Five Days in Paris

Looking beyond English

(The Hindu, Monday, Mar 19, 2007)

NEW DELHI: There will be more than the usual Indian flavour in the French capital this month. While the taste of "desi'' cuisine may not have gained a foothold in Paris in a big way, but the more potent Indian literature promises to make its presence felt at the Paris Book Fair this month. The big names from the world of words may have already been recognisable, but Katha is trying to get the names of non-English literature noticed too.

With regional authors fighting for attention in the country, Katha is hoping to take this "mission'' beyond. Having nearly 300 writers in 21 languages, Katha really has access to the best stories in India.

The publishing house is hoping to introduce its French readers to a "star'' they may have not been really aware off -- Krishna Sobti. Considered the grand dame of Hindi literature, she has created strong women characters. Born before Independence in West Punjab in present-day Pakistan, she is known for her honesty and the way she looks at things. With many awards, she is a name that goes beyond the limits of language and Katha is hoping that it will achieve that by making her their author of focus.

- Mandira Nayar

Katha in Paris!

Mukundan, Sobti, Kamleshwar books head for Paris Book Fair

New Delhi, March 18 (IANS): Delhi-based publisher Katha will showcase author Krishna Sobti's works along with Kamleshwar's "Not Flowers Of Henna", M. Mukundan's "Dance", Laxmibai Tilak's "Sketches From Memory" and Damodar Mauzo's "These Are My Children" at the Paris Book Fair this year.

Katha's slice of verse, in an anthology by stalwarts like Na Pichamurthy and young artistes like Kanimozhi and Udaya Narayana Singh ("Second Person Singular"), is also bound for the March 23-27 fair. The children's section will include "Kaleh And The Sing Song Castle" by Rizio Yohannan Raj, "The Chase, First Sun Stories," - by various contributors - and "The Famous Smile" by Geeta Dharmarajan.

"The Vigil" by Shurhoezelie Liezietsu, "Looking for Ismail Sheika," by Homen Borghohain, "The Full Moon In Winter" by Dilip Chitre, "Tales Of City" by various authors, and "Anoma's Daughter" by Santanu Kumar Acharya are listed under college fiction. Sobti, the Hindi author of "The Heart Has Its Reasons" and "Listen, Girl", will be in the spotlight at the fair as "author in focus".

"Sobti's style and idiom impart an authentic touch to whatever theme and situation she portrays. The essence of her creativity lies in her honesty and eagerness to reach the truth and to look into things, rather than at them," said Katha managing editor Rizio Yohannan Raj.

"Sobti guards her freedom as a writer and as an individual zealously. The honesty, range and depth of her works make her one of the representative authors of Katha whose vision is to present the eclectic nature of Indian fiction to a wider readership," she added.

Katha also plans to publish three more novels - "Damn You, Mitro", "Sunflowers In The Dark", "Memory's Daughter" - by her later this year. Kamleshwar's "Not Flowers Of Henna" (Rs.200) - translated by Jai Ratan into English - brings together 15 of his short stories in his characteristic open-ended, restive grope for meaning among the ruins of memory. The collection includes "How Many More Pakistans?" - the famous precursor to his celebrated novel "Kitne Pakistan." Kamleshwar died in New Delhi on Jan 27.

Mauzo's "These Are My Children" (Rs.200) - translated from Konkani into English by Xavier Cota - is a bittersweet slice of life from Goa about empty nests and affections betrayed.

Set up in 1988, Katha focuses on English translations from 21 Indian languages.

- Shinie Antony