34 minute read
Israel-India ties
Shraman Jha, Director-Marketing, Communications and Fundraising WWF India, said,“It is a unique partnership bringing together the two national heritages of India- handlooms and tigers together. Five decades of dedicated efforts to conserve tigers in India has brought out some significant results, a thriving population of big cats, the highest among all tiger range countries. We thank Warp ‘n Weft for conceptualising and weaving the banarasi handloom collection to celebrate the tiger.” On National Handloom Day, threading and working with the Banarasi Handloom under the vision and passionate enterprise of the Founder, Ms Sagrika Rai, for the upliftment and promotion of this artisanal craftsmanship and empowerment of weavers in the industry. Emphasizing the relevance of the project ‘Chakradhara’, MsSagrika Rai, Founder & Creative Director, Warp ‘n Weft, said, “It is a strong, impactful collaboration between two ethical institutions. We pledge to contribute a part of the sales proceeds to WWF India, contributing to nature and wildlife conservation. We hope this handwoven project will further bring the deserved boost to tiger conservation and spread the word far and wide”. A wildlife enthusiast, Rai’s husband, Dinkar Rai- took a picture of a tiger in Bandhavgarh National Reserve, which was used as the central basis for this project. Smitten by the beauty of the majestic Bengal Tiger, the team at Warp ‘n Weft created a tiger face graphed, loomed, and engineered to precision. After many iterations got close to the original photograph with the ethnic style of nakshikadhwa, a signaturetechnique
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Upendra Prasad Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India with Mr Sunil Sethi, Chairman, FDCI and Sagrika Rai (the creator of the collection)
this process, commissioning the grassroots master weavers from the historic handloom clusters of Varanasi with decades-long experience. The base texture of the fabric is a combination of natural yarns that harkens to the forest grasslands of India, ‘Chakradhara’, the lively meadows inside the Bandhavgarh National Reserve- taking inspiration from where the photo was taken. “Chakradhara” is a collection that weaves together the tiger’s stripes, its kinship with nature, and its commitment to sustainability while evoking the very best of Indian craftsmanship and culture. This project expresses a passion for tigers that has the potential to significantly improve Indian audiences’ awareness of and still-evolving attitudes toward the preservation of the species, of nature, and of our forested regions. With their distinctive handloom project “Chakradhara,” Warp ‘n Weft, a textile company that creates pure handloom Banarasi textiles, partners with WWF India to commemorate the Year of the Tiger and the conservation efforts to help the animal’s flourishing population.
of Banarasi Handloom weaving. The commitment to sustainability has remained paramount throughout
Fashion celebrating 30 years of Israel-India ties
A special fashion shoot in Israel with a capsule collection by Indian designer Sahil Kochhar
The Israeli Embassy in India worked with Indian designer Sahil Kochhar to present a special collection for men and women that was influenced by the breathtaking Israeli landscapes to commemorate 30 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and India. This undertaking is a component of the “Yachad” campaign, a Hebrew term that means “together.” On August 17, a celebration event was held in Delhi to mark the anniversary. Project participants from India and diplomats from the Israeli Embassy met there to share ideas and experiences. Speaking at the launch of the Mumbai store, Tarun Tahiliani, Creative Director, Indivinity Clothing P. Ltd, said, “TASVA has been a long-time dream of mine which has been possible because of ABFRL. The name itself stands for the best version of oneself and we have worked hard to achieve this through TASVA. For the longest I heard people say that ethnic wear is uncomfortable and TASVA is an attempt to change that. We have created garments that give our consumer, the Indian Man – a fabulously made, internationally constructed, comfortable, well cut Indian brand with Tarun Tahiliani styling yet with complete accessibility of pricing.” Commenting on the launch, Sandeep Pal, CEO, TASVA, said: “We are excited to launch our flagship store in the financial capital of the country. The exclusive brand outlet is strategically located in the western suburb of the city which is easily accessible. TASVA is here to change the experience of wearing traditional and fusion Indian clothing into that of unmatched comfort with style. Having established a strong customer connect and a proven business model, we plan to increase our retail footprint taking the brand to many other cities, taking our presence to 75 stores across India by March 2023.”
