Arts/Books

India-West Staff Reporter LOS ANGELES, CA — For its 40th anniversary, Donna Sternberg & Dancers is presenting 'Thriving,' a performance honoring the creativity and endurance of mature choreographers and dancers in the Los Angeles community. The show aims to challenge stereotypes of

Photo:Toji Cultural Foundation India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY — Amitav Ghosh, the celebrated Indian American novelist whose work spans colonial histories, climate crises, and global interconnections, has been named the winner of the 14th Park Kyongni Award, often described as South

Photo: Booker Prize India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY — Nearly two decades after she became the toast of the literary world with 'The Inheritance of Loss', Kiran Desai has returned to the Booker Prize spotlight. Her latest novel, 'The Loneliness of

India-West News Desk MIAMI, FL - For author Chandramukhi Ganju, food is more than sustenance—it is a sacred connection to her Kashmiri heritage. Her new book, ‘Koshur Saal: Traditional, Quick and Easy Kashmiri Cuisine,’ goes beyond recipes, serving as a guide to

NEW DELHI -Penguin Random House India has launched a four-volume photobook series titled 'Seva Hi Sankalp, Rashtra Pratham Hi Prerna,' which translates to 'Service is Resolve, Nation First is Inspiration.' This biographical collection, compiled by the Bluekraft Digital Foundation, chronicles

MUMBAI -Veteran actress Deepti Naval channeled her inner poet, expressing her feelings with a thoughtful verse that won hearts online. The 'Chashme Buddoor' actress wrote: "I float on your arm and try not to think/ You sit in stillness/ Holding my

India-West News Desk MUMBAI - Chetan Bhagat is back with a love story. After more than a decade since he wrote 2 States and Half Girlfriend, the bestselling author is returning to the genre that made him India’s most popular novelist.

Photo: Poetry Foundation India-West News Desk SAN DIEGO, CA — On the campus of the University of California, San Diego, Kazim Ali spends his days surrounded by books, students, and the quiet hum of creative energy. This fall, his work will travel

India-West Staff Reporter HOUSTON, TX — From September 5–7, Houston became a hub of literary and cultural exchange as the 8th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) unfolded across four of the city’s most iconic venues. Produced by Teamwork Arts,

India-West Staff Reporter DUBLIN, CA – Bay Area resident Surendra Saxena has released a memoir, ‘Kailash: Footsteps to the Divine’, a spiritual travelogue that recounts his decades-long dream and eventual journey to Mount Kailash, one of the most sacred peaks in

Photo: Los Angeles Union Station India-West Staff Reporter LOS ANGELES, CA - On the evening of August 30, Los Angeles Union Station pulsed with a unique energy. The historic Ticket Concourse, usually a place where travelers hurry through with luggage in tow,

Photos: Obama Foundation India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC - Former President Barack Obama has unveiled his much-anticipated 2025 summer reading list, a blend of biography, politics, and fiction, and this year’s selection carries a luminous work: ‘Rosarita’, a novella by acclaimed writer

India-West Staff Reporter MIAMI, FL — A new festival connecting Miami and Mumbai through architecture and design will mark the 100th anniversary of the Art Deco movement this fall. Art Deco Alive! (ADA!), founded by Smiti Kanodia along with Salma Merchant Rahmathulla

Photo: facebook By Fatema Baldiwala LONG BEACH, CA - Every Indian household has one. The round steel box, neatly filled with turmeric, cumin, chili, cardamom, and coriander, sits by the stove: ready to season meals with memory, tradition, and love. Known as

India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY - Kirkus Reviews has announced the 18 finalists for the 2025 Kirkus Prize, with three Indian authors—Kiran Desai, Megha Majumdar, and Arundhati Roy—among the nominees. In the Fiction category, Kiran Desai's "The Loneliness of Sonia and

India-West Staff Reporter ALISO VIEJO, CA – Acclaimed danseuse Vijayalakshmi, founder-director of The Mohiniyattam Institute in Southern California, kept audiences listening and watching attentively during an introductory workshop on the dance form at the Festival of Tabla, held at the Soka Performing

