yet again ... getting lost ... then enjoying self-discovery ...

  Book fairs and book stores as learning spaces Nimesh Ved and Anshumalika Rai Published at Deccan Herald. Thanks to the team there, to the book store teams that allowed us to put in time with books and to friends who accompanied us to the book fairs. Trips to book-stores and book-fairs during recent times have had us wonder why these are not looked at as learning spaces. Not as much as they warrant for sure. We have come across children and teachers at book-fairs but these appear more of exceptions given our numbers and the immense potential these spaces harbour. But first, what we do at these spaces. Let us begin with the book-fairs. The sheer numbers of books we see at the annual book-fair at Dilli we have not come across elsewhere. Images of people squatting on the floor, chatting excitedly about books and carrying bags full of books have stayed with us since. The smaller book-fairs, like those at the university campuses in Banaras, were different. Here we noticed ...

  India’s Classical Music and Dance Shrinkhla Sahai Publisher: Red Panda (An imprint of Westland Publications) Year: 2021 ISBN: 9789390679065   About the book Number of pages: 87. Sections: 3 ( Introduction, Indian Classical Music and Indian Classical Dance ). All pages are in colour and there is an extensive use of both – illustrations and photographs. Topic: Not an easy book to come out with - especially given that many of us would have heard of these arts but few would have clarity on. And, of course, the potential details that one could venture into. Presentation: The book carries a informal and non-serious look. This is welcome considering that many, especially those not associated with dance and music, have a not-easy-to-explain fear of the classical arts.   Price: 399/-. Very reasonable given the production quality.   Where I stand I am neither a performer of Indian Classical Dance or Indian Classic Music nor have I read on the topi...

A Saint, a folk talk and other stories Lesser-known monuments of India Rana Safvi First Impression: 2021 Publishers: Rupa Pages: 235 Price: 295/- ISBN: 978-93-5520-085-3 Published at the Purple Pencil Project .    This is a collection of articles – 19 on different monuments (most of these in northern India) and 1 on the graves of select poets. I read this book at a time when I have been exploring places in and around eastern Uttar Pradesh where I am based. The focus is on visiting sites of historical importance. Those I have visited recently include Saidpur (Bhitari), Chunar and Jaunpur . In the process I have got some idea of the archaeological, historical and cultural wealth which dots the landscape. Wealth not hidden but located amidst a densely populated region. And, despite all this the awareness regarding some of these gems is at best low. This book makes the reader aware to some such monuments. Those away from the limelight but every much as ...

Amrita Sher-gil Rebel with a paintbrush Anita Vachharajani (With illustrations by Kalyani Ganpathy) Number of pages: 182 First published: 2018 Publishers: HarperCollins P-ISBN: 978-93-5277-473-9 Amrita Some time ago a friend talked of how the mahaul one grows up amidst has an everlasting impact on our lives. We discussed Shabana Azmi – how the scholars she would have interacted with and the poetry she would have heard during her childhood (and youth) would have been an initiation with few parallels to learning language and a lot more. Similarly, Indira Gandhi - the museum at Allahabad shows her with Mohandas Gandhi in one image, with Rabindranath Tagore in another and so on during his childhood (and youth); add to this her being so widely travelled during those. Amrita appears to have a childhood on similar lines. A childhood which shaped her life. Her father counted Muhammed Iqbal, the poet, amongst his friends. Photography was a hobby and he bought a camera during the 1890’s. Her unc...

These seasonal waterfalls are also a source of joy and fun. Devdari and Rajdari are 2 better known names but there are others as well.  Fun places these are to laze in water.  We have put in a few hours (and more) during each trip. And old camera and lack of skills do not do justice to the places here - but then the waterfalls would be used to this! Waters and surroundings are clean - other than for the mess we humans generate. This - left over plastic and food (including cooking paraphernalia) - is a very avoidable mess. Welcome surprises these in the vicinity of the town! For some reason places like these also bring out happy conversations ~ Many years ago a friend's sister had asked the friend and I - why do you always go to places where you get to bathe?  The saga continues. 

Pillars (Laats) of ancient times surviving in the region are today associated with Ashoka (the great) and Alexandar Cunningham for very different reasons. One for the encouragement and support that enabled the pillars to come into existence in the first place and the other for taking steps to protect what little remained of those times. There are questions on the age of the pillars and hence Ashoka's association. However, there appears to be no questions on Cunningham's efforts. This particular site (near Zamania) while being large and open when compared to couple of others that we have been to offered no information of any sorts. It boasts of a treed pathway, large walled compound, few benches (not in a great state) and one board in a condition that rendered any sort of reading and comprehending impossible! The pillar has smoothened with rains and heat of the centuries. Towards the top the age driven withering is visible. The pillar stands, somewhat tilted in isolation.  Faith...

More from the pre March 2020 memories A decked up temple - one that lends its name to the locality This 6 day festival (shringar) is an annual feature Our love for giving instructions, putting locks Shovana Narayan performed that evening I wondered how she managed in that small space amidst the chaos At Banaras we artists perform for ourselves and for the craft - she had said Some saw it on the screens Here I came across more women than other similar events in town Some continued to line up - to meet God All around one saw people and low hanging fruits (decoration) Someday, I recall thinking then, I want to be like him Irrespective of all the action around I will read what I want to and thank the book (and its creators)

Kaithi Ganga appears different here from the one at Banaras Calmer, wider and at times almost a different being This is very near to Markandey Mahadev One of the better know temples of Shiva This is also where Gomti meets the Ganga Gomti flows between Banaras and Ghazipur in this stretch Dhakwa  During recent years has got famous for Dolphin sightings We, of course, could not spot one This place has a special feel to it, a Peepal tree adds to this feel A place where one would want to go and just be Both places stand approximately 5 kms from each other

Wrestling  (memories from the pre March 2020 era)  On Naag Panchmi, an annual feature In the open, on a raised platform, not far from home Participants came from near and far  Crowd (men only) was enthusiastic and commentators funny  A mela came up around the spot (children had fun!) A different version  State level competition (men and women) Quality arrangement (including medical facility) An audience unbothered by the rains  Waiting for the dangal to re-begin

A Pilgrimage to Kashi Banaras, Varanasi, Kashi History, Mythology and Culture of the Strangest and the most Fascinating city in India By: Gol Publisher: Indica Books First edition: 1999 ISBN: 81-86569-14-6 This book talks about the glory of Banaras' past and also (in a way, towards the end) posits its place in our country today. Banaras and country of the time when the book was published. I make this distinction as a lot has changed since. I read this book towards end of 2021 and beginning of 2022 as Banaras is host to state driven construction action of gargantuan proportions and a media driven tourism spree.  The images in the book are vivid and showcase exceptional familiarity with Banaras and its people besides, of course, a very high degree of skill in the craft. Images depicting the Aadi Keshav temple stand out as does the one where Dilip is shown on a chair with folded legs while his mother serves food to others! The text captures the essence of the town. It talks of Banaras...