On this occasion, the Ambassador of Israel to India H.E. NaorGilon said, “This is a first-of-its-kind project which we hope will open doors for future possibilities and collaborations between the people of Israel and India in the diverse fields of culture, fashion and lifestyle. Showcasing Indian designs inspired by Israeli landscapes led to this beautiful project, which has further strengthened the close friendship and growing partnership between our two nations.” Designer Sahil Kochhar said, “Yachad, means coming together and that is the essence behind this special collaboration. It is a celebration of 30 years of friendship between Israel and India. This collection and campaign we have shot around it are very special to me as it represents two beautiful cultures coming together. The collection is inspired by the diverse landscapes of Israel, incorporating the same as artwork on the clothes.” The designer and his team spent months searching Israel for the top creative talent for this campaign. Models from all over Israel, including the younger generation from many walks of life, sports, artists, surfers, and members of the nation’s parkour community, were chosen in addition to professional models. The Embassy exposed a side of Israel that the Indian people might not be familiar with through this effort. Several locations in Israel, including the Dead Sea, Eilat, Gan Hashlosha, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem, were used for the fashion shoot.
TASVA launches Mumbai Flagship Store
Men’s ethnicwear brand TASVA, created in partnership with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited, and renowned designer Tarun Tahiliani, has officially opened in Mumbai. The enormous 4,000 square foot flagship store is situated in Santacruz (W). It has a regal exterior and tasteful interiors, along with the full product line, of new Indian and fusion collection. The collection features silks, cottons, and brocades among other textiles as it honours a wide range of traditional crafts with a contemporary touch. The collection explores pastel colours like mint green, ivory, and salmon pink as well as a wide spectrum of colour spanning from milder tones of yellow to deep blues and tropical hues. It is exquisitely embellished with ikkat designs, Banarasi motifs, and chikankari.
With this new store, customers will be spoiled for choice when choosing from the wide array of expertly fashioned sherwanis, bandhgalas, achkans, bundis, kurtas, all the bottoms - churidars, Aligarhis, and much more, all crafted with impeccable attention to detail and design. The entire collection available at the store features smart, stylish, subtle ensembles. Accessories including safas, sarpeches, brooches, pocket squares, buttons, sehras, stoles, shawls, and footwear are also available. The store’s layout and decor reflect Tarun’s design philosophy of “India Modern” and reflect how Indian consumers have changed over time to now look for more expression and meaning in their purchases. The store, which was created in partnership with Co-Design, serves as a gateway to a new world of Indian fit by utilising opulent materials such as wood, brass, and ancient Rajasthani architraves. The new shop is specifically designed for the global Indian, who, while travelling the globe, still feels like an Indian and upholds traditional values. As a result, the TASVA flagship shop in Mumbai was designed with a modern perspective that is yet grounded in a traditional way of thinking.
Since its inception, TASVA has sought to rethink the Indian male celebratory experience, whether it is dressing the Indian groom or making magnificent statements in the pantheon of traditional celebrations. the brand is an amalgamation of the Sanskrit words Tat (that) and Sva (me/mine), denoting all that is me, all that is mine. And it does it in Tarun’s distinctive fashion, which combines classic sartorial refinement with modern cool, refined luxury, and meticulous craftsmanship. All on the same body, in the same movement, and at the same time!
Grooming habits we sometimes overlook
Clip your nails every fortnight, and if you’re feeling fancy, get a quick mani-pedi at your barbershop By Kruti Sheth
We thought we should discuss some grooming details that are occasionally, would you let anything detract from your good looks? They say it’s all about the little things. if not frequently, forgotten. Why
Eyebrow maintenance
Keeping your glabella, that is the part between your eyebrows and above your nose, would make your eyebrows look a lot cleaner and sharper. Unless you have a unibrow, just a little bit of plucking and/or threading would make a world of difference.
Moisturizing
Lips. Elbows. Knees. Feet:
Chapped lips draw a lot of attention. And while elbows, knees and feet might not be focal points, but when they are dry and like sandpaper, they do get noticed. It wouldn’t take a long regime to get them in order. Just a little bit of moisturizer on these parts before bed, and you’re set. If you think that cleaning your body with water is all the hydration you need, you are dead wrong. While drinking water hydrates your body, splashing water on your skin makes it dry and flaky because it will wash the oils away from it.
Nose and ears waxing
It’s important to trim hair from your nose and ears. Find a barbershop that offers waxing for nose and ears, they hurt a lot less than you’d expect. And lesser hair in nose and ears mean lesser dirt accumulation.
Nail clipping
Short and clean is the way to go. You might not know when, but women notice the little things. Clip your nails every fortnight, and if you’re feeling fancy, get a quick mani-pedi at your barbershop. Who minds soft hands and feet! And the mini massages are a bonus.
Bathroom Etiquettes
If you share a bathroom with someone, a carpet of beard trimmings in the sink might become a matter of friction with your roommate. It takes about 30 seconds to run water over it, or an easier solution is just trimming in the shower. If you are too busy, we can understand; this is where The Lair comes in. It’s a straightforward idea: fantastic grooming at affordable costs where gentlemen may just stop by, spend a little time there, or just stop in for a fast haircut, but the cornerstone is for men to just be. Enjoy your relaxation as you admire your impeccable grooming!
(Kruti Sheth, Founder, The Lair, Barbershop) Edelweiss extracts can be a part of your daily skincare routine for supple, hydrated, youthful, and radiant skin By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe
Every day, our skin is exposed to millions of dust, dirt, and pollution particles, not to of us go above and beyond the basics when it comes to taking care of our skin, certain ingredients can mention the impurities we transfer onto our face when we touch it. But these aren’t exclusive to the outdoors; they exist within our homes as well. Even the gases and particulate matter from cooking oil and air fresheners can settle onto our skin. Such constant exposure to external aggressors can take a heavy toll on our skin, clogging our pores and making our skin dull, dry, and aged, especially for city dwellers. But we all want radiant, supple, hydrated, and youthful skin, right? How can we achieve it? While most work wonders. One such ingredient is Edelweiss. For those who have watched The Sound of Music, the name Edelweiss, derived from German (Edel, meaning noble, and Weiss, meaning white), would ring a bell. But there’s a lot more to this small, seemingly delicate flower. Before we delve into why it’s invaluable in the beauty industry, let’s learn more about this gem from Plabita Sharma, Head of Training & Customer Experience, The Body Shop India
Flower power
A small, beautiful, white star-shaped flower, Edelweiss grows in Alpine environments at altitudes as high as 1500-3000 meters above sea level. For a plant of its size, the Edelweiss is incredibly resilient and stands strongly rooted in limestone-rich areas despite extreme environmental and climate conditions like strong winds, frost, and volatile temperatures. It is by no means a new discovery by mankind. The Edelweiss has existed for centuries and has been used widely in traditional medicine for abdominal and respiratory ailments. In several folk customs, presenting this flower to a loved one symbolizes dedication. Packed with goodness, the Edelweiss is just as powerful when it comes to skincare.
A brief guide on usage
Given the conditions it grows in, Edelweiss is a plant that is not easy to harvest. Brands that harvest the flower and use its precious extracts to enhance their products need to do so responsibly and with immense care. It’s best to opt for brands that source the plant ethically and sustainably to protect your skin and the planet. Creams, serums, and oils infused with Edelweiss extracts can be a part of your daily skincare routine, and regular usage is bound to help you see the results – supple, hydrated, youthful, and radiant skin. Given the conditions it grows in, Edelweiss is a plant that is not easy to harvest. Brands that harvest the flower and use its precious extracts to enhance their products need to do so responsibly and with immense care. It’s best to opt for brands that source the plant ethically and sustainably to protect your skin and the planet. Creams, serums, and oils infused with Edelweiss extracts can be a part of your daily skincare routine, and regular usage is bound to help you see the results – supple, hydrated, youthful, and radiant skin.
Your skin’s best friend
The Edelweiss flower is the perfect example of the adage, “You don’t need to be big to be strong.” With its excellent ability to protect itself from the sun’s harmful UV rays, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, it’s no wonder that it’s the beauty industry’s best-kept secret. The flower produces its own antioxidant and DNA-protecting agent called leontopodic acid that allows it to protect itself from harsh environmental conditions and thrive in the rugged mountainside. With greater antioxidants than alpha-tocopherol, a form of Vitamin E present in green, leafy vegetables and nuts, the Edelweiss protects the skin’s barrier from pollutants and helps delay aging, and prevents wrinkles. Furthermore, given the kind of pollution we face every day, our skin can become prone to bacterial infections, irritation, and allergies. Edelweiss extract can protect your skin from such infections, thanks to its strong antibacterial properties that can avoid skin inflammation, infections, and allergies. And since the flower can protect itself from the harsh rays of the sun, as mentioned before, the same extends to our skin as well. Apart from protecting the skin from environmental aggressors, this little wonder flower replenishes it with the required elements like collagen and moisture, leaving it supple and hydrated. Edelweiss also restores blood flow, which is critical to the skin’s health. The remarkable properties of the plant penetrate through the skin to moisturize even the deepest layers, giving your skin a unique glow.
Haircare in your 40s
It’s critical to comprehend your hair type and the state of your dosha levels
ByAmritha Gaddam
Everybody experiences awful hair days, right? Even more so than others are some. As you get older and your body changes regularly, ones may suffer hair loss, dandruff, split ends, frizzy hair, and balding. Is there a fix for these issues? Yes, all of these issues can be resolved by using Ayurveda. Ayurvedic therapies also have no negative effects, for hair loss repair hair follicles and increase hair durability. But before you jump right into it, it is very important to Know Your Hair Type. According to Ayurveda, our body functions are governed by three vital energies: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each person consists of a “tridosha” combination, with one or two doshas predominating. The state of your hair’s health and type are determined by this combination.
Vata Hair Type
You will have a Vata hair type if your Prakriti is Vata-dominant. By giving your hair follicles the correct nutrients they require, you may maintain and balance your Vata dosha. The typical Vata hair type is porous, thin, and straight. Your scalp and hair get dry when the Vata dosha in your body is elevated because your body produces less sebum as a result. This results in split ends, frizzy, dry hair, and hair loss.
Pitta Hair Type
Once more, Pitta hair is characteristic of a Prakriti that is Pittadominant. Pitta is in charge of the production of hair proteins, colours, and metabolic activity in the hair. Pitta hair is often wavy and average in thickness. Premature greying, itchy scalp, hair loss, clogged follicles with bacteria buildup, and other indications of a pitta imbalance.
Kapha Hair Type
Having a Kapha hair type is a sign of a Kapha dominating Prakriti. A healthy head of hair is thick, lustrous, and curly. Any imbalance in the kapha causes your scalp to produce too much sebum, which invariably results in greasy dandruff, an oily scalp, itching, hair loss, and other issues.
It’s critical to comprehend your hair type and the state of your dosha levels in order to implement the most efficient Ayurvedic hair care regimen. The greatest Ayurvedic hair care techniques are listed here for you to effortlessly incorporate into your daily life:
* Eating Healthy
Eating healthy is essential for strong and long-lasting hair. Healthy diets need to have nutrients that nourish and strengthen the hair follicles
Hair oils replenish the follicles and scalp while also aiding in moisture retention. Always fully oil your hair before washing it, and make this a part of your hair care regimen. You can use a herbal hair oil that
According to Ayurveda practices, you should always massage your scalp with warm hair oil before washing your hair. Massaging the scalp gently with herbal oil
from within. Eating dosha-specific fruits and vegetables can help keep the body healthy and robust while also keeping the doshas in balance.
* Hair Oiling and Washing
contains a mix of several Ayurvedic herbs like amla, rose petals, reetha, etc. You should wash your hair twice a week and condition them with an organic root-strengthening hair mask.
* Scalp Massages
stimulates hair development and strengthens the hair from root to tip.
(Amritha Gaddam, Founder and CEO, The Tribe Concepts)
The title of the group composition by fourteen artists from KALAAKALPAM organisations from around India is AAKAAR, which signifies Form or Shape. The stunning group art exhibition, titled AAKAAR, will run from September 1 through September 7, 2022, at the third and fourth art galleries of Lalit Kala Akademi in Mandi House, New Delhi. Aashima Mehrotra depicted the difficulties of independence, inventiveness, and emancipation while painting the “distorted liberation.” Through the intricate use of colour, she aimed to illustrate real-world circumstances.
