Dear Readers,
We've been a bit quiet lately, I know, but trust me - it's been for the most incredible reasons! For 10 straight days, our team was surrounded by book enthusiasts at the Hyderabad Book Fair (the energy there was amazing! 💫), all while preparing something behind 3the scenes - our new title '1948 Hyderabad Readings' (more details at the end).
But first, I'm excited to introduce you to someone who's brought a whole new dimension to our team! Meet Akash, our newest teammate who joined us just a few weeks ago. You know those conversations that just flow effortlessly? That's what it's been like since he arrived. We've been exchanging book recommendations, diving deep into modern literature one day and classical masterpieces the next.
Here's what absolutely fascinates me though - Akash is like a living bridge across South India's rich cultural landscape. Born in Kerala, raised in Andhra, studied across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka... How amazing is that? It's like having a walking encyclopedia of South Indian cultures and languages right here at SouthSide Books!
Speaking of which, seeing him light up when discussing regional literature in our cozy little office space... it reminds me why we do what we do at SouthSide Books. There's something magical about creating a space where stories and cultures intertwine, and I can't wait to see how Akash's unique perspective enriches SouthSide Books. ✨
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Hello! I am Akash P K, a new addition to SouthSide Books. With a background in English Literature and Cultural Studies, I am also deeply interested in philosophy and photography.
It has been more than two weeks since I joined.
An emancipating Silence pervades this world of books; swelling with joy, it clambers over everything, making room for the voiceless. The chirps of the colorful birds, the rustling of leaves, and the mischief of the cool air appeared triumphantly. Thanks to the magnanimity of the Silence. The books here at Southside are pretty mindful. They are gentle with the words whom they house with all the care, and though lean in their curves, the letters constituting the words are also incisive in their bold presence. As we sink into the darkness of each letter, we find the pain, struggles, and trampled dreams of the oppressed people.
The books at SouthSide resonate with me as they focus on important social issues. The ambience here feels inclusive and inviting. Through a critical lens, these works highlight the harsh realities of our world, giving voice to often overlooked stories. Written in accessible English, they aim to engage a broad audience and promote awareness and empathy.
Looking forward to my journey with SouthSide Books...
Narrative Spanning Generations of Musicians - Rana Nayar
A Review on ‘Gharana’ by Suresh Sundaresan.
“Gharana is the story of how, in the world of Hindustani classical music, the gharanas are shaped and formed, created and destroyed over successive generations”
Gharana by Suresh Sundaresan offers an intricate narrative centered on the formation, evolution, and dissolution of Hindustani classical music gharanas. Spanning generations, it delves into the lives of musicians, their struggles, personal sacrifices, and the collision of art and commerce. Set across locations from Karachi to Mumbai, the story follows Chandrakant from his humble beginnings in Nippur to his celebrated life as Pandit Chandrakant. With its profound exploration of art, life, and mortality, the novel uses a mosaic-like structure, blending multiple narrators and timelines, reflecting on the cyclical nature of creation and destruction in the world of music.
Hyderabad Book Fair: A Delightful Experience
We are thrilled to share our wonderful experience from the recent Hyderabad Book Fair, which turned out to be an incredible success!
Our stall received an overwhelmingly warm reception from readers, and we were inspired by the enthusiastic response. A special shoutout to our two dedicated volunteers, Sai Teja and Ananya, who joined us to help with setting up the stall and interacting with the readers. Sai Teja’s unwavering energy and commitment over 10 full days were truly motivating.
Among our diverse collection, The Shudra Rebellion emerged as the best-selling book, closely followed by Understanding Fascism. The positive feedback we received reinforced our passion for bringing meaningful literature to the forefront.
✨ One of the highlights of the fair was the spectacular book launch of The Shudra Rebellion.
The event drew an incredible crowd, with attendees struggling to find seats as they eagerly listened to the powerful words of Prof. Kancha Ilaiah and Pallikonda Manikanta. Their speeches were so compelling that they left the audience clapping in admiration.
📚 If you missed it, you can watch the entire book launch here.
The book fair offered us a unique opportunity to engage with our readers, gaining valuable insights into their tastes and preferences. It was a truly enriching experience, and we can’t wait for more such meaningful interactions in the future!
Upcoming Events
📌 Book Launch: 1948 Hyderabad Readings
Also, join us for the launch of "1948 Hyderabad Readings", a profound exploration of a pivotal moment in history. The event will feature a reading session by five young voices, followed by a thought-provoking discussion.
Date: 19 January 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 6:00 PM - 7: 30 PM
Location: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills
📌 Hyderabad Literary Festival
Mark your calendars for the Hyderabad Literary Festival, a vibrant celebration of literature. We’ll be there to welcome you all, join us and find your favourite copies from SouthSide Books and Hyderabad Book Trust.
Date: 24th - 26th January 2025
Location: Sattva Knowledge Center
📌 Coming Soon: The Mozhi Prize Anthology - 1
We’re excited to share that a new title, The Mozhi Prize, will be released soon!
Can you take a guess about what this book might be about based on its title alone?
See you soon,
Vidya & Akash | SouthSide Books
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