed to acknowledge the true forced migration of Pandits from the Valley Stressing that nobody really cares he says while many people are making a huge hue and cry about the film The Kashmir Files it is the only time that the truth has been revealed Even today as we speak there are camps outside Jammu where economically backward Kashmiri Pandits continue to live in hell Honestly everybody seems to have just washed their hands off this community maybe that is the reason I keep revisiting this theme In favour of early elections in the Valley he feels that the same can be expected in 2023 soon after the snow melts maybe as early as May or probably with the ones in Karnataka Adding that various parties are already preparing for them he adds There is Farooq Abdullah on one side one cannot say if the Congress will be with NC or not There is BJP on the other side and Ghulam Nabi Azad is the X factor An elected government in Kashmir is extremely important And I must add that Manoj Sinha the Lt Governor there has spearheaded serious developmental work recognized even by the locals The kind of investments coming to the Valley will result in major employment something that will be instrumental in weaning the young away from the gun Ask him if he plans to write fiction with the Valleys backdrop and he says that though he was born there he has lived his entire life outside Bamzai is however contemplating writing the next part of the book which will focus on the years between 1953 to 1965 I may also write another one 1965 from 1971 when the Indira Sheikh accord was signed says the author whose immediate next project is a pictorial history of Kashmir commissioned by Roli Books Talking about his process which starts with extensive research he says what is crucial is connecting the dots from diverse research sources including important papers handed over to him by his family Post the research and while the writing is being done the chapters need to be set right and so do the characters they hold The narrative must hold the reader with a strong grip All this is interconnected and nothing works in isolation says Bamzai insisting he is still a journalist first and will always remain a news junkie IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/there-is-a-peculiar-pull-to-write-on-kashmir-author-sandeep-bamzai-412207.html Mon, 27 Mar 2023 10:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/sandeep-bamzai-discusses-his-novel-gilded-cage-on-booknerds-podcast-412279.html New Delhi March 27 Booknerds a leading literary startup recently had the pleasure of having Sandeep Bamzai the author of the much anticipated novel Gilded Cage on their podcast which has grown in reputation over the past three years and is now a favourite destination for authors readers and publishers The podcast provided a unique insight into the inspiration behind the novel and the authors journey in bringing it to life Bamzai shared that Gilded Cage the last part of the Kashmir trilogy was inspired by his interest in and observations of society and the divide prevalent in the understanding of Kashmir He felt that the theme of truth was important to explore in his writing and wanted to create a thoughtprovoking narrative that would challenge readers Bamzai went on to discuss his writing process revealing that it took him several years to complete Gilded Cage just like the earlier books in the trilogy He shared that he was inspired by the works of some of his favourite fiction writers and wanted to try a more fastpaced narrative that was both engaging and intellectually stimulating Throughout the podcast Bamzai shared his thoughts on the themes of the novel including the human struggle for freedom and the consequences of power and privilege He also discussed his hopes for the book expressing his desire to encourage readers to think critically about the world around them and to inspire the need to read and learn history Gilded Cage has received rave reviews since its release with readers praising the novel for its engaging storyline and thoughtprovoking themes The book has been described as a mustread for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of the accession of Kashmir IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/sandeep-bamzai-discusses-his-novel-gilded-cage-on-booknerds-podcast-412279.html Mon, 27 Mar 2023 15:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/aditya-v-birlas-legacy-sangit-kala-kendra-celebrates-50-years-of-patronising-fine-arts-411751.html Mumbai March 25 The Sangit Kala Kendra SKK founded by the late industrialist Aditya Vikram Birla celebrated 50 years of patronising and promoting the fine arts with a glittering event in which leading names from Bollywood business and other celebs participated the organisers said here on Saturday The organisation hosts the annual prestigious Aditya Birla Kalaskhikar Award and the Aditya Birla Kalakiran Award in memory of its founder said SKK president Rajashree A Birla To mark the occasion a grand function was held late on Friday in which eminent personalities like actresses Hema Malini Shabana Azmi playback singers Kavita Krishnamurthy Nitin Mukesh and ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas were specially honoured along with many others Bollywood actor Anupam Kher narrated the SKKs long journey through Kaleidoscope an audiovisual presentation at the NSCI Complex that thrilled the audience and gave insights into the life of its founder Going down memory lane on her late husband Rajashree Birla said that right from the start besides business Aditya V Birla who succumbed to cancer in 1995 was attracted towards the performing arts It became a part of his mental makeup of his richlytextured life he essayed a variety of characters He had a fascination for the stage as it was full of joie de vivre where he played as actor performer and singer said Rajashree Since Aditya V Birla could feel it running through his veins he started dreaming of setting up an institution that would showcase talent of various hues among different genres which ultimately led to the birth of the SKK 50 years ago she said The momentous occasion had Maharashtra Additional DirectorGeneral of Police Vishwas NangarePatil actor Ranbir Kapoor interacting with Neerja Birla a performance by Sonu Nigam in the presence of Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla Aryaman Birla and entire Birla clan Rajashree Birla recalled with pride how many a new or littleknown or budding performer jumpstarted hisher life as an artistactor through the SKK 57 youngsters were conferred the SKKs awards over the years and some of the biggest legends from the world of arts and music including the late Lata Mangeshkar were involved closely with the organisation IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/aditya-v-birlas-legacy-sangit-kala-kendra-celebrates-50-years-of-patronising-fine-arts-411751.html Sat, 25 Mar 2023 17:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/oprah-winfrey-visits-site-in-jordan-where-jesus-was-baptised-410086.html Los Angeles March 20 Popular talk show host and personality Oprah Winfrey and her friend Gayle King visited the site of Jesus baptism in Jordan The iconic talk show host 69 shared a series of pictures from her lovely holiday with her 22 million followers on Sunday reports mirrorcouk In one image Winfrey looked delighted posing in front of an archaeological site as she enjoyed a camel ride in Petra Another had her and King smiling as they took a picture by the Siq narrow passage that leads to Petra She captioned the post Visited Jordan this week and there was so much to see and experience We visited the site where John the Baptist baptised Jesus Petra and all its fascinations camels and the spot where the big boulder comes rolling out of Indiana Jones So much history there in the Rose City voted one of the 7 new wonders of the world It takes 3 days to really see it all we only spent 3 hours Put it on your must see list if you havent already One picture saw Oprah pouting at the camera as she stood next to a sleepy camel She rocked khaki trousers a green scarf and a warm coat At one point the two kept warm in gorgeous brown coats called a furwa as they relaxed in the sunny desert Winfreys trip comes after she said she thinks Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should attend King Charles Coronation IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/oprah-winfrey-visits-site-in-jordan-where-jesus-was-baptised-410086.html Tue, 21 Mar 2023 01:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/himachali-handloom-folk-dance-showcased-in-ottawa-409778.html Shimla March 20 Himachali handloom comprising Kulvi shawls and folk dance Natti were showcased at the Shining Himachal event organised by the Himachali Pravasi Global Association HPGA in association with the High Commission of India to Canada under theme One District One Product ODOP in Ottawa Deputy High Commissioner of India to Canada Chinmoy Naik attended the event on Sunday as a chief guest MP Chandra Arya Chief Statistician of Canada Anil Arora Mayor Office Councillor Lina Jhonson and approximately 19 organisations joined the event with great enthusiasm The HPGA showcased Himachali handloom like Kulvi shawls caps mufflers etc world famous Kangra tea and research work of IIT Mandi The event was joined through virtual mode by Himachalbased Bhuttico Society chairman Satya Prakash Thakur who spoke about the history of Himachali handloom industry while the importance of Kangra tea from Britishera estates was shared by Rajiv Sood from Himalayan Brew Tea Estate and states prominent tourist destinations by travel agent Sourab Katna While Kangra tea is an orthodox variety close to Darjeeling tea which is under cultivation in foothills of Dhauladhar in Dharamsala Shahpur Nagrota Bagwan Palampur Jaisinghpur Baijnath and Jogindernagar areas while it was Russian painter and philosopher Nicholas Roerichs daughterinlaw Devika Rani the Indian film star in whose request a local weaver weaved an urban size shawl on his pit loom in 1942 Today traditional weavers in the hill state have kept the handloom heritage not only alive but also earned its name globally At the event energetic Naati was performed by Shivani Rathour Jatin Kalia Priti Kalia Upasna Sharma Neha Sharma Shikha Verma and Tanishqa Kalia Naksh Sharma and Kian Chauhan performed on a song of Saare Jahaan Se Achaa Himachali dhaam or community lunch was served that was praised by all Himachalorigin Bhagya Chander delivered the welcome message while Ashu Kalia and Vivek Nazzar honoured the guests with Himachali caps and shawls Arun Chauhan and Jake Dheer kept the show alive and delivered the vote of thanks IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/himachali-handloom-folk-dance-showcased-in-ottawa-409778.html Mon, 20 Mar 2023 10:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/india-has-not-explored-the-horror-genre-in-its-truest-form-filmmaker-sapna-bhavnani-408745.html By Sukant Deepak New Delhi March 16 As the third Wench Film Festival Indias first horror film festival founded by celebrity hairstylistturnedfilmmaker Sapna Bhavnani is set to take place physically for the first time in Mumbai from March 1720 it will also showcase films inclusive of BIWOC LGBTQ women and nonbinary filmmakers When Bhavnani first wrote a horror story Bearlike Man that was selected at BIFAN Korea the largest genre festival in Asia she found herself to be the first Indian woman director to be on the platform ever We were practically nonexistent in that space Over the three decades I looked at 99 per cent of directors were women Horror comes with just 59 per cent of directors being women and Scifi 28 per cent I find this statistic offensive Wench 2022 showcased 47 horror scififantasy films 43 of them directed by women she tells IANS Believing that India has not really explored horror in its truest potential or form the filmmaker feels there is no better medium to highlight social change than this genre And there are so many different ways to make them instead of the cliche kneejerk horror that we all know of she asserts Talk to her about the fact that most horror movies from India tend to make the audience laugh and she says it is high time that we move beyond Tumbbad changed the game but no one followed after that We have a lot to grow and hope that in the next few years we can be on the whole platform since our background lends to this format so naturally India is a country of many religions and each has its own superstitions and rituals When I hear Indians saying they do not like horror I laugh as we are the land of spirituality which starts with spirit The festival programmers include Shelagh RowanLegg and Heidi Honeycutt who runs her own womens genre fest in the US Etheria Wench will open with the awardwinning Mexican film Huesera The Bone Woman directed by Michelle Garza Cerver and close with The Nightmare directed by Alice Wadding It will screen 23 Indian and international films in competition including Aarti Kadavs scifi feature The Astronaut and His Parrot starring Ali Fazal and Megha Ramaswamis Short Lalannas Song starring Parvathy Thiruvothu and Rima Kallingal Apart from a special screening of the awardwinning cult horror film Tumbbad there will be panel discussions with Vishal Furia Chhori Lapachhapi Vikram Bhatt Ghost 1920 Creature Anvita Dutt Qala Bulbbul Gauri Shinde Kaizad Gustad While the festival did have films like My Dog is Sick directed by Bhavnani and Bodies Of Desire Varsha Panikar last year since it was mainly online they did not publicise the BIWOC LGBTQWoman and NonBinary angle However this time besides having a diverse team Gaysi Family has been roped in as their community outreach partner This is super for any festival that is attempting to be inclusive to have community outreach partners who share your commitment to diversity A diverse selection committee is also crucial in curating films and stories concludes Bhavnani Sukant Deepak can be reached at sukantdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/india-has-not-explored-the-horror-genre-in-its-truest-form-filmmaker-sapna-bhavnani-408745.html Thu, 16 Mar 2023 22:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/booknerds-the-nerdiest-podcast-408548.html New Delhi March 15 Podcasts have been around and have assimilated into our daily lives for a while now There is a podcast for the morning for the commute for the afternoon hump for running and so on Unfortunately book podcasts have been few and extremely hard to sustain due to quality dips Well until now The Nerdiest Podcast Booknerds Podcast is all set to fill that gap by showcasing some wonderful books authors and engaging stories Booknerds a literary startup based out of Dehradun brought its podcast from online to inperson and shot its first season of sitdown conversations with some of your favourite authors editors and publishers The podcast has something for everyone whether you adore books or not This season is packed with information for every kind of reader They have fantasy fiction contemporary nonfiction and so much more The Booknerds team recorded the podcast at a boutique bookstore Kunzum in the heart of Delhi in Jorbagh Kunzum has the aesthetics the beautifully curated bookshelves and delicious coffee and is becoming book lovers favourite haunt in the DelhiNCR region Season 1 Guests You can listen to the conversations with the stellar line up which included Ajay Jain author photographer traveller and founder of Kunzum a chain of boutique bookstores set up in mid2022 the Habit Coach Ashdin Doctor whose newly launched debut book Change your habits Change your Life which is truly a brilliant mentor for people to inculcate habits to become our best version Editor and Book Influencer Shreya Punj best selling author Stuti Changle author columnist and podcaster Vasudha Rai Publisher at Om Books International Ajay Mago astrologer and author of 91 Predictions he predicted the downfall of Adani Greenstone Lobo and author speaker and youth influencer Yash Tiwari The podcasts are thoughtprovoking carefully curated and wellrounded You will imbibe the podcast guests personal experiences industry details what to do as a new author and a lot more Podcast Host The host of the podcast is a seasoned podcaster reader and cofounder of Booknerds Rohan Raj who has moderated over 250 book sessions since the inception of Booknerds a literary startup that he cofounded with his wife Neha Raj in October 2015 to revolutionise how book lovers read and engage with authors In the past eight years he has interviewed eminent authors like Namita Gokhale Anand Neelakantan Deepak Ramola Vir Sanghvi Devdutt Pattanaik Mayank Shekhar Alan Rosling Easterine Kire John Keay Kevin Missal Moin Mir Andy Griffiths Kabir Bedi Rashmi Bansal Sudha Murty and many more on the online avatar of the Booknerds Podcast The resident booknerd read the books page to page and made sure to bring you what you desire as a reader as well as a writer The podcast is streaming now on Booknerds Youtube and the audio version shall stream on Spotify in April IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/booknerds-the-nerdiest-podcast-408548.html Thu, 16 Mar 2023 09:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/women-artistes-dazzle-at-kochi-biennale-408248.html Kochi March 14 Artworks of two female artists is the centre of attraction at the fifth edition of the ongoing Kochi Biennale A distinctive video installation by noted Finland artist Martta Tuomaala is a harsh critique of existing sociopolitical scenarios with wideranging themes like misuse of power administrative bias unemployment insecurity among workers gender bias moral policing capitalism rising inequality and protest A black comedy the video FinnCyclingSoumiPerkele has been written directed and anchored by Martta Though it mainly manifests the darker regions of Finland viewers could make out a much broader perspective and connect with similar situations elsewhere Martta explains the theme of the video through the expert use of indoor cycling Martta appears in the video continuously pedalling her cycle Despite sweating profusely she couldnt gain an inch This image is used to raise harsh criticisms and hurl arrows of black comedy reflecting the intolerable conditions prevailing in the sociopolitical field The second one is about a young Malayali artist Mithra Kamalam reflects and recreates the hard struggles endured by women who are forced to stand within the boundaries imposed upon them in the real world through her aweinspiring creation at the Biennale The artwork belonging to the series Corrective Measures and put together using paintings and sculptural installations stand apart with its uniqueness in layout as well The unique inferences drawn by Mithra Kamalam that gets passed on to the viewer are thoughtprovoking The display at the Biennale by Mithra Kamalam is based on the painting on the subject of Sati by Dutch illustrator Jan Huygen van Linschoten from the 16th century To bring out the ideas churned inside definitive themes relevant quotes and documents from history are sometimes assimilated The influence of tradition explanatory language and miniature painting is my style Many creations contain elements from my own life Historical quotes and documents that match the narrative have been embodied explained Mitra Kamalam IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/women-artistes-dazzle-at-kochi-biennale-408248.html Wed, 15 Mar 2023 01:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/japans-nobel-winning-novelist-kenzaburo-oe-dies-at-88-407970.html Tokyo March 14 Japanese author and Nobel Prize laureate Kenzaburo Oe has died at the age of 88 local media reported According to publisher Kodansha Ltd on Monday Oe died of old age in the early hours of March 3 Born in Japans Ehime prefecture in 1935 Oe graduated from the French literature department of the University of Tokyo He was the author of several works including The Catch A Personal Matter and The Silent Cry and won the 1994 Nobel Prize in Literature Xinhua news agency reported In his 70s Oe said he intended to continue living as a novelist until he died and that the aim of his lifes late work is to write grotesque novels that defy the present time and society Kyodo News reported As a leading figure in Japanese literature after World War II Oe had long opposed the revival of Japanese militarism and actively advocated peace The peaceloving author had also made unremitting efforts in promoting cultural exchanges and friendship between Japan and China IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/japans-nobel-winning-novelist-kenzaburo-oe-dies-at-88-407970.html Tue, 14 Mar 2023 02:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/kochi-biennale-is-one-of-the-masses-bangkok-biennale-director-407381.html Kochi March 11 The Kochi Muziris Biennale is the biennale of the masses and has been received wholeheartedly by the common man said Apinan Poshyananda Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Culture Thailand and the CEOcumDirector of Bangkok Biennale Apinan an art critic considered one of the foremost curators in Asia and listed among the Futures list of most influential persons in Thailand examined in detail the various artworks on display at different venues of the Kochi Biennale Incidentally this was Apinans first visit to the Biennale which is into its fifth edition that ends next month The city of Kochi and her people play an important role in making the Biennale special I happened to come across many of them while moving from one venue to the other The energy and excitement are palpable In other places Biennale often feels secluded Viewers are important It is the participation of the people that decides the success of a Biennale In that regard Kochi Biennale is vastly superior In the third world there is no other Biennale that comes close to the Kochi Biennale said Apinan and added that other biennale events have much to learn from the Kochi Biennale The Biennales layout and presentation are beautiful The Bangkok Biennale is in its infancy It is only three editions old There is much to learn for Bangkok from the Kochi Biennale Many presentations at the Kochi Biennale are mesmerising There are some powerful creations too on display Many have multiple layers to them This is a new experience he said There is no revolting background or bias or sentiments attached to the Biennale here unlike many other places Here people are everything The corrupt influence of position or power does not reach here The contribution of Biennale to economic wellbeing and tourism growth is beyond analytics The Biennale is giving an economic push not just to Kerala but to the country as a whole The Kochi Biennale has played a key role in shaping a sustainable art market in the country said Thailands popular art loving top official IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/kochi-biennale-is-one-of-the-masses-bangkok-biennale-director-407381.html Sun, 12 Mar 2023 01:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/weaving-magic-the-roysten-abel-way-407429.html By Sukant Deepak New Delhi March 12 It all started when theatre director Roysten Abel and singer Bombay Jayashri spoke over a video call When she talked about her voices voyage and what it really meant for her Abel could feel a peculiar note Voice resonated with him on multiple levels political and social Slowly many voices came together The journey involved multiple elements geographical and contemporary scenarios While AcademyAward winner Resul Pookutty designed the soundscapes musicians across generations were chosen for the megaproject Bombay Jayashri Uday Bhawalkar MD Pallavi Aditya Srinivasan Apoorva Krishna Rasika Shekar Deu Khan Manganiyar and Sumesh Narayanan The play was staged on February 24 at the Mahindra Roots Festival in Mumbai introducing the audiences to an enthralling blend of