On his most recent canvases, Ganga Narayan Maharana uses transparent and translucent acrylic paints. He draws inspiration from the Natyashastra, a work of mediaeval literature that discusses the “Nine RASA” philosophy. One of the group’s more experienced artists, Gautam Partho Roy, thinks like a little child. Gurdeep Singh created a wooden sculpture that uses little metal to represent the Hindu mythological figure of the war goddess “Kali” as a symbol of Shakti or Power. A talented artist, Kangkan Barman values the originality of conception in his works of art. Since he spent the majority of his life outside of the home, city life had an influence on his works. When travelling outside, Mamata Samantaray used to depict aspects of the adversity faced by rural women by covering their faces with a ghunghat. An academic once observed, “Art is the mysterious manifestation of the secret of nature.” Manoj Kumar Sahu draws inspiration from nature for his works as well. He considers the universe to be a sizable living area. Anoop Kumar Srivastava paints on a variety of subjects, including Shreengar, Samarpan, Spiritualism, and the world of our childhood that has been forgotten. The key elements of Bhaskar Singha’s canvases that give the viewer a feeling of illumination are his transparent technique and use of delicate, fresh colours.
Meenaketan Pattnaik is a Bhubaneswar-based figurative colourist. His current art practice is on “contemporary social emotions,” which is the philosophy of sociology linked with youth psychology. Artist Rajender Kumar has always been moved by force and energy that has inspired him to create a passion for life in the discrete images and figures created by him. Rita Dutta is a sculptor who mostly made sculptures in the bronze medium. She got inspiration from her daily lifestyle. Rita tries to get the ideas in three-dimensional form. Sanjeev Kumar Singh is a keen observer of social issues across sections of society irrespective of class and colour. To understand the deep-rooted problems of our country, Sanjeev picks up the struggle of the existence of rickshaw pullers and farmers, including child labour, and portrays their world in an impressionist way. Santanu Sarkar is a self-communicator. He loves to talk with himself because he loves himself and rejects the false love of others towards him. This artist group has been active for the last decade in organizing different artist camps and exhibitions across the nation under the banner of ‘Art Convergence.’ The group was renamed and registered as KALAAKALPAM in 2022. Come to Lalit Kala Akademi and celebrate the rich thoughts of each artist by looking at the masterpieces, the signature of spectacular creations of visual language.
4th edition of India Craft Week from 20 to 23 October
More than 100 craftsmen, producers, craft companies, museums, organizations, and figureheads will attend the show,
Chapter Four of India Craft Week (ICW) by Craft Village, a citywide celebration of the greatest craftsmanship, returns from 20 to 23 October 2022 at Okhla NSIC Ground, New Delhi, connecting art, design, and culture. The show will feature organizations, brands, institutions, designers, craftspeople, artisans, craftpreneurs, and makers from India and around the world. Live demos, seminars, cross-talks, installations, galleries, and film screenings are all part of the ICW experience. This year’s topic is one of life’s most essential components, water. Few people are aware of the unspoken link that Craft and Water have had ever since civilizations first emerged. This year’s theme emphasizes the value of water as a resource for surviving and existing. A commitment to protect undersea life by conserving water and not polluting it. A powerful metaphor for a world that is beginning to respect the sustainable culture, the “slow life,” and organic goods. More than 100 craftsmen, producers, craft companies, museums, This year India Craft Week will host its 5th and 6th edition International Craft Awards together to recognize and celebrate exceptional accomplishments worldwide, reiterating the message presented by the Craft Village team. With participation from more than8-nations, the winners of the Craft Awards would be announced at the event.
organizations, and figureheads will attend the show, which is billed as India’s official craft week and the world’s second-largest craft week after London Craft Week. Today world is talking about sustainability, responsible consumption, circularity, and ethics, but our craft sector has been practicing this for thousands of years. Kathak Yoga, a perfect union of mind and body
By N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe
It is tough to comprehend how yoga and meditation can be included in Kathak Dance, which is a completely different form. However, it is possible, believes Paramita Bhattacharyya, an internationally famous Kathak exponent with several accolades from India, the United States, and London, who is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Bhattacharyya, is passionate about introducing Indian Classical Dance Form ‘Kathak - Storytelling Art’ to the world arena, tells IANSlife, “Both dance and yoga are ancient Indian cultural forms entwined as complementary to one another. When a practitioner reaches a certain stage, dance becomes meditative.” Continue reading to learn why and how she views Yoga and Meditation as an addition to the Kathak Dance discipline.
