It is a rainswept Monday afternoon in the capital. Pools of water reflect the green. Ritu Menon—feminist, writer, editor and publisher—stands in her home filled with books, and two cats that stay outside. It has been a giddy week for publishing in India with Geetanjali Shree winning the International Booker for her book, Tomb of Sand. One half of Kali for Women—a publishing house that embarked on translation before it became a buzzword—Menon is very much a pioneer in the industry. Across the road, in a tiny red book-lined office in Shahpur Jat, is the other half of the original team: Urvashi Butalia.
Their link with the International Booker is tenuous. It is at best a story that is likely to get lost in the six degrees of separation. In Indian publishing, however, it is often closer to three. But after the win, this link should perhaps be centre-stage. Mai, Shree’s first book to be translated into English, was published by Kali. (It is this translation which made Deborah Smith, Shree’s publisher in the UK, determined to publish her.)
Smith is not the only one. Much before the big publishers signed up authors who have now become very much part of the English landscape, it was independent publishers who first took the risk. They brought into English names that have now become common, like Ismat Chughtai, Salma, Bama and Qurratulain Hyder.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock