Civil Lines 4: New Writing From India

by Ivan Hutnik (Editor), Rukun Advani (Editor), Mukun Kesavan (Editor)

Civil Lines 4, like the earlier three volumes in the series, publishes the best new creative writing from India. This volume has pieces by Kai Friese on Ladakh, Brijraj Singh on making a will, Shashank Kela on the lives of fictional characters in hinterland India, Sheila Dhar on the culture of Indian classical music, Tenzing Sonam on the cultural ruination of Tibet by the Chinese, Arvind K. Mehrotra on Kabir (four translations of Kabir); and there is a new poet called Ambarish Satwik with two poems.

Genres: Indian Literature

187 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Gorab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Civil Lines series in itself is a great concept. Collection of 11 articles by various Indian authors writing on different genres.

The highlight for this collection was easily "A Stranger in My Native Land" by Tenzing Sonam. This non fiction essay itself comprises of 33% of this book. The plight of Tibet and its people, firsthand experience of author meeting back some of his family members after decade. Heart wrenching, uplifting, cruel and tender all in one package.

Highly recommended for this single piece alone!

"My father's Will" by Briraj Singh is another short one which I loved and enjoyed a lot.