(From top): Nilanjana Roy and Samit Basu at the release of the latter’s book, The Manticore’s Secret; Rajan Kapoor, Renuka Chowdhury and Aman Nath (left to right) at the launch of Brahma’s Pushkar: Ancient Indian Pilgrimage; Vivan Sundaram with one of his works at Lalit Kala Akademi

It was a fitting way to celebrate a birthday. Samit Basu, whose first book Simoquin Prophecies, (also available in Swedish, Ordbilder and German, Piper Verlag) was well-received by book-lovers and critics alike, is back with its sequel, The Manticore’s Secret ? the second book in his GameWorld fantasy trilogy. The book was launched in Delhi at the Indian Habitat Centre followed by a discussion between the 26-year-old author and book critic Nilanjana Roy.

The conversation veered around the writer’s influences and why he chose to categorise his trilogy in the fantasy genre. There were quite a few in the audience who insisted that Basu has limited himself by putting his fiction in the fantasy bracket. But he seemed nonetheless to be quite at ease about it. Of course there are changes in this book. For one it will be less “Calcutta-centric”. “It’s less referential than the first and a lot darker,” said Basu after he read out a few sections from the book.

Published by Penguin India and priced at Rs 295, The Manticore’s Secret has a mesmeric landscape bursting with weird and wonderful characters and a narrative that’s complex, playful, sometimes sombre but always dazzlingly inventive. Here’s a peek at the plot: A mysterious Dark Lord and his grotesque army threaten all that is good on earth... or do they?

And in the shadows, a secret society of shapeshifters (they are the good guys) battles deadly mind-controlling foes who threaten history, humanity and the future of the planet. A beautiful, amoral rakshasi plots world domination while a strangely civilised barbarian fights to save the world. But the world is spinning out of control. Because the gods are back. And they want to play...

Pushkar revisited

It’s not every day that the British High Commissioner’s backyard is turned into a mini-Rajasthan and given a rustic setting. And you don’t get to see camels with embellished scarves around their necks at the entrance of a book release function. But then again, the occasion was the launch of a book on one of Rajasthan’s most photographed spots ? Pushkar.

The book Brahma’s Pushkar: Ancient Indian Pilgrimage ? Rajan Kapoor and Aman Nath’s joint venture, was released at the British High Commissioner, Sir Michael Arthur’s residence in Delhi recently. All the pictures in the book are clicked by industrialist and photographer Rajan Kapoor while the text and design have been done by writer Aman Nath who is also the co-owner of Neemrana chain of hotels. Published by the India Book House the book was inaugurated by the Minister of Tourism, Renuka Chowdhury, who made a strong pitch for the book, saying, “Pushkar ignites all the ancient memories that lie in our DNA. Purchasing a copy would be your part of salvation if you can’t visit Pushkar.”

Soon after the launch, the book went on sale, and the money was collected for KHUSHI (Kinship for Humanitarian, Social and Holistic Intervention in India), a national organisation working for the upliftment of the poor.

With 494 photographs, 21 sketches and line drawings, the book links the ancient mysticism of Pushkar with the vibrant reality of modern India. Speaking about his book and pictures Rajan Kapoor said, “I would visit Pushkar often and take pictures keeping different subjects in mind. When I showed the pictures to Aman, he came up with the idea of both of us doing a book together. He did research on various subjects and did great write-ups.”

As wine and snacks did the rounds, artistes from Rajasthan presented folk songs and dances. Also present was former cricketer and KHUSHI president, Kapil Dev with his wife and daughter.

Art of the matter

It was glitz of a different kind. On Friday, the parking lot of Lalit Kala Akademi was filled to bursting with swish cars. Intellectuals, artists, architects and diplomats thronged Rabindra Bhawan. The occasion: the opening of Vivan Sundaram’s solo exhibition living.it.out.in. delhi comprising an impressive selection of drawings, installations, photographs and video installations. The material that Sundaram has worked with for the exhibition is urban waste. The caviar on the smorgasbord was the presence of CPM general secretary, Prakash Karat in a rare appearance at an art event.

Sundaram has sought to capture the raw, chaotic energy of urban waste, which threatens to engulf us.

A huge metal framework at the entrance stuffed with waster paper proved to be quite an eye-catching installation. In the huge photographic blow-ups, there is an attempt to impose order. One can see plastic bottles and cans carefully composed for a shot from an elevation. The sheer exuberance of urban waste spilling into our lives is mind-boggling. The photographic gallery of marginalised labour engaged in managing this daily profusion of waste is a reminder to its uncontrolled profusion.

Vivan Sundaram has been recording his visions of various facets of urban experience. For this project, the artist worked closely with the NGO Chintan.

Sigrid Owen, Viren Shah and a model (left to right) at the Roopam fashion show

Fashion fiesta

When Roopam, one of Mumbai’s oldest retail store brands hosted a fashion show to launch its season’s collection and, more importantly, to celebrate the reinvention of its flagship store as a complete lifestyle destination, it didn’t have your everyday models walk the ramp. Rather, Roopam’s Viren Shah sought to break the clutter by getting the US consulate general Michael Owen’s daughter, Sigrid Owen, to model his store’s collection. That’s not all. Sharing the space with her were representatives from the Russian consulate as well as leading television actors like Chetan Hansraj, Ranjeev Mulchandani, Sudhanshu Pandey, Gautam ‘Gomzee’ Kapoor, Vikas Kalantri, Riyadh Kundanmal and Sanjay Singh.

Dressed in a red bridal outfit, Sigrid was, of course, the show-stopper of the evening (there had been enough advance publicity on her participation, after all). Designer Nisha Jamwal, who just launched her label with Roopam, gave a preview of her gowns.

Besides Sigrid’s parents, also present on the occasion were designers Manoviraj Khosla and Aseem Merchant, and actors Deepshika and Akashdeep Saigal.

Photographs of Delhi events by Prem Singh and Rupinder Sharma