Book Review: Who Owns That Song - The Battle for Subramania Bharati's Copyright by A.R. Venkatachalapathy

Title: Who Owns That Song - The Battle for Subramania Bharati's Copyright
Author: A.R. Venkatachalapathy
Publisher: Juggernaut

Not many know why there’s such a fuss about Subramania Bharati or his literary works. That he’s a gem of a poet is known only to a fraction of the Indian population. The reason is not exactly ignorance or lack of interest. It’s more to do with the fact that his genius remains untapped in the global language. An activist, journalist, and a freedom fighter, Bharati wrote in Tamil and only a fraction of his works has been translated. Some of these have failed to evoke the true essence of the magic that his own words spun in Tamil. Till date he remains an unsung poet whose work has been exploited and gathered momentum only at the face of a legal battle.

Born in Ettayapuram in 1882, Subramania Bharati was a social activist, journalist, and poet. He wrote thousands of verses throughout his lifetime on subjects as diverse as nationalism, the Tamil way of life, religion, children’s poems, and elegies to freedom fighters. However, he only attained fame posthumously when his half-brother, who held the copyright of his work, went on to publish the same. Others were profiting out of Bharati’s works even as his own family was in the doldrums. With filmmakers and publishers vying to acquire copyright to his works, legal battles for the rights were fought.

AR Venkatachallapathy’s ‘Who Owns That Song? — The Battle for Subramania Bharati’s Copyright’ is a story of the events that led to the nationalisation of the great poet’s work. In this book, Venkatachallapathy chronicles Bharati’s journey as an artist and how his works changed hands several times before finally being released by the government into the public domain, free of any copyright claim.

The way this book has been assembled is commendable. It is not Bharati’s biography even though it provides the readers with a glimpse into the author’s life. One can also get a sense of the narrow world of publication and of copyright laws of the past years. It is a valuable resource for those burning with the desire to understand the question – who does an artist belong to? This book raises the question of whether an individual's work should be dropped into the public domain for people to make use of as they wish instead of being passed down generations as family heirloom.

A skillfully written, well-researched account of one of our greatest poets and his posthumous fame.

A.R. Venkatachalapathy, historian, writer and translator, is a professor at the Madras Institute of Development Studies, Chennai. He has taught at universities in Tirunelveli, Chennai, Singapore and Chicago, and published widely on the social, cultural and intellectual history of colonial Tamil Nadu.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in, Goodreads.in

Book Review: Mothering a Muslim by Nazia Erum

Title: Mothering A Muslim
Author: Nazia Erum
Publisher: Juggernaut

Nazia Erum runs a fashion start-up, and is the mother of an adorable little girl. But from the day Myra was born, she found herself asking questions she didn't have answers for. It began with her daughter's name – should Nazia choose a traditional Islamic name or a more non-religious sounding one so that her daughter couldn't be identified as a Muslim? Nazia was not the only modern middle-class Muslim asking this question. Soon she discovered that finding the right name for Myra was the least of her worries. Talking to over 100 children and their parents across 12 cities, what Nazia uncovers is deeply troubling. She heard stories of rampant bullying of Muslim children in many of the country's top schools, of six-year-olds being hit by their classmates because of their faith, of religious segregation in classrooms and of anxious Muslim parents across the country who monitor their children's dress, speech and actions to protect them. In Mothering a Muslim, she finally lifts the veil on this taboo subject, one that is spoken of only in whispers. Urgent, gripping and heartbreaking, this is essential reading for every Indian.

Bigotry — the intolerance, fear, and hatred of those different from ourselves — is a common occurrence in the world even today. It is, however, considered wrong almost universally because it robs others of their rights as human beings through discrimination and persecution. And among all forms of bigotry, it is religious bigotry that is by far the most common. Due to religious bigotry people are willing to kill each other even in a secular country like ours. I wonder what it is like in countries where they have a national religion!

The most worrying aspect of this ‘epidemic’ is that it has spread its vile roots even in the innocent yards of schools. Kids, who have no actual idea of what religion is, hurl abuses at each other and sometimes even get physical based on religious differences. Set amidst this backdrop, Nazia Erum’s ‘Mothering a Muslim’ explores the thoughts and dilemmas of a community that finds itself embattled in India’s current political climate. It raises questions and examines bullying in the so-called secular, liberal posh schools of Delhi NCR and elsewhere.

Religion has always been a sensitive issue in our country. Not very long ago we witnessed partitions based on the fault lines of religious sentiments. Was it right? That is not the question we need to ask ourselves any more. Was it enough to purge our religious notions? – is what we need to understand.

