{"title":"Staff Picks","description":"\u003cp\u003eA curated selection of meaningful books personally chosen by The India Club team, featuring timeless literature, spirituality, culture, history, and hidden gems worth discovering.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"12664-sikh-art-literature","title":"Sikh Art \u0026 Literature","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor: Eminent Contributors\u003cbr\u003eEditor(s): Kerry Brown\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Routledge\u003cbr\u003eYear: 1999\u003cbr\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003ePages: 217\u003cbr\u003eISBN\/UPC (if available): 0415202884\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Description\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSikh culture emerged with the dawn of the modern age in a region that was a thoroughfare of invading armies, ideas, religions, and arts from the East and West. Sikh Art and Literature provides a captivating introduction to this heroic and revolutionary faith.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEssays by art curators, historians and collectors, and scholars of literature and religion are illustrated with some of the earliest and finest Sikh paintings, the overlooked Janam Sakhi genre, the dazzling treasures of the Sikh kingdoms, the romantic artworks of visiting European dignitaries, the distinctive elements of Sikh architecture and recent works of rising stars in contemporary Sikh art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMany illustrations are reproduced here for the first time. Excerpts from journals of visitors to the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and new translations of early twentieth-century poetry add depth and originality to this beautiful and accessible introduction to 500 years of Sikh culture.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis scholarly, and very readable, book brings to the attention of the reading public, in India as well as in the West, new insights into the artistic and literary achievements of Sikhism, a dynamic religious community. It is the often overlooked aspects of the Sikh community, not the more familiar story of Sikhs that are presented with scholarly appreciation in this valuable addition to our understanding of Sikh contributions worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eContents\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eList of Illustrations\u003cbr\u003eList of Contributors\u003cbr\u003eArt Foreword\u003cbr\u003eLiterature foreword\u003cbr\u003eAcknowledgments\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eINTRODUCTION\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePART I- ART\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFROM GURUS TO KINGS\u003cbr\u003eEarly and court painting\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAN ILLUSTRATED LIFE\u003cbr\u003eGuru Nanak in narrative art\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTHE SIKH TREASURY\u003cbr\u003eThe Sikh kingdom and the British Raj\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGOLDEN GEMPLE, MARBLE FORUM\u003cbr\u003eForm and meaning in sacred architecture\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePART II - LITERATURE\u003cbr\u003eMusical mysticism in the Scripture\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTHE WESTERN GATEWAY TO SIKHISM\u003cbr\u003eThe Life and works of Max Arthur Macauliffe\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePOETRY URGES POETRY\u003cbr\u003eFrom the Guru Granth to Bhai Vir Singh\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCRITICAL ECSTASY\u003cbr\u003eThe modern poetry of Puran Singh\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOLD CULTURE, NEW KNOWLEDGE\u003cbr\u003eThe writings of Bhai Moan Singh Vaid\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA MIRROR TO OUR FACES\u003cbr\u003eThe Short Stories of Khushwant Singh\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAppendix I\u003cbr\u003eThe Ten Sikh Gurus\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAppendix II\u003cbr\u003eContributors to the Guru Granth Sahib\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAppendix III\u003cbr\u003eMusic and Structure of the Guru Granth Sahib\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAppendix IV\u003cbr\u003eCollection of Sikh Art\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGlossary\u003cbr\u003eFurther Reading\u003cbr\u003eThe Sikh Foundation\u003cbr\u003eIndex\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The India Club","offers":[{"title":"Eminent Contributors \/ Routledge \/ Hardcover","offer_id":40776276017321,"sku":"12664","price":70.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/1048\/4393\/products\/12664_5a2c3870-fa7e-47c0-85bc-1f63393e18ff.jpg?v=1625567750"},{"product_id":"28107-tales-from-the-arabian-nights","title":"Tales from the Arabian Nights","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor: Anupa Lal\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Scholastic\u003cbr\u003eYear: 2008\u003cbr\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003ePages: 148\u003cbr\u003eISBN\/UPC (if available): 9788176558488\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Description\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWelcome to a magical world… \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhere lamps bring forth wish-fulfilling genies, princesses appear mysteriously in the middle of the night, valleys are filled with diamonds, sorcerers plan, plot and execute diabolical schemes, fish have heads like owls, and giant birds carry away men without even realising it! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is the world of Tales from the Arobian Nights, a collection of stories compiled over thousands of years by various authors, translators and scholars. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese collections of tales trace their roots back to ancient Arabia and Persia. Though a definitive manuscript has never been found, several versions date the collection to AD 800-900.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this collection, we bring you there of the best-known stories from this collection: the  tale of Aladdin and his magic lamp with the genie who can make all wishes come true, of Ali Baba, who finds a cave full of treasures in the forest, and of Sindbad the Sailor whose seven voyages take him to fabulous lands where danger and adventure lurk. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnupa Lal’s lively retelling captures the wonder and magic of the tales.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The India Club","offers":[{"title":"Anupa Lal \/ Scholastic \/ Paperback","offer_id":40776599339177,"sku":"28107","price":13.