Arts/Books

India-West Staff Reporter LOS ANGELES, CA — Artist and composer Christopher Janney will debut his latest work, HeartBeat: LMU, as the featured cultural event of the annual South Asian Studies Association conference at Loyola Marymount University on March 1. The performance explores the intersection

India-West News Desk FREMONT, CA – MILANA, an experimental performance blending Kathak dance, Indian classical music, and jazz, premieres on March 15, 2025, at Jackson Theater, Ohlone College. The production features Kathak artist Labonee Mohanta, percussionist Rohan Krishnamurthy, jazz pianist Colin Hogan, and

Photo: Indian Ink Theatre Company India-West Staff Reporter MILL VALLEY, CA - Marin Theatre Company will stage Mrs. Krishnan’s Party, an immersive play that brings the Southern Indian harvest festival of Onam to life, from March 19-30. Set in the back room of

India-West News Desk TALLAHASSEE, FL- Indian American author Sita Singh has been awarded the Gold Medal in the Young Children’s Literature category at the 2024 Florida Book Awards for her picture book Mango Memories. The recognition highlights Singh’s commitment to storytelling that

NEW DELHI (ANI) - Bangabandhu, Bangladesh and Britain explores the pivotal life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, and the nation's journey to independence. Co-authored by Abu Syed and Priyajit Debsarkar, the book delves into key historical events, including the

India-West News Desk NEW DELHI - A book addressing farmer suicides and the struggles of women farmers in rural India was a key feature at the ongoing World Book Fair. Widows of Vidarbha, authored by journalist Kota Neelima and published by Oxford University Press, delves into the agrarian crisis in

Photos: Nicholas Lea Bruno India-West Staff Reporter SEATTLE, WA - The Seattle Asian Art Museum will present Suchitra Mattai: She Walked in Reverse and Found Their Songs from April 9 to July 20, marking the artist’s debut solo exhibition in Seattle. Featuring immersive sculptural textile

JAIPUR, (ANI) - Actress Huma Qureshi made her debut as an author with the launch of her novel Zeba: An Accidental Superhero at the Jaipur Literature Festival on February 2. Sharing her journey of writing the book, Huma revealed that the story was

JAIPUR, (ANI)  - Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murthy and her daughter, Akshata Murthy, engaged in a candid discussion on work-life balance, childcare, and cultural values at the Jaipur Literature Festival’s session titled My Mother, Myself. Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Infosys

JAIPUR (ANI) – Author Abhay K’s latest book, Nalanda: How It Changed the World, was launched at the Jaipur Literature Festival by historian William Dalrymple, Professor Shailendra Raj Mehta, and author-historian Narayani Basu. The book delves into the history of Nalanda Mahavihara,

India-West News Desk JAIPUR - At the 2025 Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), celebrated lyricist, screenwriter, and poet Javed Akhtar unveiled his latest book, Gyan Seepiyan: Pearls of Wisdom. During a session, he shared insights on language, education, and cultural heritage, emphasizing the need to

The Literature Times has unveiled its list of the Top 10 Influencing Authors of 2024, spotlighting individuals whose works have significantly shaped contemporary literature and inspired readers worldwide. Swapna AbrahamSinger-songwriter, author, and world record holder Swapna Abraham is celebrated for her

India-West News Desk JAIPUR, (ANI)- The 18th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) will return from January 30 to February 3, promising an exciting lineup of events, speakers, and themes. Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, shared details

KOZHIKODE, (ANI)- The eighth Kerala Literature Festival to be held from January 23 to 26 on the beaches of Kozhikode, will feature over 500 speakers from 15 countries and an expected audience of more than 600,000. It is organized by the

India-West Staff Reporter Safe Harbor by Padma Venkatraman, Nancy Paulsen Books, 176 pages, $17.99 Padma Venkatraman, the acclaimed author behind The Bridge Home and Born Behind Bars, is set to release her sixth novel, Safe Harbor, on January 21. This novel-in-verse, aimed at middle-grade readers, weaves together

By Suvir Saran There is an arc to creativity – a curve that begins in the quietest corners of our being, sometimes unnoticed, sometimes fragile, and carries us through life. This meandering path, woven with moments of discovery, loss, rediscovery, and