music stagecraft and storytelling It also delved into the musicians journey from the time they decided to join their gurus their varied experiences and their hope for the future The festival also boasted theatre performances folk music classical music and poetry contemporary Sufi Abhangas Bengals Baul music tradition tribal music forms and immersive storytelling Abel whose production The Manganiyar Seduction was part of the recent International Theatre Festival of Kerala 2023 however feels there are hardly enough theatre festivals in the country Some are good because they are headed by good curators who are extremely passionate We definitely need more platforms willing to take unconventional routes Also known for his productions like Othello in Black and White Flowers and A Hundred Snake Charmers which have travelled across the globe the director with an expansive body of work says he would like to work with dancers now Dance is a form that I am very keen to explore Frankly I do not know if Im ready for it because it is challenging and layered but I would really love to explore it though The director who does not work with bound scripts but devises productions says the latter come sans restrictions Such productions take a life of their own They are born in front of you With a bound script you cannot really experiment too much While his experiences in Amsterdam were reflected in The Kitchen Abel says it is paramount for him to create what he experiences in different cultures That is precisely what is so interesting about travelling he concludes Sukant Deepak can be reached at sukantdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/weaving-magic-the-roysten-abel-way-407429.html Sun, 12 Mar 2023 07:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/a-lot-happens-between-restrain-and-spontaneity-artist-jagannath-panda-407198.html By Sukant Deepak New Delhi March 11 For artist Jagannath Panda spontaneity has always been of paramount importance in his work Believing it to be a means to discover ones unknown spaces he adds It is between restrain and spontaneity that a lot of magic can happen An important contemporary artist whose work is in several major collections such as the GVK Mumbai International Airport Mori Art Museum Fukuoka Japan Lalit Kala Akademi New Delhi the National Gallery of Modern Art New Delhi and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in the Capital Panda who completed his MFA in sculpture from the Royal College of Arts London 2002 and has been a visiting researcher at Fukuoka University of Education Fukuoka Japan has delved with multiple themes in his works From issues pertaining to dislocation and inequality on multiple levels to desire the artist stresses that he does not wish to walk the journalistic line of observing from a distance but rather live through experiences And that can happen when you become a witness to the transition and imbibe it completely An important theme in his work remains migration something Panda witnessed firsthand when he moved to Gurugram at a time when the city was still being built Watching buildings take shape the continuous intake of migrants and the labourers working on tall skyscrapers precipitated a lot of questions in his mind The world was suddenly much more than I had imagined The sharp contrast between the past and the present and the rapid transitions that I saw were mindboggling The work on migration has constantly been about engaging people along with my journey as a migrant And I have created artwork based on that Sometimes it looks surreal I always enjoy looking at things and the ideas that appear and where they belong to And what we can negotiate with each other in terms of human growth Someone who has always been a strong advocate for public art the artist stresses it has always been an integral part of our culture though sadly art and our cultural activities have been compartmentalised You will witness tribes boasting of the process of making the painting dance music and rituals Everything comes together to make one event It should not be looked at as something different and separate from the public Every time I engage with the public with my foundation I enjoy working with the artists and people And different people express differently Adding that it is important that art reaches not just the common people but also the ruling class and administrators so that the latter understand its importance and how it contributes to society Panda says And it should be documented and talked about Our traditions should be accessible We must feel comfortable with them Panda who was recently invited by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi CLKA feels that for the past many years successive governments have done very little to strengthen the cultural infrastructure The artist who runs a private foundation Utsav feels it is important that private players step in to bridge the gap There are still very few of them but are doing a commendable job of promoting our culture Their approach and methodology are contemporary and they understand diverse tools Panda admits that the time spent in Japan has been a turning point in his artistic career I collaborated with several other artists there The way they look at art and other disciplines has had a reflection on my work too My practice has also evolved he concludes Sukant Deepak can be reached at sukantdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/a-lot-happens-between-restrain-and-spontaneity-artist-jagannath-panda-407198.html Sat, 11 Mar 2023 13:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/commercial-fiction-can-be-life-changing-as-3-women-authors-have-proven-406268.html By Vishnu Makhijani New Delhi March 8 Dont you wish growing up you had strong female voices that would speak to you in your time of need Women whose personal triumph would give you the courage and hope to stand up for yourself and always ask for more till the time you got what you truly deserved Dont you wish your growing up years were not filled with damsels who were perpetually in distress and that strong voices were not limited to the reading of nonfiction and literary genre alone On International Womens Day here are three women international authors of commercial fiction published by Penguin who are trying to change that for the current and next generation of young readers This is a short list of some fantastic fiction titles some of them are debut voices while the others are established names Lets let the world know that the ageold perception that only literary fiction and nonfiction genres can be powerful and life changing reads is just not true anymore These are only few of the many commercial titles that are turning this perception on its head Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman In fact Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing But its the early 1960s and her allmale team at Hastings Research Institute take a very unscientific view of equality Except for one Calvin Evans the lonely brilliant Nobelprize nominated grudgeholder who falls in love with of all things her mind True chemistry results Like science life is unpredictable Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother but the reluctant star of Americas most beloved cooking show Supper at Six Elizabeths unusual approach to cooking combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride proves revolutionary But as her following grows not everyone is happy Because as it turns out Elizabeth Zott isnt just teaching women to cook Shes daring them to change the status quo The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan Frida Liu is a struggling mother She remembers taking Harriet from her cot and changing her nappy She remembers giving her a morning bottle Theyd been up since four am Frida just had to finish the article in front of her But shed left a file on her desk at work What would happen if she retrieved it and came back in an hour She was so sure it would be okay Now the state has decided that Frida is not fit to care for her daughter That she must be reeducated Can this mistake cost her everything Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid Carrie Soto is fierce and her determination to win at any cost has not made her popular By the time Carrie retires from tennis she is the best player the world has ever seen She has shattered every record and claimed twenty Slam titles And if you ask her she is entitled to every one of them She sacrificed nearly everything to become the best with her father as her coach But six years after her retirement Carrie finds herself sitting in the stands of the 1994 US Open watching her record be taken from her by a brutal stunning British player named Nicki Chan At thirtyseven years old Carrie makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement and be coached by her father for one last year in an attempt to reclaim her record Even if the sports media says that they never liked the BattleAxe anyway Even if her body doesnt move as fast as it did And even if it means swallowing her pride to train with a man she once almost opened her heart to Bowe Huntley Like her he has something to prove before he gives up the game forever In spite of it all Carrie Soto is back for one epic final season In this riveting and unforgettable novel Taylor Jenkins Reid tells a story about the cost of greatness and a legendary athlete attempting a comeback IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/commercial-fiction-can-be-life-changing-as-3-women-authors-have-proven-406268.html Wed, 08 Mar 2023 16:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/tribals-bhagoria-festival-will-be-celebrated-as-part-of-states-heritage-chouhan-405875.html Bhopal March 7 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday announced that the Bhagoria festival of the tribal community will be celebrated as a state festival and will be given a place in the states cultural heritage He made this announcement while addressing a large gathering celebrating the festival in tribaldominated Alirajpur district Chouhan participated in the festival with his wife Sadhna Singh and he also joined people dancing in traditional costumes As he reached the venue in an open jeep a large number of tribals in traditional costumes were walking in front of him and performing Bhagoria dance on the beats of dhol and other instruments Our festivals values of life and moments of celebration make us happy Today is Bhagoria festival I congratulate and wish all the brothers and sisters on Bhagoria Bhagoria festival is an integral part of tribal tradition and a folk festival And it will be celebrated as a state festival and it will be given a place as a cultural heritage Chouhan said He also announced renovation of Baba Chhitu Kirads fort in village Sorva construction of his grand memorial and installation of statue of freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad in Alirajpur Bhangoria festival is celebrated by tribals especially Bhils Bhilalas and Pateliyas in MPs tribaldominated regions such as Badwani Dhar Alirajpur Khargone and Jhabua districts It is celebrated for seven days in the month of March before the Holi Festival Traditionally celebrants travel to the festival grounds with their families on decorated bullock carts There they purchase the things required to celebrate Holi dance to traditional musical instruments sing folk songs and enjoy meeting other people IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/tribals-bhagoria-festival-will-be-celebrated-as-part-of-states-heritage-chouhan-405875.html Tue, 07 Mar 2023 11:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/kochi-biennale-raises-thought-provoking-questions-on-life-society-carnatic-vocalist-tm-krishna-405717.html Kochi March 6 Amazing artworks at the Kochi Muziris Biennale raise pertinent and thought provoking questions on life and society at a global level says TM Krishna noted Carnatic vocalist composer and author The Biennale poses difficult questions about society our choices in the way we live I think the inspiration comes from the difficult questions that many artists have asked The state of the world today is being brought out through the personal reflections of these artists coming from different social political and geographical conditions said Krishna after visiting the Biennale venues here The fifth edition of the Biennale which started on December 23 is set to conclude on April 10 and is on the verge of breaking its previous record of 6 lakh visitors in the previous editions Creations that communicate with each other and those which do not provoke thoughts in equal measure The element of contrast found between contemporary and historical arts is another important feature The artworks at the Biennale take the limits of imagination beyond all anticipation The most important highlight of the Biennale is the inclusion of everyone without any kind of discrimination he added I think whats really struck me is the number of videos or moving picture presentations this year Its far more than what I have seen before which I think is so interesting The multimedia mix of visual imaginaries moving pictures texts and sound I think that was a pleasant and interesting surprise The way narratives have been presented is beyond just paintings sketching or etchings I think to me thats what struck me this entire fluidity between different forms of visual media thats quite a highlight to me Krishna reflected IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/kochi-biennale-raises-thought-provoking-questions-on-life-society-carnatic-vocalist-tm-krishna-405717.html Mon, 06 Mar 2023 22:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/it-was-russian-painter-roerichs-daughter-in-law-who-sowed-seeds-of-kullu-shawls-405434.html Shimla March 5 It was Russian painter and philosopher Nicholas Roerichs daughterinlaw Devika Rani the Indian film star who came to Naggar in Himachal Pradeshs Kullu in 1942 where Roerich came in 1927 from St Petersburg and made the tiny village his home It was on Devika Ranis request that local weaver Sheru Ram of Banontar village weaved an urban size shawl on his pit loom Later inspired by his handicraft work Pandit Urvi Dhar stepped into the manufacturing of shawls commercially Today traditional weavers in the hill state have kept the handloom heritage not only alive but also earned name globally The Kullu and Kinnauri shawls all rare masterpieces of the embroidery The state government is organising awareness camps and training classes for weavers who are also being directly benefited through various components of the cluster development programme officials said Equipment related to handlooms are being made available to the weavers Marketing facility is being provided through the state Industries Department in fairs and exhibitions Their products are widely sold in national level events like trade fairs Dilli Haat Surajkund etc The Himachal Pradesh State Handloom and Handicrafts Development Cooperative Federation Ltd popularly known as HIMBUNKAR is a statelevel apex organisation of primary cooperative societies comprising weavers and artisans engaged in production of handicraft woven on handloom and are promoting the Kullu shawl and caps since many years Around 1944 the Bhutti weaver cooperative society was registered under Punjab Cooperative Society Lahore presently known as Bhuttico and trained thousands of Kullu women to fashion the Kullu shawls In 1956 Thakur Ved Ram became a member of this society and revived it again and since thereafter Satya Prakash Thakur the Chairman of Bhuttico has been running Bhuttico all over Himachal and is providing employment to thousands in this cottage industry and others who are directly or indirectly associated with it Today the annual sale of Bhuttico is around Rs 1350 crore The state government has also started schemes for encouraging weavers and incorporating the latest techniques of textile production Earlier the Kullvi people used to weave plain shawls but after the arrival of Bushehari craftsman from Rampur in Shimla district the trend of patterned handloom came into existence Typical Kullu shawls have geometrical designs on both ends Besides geometrical designs the shawls are also woven in floral designs which may run all over on the corners or on the borders only Each design may have one to eight colours Traditionally bright colours viz red yellow magenta pink green orange blue black and white were used for patterning and white black and natural grey or brown were used as the base in these shawls Currently these bright colours are being replaced gradually by pastel colours Much renowned for the convolution and finesse in weaving Kinnauri shawls are unique In October 2010 these intricately patterned woollen shawls handwoven by the indigenous community of Kinnaur district was granted a patent under the Geographical Indications GIs of Goods Act Their elaborate geometrical designs have a strong Central Asian influence The motifs woven have a very special symbolic and religious significance Its designing techniques are greatly influenced by Central Asia and Tibet Few textile engines have been working as motivators by their innovative skills and ideas giving new dimensions to the handloom industry One such young textile engineer Anshul Malhotra from Mandi district is working as a motivator for the weavers Honoured with Nari Shakti Samman by the President on International Womens Day last year and the Kalanidhi Award twice at the Surajkund Fair shes engaged in giving new dimensions to the handloom industry with the skill inherited from her grandfather and father She is using her skills to create new designs according to the market Apart from Mandi the weavers of LahaulSpiti Kullu and Kinnaur districts have also been associated with her She has been providing training facilities to the weavers for weaving as per the market demand Designed and made in Himachal by her the Kano saree gained immense popularity last year and was also a part of many fashion shows With the encouragement of the government and the skill of the weavers the handloom industry in the state is proving to be helpful in selfreliance employment generation and preservation of traditional skills IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/it-was-russian-painter-roerichs-daughter-in-law-who-sowed-seeds-of-kullu-shawls-405434.html Sun, 05 Mar 2023 22:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/mp-ias-officer-calls-for-iran-like-system-to-protect-indias-culture-in-new-novel-405214.html By Praveen Dwivedi Bhopal March 5 Indian Administrative Service officer Niyaz Ahmad Khan who is posted as deputy secretary in the public works department of the Madhya Pradesh government and often makes headlines on subjects beyond the ambit of his position has once again grabbed eyeballs due to his new novel Brahmins The Great It will be launched soon in the presence of Bhanpura Peeths Shankaracharya Swami Gyananand Saraswati in Ujjain Niyaz has so far authored seven novels notably Love Demands Blood a thriller based on the life of jailed underworld don Abu Salem Destiny in Drugs Be Ready To Die The Ocean of Bliss and Once I Was A Black Man His new work of fiction Brahmins The Great talks about the higher IQ levels of Brahmins the rich history of 3000 years and their contributions to society The book also advocates Brahmins for higher posts as they have higher IQ levels Since the day the cover page of the English fiction was released showing a long Shikha and donned in traditional dhoti janeu khadau and kamandal etc there has been much talk about this book especially in Madhya Pradesh at a time when Assembly elections are just a few months away and caste based politics hold centrestage At the same time questions were raised on how an administrative officer can claim that Brahmins can contribute to making India a superpower if given a chance Beside praising the Brahmins IQ level and advocating for respect to the community in his book Niyaz has also recommended a moral policing system on the lines of Iran to protect Indias rich sanatan dharma and culture Moral policing system needs hours to protect Indias sanatan dharma and right wing organisations like Bajrang Dal and some more are doing the same job Bollywoods the biggest villain for destroying Indias rich culture and there must be control on it otherwise things would get worse day by day Niyaz writes He was asked being an administrative officer how can he advocate giving power to one particular community which is also against the democratic system Replying to IANS Niyaz said See this is a fiction story but I called it a realistic fiction Second if I have mentioned about Brahmins or their knowledge power it is an underlying fact Before picking this subject I knew that questions would be asked which is why it took me three years to cross check the facts I have mentioned in my book Niyaz claimed that before writing this book he went through several books written on Brahmins rishimunis sages and saints He claimed to have read about Kashmiri Brahmins the Husaini Brahmins and the Chitpavan Dadhichi and several other Brahmins and he found one thing in common they were all accomplished thinkers Beside all these he also read more than 1000 mantras of all the four Vedas and he found that Brahmins had raised concerns about climate change and the protection of nature He said that the life of philosopher and politician Kautilya his foreign policy philosophy of life honesty strategy etc inspired him to write a fiction on Brahmins which is why he chose the title of his book Brahmins The Great When asked about many things he had mentioned in the book for instance Brahmins identity is in danger in the present time and giving absolute power to this particular community can create a controversy in the society Niyaz said All castes and communities are in a race to make their presence and this is not new in the society And this is true that Brahmins who did years of tapasya to make India great today they are not being given credit instead they are being insulted If anyone has a problem with it then it is not IAS Niyaz Khans personal views this is a writers view This is not the first time Niyaz has spoken about Brahmins Last year when Bollywood director Vivek Agnihotris movie The Kashmir Files was released and a controversy had erupted he had said the film shows the pain of Kashmiri Brahmins and they should be allowed to live safely in Kashmir with honour However his another tweet in which he had requested Agnihotri to also make a movie to show the killings of a large number of Muslims across several states had prompted the Madhya Pradesh administration to issue a show cause notice to him IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/mp-ias-officer-calls-for-iran-like-system-to-protect-indias-culture-in-new-novel-405214.html Sun, 05 Mar 2023 09:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/iranian-ambassador-reviews-conservation-of-persian-records-at-telangana-archives-404885.html Hyderabad March 3 Iranian Ambassador to India Dr Iraj Elahi on Friday visited the Telangana State Archives and Research Institute to see the work being undertaken by an Iranian organisation for conservation of historic records Accompanied by Mehdi Shahrokhi Irans Counsel General at Hyderabad he visited the institute which has joined hands with Noor Microfilm International Centre NMIC at Culture House of Iran in New Delhi for digitisation conservation and cataloguing of the old archival records particularly in Persian language The Iranian envoy released the first facsimile copy of the farmans or royal orders of VIIth Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan The institute has requested that all the 355 chicket bounded books f Farmans of Nizam VI VII and other necessary books be made into facsimile copies for the usage of the scholars and others An MoU between the Telangana State Archives and