Latest news with #DCBooks
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Time of India
Police submit chargesheet in EP Jayarajan memoir leak case
Kottayam: Police submitted the chargesheet in the investigation into the leak of excerpts from the memoir of senior CPM functionary E P Jayarajan. The chargesheet names the former publication manager of DC Books A V Sreekumar as the lone accused. He was allegedly found guilty under BNS sections involving breach of trust, cheating and under the IT Act for breach of confidentiality and privacy. Kottayam East Police SHO Sreejith submitted the report before the CJM court here last month. The chargesheet was submitted after six months of registering a case based on Jayarajan's complaint. Jayarajan alleged a conspiracy behind the leak of the memoir, which came out on the polling day of Palakkad assembly byelection. However, the investigation did not find any conspiracy behind the incident.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
French literature influences writers and politicians in Kerala: Tharoor
T'puram: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stressed the cultural bond between France and Kerala, stating that French literature had a deep influence on writers and politicians of the state. Speaking at the launch of the 'Pardon My French' bookshelf at DC Books, organised by the French Institute of India on Thursday, Tharoor said, "French culture and ideas have seeped into our consciousness through political writing, appreciation and values of democracy, liberty, equality and fraternity." He noted that the extraordinary contribution of French writers opened new ways of thinking. "More than 100 years ago, in a transformative act of literary vision, Nalappat Narayana Menon translated Victor Hugo's Les Misérables into Malayalam as 'Paavangal'. It was a cultural transplantation and the soil of Kerala received it not just out of curiosity but with gratitude and a bit of revolutionary fervour. Our famous communist leader, EMS Namboothiripad, said 'Paavangal' was one of the sparks that led him to communism. Writers like Thagazhi and O V Vijayan have said that in the translated works of French writing, they found a new idiom of empathy, a new narrative possibility and a new lens through which to view the oppressed and the invisible. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo With 'Paavangal', Malayalam found a weapon for awakening and that engagement partly contributed to the decades of remarkable visionary and social ferment in Kerala from the 1930s onwards," Tharoor said. He also mentioned that many other Malayalis started to translate works of French and Russian fiction and modernist works and that's how the doors to people like Guy de Maupassant, Victor Hugo and Émile Zola were opened to Malayali minds. "That's how many Malayalis discovered the challenges of realism and introspection in a literature that mirrors society and questions it," he added. "The French, in many ways, have a cultural affinity to us, including in our great conversational habit. The habit of sitting around and discussing over coffee. The Bengali adda, the Malayali tea shop. This is France, except that it is taking place in our languages," he said.
New Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
‘Pavangal' sparked EMS's interest in Marxist ideology, says Tharoor
'The fire ignited by Hugo burned brightly in young political minds of the time. The novel stirred a generation not merely to weep, but to act,' he said. Tharoor was speaking at the launch of 'Pardon My French,' book shelf at DC Books store here on Thursday. He also had a conversation with French Ambassador Thierry Mathou at the event. 'Pavangal' changed the very trajectory of Malayalam literature and social thought. 'For the first time, readers here encountered a literary hero like Jean Valjean - broken by systems, redeemed by compassion, awakened to justice. It lit the torch of conscience in countless readers,' he said. The book offered prominent modern novelists Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, O V Vijayan and others a new idiom of empathy, a new narrative possibility, a new lens through which to view the oppressed and the invisible, he said. According to Tharoor, reading French literature is to step into a world where beauty and pain walk hand in hand. 'The moral complexity of Camus, the passion of Hugo, the subtle defiance of Colette, the psychological depth of Duras... these are not just artistic achievements, but guides to understanding the human condition,' he said.
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
An initiative to bring French literature closer to Keralites
In a vibrant celebration of cultural and literary exchange, the French Institute in India and DC Books jointly launched the 'Pardon My French!' bookshelf at DC Books here on Thursday evening. The initiative aims at bringing French literature closer to Indian readers through curated translations and accessible editions. The launch featured a conversation between Shashi Tharoor, author and MP, and Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India. The duo explored the rich tapestry of French and Indian literary traditions and the lasting influence of French story-telling on Indian readers. Cultural commonalities Dr. Tharoor highlighted the role of Victor Hugo in making French literature accessible in India. He emphasised the value of literary exchange in broadening perspectives and nurturing creativity. He also spoke about the cultural commonalities between India and France, particularly the value both societies placed on intellectual discussion and community forums. 'In India, we have traditions like the Malayali 'chayakkada' and Bengali 'adda'— spaces where people come together to discuss everything from politics to poetry. France too has a strong café culture that fosters similar democratic dialogue,' Dr. Tharoor said, drawing parallels that resonated with the audience. Ambassador Mathou expressed optimism that the 'Pardon My French!' initiative would ignite curiosity about French literature among Indian readers, particularly the youth. 'Literature is a powerful bridge between cultures. These stories help us understand each other better,' he said. International understanding Several school students in the audience asked the speakers questions on the influence of literature on diplomacy and how cultural exchange shaped international understanding. In reply, both Dr. Tharoor and Dr. Mathou stressed the role of literature in building empathy and global citizenship. The 'Pardon My French!' bookshelf features a diverse selection of French classics and contemporary works, translated into English and Indian languages.
New Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kochi-based reviewer's video to be featured in Booker Prize event
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Never in his wildest dreams did Shon Joy imagine that a book review he posted on his social media handle would catch the attention of the Booker Prize Foundation. His video review of Anne Serre's 'A Leopard-Skin Hat' — one of six books shortlisted for this year's International Booker Prize — has garnered attention for its clarity and insight. And what's more, his video will be used as part of the official content for the upcoming Booker event. 'When I posted the review on Instagram, I never expected such a response from the official handle of The Booker Prizes,' Shon told TNIE.'I tagged them because I was reviewing a book shortlisted by them. This is a huge achievement for me and I was more than happy to give my consent to use my video for their official content for the upcoming event.' He said the Booker Prize authorities have promised to credit his account. 'I too am eagerly waiting for the winner.' An engineering graduate by qualification, Shon decided to pursue his passion for reading and writing, becoming a professional copywriter and author. Belonging to Thrissur, he currently resides in Kochi and is an active participant in literary discussions, reading clubs, and is a prolific book reviewer across digital platforms. A major turning point was his interaction with iconic Malayalam writer M Mukundan. 'I got the unique opportunity to interact and spend a day with him at Mayyazhi as part of an event organised by DC Books to celebrate 50 years of 'Mayyazhi Puzhayude Theerangalil'. He inspired me to read more international books and discussed the books shortlisted for this year's International Booker Prize. I decided to read and review all six shortlisted books. A Leopard-Skin Hat was the first book I posted, which got the response from them,' Shon said.
