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Phani | indian lit and classics| THE ONE

@read.with.phani

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Making old books feel dangerously relevant.
Indian literature • classics • translations
📖 reviews, rabbit holes & unpopular opinions
📍Delhi
📚26: 129

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The history sheeter

Written by Dr. Kafeel khan, the history sheeter is the journey of an ordinary doctor to becoming a history sheeter for something he thought to do for the good of humanity.

Absolute power absolute minds. The person who holds the pen could change the fate and story anytime. This is what I observed from this book.

The book describes his life in jails and the troubles he faced during his detention and further imprisonment followed by branding him as a terrorist while also showing the eerie coincidence of a popular propaganda always happening at the right time.

Dr khan also shows how he felt the eerie similarity with eeram khan case in jawan movie gave him a sense of validation among public and respect towards medical representatives show justice is delayed but not denied, but the further questioning and scrutiny he still faces and the suspension still prolonging today also makes us question, can one ever lose the past they were forced to bear?

Despite all this, I still believe india will pull through all the troubles and reach the vision of our freedom fighters for a peaceful and harmonious nation.

Thank you @juggernaut.in for this copy.

[Doctors, book recommendations, advocacy, support, medicines , india, trust, protest , help, Government, jails, prison, torture, breakdown, death, killings, murder, terrorism, urban naxals, dimagi naxals, delhi]

#narendramodi #india #booksbooksbooks #recommendatiions by @read.with.phani

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3 days ago

Sorry to say but yes! I often miss out on good books.

[America, books, classics, civil war, freedom, feminism, protest, literature, books, recommendations, hollywood, movies, meryl streep, florence pugh, timothee chalamett, emma watson, oscars]

#americanliterature #classics #follow #explore #viral by @read.with.phani

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5 days ago

A few curated essays from jagat Mehta show us the development of China in its early years of independence.

What makes this book special? It was written from the point of view of an Indian diplomat showing us the difference between India and China which gained independence post world war 2 and were subjected to different ideologies during the post war world. How they survived in the cold war and their strategies were well explained through his lens without any bias.

The essays were not strictly written but were backed up with references of various real life incidents and articles which makes this book more special.

Most of the aspects and methods prescribed by the writer which would help india to become better power than it was , were successfully implemented by the current government through its far east policy and other significant indian diplomatic policies. Although this book was too intensive in its writing style , too factual and too late in its arrival into the mainstream, it was never out of touch.

The problems mentioned in 1962 still exist today unlike few countries during that period but both countries now developed into bigger powers. The trioka still is contention and the relationship still is hot and cold.

Thank you @rupa_publications for sending this copy

[China, india, modi, xi xinping, russia, putin, diplomacy, international relations, defence, spies, network, africa, uk, us, cia, nia, raw, freedom, upsc, aspirant] by @read.with.phani

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7 days ago

Not all classics are long, sad and boring. Some classics make you laugh, smile, embolden your will and heart, and make you feel better about yourself. Some of those books which made me feel classics are not sad or boring are these few short classics

[Ernest hemingway, oscar wilde, leo Tolstoy, Rajinikanth, premchand, novels, love, bravery, fish, culture, horror, thriller, indian, hindi, language, poetry, angels, death, good, bad, robot]

#booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #bookaholic #bookish #brain

Classics are long lines and thick proses? Think again. Hemingway is like your introverted friend who tells a story. Short lines and few words. Perfect for beginners and impactful forever.

I don't think there is any Indian who hasn't heard of this short profound classic that would make eid completely understand. The book also shows us the period of writing, premchand being a Hindu making a sweet tale about Muslim family shows the hindu- muslim brotherhood during pre-partition era.

Oscar Wilde has a wild sense of humour. This book shows that side of his. Ghost being haunted by people is something that would make you smile even through the idea phase.

Now let's go a bit dark. This short story is one of the first complicated storylines ever written. The prose is a bit complex but the story is perfectly engaging. Many thrillers since then copied the idea but none perfected as good as dr jekyll and Mr Hyde

Ah that one quote made me read this whole book. Find the three truths of humanity through this short story. Not all Tolstoy stories are 1000 pages 😂.

The first story that comes into my mind when someone calls something absurd. I've never seen anything more absurd than this. Nose having a life, wearing victorian clothing and running in st Petersburg. Oh give me a break! by @read.with.phani

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a month ago

Indian literature is deeper than what we expect it to be. We explore various themes and genres while embarking on new paths ingraining ethics and morals into the next generation. Indian literature also had a voice which made colonial minds run away because of its thoughts and ideas.

Here are 5 books written by south Indian authors (mostly translated )

#books #bookaholic #bookworm #book

Heart lamp by banu mushtaq explores the bandeya literature of kannada while also exploring the plight of Muslim women suffered due to patriarchy.

