{"title":"India Club Staff Picks: October 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003eFive distinctive finds from the India Club shelves, handpicked for October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis month’s selections travel across Indian culture and storytelling — from Ayurveda and traditional healing to folktales, stories from the Raj, the life and music of the legendary Begum Akhtar, and acclaimed regional Indian fiction in English translation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn eclectic mix, just as a visit to the India Club shelves should be.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"13153-twist-in-the-folktale","title":"Twist in the Folktale","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor: Eminent Contributors\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Seagull Books\u003cbr\u003eYear: 2004\u003cbr\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003ePages: 176\u003cbr\u003eISBN\/UPC (if available): 8170462290\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Description\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach of the playwrights in this collection takes a folktale and turns it into a contemporary experimental play, intervening in the traditional material and reshaping conventions from an urban perspective. Although the folk and rural elements remain embedded in the body of the narratives, it is interesting to note the shifts and intersections which occur in the process of rendering folklore as a present-day performative text.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJokumaraswami by leading Kannada playwright and poet Chandrasekhar Kambar is a vibrant, earthy play which creatively reworks the folk myth of a phallic god of fertility into a powerfully contemporary anti-feudal message.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePebet is a folktale about a mother bird fighting to protect her children from a predatory cat politicized by H Kanhailal, who transforms this familiar story into a struggle against the political and cultural colonization of Manipur.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat could possibly ally a southern fertility drama from Karnataka, an eastern tale from Manipur  about a bird family fighting  a cat, and a northern story rendered into Chhattisgarhi about a truthful thief?\u003cbr\u003e-Ananda Lal\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eContents\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eINTRODUCTION\u003cbr\u003eAnanda Lal\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJokumaraswami\u003cbr\u003eChandrasekhar Kambar\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePebet\u003cbr\u003eH Kanhailal\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCharandas Chor\u003cbr\u003eHabib Tanvir\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAPPENDICES\u003cbr\u003eIntroduction to the First Edition of Jokumaraswami\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFolk Theatre As I See It\u003cbr\u003eChandraskhar Kambar\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePebet\u003cbr\u003eRustom Bharucha\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIntroduction to the First Edition of Charandas Chor\u003cbr\u003eJaved Malick\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Seagull Books","offers":[{"title":"Eminent Contributors \/ Seagull Books \/ Paperback","offer_id":40776296628393,"sku":"13153","price":18.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/1048\/4393\/files\/twist-in-folktale.png?v=1789061550"},{"product_id":"13329-stories-from-the-raj-sahibs-memsahibs-and-others","title":"Stories from the Raj - Sahibs, Memsahibs and Others","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor: Pran Nevile\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Indialog Publications\u003cbr\u003eYear: 2004\u003cbr\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003ePages: 186\u003cbr\u003eISBN\/UPC (if available): 8187981644\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Description\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere was a time when India was proclaimed to be the land of enchantments - the golden Orient, glittering in the best brilliance of sun and song - land of promise, and hope! Devoted to the life and times of common people, both Sahibs and natives, this book seeeks to amuse the readers with some tales of wine, women and song.  This narrative covers some of the untold aspects of the Raj which are not usually dealt with in history books.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book takes one into the lives of Sahibs and Memsahibs, and offers an array of entertaining tales about their interests and lifestyles - from the Sahibs' enthusiasm for nautch parties and pig-sticking, to the First Imperial Durbar in Deli, to intriguing stories about Brahmin astrologers, and fascinating accounts of jugglers adept at the great Indian rope trick.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNevile's prose has the relaxed, easy familiarity of a veteran dinner-table raconteur, and the narrative, interspersed with period paintings and photographs, transports the reader to another era - the Raj, its set of cultural idiosyncrasies, and a colorful casts of mavericks and their eccentricities.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eContents\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSECTION I\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSahibs and Bibis\u003cbr\u003eThe Oldest Professkion\u003cbr\u003eMemsahibs and the Indian Marriage Bazar\u003cbr\u003eMautch Nostalgia\u003cbr\u003eBanning of an Indian Erotic Epic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSECTION II\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIndia Through the Lens\u003cbr\u003eEarly Pictures of Indian Life\u003cbr\u003ePortrayal of Indian Women by British Artuists\u003cbr\u003eIndian Paintings for the Sahibs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSECTION III\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFanny Parks - First Indophile Memsahib Traveller, Writer and Artist\u003cbr\u003eLola Montez - From Memsahib to Royal Mistress\u003cbr\u003eFrom Farzana to Begum Joanna Sumroo\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSECTION IV\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHoli and Diwali - Two Queens of Festivals\u003cbr\u003eImperial Lahore - The Paris of the East\u003cbr\u003ePageantry of Princely India - A French View\u003cbr\u003eFirst Imperial Durbar in Delhi - 1877\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSECTION V\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen Predictions Came True: The Brahmin Who Saw Tomorrow\u003cbr\u003eSahib's Fancy for the Hookah\u003cbr\u003eThe Great Rope and Other Tricks\u003cbr\u003eShikar and Animal Fights\u003cbr\u003eFrom Arrack to Whisky\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Indialog Publications","offers":[{"title":"Pran Nevile \/ Indialog Publications \/ Paperback","offer_id":40776300560553,"sku":"13329","price":21.