Research Institute and the Noor International Microfilm was signed on September 7 2022 in Hyderabad in the presence of state Information Technology and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao and then Iranian Ambassador Dr Ali Chegini The MoU was aimed at taking up the conservation digitisation and cataloguing work of classical Persian and Urdu language documents of nonconfidential nature on a voluntary basis with no financial burden on the government treasury During his visit to the institute on Friday the Ambassador said that Irans relations with India had always been friendly and there have been many cultural exchanges between the two countries He said as Persian is the national language of Iran they are eager to save the heritage of Persian language in India which was once the national language of this country too He visited the unit set up in the premises with the stateoftheart equipment and specialised manpower in the field of conservation and digitisation He witnessed the demonstration of the conservation method of treating old historic documents by using herbal ingredients and was very much impressed He praised the quality of work completed so far NMIC Director Dr Khajapiri said that it has already rendered its services to major government institutions of India including National Archives of India Jamia Millia Islamia Rampur Raza Library and other 25 big institutions As Iran is famous for herbal treatment of paper and cloth its conservation method for the archival paper is very rare He informed the Ambassador that so far work relating to three lakh pages of the old Persian records pertaining to DaftarDarul Insha treaties manuscripts handwritten Awarjaas ledgers Baba Shah Musaafir a Sufi saint of Hyderabad Inayat Nama letters Farmans royal orders of Nizam VI and VII has been completed Repair of the brittle documents has also been done The cataloguing of the ornamental Persian records is also being done simultaneously There were 14 daftars of the Nizam government which were all taken up for conservationA apart from farmans muntakhabs old maps and gazettes State Archives Director Dr Zareena Parveen said that the institute has millions of records dating back to 1406 AD As they are not of confidential nature and largely in ornamental Persian language till 1885 the NMIC was entrusted with the work to safeguard records which are very fragile She said the records are centuriesold and getting delicate and brittle day by day despite routine maintenance and need professional curative treatment by experienced hands After the conservation of the said records their longevity may increase and the glorious and precious history of Hyderabad Deccan may be secured for the posterity she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/iranian-ambassador-reviews-conservation-of-persian-records-at-telangana-archives-404885.html Sat, 04 Mar 2023 06:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/hoshiarpur-literature-festival-to-be-held-on-march-4-404172.html New Delhi March 2 The Hoshiarpur Literary Society is all set to host its third edition of the Hoshiarpur Literature Festival on March 4 at the newly setup District Digital Library in the city A oneday affair the festival promises to inspire conversations and debates on matters of military diplomacy policy religion and history besides a jam session on poetry Authors include Lt Gen KJS Tiny Dhillon Retd Kitney Ghazi Gaye Kitney Ghazu Gaye ExRaw Chief AS Dulat A Life in the Shadows A Memoir Navtej Sarna Crimson Spring Amy Singh Dak to Lahore and Amardeep Singh who will be presenting his 24part documentary on the travels of Guru Nanak We have a very formidable list of authors and moderators and I hope the people of Hoshiarpur avail themselves of this opportunity to hear firsthand about topics that are close to their hearts said Khushwant Singh author and patron of the society who has been instrumental in shaping the soul of the Hoshiarpur Literary Society The festival is part of the Hoshiarpur Literary Societys campaign Padhda Punjab Vhadha Punjab Punjab will grow if it reads Sanna K Gupta the President of the society added One of the mobile libraries will be converted into a bookstore at the Literature Festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/hoshiarpur-literature-festival-to-be-held-on-march-4-404172.html Thu, 02 Mar 2023 07:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/vishal-bhardwaj-adapts-agatha-christies-the-sittaford-mystery-for-ott-403378.html Mumbai Feb 27 Filmmakerwritermusic composer Vishal Bhardwaj who is known for films such as Kaminey Omkara Maqbool and several others is adapting British writer Agatha Christies mystery novel The Sittaford Mystery for the OTT The series titled Charlie Chopra The Mystery Of Solang Valley is set in the snowcapped mountains of Himachal Pradesh and will follow the journey of Charlie Chopra and her pursuit to uncover a deep mystery Besides donning the hats of director and coproducer Vishal Bhardwaj also serves as the shows coscreenwriter alongside Anjum Rajabali and Jyotsna Hariharan Talking about the series Vishal Bhardwaj said I grew up devouring all Agatha Christie tales Her plots characters and setting remain unparalleled in the genre and continue to excite storytellers even today The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring Wamiqa Gabbi Priyanshu Painyuli Naseeruddin Shah Neena Gupta Ratna Pathak Shah Gulshan Grover Lara Dutta Chandan Roy Sanyal and Paoli Dam The director further mentioned It has been an incredible journey collaborating with James Prichard great grandson of Agatha Christie who always brought unique perspectives to our team James Prichard Basi Akpabio and Leo Dezoysa will be executive producers on the show on behalf of Agatha Christie Limited The series for which the cameras are currently rolling is being produced by Vishal Bhardwajs home banner Vishal Bhardwaj Pictures along with Priti Shahanis Tusk Tale Films in association with Agatha Christie Limited The series will soon drop on Sony LIV IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/vishal-bhardwaj-adapts-agatha-christies-the-sittaford-mystery-for-ott-403378.html Mon, 27 Feb 2023 15:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/echoes-of-tibetan-freedom-at-kochi-biennale-403390.html Kochi Feb 27 Every evening I return to my rented room but I am not going to die this way That has got to be some way out here read aloud poetactivist and Tibetan refugee Tenpin Tsundue from one of his poems Tsundue said this while taking part in Lets Talk an interactive poetry reading session organised by Kashi Townhouse a KochiMuziris Biennale Invitations Programme The wandering poet who combines activism and academia to share his thoughts on exile writing resistance culture and identity says independence is only a status that is different from freedom In 70 years of Tibetan freedom struggle we have realized that we need to think for the world not just one country When it comes to the Tibetan freedom movement we know that it may take time but we are confident Be it fifty or a hundred years we will continue to fight We also know that we are not going to lose anything anymore and we will return to Tibet one day said Tsundue He went on to add that Tibetans keep their culture and identity alive from generation to generation through stories and art on Tibet We sustain our life in the land we left behind through the elders tales I lived in a refugee camp on the edges of the Sathyamangalam forest in Karnataka but our lives were filled with vivid images of snow mountains apples peaches apricots and a magical land named Tibet This continues in our refugee camps even now We may have been born a refugee but we are destined to be free he asserted Tsundue was in the limelight in January 2002 when he displayed a banner with the words Free Tibet China Get Out and a Tibetan flag by climbing the scaffolding outside the hotel in Mumbai where Peoples Republic of China Premier Zhu Rongji stayed Of all the places he travelled Tenzin finds peace in Kerala Coming to Kerala is always a romantic trip for me Here I see people at ease in their own land and language It relaxes me and gives me hope As a refugee my tribe is forced to learn multiple languages for survival and none could be called ones own said the wandering poet Kashi Townhouse is currently showcasing a project by Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam in collaboration with Natasha Ginwala titled Shadow Circus A Personal Archive of Tibetan Resistance 19571974 IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/echoes-of-tibetan-freedom-at-kochi-biennale-403390.html Mon, 27 Feb 2023 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/lucknows-153-yr-old-library-digitised-402977.html Lucknow Feb 26 Lucknows 153yearold AmirudDaula library has been fully digitalized More than 80000 digitised books and 27000 emagazines are now available free on the librarys website and the content is also available on a mobile app Lucknow Digital Library The transformation of the citys oldest library was made possible under Smart Citys digitization project at an outlay of Rs 107 crore Chief executive officer Smart City Ltd Inderjit Singh said the project was approved in September 2022 Now one can simply login to the free website or the app and get access to the digital library It also has 1000 books for competitive exams 5000 premium ebooks and 1000 plus text books he said These booksmanuscripts are available in 48 genres from science arts economics to languages history religion and law music culture war mathematics etc They are in almost all Indian languages and foreign languages like French and German As per records the library has some rare books like Turkish history 1687 International Policy Essays on the Foreign Relations of England 1884 Modern Hinduism 1887 and Hindu Religion 1899 Similarly hundreds of manuscripts in Tadpatra and Bhojpatra in Sanskrit Prakrit and Pali dating back to the 2nd century have also been digitised Librarian Harish Chandra said AmirudDaula library is an indispensable part of Lucknows history and after digitisation it is now available for the world It was established in 1868 by taluqdar Amar Hasan Khan and was part of the government museum and only government officials were allowed But in 1887 it was opened for students and shifted to the upper part of Lal Baradari Later it was moved to Chhoti Chatter Manzil and from there ultimately to the current building in Kaiserbagh in 1921 The foundation stone for the building was laid by Sir H Butler he said Chandra said before digitisation books and manuscripts were getting spoiled due to damp conditions because of rain water seeping in from the roof IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/lucknows-153-yr-old-library-digitised-402977.html Sun, 26 Feb 2023 09:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/12-films-screened-at-sikhlens-fest-in-chandigarh-402932.html Chandigarh Feb 25 The Sikhlens Sikh Arts and Film Festival on Saturday witnessed the screening of 12 films from eight countries at the Tagore Theatre here The fourth edition of the festival was presented by Pinaka Mediaworks and Rolling Frames Entertainment and was supported by the Chandigarh Administration the Department of Cultural Affairs the Canadian government and the United Sikh Mission The films screened were from India Canada the US the UK Kenya Pakistan Malawi and Singapore Caroline Rowett British Deputy High Commissioner said in her keynote address Culture and arts connect us in ways that trade and investment dont She talked about the intertwined culture of the UK and India She also launched the book trailer of the Sikhlens publications biography of Kuldip Singh Bhogal a former Olympian titled The Legend of 1972 Life Hockey Beyond Besides Jewels from Sikh Wisdom published by Sikhlens Publications was also launched The announcement of the Sikhlens in the UK Festival 2023 on June 17 was made by the festival head Ojaswwee Sharma The daylong programme was packed with screenings related to Sikh heritage and culture showcasing and creating awareness for Sikhcentric work from around the world with particular focus on cultural stories related to the Sikh and Punjabi diaspora across the world and the highspirited philanthropic works Exhibitions were up at the courtyard by five artists displaying more than 1800 heritage artifacts and contemporary art showcasing ancient heritage Sikh artifacts and art produced by various recordholding artists and also a footartist who creates magnificent artworks using his feet The exhibition comprised miniature kites and paintings Sikh art and artifacts from ancient times and manuscripts of varied texts in Gurmukhi scripts as well as Persian A book exhibition focused on Sikh history struggle teachings and Punjabi literature and language The area was adorned with walkthrough backdrops and the annual Sikhlens Calendar 2023 celebrating and promoting the Sikhs artistic and cultural heritage The audience was welcomed by the founders of Sikhlens Bicky Singh and Gurpreet Kaur They shared that the festival brings together various art forms of the rich Sikh heritage on one platform Our vision with the festival this year has been a blend of educating entertaining and empowering the mainstream audience along creating awareness for Sikhcentric work to promote and bring out encouraging Sikh stories of history cultural and linguistic diversity and philanthropic storytelling and encourage the community to get into films said festival head Sharma IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/12-films-screened-at-sikhlens-fest-in-chandigarh-402932.html Sun, 26 Feb 2023 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/art-binds-linguistic-diversity-regional-characteristics-in-one-thread-president-402273.html New Delhi President Droupadi Murmu speaks at a function to confer the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards for the years 2019 2020 and 2021 in New Delhi Thursday Feb 23 2023 PTI New Delhi Feb 23 President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday presented the Sangeet Natak Akademis Fellowships Akademi Ratna and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards Akademi Puruskar for the year 2019 2020 and 2021 In her address on the occasion the President said that the civilisation showcases the material achievements of a nation but intangible heritage is revealed through its culture Culture is the real identity of a country Indias unique performing arts have kept our incredible culture alive for centuries Our arts and artists are the carriers of our rich cultural heritage Unity in diversity is the biggest feature of our cultural traditions she said The President said that in our tradition art is a spiritual practice a medium of the search for truth a medium of prayer and worship and a medium of public welfare Collective exuberance and unity also find expression through dance and music Art binds the linguistic diversity and regional characteristics in one thread She said that we should take pride in the fact that the oldest and best definitions and traditions of art have developed in our country Our cultural values have become more useful in the modern era In todays time which is full of tension and conflict Indian arts can spread peace and harmony Indian arts are also the best example of Indias soft power The President said that just as natures gifts like air and water do not recognize human limitations the art forms are also above language and geographical boundaries The music of M S Subbulakshmi Pandit Ravi Shankar Ustad Bismillah Khan Lata Mangeshkar Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Bhupen Hazarika are unhindered by language or geography With their immortal music they have left an invaluable legacy for music lovers not only in India but all over the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/art-binds-linguistic-diversity-regional-characteristics-in-one-thread-president-402273.html Thu, 23 Feb 2023 20:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/nadda-launches-book-modi-shaping-a-global-order-in-flux-401929.html New Delhi Feb 22 BJP national president JP Nadda on Wednesday launched a book Modi Shaping a Global Order in Flux in Chanakyapuri here While addressing the readers Nadda said This book is going to open a debate on how PM Modi has taken a decision which has changed Indias image worldwide Its necessary to understand what was the image of India before Modi ji came to power Recalling the old image Nadda said The economy was declining India had an image of a corrupt state repeated terrorist attacks and a lack of stable govt The very sad part was that the authority of the PM was eroded He further said Unlike in the past India doesnt shy to take positions For a long time India has been shying from taking hard positions However under PM Modi on international issues India can take a stand on complex issues A classic example is the RussiaUkraine war Praising the New India BJP national president said The world has appreciated the tough stand of India The tough stand of carrying out surgical strikes against our adversaries He closed the speech by saying Initiatives taken by PM Modi have changed the image of our country and this book gives a deep insight into the same The worlds 40 per cent of digital transactions is taking place in India For tracing and tracking of Covid patients CoWin was launched said Nadda Book is forewarded by Union External Affair Minister S Jaishankar Editors are Sujan Chinoy Vijay Chauthaiwala and Uttam Kumar Sinha IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/nadda-launches-book-modi-shaping-a-global-order-in-flux-401929.html Wed, 22 Feb 2023 19:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/parents-guardians-schools-need-to-expose-children-to-music-arts-shubha-mudgal-401707.html New Delhi Feb 22 Sadly studying music or arts for a lifetime is not considered important enough Success means winning a talent show and not otherwise I fail to understand how one puts artistic urges in these parameters questions Padma Shri awardee Shubha Mudgal adding parents and guardians and schools need to expose children to all kinds of music and arts and the splendid diversity this country offers in it The singer along with coartistes Aneesh Pradhan Tabla and Sudhir Nayak Harmonium was recently in Chandigarh to perform Rang Hori on the invitation of Elsewhere conceived in the memory of Sangeet Natak Akademi awardwinning playwright and author Swadesh Deepak added I was a member of the Central Advisory Board of Education constituted by the Government of India a focus group discussing the need for introducing an arts education programme in mainstream school education during the National Curriculum Framework 2005 It was eons ago and our recommendations were accepted but we are yet to see them applied Till we do not give the same importance to music and the arts as we do to maths and science or attach a tangible outcome to its study children will never understand the value it adds to growth and development Talking about the Rang Hori the singer and musicologist who was performing in Chandigarh after more than a decade stressed that when it comes to basant and holi there is an inexhaustible wealth of compositions to be presented In our tradition so much has been written on and inspired by the seasons I am fortunate enough to continue to be immersed in the khayal and thumri dadra forms for the last 40 years to learn and perform them to my best Born into a musically dedicated family Shubha has been trained by some of the finest musicians and musicologists in India including eminent scholarmusiciancomposer Pandit Ramashreya Jha Ramrang Pandit Vinaya Chandra Maudgalya and Pandit Vasant Thakar She later learnt stylistic techniques from wellknown maestros Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki and Pandit Kumar Gandharva She also received training in thumri from Naina Devi In her quest to keep the arts alive Shubha takes on students and moulds them in her own customised version of the Guru shishya parampara I have had the good fortune of having extremely generous and brilliant gurus who taught me everything I try to follow their example and in the process have formed my own way of teaching and learning from it The world has changed post pandemic digitalisation has taken over technology calls the shots and artists have switched to the online mode But for Shubha the pandemic and its lockdown were traumatic An artist needs an audience and suddenly you are in forced captivity with no source of income It was devastating the artists suffered because the support to the arts was meager There was no attempt by any regulating authority to think or do something for the artist A web camera that cost say Rs 3000 suddenly shot up to Rs 30000 during the pandemic There was no price regulation or funding Senior artists could not even find a bed in the hospital and so many left music and took up jobs We were told to cheer people with our music but no one thought about us rues Shubha Along with her husband and tabla maestro Aneesh Pradhan Sameera Iyengar Rahul Vohra Mona Irani and Arundhati Ghosh established ADAA Assistance for Disaster Affected Artists in 2020 and through collaboration with 10 organisation in 10 states raised funds and financial supported 137 families of artists over six months While technology she feels has made it possible for music to be shared streamed and be accessible its the traditional arts and music the handmade musical instruments the singers and families carrying on these traditions who continue to struggle There is no tax relief or funding or any financial help or even an effort to conserve or preserve these art forms says Shubha consistent and constant in her endeavour to reach out and help and raise the issues The cofounders of Elsewhere said that while the organisations head office is in Chandigarh it will be organising multiarts festivals with top artists of different genres across the country and offer art education programmes In November Elsewhere had invited Mahmood Farooquis DastaneKarn Mahabharat at Chandigarhs Rock Garden They stressed that while the organisation is in the memory of Swadesh Deepak its purpose is not to promote his work IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/parents-guardians-schools-need-to-expose-children-to-music-arts-shubha-mudgal-401707.html Wed, 22 Feb 2023 02:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/indian-american-wins-national-geographic-pictures-of-the-year-401450.html New Delhi Feb 21 IndianAmerican Karthik Subramaniam a San Franciscobased software engineer has won the 2023 National Geographic Pictures of the Year award beating over 5000 entries Subramaniams photo which is titled Dance of the Eagles shows a trio of bald eagles battling for a spot on a branch in Alaskas Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve a press release by the magazine said He titled the image as a homage to a fictional dragon war in George RR Martins novel A Dance with Dragons Wherever theres salmon theres going to be chaos Subramaniam told the magazine that this was his motto as he camped out near the shore of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve waiting for action The engineerturnedhobbyist photographer said he stayed watching as bald eagles swooped in and out of the fishing grounds in Haines Alaska The area hosts the largest congregations of bald eagles in the world every fall when around 3000 arrive in time for the salmon run The photo was selected from nearly 5000 entries across four categories Nature People Places and Animals Subramaniam has been photographing landscapes and his travels for years He started experimenting with wildlife photography in 2020 grounded by the pandemic in his San Francisco home The photo will be featured in the May issue of National Geographic magazine IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/indian-american-wins-national-geographic-pictures-of-the-year-401450.html