Arts/Books

The Legend of Meneka by Kritika H Rao India-West Staff Reporter Kritika H. Rao's latest novel, 'The Legend of Meneka,' releasing in January 2025 reimagines the most famous romance in Hindu mythology, centering on the immortal celestial nymph, or apsara, and a

India-West Staff Reporter BOSTON, MA - In recent years, the rhythmic beats of Dhol Tasha have traveled from Maharashtra to the United States, finding a new home in American cities. This traditional art form, once rooted in Indian festivals and celebrations,

India-West Staff Reporter TORONTO - Indian writer Pankaj Mishra, renowned for his insightful works on the Global South, Western imperialism in Asia, and contemporary spirituality, has won the 2024 Weston International Award. This prestigious $75,000 prize honors an international author for

Photos: Wikipedia India-West News Desk The Chhau dance of Eastern India -- Orissa, Jharkhand, and West Bengal – is a blend of martial traditions, temple rituals, and folk and popular performance of this region. Episodes from the epics Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, traditional folklore,

Photo: ‘The Inheritance’ by Trisha Sakhlecha ,Pamela Dorman Books/Viking, Jan.2025 India-West Staff Reporter Trisha Sakhlecha's new thriller, The Inheritance, set to release on January 21, 2025, presents a gripping dilemma: "When the stakes are impossibly high, what will you choose: your family

Jaagte Raho By Manoj Dhiman LUDHIANA, (ANI) - Manoj Dhiman has authored two new fiction books in Hindi: the novel "Birju Naai Ki Dukan" and the short story collection "Jaagte Raho." The stories in "Jaagte Raho" delve deeply into various aspects of

MUMBAI (ANI) - Author Amish Tripathi is bringing the tale of Lord Krishna to the global stage with a new project, "Shri Radha Ramanam," set for worldwide release in February 2026. Written by Prakash Kapadia and Raam Mori, the film

MUMBAI, (IANS) – On 'National Book Lovers Day', actress Shubhangi Atre said she believes that books have a different charm, and she loves holding a physical book in her hands and smelling the pages. National Book Lover's Day is observed on

NEW DELHI (ANI) - Indian poet-diplomat Abhay Kumar suggested three new directions for Indian poetry on the birth centenary of renowned Indian poet and actor Nissim Ezekiel: Digital revolution, Climate Change and Space Exploration. He opined that Indian and world poets

NEW DELHI (ANI) - Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of classical dancer Padma Vibhushan, Dr Yamini Krishnamurthy, on August 4. He posted, "Pained by the passing away of Dr. Yamini Krishnamurthy. Her excellence and dedication to Indian classical dance

LONDON, (IANS) - One look at the diverse works produced by her over the last few years, and it is not tough to decipher that at the very soul, her engagement with the world comprises layering, erasure, and collage. Sukanya Ghosh,

NEW DELHI, (IANS) - The film is the one that falls into the category of personal cinema. It is about loneliness, anxiety, and mostly memories. Now memories do not have any order, at times they can be ‘false’, sometimes carry

Journey with an Invisible Power by Morari Bapu NEW DELHI, (IANS) - Renowned spiritual leader Morari Bapu has released a captivating documentary film and two compelling new books centered on the 12 Jyotirlinga Ram Katha Yatra. The documentary, titled "Morari Bapu’s

NEW DELHI, (IANS) - This best-selling author, who moved from romance to mystery while keeping the romance in mystery, believes that we are living in an age of attention war where Instagram and YouTube are big players, and it has

MUMBAI, (IANS) - Actor Siddhant Chaturvedi, who is currently vacationing in Leh-Ladakh, has shared some mesmerizing photos of himself painting the picturesque beauty of nature on canvas. The 'Gully Boy' star posted a series of images on Instagram, showcasing his painting

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, (IANS) - A book by a former journalist titled 'Solar (Vi)shesham' (solar and after) has claimed that the solar scam in Kerala was orchestrated to politically and personally destroy late Congress leader Oommen Chandy. Chandy was the Chief Minister of

The Rainbow Runners by Dhrubajyoti Borah, Niyogi Books Dhrubajyoti Borah’s The Rainbow Runners tells the tale of young Simran, whose life takes a drastic turn in insurgency-hit Assam. Consumed by raw terror, Simran becomes paranoid and reticent. He drifts into journalism

