Awadh Symphony

The cultural capital of erstwhile Awadh region, has charmed generations into writing about the city. But there is no book that captures all the aspects of Awadhi culture, history and traditions of the region. Awadh Symphony: Notes on a Cultural Interlude is an extensively detailed volume which takes you on a journey to a bygone era and gives a glimpse of everyday life in this North Indian kingdom. Revisiting Awadh, it offers almost all aspects of human activity-from culture, cuisine, craft and religious ritual to games, fairs and bazaars; from life of ordinary Muslim women to courtesans, who were a part of the famous Sham-i-Awadh; from the tradition of dastangoi to the recitation of marsiya; and much more. A staunch bibliophile and an ardent admirer of Lucknow, author Aslam Mahmud had collected every possible book on Awadh throughout his life, consulting each of these to pen the work of a lifetime-a compendium on Lucknow with rare information and an exceptional guide to the life and times of Awadh.

Beginning with the medieval period, this book collates and reviews first-hand scholarship on Muslims in the Middle East and South Asia, as noted down by eminent British travellers, sleuths and observers of lived Islam. The book foregrounds the pre-colonial and pre-Orientalist phase and locates the multi-disciplinarity of Britain’s relationship with Muslims over the last millennium to demonstrate a multi-layered interface. Going beyond familiar views about colonialism, travel writings and memsahibs without losing sight of the complex relations between Britain and Asian Muslims, this book will be of interest to academics working on British history, Imperial history, the study of religions, Shi’i Islam, Islamic studies, Gender and the Empire and South Asian Studies.

Why do some restaurant brands succeed while most disappear even before the main course is served? Is there a market at all for luxury dining? Should you scale up your concept or limit your ambition? Should you seek private equity investment or is it better to grow slow and steady? How much does PR help? What alchemical andaz of location, food, service and financial planning makes for a perfect recipe? In India’s cut-throat restaurant industry, fame and fortune rest on a knife’s edge. Over the past two decades, the sector has seen an unprecedented boom – with the introduction of experiential restaurants, global cuisines and modern Indian food, and chefs seeking to establish credible ventures to serve consumers more open to culinary diversity than ever before. But behind all the glamour, there lies a cautionary tale: restaurants are a tough business in a market characterized by high costs, an unclear regulatory framework and fickle consumers who often prize discounts over quality. And while the last few years have seen private equity investment enter the space, there have been few notable exits, and returns on investment remain nebulous even as restaurants struggle with slim profit margins and high mortality rates. In Business on a Platter, Anoothi Vishal dives deep into the complex business of restaurants and takes a hard look at where it’s all headed. Building on her observations of the sector over two decades, she analyses stories of survival, failure and turnarounds, while also tracing the history of food retail from Mughal India to the newest brands pushing the envelope. Incisive and percipient, this book is the ultimate guide to the business of food in India.

The book Lucknow Imprints: A Poetic and Historical Account of the Golden City of the East is about Lucknow – the history of Lucknow, the lineage of Nawabs, the Revolt, the cuisines, the poetry, the monuments and the experiences of people of Lucknow in the city. The book is unique as it is rendered in dialogue form by two women (the two authors) hailing from Lucknow, who talk about the city in their own style, reminiscing over memories and gradually unfolding their feelings for the city. Dr. Sanobar Haider discusses the history of the city, while Dr. Shweta Mishra “shawryaa” indulges in Shayari and poetry which are naturally inspired by the city. The book blends literary and historical facets to create a peculiar feel, which talks about Lucknow with all its smells, tastes and sounds.

In 1528 the Mughal Sultanate conquered and formally incorporated Awadh as one of its constituent provinces. With the decline of Mughal power the nawab-vazirs of Awadh began to assert their independence. After the East India Company appropriated half of Awadh as 'indenmity', the then nawab, Asaf'ud Daulah, moved his capital to Lucknow in 1775. A move that resulted in the growth of the city and its distinctive culture known as'Lakhnavi tehzeeb'. Since then, nawabi Lucknow has undergone enormous changes. The refinement of 'pehle aap' has all but disappeared. Originally built to support a hundred thousand people, amid palaces, gardens and orchards, the city now staggers under the burden of fifty times that number. Its unchecked growth and collapsed civic amenities are slowly draining the life and beauty of this once vibrant city. The rich and flamboyant culture has faded amidst the decay that has eaten into the fabric of the city and the corruption and treachery that permeate the government. In separate pieces William Dalrymple and Barry Bearak trace the decline of Lucknow---the city, its architecture, people, politics, governance---and the sad end of the havelis and their once grandiose occupants. The elegiac Marsia tradition of the Shias strives to be heard over angry chants of 'Hulla Bol' of political rallies in Mrinal Pande's account of her visit to the city. And, in his hyperbolic saga of seven generations of the fictional Anglo-Indian Trotter family, I. Allan Sealy meanders through two hundred years of Lucknow's chequered history. However, despite the apparent disintegration, Lucknow's ineffable spirit can still be found---in the tantalizing flavours of Lakhnavi cuisine; the delicate artistry of chikankari; the legendary courtesans and the defiant voice of the rekhti; the melodious notes of the ghazaI and the thumri ... Engaging and thoughtful, Shaam-e-Awadh: Writings on Lucknow celebrates the unique character of this city of carnivals and calamities.

The book examines the representation of women, their agency and subjectivity and gender relations in 18th- and 19th-century India. The chapters in the volume interrogate notions and discourses of ‘women’ and ‘gender’ during the period, historically shaped by multiple and even competing actors, practices and institutions. They highlight the ‘making of the woman’ across a wide spectrum of subject areas, regions and roles and attempt to understand the contradictions and differences in social experiences and identity formations of women. The volume also deals with prevalent notions of masculinity and femininity, normative and non-conformist expressions of gender and sexual identity and epistemological concerns of gender, especially in its intersectional interplay with other axes of caste, class, race, region and empire. Presenting unique understandings of our gendered pasts, this volume will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of history, gender studies and South Asian studies.

Embark on a regal culinary odyssey with Saffron Saffairs: Unearthing the Majestic Flavours of India’s Royal Kitchen. Step into India's royal heritage, where opulent feasts and innovative flavours come alive through vibrant narratives and ancient recipes. Uncover hidden stories behind Persian, Mughlai, Rajput, and Deccan cuisine, crafted by masterful chefs. From Rajasthan's palaces to Kerala's spice bazaars, this book unveils the art of royal dining, inviting you to savour a bygone era's grandeur. Immerse in history, culture, and enchanting flavours. For food enthusiasts and history buffs, “Saffron Saffairs” is your gateway to India's gastronomic heritage.

“There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.” ~ George Sand Love has no boundaries, no meaning, no logic and no limit. It is boundless, endless, unconditional, and free. It has the power to change people for the good, to live life for real. And that is maybe because love doesn’t have to be perfect, it just must be true. With this idea of love, we have a compendium of 25 minds from across India, who have expressed themselves on love in their own ways and perceptions. This book presents to you love in its most original form: with both its ups and downs. But more importantly, it gives you all the different shades of love put together.