Priced at a very affordable Rs.89/-, Dewdrops at Dawn and Together 24x7 are new releases of Pageturn publisher Pvt.ltd, a Chennai-based virgin publishing Company. Pageturn’s mission is to invigorate the desi romantic genre. Red- ‘full blooded romance’ is for the mature reader. Watch out every month for this exciting, toe-curling romantic fiction series. Sahana Sankaran and Sunita Suresh are the two authors of the two books released this month.

The fantastic adventures of the Hindu God Krishna have entertained and inspired people for millennia. Playful cowherd, mischievous lover, feared demon-slayer- the legendary exploits of this super being in human form rival the most rousing fantasy epics. Now the author of the Ramayana Series, the hugely successful epic retelling of the ancient Sanskrit poem, works his magic once again with tales of Krishna. All the pomp, splendour and majesty of ancient India come alive in this extraordinary eight book series.

With his Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA wins for Slumdog Millionaire, A R Rahman has become an international celebrity. They are calling him the ‘The Mozart of the East’. In India however he’s been an iconic Superstar for 17 long years, ever since his first film Roja. His name is legend, but what is A R Rahman all about ? Very few can claim to know the man behind the music. For the first time, this book tells A R Rahman’s incredible story.

This is a novel that takes the form of a letter written by Saeed Mirza to his late mother, a pastiche of memories that honour the political creed she stood for, the egalitarian spirit of democracy she believed in, the faith from which she drew strength. Through the fable of Jahanara Begum and Nusrat Beg, Mirza tells the love story of two extraordinary people by reimagining the lives of his parents. The century the three of them inhabit witnesses the demolition of a 500 year old mosque, an unjust war fought in the name of an elusive justice, quiet personal revolutions, bitter bloodshed between neighbours and the changing fortune of a scriptwriter who refuses to relinquish his principles. Combative and lyrical, moving and relentlessly inquiring, “ Ammi’ offers a way of seeing our history and our future that is impossible to ignore.

Ayyan Mani appears to be just another man in Bombay, stranded in the rot of a good marriage, an unremarkable life and a dead-end job as personal assistant to an insufferable astronomer called Arvind Acharya at the Institute of Theory and Research. But Ayyan is not as simple as he appears. To entertain himself and give his wife the hope that they are heading towards a spectacular future, he embarks upon a secret game, weaving an outrageous fiction around his 10 year old son. As he builds the small plots to promote the myth, he sets in motion a chain of events that soon threatens to overtake him. Alternately funny and poignant, Serious Men is a savage satire on class, love, relationships and our veneration of science.

Set in a small-town frontier province in 1947, on the eve of Partition, Tamas is the story of a sweeper, Nathu, who is bribed and deceived by a local Muslim politician to kill a pig, ostensibly for a veterinarian. The following morning, the carcass is discovered on the steps of the mosque, and the town, already tension-ridden, erupts in violence. The events described in Tamas are based on true accounts of the riots of 1947 that Sahni was a witness to in Rawalpindi. This outstanding translation by the author himself, draws our attention to the chilling realities of the consequences of communal prejudice, which are of relevance even today.

Julian Treslove, a former BBC worker and Sam Finkler, a Jewish philosopher, writer and television personality, are old school friends. Despite very different lives, they’ve never lost touch with each other- or with their former teacher, Libor Sevcik,a Czech more concerned with the wider world than with exam results.

The recently widowed Libor and Finkler together with Treslove arrange an evening of dinner and reminiscence in Libor’s grand London apartment. That evening, as he is walking home, Treslove hesitates momentarily outside the window of an old violin dealer and is attacked. And from that moment, his whole sense of who and what he is begins to change. Funny, furious, unflinching, The Finkler Question is a story of exclusion and belonging, justice and love, ageing, wisdom and humanity.

The Dolphin is a story written by Sergio S. Bambaren, where Daniel the Dolphin takes the reader on a magical journey that inspires us to dream. Belief in dreams will help us to unveil the magic in real life. This life-changing book instills deep faith in our instincts and our inner voice and is highly recommended for all age group.

Gilbert's second memoir is more about marriage in general than about her personal story. It is a sequel to her popular book Eat, Pray, Love and covers vast ground, questioning her own heart, excavating family history, and studying attitudes towards marriage. The book is her testament to a deeper understanding of marriage.

