Latest news with #DokushaBookClub
News18
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Monsoon Moods In Delhi: Sip, Savour, And Celebrate At These Unmissable Events
This monsoon, discover Delhi's top lifestyle events from tequila fests and book-inspired lunches to beer weekends and contemporary sculpture showcases. From tequila tastings and literary lunches to beer-filled parties and thought-provoking art, Delhi's social calendar is buzzing this monsoon. Whether you're looking to sip artisanal cocktails, indulge in Japanese soul food, celebrate friendships with beer pong, or explore sculptural art, these curated experiences are all about flavour, fun, and connection. DOS x Las Maracas | Picante Tequila Fest A month-long celebration where Mexico's bold spirit meets Delhi's favourite party address. This July, DOS Delhi turns up the heat with Picante Tequila Fest, a high-energy, flavour-forward experience that celebrates World Tequila Day in collaboration with Las Maracas, a premium handcrafted tequila made from 100% Blue Weber agave and pure spring water. Inspired by the fiery spirit of Mexico and the vibrant pulse of Delhi, this special edition menu is designed for those who love to sip, savour, and celebrate. The experience invites you to dive into a bold selection of signature tequila cocktails — from zesty classics to tropical twists like Jamun, Mango, and Passionfruit. Each drink is paired with inventive global bar bites that elevate the familiar, the fiery, and the festive. Think Kalari Cheese Tacos, Goan Chorizo Pizza, Guntur Glazed Wings, and Ivy Gourd Ceviche, dishes that reimagine street food with punchy flavours and refined execution. Whether you're a classic margarita purist or someone who loves discovering new infusions, Picante Tequila Fest promises the perfect sip with the perfect bite — in an atmosphere that's all about good energy and great times. Venue: DOS, 28 Main Market, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi Dates: July 25 onwards (All month long) Timings: 12 PM – 11:30 PM GUPPY x Dokusha Book Club | A Literary Lunch of Japanese Flavours Get ready for a lunch where Japanese stories and flavours come together in a way that's both inviting and memorable. Guppy is teaming up with Dokusha Book Club, a community of readers dedicated to exploring Japanese literature in translation, founded by Arunima, an independent art and culture journalist. This event explores the intersection of food and storytelling, inspired by beloved novels such as The Kamogawa Food Detectives, The Chibineko Kitchen, May You Have Delicious Meals, and Sweet Bean Paste. In The Kamogawa Food Detectives, a father-daughter duo helps people rediscover lost memories by recreating meaningful dishes. The Chibineko Kitchen explores grief through comfort food, while Sweet Bean Paste highlights kindness and inclusion through a shared dessert. The menu reflects these stories beginning with creamy carrot and spicy miso soup, followed by a summer greens salad with avocado and palm heart, echoing the freshness of Japanese home kitchens. Appetizer options include crispy wasabi prawn or rock corn tempura, everyday favourites that often carry deep emotional meaning. Mains like chicken katsu curry rice and nori-crusted grilled fish mirror the comforting meals that help characters reconnect with their past. Vegetarian options like grilled tomato & brie or tofu curry rice reflect warmth and diversity. Garlic fried rice and mushroom udon noodles will be served for the table — encouraging shared moments. The meal ends with petit fours and sips from Simba, the official pouring partner. This is for anyone who loves a good story, a good meal, or the magic that happens when the two come together. Address: 28, Main Market, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi Date: August 2, 2025 Time: 4 PM – 6 PM Brewed for Friendship: The Ultimate Weekend Vibe at Monkey Bar's Beer Fest Monkey Bar is all set to own the Friendship Day weekend with Beer Me Up, Bud! — The Beer Weekend Festival. From August 1st to 3rd, in celebration of International Beer Day and Friendship Day, Monkey Bar invites guests to dive into a three-day extravaganza of frothy fun, delicious bar bites, cheeky games, and unforgettable moments. Built around the joy of gathering with friends, this fest features bucket deals, Friendship Combos, and curated pairings of drinks with chakna, fries, burgers, and flatbreads — cheekily titled The Bestie Bundle and Group Cheers. Expect DIY beer pong stations, Jenga, foosball, and pool tables for all-day fun. Add in comfort food, high-energy music, and a full house of familiar faces, and you've got the recipe for the perfect weekend. Monkey Bar brings people together through playful vibes, good music, and ice-cold beer — because some friendships are best celebrated with foam on your