Tue, 21 Feb 2023 08:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/kochi-biennale-is-venue-for-global-art-exhibition-norwegian-ambassador-401468.html Kochi Feb 21 The Kochi Muziris Biennale embodies the joy of experiencing some of the greatest modern artworks that are completely honest and created with sincerity said the Norwegian Ambassador to India Hans Jacob Frydenlund who was at the venue of the 5th edition of the Biennale It is of high significance that the Biennale has paved the way for the exhibition of the global arts itself said Frydenlund Impressed by the creations of Norwegian artists Frydenlund and his wife Gina Lund spent considerable time extolling the beauty of the works Two renowned artists from Norway Elle Marja Eira and Hilde Skancke are also participating this time The works of both of them are beautiful and powerful They are the pride of our nation the Norwegian Ambassador said The Kochi Biennale provides a unique experience as it reflects the various cultures from across the world and a myriad choice of subjects under a single roof Hans Jacob Frydenlund opined IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/kochi-biennale-is-venue-for-global-art-exhibition-norwegian-ambassador-401468.html Tue, 21 Feb 2023 09:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/roald-dahl-publisher-removes-word-fat-from-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-for-inclusion-401183.html Los Angeles Feb 19 Editors at Penguins childrens imprint Puffin have taken a red pencil to the works of iconic but divisive British writer Roald Dahl known for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda reports Variety It cited an extensive report by UK newspaper The Telegraph which says language related to weight mental health violence gender and race has been cut and rewritten In the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which has been adapted twice as films in 1971 and 2005 starring Gene Hackman and Johnny Depp respectively for example the phrase enormously fat has been edited to just enormous As per Variety the same phrase in the 1970 book Fantastic Mr Fox adapted as an animated film by Wes Anderson with a voice cast of George Clooney and Meryl Streep in 2009 has also been edited to enormous The report compares the 2001 editions of Dahls childrens books to the 2022 editions and finds that the word fat has been systematically edited out including in The Enormous Crocodile James and the Giant Peach The Twits and The Witches Other examples of Puffins editing include the description of Miss Trunchbull in Matilda altered from most formidable female to most formidable woman The Oompa Loompas from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory changed from small men to small people and Bunce the little potbellied dwarf in Fantastic Mr Fox to just Bunce Puffin and the Roald Dahl Story Company made the edits with Inclusive Minds a collective that specialises in inclusion and accessibility in childrens literature according to a spokesperson The report quotes the copyright page of Puffins new editions of Dahls books saying This book was written many years ago and so we regularly review the language to ensure that it can continue to be enjoyed by all today IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/roald-dahl-publisher-removes-word-fat-from-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-for-inclusion-401183.html Mon, 20 Feb 2023 11:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/lakshmi-manchu-releases-rendition-of-adi-shankaras-hymn-on-shivaratri-400768.html Hyderabad Feb 18 Tollywood actor and producer Lakshmi Manchu who is busy with the postproduction work of her film Agninakshatram and preparing for her annual fundraiser fashion show has sprung a surprise to mark Shivaratri Its a solo track titled Nirvanashatakam which is an ode to Lord Shiva Lakshmi released the song on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on her YouTube channel sharing glimpses of it on other social media spaces as well Shot at the holy ghats of Varanasi Nirvanashatakam is an expression of Lakshmis love for Shiva Adi Shankaracharya is the original creator of the Nirvanashatakam also known as Atma Shatakam It is based on the concepts of nondualism and shunya which have been the core of many religious philosophies The actor has said earlier she hit the path of spirituality when she was in Class IX The song Nirvanashatakam is a highoctane number that is also allencompassing and sombre The lyrics of the song are a mix of Telugu and English where the part in English comes as a rap to translate the profound lyrics for a larger audience Lakshmi said I started mulling over this song around the time of the birth of my daughter Nirvana which was when my spiritual journey accelerated The name Nirvana became even more meaningful to me after hearing the song It is beautiful to realise that we are pure consciousness and bliss I have been to Mount Kailasha thrice and did full parikramas took dips at Mansarovar Lake Learning more about Shiva and visiting holy places where its believed to be Shivas home have helped me connect and discover my true self Very recently I got the chance to visit Bhinmal which is on the border of Rajasthan Pakistan and Gujarat It just turned out to be a serene and spiritual experience When asked about this special gift to Shiva Lakshmi said I am very proud of making this song I spent so much time finding myself and discover the true purpose of being that I had to put it out there I wanted to reflect all of the knowledge Ive gained throughout my spiritual journey When I heard original Nirvanashatakam it moved me and since then I have been trying to dig deeper and chase happiness within me I think it was time to shower all the love Ive experienced in this song She signed off saying Aside the fact the Nirvanashatakam is an ode to Shiva it also emerged out of love and the desire to find happiness within oneself And there isnt a better day to express my love for Shiva than the day he is believed to be born Maha Shivratri Nirvanashatakam lyrically will help everyone look deep within themselves and challenge them to be in sync with their mind The song will definitely be your spiritual calling This song helped me to understand more about life and question my own existence I hope more people listen to this song and the works of Adishankaracharya which are still relevant today despite being thousands of years old This is my ode to Lord Shiva who I deeply connect with It is a dream come true to sing this song and to have visited Kasi to shoot the video I share this with you now and forever Lakshmi has dabbled in playback singing earlier Her song titled Yandiroo from the movie Dongaata also landed her a Celebrity Singer Award from ETV IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/lakshmi-manchu-releases-rendition-of-adi-shankaras-hymn-on-shivaratri-400768.html Sun, 19 Feb 2023 06:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/sharad-malhotra-is-in-coimbatore-to-celebrate-mahashivratri-400789.html Mumbai Feb 18 Film and TV actor Sharad Malhotra travelled to Coimbatore to celebrate the auspicious day of Mahashivratri He shared his experience and the significance of the festival to him He said We all come together to celebrate the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parwati Mahashivratri is one of the most significant festivals of India It is the darkest night of the month to celebrate the grace of Lord Shiva There is always a divine atmosphere around here and its such a soulstirring experience at the Isha foundation especially during the festival The 40yearold actor further talked about the significance of Lord Shiva in his life as he said Lord Shiva holds a special place in my heart and I love all the qualities he represents one of the best qualities inspired by him which I believe is meditation and I practice it every day which helps me to keep balance in my life and achieve calm and composure We have always been taught that Shiva or Adiyogi can be experienced through Yoga and meditation he concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/sharad-malhotra-is-in-coimbatore-to-celebrate-mahashivratri-400789.html Sun, 19 Feb 2023 08:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/free-speech-vs-sec-124a-rohan-alva-confronts-the-issue-of-sedition-400391.html By Vishnu Makhijani New Delhi Feb 17 Supreme Court Counsel Rohan J Alvas A Constitution to Keep HarperCollins is a definitive account of the law on sedition in India Created during British imperial rule with the specific intent to silence those who questioned it from the mid1800s until 1947 sedition as sanctified in Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code was often used to quell the voice of the people It rightfully earned the ire of those who fought for Indias independence A newly Independent Indias Constitution made a clean break with the past It contained a free speech right which did away with the law on sedition But then through a series of events which include a dramatic Constitutional amendment that altered freedom of speech Section 124A came back to life In 1962 the Supreme Court declared that this law was saved by the Constitution But six decades later in the summer of 2022 the Supreme Court suspended Section 124A and questioned the need for such a law in modern India Drawing on a wealth of archival material Constituent Assembly debates and Indian and global jurisprudence A Constitution to Keep traces the history of the law on sedition over the decades It makes a compelling case for granting heightened constitutional protection to political speech and shows how it can be done while ensuring the purity of national discourse Alva says The Indian Constitution is a grand document One of its most important features is the fundamental right to free speech Yet there is a tension because this important civil right is compelled to coexist with the law on sedition There is perhaps no other law from the colonial era that has generated as much controversy and interest as the law on sedition Mentioning the connection between Sec 124A and the freedom struggle Alva adds There is perhaps no other law with which the freedom struggle for Indias Independence is so intimately intertwined Today every citizen yearns to understand how the Constitution can be utilised to prevail over such laws I believe my book helps the people to get a good grasp of the issues at stake and appreciate the abiding importance of free speech rights and its role in preserving and improving Indian democracy The promise of Indias freedom lies in the right to free speech The need for the realisation of this promise is the central message of the book Swati Chopra Associate Publisher HarperCollins India says With A Constitution to Keep Rohan Alva spotlights an aspect of Indias Constitution that is key to the functioning of the countrys democracy A colonial era law that was used to stifle the voice of the people prior to 1947 should have been anomalous in the Constitution of independent India Yet the law on sedition continues to exist due to legal political and historical complexities all of which are explored and explained at length in this book It should be read by anyone who feels strongly about the health of Indias democracy and the right to free speech that should be central to it Chopra adds Rohan J Alva is a counsel practising in the Supreme Court of India He graduated with an LLM from Harvard Law School where he focused on constitutional law and which he read for on numerous scholarships including as a Tata Scholar and on a Harvard Law School Scholarship Alva holds a BA in History from Loyola College University of Madras and an LLB from Campus Law Centre University of Delhi where he was Editor of the Delhi Law Review His first book Liberty After Freedom A History of Article 21 Due Process and the Constitution of India was published in January 2022 IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/free-speech-vs-sec-124a-rohan-alva-confronts-the-issue-of-sedition-400391.html Sat, 18 Feb 2023 04:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/to-be-or-not-to-be-piyush-mishra-and-exorcising-hamlets-ghost-400425.html By Sukant Deepak New Delhi Feb 17 He may have stunned the entire theatre fraternity with the portrayal of Hamlet in the Shakespearean tragedy as a student at the National School of Drama NSD and later with his solo performances An Evening with Piyush Mishra But for decades the characters ghost never left the actor entering his personal space and clawing up to his very being You cannot imagine the adulteration A certain arrogance complete selfindulgence alcoholism in my mind I was the solo actor on lifes stage and everybody else was not supposed to take their eyes off my brilliance Yes I committed many mistakes Confessing them was traumatic but also cathartic he tells IANS with just the right dramatic pauses Mishra the superstar of Delhi stage with a cult following during his time where he worked with theatre directors like NK Shar and Arvind Gaur and also wrote the play Hamlet Bombay Nahin Jayega besides Gagan Damama Bajyo shifted to Mumbai to start life again after the age of 40 and his recently released book Tumhari Aukat Kya Hai published by Rajkamal Prakashan Samuh traces not just his artistic journey but also reinvention The first experience in Mumbai had been traumatic It left me broken on many levels but by the second one I had emerged from the image I had created in my own eyes This Piyush was now a more open person a hint of spirituality had entered his life and he did not dismiss new experiences He had left the artistic arrogance in the green room and realised he was not the only one on stage now Mishra says He adds that writing the book as an autobiography was utterly boring Thus he decided to work on it as a novel and changed names Ninty per cent of what you will read is factual Of course anyone familiar with theatre and cinema circles will know who I am talking about even though names have been changed Talking about his meeting with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap who used to watch him rehearse and perform as a student in Delhi Mishra recalls calling him after watching Shool 1999 to praise the films script He was tonguetied He used to admire my work back in Delhi Kashyap invited me to his office where a few music directors were sitting trying to sell their songs for Gulaal 2009 I just could not listen to the horrible numbers they were pitching snatched the harmonium and started singing the ones I had composed during my theatre days Anurags smile said it all he recalls In many ways the film Gulaal belonged to Piyush Mishra further cementing his fan base not just among those who had seen him on stage but also the younger generation While the book narrates his life experiences his internal journey and how he reinvented himself a very important and quiet character is his wife Priya The School of Planning and Architecture SPA passout who fell in love with his poetry saw the star rising falling and rising again She is the one who held everything together During my Delhi days I would leave home for rehearsals at 6 am and come back at 11 pm and often drunk The woman deserves a prize for putting up with someone like me An actor writer lyricist and singer who can casually say I am gifted not talented and get away with it makes it clear that he does cinema only to make money It is a profession and it ends there I realized long back that just following passion madly does not make anyone otherworldly just leaves him broken on every front I still do theatre and have my music band they keep life interesting Mishra is quite happy with the reception his band Ballimaaran has been receiving across the country We have been able to tap into the energies of the young they are open to new music and experiments I am thoroughly enjoying myself Stressing there is no killer ambition anymore he adds I have worked in some good movies written songs done excellent theatre and now travelling with my band Yes I would like to direct a film one day if I get a good script Rest life is alright I can sleep well As the conversation veers towards extreme trolling and calls for banning some films by a section of the right wing Mishra says it is best to ignore to them Frankly I do not think they should even be acknowledged Of course this does not mean that one is apolitical We all have to choose a side ultimately Sukant Deepak can be reached at sukantdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/to-be-or-not-to-be-piyush-mishra-and-exorcising-hamlets-ghost-400425.html Sat, 18 Feb 2023 07:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/book-on-india-australia-cooperation-through-indo-pacific-oceans-released-400518.html Thiruvananthapuram Feb 17 A book titled India and Australia Strengthening International Cooperation Through The IndoPacific Oceans Initiative prepared by the Centre for Public Policy Research and Monash University with the support of the Australian Department of Foreign Trade was released here on Friday The book was released in the presence of the Australian High Commissioner to India Barry OFarrell who received the book from former the ViceChancellor of Central University of Kerala G Gopakumar Australian Consul General for South India Sarah Kirlew was also present on the occasion The book is a compilation of research papers penned by scholars from India ASEAN countries and Australia on strengthening international cooperation in the IndoPacific The book has three sections based on the three key sessions of the AustraliaIndia IndoPacific Oceans Initiative Partnership AIIPOIP conference held at Kochi in April 2022 The three themes include maritime security tackling the issue of marine debris and litter in the Bay of Bengal and the importance of smart ports Gopakumar said the book is an attempt to highlight three major aspects connecting India and Australia in the context of the Indian Ocean as well as the IndoPacific region The book also attempts to analyse the role that small ports can play in developing maritime relationships Small ports along with big ports are important and in future there will be huge quantity of small ports emerging across the country he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/book-on-india-australia-cooperation-through-indo-pacific-oceans-released-400518.html Sat, 18 Feb 2023 13:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/three-day-garden-tourism-festival-begins-at-garden-of-five-senses-400236.html New Delhi Visitors click pictures at the Delhi Tourisms 35th Garden Tourism Festival at Garden of Five Senses Saket in New Delhi Friday Feb 17 2023 PTI New Delhi Feb 17 Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday inagurated the 35th Garden Tourism Festival being held at the Garden of Five Senses by the Tourism Department The threeday festival will showcase over 300 species of plants This year the Garden of Five Senses has been decorated as the Garden of Unity for G20 by the Delhi Tourism Department Inaugurating the festival Sisodia said This is a very prestigious annual garden festival for the people of Delhi The beauty of Garden of Five Senses is further enhanced during this annual garden festival when plants from the world over are showcased here After a break of two years this festival is being organised with high fervour again He also said that the government is planning to add more features to the Garden of Five Senses and to make it an international festival He also urged the people of Delhi to visit the annual garden festival with their families to spend quality time and enrich themselves with knowledge about nature The Tourism Department has put various topiary shapes of birds and animals on the display in the garden Additionally terrariums topiary potted plants leaves medicinal and herbal plants hanging baskets cut flowers and nursery stalls will also be displayed To create an interactive platform for environmentalists and citizens this festival will host a variety of competitions Along with cultural programmes food stalls from different states of the country have also been set up at the festival This will provide an immersive experience to the visitors The maple from Canada iris from France cornflower from Germany tulip from Turkey chamomile from Russia and lily from Italy and many other flowers will be the centre of attraction The festival is being organised from 11 am to 9 pm and the government has also started a free shuttle service from Saket metro station to the garden IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/three-day-garden-tourism-festival-begins-at-garden-of-five-senses-400236.html Fri, 17 Feb 2023 21:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/american-duo-chock-bates-win-ice-dance-at-four-continents-399081.html Washington Feb 13 American pair Madison Chock and Evan Bates won the ice dance at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Colorado Springs the United States on Sunday Chock and Bates who led the rhythm dance on Friday delivered a seasonbest free dance and scored 13314 points for a total of 22081 to win the title Its their third title at Four Continents after winning the trophy in 2019 and 2020 Xinhua reported Laurence Fournier BeaudryNkolaj Sorensen from Canada who also set a seasonbest with their free dance finished with 21408 to take the silver Marjorie LajoieZachary Lagha also from Canada scored 20000 points to get the bronze Chinas Wang ShiyueLiu Xinyu withdrew before the rhythm dance on Friday The Four Continents was the last major international event ahead of Worlds next month IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/american-duo-chock-bates-win-ice-dance-at-four-continents-399081.html Mon, 13 Feb 2023 12:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/apple-empowers-creators-artists-with-ipad-pro-tools-at-india-art-fair-398199.html By Meenakshi Iyer New Delhi Feb 10 Artists never really leave anything alone If you give them a tool its going to get used The prophetic words of art connoisseur Bill Goldston resounded as one witnessed the digital artworks of three brilliant artists at the ongoing India Art Fair here Taking mixed media art to a whole new level Varun Desai Mira Felicia Malhotra and Gaurav Ogale used the Apple iPad Pro to do things at the sort of speed at which the artist can imagine well almost Apple has been providing me with the best technology for this whole thing An artwork like mine has a whole bunch of layers so I am able to create about 150 layers at a really huge size You can see that I am actually drawing on a small iPad but it can be blown up to a bigger size Mumbaibased visual artist and illustrator Malhotra told IANS Malhotra known for her bold multicoloured illustrated portraits of Indian women feels that her iPad Pro and Apple Pencil help her bring her ideas out into the world quicker than ever Aligning with the theme for this years showcase Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary was multidisciplinary artist Desais work titled Dimorphism a digital installation of codegenerated video art 3D LiDAR scanning handdrawn animation and sound synthesis This was created using code Being a computer engineer I learnt coding in a very sterile way that was not catered towards creating a visual art So once this software called processing came along I was able to channel all this technical knowledge I had to visualise these ideas Desai said The next process came from a very powerful aspect of the device which is called LiDAR Scanner which allows you to scan architectural objects in the real world Desai told IANS Apple CEO Tim Cook on Friday tweeted that at the first India Art Fair Digital Artists in Residence programme shows how technology can unlock creativity Great to see how iPad Pro is helping artists Mira Varun and Gaurav to tap into such incredible creative