Islamophobia has seeped into the very corridors of our schools and homes and this is what Erum tries to tell the masses through her book. She uncovers a deeply disturbing picture of what it means to grow up as a Muslim in India. She has provided a set of guidelines for parents and teachers on what steps they can take if their child/ward is being subjected to communal bullying.

Erum also writes about how many Muslim parents, including herself, have developed inherent fears about their kids being singled out because of how their name sounds like. The most striking part of her book is when she goes beyond the trials of raising a child whose identity is Muslim. She brings up a key dilemma of being Muslim that seems to plague the community causing an internal crisis of identity.

To some the book may come across as a one-sided monologue where the sentiments of non-Muslim mothers are not being taken into consideration. There’s always two sides of a story — ours and theirs. But shouldn’t we, as educated people, start saying a single story with a mutual voice? It’d be good to be just ‘humans’ and not labeled as anything else. Erum has tried to say just that through her book and it applies to everyone. 

A worthwhile read all things considered!    

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in 

Book Review: The Double X Factor by Pratap Nair

Title: The Couble X Factor

Author: Pratap Nair

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

About the Book

99 stories of incredible women from India.

Featuring Zia Mody, Chanda Kochhar, Mary Kom, Neerja Bhanot, Anita Dongre and others

99 daughters of India who dared to be different

From Rani Lakshmibai and Indira Gandhi to Chanda Kocchar and Mary Kom, The Double-X Factor explores the lives and times of 99 exceptional achievers who challenged the gender barrier and rose to fame. 

Indian history is replete with instances of women’s valour, fortitude, courage, self-sacrifice and leadership in times of crisis. Some of them have turned into folklore and many of them have been immortalized in movies. Most of all, these women have left a great and indelible impact on several generations. Be it politics, arts, entertainment, sports or business, they carved a niche in every sphere that was once considered a male domain. Today, they have become role models to a nation of 1.34 billion, of which almost half is female. 

Review

For millions of years the fairer sex has been considered the weaker sex. However, defying all the odds, women have left a great and indelible impact on several generations with their act and benevolence. Be it politics, arts, entertainment, sports or business, they have carved a niche in every sphere that was once considered a male domain. Sometimes they have been hailed for their courage while other times they have been spurned for the same. But they have endured and held fast to their strength. And today, they have become role models to a nation of 1.34 billion, of which almost half is female. 

This small but ambitious book profiles 99 such Indian women who stood the test of time and dared to make a difference. The volume offers a definitive, indispensable sampling of women in top form throughout the ages who challenged the gender barrier and rose to fame. Each of the woman hails from a different background but what they have in common is a mission to penetrate the fog of uncertainty to discover a successful path. For them it all began with a dream that just won’t quit.

Most of the biographies concentrate on women who have persevered to do work that gives them satisfaction for reasons both personal and altruistic. Commendably, biographical information extends way back from Rani Lakshmibai to present day achievers like Mary Kom.

The profiles are engaging and readers will likely be inspired to investigate these fascinating women further. In an informative style, Nair highlights the lives and times of these feisty females. He aims to inspire his audience because inspiration can come from any place and at any time.

To all those looking for some much needed motivation, this is the book to pick up. Read and dare to do the different.

About the Author

Pratap Nair is the founder of FEI Cargo, a logistics company. Shailaja Nair Foundation – FEI’s CSR arm – was established to help women and children come up in life.

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I'd like to thank the author for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in 

Book Review: My Journey With Vadapav by Venkatesh Iyer

Title: My Journey With Vadapav

Author: Venkatesh Iyer

Publisher: TV18 Broadcast Limited (CNBC TV18) 

Review:

Once in a while, you come across a personality who will make you wonder about the life you have lived — about everything you have learnt and done; and this thought process might trigger a self introspection of your being. Venkatesh Iyer is one such personality. ‘My Journey With Vadapav’ is his account of his life that specifically focuses on his rise as the ‘vadapav king’ of India.

To those who know what a vadapav is, your tongue would have a neat number done on it already with the mere mention of the word. To the uninitiated, suffice it to say that it is a slice of heaven served hot on a plate or sometimes just handed over unceremoniously without the associated fanfare. The presentation doesn’t matter because taste takes over all the other senses. It started out as a humble street food in several parts of India but is now regarded as one of the must-haves during the evening cravings. Easily accessible and similarly easy on the pocket, vadapav has carved for itself a niche in the food industry.

Venkatesh holds a similar view. This gets evident right from the onset and continues to do so with every page that you turn. There’s a frank openness in his voice. He confides in the reader all about his private life — every emotion, success, frustration, and humiliation associated with his ventures — very honestly and authentically. His earnestness in sharing what he thinks might be of use to the others comes across in every page. He admits to failures and shortcomings, evincing a passionate, come-what-may attitude toward life that precludes deep introspection and only concentrates on pursuing of one’s dreams.

