Blog

August 15, 2021

As we celebrate our 75th year of Independence, take time out to read an excerpt from Vishram Bedekar’s ‘Ranaangan’

When the line between ‘us’ and ‘them’ is solidifying, Vishram Bedekar’s novel reminds us of our common roots. Translated to English by Jerry Pinto, this extract from Ranaangan gives us a glimpse into the outcome of divisive thinking.

July 19, 2021

‘A translation of this beautifully written literary work helps us bring connections across cultures and helps us see the work in a new light.’

During the launch of the translation, Daisy Rockwell shares her views on the novel and its translation, with Anamika – Hindi poet and critic, and Shinjini Kumar – Co-founder, Indian Novels Collective. Anamika Mohanta, on her takeout from the event.

June 23, 2021

Battlefield by Vishram Bedekar
A Reader’s View

Bookstagrammer Tanaya Pandey shares her views on the recently released translation of Vishram Bekekar’s only novel, Ranaangan

May 13, 2021

Starting point for exploring Telugu short stories

While an ongoing translation effort is being made to bring Telugu short stories to a wider audience, here’s a mixed bag of seven notable short story collections that await their ingress into English reading space and some which have been translated.

April 23, 2021

A book a day keeps anxiety at bay

A curated selection of 20 e-books from Niyogi Book’s Indian Language Literature in Translation list is open to all at Re 1 each on Amazon. One for each day, for the next 20 days. Head to the blog to know what we have in store for you, starting tomorrow!

April 22, 2021

Six books that address environmental issues in Indian literature

Diverse, thought-provoking and highly engaging, these books articulate how Indian authors have dealt with environmental issues using different perspectives and contexts.

March 8, 2021

15 Indian language women writers who should feature on your reading list

Here are fifteen women from across Indian languages who gave us a glimpse of the inner workings of society from behind the four walls. Yet, their writing has radically questioned the patriarchy and societal inequality, and created an inclusive, thought-provoking representation of women in Indian literature.

This Women’s Day, let us celebrate them by celebrating their written word.

February 15, 2021

Indian language translations to look out for in 2021

Setting up your reading list for the year ahead? Don’t forget to include these translations from across Indian languages in your list!

January 24, 2021

How inclusive are we? Explore opinions discussed in an Online Literary Festival hosted by Indian Novels Collective and Belongg

On Saturday, 23 January 2021, Indian Novels Collective in collaboration with Belongg, hosted a day-long online festival on inclusivity in Indian-language literature, that witnessed participation from different quarters. Read on, to know more.

December 31, 2020

The Indian Literary Legends we lost in 2020

As a tumultuous 2020 finally draws to a close, let us take a moment to pay our tribute to the Indian literary legends we lost in the course of the year.

October 10, 2020

Explore mental health through these seven reads in Indian literature

This World Mental Health Day, let’s bring the conversation closer home. Explore how non-English Indian literature creates awareness on mental crises.

September 23, 2020

The Man who learnt to Fly but Could not Land

Book Blogger Sahil Pradhan shares his view on TP Rajeevan’s latest translation ‘The Man who learnt to Fly but Could not Land.’ Originally published as ‘KTN Kottoor: Ezhuthum Jeevithavum’ (2013), it has been translated into English by PJ Mathew and published by Hachette India (2020).

August 5, 2020

Five gems of Hindi Literature

Bilingual writer, Anukrti Upadhyay lists five Hindi classics which left a last impression on her young mind. Click here to read her recommendations.

July 7, 2020

Verses of a vanishing language

A reader mourns the neglect of Dogri. Read Ranjana Sharma’s piece on revisiting Dogri literature and poetry.

June 30, 2020

Queer literature from India you haven’t read, but probably should

To mark the end of Pride Month we at Indian Novels Collective have compiled a list of five translated works of queer literature from India. While the pandemic has made it impossible to go out and celebrate Pride this year, we can still maintain the essence of Pride while staying home and curling up with these essential reads in order to understand our countries deep-rooted ties to LGBTQ+ identities.

November 29, 2019

Raising good Indians: What early twentieth-century children’s journals in Hindi tried to teach

Children’s journals in the early 20th century tried to instill nationalistic morals and identity through children’s journals in Hindi. Read all about how the language Hindi was used to raise ‘good’ Indians and create a sense of belongingness to the country through these journals.