expression Cook said A friendly interactive session at the event showed the attendees how to use the iPad Pro along with the Procreate graphic editor app to create basic artworks and unlock new styles and techniques Digital art is the future I think one needs to be a pro at both digital as well as traditional art Using digital tech like Ipads etc will only help us understand art better Amisha Garg a student of Delhi College of Art who attended the digital art exhibit told IANS Meenakshi Iyer can be reached at meenakshiiiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/apple-empowers-creators-artists-with-ipad-pro-tools-at-india-art-fair-398199.html Fri, 10 Feb 2023 16:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/work-begins-to-restore-hyderabads-sardar-mahal-397672.html Hyderabad Feb 8 Work has commenced for the revival and restoration plan of Sardar Mahal a landmark near iconic Charminar in Hyderabad Arvind Kumar Special Chief Secretary Urban Development stated on Wednesday that an art studio a vibrant cultural centre and a small cafe will come up as part of the restoration work The official said the work has commenced in a tripartite agreement with Kalakriti Art Gallery and Quli Qutub Shah Urban Development Authority QQSUDA Arvind Kumar had recently revealed that Sardar Mahal will have an art gallery cafe and heritage accommodation on lines of Neemrana Fort Palace in Rajasthan The state government already announced that Sardar Mahal will be developed as the cultural hub of the city adding an attraction for thousands of tourists who visit Charminar Mecca Masjid Chowmahalla Palace and other monuments every day According to officials Sardar Mahal a palace built in European style by Nizam VI Mir Mahboob Ali Khan in 1900 will be conserved and restored to its original structure with additional architectural designs Though Mahboob Ali Khan the then ruler of Hyderabad State built the palace for one of his beloved consorts Sardar Begum she refused to inhabit this token of love as it did not live up to her expectations No one stayed there but the building took her name It was declared a heritage building by the Heritage Conservation Committee and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage INTACH Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation GHMC took over Sardar Mahal in 1965 due to outstanding property taxes Minister for municipal administration and urban development K T Rama Rao had asked the department and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation GHMC to restore the famous Sardar Mahal As per the plans announced earlier the heritage structure will be developed as a cultural hub with a museum 1012 room hotel and various activities including exhibitions and performances However the authorities have apparently dropped the plans for the hotel The proposed activities include cultural events workshops art exhibitions heritage walks and hospitality The project has been taken up in Public Private Partnership PPP with Built Operate and Transfer concept According to QQSUDA this will create and strengthen the identity of Hyderabad as synonym for heritage creativity entrepreneurship innovation at local and regional levels and maximise the historical cultural social and tourist potential of Charminar area In April last year Rama Rao along with Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi had formally launched the works to conserve restore and strengthen Sardar Mahal Rama Rao had announced that the project taken up at a cost of Rs 30 crore will not only protect the heritage structure but add attraction to tourists visiting Hyderabad IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/work-begins-to-restore-hyderabads-sardar-mahal-397672.html Thu, 09 Feb 2023 01:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/dont-miss-these-immersive-artworks-created-on-ipad-pro-at-india-art-fair-397808.html New Delhi Feb 9 Artists Varun Desai Mira Felicia Malhotra and Gaurav Ogale will showcase their artworks created on iPad Pro at the India Art Fair here from February 912 Desai is participating in the Digital Artists in Residence programme at the a2023 India Art Fair which also features visual artist and illustrator Malhotra and artist poet and writer Ogale Apple said in a statement The theme for this years showcase is Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary Desais answer to that is titled Dimorphism a digital installation of codegenerated video art 3D LiDAR scanning handdrawn animation and sound synthesis For one visual aspect of Dimorphism Desai uses the LiDAR Scanner on iPad Pro to capture objects architecture and human subjects in 3D Then he shapes the 3D models with his fingers and Apple Pencil in Nomad Sculpt an app to create sculpt and paint in 3D He follows that up by exporting the models to the Procreate app for colouring texturing and airbrushing He uses the LiDAR Scanner on his iPad Pro to scan objects on the streets of Kolkata for his project With the powerful render engine of Mac Studio with M1 Max chip Im able to render my animations really quick and achieve the final highresolution video that I need for my installation Desai explained I really want to showcase all the capabilities of the iPad Pro Its going to be a mix of amazing different approaches that iPad Pro can have for sound creation In Mumbai illustrator Malhotra is bringing to life the idiosyncrasies of Indian families through her showcase titled Log Kya Kahenge which translates to What Will People Say Bringing the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil into the picture felt natural to Malhotra I want a feel that is similar to drawing on paper as opposed to looking at the screen and drawing with another mouselike device Malhotra said With iPad Pro and Apple Pencil its the pen and paper the brush and canvas all in one Ascension an illustrated family portrait is one of Mira Felicia Malhotras artworks that will be showcased at the India Art Fair For Ogale having no fixed studio space means taking a nomadic approach to gathering inspiration and turning it into art Through his work titled Bestsellers Ogale aims to flip the script on what it means to read a book on the bestsellers list I usually take a lot of time to get used to technology but with iPad Pro somehow its been quick And it has become an alternative to my journal now Ogale said Ogales Marketing 101 will be on display at the India Art Fair India has such a vibrant creative community and we love seeing the ways these talented artists are pushing the boundaries of whats possible on iPad Pro to take their innovative ideas to the next level says Bob Borchers Apples vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/dont-miss-these-immersive-artworks-created-on-ipad-pro-at-india-art-fair-397808.html Thu, 09 Feb 2023 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/pakhawaj-player-dinesh-prasad-dies-on-stage-in-lucknow-396985.html Lucknow Feb 7 In a shocking incident well known Pakhawaj player and UP Sangeet Natak Akademi UPSNA awardee Dinesh Prasad 67 collapsed on stage during his performance at the Sanatkada Festival in Lucknow on Monday evening He was rushed to the Lari Cardiology Centre and was later declared brought dead by the doctors Prasad was performing along with other musicians like Iliyas Husain Khan Ilyas Khan Shrikant Shukla Zeeshan and Siddiqui Organiser of the festival Madhavi Kuckreja who was an eyewitness to the incident said that Prasad while into his performance stopped playing pakhawaj for a few minutes but resumed later He felt some uneasiness and asked for a glass of water But he collapsed within moments on the stage Born in Mathura in 1956 Prasad belonged to the Mathura gharana of pakhawaj vadaks and learnt the art from his father Babulalji He came to Lucknow in 1989 after bagging a job in UP Sangeet Natak Akademis Kathak Kendra from where he retired in 2014 Prasad was also conferred with the prestigious UPSNA award in 2005 for his work as a pakhawaj player and promoting its vadan A regular Doordarshan performer and radio artist Prasad also performed at various festivals across the country including Lucknow and Jhansi Mahotsav The sudden demise of Prasad on stage left the audience in a state of shock Tabla player Ilyas Hussain Khan said that he was sitting right next to him during the programme Dinesh ji even told me karyakram mat roko mai theek ho jaunga Dont stop the event Ill be fine but he suddenly collapsed We gave him continuous CPR as he was rushed to Lari Cardiology Centre said Khan Piyush Prasads son said My father was a heart patient He had suffered a heart attack earlier too but his health was stable The whole family is shocked He went to the event all prepared for his performance and had also rehearsed a day before IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/pakhawaj-player-dinesh-prasad-dies-on-stage-in-lucknow-396985.html Tue, 07 Feb 2023 09:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/bihar-more-than-700-people-take-part-in-book-reading-marathon-396926.html Gopalganj Feb 6 In this day and age where we find ourselves straying further away from books and getting closer to digital media a book reading marathon was organised in Bihars Gopalganj to increase peoples interest in books where more than 700 people sat together and read books for around two hours The purpose of the programme organised by the Panchdeori Reading Marathon Club at Jamunahan Inter College campus on Sunday was to motivate people to reconnect with books A total of 721 people read books of their choice at the event The mobile phones of people who participated in the marathon were switched off to avoid any disturbance Local Block Development Officer and Inter College Principal Dr Durgacharan Pandey played a huge role in making the event successful The members of the Reading Marathon Club said that most of the people who participated in the programme appreciated the event and urged them to organise similar events regularly The event was inaugurated by the District Magistrate of Gopalganj Dr Nawal Kishor Choudhary who advised that everyone should read a book for at least an hour daily Describing good books as mans best friends he said that books had their own importance in the digital era Praising the programme he said that similar programmes will be organised in the country inspired by the reading marathon in Gopalganj Many young litterateurs and dignitaries were present on the occasion IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/bihar-more-than-700-people-take-part-in-book-reading-marathon-396926.html Mon, 06 Feb 2023 23:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/13th-rock-art-cluster-found-in-madurai-396769.html Chennai Feb 6 A cluster of rock paintings including that of an elephant and human forms has been found by rock art researchers in Poosaripatti in Melur taluk of Madurai This is the 13th rock art site in Madurai Rock art researchers V Bala Bharathi and V Bala Murali had visited a cave behind a boulder that had been broken for mining in the area The researchers also found that there were numerous red and white paintings on the sides of the cave where the rock paintings were found in Poosraipatti The paintings in the cave according to the researchers were in various shades including both light and dark The researchers also said that the drawings were done by the inhabitants of the cave many years ago Bala Bharathi told IANS that these art forms have survived because mining was banned in the region He said that however many such art forms have been destroyed also and requested the government to declare it into a protected site The other rock art sites in Madurai are at Kongar Puliankulam Muthupatti Anaipatti Karungalakudi Keelakuyilkadi Keelavalavu Nadumuthalaikulam Pulipudavu Pudurmalai Thiruvathavur Vasimalai and Kidirapatti IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/13th-rock-art-cluster-found-in-madurai-396769.html Mon, 06 Feb 2023 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/antiquated-looms-push-weavers-village-patwa-toli-into-struggle-for-survival-396480.html By Manoj Pathak Gaya Feb 5 Patwa Toli of Manpur block in Gaya district called the Manchester of Bihar was once identified as a village of weavers The situation has drastically changed said 55yearold Jumman Ansari who is a worker in a powerloom here The small weavers and the powerloom owners have been facing a tough time as they are unable to compete with the technologically advanced machines of todays era The demand for readymade garments of Punjab and Ludhiana has increased in the villages markets Manpur which is also known as Mini Kanpur is situated on the banks of Falgu river in the district Powerlooms and handlooms are run in almost every house of the village through which a wide array of fabrics from gamcha a traditional cotton towel to quilt mattresses and pillow covers are made Jumman Ansari said that earlier the elders would want their children to join the business which was also preferred by the children He added that the situation had changed as these days they do not want the future generations to indulge in the business Getting nostalgic of the past Ansari said that the thread which is now imported from other states was easily available in the village earlier He added that the technique of weaving clothes in the village remained the same whereas other states had progressive technology of the same President of Bihar Pradesh Weavers Welfare Association Gopal Prasad Patwa told IANS that earlier threads were made in many areas including Gaya Bhagalpur and Mokama of the state He said that these factories were gradually closed Patwa added that it had been rightly said that the business is a cottage industry in which the whole family gets involved He said that the Mini Textile Park Screening Yarn Mill at Gaya would prove to be beneficial for the domestic micro cottage textile industry He added that adopting modern technology would lead to a decrease in cost and an increase in quality of production Apart from 12000 powerloom machines 1000 textile production units of a large number of handloom machines run today in the village A total of 20000 workers are provided employment directly or indirectly in operating these machines running the calendering machine along with dyeing and washing the yarn An elderly artisan said that handlooms have been running in Manpur since three to four generations He said that the majority of handlooms that existed earlier had been replaced by powerlooms the trend of which increased after 1957 Powerlooms run at a higher speed as compared to handlooms which increases the production due to which the people started preferring powerlooms over handlooms Ravindra Singh Bihar state president of Laghu Udyog Bharati said that 7075 per cent of the produced goods are sent to West Bengal Apart from West Bengal goods are supplied to Assam Odisha and Jharkhand but there is minimal demand in these states Singh said that the traders who used to buy goods from them earlier have stopped as the quality of goods is low due to not using modern technology He said that people of the Patwa Toli are unable to change their machines due to the difficulties faced in availing bank loans Apart from this Singh added that recently discharging the chemicals used to dye yarn in the drains was banned citing pollution which added to the villagers problems Prakash Patwa who is associated with the business said that the powerlooms that run in other parts of India including Rajasthan Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh are equipped with stateoftheart techniques due to which they are flourishing He added that such modernisation was still a long way to go in Patwa Toli Patwa said that the red coloured gamcha made in the village is popular amongst the tribals of Bengal Odisha and Assam and has high demands Powerloom owners claim that such gamchas are not manufactured anywhere else Significantly Patwa Toli is also known as the village of IITians IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/antiquated-looms-push-weavers-village-patwa-toli-into-struggle-for-survival-396480.html Sun, 05 Feb 2023 19:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/art-meets-new-age-tech-in-lisa-rays-foray-into-the-world-of-nfts-396131.html By Akshay Acharya Mumbai Feb 4 Art one of the hallmarks of human civilisation has always been a catalyst for evolution From cave paintings of prehistoric times to the classical art of Michelangelo Baroque art of Velazquez the Surrealism of Salvador Dali and to the avantegarde art of Pablo Picasso art has always enhanced the advancement of mankind through ideas and expression And when art meets technology it creates wonders a case in point is the music of A R Rahman which revolutionised how music is made in India To keep up with the rapidly changing times in the world of the Internet and to tie the ends of art and technology actress Lisa Ray who is known for films such as Kasoor Veerappan and Water has come up with a new platform TheUpsideSpace that aims at empowering the artiste community through NFTs The initiative will put the spotlight on the artistes from Southeast Asia South Asia and the Middle East Lisa has been deeply connected with art since her childhood In her opinion Art is not optional in our world Especially in India we live art Ive been collecting contemporary Indian art since the 1990s and I cant ignore how much my art collection has risen in value This affinity towards collection of art has translated in TheUpsideSpace as art rises in value and is now an option for a wide audience due to NFTs and blockchain technology Talking about how the idea for the platform came into existence the actress told IANS Ayesha Khan my cofounder who is Singaporebased we met during the pandemic We connected over our mutual love of the arts from regions like south Asia India Singapore Pakistan Bhutan south east Asia where we had both lived Indonesia Vietnam Singapore etc and the Middle EastLevant Im now based in Dubai At the end of 2021 Ayesha approached me with this idea of marrying art with tech and using it as a vehicle to both make art from these regions more accessible to a wider audience empower the artist and advance the representation of artist and art forms from these regions in the global south to centre stage she added Explaining the modus operandi of the platform the actress said Firstly once our curator selects artists for an online exhibition we offer to hand hold artists through the creation of their NFTs if they need help and dont have the technical skills to do it themselves She went on to explain Secondly with smart contracts that are baked into the NFTs artists can receive royalties on sales in the secondary market and the royalty amount is automatically deposited in their accounts Artists can take the initiative to connect directly with their audience and build their own community and profile where everything is much more transparent than in the traditional art world But the world of the Internet also brings along vulnerability for everyone in terms of cyber security and artistes are no different When asked about how the platform plans to curb plagiarism of NFTs and to safeguard the interests of the artists Lisa said For collectors since we are a curatorled model that works with esteemed curators our roster of artistes is very reputable and all the artists or curators belong to one larger communitynetwork one way or another Most of the time curators personally know the participating artists and their background She continued Still whenever we are in doubt we consult our internal content team or external experts in the domain We will definitely take a systematic way to ensure no one is publishing plagiarised content on TUS by doing routine screening crawls on the internet and other platforms for any forgery and fraudulent activities And under the initiative will the street art festivals like the ongoing Sassoon Dock Art Festival in Mumbai the Burning Man festival or arguably the biggest street festival of the world Durga Puja will be integrated or will the festival artwork be converted into NFTs Lisa furnishes an answer Eventually perhaps but if you look at our platform we are already building unique stories from our countries that can have a spillover effect There are 7 different projects across 6 countries Each project has its own NFT in an edition of 20 You can buy an NFT for the project you want to support buying the NFT makes you a sponsor to the project and the successful sale of a project will allow the project to be created in real life with the communities that each of the Fearless Collective artists their partner is working with IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/art-meets-new-age-tech-in-lisa-rays-foray-into-the-world-of-nfts-396131.html Sat, 04 Feb 2023 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/art-exhibition-featuring-105-artists-opens-in-chandigarh-395969.html Chandigarh Feb 4 A small format art show bringing 105 artists showcasing more than 200 artworks opened in the city at 105arts Galley on Saturday Artists with differing ethos themes and mediums convey their signature style in a 12inch by 12inch canvas in this exhibit conceived and conceptualised by artist and sculptor Nagesh Goud and curated by Mehak Bhan The proceeds from the show will be shared with Nanhi Jaan a Tricitybased NGO that works towards the medical treatment of underprivileged children Mehak Bhan curator 105arts Gallery said that the show is a first on many levels especially on a structural level to exhibit the humongous number of artists and artworks under one roof Each work of art gives an opportunity to escape into a one foot by one foot wonderland Collectively the artists and their works more than justify the title of the show The exhibition has been a game changer on many levels for a young art gallery like us Not only were there a humungous number of artists to interact with but there was also a huge number of artworks their curation and display It has been a lot of hard work yet intensely rewarding The exhibition offers an affordable chance to either start or build upon your art collection from a selection of works from renowned artists Also the small size of the works makes them the right fit for homes and offices of all sizes she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/art-exhibition-featuring-105-artists-opens-in-chandigarh-395969.html Sat, 04 Feb 2023 09:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/shailja-kaushal-from-a-diary-keeper-to-award-winning-writer-395563.html By Sukant Deepak New Delhi Feb 3 Ever since childhood she has been maintaining a diary Recording not just the musing of the day gone by but how it touched or untouched her She says the recordkeeping over several years gave the confidence that her writing could be out in the world Of course there were apprehensions initially but the reception of the previous and latest books have ascertained that now I do not think twice before calling myself a writer smiles Chandigarhbased Hindi author Shailja Kaushal whose second Hindi book Paanch Ke Sikkey Tatha Anya Kahaniyan was adjudged the Best Book of Year 2021 by Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi in January In fact her debut collection of short stories Vaastav Mein also received the Best Book of the Year Award 2015 from the same body Stressing that most of her stories are derived from lived experience the writer who in 2019 was invited to address a gathering at the Indology Department Sofia University in Bulgaria on Stories of Shailja Kaushal and their characters stresses that since childhood she has been a keen observer of social cultural and varied aspects of human relationships and their intricacies The same has subconsciously influenced my thought process and writing Whatever I write revolves around these dimensions My latest collection of stories is the outcome of some soulstirring and intensely impactful