glass and laughter in the air. Event: Beer Me Up, Bud! Dates: August 1–3, 2025 Price for Two: ₹2,500 Timings: 1 PM – 1 AM (All Days) Niyamat Mehta Showcases 'The Kiss" at Artix India 2025 Artist Niyamat Mehta will be participating in Artix India 2025 on August 2nd–3rd, in collaboration with Arushi Arts. Mehta will showcase a new sculptural work titled The Kiss, a contemplative piece that explores connection through abstraction. Featured Work Details: Title: The Kiss Artist: Niyamat Mehta Medium: Bronze mounted on Makrana marble Dimensions: H: 30 cm x W: 21 cm x D: 6 cm Year: 2025 The Kiss captures a moment of closeness through abstraction. Two forms emerge from a shared base, leaning into each other with quiet intimacy. The figures, softened and fused, suggest the merging of identities, lovers, kin, or kindred spirits. Cast in bronze and mounted on Makrana marble, the sculpture evokes both strength and tenderness. With its tactile surface and minimal gesture, Mehta invites viewers into a space of emotional stillness, where connection is felt more than seen. Event Details: Event Name: Niyamat Mehta at Artix India 2025 Dates: August 2–3, 2025 top videos View all Location: Claridges Hotel, New Delhi Time: 11 AM – 8 PM About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 More The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 31, 2025, 13:39 IST News lifestyle Monsoon Moods In Delhi: Sip, Savour, And Celebrate At These Unmissable Events Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Japan Times
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Arunima Mazumdar: ‘Japanese literature has a niche but deeply engaged readership in India'
Arunima Mazumdar, 39, is the founder of Dokusha Book Club, a New Delhi-based group dedicated to Japanese literature. The club reads Japanese books in English translation, opening up conversations around a literary niche that is enjoying a recent boom in India. Outside of the club, Mazumdar works as a communications professional. 1. What sparked your interest in Japanese literature? I studied English literature at Delhi University, and that's when my love for reading really deepened. But we never read any Japanese works — the English honors program is still very colonial. I discovered Japanese literature around 2011 or 2012 when I picked up 'Sputnik Sweetheart' by Haruki Murakami, which became my gateway to Japanese literature. 2. What inspired you to start Dokusha Book Club? Few of my friends were into Japanese literature; most found it boring or absurd. I didn't have anyone to discuss these books with. In December 2022, I had a month-long break between jobs, so I decided to start documenting my Japanese literature reading journey. I just put it out there on Instagram — and organically, the community grew. Before I knew it, we had 4,000 members. 3. What is the significance of the name 'Dokusha'? I don't know any Japanese, and I was looking for a name that would be easy to remember and also represent reading in some way — so I settled on dokusha (reader). 4. Did you face any challenges in establishing the book club? Not really, because I didn't start it with any particular agenda. It was, and still is, a passion project. I'm not doing it for money or fame. It's simply something I love and wanted to share with others. But Japanese books are expensive by Indian standards, and a lot of my audience are students or young language learners. I try to work with publishers to offer discounted or complimentary copies whenever possible. 5. How has the response been? The response has been overwhelmingly positive since day one. I received so many DMs from people eager to join. Our first in-person session in July 2023, held in collaboration with the Japan Foundation, had over 60 attendees. The audience was diverse, with both young readers and older ones, including a retired doctor who spoke about Japanese classics. It showed me how many hidden pockets of Japanese literature lovers there are across India. I also try to keep the club inclusive by encouraging members to talk about manga, anime and films, since all of these forms are deeply connected. 6. Where are your members based? The majority are from the Delhi NCR, then Bangalore and Mumbai. There are also people from Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Jaipur, Guwahati, Itanagar, Dehradun and elsewhere. Dokusha Book Club has members from all across India and holds quarterly events, with lively discussions about Japanese literature on WhatsApp in between. | Courtesy of Arunima Mazumdar 7. What are your criteria for selecting books? I try to keep up with current trends — like popular titles or ones shortlisted for major prizes — but I also make space for older or lesser-known works. I post reviews of books I'm reading. Sometimes I highlight authors who aren't widely available in India, or bring attention to reissued classics with new covers. It's a mix of what's timely and what I feel deserves more visibility. 