India-West News Desk CANTON, GA — Both educators and health leaders are stepping up calls for children to spend less time on screens. At Cherokee Classical Academy, Second Lady Usha Vance urged students to put down their phones and pick up

NEW DELHI -In "Lyrics by Sameer: Stories Behind the Iconic Songs," the renowned Bollywood lyricist Sameer Anjaan collaborates with screenwriter Shuja Ali to reveal anecdotes from the film industry. The book features up to 50 stories behind some of Sameer's most popular compositions,

India-West Staff Reporter ORANGE, CA — The Irvine Hindu Mandir has presented Chapman University’s Leatherby Libraries with a landmark gift: the monumental ‘Encyclopedia of Hinduism,’ the first comprehensive work of its kind in the English language. The 11-volume set, weighing 75 pounds

India-West Staff Reporter ENGLEWOOD, CO – The Colorado South Asian Artists Group is set to host its inaugural exhibition, 'Roots & Routes,' at Englewood City Center starting September 5. This landmark event will showcase the work of 22 Colorado-based visual artists from

MUMBAI- International award-winning comedian Vir Das believes that Indian comedy has not yet achieved global reach, but as India's cultural influence grows, it will. He hopes to be a part of that rise. When asked if he thinks Indian comedy has reached

Photo: Instagram India-West News Desk BLACK ROCK CITY, NV — A massive art installation, "Navagunjara Reborn: The Phoenix of Odisha," will be featured at the annual Burning Man gathering, set to take place from August 24 to September 1 in Nevada's Black Rock Desert. The

India-West Staff Reporter LONG BEACH, CA- International City Theatre (ICT) will present the world premiere of Masala Dabba, a new play by award-winning playwright Wendy Graf, running from August 29 through September 14, with previews on August 27 and 28. Directed by

SRINAGAR- The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared 25 books as ‘forfeited’ under the law for contributing to the radicalization of youth, glorification of terrorists, vilification of security forces, and promotion of alienation among the people. Among them is a book by author

India-West Staff Reporter NEW YORK, NY — Arts India US has launched a new initiative to cultivate the next generation of Indian classical performing artists in the United States. The Lotus Fellowship, a one-year program, will provide emerging artists with mentorship,

NEW DELHI - For more than seven decades, India and Russia have managed something rare in international politics—a relationship that has not only survived the seismic shifts of history but adapted to them. From the days when Moscow was New

MUMBAI -Writer Virag Mishra opened up about the creative freedom for lyricists. He believes that there should be a very free-flowing process of ideas for optimal results. Virag said, "One should not be limited by one's thoughts. Somebody who is not

In a world increasingly defined by rapid change, artist Naresh Kumar Kumawat is creating a bridge between the past and the future, blending ancient heritage with cutting-edge technology. For Kumawat, who has crafted over 3,000 sculptures, including hundreds installed in

India-West Staff Reporter LOS ANGELES, CA — Just a day after confirming she will not run for California governor in 2026, former Vice President Kamala Harris on July 31 announced the release of her new memoir, '107 Days', which chronicles her

NEW DELHI -As the summer season unfolds, book lovers everywhere are on the lookout for the perfect reads to accompany lazy days by the pool or quiet evenings on the porch. With a plethora of options available, narrowing down the

India-West News Desk LOS ANGELES, CA  — Author, broadcaster, and producer Amish Tripathi has signed with Artist International Group for global representation, marking a significant move to extend his reach beyond South Asia, Deadline reported. Renowned for reimagining Indian mythology through bestsellers

CHENNAI- Director Lokesh Kanakaraj, whose much-awaited action entertainer 'Coolie' features superstar Rajinikanth in the lead, has now disclosed in an interview that Rajinikanth is in the process of writing his autobiography and that he had been writing every day during

India-West Staff ReporterNEWARK, NJ - ‘The Girl in Scarlet Hijab,’ the debut novel by entrepreneur and academic Suresh U. Kumar, has reached the #1 spot on Amazon’s bestseller list in the Indian and Asian Literature category. Published by Rupa Publications,