episodes Like one of her stories Mrs Lobo Special derives inspiration from the special bond that she shared with her grandmother The central theme of this particular story is based on the exceptional culinary skills that the grandmother passes on to her granddaughter she adds Lamenting that not many publishers in the Hindi ecosystem encourage and give a break to young and new writers Kaushal says it is extremely tough to break into and get a foothold in the existing publishing ecosystem One needs financial backing or own assets to convince a publisher she says Planning to explore the theme of travel in her next work Kaushal says I am working on constructing a plot or stories based on my travels across diverse countries It could either be a travelogue or fiction based on my travels For her writing is a way to exhale It is also a medium to speak her mind through the characters she creates Sometimes our creations manage to convey much more than we can she concludes Sukant Deepak can be reached at sukantdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/shailja-kaushal-from-a-diary-keeper-to-award-winning-writer-395563.html Fri, 03 Feb 2023 09:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/colonial-sentiments-rule-in-indian-mines-amitav-ghosh-395606.html Thiruvananthapuram Feb 3 An exploitative economy in all its ruthless facets was the hallmark of colonialism across the globe in the earlier centuries and the same economics continues to rule in the mineralrich mines of Jharkhand and Odisha said renowned writer and Jnanpith Award winner Amitav Ghosh He said this while speaking at the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters MBIFL that has opened here Ghosh who for a brief period was a faculty at the prestigious Centre for Development Studies here said resources have become the bane of people as their native land comes into the crosshair of exploitative economy The uranium mines of Jharkhand are now being exploited by mining companies at the cost of all the local people whose lives are essentially doomed because of the resources they once had Another good example is Niyamgiri in Odisha It is sacred mountains for the Adivasis of the region but they have been thrown off their land and their land has been seized by mining companies said Ghosh Presenting the background of his book The Nutmeg Curse to explain his concern he said the 1621 massacre of the native people in the Banda Islands was carried out to control the trade of nutmeg which was a priced item and grew only in that region due to soil fertility caused by volcanic activity This later on also led to slavery of people and many were taken from south India to work in nutmeg plantations in Banda History is replete with such instances where people and nature became expendable before commercial interests Iraq and Libya were more modern recent examples of such extractivist economics he said Fortunately for a few years in India we were able to hold extractivism at bay but now this extractivism is absolutely rampant It has become the dominant model in the Indian economy Ghosh said This is an exploitative thinking that is rooted in the 17th century European outlook that earth is a dead clockwork machinery that can be manipulated in any way The opposition against this was strong even in Europe as people who regarded land as sacred fought this Women were in the forefront of this fight and the witchhunt against them is rooted in this confrontation he explained Historians rely on documents and narrations but elements of nature like a tree mountain or volcano rarely are actors in these documentaries But the role they played in the history of humankind is decisive he pointed out The global elite who shape the world consider nonhuman entities as inert forms This is an approach in which a coloniser uses human and nonhuman beings as resources to be used as slaves and commodities This entire continuum was also believed to be subject to the national laws that condemns certain species to extinction and extermination he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/colonial-sentiments-rule-in-indian-mines-amitav-ghosh-395606.html Fri, 03 Feb 2023 11:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/kochi-biennale-is-among-the-best-in-the-world-german-ambassador-394569.html Kochi Jan 31 The Kochi Muziris Biennale ranks among the best when it comes to premier art events in the world according to Dr Philipp Ackermann German Ambassador to India who is also an art historian This is the fifth edition of the Biennale and will run till April The innovative creations invoke a strong sense of vigour and vitality while the artists have attempted to churn out progressive political statements through their works using boundless imagination The reactive and thoughtprovoking works are open to interpretations and help create a new awareness among viewers This is not just another art exhibition said Ackermann Apart from being a high ranking diplomat Ackermann is also a popular art historian and he added that the creative works of Indian artists are amazing The Kochi Biennale is curated in a clear and implicit manner The native artists too deserve special applause for their distinctive and creative aesthetic artworks added Ackermann and pointed out that Kerala can surely be proud of holding the art grandeur The fifth edition of the Kochi Biennale is now back with a bang after a four year hiatus that features over 200 projects of 90 artists IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/kochi-biennale-is-among-the-best-in-the-world-german-ambassador-394569.html Wed, 01 Feb 2023 02:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/kolkata-book-fair-will-also-be-held-in-delhi-from-next-year-mamata-394195.html Kolkata Jan 30 An edition of the iconic Kolkata Book Fair will also be held in the national capital from next year onwards West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday while inaugurating the 46th edition of the fair here I think that an edition of this book fair should also be organised in Delhi The state government is ready to offer all necessary cooperation on this count There will be participation from all the districts of West Bengal in that event There will also be participation from people from different castes cultures and religions We will invite representatives from other countries in that event as well We will provide whatever support is required for the event Kolkata Book Fair is an international event in its true sense we have representations from other states as well the Chief Minister said Six new books penned by the Chief Minister were released at the book fair on Monday She informed that next year five more books written by her will be released I personally feel that books are the lifelines of the world Banerjee said She also cautiously touched upon the recent controversies and adverse criticism of books penned by her Cant politicians write books After all politicians are also social animals Often there is no proper analysis of a good book I am not above criticism I want to learn something new from constructive criticisms the Chief Minister said Spain is the theme country of this years event The inauguration function on Monday was attended by the Director of Instituto Cervantes Maria Jose Galvez Salvador To recall Spain was also the theme country of the book fair in 2006 during the previous Left Front regime Thailand is the firsttime participating country in this years event A total of 20 countries are participating in the Kolkata Book Fair 2023 Bangladesh will be having the maximum number of stalls at 20 The total number of stalls this year will be 950 The event will be open for the public from Tuesday and the closing day is February 12 IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/kolkata-book-fair-will-also-be-held-in-delhi-from-next-year-mamata-394195.html Tue, 31 Jan 2023 06:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/friends-first-competitors-later-major-exhibition-on-raza-and-his-contemporaries-394109.html New Delhi Jan 30 The Dhoomimal Gallery will present Raza and His Contemporaries drawn from the Ravi Jain Collection of modern Indian art from February 7 to March 10 at its gallery in New Delhi The exhibition has been curated by Yashodhara Dalmia art historian and author of the recent biography Sayed Haider Raza The Journey of an Iconic Artist Boasting of works of 20 significant artists who played a crucial role in overthrowing notions of academic art and creating a strong bid for the liberalizing of practices and shaping modernism in Indian art the exhibition celebrates SH Razas achievements as well as those of his contemporaries in the Progressive Artists Group including Sayed Haider Raza MF Husain FN Souza KH Ara S Bakre and HA Gade and the simultaneous emergence of other influential artists of his time such as J Swaminathan KG Subramanyan Pradosh Dasgupta Biren De Jamini Roy Zarina Hashmi and others This was the grand generation that strived to achieve excellence in art and succeeded in placing India on the international art map The exhibition focuses on Raza in his centenary year as one of the main initiators of the Progressive Artists Group and explores the richly diverse voices and influences that coloured Indian modernism It traces Razas sweeps of brilliance from primary colours and sizzling Bindus to his rise in the international art world in Paris to become a household name in Indian art Speaking on the exhibition Yashodhara Dalmia the curator says This highlights some of the foremost modern artists in the country and reveals their contribution to the development of art In doing so it carves the path that art was to take in the decades that followed Among these the artist SH Raza was one of the leading contributors with his blazing paintings which in their incandescent use of colour and their reflection of the world outside were skilled in themselves and relevant for the viewer Adding that the exhibition presents a new conversation with 20 significant artists who shaped modernism in Indian art celebrating Razas achievements alongside those of his contemporaries in the Progressive Artists Group and the simultaneous emergence of other influential artists of his time Uday Jain Director Dhoomimal Gallery said The exhibition design will also play an important role in the show inviting viewers to engage in deeper conversations many for the first time with the diverse voices of Indian modern art and reflect on their relevance today IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/friends-first-competitors-later-major-exhibition-on-raza-and-his-contemporaries-394109.html Mon, 30 Jan 2023 22:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/delegates-to-pre-g20-summit-meet-get-to-see-chandigarhs-green-self-393742.html By Vishal Gulati Chandigarh Jan 29 Chandigarh the first planned modern and green city to be conceived after Indias Independence in 1947 is rolling out the red carpet for the delegates attending the twoday International Financial Architecture Working Group meeting here on January 3031 in the runup to the G20 Summit The City Beautiful planned by the SwissFrench architect and town planner Le Corbusier is located some 240 km north of New Delhi at the foothills of the Shivalik range and two seasonal rivulets flowing on its two sides Famous for its gardens and open spaces Chandigarh is calling upon the delegates from across the globe to explore nature with all their senses during their stay in the city Go out to the nearby woods or gardens try your hand at golf or enjoy the beautiful locales of the city suggests an official who is overseeing the arrangement for the meeting whose delegates were treated to an exhibition match at the Chandigarh Polo Club on Sunday January 29 As many as 170 delegates are attending the meeting which has been divided into two sessions The first will be on strengthening multilateral development banks to address shared global challenges of the 21st century and the second will be on the International Monetary Funds 16th General Review of Quotas Theres a lot in the city for the delegates to let their hair down It has three worldclass golf courses starting with the oldest the Chandigarh Golf Club and the Chandigarh Golf Association as well as the Panchkula Golf Club The Chandigarh Golf Club was established in 1960 and it has produced champion golfers notably Jeev Milkha Singh and Irina Brar We are expecting an enormous response to playing golf from the delegates added the official who did not want to be named as hes not authorised to speak to the media Adjacent to the Chandigarh Golf Club is the rainfed manmade Sukhna Lake with the Kasauli hills and lower Shivalik hills in the backdrop Conceptualised by Le Corbusier as a tranquil and serene space the Sukhna Lake the most popular tourist spot and home to many species of winter migratory birds was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe a seasonal stream coming down from the Shivalik Hills The lake the heart and soul of the city is situated in the VIP area of Chandigarh with the governors of Haryana and Punjab senior officers of the administration and affluent people residing in its vicinity Close to the lake is the fairyland known globally as the Rock Garden whose creator Nek Chands world of fantasy has put the City Beautiful on the world tourist map The Rock Garden explores a different side of human artistry Thousands of animal and humanoid figures made out of multicoloured useless stones industrial and urban waste and other throwaways are the main attractions of Nek Chands unique creation The garden houses sculptures made by using different discarded waste objects such as frames mudguards forks handlebars metal wires playing marbles porcelain auto parts broken bangles and so on A visit to the Capitol Complex one of the monumental architectural compositions of modern times has also been planned for the delegates Strategically located at the geographic and topographic head of the city against the backdrop of the Shivalik hills the Capitol Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site The three pillars of democracy legislature executive and judiciary stand together at the Complex For the delegates Chandigarh Administration has planned two dinners one on the lawns of The Lalit the venue of the meeting and the second at the Sukhna Lake Club House where a cultural programme is also being organised It is a matter of pride for Chandigarh to host delegates from different countries UT Adviser Dharam Pal said He called upon the residents of Chandigarh to be excellent hosts and make this event the most memorable among those planned in the runup to the upcoming G20 summit The administration has also beautified the citys famous roundabouts and prominent locations that the dignitaries are visiting with flags of the participating countries Le Corbusier and his team had in the 1950s and 60s envisioned the citys lungs to be in the form of green belts and gardens but the administration has over the years continued to add more green areas and theme parks to the 114squarekm union territory As of today Chandigarh boasts of the Japanese Garden Bougainvillea Garden Butterfly Park Leisure Valley Rose Garden Shanti Kunj Fragrance Garden Hibiscus Garden Garden of Annuals Terraced Garden Floral Garden Bamboo Garden Garden of Herbs and Shrubs Champa Park a sprawling Botanical garden and the 400acre Rajendra Park and many more Chandigarh has nearly 1500 parks gardens and green belts The green cover through trees of the traditional and exotic varieties is also ample for the city which has a population of nearly 11 million people Asias largest rose garden the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden came into existence here in 1967 It was named after the third President of India Dr Zakir Hussain who was a keen horticulturist and is spread over 30 acres Inaugurated by the citys first Chief Commissioner MS Randhawa in the heart of the city in Sector 16 the rose garden has over 50000 rose bushes of approximately 800 varieties including exotic ones in 1400 flower beds Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/delegates-to-pre-g20-summit-meet-get-to-see-chandigarhs-green-self-393742.html Sun, 29 Jan 2023 22:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/an-issue-in-2020-bihar-polls-fate-of-madhubani-art-no-longer-excites-politicians-393502.html By Ajay Kumar Patna Jan 29 During every election leaders of various political parties promise the rejuvenation of industries handicrafts litchi farming jute farming sugarcane farming in Bihar but they hardly even think of it post election One of the famous handicrafts is Bihars Madhubani or Mithila paintings which was extensively discussed by the leaders of every political party including Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2020 assembly election Surprisingly they failed to encourage people to associate with it more and more Madhubani or Mithila paintings are recognized in various countries but the artists associated with this are not more than 10000 These artists are natives of Darbhanga Madhubani Sheohar Sitamarhi Araria Purnea Muzaffarpur East Champaran and some other districts of North Bihar Gyanwanti Devi an artist of Madhubani painting and a native of Darbhanga said It provides a source of earning but not much The loan policies of the government are not right and the interest is also high As paying instalments would not have been easy for me I chose not to take a loan and continue the work with whatever capital I have Another artist of Madhubani paintings named Smriti Devi said The prices of items needed for painting are increasing all the time The state government should look into it and provide subsidies for it Unfortunately no one is looking into the core issues we are facing The process of doing paintings on one bed sheet takes time For example one bed sheet and two pillow covers need at least one week So we hardly make 4 pieces in one month We do not have enough money to hire painters on a daily or monthly basis said Poonam Kumari an artist from Simri village in Madhubanis Bipsi block Sailendra Kumar father of Poonam Kumari said I have taken a loan once but paying the instalments is an issue Hence we have not taken any further loan We used to start production only after getting the orders Unlike Khadi Gramodyog we have no such platform to sell our products Hence we do not manufacture products in advance and stock them Kumar added My entire family is associated with it and we earn money but not much to expand our business We need state government help in selling our products Every party makes tall promises during the elections but they do not even think about addressing our core issues after forming the government Usha Jha an entrepreneur associated with Madhubani paintings for the last 30 years and who also runs an outlet in Patna called Petal Craft told IANS The market size of Madhubani paintings is big but the encouragement given to the artists by the government is not enough The state government is offering funds under the Mukhyamantri Yojana and so does the Centre through a startup but the process of getting funds is not easy There are so many documents to be processed to get funding Hence a large number of people who want to enter the business or are already associated with it are failing to expand their business because of the lack of funds Jha concluded by saying Madhubani paintings have wide acceptance across the country I came into the field in the early 1990s with the idea to encourage handicraft work and the source of earning for myself as well as those people who are associated with this field I visited many countries such as Russia Singapore and Indonesia and people appreciated the paintings The price of a bed sheet with two pillow covers starts from Rs 1500 and it goes to Rs 8000 depending on the quality of the paintings and the cloth Jha said Theres hope but the light seems only to be flickering at the far end of the tunnel IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/an-issue-in-2020-bihar-polls-fate-of-madhubani-art-no-longer-excites-politicians-393502.html Sun, 29 Jan 2023 08:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/dutch-era-record-room-building-demolished-eight-pillars-preserved-393697.html Patna Jan 29 The Dutchera Record Room building in the Patna Collectorate which featured in movie Gandhi that won eight Academy Awards has been demolished but eight pillars of the historic structure have been preserved The 300yearold building situated on the banks of Ganga river near Anta Ghat was spread across 12 acre lands with massive doors attractive ceilings skylights and pillars It was used as record rooms by Dutch as well as district magistrate offices The Bihar government had proposed the demolition of the historic structure in 2016 and construction of a highrise complex drawing huge criticism from all sections including historians conservation architects scholars and Gandhians Even the Dutch High Commissioner to India and the Londonbased Gandhi Foundation asked the Bihar government to avoid demolition A Delhibased heritage body INTACH had filed a petition in Patna High Court in 2019 seeking a heritage site status for the structure After losing the case in 2020 INTACH moved the Supreme Court which granted a stay on September 18 2020 However the Supreme Court finally rejected INTACHs plea on May 13 2022 paving way for its demolition The Patna High Court in its judgement had allowed for demolition but directed not to bulldoze the pillars The demolition first started on May 14 2022 and part of the portion was demolished by May 17 2022 The complex had eight buildings of which two were constructed post independence We have shifted the important documents to a new building We have preserved the pillars The construction of the new building has already begun and once it will be completed you can see the modern and the ancient buildings We will also display the important documents as well said an officer of the building construction department Ironically the complex is still mentioned as a cultural site on the official website of Bihar tourism In Gandhi the Record Room building was featured as Motihari jail while the BritishEra district magistrate office which was demolished in June last year was dressed up as a courtroom to film the Champaran trial IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/dutch-era-record-room-building-demolished-eight-pillars-preserved-393697.html Sun, 29 Jan 2023 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/pandit-jasrajs-native-place-in-haryana-to-get-facelift-393363.html Chandigarh Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal with singers Sonu Nigam and Durga Jasraj at a programme organised by Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation in Chandigarh Saturday Jan 28 2023 PTI Chandigarh Jan 28 Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar while paying tributes to renowned vocalist Pandit Jasraj on his 93rd birth anniversary announced to give Rs 21 lakh from his discretionary fund for the Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation and to facelift his ancestral village Speaking at the press meet organised to celebrate the birth anniversary of Pandit Jasraj Khattar made several announcements for the native village of the vocalist These include construction of Pandit Jasraj welcome gates at both the entrances of his native Pilli Mandori village in Fatehabad district establishing two volleyball nurseries for boys and girls developing a park converting dirty water ponds of the village as model ponds construction of a new library building and renaming the Oxyvan established in Panchkula after Pandit Jasraj He said Haryanas worldfamous son Pandit Jasraj has brought laurels to the state and in order to continue with his legacy a framework for the development of Pandit Jasrajs Pilli Mandori village has been made by the government Sharing his views on how the