Sweet Revenge

Vanmam, Bama's 2003 novel has finally been translated into English. Published recently by OUP (the translation is by Malini Seshadri), this work (Vanmam translates as Vendetta) focuses "on the inter-caste rivalry within Dalit communities. It highlights the animosity between the Pallars and the Parayars of Kandampatti village-who identify themselves as Hindus and Christians respectively- and describes how the landowners of the dominant Naicker caste stoke the fires of intra-Dalit hostilities to benefit themselves, ignoring the human costs paid for time and again in misery, loss, and death. An important contribution to the corpus of Dalit literature, this translation makes Vanmam available to a wider reading public."

Dalit writing- a relatively recent genre- is "characterized by startling language, ethnographic detail, and native idiom. Dalit writing in Tamil has gone hand in hand with political activism, and with critical and ideological debate. However a large portion of this writing has concentrated on the theme of victimhood." This book is quite different. And Bama's autobiography Karukku (Macmillan) which appeared several years ago, as well as her novel Sangati (also from OUP) are both listed on Scholars, as is a collection of short stories, Harum Scarum Saar (from Women Unlimited).

An important book from an important writer. In our Indian Literature in Translation section. Rs 345, ISBN 9780195696332

Forever young, forever new

Ali's World, released yesterday by Roli Books is one way that
Badal and Swapna Mukhopadhyay cope with the immeasurable pain of losing their son Ali. An unusual and hugely talented child, Ali's life was cut short by an accident, just when his talent was beginning to take shape. This is a book about Ali, his growing up, and what made him exceptional. The foreword is by Aamir Khan who made the sensitive film Taare Zameen Par on the difficulties of a dyslexic child- and there is some resonance with the story of Ali Mukhopadhyay

"Ali began to show a talent for painting at an early age. During the last few months of his life he painted at a feverish pitch, experimenting with all kinds of mediums and art styles. Most of the paintings reproduced in this book were completed during this period. "

In our Biography section, Rs 995. 96 pages, paperback. ISBN 9788174366740

Inspired induction

Several centuries before Newton or Leibniz, a group of mathematicians- now known as the Kerala school- had discovered infinite series, particularly for trigonometric functions. Although they cannot be credited with having invented calculus, they had some knowledge of mathematical induction and had obtained a number of results which they gave without proof.

Many of the mathematicians of this school were known: one of them, Jyeshtadevan's key work was the Yuktibhasa which he wrote in Malayalam. this text is considered unique in the history of Indian mathematics in that it contains proofs of theorems and derivations of rules and series. One major criticism of classical Indian mathematics is that it as largely ignorant of the methods of mathematics...

HBA in New Delhi have just brought out the Ganita-Yukti-Bhàshà of Jyeshtadeva (Rationals in Mathematical Astronomy). The Malyalam text has been critically edited and translated by K V Sarma, with explanatory notes by K Ramasubramanian, M D Srinivas and M S Sriram in two volumes, Mathematics and Astronomy. Running to 1084 pages, this two volume hardcover set is priced at Rs. 1500.00.

"The text comprising fifteen chapters is naturally divided into two parts, Mathematics and Astronomy, and purports to give an exposition of the techniques and theories employed in the computation of planetary motions as set forth in the great treatise Tantrasaïgraha (c.1500).

The Mathematics part is divided into seven chapters and the topics covered are Parikarma (logistics), fractions, rule of three, Kuññàkàra (linear indeterminate equations), Paridhi and Vyàsa (infinite series and approximations for the ratio of the circumference and diameter of a circle) and Jyànayana (infinite series and approximations for sines). A distinguishing feature of the work is that it presents detailed demonstrations of the famous results attributed to Màdhava (c.1340-1420), such as the infinite series for, the arc-tangent and the sine functions, the estimation of correction terms and their use in the generation of faster convergent series. Demonstrations are also presented for some of the classical results of Āâryabhaña (c.499) on Kuññàkàra or the process of solution of linear indeterminate equations, of Brahmagupta (c.628) on the diagonals and the area of a cyclic quadrilateral and of Bhàskara (c.1150) on the surface area and volume of a sphere.

