BOOKS OF THE WEEK

The Daughter of Kumari

 

by Jeyamohan and Suchitra Ramachandran

ABOUT THE BOOK

When the troops of the powerful sultan Allauddin Khilji conquer Madurai, the city’s goddess, Meenakshi, flees to the coastal land of Kumari. There she remains for sixty years, sheltered within the Venad kingdom, as the land flourishes under her presence and protection. When the divine law finally calls Meenakshi to her home, Madurai, her departure is felt as a deeply human loss – to the people of Kumari, she is no longer just a deity but also a daughter.

This elegant and vivid translation traces the entwined lives of gods and mortals, where history, devotion and love meet – and where faith is tested by exile and return.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

B. Jeyamohan (b. 1962), based in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, is a pre-eminent writer in modern Tamil literature. Apart from his other landmark novels such as Vishnupuram (1997) and Kotravai (2005), his body of work includes more than three hundred short stories, many volumes of literary criticism, biographies, travelogues,introductory texts to Indian and Western literature, as well as essays on heritage and philosophy. He won the Akilan Memorial Prize for his first novel, and the Katha Samman and the Sanskriti Samman awards.

Suchitra writes fiction in Tamil and translates between Tamil and English. Her work has appeared in journals such as Asymptote and Narrative Magazine.The Abyss is her first full-length translated work to be published. Suchitra lives in Basel, Switzerland.

***********************

***********************

www.ebdbooks.com

Our mail order service ships books in India and Overseas

Email: sales@ebd.in, Phone: +91 135 2655192

Intergenerational Communication

 

Brewing Knowledge Friday

Discuss intergenerational gaps and the challenges of modern teenage life.

Key Takeaways

• The “Performance Culture” is eroding genuine childhood. Parents are pushing kids into manufactured achievements (e.g., fake NGOs, paid-for books) to build college admissions portfolios, replacing authentic experiences with a constant online “show.”

• A critical reading crisis is emerging. Teenagers are losing the ability to read deeply and are relying instead on social media for information. Parents are often the root cause, as children rarely read if books aren’t visible in the home.

• Effective communication is the only Solution. The book’s graphic novel format is a deliberate tactic to meet teens where they are. Key strategies include respecting teen choices and using their own digital tools (like reels) to bridge communication gaps.

• The creative industry struggles with typecasting. Author Pooja Marwah and actor Himani Shivpuri shared how they must actively fight being “boxed in” by their initial successes to maintain artistic freedom.

Topics

The “Performance Culture” & Erosion of Childhood

• Modern teenage life is a constant “show” for an online audience, driven by social media metrics.

• This performance culture is actively eroding genuine childhood experiences, replacing them with a focus on manufactured achievements.

  • Example: A parent sought help getting a 12-year-old on LinkedIn to showcase achievements for college admissions.

  • Example: The fad of “make your child an author,” where parents pay to print a few copies of a book to create a published author credential.

• This pressure creates burnout and prevents teens from developing authentic interests.

The Reading Crisis & Its Impact

• A critical reading crisis is emerging, with teenagers losing the ability to read deeply.

• They rely on social media (e.g., Instagram Reels) for news and information rather than on credible sources.

• Root Cause: Parents are often the primary influence. If children don’t see books in the home, they are less likely to read.

• Proposed Solution: “Read to lead” initiatives and make reading an engaging, shared activity, not a forced chore.

Intergenerational Communication

•  The book, Being an Indian Teenager, addresses the communication gap in multi-generational homes.

• Core Issue: A lack of respect for teen choices, which erodes trust.

  • Example: Asking a teen for a dinner preference, then making something else.

• Proposed Solutions:

  • Open Dialogue: A daily “tour of sorts” to discuss the day’s events, both positive and negative.

  • Meet Them Where They Are: Use their digital tools (e.g., reels) to initiate conversations.

  • Set Boundaries: Enforce screen-free time, especially during meals.

Creative Freedom vs. Typecasting

• Artists struggle against being “boxed in” by their initial successes.

• Himani Shivpuri (Actor): After her hit “Bua” role in DDLJ, she was typecast and had to actively seek diverse roles to avoid being confined.

• Pooja Marwah (Author): It took her four years to break from mainstream fiction and publish a Young Adult graphic novel, as publishers initially resisted.

Next Steps

• Pooja Marwah: Join Jugjiv Singh’s “My Good School” Sunday sessions to share insights on engaging teenagers.

• Sandeep Dutt: Invite Pooja Marwah to the “My Good School” retreat at Mayoor School Jaipur (April 10–14).

• Sneha Pundir: Host Priyansha next Friday to discuss her self-help book, We Have Never Been Single.

Show notes courtesy FATHOM

Everyone Must Read

 

Read And Lead

To launch a new “Everyone Must Read” session, reading *Every Last Girl*.

Key Takeaways

• New Format Launched: “Brewing Knowledge Thursday” is a pure reading session, distinct from the Sunday discussion format. The goal is to encourage reading for its own sake.

• Book’s Core Strategy: Every Last Girl details Educate Girls’ “curb cut effect” strategy: designing for the most marginalised girl (“Antimbala”) creates benefits for all children, including boys.

• Founder’s Motivation: Safina Hussain’s mission is rooted in her own childhood trauma and a 3-year education gap. A 2004 trip to a Himalayan village—where women pitied her father for having only a daughter—was the catalyst.

• Proven Impact: Educate Girls has mobilised over 2 million out-of-school girls and supported learning for 2.4 million children, demonstrating the power of community and government partnerships.

Topics

The Problem: India’s Educational Dichotomy

• India presents a stark contrast: world-class institutions (IITs/IIMs) alongside one of the largest populations of out-of-school children.

• This book focuses on remote areas where girls are denied education, a problem exacerbated by gender-based discrimination.

• Example: The story of Nitin, a bright tribal boy, highlights how poverty affects boys too, forcing them into child labour.

The Solution: The “Curb Cut Effect”

• Educate Girls’ strategy is to design for the most marginalised girl (“Antimbala”).

• Rationale: This approach creates universal benefits, mirroring the “curb cut effect,” in which ramps built for wheelchairs also help parents with strollers and delivery drivers.

• Application: Educate Girls’ programs, like foundational learning in grades 3-5, are open to all children, but the design lens remains on the “Antimbala” to ensure no one is left behind.

The Founder’s Journey: From Trauma to Mission

• Safina Hussain’s personal story is the foundation of Educate Girls.

• Childhood Trauma: A 3-year education gap due to family hardship and violence.

• Catalyst: A 2004 trip to a Himalayan village, where women pitied her father for having only a daughter, revealed the deep-seated social pressures facing girls.

• Path to LSE: A family friend provided stability and support, enabling her to return to school and study at the London School of Economics.

• Career Shift: After working in the social sector in the US, she returned to India in 2005 to found Educate Girls.

The Movement: Partnerships & Impact

• Educate Girls’ success is a collaborative effort, not solely attributable to the founder.

• Key Partnerships:

  • Government: 30+ partnership agreements provide legitimacy and scale.

  • Funders: A “modest group of bold funders” provides essential capital and thought partnership.

  • Community: Tens of thousands of village-based gender champions drive grassroots change.

• Impact (18 years):

  • Mobilised>2 million out-of-school girls.

  • Supported learning outcomes for 2.4 million children (boys and girls).

Next Steps

• Brinda: Continue reading Every Last Girl next Thursday, starting with Chapter 1.

• All Participants: Spread the word about the “Everyone Must Read” session to encourage more attendees.
  
  Notes courtesy FATHOM AI, please read with care.