Revolutionaries on Trial: Sedition, Betrayal, and Martyrdom by Aparna Vaidik, Aleph. Revisiting the Lahore Conspiracy Case and its renowned martyrs—Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, the "self-proclaimed revolutionaries"—Revolutionaries on Trial broadens historical analysis by examining the colonial state, the revolutionaries, and the

City As Memory by Sadaf Wani, Aleph Kashmir, a valley renowned for its myriad wonders, continues to captivate for various reasons. At the heart of this enigmatic region lies 'Sirinagar' (not Srinagar), an ancient city steeped in centuries-old history. In recent

The Dharma of Unfaithful Wives and Faithful Jackals: Some Moral Tales from The Mahabharata by Wendy Doniger, Speaking Tiger. Indian mythology is replete with intriguing characters and concepts, and one often wonders what purpose such elaborate craftsmanship of imagination serves. From kingship

NEW DELHI, (IANS) - On the eve of Kamal Haasan's much-anticipated appearance in Shankar's 'Indian 2', which follows the mega star delivering successive blockbuster hits -- 'Kalki 2898 AD' this year and crime thriller 'Vikram' in 2022 -- Audible has

‘A Little Secret About Relationships' by Nikhil Kapoor, Bluerose Publishers NEW DELHI (ANI) - Nikhil Kapoor, a multifaceted artist known for his contributions to fashion, poetry, and literature, has released, "A Little Secret About Relationships." This book goes beyond being just

‘My Lost Pages’ by Sneha Sabu, White Falcon Publishing NEW DELHI (ANI) - Indian diasporic author Sneha Sabu, winner of eight international awards for her debut book Stay Safe with Ruby and Reuben, has launched her poetry collection, My Lost Pages. This

Ekphrasis: Little Book of Myriad Stories, by Dr. Guncha GuptaNEW DELHI (ANI) - Dr. Guncha Gupta, a radiologist with a passion for storytelling, released her new work "Ekphrasis: Little Book of Myriad Stories." This collection of short stories masterfully transitions

The Everyday Stoic: Simple Rules For A Good Life, by William Mulligan Popular on Instagram as 'The Everyday Stoic', the page deconstructs, modernizes, and makes the ancient wisdom of Stoicism practical. The philosophy of Stoicism encourages the development of self-control to overcome

The Algebra of Wealth: A Simple Formula For Success, by Scott Galloway Wealth is not all about just money. So, what must one have apart from an understanding of wealth? The author says it is stoicism, followed by a mindful understanding

NEW DELHI, (IANS) - Acclaimed novelist-poet Vikram Seth got introduced to the poetic cadence and eternal philosophy of 'The Hanuman Chalisa' when he was writing the character of Bhaskar Tandon, the Kapoor family's boy genius in 'A Suitable Boy' who

Truths: The Future of America First by Vivek Ramaswamy India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY - Threshold Editions, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, has announced that it will publish ‘Truths: The Future of America First” by former Republican presidential candidate Vivek

Menstruation: Moon, Men and More by Nirmala Gowda Nayak NEW DELHI (IANS) - An offering on "living harmoniously and holistically", the book encapsulates what is often a debate on public forums or sigh-laden utterance in quiet corners: the need for rest,

At the Heart of Power: The Chief Ministers Of Uttar Pradesh by Shyamlal Yadav NEW DELHI, (IANS) - If there is one state in India that could serve as India’s indicator of its electoral and political future, it is Uttar Pradesh,

KOLKATA, (IANS) - Parameswaran Thankappan Nair, who passed away on June 18 in Chendamangalam, a small town in Kerala's Ernakulam district, will forever be remembered as the "barefoot historian" of Kolkata. Nair arrived in the city in 1955 from Alwaye

NEW DELHI (News Agencies) - Arundhati Roy, the internationally recognized author and activist, is currently wanted by Indian authorities. The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has granted police permission to prosecute the Booker Prize-winning novelist under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act,

