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Journalism of Courage
Ten Indian Classics (Rs 599, The Murty Classical Library of India) is a collection of stories and poems drawn from over 2,500 years of Indian literary history, from the 6th century BC to the 18th century. It dips into legendary waters like the ghazals of Mir Taqi Mir, Tulsidas’s telling of the Ramayana and the chronicles of Mughal emperor Akbar, all in one slim volume, translated by world-renowned scholars and introduced by acclaimed poet Ranjit Hoskote.
Handmade in India (Rs 4,950, Mapin) edited by Aditi Ranjan and MP Ranjan is a resource for designers, connoisseurs and beginners alike. It delves into the rich history and diversity of handicraft in India, from Kashmir’s Pinjrakari and Khatumband woodwork to Ladakh’s Paabu (stitched boot), from Lucknow’s Chikankari embroidery to Ahmedabad’s Khadi or tinsel printing. It draws from field work, research and contains detailed photos of the crafts exhibited.
A Drop in The Ocean (Rs 599, Speaking Tiger) by Syeda Saiyidain Hameed is a memoir by the writer, activist and educationist. It tells the story of how she rose to become a cultural ambassador translating the likes of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Sarmad Shaheed, worked her entire life to advance the cause of women and minorities — both from within government and without — and was mentored by giants of history like Indira Gandhi, Khwaja Ahmed Abbas and Khushwant Singh.
Speaking with Nature (Rs 799, HarperCollins) by Ramachandra Guha is an account of over 100 years of environmental history far from Europe and America, where the story usually begins. It explores the writing of individuals from varied disciplines such as writer Rabindranath Tagore, sociologist Radhakamal Mukerjee, economist JC Kumarappa and botanists Albert and Gabrielle Howard to depict how environmentalism was a thriving movement in the subcontinent long before the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring.
Rated A (Rs 695, Zubaan) by Darshana Sreedhar Mini explores the upsurge of interest in soft-pornographic Malayalam films in 1990s Kerala, using the lens to explore India’s import policy, relationship with sexuality and treatment of women in the entertainment industry. It draws from extensive archival material and interviews, particularly the influence of local pulp fiction, the diaspora’s access to pirated versions of the films and how the production staff navigate their social lives.