The Lost River by Michel Danino provides glimpses of one of the earliest civilizations on the Indian subcontinent. The story starts with the ‘mythical river’, Sarasvati which has disappeared. This ancient river was rediscovered and satellite imagery has traced its buried course. It is also interesting to find that this river had hundreds of sites that were found to belong to the Indus civilization. According to the author, till a few years ago, the Harappan world which was mostly presented as anonymous may now justifiably be regarded as a central and inspiring part of our heritage.

Songs of Blood and Sword is an epic tale full of the romance and legend in the life of the Bhuttos, a family of rich feudal landlords, through four generations. It’s a gripping recount of their life defined by a political idealism that would ultimately destroy them. It is also a book about a daughter’s love for her father and her search to understand, the truth of his life and death. Driven by murder, corruption, conspiracy and division, written by one who has lived it, in the heart of the storm it is a satisfying read.

The Immortals of Meluha is the first book in a trilogy on Shiva, who is portrayed as a simple man whose karma incarnated him as Lord Shiva, God of Gods. Written by 35yr old IIT graduate Amish Tripathi , this book is set for a fast-paced read covering the entire range of emotions. And this title is set to be followed by “The Secret of the Nagas” and “The Oath of the Vayuputras”. It is an unusual and creative combination of a realistic portrait of Shiva with a general treatment of other Hindu Gods. Skillfully written this book is very captivating with simple, lucid used to express a deep understanding of Indian mythology.

Dreams in Prussian Blue is an example of what a good, solid “metro read” can be. It is character-driven, written in sober, non-frills prose and the story—about the personal tragedy of two young people in a live-in relationship -keeps you turning the pages at a quick rate

Dork is a hilarious narration of the experiences of a naïve but academically gifted Robin”Einstein” Verghese when he was hired by a mediocre mid-management consultation firm. Written by Sidin Vadukut, a journalist and blogger, the book is replete with office humor and cubicle jokes.

The Knight of Swords and Spooks is one of Terry Deary’s Knight’s Tales written for children and teenagers. Though the story is based on an historical event, the book resounds with humor and wit, making it appealing, particularly to children and encouraging them to read. The large font text is interspersed with pictures to make it even more interesting.

Water Stories from around the World is a collection of stories from mythology and folklore all over the world, reinforcing the value of water and the need to conserve it. Colorfully presented with lively pictures, the book is devoted to signify our dependence on water and is an ideal gift to the current generation.

A mysterious high-profile homicide in the nation's capital collides with the dark side of national security in David Baldacci's new, heart-stopping thriller, True Blue.

The book is a travelogue of a New York journalist Elizabeth Gilbert who travels to three different nations trying to heal from a severe emotional and spiritual crisis. What comes through this book is Gilbert's charisma which is irresistible. It is a mix of intelligence, wit and informal enthusiasm.

From one of the finest living writers, WOLF HALL is that very rare thing: a truly great English novel, one that explores the intersection of individual psychology and wider politics. With a vast array of characters, and richly overflowing with incident, it peels back history to show us Tudor England as a half-made society, moulding itself with great passion and suffering and courage.

Nine people, nine lives. Each one taking a different religious path, each one an unforgettable story. Exquisite and mesmerising, and told with an almost biblical simplicity, William Dalrymple’s first travel book in a decade explores how traditional forms of religious life in South Asia have been transformed in the vortex of the region’s rapid change.

Four years in the making, Superfreakonomics will once again transform the way we look at the world. It reveals, among other things, why you are more likely to be killed walking drunk than driving drunk; why terrorists might be easier to track down than you would imagine; how a sex change can boost your salary.... With their unflinching analysis Levitt and Dubner overturn received wisdom as sometimes the most superfreaky solution is the simplest.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest is the third and final novel in the million-selling Millennium Trilogy featuring the most original heroine to emerge in crime fiction for many years.

Why be good? What is dharma? How does one practise it, and to what effect? Gurcharan Das's superb exposition of the dilemmas and ambiguities inherent in the Mahabharata shows us how we can come to terms with the uncertain ethics of the world today, a world that is uncannily similar to that of the great epic.

