- January 13, 2018
Book Club members discussed ‘Nocturnes’by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Kazuo Ishiguro is a Nobel Prize-winning English novelist, screenwriter, and short story writer. The Nobel committee described him in its citation as a writer “who, in novels of great emotional force, has uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world”.
- February 2, 2018
- Ritupriya Khare’s ‘Vikas ki Ganga’
“विकास की गंगा” एक कॉफ़ी टेबल बुक है एवं गंगा किनारे विकसित हुए मूल्यों और भावों की काव्यात्मक अभिव्यक्ति है। मुंबई निवासी ऋतुप्रिया एक लेखिका,कवियत्री,रचनाकार होने के साथ एक गायिका भी हैं। वे काठमांडू,शिकागो व मुंबई में कई कलात्मक प्रस्तुतियाँ दे चुकी हैं। ‘विकास की गंगा’ उनकी चौथी पुस्तक है।
- Feb 17, 2018 – Tarun Pithode’s ‘Happiness: A New Model of Human Behaviour’
Tarun Pithode is MP cadre IAS officer of 2009 batch. He studied engineering at NIT Bhopal. His first book ‘I M Possible’ was a motivational novel, and was hugely successful, and continues to influence people. It has been published in both Hindi and English.
Through his present book Happiness: A New Model of Human Behaviour the author puts forward various ideas to help people live a better life.
Tarun is currently posted as Collector & DM Sehore.
- Feb 28, 2018 – Rajesh M. Iyer on his book ” Hari & Friends – A Holi Adventure”‘ Exchanging stories at RASRANG’ on Holi with author Rajesh M. Iyer on his book ” Hari & Friends – A Holi Adventure” at Reader’s Park in front of Swami Vivekananda Library.
Rajesh M. Iyer is a media professional for over two decades as writer, editor and creative director for many books, TV serials and film. His debut novel ‘Evading the Shadows’ is an Amazon bestseller. He is also an entrepreneur with two startups, Kriscendo Media and Rasavant Media.
- April 12, 2018 – Indira Iyengar’s ‘The Bourbons and Begums of Bhopal: The Forgotten History’ was launched at Central library.
This book narrates the history and lifestyle of the Bhopal Bourbons who in many ways have shaped the history of the city itself. The book accounts for multi-cultural aspects of the Bhopal, glimpses of which can be seen even today, in Bhopal’s architecture, clothes, language and the style of celebrating festivals by Hindus, Muslims and Christians.Especially, with the entire history scattered around national archives, traveller’s accounts, and family stories, this book serves as the simplest way to douse oneself in our city’s medieval history.
Her first book The Bourbons and Begums of Bhopal-The Forgotten History is a tribute to the Bourbon legacy and also the fulfilment of the promise she made to her mother to record her family’s unique history.
- April 26 to 28th 2108 – Shakespeare Fest
Club Literati’s fourth edition of ‘Shakespeareana 2018’ was a three-day extravaganza that celebrated the anniversary of the world’s most acclaimed playwright William Shakespeare from April 26 to 28, 2018. The schedule of events was as follows:
26th April’18 – The Fest took off with ‘Sonnet in My Pocket’ held at the city’s Bhojpur Club. The event saw participation of several Shakespeare enthusiasts and lovers of poetry from different backgrounds and professions. The highlight of the evening was the translated versions of his sonnets. The participants recited Shakespeare sonnets of their choice not only in English but in other Indian languages like Urdu, Hindi, Sanskrit, Bengali, Malyalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Garhwali, and Haryanavi. The chosen sonnets were translated by the participants themselves!
As a surprise gift from the Club, all the participants got a coffee mug with a print of the same sonnet which they had presented as a reminder of this very memorable sonnet evening.
27th April’18 – A Quiz called ‘Will Power’ was held at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal only for students from non- literature background including technical & medical colleges. It aimed at testing their basic awareness of the world’s most popular playwright William Shakespeare. It comprised six rounds based on common yet interesting facts about the Bard and his works. AIIMS Bhopal team walked away with the first prize.