How have Yoga and Meditation influenced Kathak Dance?
Paramita: The daily practice of Kathak takes us through all eight stages of Yoga namely Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharna, Dhyan, and Samadhi. In Kathak, almost the entire gamut of asanas are performed. Finally, we reach a stage when we start hearing music within ourselves and get completely oblivious to our surroundings, then when we are on way to reaching the seventh and eighth stages, comes a complete meditation stage.
What are the primary styles of Yoga & Meditation Kathak classical dance? What distinguishes it from traditional classical dance?
Paramita: There is no difference since Kathak belongs to the ancient classical dance forms with inexplicable movements and Yoga, on the other hand, is also an ancient meditation practice. The combination of the two practices results in Kathak Yoga, a perfect union of mind and body. Each cell and nerve of the body is engaged during this form. Performing Kathak Yoga also involves a lot of breathing patterns, similar to meditation.
How does Yoga help to enlighten Indian Classical Dance ‘Kathak’?
Paramita: I have been practicing Kathak Meditation with yoga for over twenty-five years now. I start my day with at least eleven rounds of Surya Namaskar and Pranayama practice. Pranayama is best seen in Kathak in the practice of ‘padhant’ rhythmic utterances by the dancer herself immediately after performing a strenuous energetic rhythmic pattern where a lot of energy has been expended. One has to recite the next rhythmic pattern without any trace of panting.
How does a dancer or yogi channel their body craft to bring healing, happiness, body-soul harmony, and oneness with the Supreme?
Paramita: Yoga definitely helps in channelizing energy by keeping the body healthy and calming the mind. The use of breath and linking breath to movement helps in keeping physically fit while different pranayama-breathing techniques and dhyana-meditation make it centered and calm, which is essential for any person who is in the field of art and creativity. Personally, I feel that my creativity is honed due to Pranayam and Dhyan, not only in the dancing field but in music too. Yoga helps in exploring the source of untapped energy and unexplored talents and above all makes one in sync with the supreme power.
How does kathak yoga transform the practitioner’s mental and spiritual wellness if it is included into daily sadhana?
Paramita: I start my day with at least eleven rounds of Surya Namaskar and Pranayama practice. Yoga definitely keeps the body healthy and calms the mind. The use of breath and linking breath to movement has helped my dance practice immensely. In addition, yoga has improved my flexibility and mental balance over the years. Regular practice helps in developing mental clarity, calmness, alertness, and enthusiasm and also sharpens concentration. My students learn basic asanas as part of their dance training.
Is it accurate to state that kathak yoga encourages practitioners to pursue spirituality?
Paramita: Yes, of course, Dance with yoga and meditation or Kathak yoga whatever you want to call it, this is an art that gives peace or Anandam to the soul created by Lord Shiva. Kathak Yoga requires a lot of practice. While you practice this wonderful art, it acts as meditation in motion. Imagine this, you have worn your ghungroo, the sound attracts you, and at the same time, you are singing the melody with tihais. The entire time you perform this, you are in rhythm, and you are balanced, it acts as a oneness of body and mind. An hour of Kathak Yoga will help you perspire, and release toxins from the body, you start feeling light-hearted, & this transition takes you to a meditative state and prepares you for healing.
Please share insights from ancient history on Yoga & Meditation Kathak Dance Form.
Paramita: Historically, both yoga and Indian classical dance traditions share Vedic roots in the ancient texts of Patanjali Yogasutra and Natyashastra, respectively. Their connections range from mudra to mokshya. For both, the body is a temple and the dance/asana is one’s prayer.