The Astronomy part is divided into eight Chapters and the topics covered are Grahagati (computation of mean and true longitudes of planets), Bhågola and Bhagola (Earth and celestial spheres), problems relating to right ascension, declination, longitude, etc, determination of time, place, direction, etc., from gnomonic shadow), eclipses, phases of the Moon, and so on. A distinguishing feature of this work is that it gives a detailed exposition of the revised planetary model proposed by Nãlakaõñha which, for the first time in the History of Astronomy, gives the correct formulation of the equation of centre and the latitudinal motion of the interior planets, Mercury and Venus."

A wonderful addition to our History of Science and Mathematics sections. ISBN 978-81-85931-83-8

Under a microscope

Students of physics are taught early on that in a quantum mechanical world, the act of observation itself affects the observed object. And since our world is quantum mechanical, how then does one ever observe anything without affecting it?

Issues like this are very appropriate even in more immediate contexts. Say, when studying animal behaviour, especially human behaviour. How does the researcher's presence affect the objects of their study? And how might one ensure that the disturbance is minimal? A new book from Sage attempts to provide some guidance in this matter. Researching Families and Children: Culturally Appropriate Methods "highlights methodological issues that arise while conducting research on human development in India. This compilation deals with the dynamics of transacting research in the field, instead of providing formalized instructions on how to conduct research. This set of essays thus scores over most other books on research methodology in this regard. Dwelling on authentic encounters in the field, the authors articulate the various processes of interaction, while providing transparency in procedure and practicality in approach.

A significant aspect of the collection is the inclusion of the perspectives of the participants in research studies. The people studied are seen as partners in the creation of knowledge, without whose active involvement the studies would be inadequate. With a view to demystifying research methods and engaging the reader, the narrative uses the trope from the world of Indian theatre of the traditional Sutradhaar (Master of Ceremonies) and Vidushak (Jester). This strategy infuses a lighter note and serves to round-off each essay succinctly."

The book is edited by S Anandalakshmy along with Nandita Chaudhary and Neerja Sharma, both at the University of Delhi. Dr. Anandalakshmy who trained in the area of human development at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she got her Ph D, retired as Director of the Lady Irwin College, New Delhi where she has developed courses and curricula for the masters program in Child Development and served as the Head of Department from its inception in 1970 to 1983.

In our Psychology Section, Rs 350, Paperback, 252 pages. ISBN 9788178298726.

The Unclear Deal

Leftword have three books that should- we hope- shed some light on the recent political events surrounding the break up of the coalition that is presently in power at the Centre. Whether the government survives the next week is a moot question, and many Indians are both mystified and ignorant as to what the real issues are. Today's Hindu carries a passionate piece by V Krishna Iyer who entreats us "to preserve undiminished the dynamics, dimensions and dialectical realities of our democracy without the authoritarian patronage and commanding directives of a big power beyond the Atlantic. Do not ‘nuclearise’ our freedom. We need no U.S. nuclear imports to attain energy swaraj. We have uranium of our own yet to be mined. We have large thorium resources. We have enough alternative resources and technology." He goes on to argue that we need to explore other dimensions and alternate strategies... arguments that have been made and unmade time and again.

But what is the politics behind the politics? In an effort to make things as transparent as possible, "the notes exchanged in the UPA-Left Committee on India-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation are being made public since the issues involved are of vital importance and will have long-term implications of the country. The struggle waged by all the patriotic and democratic forces against the deal finds reflection in the documents submitted by the Left Parties. They are an effective critique of the deal and its harmful consequences for India’s national interests, foreign policy and strategic autonomy." This title from LeftWord, LEFT STAND ON THE NUCLEAR DEAL: Note Exchanged in the UPA-Left Committee on India-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation is the official statement of the CPM, the CPI, the Revolutionary Socialist Party and the All India Forward Bloc. Paperback, pp. 203, Rs 50.