With her inimitable expertise Wendy Doniger illuminates those moments within the tradition that resist forces that would standardize a canon. She reveals how Sanskrit and vernacular sources are rich in knowledge of and compassion towards women and lower castes; how they debate tensions surrounding religion, violence and tolerance; and how animals are the key to important shifts in attitudes towards different social classes. In this unique and authoritative account, debates about Hindu traditions become platforms from which to consider the ironies, and overlooked epiphanies, of history.

Brilliantly paced, lit with sparks of danger and underlying menace, these are dazzling, provocative stories about Svengali men, and radical women who outmanoeuvre them, about destructive marriages and curdled friendships, about moments which change or haunt a life. Munro's unsettling stories turn lives into art, expand our world and our understanding of the strange workings of the human heart.

Nocturnes by Kazuo Ishiguro is a collection of six evocative stories by a master craftsman whose deceptively gentle style always leads to an ambush wherein the reader is surprised by the depth of his or her emotions. Stories that speak of the difficulty of retaining a sense of romanticism in the face of the mire acquired through age and experience, this is a must-read for admirers of The Remains of the Day.

Listening to Grasshoppers by Arundhati Roy raises many questions about democracy and the form it has taken in India. Written with the characteristic razor sharp political insights and compelling prose that have marked Roy's work, this study of India and Indianness is an important contemporary contribution.

Don't Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight has placed celebrity fitness guru Rujuta Diwekar deservedly in the centre of public attention as she explains how it is possible to shed kilos without crash dieting or giving up your favourite foods. In a best-selling book that is part science and the other part good sense, she reveals the secret of Kareena's size '0' figure for Tashan.

Imagining India by Nandan Nilekani comes endorsed by Thomas L. Friedman for Nilekani's great skills as an explainer of concepts of great complexity. For a man who has had a long stint building wealth for the nation with Infosys, and who has now been pitchforked into national importance through his piloting of the Unique Identification Number for every Indian, Nandan Nilekani has plenty of insights to share with his fellow countrymen.

Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi links two ancient riverine cities in a tale that is part suspense, part spiritual journey. Jeff and Laura's love affair is a welcome descent into the erotic and material world, just as the narration is replete with playful flourishes that make the book and absorbing read..

The result of journeys that the author undertook across India meeting the itinerant makers and seller of toys who are a common sight on many Indian streets, 'The Toymakers: Light from India's Urban Poor' is a celebration of the resilience, resourcefulness and creativity of this self-employed community. The book is neither a conventional academic study, nor a richly illustrated book on crafts. It is a first hand account of interactions with some of the most poor, yet talented and ingenious people among us, that asks for our individual engagement with the lives of the poor.

This sumptuously illustrated book Luxury Toys explores the world Of luxury toys that only the richest of the rich can afford: Gulfstream private jets, Ferretti and Wally yachts, and cars produced by the likes of Aston Martin, Ferrari and Bentley are only a few examples of the numerous playthings of the affluent shown here-objects that many desire but few can afford. This stylish and informative book will strike the fancy of all aficionados of impeccably executed technology, top-flight design, and all those who are partial to style and the good things in life.

Kanchil the mouse deer and Monyet the monkey are best friends, and decide to plant a mango and a banana tree together. But when the trees bear fruit, Monyet climbs them and starts to eat up the fruit all by himself. Clever Kanchil quickly thinks of a way to get even with Monyet...

Kanchil is a beloved figure in Indonesian folklore, and this retelling of a popular story is illustrated in the traditional Kalamkari style of Indian textile painting. This is the first Children's picture book to use Kalamkari art as illustrations.

With activities that help young readers create their own Kalamkari style artwork, this is an ideal book to read aloud and discuss.

Yoga emphasizes transcendence, an inexpressible merging of the body, mind and spirit. This philosophy is evident in the practice of asanas, or yogic poses, many of which are derived from observing birds, animals, trees and everyday objects. Performing an asanas successfully is not merely a question of posture - the yogi needs to physically and mentally establish a relationship to the pose.

Metamorphosis playfully explores the extraordinary moment when the body of the yogi meets the object of contemplation. Twenty one stunning paintings and evocative text visualize yoga's potential to transform the relationship between body, mind and imagination. This is a book to be treasured by anyone interested in the philosophy and practice of yoga.

