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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Review: Shape of an Apostrophe by Uttama Kirit Patel
Uttama Kirit Patel's Shape of an Apostrophe is a novel which enjoys making the reader aware of the trauma-related baggage that human beings carry with them, their correspondent responses and coping mechanisms, and how it all shows up in the most unexpected ways in the choices we make. The narrative opens with the newly wed protagonist Lina, who lives in the UAE, and is full of doubts about fulfilling what society considers her inescapable biological destiny as a woman – to become a mother. Having recently lost her doting father who raised her as a single parent, she is struggling to express and come to terms with her grief even as she encounters the innumerable ways in which a woman's body is made the subject of constant interrogation in a patriarchal society, particularly one that thrives on the control of female desire. This is made manifest through Lina's experiences in her in-laws' palatial home where she now lives. It also comes across through her dead mother's musings during her own pregnancy, and through the many tribulations faced by Shobha, the daughter of Raja, the family caretaker. Palace as prison: Shape of an Apostrophe examines the innumerable ways in which a woman's body is made the subject of constant interrogation in a patriarchal society. (Shutterstock) 287pp, ₹455; Hachette India This is not to say that the novel is a heavy read. Patel adopts a tone that is simultaneously humorous and tragic as she depicts the trials of everyday existence for women across social strata in a postmodern world. This is particularly true in the moments when Lina navigates through her own pregnancy without the guidance of a stable maternal figure. At a meeting of a mothers group called Calm Palm Parents, she wanted to ask 'whether labour would rip the lips of her vagina ten feet apart'. But the very thought of uttering the V word calls to mind the wait staff at her in-laws' dinner parties; people 'crucial to the spectacle yet too dirty to touch silverware without gloves'. The author has a way with words and the narrative tone is both witty and devastating in its truth telling. The book's title itself refers to Lina's description of a girl she met while dispersing her father's ashes at Haji Ali in Mumbai: '[she] is the shape of an apostrophe, that little symbol which stood in the place of letters that had disappeared'. The prose takes on a slow rhythmic cadence where Lina is introspecting about her art, musing about the Indian diaspora in the UAE, and thinking back to the earlier days of her relationship with Ishaan, who is now her husband. But in the sections where she encounters resistance from her mother-in-law, Meenakshi, (whose perspective is also shared) about the life choices she makes and how she feels about living in a place that never quite feels like home, the prose becomes heavy, even claustrophobic. This reflection of Lina's mental landscape shows up in the portions about the life stories of Shobha and Meenakshi too. Author Uttama Kirit Patel (Courtesy the publisher) At the beginning of the narrative, Patel shares a note explaining that there are 'two ways to read a story' and urges the reader to carry this notion ahead as they delve deeper into the fictional universe that she has created. However, what you encounter is not a straightforward examination of the duality that characterises the human experience but the presentation of a multiplicity of perspectives, all of which seem valid and worthy of empathy. In the end, apart from Patel's beautiful prose, it is this acuity that makes Shape of an Apostrophe a rewarding read. Simar Bhasin is a literary critic and research scholar who lives in Delhi. Her essay 'A Qissa of Resistance: Desire and Dissent in Selma Dabbagh's Short Fiction' was awarded 'Highly Commended' by the Wasafiri Essay Prize 2024.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
From Alam Khan to Rumi Harish, new book 'The Call of Music' documents stories of eight Hindustani musicians
NEW DELHI: From sarod virtuoso Alam Khan, son of the late legend Ali Akbar Khan, to musician and queer transmasculine activist Rumi Harish, "The Call of Music" explores the journeys of eight distinctive voices in Hindustani music -- ranging from acclaimed performers to unsung torchbearers. Written by Hindustani vocalist Priya Purushothaman, the book explores the personal journeys of dedicated music practitioners, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of music-making while also shedding light on the pervasive influence of social class within the realm of classical music. It is published by Hachette India. "I wondered about all the stories I wouldn't get to hear or read, out of sheer lack of access or documentation. This compelled me to seek these individuals and see if they would give me the privilege of sharing a slice of their lives, coming together as something akin to an ethnographic survey of select Hindustani musicians in the twenty-first century," Purushothaman, who also authored "Living Music: Conversations with Pandit Dinkar Kaikini", said in a statement. From the narrow lanes of Kashipur to the sweeping hills of San Rafael, the artists profiled in the book emerge from vastly different worlds. Yet, each has devoted their life to music with "unflinching conviction and artistic courage".