N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in
JCB Prize for Literature announces its 2022 Longlist
The 5th edition of the longlist is announced for the 2022 JCB Prize for Literature. The list of ten novels was selected by a panel of five judges: AS Panneerselvan, (Chair) journalist and editor, Amitabha Bagchi, author; Rakhee Balaram, author, and academician; Dr. J Devika, translator, historian, and academician; and Janice Pariat, author. The longlist for 2022 is dominated by 6 translations. Amidst titles in Bengali and Malayalam, titles in Urdu, Hindi, and Nepali have been featured in the longlist for the first time. A truly diverse representation of what Indian fiction has to offer, the 2022 longlist brings forth stories from Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Kalimpong, Punjab, Kolkata, Kerala, and the heartland. The longlist was chosen from a vast range of submissions by writers from sixteen states writing in eight languages including English, published between 1st August 2021 and 31st July 2022. Commenting on the longlist for 2022 and the overall reading experience, AS Panneerselvan, Chair of the jury observed, “This year’s deliberation to select the novels for the JCB prize for the 2022-long list was an enriching experience. It was a rich collection, the translations from different languages showed how writers were pushing the linguistic and creative boundaries to document our lives. These ten novels are in a sense a metaphor of contemporary India, where each language is permitted to shine; its intrinsic beauty is not subsumed by the other.”
The 2022 longlist are:
• Rohzin by Rahman Abbas, translated from Urdu by Sabika
Abbas Naqvi (Vintage Books, 2022) • Imaanby ManoranjanByapari, translated from the Bengali by
Arunava Sinha(EKA, 2021) • Escaping the Land by Mamang
Dai (Speaking Tiger, 2021) • Paradise of Food by Khalid
Jawed, translated from Urdu by Baran Farooqi (Juggernaut, 2022) • Song of the Soil by
ChudenKabimo, translated from Nepali by AjitBaral(Rachna
Books, 2021) • Spirit Nights byEasterineKire (Simon &Schuster, 2022) • Crimson Spring by Navtej Sarna (Aleph Book Company, 2022) • The Odd Book of Baby Names by
Anees Salim(Penguin Hamish
Hamilton, 2021) • Tomb of Sandby Geetanjali
Shree, translated from Hindi by Daisy Rockwell(Penguin
Random House India, 2022) • Valli by Sheela Tomy, translated from Malayalam by JayasreeKalathil (Harper
Perennial, 2022) The JCB Prize for Literature is now in its fifth year, and the 2018 Prize was granted to Benyamin for his Jasmine Days, which was translated from Malayalam by Shahnaz Habib. Madhuri Vijay won the prize in 2019 for her film The Far Field. The Prize was awarded in 2020 to S. Hareesh for his Moustache, which was translated from Malayalam by JayasreeKalathil, and in 2021 to M.Mukundan for Delhi: A Soliloquy, which was translated by Fathima E.V. and Nandakumar K. Talking about the journey of the JCB Prize for Literature and the support it has had from the industry, MitaKapur, Literary Director, said, “The JCB Prize is chuffed with pride to announce a Longlist of ten books that are bracing, vigorous, transformative, experimental in voice and story. Elemental to storytelling, each book takes soaring flights of imagination even as it is strongly rooted in India. The Prize enters its fifth year, marking 50 Long-listed titles that catch the pulse of our literary traditions. This journey, of course, would be incomplete without the publishers who bring these stories to light, the bookstores, online and offline, that give them a platform, and the readers who open themselves to the new worlds these books create.” The JCB Prize for Literature is awarded each year to a distinguished work of fiction by an Indian writer. The jury will announce the shortlist of five titles in October. The winner of the Rs 25-lakh JCB Prize for Literature will be announced on 19th November. If the winning work is a translation, the translator will receive an additional Rs 10 lakh. Each of the 5 shortlisted authors will receive Rs 1 lakh; if a shortlisted work is a translation, the translator will receive Rs 50,000. As normalcy returns and we spend more time traveling and outdoors, the one thing that’s getting impacted is our time with books. Especially for book lovers, there’s nothing more fulfilling than moving on to a fresh new book – almost like a new chapter in life! But what do we do when we can’t get the time to sit down and read a book? This National Read a Book Day, listen to your favorite book on the British Council Digital Library. Listening is the new reading, underlined by a 41 percent increase in audiobook subscriptions from 2020 till August 2022 as witnessed in British Council’s digital library! Audiobooks are a fantastic way to continue our relationship with books. Whether out for a walk, driving to the office, or running an errand, listening to a book has now become the preferred mode for many book lovers. The British Council Digital Library has a curated collection of audiobooks, from classics to new books, fiction or non-fiction, that you can enjoy anywhere, anytime. So build your playlist, put on your headphones and