One morning, Falguni the Fruitseller finds a crocodile in a ditch. “Catch that crocodile!” shout the terrified townspeople. But who will do it?

Probin policeman with his stick?
Can Doctor Dutta do the trick?
Will Bhayanak Singh drag it away?
Or is the crocodile here to stay?
But then there is another thought:
Who says a crocodile should be caught?

Catch that Crocodile is another classic picture book from the awardwinning team behind Tiger on a Tree. Acclaimed children’s poet Anushka Ravishankar tells the hilarious nonsense-verse tale of a rampant reptile and his hapless assailants, imparting a subtle conservationist message along the way.

The Erotic. The Valorous. The Furious. The Terror-stricken. The Pathetic. The Comic. The Disgusting. The Marvellous. The Peaceful.

According to the Natyashastra, a second century Indian theory of aesthetics, there is a spectrum of nine emotions that the superior work of art should evoke and represent. This book picks each of the emotions apart, and explodes them into their modern context: Indian cinema billboards, or hoardings, as they are popularly known. A team of hoardings artists from Chennai’s vibrant Kollywood movie industry have created monumental paintings expressing each of the nine emotions in their own inimitable style. For the initiated, insightful essays illuminate this fascinating intersection of culture, commerce and politics.

The Night Life of Trees is an exquisite hand-bound and screen-printed book of paintings by three of the finest artists of the Gond tribal art tradition. From central India, the Gonds are traditionally forest dwellers. They believe that trees are hard at work during the day providing shelter and nourishment to all beings. Only at night can they finally rest, and reveal their true spirits. These luminous spirits are captured in The Night Life of Trees, a fascinating and haunting foray into the Gond imagination. Each painting is accompanied by its own poetic tale, myth or lore, narrated by the artists themselves, which recreate the familiarity and awe with which the Gond people view the natural world. Screenprinted by hand on black paper, every page of this book is an original print.

Artist Sophie Benini Pietromarchi invites children on an unique and poetic journey into the world of the book, giving ideas and inspiration on how to create their own books from everyday materials. Exploring colors, textures, shapes and feelings, she demonstrates how to turn these intangible elements into pictorial narratives. This visual feast of a book – which evolved from Sophie’s bookmaking workshops with children – is a tribute to the rich imaginative world in all of us.

fluke [flOOk] n. (billiards etc) lucky shot made by accident; (coll) unexpected piece of good luck.

The only notebook that is as unique on the outside as whatever you choose to scribble inside, each flukebook is covered with a fusion of eclectic prints and colours, totally original and knock-out gorgeous. Every cover is stamped “Edition 1 of 1” and it’s true - you’ll never find one flukebook exactly like another. They’re impossible to reproduce! Flukebooks are stiched and bound by hand to the highest of standards by Tara Publishing, whose workshop has produced over 120,000 handmade books. Each flukebook is covered with a distinctive screen-printed test page created during the bookmaking process. As these test pages are themselves works of art, We were unable to face the idea of throwing away such vibrant experiments! We decided instead – in the spirit of recycling – to reuse the test pages to cover our notebooks.

Feng shui originated in China more than 3,000 years ago - so it has well and truly withstood the test of time. Its principal aim is to improve every aspect of life by creating balance and harmony in the environment.

The beauty of Quick Feng Shui Cures is that it makes feng shui and its principles quite clear. Rather than expecting the reader to completely change his or her home, author Sarah Shurety proposes quick solutions, or "cures" for aspects of one's home or life that needs change. Each chapter contains specific "problem checklists" that highlight common areas of anxiety (such as career, relationships, family stresses and financial stability) and refer the reader to the most suitable feng shui cure.

The art of stained glass has always occupied a special place in the popular imagination. The translucent, radiant quality of the medium produces an aesthetic experience entirely different from that of any other art form. From the middle ages through modem times, from cathedrals to office buildings, stained glass has been used throughout the centuries to infuse spaces with awe-inspiring light.

This lavish volume culls beautiful examples of stained-glass artistry throughout the ages, and details the special role of stained glass in art and architecture. With over ninety full-color photographs and fine art reproductions, The Art of Stained and Decorative Glass is a beautifully illustrated celebration of this unique and timeless art form.

Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Odissi, Kathak, Mohini Attam, Manipuri, Kuchipudi: This book is an exposition of these seven major dance forms - their history, growth, decay and renewal right from the temple floor and kingly court to the modern stage. The future of the dances, their struggle for preservation, their need to keep in step with the rhythm of today's speedier world are themes the author, one of India's most respected dance critics, explores and tries to resolve.

Brilliant photographs captured by the lens of Avinash Pasricha, undoubtedly the master of Indian dance photography, make the book as vibrant as the dances it presents. In its range, definitive appraisal and visual power, Indian Classical Dance: Tradition in Transition is the best there is in its genre.

The most precious part of the body, the head, attracts the gaze of all. Most peoples accord particular care to hair, the site of a vital force. Long, plaited or raised into a chignon, hair is also adorned with various accessories. Women use materials like flowers and leaves and sometimes gold or silver set with precious stones to form hairpins, combs, diadems or other accessories to embellish themselves.

Chinese craftsmen fashioned alluring ornaments that show great virtuosity, such as miniature masterpieces made of kingfisher feathers or jewellery with semi-precious stones highlighted with gold spider web thread. The Japanese, renowned for their great refinement, designed a prodigious variety of ornamental hairpins and combs. In India, delicately worked gold nose rings pay a subtle homage to the femininity and sensuality of the married woman.

The book features over 200 illustrations and descriptions, a glossary, an index, maps and a general bibliography.

Living room design in Asia has moved away from the classic Asian style to incorporate the new global chic. Against the minimalist, white-on-white backdrop of today's living room, new exciting local materials such as water hyacinth, silkworm cocoons and loofah find their place with oriental art pieces and western furniture. Contemporary Asian Living Rooms takes you into the living rooms of fifty of Southeast Asia's most interesting homes and hotels, showcasing the work of up-and-coming local talents such as Paanta, Yothaka and Tawul Praman as well as the latest in European design. The beautifully photographed interiors-shot in Bali, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia-range from the starkly minimal to the-luxuriously plush, offering creative ideas for working with shapes, contours and materials in the space where family and friends spend most of their time together in the house

These beautiful, profusely illustrated books reveal aspects of the fascinating art of flower arranging. While ‘Floral Style’ brings the reader close to several classical elements of flower arranging, Jeff Leatham’s book is an intimate revelation from a master designer of flowers, whose arrangements at the Four Seasons Hotel have drawn rave reviews from the creative circles of Paris, London and New York. For readers looking to make flowers an integral part of their home or office interiors, or professionals looking to add flower design to their work in advertising, photography, fashion or films, these books offer real and valuable guidance.

These beautiful, profusely illustrated books reveal aspects of the fascinating art of flower arranging. While ‘Floral Style’ brings the reader close to several classical elements of flower arranging, Jeff Leatham’s book is an intimate revelation from a master designer of flowers, whose arrangements at the Four Seasons Hotel have drawn rave reviews from the creative circles of Paris, London and New York. For readers looking to make flowers an integral part of their home or office interiors, or professionals looking to add flower design to their work in advertising, photography, fashion or films, these books offer real and valuable guidance.

Tiny glass beads could well have been your grandmother’s weapon of choice in crafting the most exquisite doilies, bottle covers and jewellery, but most of us have become far-removed from this favourite craft of women all over the world, by virtue of our hectic lifestyles. This book helps to connect with the beadwork tradition across the continents of the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia, including the Central Asian republics rich in beaded costumes and jewellery, such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Apart from being a rich catalogue of beadwork from across the globe, the book also explains beadworking techniques for the contemporary enthusiast.

Tipped as a culinary biography this contains all the particular favourite recipes of a renowned Indian chef, complete with the memories that make the dish a treasure. Whether you are looking for the most succulent kebabs or starters, main dishes with gravy or without, raitas and chutneys, or special tips about rotis, this is the book that will bring all these and more, complete with Jiggs Kalra’s trademark humour and infectious enthusiasm.

Sepia toned photographs by a well-known photographer make this book of coffee’s story from seed to coffee cup a collector’s item. The authors walked down streets lined with coffee bushes, markets teeming with beans and vendors, and the bylanes and alleys infused with the distinctive aroma of coffee all round the world to bring this volume to birth. If you have always yearned for a love affair with the main ingredient of your favourite beverage, this book provides the firm footing for such a romance.

