http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/11/25/stories/2010112550970300.htm mention in the Hindu about the Delhi launch of Urban Shots. Thanks, Poulami!
Short shots
A collection of short stories looks at lives entangled in the hustle and bustle of the big cities
Authors Ahmed Faiyaz, Malathi Jaikumar and Abha Iyengar at the book launch
Life in urban areas is characterised by money, comfort, glamour, complexities and pace of work. These different facets of urban life find meaningful expression in the book “Urban Shots”. Published by Grey Oak, the book, an anthology of 29 urban tales, has been contributed by 13 writers like Abha Iyengar, Malathi Jaikumar, Hasmita Chander and Vrinda Baliga, Ahmed Faiyaz, Rikin Khamar, Biswanath Ghosh, Kainaz Motivala, Naman Saraiya, Sahil Khan, Kunal Dhabalia and Prateek Gupta. Interestingly, Motivala has also been seen in films like “Pathshaala” and “Wake Up Sid”.
Deceptively simple
These fresh, vivid and deceptively simple stories are set against the backdrop of urban metros with their bright lights, sky rises, glitzy malls, tenements, crowds and the chaos that comes with it. Divided into different sections titled ‘Relationships', ‘Love', ‘Friendship', ‘Angst' and ‘Longing', the book contains stories by experienced as well as young authors. Edited by Paritosh Uttam, author of “Dreams in Prussian Blue”, “Urban Shots” was launched recently at the Oxford Bookstore in the presence of some of the contributing authors.
Explaining the title of the book, author Faiyaz who is also the Managing Director, Grey Oak Publishers, and author of “Love, Life & All that Jazz...” and “Another Chance”, said, “Most of the stories are set in the urban background. We have in fact tried to play with the word ‘shot' to indicate snapshots of urban life.”
Reflecting life
Malathi's tale called “Liberation” revolves around a group of slum dwellers.“Each story that I write is embroidered around a core of truth. ‘Liberation' is the story of a group of slum dwellers who move to the city from the village and their experiences that follow. It is based on a combination of two real life experiences.”
Akin to Malathi's narrative, Abha's story too stems from real life. “Slow Rain” depicts a married woman who is a dreamer. The limitations she faces in her married life are realised through her dreams. The formal launch of the book was followed by a panel discussion on issues such as urban life, the varied connotations of emotions, difficulties of marketing an anthology of short stories and other complexities of working in the genre.
POULAMI MUKHERJEE
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2 comments:
Congrats, Urban Shots seems to be doing exceedingly well. Seeing copies in all bookstores :-) way to go!
Must be an enjoyable read Urban Shots by Paritosh Uttam. loved the way you wrote it. I find your review very genuine and original, this book is going in by "to read" list.
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