A Wealth of SCHOLARSHIP
THE CHANDAYAN
Translated by Richard J. Cohen; with essays by Naman P. Ahuja, Vivek Gupta & Qamar Adamjee MARG
₹4,500; 430 pages
The Chandayan, a 14th century Sufi romance composed in Awadhi, is the most sumptuous offering of bound pages in 2024, both in content-the visuals and text-as well as the quality of production. The continuing ishq between languages, cultures, and people' that Marg's general editor Naman P. Ahuja begins his lead essay with, continues with other scholars. This winter, rasikas won't need to sit by the fireplace and warm their bodies and souls. The poet Da'ud's observations and nuances, so well translated by Richard J. Cohen and accompanied by 530 illustrations from the Sultanate period, shall do it all. There are brilliant, multi-layered essays by Qamar Adamjee, who quotes Salman Rushdie, in 'Wonder Tales' on the 'truth' which gives longevity to such tales: 'We find resources within ourselves we did not know we possessed, and so we rise to the challenge'. Vivek Gupta's brilliance, entitled 'Inscribing Orality,' also merits a read: 'A Hinduki song in Turki Script.'
BOMBAY DECO
By Sharada Dwivedi and Rahul Mehrotra PICTOR ₹3,995; 200 pages
Bombay Deco by Sharada Dwivedi and Rahul Mehrotra, and published by Pictor, is a jewel of a book. It comes after UNESCO's recognition of Bombay's interpretation of the French movement les Arts Décoratif, better known as Art Deco. This revised new version of the book is fascinating for me as the well-built Marine Drive, Oval and other buildings I saw as a child, grow beyond the transitory, inch-deep Indian decorative whims and merge officially with the international movement of the 1930s-1950s to become our living Art Deco metromuseum of pride. Long live our urban conservation movements.
RUMINATIONS
101 & More Short Essays on the Spirit of Indian Art by B.N. Goswamy PENGUIN/ALLEN LANE
This story is from the January 13, 2025 edition of India Today.
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This story is from the January 13, 2025 edition of India Today.
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
TIME TO CHOOSE OUR HEROES WISELY
A quiet but significant debate has been reignited following the release of the film Chhaava—should India continue to preserve the tomb of Emperor Aurangzeb who history unequivocally remembers as a cruel, repressive and sectarian ruler? Expectedly, the debate is heated and polarised.
A TIMELESS LEGACY
The launch of The Amrut Expedition—the oldest single malt ever made in India—has ushered a golden moment for the country's spirits. Here's why Indian whisky is pro age.
Rediscovering The mountains
WHY SIKKIM SHOULD BE ON YOUR TRAVEL ITINERARY THIS SUMMER
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE
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THE MYSTIC MANSION
THE Park Hotels' foray into Chettinad with THE Lotus Palace, a heritage property that is a marvel of restoration and quiet luxury.
MANNA FROM HEAVEN
Bread, one of the most simple and enduring staples, is having its moment. So much so that bread is The Dish right now. Here's to the rise and rise of artisanal breads.
State of the Art
The Indian art market is at a tipping point and likely to grow exponentially over the next few years with a younger breed of collectors fuelling growth.
GIORGIO ARMANI TAKES MANHATTAN AGAIN
Veteran designer Giorgio Armani talks about his triumphant return to New York and why his clothes are fashionable again.
WHY ARE WE DIGGING GRAVES OF THE PAST?
The demand to dismantle the grave of Aurangzeb is only the latest in a drama series of which some episodes have been aired while others are in the pipeline.
THE BORN-AGAIN STARS
Reclaiming their feminine energy and inner brilliance, this is an inward journey of self discovery.
