MUST READ
Three highly-anticipated books of the month:
Speaking with Nature: The Origins of Indian Environmentalism
Conventional social science often views countries like India as "too poor to be green." In Speaking with Nature, Ramachandra Guha challenges this by uncovering a rich prehistory of environmental consciousness in India. Long before Silent Spring, ten influential figures addressed pressing environmental issues through the lens of their culture. This book offers valuable insights into today’s climate challenges, highlighting India's significant contributions to global environmental discourse.
Romy Gill's India
Dive into India's rich culinary heritage with Romy Gill's India. Chef Romy takes you through her ancestral kitchens in Bengal and Punjab, sharing over 70 cherished family recipes that embody the essence of home-cooked Indian cuisine. From classic Butter Chicken to simple Masala Omelette, each dish celebrates authentic flavors while providing invaluable cooking tips. With easy instructions and accessible ingredients, this cookbook is perfect for home cooks of all levels.
Ten Indian Classics
Explore 2,500 years of India’s literary heritage in Ten Indian Classics, part of the Murty Classical Library. This anthology features romantic ghazals, devotional quatrains, medieval battles, and more, spanning from the sixth century BCE to the eighteenth century. With translations from leading experts across various languages—Hindi, Kannada, Pali, Punjabi, Persian, Sanskrit, Telugu, and Urdu—and a foreword by poet Ranjit Hoskote, this collection invites readers to immerse themselves in a vibrant literary tradition that continues to influence contemporary South Asian culture.
The Last Time I Saw You
Akhil Katyal's The Last Time I Saw You explores the experience of grief, intimately detailing the poet's journey through loss and its aftermath. It follows the transition from the sudden plunge into despair to the slow return to everyday life, capturing both raw and reflective emotions. Set against a city grappling with a severe illness, the forced migration of its people, and the tragic consequences of communal violence, the collection resonates deeply. Every line is crafted with care, embodying a spirit of resilience that ensures the poems in The Last Time I Saw You will stay with readers long after the final page.
Marigold Mind Laundry
After young Jieun accidentally misuses her powers and causes her beloved family to disappear, she embarks on an endless quest to find them. In the village of Marigold, perched on a hill, she creates her Mind Laundry, a place where she cleanses painful memories from the heart, transforming them into stains on a T-shirt and converting them into vibrant red petals. Along her journey, she encounters five troubled individuals: a frustrated filmmaker, a tortured social media influencer, a distressed mother who has uncovered her husband's secret family, a young woman betrayed by her lover, and Yeonghui, a bullying victim who takes on a delivery job to escape his pain. After helping them wash away their sorrow and smooth out their struggles, Jieun experiences a profound revelation that changes her life forever. Through humor, wonder, and personal growth, Marigold Mind Laundry illustrates how we can all access the positivity and magic within us.
Francis Itty Cora
Set across present-day Kerala, war-torn Iraq, ancient Alexandria, and Renaissance Florence, TD Ramakrishnan's Francis Itty Cora is a provocative reimagining of history and a classic of Malayalam literature. With its intricate plot twists and captivating characters, this remarkable translation is as gripping and unforgettable as the original. When ex-US Marine Xavier Itty Cora realizes that the key to resolving his personal issues lies in the story of his ancestor, the scandalous and cunning pepper merchant Francis Itty Cora, he becomes fixated on uncovering the truth. With the assistance of sensual scholars from Kochi and their friends and lovers, Xavier begins to navigate the pages of history, revealing a complex narrative steeped in secrecy and myth. He uncovers a man who is both enigmatic and dazzling: a mathematical genius, a figure admired by a mysterious cult, and a person driven by insatiable desires.
MUST WATCH
Highly-anticipated movies and shows releasing soon:
Joker: Folie à Deux
Joker: Folie à Deux follows Arthur Fleck as he navigates life institutionalized at Arkham, awaiting trial for his crimes as the Joker. Amidst the turmoil of his dual identity, Arthur discovers unexpected love that offers him solace and hope. Alongside this burgeoning romance, he taps into a hidden musical talent that has long been suppressed. The film's French subtitle, Folie à Deux, refers to a psychiatric disorder characterized by a shared psychosis between two closely connected individuals.
CTRL
CTRL is an upcoming Indian Netflix Original psychological thriller, directed and co-written by Vikramaditya Motwane and Avinash Sampath. The film follows a popular internet couple whose lives have captivated a devoted audience but ultimately face a breakup. As they navigate this public dissolution, they grapple with the consequences of having shared so much in a world where information is power. Will their transparency lead to a loss of control over their own lives?
Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet is an American romance film written and directed by Susannah Grant, featuring Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth. The story follows a reclusive novelist who arrives at a writer's retreat in Morocco, seeking inspiration to overcome her writer's block. There, she encounters a young man, and their initial friendship blossoms into a transformative and passionate love affair.
Jigra
Alia Bhatt is set to deliver a powerful performance as a determined sister fighting to protect her brother, Vedang Raina, in this gripping thriller directed and written by Vasan Bala. Satya, a young woman shaped by a challenging childhood, has only one person left in her life—her brother Ankur, who is suffering in a foreign prison. With no alternatives, Satya must become a hero and undertake the unimaginable: breaking him out and ensuring his safety.
Do Patti
Directed by Shashanka Chaturvedi and penned by Kanika Dhillon, Do Patti is set to be a gripping story of twin sisters, each concealing dark secrets, while a determined police inspector, portrayed by Kajol, strives to uncover the truth behind a mysterious attempted murder. The narrative unfolds in the fictional town of Devipur, Uttarakhand, where the inspector investigates the case involving the sisters, played by Kriti Sanon. The film delves into themes of love, betrayal, and revenge, highlighting how the characters' conflicting moralities interact throughout the story.