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/1048\/4393\/products\/28107_f6b0ffb7-be56-41bd-8d71-df49b4c028da.jpg?v=1625500486"},{"product_id":"23353-the-holy-himalayas-an-abode-of-hindu-gods-illustrated","title":"The Holy Himalayas - An Abode of Hindu Gods  (Illustrated)","description":"\u003cb\u003e Shipping Note: This item usually arrives at your doorstep in 10-15 days\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor: Shantha N Nair\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Pustak Mahal\u003cbr\u003eYear: 2007\u003cbr\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003ePages: 93\u003cbr\u003eISBN\/UPC (if available): 8122309674\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Description\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHimalayas — the abode of snow, Giri Raj — the monarch of all mountains, is the mightiest, youngest, highest, most inspiring, amazing, and incredible fold mountain chain in the world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book deals with the location, description, and significance of the places of religious and spiritual importance, like Rishikesh, Haridwar, Panch Prayag, the Char Dhams namely, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, the Hemkund Saheb, the Valley of Flowers, Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, Amarnath, Kailash and Mansarovar.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Himalayas have lured people to this region since ancient times. References about the Himalayas are found even in the Rig Veda, the oldest scripture in the world. The Himalayas mean different things to different people. For sages, saints and seekers, it is a spiritual centre beyond comparison. Since time immemorial, ascetics have climbed the great heights in search of peace and wisdom.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the northern quarter are divine Himalayas, \u003cbr\u003eThe lord of the mountains, \u003cbr\u003eReaching from eastern to western Ocean, \u003cbr\u003eFirm as rod to measure the Earth…\u003cbr\u003eThere demi-gods rest in the shade of the clouds,\u003cbr\u003eWhich spread like a girdle below the peaks, \u003cbr\u003eBut when the rains disturb them\u003cbr\u003eThey fly to the sunlit summits…\u003cbr\u003e    -Kalidas\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eContents\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePART- I: \u003cbr\u003eTHE HIMALAYAS\u003cbr\u003eAn Abode of Hindu Divinity\u003cbr\u003eEvolution of the Himalayas\u003cbr\u003eThe Great Himalayan Ranges and Peaks\u003cbr\u003eSanctity of the Himalayas\u003cbr\u003eGlaciers\u003cbr\u003eRivers\u003cbr\u003eClimate\u003cbr\u003eFlora \u0026amp; Fauna\u003cbr\u003eLifestyles\u003cbr\u003eAdventure Sports\u003cbr\u003eHill Stations\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePART- II: \u003cbr\u003eSACRED PLACES IN THE HIMALAYAS\u003cbr\u003eRishikesh\u003cbr\u003eHaridwar\u003cbr\u003ePanch Prayag\u003cbr\u003eCHAR DHAMS-\u003cbr\u003e1. Kedarnath, \u003cbr\u003e2. Badrinath, \u003cbr\u003e3. Gangotri \u003cbr\u003e4. Yamunotri\u003cbr\u003eHemkund Saheb\u003cbr\u003eThe Valley of Flowers\u003cbr\u003eMata Vaishno Devi\u003cbr\u003eAmarnath\u003cbr\u003eMount Kailash\u003cbr\u003eMansarovar\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The India Club","offers":[{"title":"Shantha N Nair \/ Pustak Mahal \/ Hardcover","offer_id":40789327642793,"sku":"23353","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/1048\/4393\/products\/23353.jpg?v=1625570267"},{"product_id":"25478-a-r-rahman-the-musical-storm","title":"A R Rahman  -  The Musical Storm","description":"\u003cb\u003e Shipping Note: This item usually arrives at your doorstep in 10-15 days\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor: Kamini Mathai\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Penguin\/Viking\u003cbr\u003eYear: 2009\u003cbr\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003ePages: 265\u003cbr\u003eISBN\/UPC (if available): 9780670083718\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Description\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith his Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA wins for Slumdog Millionaire, A.R. Rahman has become an international celebrity: they-re calling him -the Mozart of the East’. In India, however, Rahman has been an iconic superstar for seventeen long years, ever since his first film Roja. Over the past two decades, he has produced unforgettable music for movies like Kadhalan, Bombay, Rangeela, Dil Se, Taal, Alaipayuthey, Zubeidaa, Lagaan, Rang De Basanti and Jodhaa Akbar, to name only a few, in addition to the stage musical Bombay Dreams and his acclaimed non-film album Vande Mataram.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis name is legend, but what is A.R. Rahman all about? Very few can claim to know the man behind the music. Rahman shies away from the public eye. He is fiercely protective of his privacy, and prefers to be known only through his music. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor the very first time, this book tells A.R. Rahman’s incredible story: the tragic death of his father R.K. Sekhar, a talented music arranger, when Rahman-then Dileep-was nine; Dileep’s desperate efforts as a teenager to keep the family afloat by playing sessions, missing school; his reasons for embracing Islam and turning to Sufism; his ‘discovery’ by Mani Ratnam and his subsequent ascent to fame; his abiding popularity in the new millennium and his constant endeavour to break new ground.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt also takes us straight into Rahman’s inimitable world: the composing and recording sessions that run through the night; his compulsive need to ‘get it right’, which can cause directors to wait months for a song; his continuing fascination whit electronic equipment; his relationship with his mother, his inspiration; and above all his religiosity, which is at the root of his being and his music.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBased on extensive interviews with Rahman, his family, and those who have worked with him and know him best, this marvelously readable, chatty and anecdotal biography will delight every fan of the man Chennai calls ‘isai puyal’ – the musical storm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eContents\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcknowledgements\u003cbr\u003eAuthor’s Note\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOscars\u003cbr\u003eDileep\u003cbr\u003eRoja\u003cbr\u003eBreaking the Rules\u003cbr\u003eThe First Award\u003cbr\u003eBollywood Beginnings\u003cbr\u003eOpening Doors\u003cbr\u003eUnder the Spotlight\u003cbr\u003eFaith\u003cbr\u003eThe Wait\u003cbr\u003eAt Work\u003cbr\u003eAt Home\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDiscography\u003cbr\u003eIndex\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The India Club","offers":[{"title":"Kamini Mathai \/ Penguin\/Viking \/ Hardcover","offer_id":40789392851113,"sku":"25478","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/1048\/4393\/products\/25478.jpg?v=1625570665"}],"url":"https:\/\/indiaclub.com\/collections\/staff-picks.oembed","provider":"The India Club","version":"1.0","type":"link"}