There’s so much to glean from Venkatesh’s account of his journey. It’s an enjoyable ride through and through — a Tam-Bram boy made good, a regular neighborhood guy who rises to the top through sheer gumption and force of will. His is a success story that warranted a case study being taught all over the globe.

An easy yet exemplary read, I’d recommend it to all those who wish to achieve their dreams. Go grab a bite (pun intended). 

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About the Author:

Venkatesh Iyer is the Founder and CEO of Goli Vadapav, India’s largest national ethnic fast food chain.

From Finance to food, with over 15 years of experience in corporate finance and investment banking, Venkatesh Iyer has been instrumental in helping entrepreneurs translate ideas into story boards using his unique strength of critical thinking, imagination and communication.

One fine day, he decided to change his course and create what was then called a very creative food revolution! His ultimate dream has been of “corporatization” of the humble Vada Pav and to see Vada Pav as a brand amongst the pizzas and burgers of the world. He’s a visionary par excellence who sees things beyond the obvious and it is this attitude that made his dream turn into reality!

He has been invited as an inspirational speaker and delivered more than 250 talks on Goli Vadapav story in India and abroad at various large entrepreneurial summits and business schools like Harvard, IMD Switzerland, ISB Hyderabad, etc.

I'd like to thank the author for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 

* I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Secret Diary of Kasturba by Neelima Dalmia Adhar

Title: The Secret Diary of Kasturba

Author: Neelima Dalmia Adhar

Publisher: Tranquebar Press

Review:

A fictionalized “memoir,” Neelima Dalmia Adhar’s ‘The Secret Diary of Kasturba’ derives its facts from the lives of Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kastur, and their sons. It is written in the first person and includes invented thoughts and dialogue that may or may not bear resemblance to real life. The book essentially voices Kastur’s feelings about her life with her husband. Through this book we get a glimpse into the life of the otherwise overshadowed figure who was sacrificed at the altar of greater good.

Numerous books have been written about the legendary Mahatma Gandhi, the man who freed India, but nothing substantial has ever been written about the woman who shared his successes and failures. Known simply as “Ba” (Mother) to millions of people in India, she is truly the forgotten woman whom history has side-lined mercilessly. She was the woman who shared Gandhi’s love, his sorrows, his triumphs and his tragedies. She was the one who stood by his side even when imprisoned alongside him on several occasions. She overcame many obstacles as she gave up a life of wealth for one of utter poverty. She was forced into celibacy, a decision that was not conferred with her by her cherished husband.

The book starts with Kastur fighting an already lost battle with death. Hers is a fate sealed by the dictates of an otherwise stringent husband. The chronology then shifts to the beginning. We are gradually introduced to the Kapadia household where Kastur was born to the governor of Porbandar. She is shown to grow up in the pages with an alacrity that is short lived. She gradually speaks from her heart about the different facets of her life — losing her first-born, an often difficult marriage, her husband’s immersion in politics and its consequences on their family, their troubled sons, and, most importantly, her own desires and hopes.

Usually Gandhi biographers write about the legends that we have come to associate with the name. Neelima’s story is that of a human, riddled with one too many flaws. We are shown the tantrums of a husband and the failures of a father. As such it is not the same man that we’ve learned to expect but someone as seen through the eyes of his wife.

Neelima’s writing is crisp and comes effortlessly. Her narrative whips up a vivid imagery, albeit a lengthy, one which renders the reading experience a tad boring. The book could have been easily accommodated in just half of its present length. The biggest drawback of this book is the narrator’s omnipresence. It has come out more as story about Gandhi than a journal of Kastur’s. None of what makes up this book is new; some of it is blinkered, some is extraneous; but enough of it is vivid to impress upon latecomers the role of the woman behind the force that is known as the Mahatma. However, it should be read for what it is — a work of fiction rather than a historical study.

About the Author:

When Neelima Dalmia Adhar wrote Father Dearest: The Life and Times of R.K. Dalmia in 2003, she was on the bestseller list and labelled a daredevil “family chronicler” who had exposed some fiercely-guarded secrets. She then wrote a novel, Merchants of Death in 2007 to be established as a mistress of the genre. 

Educated in a convent school and a reputed college in Delhi, she has a Master’s in Psychology with a specialization in “personality.” Her first and only job was to teach Psychology to undergraduate students of Delhi University. 

A passionate “people-watcher,” she is drawn to oddities and thrives on writing about personalities and human behaviour, from the quirky to the mysterious to the bizarre, a subject she does chillingly close to the bone. 

She lives in Delhi with her husband, children and two grandchildren.

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* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in