#bookerprizewinner

Liberation of sita is a must read for all. Because instead of making sita a mythological figure, the TELUGU author volga treated her as a human while also showing various female characters in ramayana suffered due to the patriarchal mindset.
This questions our idea of feminism and awareness of problems from a different angle.

#ramayana #sitaram #feminism #patriarchy

Written by Vivek shanbhag in kannada and then translated to many languages, ghachar ghochar is a short yet profound book about domestic violence shown in a subtle yet shocking way which haunts us even after the ending.

#domesticviolence #awareness

Perumal murugan - everyone who's interested in Indian literature knows him. Poonachi by him is the best way to get into his work. You'll know why once you read it.

#caste #animal #sacrifice

And to keep the emotions in check we need our sweet author - sudha murthy.
If a warm embrace is written in words, then I'd name the person as sudha murthy.

#lifelessons #lifestyle by @read.with.phani

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a month ago

Short but strong, each book in this list is less than 150 pages in any publication. You can read all of them in an afternoon but you'll remember them forever because of their impact.

Each author in this list is famous for their works

Ps. The monument in the picture is the safdarjung tomb in delhi ,the last monumental garden tomb built during the declining years of the Mughal Empire in Delhi. It was the first time a tomb was built outside the family of Mughals - for safdarjung - a nawab of awadh who became wazir to Mughals

[Books, recommendations, english, literature, heartbreak, love, algorithm, viral , spam, breaking, life, power, abuse, soul, isolation, significance]

#bookaholic #book #bookish #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks

Tolstoy later went on to write - war and peace, anna karenina which are the most famous classics in Russian literature

The death of ivan ilych - 60-80 pages

The plot revolves around a noble man ivan ilych after his death showing how his life was and raises the serious question about life! Are we what we are living by societal standards or by our standards?

George Orwell became famous with 1984 which is always seen in any protest against government

Animal farm -92-140 pages

The only book I've read more than 20 times, the political similarity of this book with the soviet union regime had this banned in probably every communist country in the world. George Orwell's satire has remained eternal through this magnum opus.

John steinbeck went on to become one of the best American authors in the 20th century with his works - east of eden and grapes of wrath

Of mice and men - 100-140 pages

Steinbeck's mice and men is often seen as the gateway into his prose and literary content.

Famous of heart of darkness, Conrad later wrote lord jim which was critically appreciated

Heart of darkness - 70-120 pages

The congo basin and its plundering by European nations was always a huge discussion when it comes to colonialism. This book discussed it in detail and showed us how tribal people were manipulated.

Herman melville became eternal with his magnus opus- moby dick

Bartleby the scrivener - 35-50 pages

This short story is partly funny and by @read.with.phani

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a month ago

A young man reading about killing birds on delhi metro has led to spark a major controversy among the public after the declining population of birds around the NCR region. In the light of such circumstances the public are concerned about the youth's decisions over protection of nature and conservation of flora and fauna, blah blah, My foot! The public never cares about nature, and new channels only care about getting viral and trp. News, nuisance, nonsense.

There is a famous saying in English, don't judge a book by its cover. I don't know when people will start to understand the meaning behind it.

This post is just to show the irony of media and public perception towards the news based on the viral content rather than the useful content.There is the death of an innocent bystander in the same delhi NCR region by a drunk person but the media does not cover that due to lack of spice content , and many undertrials waiting for a chance to see the face of the court from the past 15 years - the media never covers this! But one murder of a man and media starts focussing on every woman scrutinizing every action and connecting them to murder somehow!

#murder #news #ᴠɪʀᴀʟᴘᴏsᴛ by @read.with.phani

16k

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3 months ago

NA PAWA!

The author beautifully described the whole essence of the book in these two words. These stories touch your heart, soul and breathe the air , culture and history of Kolkata into you making you feel like you're a person who's yearning the city more than you ever thought you could.

I rarely highlight my books but this is one such book where my highlighter had work to do more than I expected.

Guided by tara (the star -aptly named) guiding us through the stories just like how the stars guide sailors into the new world, Almost not quite guides you into the feelings you almost visit but does not experience quite.

Thanks @rupa_publications for giving this amazing opportunity to read such beautiful stories and bringing such impactful storytelling into light. taken in Kolkata - The City of Joy by @read.with.phani

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14 days ago

After recent protests someone asked me, IS INDIA REALLY INDEPENDENT? and some say INDIA BECAME INDEPENDENT ONLY AFTER 2014. I laugh at their idiotic mindsets.

What is independence? To live with independent thoughts without getting restricted or subjugated by someone's dominance.

Someone told me we can't bow down to the flag or country because according to our religion.Folding your palms in front of God is seen as respect in many religions, is not folding your hands disrespectful? Then what would a guy who doesn't have hands do? Prayer and respect comes from the heart.

If you can't bow then keep your head high. The bowing down was metaphorical, the respect is real. And this decision to show respect to something you admire is real independence.

