Shades of Blue: Connecting the Drops in India's Cities

by Harini Nagendra, Seema Mundoli

For millennia, our cities have prospered and grown in the cradles of civilization-fertile lands blessed with rivers, lakes, seas and oceans. From the origins of life on earth, right down to its downfall, biblical or otherwise, water has been integral to the human story. In this passionate and extensively researched tribute to the elixir that sustains us all, authors Harini Nagendra and Seema Mundoli take us on a panoramic view of the water bodies of India and the urgent need to address their emergent ecological threats. From the Yamuna in Delhi to the Cauvery in Karnataka and the Pichola Lake in Udaipur to the Brahmaputra in Assam, this book is epic in its sweep and yet deeply moving in its intimate concerns. Interspersed with anthropological, legal and scientific vignettes of the water are fascinating anecdotes, ditties, myths and monsters blue and green. This book also brings into dialogue a vast range of colourful characters-from medieval poets to colonial masters and modern scientists-to paint for us a tapestry of connected histories and ring a timely knell for saving the very ecological systems that have sustained us for ages.

Genres: Nature, India, Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

Published February 6, 2024

Reviews

[Mugdha Mahajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This captivating exploration of India's water bodies, skillfully penned by Harini Nagendra and Seema Mundoli, weaves together science, history, and vivid anecdotes. From the Yamuna to the Brahmaputra, the book provides a panoramic view, highlighting the urgent ecological challenges these lifelines face. The authors create a tapestry of interconnected histories, urging readers to contemplate and act upon the pressing need to safeguard the ecosystems that have sustained civilizations for millennia.

[Ganesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I’ve been gifted a beautifully woven tapestry of India’s complex and deeply emotional relationship with water. This isn't just a book about lakes, rivers, and rainfall. It is about culture, history, inequality, resilience, and the way water touches every aspect of our lives, often in ways we fail to notice.

What stood out to me the most was the storytelling. The authors don’t lecture, instead take you on a journey. One moment, you’re in Bengaluru’s rapidly vanishing lakes; the next, you're following the water carriers of Rajasthan or witnessing the quiet power of community-led conservation efforts in Odisha.

I found myself pausing often—not because the book was heavy—but because it made me reflect. How had I taken something so essential, so spiritual, so political, so contested… for granted?

There’s a lyrical quality to the way Nagendra and Mundoli write. It’s grounded in science, yes, but also deeply rooted in emotion and lived experience. I appreciated how the book moved seamlessly between personal anecdotes, field research, mythology, and policy. It made water feel alive, almost like a character of its own.

Reading this made me more conscious of my own relationship with water. The taps we turn on without thinking. The floods we read about in the news. The droughts we think affect only ‘other people.’ This book asks us to see the invisible threads that connect all of it—and to care.

If you’re someone who wants to understand India beyond the headlines but through the lens of ecology, social justice, and everyday life—I can’t recommend this book enough.

[Bindu · Rating 4 out of 5]

🅱🅾🅾🅺 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆

𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒆

🆀🅾🆃🅳#: What are your thoughts on change in the climate?

#AOTD#: Nothing much, just planning to complete my pending tasks.

ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ: Harini Nagendra
ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ: Kindle/ Paperback
ᴘᴀɢᴇꜱ/ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ: 304
ᴘᴜʙʟɪꜱʜᴇʀ: Penguin Viking
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: Environment Nature

For millennia, our cities have prospered and grown in the cradles of civilization-fertile lands blessed with rivers, lakes, seas and oceans. From the origins of life on earth, right down to its downfall, biblical or otherwise, water has been integral to the human story.

In this passionate and extensively researched tribute to the elixir that sustains us all, authors Harini Nagendra and Seema Mundoli take us on a panoramic view of the water bodies of India and the urgent need to address their emergent ecological threats. From the Yamuna in Delhi to the Cauvery in Karnataka and the Pichola Lake in Udaipur to the Brahmaputra in Assam, this book is epic in its sweep and yet deeply moving in its intimate concerns.

Water is life is a slogan we have been listening all along and the way this book has emphasis on the need of it. It's truly an eye opener. The language of the book is quite easy to understand and it is a well researched book with all aspects.

The way climate is keep on changing and impacting our lives its high team we should start looking about it.

- #readwithbindu
- #reviewwithbindu
#bookwormbindz.

[Saloni Sankhe · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Shades of Blue," authored by Harini Nagendra and Seema Mundoli, is a captivating exploration of the profound connection between water and human civilization. From the dawn of life to contemporary challenges, the book delves into the crucial role water has played in shaping our cities and sustaining life on Earth.

The authors embark on a panoramic journey through India's water bodies, highlighting the pressing ecological threats they face. The narrative spans from the Yamuna in Delhi to the Cauvery in Karnataka, the Pichola Lake in Udaipur, and the Brahmaputra in Assam. The book's scope is vast, offering both an epic overview and an intimate exploration of the challenges these water bodies confront.