Best read with SUBORDINATE ALLY: The Nuclear Deal and India-US Strategic Relations by Prakash Karat (ISBN: 978-81-87496-73-1, paperback, pp. 120, Rs 95) and Uncle Sam’s Nuclear Cabin by Prabir Purkayastha, Ninan Koshy, and M. K. Bhadrakumar (ISBN: 978-81-87496-74-8, paperback, pp. 135, Rs 95).

Write to us. Or order directly from the Leftword and IPDA sites.

Desire and Design

The title of this post is taken from a review (in Biblio, by Jane Bhandari) of the book of poems by Sudeep Sen, Distracted Geographies: An Archipelago of Intent that was published a few years ago, jointly by Indialog in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, Wings Press, and Peepal Tree.

Sudeep Sen is widely praised. And some of the encomium finds its way to his homepage. The Poetry Review, for instance, finds him "not afraid to experiment with new and traditional forms and subjects for poetry ... (His) poems display a fine eye for detail and a deft use of images." So KISS: AN HAIKU (I think I would have preferred A Haiku) goes

a languorous kiss
the faintest smell of ocean
salt lipped breeze, pleading

Distracted Geographies is "about the politics of body and text, mask and posture, desire and distraction, disease and health—the relationship between indoor and outdoor, island and mainland, centre and periphery—and the texture that dictates topography and cartography.

The book contends boldly with intimate issues of love, loss, illness, passion, and sex. Even though the locale is largely set in various parts of Scotland, it could ostensibly be anywhere that is imaginatively similar. Using both a minimalist and cinematic form, the scenes shift, dissolve, inter-cut, flashback, and fast-forward to provide a narrative that is at the same time linear and oblique, classical and avant-garde.

The form and structure of the piece is inspired both by the architecture of the human body, and the shape of Pablo Neruda’s Odes that reflect the long-thin shape of Chile. Sections and sub-sections within the narrative join together like synapses between bone and bone; and the titles act as translucent markers or breath pauses, not separators."

This book of poems has been called eminently re-readable... In our Poetry Section, 206 pages, Rs 200, ISBN: 81-87981-67-9

A skilful assemblage

That repository of so much contemporary knowledge, Wikipedia will tell you that the word Aryan has, as its possible root, the proto indo-european adjective, aryo meaning "to assemble skilfully"... And that is what the latest offering from Three Essays Collective, Gurgaon is- a skilful assembly.

The Aryan: Recasting Constructs, by Romila Thapar is a collection of her essays, The Historiography of the Concept of ‘Aryan’, Some Appropriations of the Theory of Aryan Race and the Beginnings of Indian History, Exploring Societies of the Early Past, The Ṛgveda: Encapsulating Social Change and The Archaeological Background to the Agnicayana Ritual.

Describing the book, TEC say "To identify the Aryan is to search for that which remains elusive. There have been many definitions based on multiple and diverse factors and there are therefore inevitable disagreements about both the identification and the meaning of the concept. It is probably the most complex question in early Indian history and it requires considerable expertise in the interpretation of the evidence which ranges from ecology to philology.

This collection of essays, written over some years, explores these aspects of the theme in a way that furthers our understanding of an early period of Indian history. The constituents that went into the concept have changed from race, ethnicity and elements of nationality to language, status and culture. This has involved recasting the constructs and has inevitably been controversial. The essays explain how the constructs came to be formulated, why they changed and what might be more meaningful interrogations of this history."

In hardcover in our History section, and in Paperback among the TEC titles. Rs 550, 208 pages, ISBN 81-88789-65-8.

Making history

Amhihi Itihas Ghadavila by Meenakshi Moon and Urmila Pawar is a contemporary classic that was first published in 1989 in Marathi. Wandana Sonalkar (of Aalochana, Pune) has translated this book into English as We also made history.

The book details for the first time the history of the womens participation in Dalit movement led by B. R. Ambedkar. The first part outlines the involvement of women in various Dalit struggles from the early 20th Century, drawing on diverse sources including Dalit periodicals, records of meetings and personal correspondence. It speaks of social conditions of Dalit's women's lives, daily religious practices and marital rules among Dalits, the practice of ritual prostitution and various issues related to women. The second part consists of interviews with Dalit women activists from the 1930s. Both provide a rich store of materials for historians of the Dalit movement and of Gender in India.