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/1048\/4393\/files\/stories-raj.png?v=1789061450"},{"product_id":"16128-the-master-carpenter","title":"The Master Carpenter","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor: M T Vasudevan Nair\u003cbr\u003eGita Krishnankutty\/\u003cbr\u003eTranslator(s): Gita Krishnankutty\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Katha\u003cbr\u003eYear: 2005\u003cbr\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003ePages: 196\u003cbr\u003eISBN\/UPC (if available): 8189020234\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Description\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen the winds blow wild snuffing out the lamp, it is the Master Carpenter who takes up their challenge. Some quick calculations later he raises a stone slab at a distance, and the flames burn steady. When his own heart plays games with him, the games of desire, once again he triumphs. But how does a father react, who knows that his son has far surpassed his talent, his ethos? Was Perumthachan able to accept this challenge?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe legendary tale of Perumthachan, the Master Carpenter retold with a twist by master screen writer MT Vasudevan Nair in an award winning film. The Jnanpith, Sahitya Akademi and Padma Bhushan award winning writer sets this period drama in the caste sensitive brahminical society of Kerala.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eREVIEWS\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA significant film that captures your eye and heart.\u003cbr\u003e-The Hindu\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eM T is a versatile genius who has mastered the art of fiction.\u003cbr\u003e-Outlook\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of the best loved writers in Malayalam.\u003cbr\u003e-The Little Magazine\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eContents\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eScreenplay\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSlokas in the Screenplay\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Legend of Vararuchi\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfterword\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTranslator’s Note\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCredits\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBiographical Notes\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Katha","offers":[{"title":"M T Vasudevan Nair \/ Katha \/ Paperback","offer_id":40776357904553,"sku":"16128","price":16.45,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/1048\/4393\/files\/master_carpenter.png?v=1789061593"},{"product_id":"9818-ayurveda-the-science-of-traditional-indian-medicine","title":"Ayurveda - The Science of Traditional Indian Medicine","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor: Vaidya Bhagwan Dash\u003cbr\u003eSuhasini Ramaswamy\/\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Roli Books\u003cbr\u003eYear: 2002\u003cbr\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003ePages: 84\u003cbr\u003eISBN\/UPC (if available): 8174360441\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Description\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRooted in the wisdom and practices of a 2000-year old civilization, handed down by generations of sages and ascetics, Ayurveda or the Science of life is one of the oldest systems of healing in the world. Although its approach is holistic, its theories are logical and succinct. This book tries to introduce the lay reader to the basic principles of an ancient Indian science whose aim is to keep the body healthy in order to bring tranquility to the mind and satisfy the spirit by prescribing medicines which always originate in nature. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book discusses lucidly the practical concerns of Ayurveda focusing on the Ayurvedic concept of the human body, causes of diseases, their cures, medicinal herbs used and certain basic measures to keep sickness at bay. The authors also offer a range of home remedies which can be safely tried out by readers without any fear of violent side-effects or reactions. Vividly illustrated in color, this book makes for interesting and informative reading\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Meaning of Agurveda\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Natural Body Constitution\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCauses and Diagnosis of Diseases\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTreatment of Diseases\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeasures of Good Health \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGlossary\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Roli Books","offers":[{"title":"Vaidya Bhagwan Dash \/ Roli Books \/ Hardcover","offer_id":40776771862697,"sku":"9818","price":24.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/1048\/4393\/files\/ayurveda-tradition.png?v=1789069566"},{"product_id":"ae-mohabbat-reminiscing-begum-akhtar","title":"Ae Mohabbat: Reminiscing Begum Akhtar","description":"\u003cp\u003eAuthor: Rita Ganguly with Jyoti Sabharwal  \u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Stellar Publishers  \u003cbr\u003eYear: 2008  \u003cbr\u003eLanguage: English \u003cbr\u003eBinding: Hardcover \u003cbr\u003ePages: 379  \u003cbr\u003eISBN\/UPC (if available): 9788190455930  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescription\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn intimate and richly detailed portrait of Begum Akhtar, the legendary “Mallika-e-Ghazal” whose voice and artistry transformed the world of ghazal, dadra and thumri.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten by her cherished disciple, noted vocalist and scholar Rita Ganguly, this book traces Begum Akhtar’s remarkable journey from Akhtari Bai Faizabadi, born amid the fading aristocratic culture of Awadh, through the worlds of theatre in Calcutta and cinema in Bombay, to her emergence as one of the most revered voices in Indian music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on years of close association and research, Ganguly presents Begum Akhtar not simply as a celebrated performer, but as a complex and deeply sensitive woman, artist, wife, mother, teacher and friend. Her personal struggles, relationships and extraordinary devotion to music unfold against a changing cultural landscape of courts and courtesans, the independence movement and the emergence of modern India.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book also offers a fascinating window into the musical world that shaped Begum Akhtar and the evolution of her distinctive ghazal gayaki. Illustrated with 68 black-and-white photographs, Ae Mohabbat is both an affectionate remembrance by a disciple and an important account of one of the great figures of twentieth-century Indian music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn absorbing book for admirers of Begum Akhtar as well as readers interested in Hindustani music, ghazal, Urdu cultural history and the lives of India’s great performing artists.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stellar Publishers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48835708092661,"sku":"IC-9788190455930","price":22.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/1048\/4393\/files\/bai-to-begam-front.png?v=1789062508"}],"url":"https:\/\/indiaclub.com\/de\/collections\/india-club-staff-picks-october-2026.oembed","provider":"India Club","version":"1.0","type":"link"}