Woven into the fabric of the narrative are anthropological, legal, and scientific insights, enriched by fascinating anecdotes, ditties, and mythical tales, both blue and green. "Shades of Blue" not only educates readers on the ecological challenges but also introduces a diverse cast of characters, ranging from medieval poets to colonial masters and modern scientists. This diversity paints a vivid tapestry of interconnected histories, emphasizing the urgency of safeguarding the very ecological systems that have sustained humanity for ages.

[Craartology · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shades Of Blue: Connecting The Drops In India’s Cities by Harini Nagendra and Seema Mundoli is a book that’s profound and diverse in every way possible.

The authors examine the relationship of people living in rural and urban India with water, with myth, folk and belief in water as sacred and life sustaining and also a commercial means to progress. This crisp, deft and simply penned by book is well backed by research giving insights into statistics of the water quality and the management situation in Indian towns and cities today. Unique, creative and at times traditional methods to save water pollution and purification mentioned in the book give a hope that consciousness persists in those who care with a foresight for safer and pollution free water for citizens of this country.

The reader learns or revisits the history and controversy around water be it older civilization rise or its destruction or recent administrative decisions that cost dearly to those affected by huge dam construction projects.

Definitely give this informative and comprehensive book a read, it’s a guide, an eye opener and also a solution provider to problems one can fix, if one makes the effort to bring a positive change.

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

[Ramasubramaniam G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shades of Blue

Amidst the aftermath of the floods in Chennai, I chanced upon a treasure on my bookshelf—a recent acquisition authored by my esteemed postgraduate professor and one of my favorites, Prof. Harini Nagendra of Azim Premji University, along with her colleague, Seema Mundoli

This compelling read effortlessly transported me back to cherished memories of wells, rivers, and ponds from my childhood. The narrative artfully illuminates the multifaceted essence of water, an indispensable elixir of life. Through riveting historical accounts, captivating anecdotes, and eye-opening facts, the book offers a profound exploration into the myriad dimensions of this invaluable resource.

In an era marked by the stark realities of climate change, embracing the concept of Solastalgia—an ecological grief tinged with apprehension for our deteriorating environment—becomes imperative. This poignant work serves as a clarion call to cherish and safeguard our water resources diligently.

I wholeheartedly recommend this enlightening tome to all. It not only educates but also inspires introspection each time one reaches for a glass of water.

May we, as stewards of this planet, recognize the profound significance of water and accord it the reverence and conservation it undeniably deserves.

[Navya Sri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shades of Blue

Water story ...this connects the dots in the evolution of civilization and extinct of it in and around water bodies. How water makes up for the appro.70% of the things around us.


This in a way exposes you to the civilization, biological and environmental exposure on water and water bodies...how far it should be taken care of for through an extensive case studies of various cities build in and around water ..for example Delhi, Varanasi, Udaipur, Chennai, Bengaluru....


This does raise a question of possible under governance ...in saving lakes from encroachments and protecting endangered species. It tells us a history of water and it's influence in humans life..which made me more curious of its undiscovered association in our life's.


It comes with a case studies of various cities and some of controversial bills passed in lieu of interlinking water bodies. Perhaps it also presents us with a more enhanced notion of connecting droplets.

[Taarakesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books seems to be more of research based content that is put across. I find more of facts and history in each chapter. Also the problems are covered in each segment very well. I was expecting some solution to water scarcity at personal level. Things like rainwater harvesting as a solution is not added in the main content.

However, at the end there is a section called SELECTED REFERENCES. I got to know only when I was near completing it.

Otherwise, its an eyeopener for the impact on water that one may not be aware of.

[Divya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a very different idea of this book by the brief I read when I picked it up - I thought this might highlight a number of water bodies spread across India, talking about it's origins, geography and ecology.

Though this book isn't entirely that, it is well researched and gives us a teaser on all that is related to water across the subcontinent. From the river bodies, to cities, to the culture and future, it spans a variety of topics and definitely kept my interest flowing through the pages.

Easy read, something that can be grabbed anytime to read a chapter here and there.

[Pradyumn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book primarily to read the chapter on Udaipur, but I found it to be quite generic in its discussion on water conservation and more suited for children. I was expecting it to be evidenced based and in academic nature, which could give insights into water issues and efforts in Udaipur. But there were none.

[Kanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gem of a book from Harini and Seema. It’s the need of the hour to pay attention to our resources and water is most important one. From tales around water sources to taking one’s attention at the problem areas is the gist of the book. A must read for all.

[Bhargavi.lawbookskettlebells · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
A fascinating collection of essays from various lenses, but I just wanted a little bit *more*. Fewer topics with more depth would have made this an easy 5/5 for me.

Definitely worth a read and there are several topics I now want to dig deeper into, so the authors did their job!

[KD · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's informative, but quite basic. I was hoping more in-depth info and analysis, and lesser known things.

[Divya K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book by them that I’m reading and it informs and inspires just as the first (Cities and Canopies). Every Indian, especially the urban citizen, needs to pick this one up. Gets you thinking about urban native species, their restoration, the future of water in our cities, and the power of collective awareness and action.