The Shadow of a Bird in Flight is an invitation to engage with the rich tradition of Urdu and Persian poetry as envisioned and curated by Shamsur Rahman Faruqi. It features one hundred and sixty-seven poems by sixty poets, representing the essence of eight centuries of Indo-Persian poetic tradition. The collection invites readers to discover these works organically—each poem standing on its own, yet resonating with the others in unexpected ways.
This edition is enriched by new prefaces by Mehr and Baran Farooqi, Shamsur Rahman Faruqi’s daughters, alongside his original introductory essay which situates the collection within the broader landscape of Persian poetry and his own sensibilities. With pieces spanning all five main genres of Persian verse, this anthology serves as both an introduction for newcomers and a fresh lens for seasoned readers.
The Shadow Of a Bird in Flight celebrates the enduring influence of Indian contributions to Persian literature, offering a fresh and accessible entry point into this layered tradition, as well as the man who brought modernism to it.
Archives: Books
Blackened
The Adhikarathil family had a distinguished history. It prospered both in terms of wealth and eminence, acquiring the status of royalty in Malabar, Kerala, until the birth of a child named Eranimos shocked everyone. Unlike his fair-skinned, Christian forebears, Eranimos was born dark-skinned, leading to controversial conjectures about his lineage.
Blackened tells the story of its protagonist’s quest to discover the truth behind his dark skin and caste identity. But weaved into this personal tale are multiple layers of Kerala’s social and political histories—its caste conflicts, its massive waves of conversion and migration, its clashing belief systems, and its rural and urban divide.
Originally published as Karikkottakkary in Malayalam, Blackened is an impactful bildungsroman that covers the arc of a conflicted life, and shows us how family histories are tied into the larger historical currents that form communities and shape destinies.
Alwan-E-Nemat
That the Mughals were fond of the good life is well known, especially their penchant for exquisite food and divine drinks. But what was the food in the imperial kitchen actually like? This book offers some answers.
Alwan-e-Nemat (Colours of the Table), the sixteenth-century Persian manuscript offers a rare taste and glimpse into Mughal Emperor Jehangir and queen Nur Jehan’s kitchen. Meticulously calligraphed on 155 pages of cream-coloured paper with a painted blue margin, it is possibly the first book in the world to be devoted entirely to recipes and methods of processing and serving food. It is also the only manuscript that highlights the unique contribution of Empress Nur Jehan.
Originally in Persian, this manuscript has been translated into English for the first time opening the doors to a treasure trove of unique recipes and culinary techniques that were authentically Mughal. From the Naan-e-Khamaaj Khasa, bread made in traditional style to the Qalya Naranj, deep fried tangerines in spicy lamb curry to the Gulgula Khasa, Deep fried dumplings floated in sugar syrup, this book has nearly 120 original mughal recipes along with detailed cooking techniques and helpful hints making it a rare collectible.
Gully Gully
For all but the final day of six electric weeks during the winter of 2023, India’s campaign at a home World Cup blazed and sparkled, warming the soul of a cricket-crazed nation. As Rohit Sharma’s dominant side took their show on the road, from one delirious city to another hysterical town, stretching from the sunburnt coast of Chennai to the frozen mountains of Dharamshala, the greatest cricket team to not win a World Cup edition unified a vast and diverse country in their shade of blue.
Gully Gully reveals not only what cricket means to India, but also what Indians mean to cricket by capturing the best and the worst of us, along with the grit and the grime of the land. This book is as much about a fabulous team brimming with legends as it is about the game’s other, oft-forgotten heroes: nameless and faceless Indian fans, emerging from numerous gullies.
Role Models
Role models are people who inspire us to dream bigger by broadening the horizons of our imagination. They
challenge us to go beyond limited possibilities by expanding our aspirational matrix. In this refreshing and unique account of the contributions of Indian Muslims to national life, Shehla Rashid brings together a formidable list of achievers, such as A.R. Rahman, Sania Mirza, Nigar Shaji, Dr Ausaf Sayeed and Huma Qureshi, among others, who have excelled in their respective fields. She postulates the idea of a ‘Muslim civil society’—a space where new ideas can germinate, allowing talent to achieve its full potential and reforms to take root. As Shehla brings their stories to life, she also offers insights into her own life, the choices she made, and the way forward for Muslims in a democratic political system.
Liberal Hearts
‘When the besotted expression returns to his face and his eyes slide down to her mouth again, he toughens up his exterior and attempts to convince himself that she’s just a fool drunk on her privilege.’
When Namya arrives at Maurya College of Liberal Arts—an elite bubble in the middle of rural Haryana—she finds the brightest and the most privileged living a life of complete self-indulgence. Alongside academic excellence, promiscuity and incessant partying are also the norm.