In our Dalit Studies and Gender sections, Rs 595, 300 pages ISBN: 9788189013127

Found in translation

Kunwar Narain, now in his 80's, is one of the most well known and widely read poets in Hindi. Starting with his first collection of poems entitled Chakravyooh (1956) he has written a number of books of poetry, fiction, literary criticism. He has also translated the poetry of Cavafy, Borges, Mallarme, and Walcott among others into Hindi.

A Sahitya Akademi awardee, his own work has not been widely translated into English- till now. This year Rupa have brought out No Other World, a bilingual volume of around a hundred selected poems of Kunwar Narain translated into English by his son Apurva.

The Little Magazine had published his poem "A strange problem" which begins*

I have a strange problem these days —
The power to hate with all my heart
Is ebbing by the day

and gives a glimpse into why he has been called "a predominantly meditative poet [who dwells] on the present through the prism of myth and history, and and as a writer whose work reveals a twentieth century sensibility in its anguish as well as its resourcefulness’.

No other world is newly in our Poetry section. Rs 395. Hardcover, 300 pages. ISBN: 9788129113733

*Translated into English by Pratik Kanjilal.

Making another world possible...

Vikas Adhyayan Kendra (VAK) is an organisation in Mumbai with the express purpose of increasing the link between "scholars, academics and social activists, to initiate the process of social awakening through critical reflection and alternative discourse thereby contributing to strengthening people's struggles towards the goal of a just and more humane social order." Thats more than a mouthful, but given the scale of problems we (as a country) face, its not only necessary, its crucial.

They also publish books, and thats what this post is about. The major areas of concern for VAK are

• Dalits and Adivasis
• Gender Rights
• Livelihood Security
• Environment and Ecology
• Religion and Society: Secularism and Communalism
• Theory and Practice of Social Transformation
• Ideology and Culture

which are among the most popular sections on the Scholars website. The covers on this post are some of their titles: Atrophy in Dalit Politics by Gopal Guru, which is a publication of the Dalit Intellectual's Collective, formed to combat the "recent trend in Dalit movements [...] the loss of reflectivity and the absence of any sustained intellectual endeavour to shape the course of politics. Dalit politics as a result lost purpose and got increasingly rooted in everyday forms of emotional- rhetorical dialogues", Ambedkar on Muslims by Anand Teltumbde, Lessons from Gujarat, edited by Sandip Pendse, and A Manifesto for Making another world possible by Damien Millet and Eric Toussaint...

The publications are not expensive. Rs 100 is a typical price. But more than that, these books address important contemporary issues and should not be ignored. In our Dalit Studies section, and in our Publisher Lists.

An author who makes that difference

A title that we have carried for a while now, Why I am not a Hindu by Kancha Ilaiah has been chosen for the Annual London Institute of South Asia Award 2008. Published by Samya, Kolkata, this is one of several Ilaiah titles that we list at SwB.

The citation of the award is illuminating. "Ever since this book was first published in 1996, it did not only become the bestseller of the year, it has been declared one of the Five Great Millennium Books in Dalitbahujan stream of thought by the Indian National Daily, PIONEER. It has influenced a whole range of new discourse on understanding of India and South Asia. It has been translated not only into several Indian languages but also European languages – French and German. It has been adopted as the common core text of New Reading on South Asia by several American and European Universities. Most Indian Universities include it in the curriculum of courses in Sociology and Anthropology.

The native peoples of India (erstwhile untouchables) called Dalitbahujan by Prof. Ilaiah have been denied a separate identity by denying them education; they were not even allowed to be lettered. Under British rule, they were given an identity; they were grouped into Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Castes (OBCs). They also got two things they never had before – reserved seats in education and right to vote. That caused a slow change in the beginning but a veritable revolution in the new millennium.