NEW DELHI (IANS) - The demolition of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray's ancestral home in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, has been halted following concerns raised by India. Bangladeshi authorities have now formed a panel to explore how the house, which currently has only a few walls remaining,

DHAKA (IANS)- In a concerning development reflecting growing social intolerance in Bangladesh, the ancestral home of iconic filmmaker Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh is being demolished to make way for a new semi-concrete structure, local media reported on July 15. Located on Horikishore Ray

By India-West Staff Reporter LIVERMORE, CA — What began with quiet intention in 1977 is now an enduring fixture of community, spirituality, and cultural continuity. The Shiva-Vishnu temple in Livermore, home to the Hindu Community and Cultural Center (HCCC), marks 39

NEW DELHI (IANS)- Author Devdutt Pattanaik had explained at the time of the launch of his book last year,that he compiled his book, "Ahimsa: 100 Reflections on the Harappan Civilisation," to make the subject accessible to the general public, rather than just academic

India-West News Desk LOS ANGELES, CA– Echo Lake Entertainment has signed author Ashok Rajamani for representation across all areas, the company announced this week. Known for his searing and deeply personal memoir 'The Day My Brain Exploded: A True Story', Rajamani’s

Photo: Pratibimb Photography India-West Staff Reporter REDWOOD CITY, CA – When Mythili Kumar moved to the United States in 1978, she brought with her not only a storied performance career in India, but also a vision: to establish a professional dance company

India-West News Desk AHMEDABAD– The Bhatt Brothers have released "Sunny's Days," a commemorative book dedicated to the career of cricketing icon Sunil Gavaskar. This publication sets itself apart through a novel design approach: each historical date pertaining to Gavaskar's career is linked with the

India-West Staff Reporter LOS ANGELES, CA — Globally acclaimed yogi and spiritual teacher Sadhguru visited Los Angeles from June 16 to 18, drawing a packed crowd at the Dolby Theatre and sparking citywide interest in his latest book, 'Death and Beyond'.

India-West Staff Reporter NEW YORK, NY - Megha Majumdar, the acclaimed author of 'A Burning', returns this fall with her second novel, 'A Guardian and a Thief'. Scheduled for release on October 14 by Knopf, the book marks a return to

MUMBAI (IANS)- Author Amish Tripathi has emphasized that democracy thrives on open dialogue and the respectful exchange of differing views. Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, he called debate and dissent the lifeblood of India’s democratic tradition. Tripathi said,

Photos: Ian Flanders By Fatima Baldiwala Brought up on a steady stream of Bollywood blockbusters—where love is loud, family is foundational, and heartbreak is backed by a swelling score—Indian audiences might find Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull deceptively quiet. But beneath its restrained surface lies

Photo; Instagram MUMBAI (ANI)- Writer Shobhit Sinha has signed three new Bollywood films following the strong box office performance of "Housefull 5." The film, for which Sinha was a writer, grossed close to ₹200 crore within six days of its release. This commercial success

Photo: Bonhams auction house India-West News Desk LONDON- A unique oil painting of Mahatma Gandhi will be sold at a auction here next month. This portrait, painted in 1931, is thought to be the only time Gandhi actually sat for an oil

By Chanchal Garg ‘Unearthed: The Lies We Carry and the Truths They Bury,’ is Californian Chanchal Garg’s debut memoir and is a courageous exploration of spiritual and sexual abuse, cultural duty, and the journey to self-liberation. The book is available in all

Photo: ANU India-West News Desk The world's oldest complete Hebrew Bible, the Codex Sassoon, recently unveiled at the Anu–Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv, carries a direct connection to India through its namesake, David Solomon Sassoon. This 1,100-year-old manuscript, dating

India-West Staff Reporter SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) and Third State Books have released Fighting to Belong! Volume II, a graphic novel that introduces young readers to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history through the stories

Photo: Sinduri Jayasinghe VIJAYA India-West News Desk CHENNAI - Vijaya Bhanu, classical dancer, award-winning actress, and founder of a dance school in Southern California, was found dead at her home in Valasaravakkam, Chennai. She was 75. Neighbors grew concerned when they hadn't seen