Before 1947 to keep your head high was not valued. Even your gaze was restricted. Now you can look at anything eye to eye. This is called independence.

#independenceday🇮🇳
#freedom #gandhi #nehru
#bose

These are pre- independence stories during the pinnacle of British rule. Although swami and friends is a heartwarming story R.K.Narayan shows how the British incorporated the fear of dominance through various forms as you read it.

Choker bali by tagore also shows various aspects such as sati abolition and widow remarriage which were accepted due to the colonial rule but it also shows how the thought of expression and freedom is still restricted by colonialism. They give us restricted freedom and leave us in the middle by taking the freedom away when we need it. It was shown in the scene where the vehicle of the main characters was taken away for British officers'purposes without any intimation leaving them in the middle of nowhere.

Fun fact: vande mataram was written by bankim Chandra chattopadhyay in anandmath book which dealt with indigo revolt. But it was tagore who sang it in public in the 1896 congress session.

Both books in the slide are short yet profound classics when it comes to partition literature. Out of many books the reasons I chose these two are the concepts they've dealt with.

One from either side of the border, the pinjar deals with how women were butchered mentally and physically, the tr by @read.with.phani

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2 months ago

Explore the Roman Empire and its impact along with me

#cleopatra #ceaser #augustus #seneca #plato

The twelve Caesars written by suetonius, is a set of biographies of julius caeser and the next 11 roman emperors during the Principate.

This is a collection of letters written by Seneca during his end days after working for nero for more than 10 years. It explores various pieces of advice given by Seneca to his friend Lucilius on how to master emotions, time and live a wise life.

Based on the adaptations by Shakespeare's play of cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra (title aptly taken from the play) , the book is a literary criticism that explores the character of cleopatra and its adaptation from the lens of the author.

Do you have any more suggestions?

(Kinda chic to use greek adaption theme to roman post 🤭) taken in Rome, Italy by @read.with.phani

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2 months ago

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Elizabeth Bennett is a strong-willed yet sensible young woman. At a local ball, she encounters a wealthy young man, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, who is arrogant, and they develop an unusual relationship.

IKIGAI

The book Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles explores the Okinawan concept of "a reason for being" through interviews with centenarians in Ogimi, Japan. It highlights how purpose, community, and simple daily habits lead to longevity.

THE WITCH IN THE PEEPUL TREE

the plot unfolds over a single day during the kite-flying festival of Makar Sankranti in January 1950, in Udaipur, India. When 16-year-old Sanaz is found dead in her locked room, superstitious residents blame a mythical living witch (jeevti dakkan) in a nearby peepul tree, while dark human secrets, caste politics, and class divides emerge.

CRIMSON CITY

Crimson City by Madhulika Liddle is a 17th-century historical mystery novel set in Dilli (Delhi) during the spring of 1657. It follows young Mughal nobleman and amateur detective Muzaffar Jang as he investigates a terrifying wave of murders and an infant's kidnapping while clashing with the city's official lawkeeper.

In addition to these, I'm gonna read a few booker prize longlisted novels over the next 2 months. So stay tuned. by @read.with.phani

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2 months ago

Seeing short buddhas in my room and looking at my bookshelf, I was astonished to find similarities between the plots and the idols each representing 4 sins- think no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil and see no evil. Although it feels so routine i hope you would like the post!

#russia #russianliterature #classics #literature #emotions

Crime and punishment by Fyodor dostoyevsky draws us into the feelings of despair, detachment and destruction as we dwell into the inner THOUGHTS of Raskolnikov after he commits a murder and thinks over the scenario again and again till he gets lost blurring the lines of sanity.

#dostoevsky #whitenights #crimeandpunishment

Father and sons by ivan turgenev explores the generational and ideological divide in 19th century russia. How one's thoughts if HEARD properly would cause serious conflicts because of their petty egos show ivan's creative writing.

#ivanturgenev #fatherandson #nhilism

SILENCED by the Stalin regime for more than 2 decades , the master and margarita explores the unique concept of the devil landing into st Petersburg to conduct a magic show taking characters and readers from the Jesus era to the modern era back and forth.

The second part of the story showcases how strict the surveillance of communist regime was during the iron fist rule of stalin and his suppressed the rights of writers and readers over time.

#stalin #censorship #freedom

Beauty lies in the EYES of the beholder. What happens once the eyes lock with the wrong person. Tolstoy himself said once that anna karenina is his first novel (novel is a western concept according to him) which was inspired from true events.

Tolstoy explores the lines between beauty and loyalty using his quick wit and unique sense of morality and humour which makes this tale devastating with underlying dark humour that makes it relevant across the time and world.

#cheating #love #marriage

War and peace was initially meant to be a short novella but Tolstoy himself was surprised by the end product because to explain a small conflict he tried to track the background of such events which somehow led to napoleon wars and henceforth.

War and peace are often seen as oppo taken in Moscow, Russia by @read.with.phani

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2 months ago