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Rivers – the birthplace of civilisations, the carriers of history, the protagonists of many myths, and also the seats of many a conflict and resolution. What secrets do they carry? Here are some of our favourite books on Indian rivers – from tracing history, to contemporary commentary, these books give a lot more insight into our rivers that are the nation’s lifelines.
An intimate portrait of one of the world’s largest and widest rivers, River Traveller by veteran journalist Sanjoy Hazarika chronicles the author’s journeys down the river over more than two decades. Charting through the course of the river from Tibet to Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Bangladesh, documenting history and observing the lives of people depending on it for a living, this book touches on multiple subjects.
Did you know that humanity’s first mirror was a body of water? Long before metal and glass surfaces, our ancestors peered into rivers and ponds to see what they looked like without a fellow being having to groom them to their liking. This discovery was so captivating (as the Greek legend goes) that Narcissus, son of the river god Cephissus, was unable to look away when he caught sight of his reflection.
In a world consumed by greed for consumption and speed, Slow Living advocates for change—small, progressive steps toward a sustainable future. Questioning the dominant narratives that widen the inequality prevalent in societies, the book shows how individual choices and small acts of resistance can, in turn create ripple effects that could restore our relationship with the planet.
For many of us, especially readers of this newsletter, the call of the wild is more than just an earworm; it is a constant tug at our knotted hearts and wandering minds that propels us to commit to nature one way or the other. The decision to do my bit for nature through the written word was a recent one.…
Just an Old Sea Dog and Other Poems mariner Beetashok Chatterjee, offers 52 lyrical poems steeped in the salt and spirit of the sea. With the beat of waves and the lilt of verse, these ballad chart a course through longing, adventure, hardship, disaster—and moments of pure joy.
Just an Old Sea Dog and Other Poems mariner Beetashok Chatterjee, offers 52 lyrical poems steeped in the salt and spirit of the sea. With the beat of waves and the lilt of verse, these ballad chart a course through longing, adventure, hardship, disaster—and moments of pure joy.
SOS was the winner of the GLF Short Story Competition for students aged 12 to 16, held in November. The winning story was chosen by celebrated author and conservationist Ishan Shanavas. Set in a dystopian future, SOS is narrated by a member of an evolved, novel species of technology-dependent humans. The story explores the gravity of the present when knowledge fails to translate into action.
Sangam Literature beautifully categorises the landscapes of Tamil land into five tinais or ecological zones. In this essay, researcher and writer Sindu Deivanayagan depicts the web of life in neithal tinai, coastal landscapes and how it can inform today’s coastal development. Image credit – Wikimedia Commonshttps://thewire.in/culture/how-sangam-literature-imagined-a-coastal-world-of-balance
Splendid Poison Frog Was it a cold December Wednesdaywhen you left?A frosty, flinty, pin-point momentthat seals most pull-outs.Silent like a hushed Mayday signalreverberating in the ripples of a pond.What time exactlydid you hop overto where nowhere exists?Did the sun flickerat your vanishing act?The way yellow convulses on a colour palettewhen mixed with greenbefore turning blue.Was it the hour of dusk,your…