November 19, 2019

Non Fiction: Manto Unvarnished

Here’s an absorbing book review on ‘Manto Saheb: Friends and Enemies of the Great Maverick’– translation of articles by fellow writers of Saadat Hasan Manto. Read on to get an insight into Manto’s life through multiple perspectives.

November 12, 2019

Indian Writing: History and Perspectives

Indian literary tradition has been a myriad of diverse cultures, languages and viewpoints. As K. Satchidanandan — eminent poet, critic, translator, editor, and public intellectual receives the Poet Laureate at the Tata Literature Live 2019, Indian Novels Collective celebrates his pioneering contributions to Indian literature and is delighted to present an excerpt from his latest book, ‘Positions: Essays on Indian Literature’ that traces the history and uniqueness of works by Indian writers.

September 11, 2019

Goodbye, my dear friend

Shanta Gokhale writes a heart-warming tribute for the Mumbai Mirror to her dearest friend, Kiran Nagarkar— Sahitya Akademi Awardee Novelist and Indian Novels Collective mentor.

August 30, 2019

Beyond the Gulf Dream — Malayali writers investigate the lives of immigrant workers

Generations of Malayalis have been migrating to the Gulf countries for work, carrying with them their stories and dreams. Now writers are beginning to discover these stories for the world to read. This blog takes you closer to the intriguing and fascinating lives of migrant workers in the Gulf.

July 8, 2019

The Monsoon Reading of Mohan Rakesh’s ‘Ashaad Ka Ek Din’

The Monsoon Reading of Mohan Rakesh’s ‘Ashaad Ka Ek Din’ at Jindal Mansion on Friday, July 5, 2019 was a houseful event. Theatre lovers were captivated with the mesmerizing performance by renowned personalities.

June 7, 2019

Six must-read translations of Urdu novels

With over 50 million native speakers, Urdu is the seventh most spoken language in India. Delve into the rich tradition with this list of Urdu novels readily available in English.

May 21, 2019

Seeing but not SEEN

Sukrita Paul Kumar’s translation of her father’s novel ‘Blind’, brings the dimensions of sight to English readers.

May 13, 2019

Translation: A cultural transfer

The translator’s purpose is not just to translate a printed literary text into another language but to be the mediator who could initiate and even induce the reader to internalise the representative text of an alien culture. Read more about the cultural context of translation in the article.

May 11, 2019

Your opinion matters

As we remember Saadat Hasan Manto on his 107th birth anniversary, let us look at what renowned historians, filmmakers and writers have to say about his craft as a short story writer and a chronicler of his times.

May 7, 2019

Remembering the Bard of Bengal

As we celebrate the birth of this multifaceted and revolutionary artist today, let us revisit and cherish the timeless contributions which altered the way our society and world thinks. Remembering the literary genius who weaved beauty and purpose in the most beautiful way.

April 25, 2019

The story behind the translation of Phanishwar Nath Renu’s first novel Maila Anchal

Indian Novels Collective came across this rare document carrying the preface and introduction to The Soiled Border – a translation of Renu’s first novel Maila Anchal – by translator Indira Junghare. Read on to know more…

April 15, 2019

Six must-read translations of Bengali novels

Priyanka Lindgren lists six must-read translations of Bengali novels on Bengali New Year. Read on to know more.

February 8, 2019

Celebrated in Song: Portraits of Women in Fiction and Music @KGAF20

On Friday, February 8, 2019, the David Sassoon Library Grounds reverberated with the strong voice of two women. Singer and musician, Vidya Shah and actress Priyanka Setia who brought alive three women characters through readings from iconic novels and songs. Read on to know more.

January 10, 2019

Six translations of Hindi works that are a must read!

On this World Hindi Day, we celebrated our love for the language by bringing you six Hindi novels which have been made accessible to an English reader in translation. Read the list to select one.

January 9, 2019

Musical Readings at the Times Lit Fest

Indian Novels Collective’s houseful event, Musical Readings at the Times Lit Fest 2018 proved that there will always be takers for a good story regardless of the era it is set in and most importantly, the language it was originally written in. Read on to know what transpired.