Indian Genius: The Meteoric Rise of Indians in America by Meenakshi Ahamed, Harper Collins, 346 pages, $40 Meenakshi Ahamed’s book, Indian Genius: The Meteoric Rise of Indians in America, set to be published on March 4, explores the remarkable transformation of

MUMBAI, (ANI)  - Pritish Nandy who passed away on January 8, at age 73, was an influential Indian poet, painter, journalist, parliamentarian, media personality, animal rights activist, and film and television producer. He was the author of forty poetry books

Photo:Timothy Norris for The Music Center via Lucypr.com By Fatema Baldiwala LOS ANGELES, CA – The 65th Annual LA County Holiday Celebration at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of The Music Center in downtown Los Angeles, held on December 24, was a cherished

The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie India-West News Desk NEW DELHI - Salman Rushdie’s controversial 1988 novel The Satanic Verses has made its way back to Indian bookshops, decades after being banned for sparking riots and outrage over its alleged blasphemy. The

KOZHIKODE (ANI) - MT Vasudevan Nair, a legendary figure in Malayalam literature, passed away on December 25 at the age of 91. His funeral was held the same, and he was cremated with full state honors at the Smrithipatham Crematorium in

Photo: Dancer Prerona Bhuyan, sattriyadancecompany.com India-West News Desk NEW DELHI - Sattriya, a classical dance form rooted in the monastic traditions of Assam, stands as a testament to the vibrant cultural heritage of India. Emerging from the sattras—monasteries established during the 16th

India-West Staff Reporter The Confines: Stories by Anu Kandikuppa, Veliz Books, March 2025 Anu Kandikuppa’s debut collection, The Confines: Stories, is a masterful exploration of human relationships and societal expectations. The twelve stories in this collection, set in India and the U.S.,

India-West Staff Reporter Demons of Stress and Angels of Peace: A War Within by Vikas Gupta North Carolina based Vikas Gupta’s latest book, Demons of Stress and Angels of Peace: A War Within, presents a compelling exploration of stress through an innovative framework of

India-West News Desk In Island, author Sujit Saraf takes a gripping dive into the 2018 incident of John Allen Chau, an American missionary who attempted to convert the fiercely isolated Sentinelese people of the Andaman Islands. Saraf masterfully blends fact and

India-West News Desk NEW DELHI - Delhi’s shadowy alleys and rising crime rates provide the backdrop for Navid Daffuwala’s latest novel, In the Dark Alleys of Delhi: Savior or Menace? This gripping tale of crime, justice, and moral ambiguity delves into

India-west News Desk NEW DELHI - Dr. Yasmin Singh, a celebrated danseuse and advocate for India’s rich artistic traditions, has released two books exploring the legacy of the Raigarh Gharana in Kathak. Titled The Aesthetic Sense of Kathak Compositions and Raja

NEW DELHI (ANI) - After a successful run in Mumbai, the musical Rajadhiraaj: Love. Life. Leela captivated audiences in Delhi. The production, which chronicles Lord Krishna’s life and adventures, saw notable Bollywood stars like Shahid Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar in

Photo: Nilanjana S. Roy (Top Left), Rahul Bhatia (Top Right), Vajra Chandrasekera (Bottom Left), Salman Rushdie (Bottom Right) India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY - TIME Magazine has unveiled its annual list of 100 Notable Books, and it features South Asian authors whose

LONDON, (ANI) Famed author Barbara Taylor Bradford passed away at age 91 on November 25, 2024, leaving behind an extraordinary literary legacy. A statement posted to her Instagram read, “With great sadness, we announce the death of Barbara Taylor Bradford

MUMBAI, (ANI) - Lyricist and writer Varun Grover, alongside eight other Indian creatives, has been named to the 2024 BAFTA Breakthrough cohort. The announcement was made on November 21, highlighting 43 emerging talents from the UK, USA, and India. Supported by Netflix,

Freedom by Angela Merkel Reuters/Kevin Lamarque BERLIN, (Reuters) - Angela Merkel sought advice from the pope on dealing with Donald Trump when he was first elected U.S. president, hoping to find ways of convincing a man she saw as having a property