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
The Call of Music: Book documents stories of 8 Hindustani musicians
New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) From sarod virtuoso Alam Khan, son of the late legend Ali Akbar Khan, to musician and queer transmasculine activist Rumi Harish, 'The Call of Music" explores the journeys of eight distinctive voices in Hindustani music — ranging from acclaimed performers to unsung torchbearers. Written by Hindustani vocalist Priya Purushothaman, the book explores the personal journeys of dedicated music practitioners, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of music-making while also shedding light on the pervasive influence of social class within the realm of classical music. It is published by Hachette India. 'I wondered about all the stories I wouldn't get to hear or read, out of sheer lack of access or documentation. This compelled me to seek these individuals and see if they would give me the privilege of sharing a slice of their lives, coming together as something akin to an ethnographic survey of select Hindustani musicians in the twenty-first century," Purushothaman, who also authored 'Living Music: Conversations with Pandit Dinkar Kaikini", said in a statement. From the narrow lanes of Kashipur to the sweeping hills of San Rafael, the artists profiled in the book emerge from vastly different worlds. Yet, each has devoted their life to music with 'unflinching conviction and artistic courage". The lineup includes Shubhada Paradkar, a leading figure of the Agra gharana; acclaimed violinist Kala Ramnath; sarangi player and the youngest featured artist, Suhail Yusuf Khan; accomplished tabla player Yogesh Samsi; and vocalist Shubha Joshi. 'What binds them is a profound surrender to the art, a deep-seated devotion that transcends convention and circumstance. Together, they form a luminous, emotionally textured portrait of a musical legacy – rooted and radically alive," said the publisher in its description of the book. The book has been endorsed by the likes of historian Ramachandra Guha and acclaimed Hindustani classical vocalist Shubha Mudgal. While Guha describes the book as a 'rich and beautiful meditation" on the greatest of our art forms, Mudgal notes that Purushothaman's writing 'reflects in totality the rigour and introspection that has marked her journey as a singer". 'As a lover of our 'shastriya sangeet' I found this book utterly compelling. So will readers with a more general interest in narrative non-fiction, and those seeking to make of their profession a calling," Guha adds. 'The Call of Music: 8 Stories of Hindustani Musicians", priced at Rs 699, is available for sale across online and offline stores. PTI MG BK BK view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 16:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
13-07-2025
- General
- Mint
New on Shelves: ‘Whose Urdu is it Anyway?', ‘God's Own Empire' and more
Published by Simon & Schuster, India, 184 pages, ₹ 499. Contrary to the current perception that Urdu is the language of Muslims alone, reality tells a different story. Some of the greatest non-Muslim writers, like Munshi Premchand, wrote in both Hindi and Urdu. Rakhshanda Jalil translates 16 Urdu stories by non-Muslim writers in this collection to drive home the point beautifully. Published by Hachette India, 304 pages, ₹ 599 Neurologist Pria Anand's debut book explores the mysterious ways in which the human brain often tends to work. Like a detective on a quest, she recounts some of the quirkiest cases of her career, including a family afflicted with acute insomnia and a young woman who believes she is possessed by the Holy Spirit. Science meets humanity in her gift for telling stories. Published by Penguin Random House, 272 pages, ₹ 499. Raghu and Pushpa Palat revisit the forgotten legacy of Marthanda Varma, the heroic ruler of the kingdom of Travancore, who crushed the Dutch East India Company at the Battle of Colachel in 1741. Not only did this victory end Dutch colonial ambitions in India forever, it also ushered in an era of reform and righteous rule. Published by Penguin Random House, 304 pages, ₹ 799 Lt General Shakti Gurung was the first ethnic Gurkha officer to rise to the highest levels of the Indian Army. From leading a frontline corps along the Line of Actual Control to serving as India's defence attaché in Myanmar to retiring as the military secretary, the story of his career is told in this book through anecdotes, reflections and sharp observations.
Mint
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
New on shelves: Four titles that shine a lens on our past, present and future
This picture book, with gorgeous illustrations by Peter Brown, comes in his popular The Wild Robot series, made into a movie featuring Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal and Kit Connor. Roz, the robot, lands up on an island and is forced to learn the ways of the wild to survive. Intended for readers between the ages of 3 and 7, profound life lessons for adults are tucked away in these pages too. 'The Wild Robot on the Island', by Peter Brown, HarperCollins, 48 pages, ₹ 599. In his new book, co-written with Colin Butfield, naturalist David Attenborough takes the readers into the depths of the oceans, the 'earth's last wildness' as the subtitle describes them. From the mysteries of the coral reefs to the unique species that inhabit the waters, this is a magisterial story of an ecosystem hidden from our eyes but critically responsible for supporting life on earth. 'Oceans', by David Attenborough and Colin Butfield, Hachette India, 352 pages, ₹ 1,299. Former US President Bill Clinton is back with another thriller with co writer James Patterson, this one with obvious autobiographical leanings. The First Gentleman—a former President (ahem) now playing second fiddle to his wife, the reigning President—is accused of murder, which sets a pair of journalists on an investigation. 'The First Gentleman', by Bill Clinton and James Patterson, Penguin Random House, 400 pages, ₹ 899.
