Looking back with wonder

It’s a tryst with tradition and Indian culture that has engrossed theatre personality and documentary filmmaker G S Channi. Written by eminent historians,The History and Culture of Indian People comprises a mammoth 11 volumes and Channi hopes to read them all. Though it is the Delhi Sultanate that he’s pondering over for the moment.

“There are around 900 pages,and though I have never been a history student,the series has been presented like a novel. Unlike history books which scare you,the beauty of these volumes is that they are not political textbooks in fact,they are extremely readable,informative and an absorbing account of India’s history,culture,rulers and a fresh insight into the politics of the past and present,” Channi says,adding that a project on Forts of India for Doordarshan made him pick up the volume.

“It is going to add value to my work and is a must read for those who are interested in art and culture,” remarks Channi as he reads out excerpts from the book,which talk of some unknown facets of Akbar,Allah-ud-din Khilji and Tughlaq.

The Vedic Age,Classical Age,imperial rule,Mughal empire,Marathas and struggle for freedom are a few of the topics that Channi has already gone through. “There is no book which boasts of covering all these aspects in such detail,that too in a way that makes it difficult for anyone to put it down,” smiles Channi. Read on.