8. Are there particular themes or genres within Japanese literature that resonate more with your members? Right now, anything related to Japan is really popular in India. It's less about a specific genre and more about the fact that the book is from Japan — readers are excited to explore Japanese literature in general. 9. What does a typical book club meeting look like? We mostly meet in person quarterly, and there's also a lot of ongoing discussion in our WhatsApp group. I've tried online meetings before, but the turnout hasn't been great. People prefer meeting face-to-face. 10. Can you share any memorable feedback you've received from a club member? One member wrote to me saying that discovering Izumi Suzuki through the club turned out to be 'quite a nice read.' It really affirmed my effort to spotlight lesser-known Japanese authors in India. 11. Are there specific aspects of Japanese culture that inspire discussion? One theme that really stands out — and often comes up in our discussions — is the quiet loneliness that many Japanese characters seem to carry. There's also this contradiction we notice: Japanese books often feel calm, introspective, even beautiful in their simplicity — but the societal realities they hint at, like extreme work culture or isolation, are far from that. Take 'Convenience Store Woman' — the protagonist is content with her highly routine life, which is so different from how Indian people try to break monotony with multiple pursuits. These contrasts spark a lot of curiosity, and I think that's why Japanese literature attracts a niche but deeply engaged readership in India. 12. How has running the club changed your relationship to Japanese literature and culture? I have Google alerts set up with keywords like 'Japanese literature,' 'Japanese books,' 'Japanese film' and 'Japanese art,' so I stay constantly updated on what's new — what's being adapted into film, what's been shortlisted for awards and so on. I'm actively following news around Japanese literature and culture. Even if I don't read or buy every new release, I make sure I know about it. 13. Has Japanese literature influenced any of your daily habits? After reading 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle,' I started ironing my clothes when I feel anxious, like the protagonist. It's become a calming ritual for me. 14. Does the club organize other activities to promote Japanese culture? Not at the moment, but we're thinking about small activities like a sushi workshop in collaboration with a restaurant. That said, I want to keep the focus on literature and make sure the club doesn't become too commercial or event-driven. 15. Has a particular Japanese book ever changed the way you see the world? 'Hunchback' by Saou Ichikawa really moved me. It reminded me of a wheelchair-bound reader in my club who couldn't attend a meet-up due to lack of accessibility. The book made me reflect deeply on how much we take for granted — like simply holding a book — and how little the publishing world does to support disabled readers. 16. Are there any points of confluence between Japanese literature and contemporary Indian society? Themes like patriarchy, body image and identity struggles are common in both Japanese literature and contemporary Indian society. 17. Do you see the Dokusha Book Club as building cultural bridges between Japan and India? Yes, absolutely. What began as my personal passion project has organically grown into a space for cultural exchange, bringing Japanese literature closer to Indian readers and encouraging meaningful cross-cultural conversations. 18. What's a lesser-known Japanese book or author you think deserves more global recognition, especially in India? I'd say Izumi Suzuki. Her work was ahead of its time, and she's not widely read in India. 19. Has the club collaborated with Japanese authors or translators? I had the chance to interview Asako Yuzuki when she came to India for the Alliance Literary Festival in Bangalore. I also met Ginny Tapley Takemori, the translator of 'Convenience Store Woman,' at the same festival and eventually interviewed her. Another memorable interview was with Michiko Aoyama. That one was arranged by her publisher, as was my interview with Yoko Tawada for her book 'Spontaneous Acts.' 20. If you could invite any Japanese author, living or dead, for a Dokusha Book Club session, who would it be? It would have to be Haruki Murakami! He's such a recognizable name that even people who haven't read him know who he is. I would like to ask, 'You've been in the running for the Nobel Prize so many times — do you still hope it'll happen someday?' And also, 'What's changed in your writing over the past decade?'