28th April’18 – ‘Shakespeare Lives’ – a performance with a new approach, showcasing the episodes from the Bard’s life, times & works, interspersed with musical rendering of his poems was staged at the prestigious Bharat Bhavan.
The houseful evening commenced with the arrival of the first folio of Shakespeare’s plays. As John Heminges and Henry Condell discuss the Bard’s works, his life starts unfolding. The audience are then toured through the various phases of Shakespeare’s life and dramatic career taking an occasional peep into his relationship with his wife and children while bringing back to life the famous characters and works from among his oeuvre. As a variation, his tragic phase was skillfully presented through short scenes from Vishal Bhardwaj movies- Maqbool, Omkara and Haidar as an acknowledgement of the universal adaptability of his plays.
Musical rendering of two of his most famous sonnets which were beautifully incorporated into the timeline of the Bard left the audience spellbound.
Nearly 60 students from various institutions of the city participated in this act. Conceptualized and directed by the Founder President of Club Literati Dr. Seema Raizada this performance marked the conclusion of the three day Bhopal Shakespeare Fest.
- May 18, 2018 – At the Book Club it was Enid Blyton this time, one of the world’s best selling authors!! Blyton’s The Famous five, The Secret Seven, Malowy Towers, Noddy have since been famous in the world of children’s fiction. She kept us captivated from the beginning till the end with her adventure stories.
- May 27, 2018 – Sujata Parashar’s ‘The Temple Bar Woman’
Based on the theme of sexual abuse and rape ‘The Temple Bar Woman’ (2018) is a story of a courageous rape survivor and her grit and determination to reclaim her dignity despite odds stacked against her. The novel recounts a tale of love, loss, and loyalty in lives that are curiously entwined with one another.
A novelist, poet, short story writer and a psychosocial trainer, Sujata is one among the top hundred women to receive the “100 Women Faces 2018” award. She has written eight books including a poetry series ‘Poetry Out and Loud’ and a short story collection ‘That Woman You See’. Sujata holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights.
- June 9th – Book Talk by Pragya Tiwari’s “An Outlet from Loneliness”
“An Outlet from Loneliness”, book by Pragya Tiwari from Hyderabad was launched at SVL in collaboration with Club Literati (date). The book focuses on the trials and tribulations faced by educated, Indian youth and in particular focuses on the life of Naina; a woman on a journey of self exploration. Through various hues and tones of interpersonal relationships, the reader is transported to the world of the characters; a world familiar and relatable while simultaneously engaging.
The author introduced her book with warmth and passion. The session was moderated by Aditi Mishra revealed more aspects of the book and was followed by questions posited to the author by the audience. The event was well attended by book lovers and literature enthusiasts.
- June 3 to July 22, 2018 – Agatha Christie Festival
The ongoing two month long Agatha Christie Crime festival is a celebration of her works. The festival is being organised in eight different sessions to explore interesting aspects of her works. At the end of each session guests will get to sample food, inspired from her novels. As a part of the festival two quizzes will be organized as well with winners walking away with Agatha Christie novels and festival merchandise inspired by her works.
Highlight of the festival will be display of her books at specially curated exhibition at DB Mall. On display will be not only her entire published work but also Fontana paperbacks whose covers had been designed by Tom Adams. Interesting dioramas will also be on display.
This unique festival has been curated by Arun Singh, Class 12 student of Delhi Public School, Bhopal. A lifelong fan of her works, Arun has read all her books and has almost all her books in his collection. Speaking about the festival Arun says that Agatha Christie’s works give a deep insight and understanding about human behavior. His favorite quote is from Hercule Poirot in The affair at the Victory ball- “To see things with your eyes, as they say, is not always to see the truth. One must see with the eyes of the mind: one must employ the little cells of grey”.
The Schedule
- July 21, 2018- Amarjeet Kaur’s Ahmadshah (Collection of Short Stories in Hindi) at Bhojpur Club