The caste Hindus are at best 15 % of the population of India today. The Dalitbahujan may be as many as 65% of the population depending on who is included. Realising the power of the vote, Mahatma Gandhi condescendingly called them Harijan (children of Hindu god Hari) and insisted they were Hindus. In 1932, under the Communal Award, the British Government offered them ‘Separate Electorate’ alongside the faith groups – the Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. The leader of the Dalitbahujan, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, accepted the Award. But Mahatma Gandhi went on ‘fast unto death’ to persuade him to reject it. The pressure worked; Dalitbahujan agreed to ‘Joint Electorate’ under which they were put on electoral rolls of the Hindus. That is how the myth of India being a Hindu majority country was born.

Universal adult franchise makes Dalitbahujan the majority in India. Dalit parties, by themselves or in coalition, rule several states. The voice of Dalitbahujan is heard loud and clear all over India; more and more of them are seen in high office of state; yet alienation is so acute as to be almost unbearable. The repression of Dalitbahujan is not so overt but it is still vicious and highly effective as the Brahmin priest caste is adept at evolving covert methods. Complaining about discrimination and securing more places in education and in government jobs has run its course; it still leaves Dalitbahujan at the bottom of the social pile.

The book “Why I am not a Hindu” is chosen because it has ‘made a difference’ since it was first published in 1996. The Constitution of India describes a Hindu as one who is ‘not a Muslim, Christian or a Parsi’; the Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and all the animal/ancestor worshipping faiths, are thus denied their separate identity. This definition portrays India as overwhelmingly Hindu and puts a tight lid on the repression on the basis of faith and castes. Perhaps taking a cue from the Constitution, Prof. Ilaiah defines Dalitbahujan as all except the ‘twice born’. Thus, he also defines the Indian nation as a ‘coalition’ but of different elements. The elements he excludes are those who preach, uphold or practise ‘apartheid’.

Language, race, faith and culture define nations. Prof. Ilaiah has described at length in his book that Dalibahujan are different, indeed better, on every score. He urges his compatriots to stop complaining and begging. Dalibahujan should define their own identity; everything else would follows."

Ilaiah (pronounced Eye-lye-ah, as I only recently learned) has a number of books. Some are- given the nature of his concerns- bordering on the polemic, but he is a passionate writer with a message. In quite a different category from Why I am not a Hindu or God as a Political Philosopher or Buffalo Nationalism (also from Samya) is the delightful Turning the pot, Tilling the land from Navayana (from where we got the accompanying caricature), another of his books to have been internationally recognised.

Our warmest congratulations! To the author, and also to the publishers who have brought us his books. It takes both conviction and courage, and Samya and Navayana have these qualities in plenty.

Affirmative! Action

Reserved! How Parliament debated Reservations 1995-2007 by Rajeev Dhavan is a recent publication from Rupa & Co. (So recent that getting information on it was quite a pain- all I have to go by is the Rupa Book News for June that arrived on my desk this morning).

Dhavan is a senior advocate at the Supreme Court who works on affirmative action, human rights, secularism and constitutional governance. He is also Director of the public interest law firm PILSARC (Public Interest Legal Support and Research Center) and he writes on matters legal quite freqently, both books as well as newspaper articles.

"Affirmative action through exclusive quotas for India's disdvantaged in public services and education has caused strikes, protests and riots in India. Parliament and the Supreme Court echoed divergent solutions, resulting in dramatic clashes between Parliament and the courts.

An expose of contemporary political history, this book shows how Courts retreat into compromise and political parties show an embarassing overcommitment to win votes at all costs. If Court judgements are unreadable and complex, parliamentary debates are often hilarious, unsystematic, irrelevant, amusing and boring. Is this how India wishes to be governed?"

Dhavan's writings on such complex issues are very readable. He has been called "incisive, thoughtful and provocative". An earlier essay entitled "The Supreme Court and group life: religious, freedom, minority groups and disadvantaged communities" by him and Fali Nariman appeared in his (co-edited) book Supreme but not infallible (from OUP) , and another, on "Contempt of Court", in Courts, Legislatures, Media Freedom (punctuation mine) from NBT.

The book will eventually find its way to our Politics and Law sections. In the meanwhile, write in to us at the usual address.