About FOOTPRINTS IN THE BAJRA (Cedar Books, New Delhi); By Nabina Das

"Fittingly for a poet, Nabina’s novel also has a strong lyrical core. 'Footprints in the Bajra' takes the homely image of the millet field as its central metaphor. ... But the novel is less a thriller about guerrilla action than a subtly colored character study of a fascinating group of individuals who intersect at various points in their lives ..." -- DEBRA CASTILLO, author, editor and distinguished professor (Cornell University, April 17, 2010).

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Footprints in the Bajra is a serious book that moves at a smart uncontrived pace. It voices deep concerns about how and why the deprived and the marginalized in certain parts of our country join the Maoist ranks; how they adopt desperate and often terrible measures to wrench justice and to make their voices heard... a confident debut novel, a good read, which will leave you with plenty to mull over. -- PRITI AISOLA, author (See Paris for Me, Penguin-India, 2009) in DANSE MACABRE XXXIV.

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In her debut novel, Nabina Das writes about an India where social divides stand taller than multistoried shopping malls. Footprints in the Bajra, inspired by what she saw while touring the interiors of Bihar as part of a travelling theatre group, inquires into why the Maoists have an influence over a large section of Indian society. Das talked to Uttara Choudhury in New York about her book, and its protagonist Muskaan -- DAILY NEWS AND ANALYSIS, Mumbai, March 28, 2010.

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"The interspersion of references from both the West and India do not clash. Shakespeare and Lazarus as reference points are brought in with ease, as also Valmiki and Goddess Chhinnamasta, and nothing jars ... The language is poetic and creates visual images of beauty and ugliness side by side." -- ABHA IYENGAR, poet (Yearnings: Serene Woods, 2010) and fiction writer in MUSE INDIA, May-Jun 2010


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Shwetank Dubey says Nabina Das ably recreates the milieu of Maoist-infested regions of India -- Nabina Das has chosen the first person account of narrating a story from the main characters of the novel, Nora the sheherwali (urban dweller), Muskaan the rebel, Suryakant Sahay the crafty clandestine planner and Avadhut the frontrunner of all the operations... the book deals with something that no urban resident is bound to know on his own — the life and times of people living in Maoist infested areas and why do they give in to the temptation provided by the Red Brigade. -- PIONEER newspaper, April 25, 2010.
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'"If you misrepresent them, they'll abduct and kill you," says Muskaan, our hostess'... goes the first line with which Nabina Das settles everything about her novel -- style, subject and pace... Excellent plotline. Wonderful detail. A beautifully crafted book. -- Karunamay Sinha; THE STATESMAN, Sunday supplement "8th Day", May 16, 2010.
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"This is bitter-sweet, if a rather longish tale of a modern-day Maoist revolution and the seeds of destruction and betrayal that lie embedded in it." -- Business World, May 17, 2010

Monday, March 23, 2009

INNER VOICES: A Collection of Short Stories By Indian & Foreign Writers

Finally, INNER VOICES is out in print. Hurrah! It is a collection of short stories that came into being after Mirage Books, India, held a worldwide fiction contest in 2008. My short story "Tara Goes Home" was one of the winning entries and it is featured with 49 other writers from India and other countries, among them, my writer/poet friends Farahdeen Khan and Sophia Carmalin. You can order the book on amazon.com or rediff.com or from the publishers directly.

Here's the e-mail from Nikhil Khanna, one of the publishers:

Dear Contestant:
Congratulations! Your short story submitted in response to a contest announced by Mirage Books in 2008 has been published in the book titled ‘Inner Voices’.

Released this week, the book can be ordered online through www.amazon.com or www.rediff.com. Alternatively, you can place an order for the book directly with us and get a discount of 40% on the listed price (our bulk order price). This offer is for a minimum quantity of10 books, email your address and requirements and we will let you know the shipping charges.

The book is also available at the following stores in Pune:
a) Manneys, Camp
b) The Word, Boottee Street
c) International Book Service, Deccan Gymkhana.

It will also be available at bookshops in major cities of India, along with our other titles, in the next couple of months.

We hope that you enjoy reading the book and, if possible, do get it reviewed ( blogs, magazines, newspapers etc)
Regards,
Nikhil Khanna
Publisher
Mirage Books,
Shop 4A, Mayfair Eleganza,
Phase 1, NIBM Road,
Pune – 411 048.
Phone: 020-40052498

Well, more on my work later. Meanwhile, you can order the book for yourself, libraries, book clubs etc. I'll post some excerpts from my story in a few days.
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5 comments:

kalimak said...

Congratulations!!!!! Congratulations, again!

Unfortunately, amazon says the book's out of stock, but I hope it's temporary.

Hurray for Nabina!

March 24, 2009 at 9:57 AM
fleuve-souterrain said...

Thanks Misi! I hope too... the publisher said you can go ahead and order and they'll get the book to you.
I love your enthusiasm about my writing, makes me strive for better writing!

March 29, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Kenna said...

Hey, I also won the contest. Do you know of some way to get the book? I just can't stand to wait while amazon restocks. ( If they ever do...)
Kenna

March 31, 2009 at 9:08 PM
fleuve-souterrain said...

Kenna -- do you have a website/blog/link?
congrats! If you are in India, get it from rediff.com. Or else just order on Amazon, they'll deliver it on order.

March 31, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Kenna said...

Sorry I couldn't find this page forever lol. Yeah you can email me at mckenziehightower@yahoo.com if you want. I live in the US and amazon is out of stock for now...but they should have some copies in by May 6 at least.
Kenna

April 5, 2009 at 3:31 PM

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