Page 35 - INSIGHT 2021

Ed-Board Recommends II. Contemporary Indian Authors:

The Indian subcontinent boasts of many renowned authors. These authors have achieved
international acclaim not only because they were word-wizards but also could portray
Compiled by Sarah Parwez, Esha Mukhopadhyay and Suruchi Verma
(Members, Students' Editorial Board) India – a country that is so comfortable with contradictions that it almost becomes impos-
sible to bind it within the narrow confines of language – unabashedly.

I. Animated Series/Movies: 1. ruskin bond: Ruskin Bond, an Anglo-In- Satanic Verses created a furore in the Muslim
dian octogenarian, is perhaps the most common world and the controversy led to widespread
name among them all. His books have captured discussions on freedom of speech whose reper-
Presumed to cater only to younger audiences, and portraying light-hearted subtleties, the hearts of people across all generations. Based cussions are found to this day. Numerous kill-
animated movies often find themselves side-lined by older audiences. However, their un- in the beautiful mountains of the Himalayas, his ings and bombings took place in response to
bound creative liberty and beautiful explorative visuals allow for a way of story-telling that stories talk about heartbreak, longing and youth in this novel. His work combines magic realism
resonates with people regardless of their age. lucid language. However, he has often divulged into with historical fiction. Must-reads include Sa-
other genres like historical fiction, murder-mystery tanic Verses and Midnight’s Children.
and autobiography. Must-reads are Train Stops at 4. arundhati roy: Arundhati Roy is a po-
1. Graveyard of fireflies (1990): Ac- with a familiar ache, and drowns one in the in- Shamli, Lone Fox Dancing, A Flight of Pigeons litical activist and author. Her most renowned
claimed by film critics as “one of the best war films explicable feeling of nostalgia. The themes in and The Blue Umbrella. work is The God of Small Things. Through
ever to be made”, this underrated Studio Ghibli film the movie are unconventional to typical Studio 2. khushWant sinGh: Khushwant Singh is her work, she has tried to bring to the fore the
illustrates the unnerving ground realities of war. Set Ghibli productions and will appeal especially one of the most accomplished authors of post-in- struggles of several marginalized sections of
during WW2, it shows the lives of two tender-lov- to older audiences. dependence India. He graduated from St. Stephen’s society. She was awarded the prestigious Man
ing, orphaned siblings as they struggle to survive 4. deathnote (2006): A cult favourite, College. He was awarded an LLB degree from the Booker Prize in 1997 and was featured in the
amidst a burning Japan. This movie will move one this popular Anime series is a must-watch even University of London and practised law for several 100 most influential people list of TIME 100
to tears and leave them fuming about the futility of for those who are not particularly fond of the years in Lahore. After India became independent, in 2014.
war. Anime genre. It revolves around a megaloma- he joined the Indian Foreign Service and later on 5. amrita Pritam: Unlike the other au-
2.avatar - the last airbender (2004): niac protagonist as he attempts to create a per- became a journalist in All India Radio from where thors here, Amrita Pritam wrote in Punjabi and
Perhaps one of the most well-rounded cartoon se- fect utopic world simply by “deleting” categori- he moved to the Department of Mass Communica- Hindi. She was a poet and author. Her work
ries, this critically-acclaimed Nickelodeon show cal evil. Filled with intellectual duels, eccentric tions in UNESCO Paris. The saga doesn’t end here. has an appeal that touches hearts on both sides
was ahead of its time. With its humorous plot and characters and an enthralling plot, the show is He was also a Member of Parliament in the Rajya of the India-Pakistan Border. She was a prom-
brilliantly written characters, the show effortlessly a classic rendition of “You become what you set Sabha. With such an illustrious career, he also took inent voice for women and went on to win the
covers a variety of dark social issues such as geno- out to destroy”. out time to pen novels. His novels leave a lasting prestigious Sahitya Academy Award. Her life is
cide, imperialism, sexism and self-doubt amongst 5. over the Garden Wall (2014): impression on the reader’s mind because of their still discussed in many literary circles. The love
many others; as it follows the last Airbender - Aang This Cartoon Network mini-series follows the sarcasm. Must-reads include Train to Pakistan and story of Amrita Pritam and Imroz was much
on his journey to master the four elements. adventures of two half-brothers trying to find Delhi: A Novel ahead of its times. They lived together for five
3. only yesterday (1991): Whilst on a trip to their way back home after they get lost in the 3. salman rushdie: Salman Rushdie’s life it- decades. Their love was platonic, free from time
the countryside, Taeko reminisces about memories shadowy “woods”. The unmissable ominous air self is no less than a thriller novel. His fourth novel, and space. Must reads are Pinjar, Suneray and
from her 5th-grade self and contemplates how far of the strange, “more than what meets the eye” Kagaz Te Canvas.
away she has drifted from the dreams and values episodes complement the series’ eeriness per-
she withheld back then, confronting both the past fectly. Viewers have drawn parallelisms from
and the present in the process. The film is strewn the show to Dante’s Inferno.

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