Disrupting the Ecosystem: Is Bengaluru India’s New Literary Capital?
Over the decade, a number of literary giants have emerged from Bengaluru—including Vivek Shanbagh, Madhuri Vijay, and more—to garner worldwide critically acclaim. Kamalpreet Singh Gill argues that the trend is a sign of the country’s ‘Silicon Valley’ evolving into the new heartbeat of Indian literature.
Where the Fires Burn
In her captivating debut novel A Burning, Megha Majumdar reports on the searing flames that ignite the ambitions of aspiring Indians—or destroy them. Review by Karan Madhok.
Pardesi Pahadi: Five books on the Himalaya and other Mountains
From Bandarpunch and Nanda Devi to the Annapurna and more, Zachary Conrad recommends five must-read books for a better understanding of the mountains we seek to scale—beyond us, and within us.
Utterly United by Dark: Sarvesh Wahie’s poetry in the time of isolation
The nihilistic poetry collection Black Verses (2018) by Sarvesh Wahie offers a call for pure meditation, of accepting oneself in a vacuum. Review by Karan Madhok.
Sita and Draupadi: The Unmaking and Remaking of India’s Mythological Heroines
In the comparisons between Sita and Draupadi, Urmi Bhattacheryya argues how the trope of ‘the other woman’ has hurt feminism in Indian mythology.
A Hanumanic Leap: Why we must let India's mythological epics evolve beyond religion
With the Ramayan and Mahabharat back on TV, Karan Madhok writes about the importance of celebrating the complex fictions of the myths, rather than accepting them as gospel truth.
Mussoorie Writers: Arvind Mehrotra reads from his translation of SONGS OF KABIR
A short film from Mussoorie Writers, featuring Arvind Mehrotra reading from his 2011 translation of Songs of Kabir.
Empowered Women of Indian Mythology: Sudha Murty’s THE DAUGHTER FROM A WISHING TREE
Sudha Murty’s book is rich and empowered offering of many women, many goddesses, many warriors, and many queens, all coming together to tell you one thing: that they’re makers of their own destinies - writes Urmi Bhattacheryya
Mussoorie Writers: Ganesh Saili reads from GUPP AND GOSSIP FROM THE HILLS
A short film from Mussoorie Writers, featuring Ganesh Saili reading from his 2012 book Gupp and Gossip from the Hills.
Writing Ahead: The 2020s in Indian Fiction
At the recent Literary Festival in Jaipur, Karan Madhok spoke to a number of critically and commercially successful Indian writers about the future of fiction, on how the new wave will shape the novels of the next decade.
Mussoorie Writers: Colleen and Hugh Gantzer read from INTRIGUING INDIA: THE ALLURING NORTH
A short film from Mussoorie Writers, featuring Colleen and Hugh Gantzer reading from their 2011 travelogue The Alluring North, part of their Intriguing India series.
Mussoorie Writers: Bill Aitken reads from THE NANDA DEVI AFFAIR
A short film from Mussoorie Writers, featuring Bill Aitken reading from his 1994 book, The Nanda Devi Affair