New Delhi, 27 September, 2013: Is writing a private act, or a public one? Why are some writers viewed as a threat to the state? Why are books banned, and writers imprisoned or persecuted? Why are words such a potent political weapon? And how, in particular, do women writers engage in political issues of our times?
Oxford Bookstore Connaught Place hosted the second Zubaan critical conversation series, ‘‘The Writer and Her Politics’’ on 27th September, 2013. The talk engaged three profoundly different writers: poet, novelist and former Panchayat leader, Salma (An Hour Past Midnight); acclaimed Dalit writer P. Sivakami (The Taming of Women); and novelist and short story writer, Mridula Koshy (Not Only the Things that Have Happened). They enunciated their views- on censorship, the writer’s responsibility, and how politics informs their works and lives.
Zubaan is an independent non-profit publishing house. It grew out of India’s first Feminist publishing house, Kali for Women. Founded by Urvashi Butalia, who was co-founder of Kali for Women, Zubaan was set up to specifically continue Kali’s work. Zubaan, has inherited half the backlist of Kali so that reprints of many backlist titles are assured. Oxford Bookstore is full heartedly supporting Zubaan by hosting a series of critical conversation series.
Oxford Bookstore Connaught Place offers a carefully curated list of titles for booklovers to browse through and buy and perhaps the world’s largest assortment of teas in the hip Cha Bar, to create a holistic experience for book lovers. The entrance leading to the bookstore houses a big Neon Wall, a cloud of words in English-Hindi-Latin that envelopes book lovers in a universe of emotions linked to reading. Inside, in the tranquil space, hands-on staff, knowledgeable and highly trained book specialists, offer suggestions of handpicked titles from major, independent and indie publishers: a great selection of books, some exclusive to Oxford Bookstore. The selection features both emerging and established authors from India and the world. Shelves stocked with the best in Indian Writing, International Fiction and Translations take one into a spacious, elongated Reading Room which opens onto a dedicated Events Space. Well-researched sections on Languages and New Age books address issues of addiction, relationships, unexplained phenomena, and showcase the best of thinkers and Indian gurus. A wide range of titles in Travel Writing, books that showcase the very essence of New Delhi and a specially curated section of books on tea are other highlights. Children have an exclusive space for browsing, activities and reading and parents can look forward to the Top 10 Gift Books in each age group for a quick and easy pick. Amongst the best in books for different age groups are ones that help the young ones deal with experiences relevant to their age.