NEW DELHI (IANS) – Temples are integral to Hindu religious practices, they serve as centers for community gathering, spiritual reflection, and the propagation of cultural and philosophical teachings, even playing a pivotal role as generators of economic activity and contributing

Lyrics by Sameer: Stories Behind the Iconic Songs, by Sameer Anjaan and Shuja Ali MUMBAI, (IANS) - For an entire generation, Sameer Anjaan is synonymous with popular Bollywood numbers, most notably the title track of 'Dhoom'. But who knew that Shravan -

Photo: Ambedkar in London, By William Gould, Santosh Dass and Christophe Jaffrelot B.R. Ambedkar's political ideas have not ceased to inspire and mobilize people to this day. His views on caste, labor, women, education, and people's rights and representation have resonated

LUCKNOW, (IANS) - The slim red coat pocket edition of the Indian Constitution that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi flaunted at his election rallies has seen a sudden surge in demand. The Constitution of India in black-red cover published by Lucknow-based Eastern

Spiritual Secrets From Hinduism: Essence of the Vedic Scriptures, by Swami Mukundananda India stands out on the world map as the land of spirituality and divinity, sparking curiosity and fascination for its ancient knowledge system, especially Hinduism. Ancient rishis and sages are

Photo: Unforgettable Chapters: Memoirs of a Top Cop, By Prakash Singh NEW DELHI, (IANS) - Dubbed an "icon" by the former Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, retired BSF director-general and prolific writer Prakash Singh did much for the nation’s security in

LOS ANGELES, CA (IANS) - A documentary centered around novelist Salman Rushdie, based on his memoir 'Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder', will be directed by Oscar-winner Alex Gibney. Gibney is known for making films such as 'Taxi to the Dark

India-West Staff Reporter CHICAGO, IL – Children's author Srividhya Venkat is set to release her latest picture book, "Seeker of Truth: Kailash Satyarthi's Fight to End Child Labor," on July 23. Illustrated by Danica da Silva Pereira and published by Little

NEW DELHI, (IANS) - Mythologist and best-selling author Devdutt Pattanaik explored the uncharted terrain of infrastructure in mythology in a talk that covered an incredible range, from the rationale of the location of the shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath to

India-West Staff Reporter ‘My Name Is Long as a River,’ Penguin Workshop, for children aged 4-8 In a new picture book, ‘My Name Is Long as a River,’ author Suma Subramaniam and illustrator Tara Anand tell the story of a young girl

NEW DELHI, (ANI) - MTG Learning Media has announced its foray into early childhood development with the launch of "My First Library," a new product designed to spark early literacy and a lifelong love for reading. This delightful collection of

NEW DELHI, (IANS) - Bengaluru boy Nithin NJ and Delhi’s Gaurav Sharma, the 'Dance Deewane' winner duo, shared that they would like to choreograph for Bollywood's 'Greek God' Hrithik Roshan. At the show's 'Parivaar Ki Grand Finale Party' on May 25

MUMBAI, (IANS) - Basking in the warm reception accorded to 'Laapataa Ladies', Kiran Rao has a message for all aspiring screenwriters to be on top of their game. Rao said: "I always feel that there are some films that do well

India-West News Desk Author Divya Ramaswamy's newest release, "Love at First Byte," offers an insightful look at the transition from academia to the corporate world. This novel follows a young woman's journey into her first job, highlighting the often-overlooked challenges and

India-West Staff Reporter Throughout history, empires have survived only as long as they could project their power. This power could be real or imagined, but it must be believable to its subjects. In 1942, the British Empire lost much of this

DEHRADUN (ANI) - Renowned Indian author Ruskin Bond, who celebrated his 90th birthday on May 19, expressed his joy and determination to continue writing. Ruskin said, "I might not be very strong, but I can read and write. I can do

KOLKATA - Authenticity is a powerful tool in literature, offering readers a mirror to their own experiences. Author Purbasha Ghosh's novel - Anatomy of a Half Truth - delves into the complexities of modern love, broken marriages, and the emotional

NEW DELHI (ANI) – The Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahrdayaloka-Locana have been included in the UNESCO's Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register. The 'Ramcharitmanas', 'Panchatantra', and 'Sahrdayaloka-Locana' are timeless works that have deeply influenced Indian literature and culture, shaping the