start listening to works by your favorite writers. There’s something for everyone! For the lovers of a thriller filled with suspense, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie is an absolute must Curious minds are always onto something new and interesting. Thriller novels when narrated, have their own feels of interesting whims and fancies. This novel by one of the best-selling authors of all time is considered one of the most mysterious novels, has a baffling traditional thriller background with cases involving blackmail and murder. If you are a true romantic, one of the best romance audiobooks is Love After Love by Ingrid Persaud There’s a hidden romantic in everyone, and when that romanticism is converted through a love story narrated, it is indeed overwhelming. So light up some candles and slip into something comfy while you enjoy this beautifully narrated novel where the lonely protagonist offers love and hope to people, he meets. Are you one who likes books that open your mind? Then one of the best philosophical audiobooks is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey When we say all genres, we literally mean all of them. We all read for different reasons, and we all have a hidden philosopher in us. It is an intriguing journey to explore the philosophical side in us and this book is the perfect way to start it if you haven’t already. So, embark on the insightful philosophies through this book the British Council Digital Library. Take a trip into the dystopian world with a sci-fi must-listen, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury For all the sci-fi freaks out there, there is an enormous collection of books available in the Digital Library. The Book set in a dystopian setting is a beautifully written novel that has the setting of an American village, and the struggles of a fireman. It portrays the stance of literature and critical thinking. Bring out the child in you with one of the best children’s audiobooks, The Cat with Seven Names by Tony Johnston Reading a children’s novel brings everyone back to the good old days. Read about a friendly cat who roams in a busy urban neighborhood and has 7 different identities and names. It’s a heartwarming story of someone who wants to be a part of the community. It has a deeper meaning and is insightful, apart from its fun setting.
5 female authors you should be reading
If you’re a millennial
By Tanya Jain
Whether you’re looking for a book that makes you feel good
Colleen Hoover
Every millennial who reads has definitely heard of Colleen Hoover, if not obsessed over her books, especially the sensational It Ends With Us. Hooven has a penchant for easing you into a romantic story and slowly peeling the character’s layer one by one until you’re consumed by their history. Every novel is a different one with a dark twist to it. Her books are emotional, mysterious and heartbreakingly unputdownable. or teaches you something new, these 5 authors should definitely be on your list!
Michelle Zauner
Crying in H Mart is Michelle’s debut memoir. She beautifully writes about relationships, grief and identity. A constant battle we all struggle with, she pens it down and makes the story relatable. For someone who is looking for solace in a book, Crying in H Mart is an ideal memoir to read. Using sensory experiences, the book takes you through her journey and makes you feel like you’re a part of it.
Jhumpa Lahiri
Jhumpa Larini is surely the name that comes to mind when you think about an author who writes in multiple languages. Lahiri’s work can be found in both the English and Italian languages. Lahiri is one writer who simply just doesn’t write for the reader but for herself too. She believes in immersing herself completely into the language to understand it, adapt it and fall in love with it. It’s a very interesting concept she sheds light on, a question she’s been answering for years, “What makes a language your own?” If you’re someone who likes to read translated texts, adapted while keeping the essence of the meaning intact, her books are definitely worth exploring.
Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney is famously known for Conversations with Friends, Normal People (also adapted into a show) and Beautiful World, Where Are You?. She is an author who builds her characters really well. Each of the books take you through a conversational narrative.
Her writing style is very different, however the prose makes you want to read the entire book in one sitting. She writes about characters who are extremely relatable and have the same struggles millennials go through. Whether it’s dealing with your sexuality, your place in the world or simply balancing your personal and professional life, Rooney seamlessly weaves a storyline between characters.
Emily Henry
An author who is slowly making her way into every reader’s bookshelf, Emily Henry is a contemporary fiction author. They’re heart-felt, romantic and have a depth to them. What sets Emily Henry’s novels apart from other rom-coms is that her characters aren’t just looking for love, they’re always on the lookout for something more but happen to fall in love.