Hold Your Breath
Hold Your Breath is a horror film set in 1930s Oklahoma, focusing on a young mother who believes a mysterious entity is endangering her family. Directed by Karrie Crouse and Will Joines, and starring Sarah Paulson, the film fundamentally explores the emotional struggle of a woman determined to protect her children. Set against the backdrop of the devastating dust storms of the era, it follows Paulson's character as she grapples with the belief that a malevolent force is threatening her family.
MUST LISTEN
Music albums to tune into:
Moon Music
Moon Music is the upcoming tenth studio album by British rock band Coldplay, set to release on October 4, 2024. This album follows their 2021 work, Music of the Spheres, and continues the band's thematic exploration of space, celestial bodies, and the universe's mysteries. Moon Music delves into humanity's connection with the cosmos, intertwining themes of love, hope, and existential wonder. Additionally, the EcoCD packaging showcases Coldplay's commitment to sustainability, utilizing eco-friendly materials to minimize the carbon footprint of physical media.
Shawn
Shawn Mendes has announced his upcoming album titled Shawn, set to be released on October 18. In preparation for this new project, he has released two singles: Why Why Why and Isn’t That Enough. This will be his first full-length album since Wonder, which came out in 2020, and follows his mental health break after the cancellation of the Wonder: The World Tour in 2022.
The Great Impersonator
The Great Impersonator is Halsey's fifth studio album, set to release on October 25, 2024. This album explores the authenticity of Halsey's identity and experiences, examining her connection to various contexts from the 1970s to the present. She unveiled one version of the upcoming project’s artwork: a wide-eyed, rosy-cheeked self-portrait that looks like a snippet from a newspaper ad—“I created this album in the space between life and death.”
Portrait
Three-time Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy has unveiled her new studio album, Portrait, set to release on Verve Records on October 11. Born from an intense global touring schedule, this recording sees Joy channeling her success into a journey of musical exploration. Portrait, the follow-up to her acclaimed 2022 album Linger Awhile, captures the growth of the 24-year-old Bronx native not only as a remarkable vocalist but also as a songwriter, arranger, and bandleader.
Brat and it's completely different but also still brat
Brat and its companion album, it's completely different but also still brat, are scheduled for release on October 11 through Atlantic Records. This collection includes the latest remix and previously released collaborations with Billie Eilish (Guess), Lorde (Girl, so confusing), A. G. Cook, Addison Rae, Robyn, and Yung Lean, along with 11 new tracks that have yet to be revealed.
Cutouts
Cutouts is the third studio album by the English rock band The Smile, scheduled for release on October 4, 2024. The trio—comprised of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and Tom Skinner—has created this 10-track record, which was written and recorded in Oxford and at Abbey Road Studios in London, coinciding with the production of their previous album, Wall of Eyes.
MUST ATTEND
Events that you should attend:
Frizzell D'souza
Originating from the coastal city of Mangalore, Frizzell D’Souza infuses her acoustic pop and soft rock with the serene introspection of seaside reflections. Her 2024 sophomore EP, In My Asymmetry, ventures into electronic pop, occasionally evoking the sound of Florence and the Machine while openly showcasing her admiration for John Mayer. In this work, Frizzell invites us to appreciate the beauty found in life's nuanced grey areas. She will be performing at Piano Man on October 5, 2024.
IFP festival
IFP is a vibrant community of filmmakers, writers, musicians, storytellers, poets, designers, and creators that hosts an annual festival in Mumbai. Its ongoing mission is to cultivate dynamic ecosystems where talented creators can thrive and evolve. This year, the IFP festival returns, offering incredible experiences filled with interactive sessions, thought-provoking discussions, and collaborative workshops. It's a haven for conversation starters, misfits, and anyone who appreciates the beauty of art and culture. The event is on October 12-13 at Mehboob Studios, Mumbai.
Cast Off All Shame
Cast Off All Shame begins with the spirit of the Bhakti poet Janabai coming to life as a radio host. She interacts with various women callers who share their daily struggles with gender and patriarchy. This solo theater piece unfolds through a series of vignettes—some humorous, others deeply moving—reflecting the experiences of Indian women from diverse backgrounds. Catch it in Mumbai on October 19, 2024.
Festa De Goa
Celebrating Goa's rich literary heritage, vibrant art, and delicious cuisine, the festival will showcase some of the most esteemed figures in the realms of art and literature. We will honor Goa’s musical renaissance with enchanting harmonies and stunning performances that promise to captivate and inspire. Attendees can expect a multi-sensory experience in the outdoor lawn, featuring Goan-inspired art installations, a live band playing beloved Goan melodies, and a bustling bazaar that brings the essence of Goa's shopping scene to your neighborhood on October 5, 2024 in Royal Opera House, Goa.
Proof
Proof, written by David Auburn, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2001. With Direction by Aditya Joshi, an adaptation will be performed at Veda Kunba Theatre in Mumbai on October 19. On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman, has devoted years to caring for her brilliant yet unstable father, a renowned mathematician. Following his death, she must navigate her own tumultuous emotions while confronting the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire, and Hal, a former student of her father’s eager to uncover valuable insights from the 103 notebooks he left behind. Over a long weekend, a blossoming romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook force Catherine to confront a daunting question: how much of her father’s madness—or genius—will she inherit?
KNMA Theatre Festival
KNMA is hosting its inaugural Theatre Festival, themed 'The Power of Vulnerability,' featuring fresh and innovative explorations in contemporary theatre, complemented by engaging talks and discussions. The festival will take place at Sunder Nursery, Delhi, from October 14 to 20.
Words Platform Desk
Date 01.10.2024