India-West Staff Reporter Trisha Sakhlecha, a New Delhi native, currently divides her time between Berlin and London. A diplomat and director at The Tagore Centre at the Embassy of India, Sakhlecha has a diverse background, including a career in the fashion

Photo: Geo Media Co India-West Staff Reporter LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – The Diwali Dance Fest made a dazzling return to Walt Disney World Resort for its second year, bringing together over 300 dancers from across North America. Directed and produced by

India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY - The fallout from Subhash Kapoor’s notorious antiquities trafficking network continues to unfold, with the United States announcing on November 13 the return of over 1,400 looted artifacts worth $10 million to India. Kapoor, a

By Rohan Gupta Dr. Rajan Thapaliya is a distinguished professor with expertise in data and computer science. Beyond his academic achievements, Dr. Thapaliya has shared his insights as a writer on some of the world’s most renowned media platforms, including Forbes

India-West Staff Reporter ESSEX JUNCTION, VT — As more Indian Americans face the challenges of caring for aging relatives and navigating hospice care, Linda Moran’s deeply personal book offers insight and support. The Perks of Hospice: Stories of Love, Life, and Loss recounts her

India-West News Desk “A Rescue in Vienna: The Story of an Unlikely Savior’ by Vinay Gupta, Bloomsbury Publishing Vinay Gupta’s new book uncovers the surprising truth of his grandfather’s heroic efforts to rescue Jewish families during World War II, a family legend

NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s three-decade ban on importing author Salman Rushdie’s controversial ‘The Satanic Verses’ book has effectively been lifted after a court said the government was unable to produce the original notification that imposed the ban. The India-born British

India-West News Desk Solly Adam - Beyond Boundaries: A Passionate Cricketer from Yorkshire by Vara Vantapati MUMBAI - This book meant for cricket fans who like behind the scenes stories, delves into the inspiring life of Solly (Suleman) Adam, a key figure in cricket who has made

PURI (ANI) - Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sand art of Republican candidate Donald Trump as he is set to become the next President. "The last time when Donald Trump came to India, 'Namaste Trump' reverberated in the nook and corner of

Photo: PEN America India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY - A recent report by PEN America reveals that nearly 10,000 books were banned in U.S. public schools during the 2023-2024 academic year, marking a threefold increase from the previous year. The nonprofit,

By REENA RATHORE SUNNYVALE, CA — While most of her peers are navigating high school life, Indian American student Meenal Bahl’s days are not just about textbooks and tests, but also about creating powerful art, leading global service projects, and advocating

India-West Staff Reporter NEW DELHI - Shah Rukh Khan, one of the world’s biggest superstars, has long lived under the spotlight. Known for his passion, craft, humility, and the immense love he inspires, there is much more to him than the

MUMBAI (ANI) - Madhuri Dixithas been captivating audiences with her mesmerizing moves, signature style and graceful expressions ever since she entered the industry, and has rightly earned the name of the dancing queen of Bollywood. Madhuri is a trained Kathak dancer,

Photo: fallforthebook.org India-West Staff Reporter FAIRFAX, VA - Shahnaz Habib has been awarded the prestigious 7th Annual New American Voices Award, a $5,000 prize recognizing immigrant voices in literature, for her book Airplane Mode: An Irreverent History of Travel. This post-publication award, presented for Immigration Research,

MUMBAI - Pen n Paper Book discovered an important fact amid the crowded scene of bookshelves brimming with literary gems. There are innumerable hidden diamonds waiting for their chance to shine in a sea of penned fantasies. Consequently, their brainchild--the

‘Karma's Child: The Story of Indian Cinema's Ultimate Showman’ by Subhash Ghai With Suveen Sinha, HarperCollins India-West Staff Reporter MUMBAI - Renowned filmmaker Subhash Ghai, the man behind some of Bollywood’s most iconic movies, is set to release his memoir, Karma’s Child, co-written

NEW DELHI (ANI) - India on October 21 extended the residence permit of exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen. The action came a day after Nasreen made a public appeal to Home Minister Amit Shah, urging him to allow her to continue

MUMBAI (ANI) - Renowned choreographer Remo D'Souza and his wife Lizelle D'Souza, who have been judging several reality shows, were accused of cheating a dance troupe. However, the couple has denied the allegations and said their name is "being linked