Books from Indian literature I highly recommend | Translated | Hindi | Tamil | Kannada | Bengali

Summary

In this video, the host, fuja, dispels the myth that they only read English literature by sharing a deep appreciation for Indian literature's diversity. They recount their early love for reading and their journey back to Hindi literature through bookstagram. The host recommends seven Indian books, including classics like 'Godaan' by Munshi Premchand and contemporary works like 'One Part Woman' by Perumal Murugan, highlighting the rich tapestry of Indian experiences from various regions and languages. The list concludes with the iconic 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie, emphasizing the layered narratives and cultural depth of Indian literature.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video is a book recommendation by Fuja, focusing on Indian literature, which she enjoys for its diversity reflecting India's varied cultures and experiences.
• 🌟 Fuja clarifies a misconception about her reading habits, emphasizing her appreciation for Indian literature beyond just English books.
• 🏫 She shares her early connection with literature, influenced by her education in an ICSE school where she read extensively in English and Hindi.
• 🌱 Her love for Hindi literature was reignited through book recommendations on Bookstagram, which led her to explore a plethora of Indian books.
• 📖 The first book recommended is 'Godaan' by Munshi Premchand, a classic Hindi novel that depicts the life and struggles of farmers, considered a cornerstone of Hindi literature.
• 🚶‍♂️ The second recommendation, 'Kafan' by Manav Kaul, is a Hindi book that captures the author's observations and experiences during his travels in Europe, promoting slow living.
• 💔 'One Part Woman' by Perumal Murugan, translated from Tamil, tells a poignant story about a couple's struggle with infertility and societal pressures in India.
• 🚂 'Kaun?' by Vi Shang, originally in Kannada and translated to English, is a thrilling read set in Bangalore, exploring social dynamics and economic conditions.
• 🌉 'Shantaram' by Gregory David Roberts is a lengthy but impactful novel about a convict on the run in Bombay, dealing with crime, substance abuse, and personal redemption.
• 👻 'The Aunt Who Wouldn't Die' by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, translated from Bengali, is a humorous and insightful look at three generations of women living together and the arrival of a new bride.
• 🌜 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie is a must-read, blending historical events with magical realism, centered around the partition of India and the lives of those affected by it.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video?

The main theme of the video is to discuss and recommend a list of Indian literature books that the speaker, Fuja, has read and enjoyed, highlighting the diversity and richness of Indian literature.

Why does Fuja feel Indian literature is more diverse than other forms of literature?

Fuja feels Indian literature is more diverse due to the vast cultural, linguistic, and experiential variety within India, from north to south and east to west.

What was Fuja's initial experience with literature in school?

Fuja was a bright literature student who loved reading and often finished all the literature books before the course was supposed to start, enjoying both English and Hindi literature.

How did Fuja's reading habits change when she moved to a different school?

When Fuja moved to a different school in her plus two, she focused more on competitive exams in subjects like physics, chemistry, and math, which led to her reading less in Hindi.

What platform rekindled Fuja's interest in Indian literature?

Fuja's interest in Indian literature was rekindled through Bookstagram, where she discovered many creators recommending Indian books.

How many books does Fuja recommend in her list?

Fuja recommends a list of seven books in her video.

What is the first book Fuja recommends and why is it significant?

The first book Fuja recommends is 'Godaan' by Munshi Premchand. It is significant because it is a pillar of Hindi literature, depicting the social and economic conditions of farmers and their struggles.

What is the second book on Fuja's list and what does it focus on?

The second book is 'Manav Kaul', which focuses on the author's daily observations and experiences, including his travels around Europe and the concept of slow living.

What language is 'One Part Woman' originally written in and what is its central theme?

'One Part Woman' is originally written in Tamil and its central theme revolves around societal pressures and the struggles of a couple trying to conceive for 12 years.

What is unique about 'Ker Coacher' and where is it set?

'Ker Coacher' is unique as it is a thriller set in Bangalore, India, and explores the social, economic conditions, and gender roles in society.

Why does Fuja recommend 'Shantaram' to her audience?

Fuja recommends 'Shantaram' because it is an epic story about a convict who escapes from an Australian prison and finds himself in Bombay, dealing with substance abuse and crime, which makes for a motivating and engaging read.

What is the central plot of 'The Aunt Who Wouldn't Die' and its significance?

The central plot of 'The Aunt Who Wouldn't Die' revolves around a new bride entering a joint family home with three generations of women, including a ghostly aunt-in-law, and the story highlights the tight-knit family structure and generational dynamics in India.

What is the significance of 'Midnight's Children' in Indian literature and its setting?

'Midnight's Children' is significant as it is a story set during the time of partition when India and Pakistan separated, incorporating elements of magical realism and exploring post-colonial Delhi and parts of Pakistan.

What does Fuja appreciate about Indian books in terms of their depth and layers?

Fuja appreciates the many layers in Indian books based on where they are set, including intricacies around food, crime, streets, language, and weather, which, despite their diversity, share similar core ideas due to the long history of living in such conditions.