Dear Friend,
There's something magical about being surrounded by books, don’t you think so?
As I write this from my workstation, stealing glances at the shelves overflowing with literature in front of me, I can't help but feel grateful.
I'm Vidya, the newest addition to the SouthSide Books family, and these past few weeks have felt like living inside a dream where the joy of sending out books to their owners is never-ending. As a reader, I know how amazing it is to receive books, and it has been deeply fulfilling to be at the other end and send out these treasures that will soon find their home on someone else's bookshelf.
A Gathering Under the Stars: The Shudra Rebellion Launch
Some events leave an indelible mark on our memories, and the launch of "The Shudra Rebellion" at Lamakaan was certainly one of those.
The evening air was thick with anticipation as people gathered, finding spots under trees and along walls when chairs became scarce. Young faces dotted the crowd, their eyes bright with curiosity as Prof. Kancha Ilaiah, Dr. Ravikanth Kisana, Prof. Sowmya Dechamma, and Pallikonda Manikanta shared their thoughts.
You can watch a short but powerful clip of Dr. Ravikanth Kisana's speech by clicking here. If you'd like to watch the full event recording, just reply to this email, and we'll be happy to share it with you.
Digital Footprints: Our Journey to Instagram
In this age where stories find new ways to travel, we've embraced Instagram as our newest platform to connect with readers like you.
We've been blessed with wonderful insights captured in reels - from Ramachandra Guha's insights on "Lohia On Caste" to Vidya Rao's eloquent thoughts on “Gharana”, and Kancha Ilaiah's reflections on his work.
Perhaps most heartwarming was watching our former team member Deepanchal bring fresh perspective to a sixty-year-old text, proving that good literature truly is timeless.
New Additions to Our Literary Family
This season has been particularly fruitful with three significant additions to our catalogue:
Lohia On Caste - A powerful collection of Ram Manohar Lohia's writings and speeches dissecting caste oppression and its links to poverty, gender inequality, and class struggles.
The Shudra Rebellion - A groundbreaking exploration of shudra nationalism, redefining India's history and future through the lens of Agriculturism and caste systems.
Vidrohi - A poetic dialogue across time uniting the revolutionary works of Bengali poet Nazrul Islam and Telugu poet Varavara Rao in their fight for freedom, equality, and justice.
Each book carries within its pages voices that deserve to be heard, stories that need to be told.
Looking Ahead: A Calendar Full of Promise
As we approach the end of the year, our calendar is brimming with events that we'd love to share with you.
November Events:
Nov. 23rd: Join us for the launch of "Vidrohi" with the Telugu poet, Varavara Rao
Venue: Basheerbagh Press Club, Hyderabad
Timings: 6:00 PM
Nov. 30th: "Lohia On Caste" book launch event
Venue: ITM University, Gwalior
Timings: 4:00 PM
December Events:
Dec. 6th: "Lohia On Caste" book launch event
Venue: Badrivishal Pitti - Prof. Keshavrao Jadhav Auditorium, FTCCI Bhawan, Red Hills, Hyderabad
Timings: 11 AM
Dec. 8th: "The Shudra Rebellion" book release event
Venue: Hotel Sindhoori, Brodipet 4th Lane, Guntur
Timings: 4.30 PM - 6.30 PM
Dec. 18th: "Kulam meedha Lohia" (Telugu) book launch in Guntur
Venue: Guntur (exact location yet to be finalised)
Timings: 4 PM (tentative)
Dec. 19th-29th: Visit our stall at the Hyderabad Book Fair
Special highlight: Book signing event with Prof. Kancha Ilaiah on December 22nd
Speaking of the Book Fair, we're looking for passionate volunteers to join us in spreading the joy of literature. If you're interested, do check our Instagram page for details!
An Invitation to Connect
As I settle into my role here, I'm eager to connect with readers who share our passion for literature. If you've read any of our books, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Perhaps we could collaborate on a review, a blog post, or even create a short clip sharing your experience.
Or, if you simply want to share your thoughts about your favourites among them – drop me an email! There's nothing I enjoy more than hearing about which stories resonated with you and why.
Before I sign off, dear reader, I'd love to know:
What makes a book feel like home to you? Is it the familiar crack of its spine, the promise in its pages, or perhaps the conversations it sparks?
Warm Regards,
Vidya
Publishing Coordinator | SouthSide Books
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