rich culture and music play a critical role in the overall development and growth of the next generation Khattar said It is a matter of pride that Pandit Jasrajji was born in Haryana He is considered one of the greatest Indian classical vocalists His contribution is a treasure of the musical world I assure extending all possible cooperation to the foundation for carrying forward the legacy of Pandit Jasrajji The Chief Minister said art and culture are an integral part of Haryanas soil While carrying forward our rich traditions and culture we have been organising International Gita Mahotsav to take immortal message taught by Lord Krishna across the globe he said The work of any government is not limited to infrastructural development only but working for the welfare of society while instilling social responsibility is also one of the utmost duties of any government The wife of Pandit Jasraj Madhura Pandit Jasraj expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for paying tribute to Pandit Jasraj by making several important announcements for his village Echoing the same Durga Jasraj founder of Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation and daughter of Pandit Jasraj said Haryanas worldfamous son Pandit Jasraj has brought pride to the state and to continue with his legacy the foundation would undertake activities round the year to develop and sustain cultural awareness amongst the people Padma Shri Sonu Nigam expressed joy at being part of the occasion and said he is proud that his roots belong to Haryana He said besides sports and agriculture Haryana has shined bright even in the field of music IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/pandit-jasrajs-native-place-in-haryana-to-get-facelift-393363.html Sat, 28 Jan 2023 19:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/metamorphosing-hindi-publishing-the-aditi-maheshwari-way-392858.html By Sukant Deepak New Delhi Jan 27 Stressing that management education and closely observing and learning from the English publishing ecosystem have been instrumental for Aditi Maheshwari in turningaround Vani Prakashan Group one of the countrys oldest and most important publishing houses The journey of Vani Prakashans Executive Director from writing letters in English to writers for her father to now publishing major national and international writers in Hindi has been about ascertaining that the third generation takes the legacy forward in a modern avatar Publishing not just some of the bestknown names in Hindi literature but also major English writers in Hindi Maheshwari whose Vani Foundation presents the Vani Foundation Distinguished Translator Award every year at the Jaipur Literature Festival JLF says her international exposure has been instrumental in understanding the fact that that the world functions in a very different way than the Hindi publishing ecosystem I make it a point to visit spend much time and closely interact with publishers in different languages across the world and try to understand their systems Their attention to detail processes decentralization and emphasis on the visual aspect of publishing educated me to push for reforms in my organization I still remember my first trip to a publishers office in Germany I was shocked to see a huge separate room for designers who were using some of the most advanced softwares in the world That is the time I realised it was paramount to bring changes in Vani which like others in the Hindi publishing world we were dependent on DTP operators to design Many Indian publishing houses still do not have good designers Even we get to work on them on a freelance basis But at least we have realised the indispensability of good designers She however says that the editorial system in the Hindi language ecosystem is in a huge mess We do not have the kind of editors we used to Back in the 70s and 80s without any personal ambitions they worked for the author Now the problem is that they want to supersede the author Frankly we all desperately need good editors Talk to her about Vani translating and publishing major international authors in Hindi and she asserts that the same has opened the young Hindi readership to a wide variety of writers and has helped them find new readership that was reading in Hindi who want to know the world in their own language Besides it has encouraged us to talk to the world as a publishing house in a better way as we are constantly looking to expand In fact many of these authors have become a part of the curriculum in educational institutions as most Hindi departments now have Comparative Literature Interesting now we see postmodern postcolonist postsurrealist poetry and new fiction in these departments ever since their translations have been made available in Hindi The 7th Vani Foundation Distinguished Translator Award was given to Daisy Rockwell for Tomb of Sand written by Geetanjali Shree at the recently concluded JLF Interestingly the original Hindi work has not been published by Vani She brought honour to the entire Hindi world As a foundation we are absolutely independent It does not matter who has published the original work In this case what is paramount is the fact that Geetanjali Shree has given hope to so many writers She adds that translators are lonely beings who raise someone else child as their own and are seldom given credit Believe me there are some authors who do not even allow us to give the translators name on the cover or spine Stressing she has major plans to further modernize systems at her organization Maheshwari however adds But this does not mean that it will override our passion for books or stand as legacy editors We do not want to be mercenaries working only on the whims of the market Balance is the key Some books are extremely important and need to be out in the world regardless of the sales graph We can afford to and are willing to keep publishing such books something that matters the most Sukant Deepak can be reached at sukantdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/metamorphosing-hindi-publishing-the-aditi-maheshwari-way-392858.html Fri, 27 Jan 2023 09:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/eight-writers-from-jk-selected-for-up-urdu-academys-annual-honours-392900.html Srinagar Jan 27 Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy recently announced the awards for the year 201921 The list of awaredds includes eight writers from Jammu and Kashmir Those selected for the honours from Jammu and Kashmir include Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Wani Dr Mohiuddin Zor Kashmiri Dr Gulshan Abdullah Deepak Kanwal Dr Fayyaz Din Tayyab Ashraf Adil Khalid Bashir Talgami and Ghulam Nabi Kumar Every year the Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy gives awards to people who have rendered outstanding services in Urdu literature poetry journalism criticism and fiction There is a wave of joy in every literary circle of Jammu and Kashmir According to young writer and scholar Sohail Salem UP Urdu Academy deserves a congratulations He said that it is a welcome thing that the literature created in Jammu and Kashmir is getting recognition in other states What is more gratifying that Kashmiri writers are read and appreciated Uttar Pradesh Academy deserves congratulations Sohail said Expressing happiness on this occasion Deepak Kanwal thanked UP Urdu Academy and described it as a milestone for the promotion of literature Renowned poet Ashraf Adil who was selected for this honour while appreciating UP Academy Urdus services towards Urdu literature said that it will help a lot in the promotion of quality literature He thanked the Academy for selecting him for the honour UP Urdu Academy has been doing excellent service for the promotion of Urdu language and literature Selecting Kashmiri writers for the honours is proof that the writers of Jammu and Kashmir are creating quality literature he said It has been announced by the Academy to give awards to personalities who have rendered outstanding services in Urdu literature poetry Urdu criticism Urdu fiction Urdu childrens literature and Urdu journalism in print and electronic media In the coming days this award will be distributed in the Golden Jubilee programme organised by the Academy and the programme organised in relation to journalism on the completion of two years of Urdu journalism IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/eight-writers-from-jk-selected-for-up-urdu-academys-annual-honours-392900.html Fri, 27 Jan 2023 12:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/kartik-rajkummar-enjoy-bhog-at-anurag-basus-saraswati-puja-celebration-392928.html Mumbai Jan 27 Filmmaker Anurag Basu hosted a Saraswati puja and it was attended by a string of Bollywood personalities including Rajkummar Rao and wife Patralekhaa Kartik Aaryan and Abhishek Bachchan among many others Others who were seen attending the celebration on Thursday were Fatima Sana Shaikh Aditya Roy Kapur music composer Pritam etc The filmmaker organised a puja and bhog for the occasion Anurag took to Instagram where he shared a gamut of pictures from the puja and captioned it Our 29th Saraswati Pujo New friends old friends same fun A picture shows Patralekhaa in a beige saree Rajkummar in a purple shirt worn over a black tee Bhushan Kumar in orange and Kartik Aaryan in a white kurta pyjama Abhishek is also seen in a pink kurta pyjama and Fatima wore a white saree Celebrities were seen enjoying the bhog that included khichdi papad and sabji IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/kartik-rajkummar-enjoy-bhog-at-anurag-basus-saraswati-puja-celebration-392928.html Fri, 27 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/monish-gujrals-on-the-pickle-trail-takes-you-on-a-global-odyssey-with-its-100-recipes-392958.html By Vishnu Makhijani New Delhi Jan 27 Did you know that eggs can be pickled and so can salmon cucumber okra bhindi tomatoes brinjal and oranges to name just a few Prominent restauranter author and columnist Monish Gujral in his new book On the Pickle Trail 100 recipes from around the World PenguinEbury Press that has been nominated for the World Cookbook Awards to be held in Sweden in May takes you on a dizzying journey that will have you craving for more During one of the Gourmand award ceremonies in China where I had gone to receive the award for my book On the Dessert Trail my friend Marlena Spieler who is a food writer and journalist started chatting about different types of pickles Gujral told IANS in an interview It was then the idea to write a book on pickles came in my mind I remember my grandmother drying turnips carrots and cauliflower in the sun in winter to make a delicious sweet and sour pickle and mango pickles in summer which we would relish all around the year but now with growth of nuclear families where we are all consumed with corporate competition this art of home cooking is dying I have always advocated and promoted home artisanal cooking which is at an alltime low because of the charms of the retail world I wanted to propagate the importance of fermented foods in our diet and how pickles help us improve our gut health Pickles are mostly fermented and are rich in probiotic bacteria that help in digestion and enhance the immune system Gujral explained Speaking about the research that went into the book he said since he is a part of the global chefs platform through Le Cordon Bleu and World Cook Book Fairs this began by interacting with the national and international chefs community to find out about every countrys favourite or national pickles and how the recipes evolved There are many culinary social media online platforms where the community is more than happy to interact which helped me a great deal to research for my book Throughout my travels in India and abroad I interacted with people especially some home makers friends and colleagues in search of the global pickles and recipes All of them proved to be invaluable resources as they often provided direct answers and also pointed me in the right direction to find my answers Gujral elaborated Did he find a common thread in the pickles featured in the book Pickling has been a source of food preservation for centuries and the artisanal techniques of pickling and fermentation are the essence of this book which showcases the tangy world of pickles that may pickle your fancy The recipes in this book combine a simple pickling and fermentation methods that make them very accessible to people who want to try their hands at making some very interesting global pickles which is my main purpose to have written this book so as to promote home artisanal cooking Gujral said Speaking about the current citation for the book he said To my surprise I received an email from Mr Edouard Cointreau Chairman World Cookbook Fair Gourmand Awards stating that my book has been nominated for the World Cookbook Awards to be held in Sweden in May 2023 On the Pickle Trail will compete in the Fermentation Cook Book category and in line for International Best Cookbook Gourmand Awards Apart from his other talents Gujral has a fair number of books under his belt My first two books namely On the Tandoori Trail and On the Butter Chicken Trail were essentially official Moti Mahal cook books showcasing the culinary legacy of Moti Mahal and my grandfather Mr Kundan Lal Gujral founder of Moti Mahal and inventor of tandoori chicken butter chicken dal makhani and chicken pakora Later I was commissioned by Penguin India to write a series showcasing and celebrating recipes such as kebabs desserts and now pickles which has been core of my cook books Gujral said What are his plans for taking Moti Mahal forward in the postpandemic world We all experienced the perils of pandemic over last two years and the hospitality industry suffered hugely Since human beings adapt very fast we at Moti Mahal like others too adopted to online sales during the period and experimenting in cloud delivery kitchens which helped us sustain Going forward I am to explore and grow my chain of restaurants all across India and abroad I had launched my brand Tandoori Trail in 2005 which continues to grow globally and recently we have opened in Apex North Carolina Tandoori Trail is a tribute to my grandfather Kundan Lal Gujrals culinary journey showcasing and celebrating his original recipes in a modern avatar Vishnu Makhijani can be reached at vishnumakhijaniiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/monish-gujrals-on-the-pickle-trail-takes-you-on-a-global-odyssey-with-its-100-recipes-392958.html Fri, 27 Jan 2023 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/meet-on-birth-death-reincarnation-in-ayodhya-392733.html Ayodhya UP Jan 26 A threeday international conference on Mrityunjay Birth death and reincarnation will be held by the Shankaracharya Vangmaya Seva Parishad in Ayodhya from January 2729 Shankaracharya Vangmaya Seva Parishad is an institution established by Peethadhipathis Acharya Mahamandaleswars Mandaleswars and other saints to promote the message of Sarvatmabhava as taught by Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya to all people without any distinction of caste creed or gender Director of the organisation Shridhar Hegde said Welfare of all is the objective of the conference through scientific and spiritual sessions and panel discussion Seers doctors scientists professors and thinkers from all over the country will ponder over the issues which have been haunting the human mind The organisation recently organised several congregations of saints group chanting of stotras written by Adi Shankaracharya and retreats for professionals in places like Varanasi Lucknow New Delhi Mumbai Haridwar Hyderabad and Bengaluru President of Ramakrishna Math Lucknow Swami Muktinathananda founder of Mahavir Group of Institutions Acharya Kunal Kishore Professor Emeritus Integrated Medicine NIMHANS Bengaluru Dr BN Gangadhar Gastrosurgeon GB Pant Hospital Dr Vageesh Bhat and professor psychiatry AIIMS New Delhi Dr Rajesh Sagar will be present at the event IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/meet-on-birth-death-reincarnation-in-ayodhya-392733.html Thu, 26 Jan 2023 21:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/chinna-jeeyar-daaji-keeravaani-among-padama-awardees-from-telugu-states-392508.html Hyderabad Jan 26 Spiritual leaders Swami Chinna Jeeyar and Kamlesh D Patel music director M M Keeravaani linguist B Ramakrishna Reddy and social worker Sankurathi Chandra Sekhar are among the personalities from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh who have been awarded Padma awards this year for their contributions in their respective fields Both Padma Bhushan awardees are from Telangana Swami Chinna Jeeyar and Patel have been conferred the honour for their contributions in the field of spiritualism Three personalities from Telangana also figure in the list of Padma Shri awardees Seven personalities from Andhra Pradesh have been conferred Padma Shri Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami is religious leader known for his spiritual discourses on Vaishnavism The 66yearold was born in Andhra Pradesh and has his ashram on the outskirts of Hyderabad He is the designer and planner of the Statue of Equality a 216feet tall statue of 11th century social reformer and saint Ramanujacharya The statue said to be the worlds second largest statue in a sitting position was unveiled at Chinna Jeeyars ashram by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February last year Patel fondly called Daajim is the fourth in lineage of the Gurus of Shri Ram Chandra Mission that propounds the Sahaj Marg system of Raj Yoga meditation Since taking charge as the President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission Daaji has also been steering the tenets of the organisation He also founded Heartfulness an organiaation that is bringing the unique meditation practice through Pranahuti an ageold technique revived by the early Gurus of Sri Ram Chandra Mission closer to mankind and making meditation an accessible and free of cost practice Popular Tollywood music director M M Keeravani is among Padma Shri awardees from Andhra Pradesh The 61yearold composer on January 12 received Golden Globe award for best original song Naatu Naatu from SS Rajamoulis blockbuster RRR The song has also received an Oscar nomination in the best original song category The Padma Shri awardees from Telangana are B Ramakrishna Reddy literatureeducation Modadugu Vijay Gupta science and engineering and Hanmantha Rao Pasupuleti medicine Ramakrishna Reddy an 80yearold linguistics professor from Telangana made immense contributions towards preservation of tribal and southern languages like Kuvi Manda and Kui He built a cultural bridge connecting tribal languages with other languages He drafted MandaEnglish dictionary and KuviOriyaEnglish dictionary while also coauthoring five books towards this cause The Padma Shri awardees from Andhra Pradesh are Ganesh Nagappa Krishnarajanagara engineering Keeravaani Arts Abbareddy Nageswara Rao scienceengineering Kota Satchidananda Sastry arts Sankurathri Chandra Sekhar social worker CV Raju Arts and Prakash Chandra Sood literature and education Sekhar is a Kakinadabased social worker who dedicated his life to providing free medical and education services to needy people After losing his wife and two children in the Air India Kanishka bombing he channelised his grief into a lifelong commitment towards betterment of society He was instrumental in the treatment of over 3 lakh eye patients with 90 per cent surgeries free He also provided free education to more than 3500 children from economically weaker sections IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/chinna-jeeyar-daaji-keeravaani-among-padama-awardees-from-telugu-states-392508.html Thu, 26 Jan 2023 09:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/bv-doshi-leaves-behind-irreplaceable-void-in-architecture-industry-392244.html Ahmedabad Jan 25 Balakrishna Vithaldas Doshi who was the first Indian to bag the Pritzker Prize considered architectures highest honour has passed away leaving behind irreplaceable void in architecture industry Born on August 26 1927 in Pune Doshi who right from childhood was interested in arts got admission in the Sir J J School of Arts in Mumbai Later he came in contact with Frances leading architect Le Corbusier who played a very important role in carving channelising and exploring Doshis skill right in India Le Corbusier assigned him to direct the planning and architecture work of Sarabhai Vila Sodhan Villa Ahmedabad Textile Industries Research Association building Doshis architecture is seen in some of the most iconic buildings in India including the Indian Institutes of Management in Bengaluru and Udaipur the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Delhi along with the Amdavad ni Gufa underground gallery the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology the Tagore Memorial Hall Institute of Indology and Premabhai Hall and the private residence Kamala House all in Ahmedabad The Padma Bhusan awardee had also received the RIBA Gold medal Remembering Doshis service in conceptualising institutes Utpal Sharma director Nirma University Ahmedabad said Doshi had supported the Lalbhai family in setting School of Architecture Formerly Centre for Environment Planning and Technology 1962 he had also headed School Planning Sharma shared his rich experience with Doshi and said He guided me to set up the Faculty of Architecture and Planning at Nirma University Doshi breathed his last on Tuesday morning and was cremated in Ahmedabad later in the day IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/bv-doshi-leaves-behind-irreplaceable-void-in-architecture-industry-392244.html Wed, 25 Jan 2023 16:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/nigerian-military-dictatorship-reverberates-at-kochi-biennale-391934.html Kochi Jan 24 A contemporary art illustration by the daughter of noted writer and environmentalhuman rights activist Ken SaroWiwa who was hanged by the Nigerian military dictatorship nearly three decades back raising inspiring memories of her father is among the notable works on display at the fifth edition of the ongoing Kochi Muziris Biennale here Zina SaroWiwa is a firm follower of her father who was martyred on November 10 1995 for his uncompromising loyalty towards nature and the exploited This is evident in the illustration Holy Star Boys The illustration comprises five segments which symbolically reflect the different faces of the cultural and social conditions in the lives of the minority tribal sect Ogonis who are natives of the Niger river valley in the South of Nigeria The Niger river valley is notorious for the destruction that came as a result of extreme environmental pollution and exploitation Zina brings out the condition of Niger river valley inhabitants through two human forms bearing the mask of the Ogoni people resembling that of a deer through her work Holy Star Boys many varied notions and intuitions take shape in the minds of the viewers The illustration in Lightbox Cprint provokes thoughts on the impact that modernization has on traditional culture the dilution it causes the dual standards estrangement and the universal biological principles Holy Star Boys is a blend of those estranged in their homeland says Zina SaroWiwa While the memory of Ken SaroWiwa lives on through his work as an environmentalhuman rights activist poet writer and journalist daughter Zina has attained fame through her video installations documentaries music videos and experimental films A former journalist with the BBC the 47yearold carries on her activities based out of Brooklyn IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/nigerian-military-dictatorship-reverberates-at-kochi-biennale-391934.html Tue, 24 Jan 2023 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/the-chronicler-of-darkness-khalid-jawed-391551.html