Arts/Books

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

Photo: Reutersv via ANI India-West News Desk CLAREMONT, CA - Muslim groups and sstudents pressured Sir Salman Rushdie to withdraw from delivering a commencement address at Claremont McKenna College, The Daily Beast reports. The renowned novelist and atheist, who has been repeatedly

India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY - Padma Lakshmi, the former host of Top Chef, will be releasing her new cookbook, Padma’s All American: Tales, Travels, and Recipes from Taste the Nation and Beyond, later this year.  This isn't just a collection of recipes;

Photos: Brad Knipstein India-West Staff Reporter SAN FRANCISCO, CA — In one of San Francisco’s grandest mansions—where sweeping views meet old-world opulence—Sabah Mansoor has crafted something quieter, more personal. For her debut at the 46th annual San Francisco Decorator Showcase, the Bangalore-born

The year 2025 so far has already delivered a dynamic lineup of books that span adventure, history, self-help, and technology—each offering something memorable for readers of all ages. Whether you’re seeking page-turning fiction, empowering nonfiction, or educational tools, this curated

Photo: The Booker Prizes LONDON (ANI) – Indian author and women’s rights advocate Banu Mushtaq has made history by becoming the first Kannada writer to win the International Booker Prize 2025 for her short story collection Heart Lamp. The milestone marks two firsts for the prestigious global

India-West News Desk IMPHAL - In the misty hill districts of Manipur, far from the clamour of cities, looms hum quietly in village courtyards. Here, in places like Tamenglong and Ukhrul, the Nagas—Manipur’s third-largest ethnic group—are keeping centuries-old traditions alive, thread

India-West News Desk POCHAMPALLY - In a celebration of heritage and hands-on artistry, contestants of the 72nd Miss World Festival recently visited the renowned weaving village of Pochampally in Telangana, offering the world a window into one of India’s most intricate

India-West Staff Reporter LEXINGTON, MA - At just 15, Sabrina Bhattacharjya is becoming a leading voice in one of America’s most significant historical milestones: the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington. While most teenagers juggle school and social media,

Photo:LinkedIn India-West Staff Reporter PALO ALTO, CA - In her debut memoir Unearthed: The Lies We Carry and the Truths They Bury, Chanchal Garg courageously pulls back the curtain on a life shaped by abuse, tradition, and the struggle for self-empowerment.  A former dutiful Indian

India-West Staff Reporter PORTSMOUTH, OH - Shawnee State University Professor of History and Religious Studies, Dr. Lavanya Vemsani, has released two new scholarly works: Reframing India in World History and Handbook of Indian History, both offering bold new perspectives on the study of India’s

India-West News Desk ST. LOUIS, MO - Saint Louis University has named Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri as the recipient of its 2026 St. Louis Literary Award. This annual recognition celebrates writers whose work enriches readers' understanding of the human condition. Lahiri, acclaimed

India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY - A child has caused damage to a multi-million-euro painting by American artist Mark Rothko at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, according to the BBC. The child, reportedly under the age of five years old,

NEW DELHI (ANI)- President Droupadi Murmu on April 28 conferred the Padma Shri award in the field of Literature and Education on American author and researcher Stephen Knapp. Knapp, who has authored around 55 books on Indian history, culture, and spirituality,

Sculpture isn’t just for museums — it’s a creative and dynamic way to personalize your living space. Why not roll up your sleeves and create your own artistic pieces? Whether you're a seasoned sculptor or simply in the mood for

India-West News Desk SANTA CLARA, CA – Young readers are in for a captivating journey to the Indian state of Meghalaya with the upcoming release of "Living Bridges," a new children's picture book by Indian American author Sandhya Acharya. Simon & Schuster will

Photo: CNN India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY - In a recent interview with CNN on April 22 in Moscow, renowned Russian painter Nikas Safronov unveiled the portrait gifted by President Vladimir Putin to U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year. The dramatic

India-West News Desk NEW DELHI – The Missed Tree, a debut novel by 16-year-old Rujhaan Chaudhary, presents a story centered on imagination, personal growth, and spirituality within a young adult framework. The novel follows Ramya, a girl who forms a deep bond with