Latest news with #DCBooks
New Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kochi-based reviewer's video to be featured in Booker Prize event
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Never in his wildest dreams did Shon Joy imagine that a book review he posted on his social media handle would catch the attention of the Booker Prize Foundation. His video review of Anne Serre's 'A Leopard-Skin Hat' — one of six books shortlisted for this year's International Booker Prize — has garnered attention for its clarity and insight. And what's more, his video will be used as part of the official content for the upcoming Booker event. 'When I posted the review on Instagram, I never expected such a response from the official handle of The Booker Prizes,' Shon told TNIE.'I tagged them because I was reviewing a book shortlisted by them. This is a huge achievement for me and I was more than happy to give my consent to use my video for their official content for the upcoming event.' He said the Booker Prize authorities have promised to credit his account. 'I too am eagerly waiting for the winner.' An engineering graduate by qualification, Shon decided to pursue his passion for reading and writing, becoming a professional copywriter and author. Belonging to Thrissur, he currently resides in Kochi and is an active participant in literary discussions, reading clubs, and is a prolific book reviewer across digital platforms. A major turning point was his interaction with iconic Malayalam writer M Mukundan. 'I got the unique opportunity to interact and spend a day with him at Mayyazhi as part of an event organised by DC Books to celebrate 50 years of 'Mayyazhi Puzhayude Theerangalil'. He inspired me to read more international books and discussed the books shortlisted for this year's International Booker Prize. I decided to read and review all six shortlisted books. A Leopard-Skin Hat was the first book I posted, which got the response from them,' Shon said.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
K. Vasuki's memoir The School of Life released
Thiruvananthapuram It was perhaps fitting that three volunteers representing the nearly 1,000-strong group that was the driving force behind the relief operations in the district during the 2018 floods received copies of Labour Secretary K. Vasuki's book The School of Life in the State capital on Saturday. Thomas Augustine, Bharat Govind, and Anish V.L. who were part of the volunteer task force when Ms. Vasuki was the District Collector received the book from her. In Ms. Vasuki's own words, the 440-page memoir, published by DC Books, is an exploration of the purpose of life. 'In the race for survival in this competitive and consumerist world, we tend to forget what life, happiness, love, peace of mind are all about. The book tells us how to achieve the above.' She says she learnt a lot from her personal and professional life. Her interactions with people from all walks of life, her own research, and what she learnt from it helped her introspect about her own life scientifically. 'I understood that life is a wonderful teacher. It teaches us things that one often does not get through formal education. But we have to be ready to listen to it. I implemented these lessons in my personal and professional life. It gave me a sense of purpose on what I could do so that others too could change and improve their lives.' Ms. Vasuki's husband S. Karthikeyan, IAS; DC Books representative Riya; and Kerala Union of Working Journalists office-bearers were present at the function.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
M.G.S. Narayanan and the 10 tall tales that he wanted erased from Kerala history
What is common to Parasurama and his axe, the apostle St. Thomas, Tipu Sultan and Pattanam? 'Kerala' would be the general consensus. As such, they were also part of a list of 10 'tall tales' that historian M.G.S. Narayanan, who died on Saturday, once compiled with the advice that they be erased forever from the history books on Kerala. The list contained oft-told 'origin stories' and compelling tales that even today go unchallenged in accounts on the region, but which, Prof. Narayanan said, should be discarded in favour of rigour and honesty in historical research. Kerala Charithrathile 10 Kallakathakal (Ten tall tales in Kerala history) was published by DC Books as part of a series that marked the 60th anniversary of the formation of the State of Kerala. No.1 and No.2 myths that were eligible to be jettisoned, according to him, were the stories of how Parasurama created Kerala with a throw of his axe and the arrival of St. Thomas in Kerala in AD 52. In the first case, Prof. Narayanan notes how early historians strived hard to convert the Parasurama story into historical fact through interpretations. In the case of the second, he observes how the story has persisted as historical fact despite the absence of proof. On Mahabali and Onam In his book, Prof. Narayanan describes the attempt to link the festival of Onam with the tale of the golden age when Mahabali ruled Kerala, listed as No.3, as at once dangerous, fantastic and a distortion of history. By creating an origin story for Onam, Brahminical betrayals and takeover of lands was conveniently glossed over, he wrote. Other stories listed by Prof. Narayanan include the narrative of Rama Varma Kulasekharan, the last of the Cheraman Perumals, travelling to Mecca, Vasco da Gama's landing at Kappad (Prof. Narayanan notes that he landed at Panthalayani Kollam) and the portrayal of Tipu Sultan as an anti-imperialist freedom fighter. The story of Pazhassi Raja taking his own life by swallowing a diamond ring to avoid capture, and the 'distortion' of the 1921 Moplah Rebellion, also find a place on his list. In his book, Prof. Narayanan rubbishes the 'Kerala Model' as a Left narrative carefully constructed around the ''money order economy' founded on Gulf remittances. Myth of Muziris Story No. 10 is about how Pattanam, a village near North Paravur, was made out to be the ancient port of Muziris, despite the glaring absence of any conclusive evidence. 'Archaeology cannot deceive. But archaeology directors who pose as such without being archaeologists are capable of any such deception,' Prof. Narayanan wrote then.
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Ponnamma DC passes away at 90
Ponnamma DC (90), wife of the late DC Kizhakemuri, the founder of DC Books, passed away here on Thursday following a brief ailment. A former teacher at Balika Madom School in Thiruvalla, Ms. Ponnamma was a guiding force behind the publishing house DC Books. For over two decades, she played a key role in the growth of the establishment. She was born on December 3, 1934 as the youngest child of P.P. Isaac and Rachel of Kadakkethu Parampil family in Chengannur. She married DC Kizhakemuri on August 26, 1963. When DC Books was establised in 1974, Ms. Ponnamma took on leadership responsibilities and shared close friendships with literary icons such as Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, Vaikom Mohammed Basheer, and C.J. Thomas. It was Ms. Ponnamma who received the Padma Bhushan awarded to her husband posthumously from the then President K.R. Narayanan. Ms. Ponnamma is survived by three children—Tara, Meera, and Ravi Deecee (Managing Director, DC Books). Her sons-in-law and daughter-in-law include Joseph Sathyadas (Senior Editor, The Straits Times, Singapore), Anil Varghese (business), and Ratheema (executive director, DC Books).