EDS STANDALONE FEATURE Munnar A vendor sells vegetables in Munnar Sunday Jan 22 2023 People soak up the winter sunlight while keeping themselves protected from the cold at the tourist spot It is time to chill out for them Here they enjoy hot and roasted corn and other food available along the side of the roads They take boat rides and shop at the roadside stalls Clicking selfies is a norm for the visitors PTI By Sukant Deepak New Delhi Jan 23 He speaks slowly and weighs words Pauses Insists that meanings are found in the ones not spoken and amidst spaces left blank That when sentences feel lonely hanging in a vacuum they assume a new identity Author Khalid Jaweds The Paradise of Food Nemat Khana translated by Baran Farooqi from Urdu which won the JCB Prize for Literature in 2022 is not just the story of Hafizuddin Mohammad Babar living in the crumbling ancient house or about vegetables onions or garlic Nor the four women all named Anjum he spends his life with Neither just about what the author calls the most brutal battlefield in the house the kitchen A potent commentary on the times we live in complete with darkness alienation and desires the author tells IANS that for an average family in India the possessiveness towards the kitchen is akin to wars that take place for land and its resources There is a lot of good related to food but let us not forget the darker side It can be a cause of violence fights and a metaphor for unimaginable greed and lust Sometimes I feel food is maybe the only universal language The things we talk about we use our tongue and teeth the same elements we use for eating The speech and eating organs are related to each other Someone who believes that serious literature facilitates insights with poetic tools and does not preach moral lessons are for children Jawed adds that everything need not be in plain sight He however feels that todays audience is just not trained for serious literature We live in a time where soap operasentertaining literature thrive Even the media seems to be an entertainment playground he laments Stressing that it is important that create a strong bridge facilitated by serious critics between writers and readers the author says the writers work is to write from hisher subconscious mind If the writer continues to care whether people can understand it he would not be able to strive for creative excellence The writer for who divorcing alienation and darkness is unthinkable in his fiction says everything is derived from the subconscious that memories make us And someone has to write about the gloom that lurks in our soul that slowly envelops everything around Let us not forget that even when there is light the shadows constantly remind us that the sun will set Stressing we tend to celebrate mostly Urdu poetry and not prose Jawed opines that it is like having a feudal approach towards the language When Urdu is talked about its only about ghazals But like other languages Urdu also has multiple traditions that must meet the world and that will happen only when it is translated The author who has been widely translated into English feels that unless a talented translator and major English publishing house step in an Indian language book may not be able to pierce the haze You can reach the meaning through translation but that is not important in high literature It is the ways in which we reach the meaning that is paramount Precisely why brilliant translators must exist An Associate Professor of Urdu at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi Jawed feels that over the years there has been a marked difference in the kind of students enrolling at the undergraduate level They are not multilingual and not proficient in English and Hindi something that is bound to affect translations from Urdu in the long run Lamenting that the entire Urdu ecosystem needs an overhaul he says Look at Urdu newspapers Leave alone the fact that they are full of mistakes all they are concentrating on is minority issues They will need to have a wider perspective and a more inclusive approach in order to educate their readers and have a stronger voice Stressing that awards like the JCB are important considering the same lead to a massive jump in readership for an author the author whose latest Arsalan Aur Behzad is now out in Urdu adds They maintain honesty and transparency and the jury deals with things deeply The Paradise of Food is not an easy book there are no easily decipherable local themes IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/the-chronicler-of-darkness-khalid-jawed-391551.html Mon, 23 Jan 2023 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/redefining-our-outlook-towards-money-and-capital-391557.html By Vishnu Makhijani New Delhi Jan 23 His first book Anatomy of Froth was an investigative work with some analysis of the root causes of the global financial crisis While it had recommendations its primary focus was to contextualize what caused the crisis His latest book Rethinking Money and Capital on the other hand is a theoretical exposition based on realworld observations Its scope is more conceptual than empirical and aims to redefine our outlook towards money and capital In a sense Anatomy of Froth was the foundational research for Rethinking Money and Capital Swapnil Pawar the Founder of Newrl a leading public Blockchain for mainstream decentralized finance DeFi told IANS in an interview The first book paved the way for a set of questions that could only be answered by an eightyear research project that culminated in Rethinking Money and Capital Its an interesting mix of firstprinciples theory and ontheground observations My earlier work was more focused on root cause analysis while Rethinking Money is focused on overhaul of the entire conceptual foundation of macroeconomic theory In that sense its aspiration is much bigger Pawar elaborated In the book he contends that the fiscal deficit is not counterproductive What is the rationale behind this argument Fiscal deficits are frowned upon because of the assumption that there is a finite pool of savings available for all investments and deficits in the economy If the government takes up a large part of this pool the investment demand will remain unmet This line of thinking is inconsistent with stockflow consistent analysis of an economy Pawar maintained John Maynard Keynes had also pointed out that the savings of a given year matches the investments of that year no matter what the interest rate or policy Because this is an accounting identity and does not depend on behaviour of participants in the economy he added The amount of savings and investment is of course a function of the decisions made by these participants Here if the economy is operating below capacity which is the norm rather than at full capacity which is possible but less common the fiscal deficit actually makes up for the lack of demand from the private sector Pawar maintained This was amply clear in the recent government response to the Covid crisis in the developed world where fiscal stimulus funded by fiscal deficit helped reduce pain for a large multitude of common people in those economies The Indian government unfortunately stayed mired in the mistaken theories of fiscal deficit and let the populace suffer needlessly he elaborated The observation that inflation can jump as a result of excessive stimulus is consistent with this analysis he said adding Fiscal deficits during periods of high capacity utilization are not required and will add to inflationary pressures Pawar also maintains in the book that policy and economy are false dichotomies Why does he think so Economics has been mistakenly thought of as a precise science like Physics As such it is assumed to be above the pushes and pulls of sociopolitical context However in truth it is more like biology in that it is contingent historically driven and too complex to be summarized neatly in a few laws The policy choices in economics are not about the truth of some humanindependent nature but tradeoffs in who benefits and who loses for example in the fight against inflation by creating higher unemployment These tradeoffs are inherently political decisions and as such should be brought into the public discourse as debates rather than being handed down by ivory tower specialists whose models incidentally are broken Pawar explained What are his suggestions for reinvigorating Indias economic policy Indias economic policy should drop the obsession with fiscal deficit and high real interest rates It should also use the banking sector more aggressively The recommendations are as follows Use fiscal deficit to fund public works social capital building and export promotion Use development finance institutions created as banks to fund infrastructure development at a massive scale while preemptively providing for NPAs to some extent Start universal basic income not only to improve quality of lives of the bottom half but also to opt them into the consumption economy and give a fillip to the domestic manufacturing and services sectors focused on these consumers Keep real interest rates negative Widen inflation band of tolerance to 4 per cent10 per cent Use nominal GDP stability as a metric to guide monetary policy instead of inflation How does he foresee the role of blockchain in the Indian economy A lot of Indians still lack access to financial services There has been a lot of innovation in recent years which has undoubtedly improved this state of affairs However a lot more needs to be done Blockchain can improve financial inclusion in India in the following ways It can enable the traditional finance companies to address the needs of the underserved because blockchain technology can improve fraud detection and counterparty assessment Local communities can be empowered to run cooperatives amongst themselves for several financial needs thus reducing the reliance on centralized and highcost banksinsurers etc Collateral of working capital invoices etc can be tokenized for better financing Much food for thought as Budget 202324 comes up Vishnu Makhijani can be reached at vishnumakhijaniiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/redefining-our-outlook-towards-money-and-capital-391557.html Mon, 23 Jan 2023 17:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/100-women-members-of-ficci-visit-kochi-biennale-390969.html Kochi Jan 21 A delegation of 100 women entrepreneurs who are members of FLO the womens chapter of FICCI Federation of India Chamber of Commerce and Industries paid a visit to the ongoing fifth edition of the Kochi Biennale being held here at multiple venues The group led by Jayshree Menon Chairperson had an unforgettable experience as they benefitted immensely from the aesthetic value of the thoughtprovoking creations on display The visit aims to empower women in the field of art learning said Menon The members of FLO which runs many charity organisations will be inspired to work towards the betterment of society after being influenced by the rich ideas presented here she added The Bengalurubased FLO chair said that such artworks enable the audience to find meaning at levels beyond the scope of thoughts That such a diverse exhibition of art is being held in my own country is a rich experience in life The delegations visit was coordinated by TS Prasad Director of the Sandeep and Gitanjali Maini Foundation Bengaluru with a focus on art heritage and culture The foundation which runs its own art gallery has an education project aimed at bringing people closer to contemporary art IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/100-women-members-of-ficci-visit-kochi-biennale-390969.html Sat, 21 Jan 2023 15:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/writing-is-about-upholding-beliefs-that-we-think-are-important-nobel-laureate-abdulrazak-gurnah-390458.html Jaipur Jan 19 Stressing that the act of writing is not just about nobility and bravely but also the ordinary mundane business of keeping alive what is important Nobel laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah while delivering the keynote address on writing as a form of resistance during the inaugural day of the Jaipur Literature Festival JLF said Resistance to forgetfulness to not allowing what we know and what we remember to pass away unnoticed The TanzanianBritish Nobel Prize winner emphasised In an important way there is a kind of a responsibility in that there is also resistance to distraction to having our minds taken away from what it should be focussing on and getting distracted by other things that might appear at first more appealing interesting or immediate Gurnah also said that resistance is not about fighting tyrants or standing on platforms and making powerful speeches to energize people but It is about upholding those ideas and beliefs that we think are important This year the festival will host several major thinkers writers and speakers over the next five days till January 23 Authors William Dalrymple Namita Gokhale and Sanjoy K Roy also addressed the audience Roy shared how with over 80 per cent of attendees under the age of 25 in 2020 the Festival has found a niche among Indias young The Festival has tried to take into account the future of this young demographic by attempting to go carbon neutral Author Namita Gokhale spoke at length about the diverse languages that the Festival has come to represent in this edition there will be speakers from over 20 Indian languages and 14 international languages making this an event that represents the diversity of its attendees Dalrymple said that this edition will include winners of the most coveted literary awards from around the world including the Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah the Man Booker prize winners Geetanjali Shree and Daisy Rockwell among many others IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/writing-is-about-upholding-beliefs-that-we-think-are-important-nobel-laureate-abdulrazak-gurnah-390458.html Fri, 20 Jan 2023 01:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/a-mansion-from-debris-at-kochi-biennale-390407.html Kochi Jan 19 A tastefully done up pavilion depicting a mansion built out of reusable material like stone mud bricks thread and debris is attracting a significant public attention at the ongoing Kochi bienalle here Named Container of Hope the pavilion is a 4000 square feet structure with a roof sans concrete a wonder by its design standing in harmony with nature The construction designed by the famous Samira Rathod speaks volumes of possibilities from debris and new ideas is a result of the hard work of almost 60 labourers from Kochi Kolkata and Delhi across 30 days and nights while braving the unexpected December rains While the shining stars of the night sky are visible through its roof it also lets the Suns rays trickle in during the day Even then a gentle cool and comfortable lilt prevails within it No material which cannot be reused has been used for the construction of the pavilion and upon dismantling this temporary construction no waste will reach the earth this is its significance said Samira The four walls of the structure are filled with stones pieces of brick red stone and debris from building construction The floor is made of granite pieces stone and cement from quarries The large roof above contains a layer of transparent plastic on which stones are plastered along with soil and mud It is to protect the monitors and speakers in the pavilion that plastic had to be used on the roof said Samira The most attractive feature of the pavilion is the big glass shutters fixed on the walls Neethu Lekshmi Fenil Soni and Kiran Keluskar all of them architects at the Samira Rathod Design Atelier stayed in Fort Kochi for a month overseeing the construction of the pavilion There are two thought streams behind the construction of the Biennale Pavilion said ASamira One is the reuse of the remains of buildings Second is the poetic nature of the construction We see a building in its complete form Normally the backfilling used in the walls or basement remains hidden We had the desire to have a transparent construction So this backfilling is visible from the outside Biennale literally means taking new ideas to the public through the medium of arts After the Biennale the pavilion can be completely dismantled and reconstructed at any place according to requirements If more studies are carried out and proper maintenance is given such buildings can be used for a long time said Samira IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/a-mansion-from-debris-at-kochi-biennale-390407.html Thu, 19 Jan 2023 22:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/bengal-governor-ananda-bose-to-learn-bengali-390185.html Kolkata Jan 19 ACV Ananda Bose the new governor of West Bengal will soon take Bengali lessons sources said here on Thursday A ceremonial beginning as per Hindu rituals will start on January 26 which besides being the Republic Day is also the occasion of Saraswati Goddess of learning Puja they added Hate Khori which is the ceremonial beginning of the process of learning as per Hindu rituals will be organised on January 26 afternoon at the East Lawn of the complex the Governors house informed Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been specially invited to attend the function Incidentally soon after taking charge as the governor Bose attended a literary meet on December 25 last year and expressed the desire of writing a book on his experiences of working as a constitutional head of West Bengal I feel proud to come to this state as its Governor The literary and cultural heritage of West Bengal with icons like Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore is so rich The Bengali language is like the Pacific Ocean Bengal in itself is Indias pride I consider myself as an adopted son of this state In the long run I have a dream to write a book about my experiences as the governor of the state Bose had said then The new governer often recalls his association with West Bengal as he started his professional career as probationary officer with State Bank of India SBI in Kolkata He recalls his memories of working as a bank officer with different branches with SBI in the city then He also expresses delight of having the surname of Bose associated with his family name considering that the same surname was associated with the great Indian revolutionary freedom fighter Netaji Subhash IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/bengal-governor-ananda-bose-to-learn-bengali-390185.html Thu, 19 Jan 2023 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/jaipur-lit-fest-begins-350-speakers-including-gulzar-tharoor-to-mark-their-presence-390189.html Jaipur Jan 19 16th edition of Jaipur Literature Festival has returned to Pink City after a year ushering in a festive feel as it brings along 350 speakers from across the globe associated with literature music art and film from across the world This unique festival shall continue from January 19 to 23 at Hotel Clarks Amer in Jaipur The inaugural ceremony on Thursday was addressed by Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah in Front Lawn from 950 am onwards The theme for this year is Utsav celebrating the colours of Rajasthan and displaying bright colours Indian weddings make statements with its vibrant colours extravagant celebrations resonating music and sharing the happiness of a new start With its decor Jaipur Literature Festival 2023 tried to replicate the same joy for the audience which they take away from an Indian traditional celebration The entire decor and theme for this year is an amalgamation of Indian cultural heritage and its vibrant nature The speakers will discuss global issues along with art literature and music Since the theme this time for the Jaipur Literature Festival is Utsav Hotel Clarks Amer has been decorated with Rajasthani colours and artefacts Producer of Jaipur Literature Festival Sanjoy Roy said that this time the festival is being organised on the green concept in which no card is required People will be able to attend the festival by just showing their barcode after online registration Once they enter they shall get to see colourful cultural programmes along with contemplation and brainstorming issues related to literature art and music Some of the key sessions include The Essential Abdulrazak Gurnah in which Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah will be in conversation with British publishing legend Alexandra Pringle Gurnah fled Zanzibar as a teenager following the Revolution of 1964 His striking and formidable works include Memory of Departure Pilgrims Way Dottie Paradise By the Sea Desertion and his most recent Afterlives which examines the German colonial force in East Africa and the lives of Tanganyikans as they work grieve and love in the darkening shadow of war The other sessions include Seven Moons of Maali Almeida in which Shehan Karunatilaka will be in conversation with Nandini Nair Sustaining Democracy Nurturing Democracy in which Shashi Tharoor will be in conversation with Tripurdaman Singh Overall 350 speakers will participate in the festival A total of 21 Indian and 14 international languages will be presented in the 16th edition of the festival Speakers and panellists include last years International Booker Prize winner for Tomb of Sand Gitanjali Shree Gulzar with Booker winner Bernardin Evaristo Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia Shobhaa De Shabana Azmi Javed Akhtar Shashi Tharoor Aanchal Malhotra Amish Tripathi Wellknown faces like Sudha Murthy Ashwin Sanghi filmmaker Onir Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah and former Special Director of the Indian Intelligence Bureau Amarjit Singh Dulat will also mark their presence in the event Many musical and cultural programmes will also take place during the five days of the literary festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/jaipur-lit-fest-begins-350-speakers-including-gulzar-tharoor-to-mark-their-presence-390189.html Thu, 19 Jan 2023 12:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/books/noted-assamese-poet-nilmani-phookan-passes-away-at-89-390306.html Guwahati Jan 19 Noted Assamese poet and Jnanpith awardee Nilmani Phookan passed away on Thursday He was 89 Phookan was undergoing treatment at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital GMCH due to oldage related health issues He died at the hospital around 1155 am Speaking to the media here Abhijit Sarma superintendent of GMCH said that the poet was being treated by doctors from the cardiology neurology anesthesia and medicine departments Phookan complained of difficulty in breathing and was admitted to the GMCH from a private hospital on Tuesday for advanced treatment Sarma said that the poet had contracted septic shock that spread throughout his body He was given antibiotics to treat the infection Phookan was undergoing noninvasive ventilation NIV at the hospital The poet was born in Dergaon in Golaghat district on September 10 1933 He received his Masters degree in History from Guwahati University in 1961 He started writing poetry in the early 1950s Phookans poems were replete with French symbolism which he infused in his Assamese poetry His notable works include Surya Henu Name Ahe Ei Nodiyedi Gulapi Jamur Lagna and Kobita He won the Jnanpith Award Indias highest literary award for the year 2021 He was also awarded the 1981 Sahitya Akademi Award in Assamese for his poetry collection Kobita He received the Padma Shri in 1990 and the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship the highest literary honour in India in 2022 Phookan was a lecturer at Arya Vidyapeeth College where he worked until his retirement in 1992 He also translated Japanese and European poetry into Assamese IANS https://dailyworld.in/books/noted-assamese-poet-nilmani-phookan-passes-away-at-89-390306.html Thu, 19 Jan 2023 17:25:00 +0530