These brightly illustrated and large print books are ideal for young readers who are just beginning to form words and read them aloud. Whether it is tales from the beloved Panchatantra or books about animal characters from the forest of happiness that serve to teach valuable lessons, the books serve to get children started on a precious journey of learning and discovery.

How did the end game of an empire play itself out? What were the circumstances in which India get its Independence? This book takes a close look at the last months, weeks, days and moments before the stroke of midnight, and the main players who were at the center of this historic period, Gandhi, Nehru, Jinnah, and Lord and Lady Mountbatten. And yes, the book does dwell on the alleged great love between Jawaharlal Nehru and Lady Edwina.

Gangaur and the Kumbh Mela, Ganesh Utsav and Pushkar the Hindu penchant for colour and spectacle is fully explored in this book that looks at how these joyous occasions are celebrated and how they permeate the social, economic, cultural and artistic spheres.

These collections for children have been beautifully illustrated, and present tales that have been loved and sought after by generations without losing their impact and charm. Whether it is the adventures of Hanuman on his mission to Lanka, or the strange story of Sinbad the sailor and Alladin and his lamp, the stories are classic narratives that continue to hold children spellbound.

These collections for children have been beautifully illustrated, and present tales that have been loved and sought after by generations without losing their impact and charm. Whether it is the adventures of Hanuman on his mission to Lanka, or the strange story of Sinbad the sailor and Alladin and his lamp, the stories are classic narratives that continue to hold children spellbound.

These books, one by a journalist, another a psychologist, highlight two different aspects of the feminine dilemma. One concerns the predicament of Strong Women Achievers, No Spouse, or SWANS, and another points out how to stop the over-strategizing, negative thinking and downright worrying that many women seem to do for a living. If Christine Whelan points out that 'playing dumb' is likely to attract the wrong sort of men, Susan Nolen-Hoeksema offers help in moving out of the daily thinking traps that keep us from being truly serene.

These books, one by a journalist, another a psychologist, highlight two different aspects of the feminine dilemma. One concerns the predicament of Strong Women Achievers, No Spouse, or SWANS, and another points out how to stop the over-strategizing, negative thinking and downright worrying that many women seem to do for a living. If Christine Whelan points out that 'playing dumb' is likely to attract the wrong sort of men, Susan Nolen-Hoeksema offers help in moving out of the daily thinking traps that keep us from being truly serene.

A truly sumptuous recipe book, with each recipe designed to bring out the best of Indian spices and flavours, this compilation by a master chef presents dishes that do full justice to methi and jeera, saunf and jaiphal. Whether it is the Chicken with Fresh Fenugreek, or the Rose Petal and Rice Pudding, you are sure to find some absolute winners for a wonderful Indian spread on your table.

A veritable treasure of the sheer brilliance and depth of Indian textile traditions, this book showcases the best examples of work commissioned by the government under the Vishvakarma project in the 1980-1990 period. Pigment-painted, dye-painted and printed and woven masterpieces have been featured in the book, with a detailed write up on each discussing its finer points and shortcomings. The book is an important possession for the textile designer or enthusiast, containing as it does examples from the Weavers’ Service Centres from Chennai and Vijayawada, Varanasi, Bhubaneswar and Kanchipuram and other places associated with the best of Indian textiles.

How would a bustling international city like London seem to a tribal artist accustomed to expressing reality through the symbols and forms of nature? This book, illustrated with the beautiful paintings of Gond artist Bhajju Shyam, brings the wonder and discovery of Bhajju’s maiden journey to London vividly to life.

Stunningly illustrated with examples of architecture, mosaic, calligraphy and the sheer sweep of humanity that marks out mosques, this book begins with the birth of Prophet Mohammed, and follows the spread of Islam across countries and continents. How the unique architectural and artistic features of each country have been incorporated into mosques, while retaining their basic features has been well brought out.

The famous ancient epic is rendered in contemporary terms for children by a well-known children’s writer. What makes this version of the Ramayana special is the affection imbued in the different characters, and their believable nature. K.P. Sudesh’s illustrations lend themselves to the narrative and make it doubly appealing to children and grown-ups alike.