Meanwhile, the village’s golden boy, Vir Kumar Yadav, has turned his back on a brilliant future and resorted to selling overpriced booze to Mauryan undergraduates to support his family.
As their paths cross, Namya begins to question her entitlement, while Vir finds himself struggling with the black-and-white notions he’s always held true. And when a Westernized pub, Tej Ka Theka, opens next door, the walls of the glass palace begin to crumble, setting the stage for an irrevocable culture clash.
Fresh and witty, Nayantara Violet Alva’s vivid and cinematic debut, Liberal Hearts, is as much a college romance as it is a coming-of-age story.
My Book of Values
Nicky and Noni are just like you. They’re funny, they’re crazy—and like you, they love to have fun. But sometimes, just sometimes, they can be very naughty indeed. That’s when they get into trouble. Along the way, they learn something important—that having good values helps them become good people. And that being good isn’t boring . . . it’s lots of fun!
Covers 6 Brand New Topics:
- Including Everyone Is Cool
- Being Patient Is Cool
- Being Kind Is Cool
- Having a Routine Is Cool
- Being Responsible Is Cool
- Playing Fair Is Cool
Why You Should Buy This Boxset:
1. Exciting new titles on inculcating values and good behaviour in children
2. A perfect introduction to key life skills that will help shape young minds in an engaging way
3. Fun stories which dispel the belief that being good is boring!
4. Large fonts and eye-catching illustrations to assist emerging readers enter the world of reading
5. An ideal gift for young readers
The Best Of Wodehouse: P.G. Wodehouse 6-Books Slipcase (The Code of Woosters, Uncle Fred in the Springtime, Blandings Castle, Something Fresh, Joy in the Morning, The Inimitable Jeeves)
Dive into the hilarious world of P. G. Wodehouse with a beautiful box set containing six of the most-loved novels from Britain’s greatest comedy writer.
Wodehouse’s idyllic world can never stale. He will continue to release future generations from captivity that may be more irksome than our own. He has made a world for us to live in and delight in ― Evelyn Waugh
Titles in this boxset:
THE INIMITABLE JEEVES
Meddling Aunt Agatha wants to see Bertie married, and nothing will stop her from playing matchmaker. The problem? Bertie has no plans to settle down. Only one man can save the day – the inimitable Jeeves.
JOY IN THE MORNING
The story is another adventure of Bertie Wooster and his resourceful valet Jeeves. Bertie is persuaded to brave the home of his fearsome Aunt Agatha and her husband Lord Worplesdon, knowing that his former fiancée, the beautiful and formidably intellectual Lady Florence Craye will also be in attendance.
SOMETHING FRESH
Welcome to the world of the delightfully dotty Lord Emsworth, his bone-headed younger son and his long-suffering secretary. This story is a comic caricature of English aristocratic life and the American aristocracy of wealth.
BLANDINGS CASTLE AND ELSEWHERE
A collection of short stories by P. G. Wodehouse.
UNCLE FRED IN THE SPRINGTIME
Uncle Fred is one of the hottest earls who ever donned a coronet. Or as he crisply puts it, ‘There are no limits, literally none, to what I can achieve in the springtime.’
THE CODE OF THE WOOSTERS
In a plot that swiftly becomes rife with mishaps, it is Jeeves who must extract his master from trouble. Again. Also a sequel to Right Ho, Jeeves.
HeadStart
Are you ready to supercharge your career? Whether you’re fresh out of school or a few years into the grind, navigating the modern job landscape can be overwhelming. You’re ambitious, driven, and you want to make a mark—but how do you actually stand out and get ahead?
HeadStart: Unlock the Secrets to Career Success is here to help. Co-authored by industry pros Vivek Gambhir and Sunder Ramachandran, this is your personal playbook for crushing it in today’s fast-paced world. Packed with insider tips, real-life stories and actionable strategies, it’s designed to give you the edge you need.
From mastering new skills to acing job transitions, HeadStart covers it all. It’s not just about surviving the workweek—it’s about thriving and building a rewarding and impactful career.
If you’re serious about taking your career to the next level, then HeadStart is your ultimate guide. The future you want starts here.
From Unknown to Unforgettable
Transforming a product or service into a trustworthy brand is key to standing out in an insanely crowded marketplace. While extensive branding literature exists on international brands, there is a scarcity of the same on Indian brands, especially the new-age ones. India’s diverse and evolving market presents unique challenges. What works in developed markets like America may not work in India. Additionally, the obstacles and limitations faced by start-ups differ significantly from those encountered by established corporations. Consequently, the literature on established Indian brands may not be highly relevant in the rapidly evolving world of startups.
If you want to understand how a start-up can transform into an iconic brand in India’s diverse, crowded and ever-changing market, this book, a goldmine of strategies and stories, you must read.