Dr Varsha Das, Buddhist Practitioner and Author, Professor Partho Datta from Arts and Aesthetics JNU and Dr Priya Mirza, academic and popular podcaster spoke at the event at India Habitat Centre. There was a dramatised reading from the book by pandies' theatre
India | 11th September 2024: Renowned professor and author Dr Anuradha Marwah launched her much-awaited fourth novel, "Aunties of Vasant Kunj", at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Fun, witty and unputdownable, the story and characters offer a hilarious peek into middle-class Delhi life and how women navigate conflicting identities and desire at almost forty, while they still can have fun.
Aunties of Vasant Kunj intricately weaves the stories of three women—Shailaja, Mrs. Gandhi, and Dini—whose lives collide in the tight-knit community of Vasant Kunj. The novel offers a mischievous insight into the challenges of navigating conflicting identities, desires, and societal expectations in the fast-changing world of modern Delhi lifestyle. Through the lens of these vibrant and diverse characters, Dr Anuradha Marwah presents a story that is deeply relatable, making the readers feel a strong connection with the characters and their experiences.
In addition to the book launch, the event featured a dramatised reading from the book followed by an engaging panel discussion on themes such as feminism, the day-to-day life of middle class people and the challenges they go through, different genres of book writing and others. The discussion, which included prominent voices from the literary and theatre communities like Dr Varsha Das, Professor Partho Datta and Dr Priya Mirza enriched the evening, offering the audience an opportunity to engage with the novel's underlying themes.
Commenting on her new book, Professor Marwah said, "Aunties of Vasant Kunj is a story of contrasts of love and longing, tradition and rebellion, spirituality and scepticism. Through the lives of these three women, I wanted to explore the unique challenges and unexpected turns in the lives of middle-class Delhi. It's a humorous yet poignant portrayal of how we, as individuals, are often thrown together by circumstances, only to emerge with a deeper understanding of ourselves and each other. The book outlines how humans can always find hope and union in the most opposing environment. I hope the readers enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it."
The launch of Aunties of Vasant Kunj adds another feather to her cap and marks another milestone in Professor Marwah's illustrious literary career. Known for her sensitive exploration of contemporary issues, sharp observations, and rich characterizations, she continues to captivate readers with her unique voice and storytelling competence.
Published by Rupa Publication, the book is available at all bookstores and sells online on Amazon.
Link:https://www.amazon.in/
About Professor Anuradha Marwah:
Anuradha Marwah is a distinguished professor of English at Zakir Husain Delhi College and an acclaimed author of four novels and five plays. Her novels, including "The Higher Education of Geetika Mehendiratta" (1992, 2022), "Idol Love" (1999), "Dirty Picture" (2007), and "Aunties of Vasant Kunj" (2024), are known for their insightful exploration of contemporary issues, storytelling and character building in the literature world. She holds a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University in the field of the Market for Contemporary Indian Fiction. Her research interests span the pedagogy of creative writing and women's writing. She has been awarded the prestigious Charles Wallace Writer's Residency (2001) in the UK and the Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence (FNAPE) fellowship to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (2017), where she served as Visiting Faculty at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Study of Global Change (ICGC). At ICGC, she taught creative writing and drama courses, reflecting her lifelong passion for these disciplines.
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