Book Reading Sessions

•                 Book Reading Session

The department of English started out a fun and informative activity called the "Book Reading Session". It is a gathering, that aims to help the faculty get an exposure to different kinds of books available. Once a week, all the interested staff of the department join in to listen to one another speak about various books they've read. The presenter in the course introduces the book to the members and portrays how the said book has enabled him/her/them to understand stories and narratives better. This instills curiosity among the listeners to pick up the book as well. The listeners then, are allowed to raise their curious questions and the session takes a discursive turn as everyone places their opinion on the book.

This discussion aims to internalize reading habit and provide the individual a platform to speak freely. Thus the session contributes to create a literary space for all the members. The session so far held, has proven to be enlightening to all the members and resulted in bringing out positive energy with respect to reading. 

The first Book Reading Session was held on March 18th, Friday. The speakers were Ms. Zaibunnisa and Ms. Pushpalatha. The book introduced by Zaibunnisa was "Truth About Me; A Hira life story" an autobiography authored by Revathi, a transgender woman activist currently working at Sangama. The nuances of transgender living are explored within the text. Zaibunnisa concluded presentation by urging others to read Revathi's story, as even Trans lives matter and it's only when we hear their voices, we as a society stand a chance of  being and doing better.  Ms. Pushpalatha spoke on the Pulitzer winning novella "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker. The novel brings forth the circumstance of a black woman caught amidst racism, misogyny, and sexuality. "I love the bonding that women share with one another in the book" said Ms. Pushpalatha

The second book reading was held on 24th, march, Thursday. Mr Sandeep, introduced, a book he believed to have learnt a lot from "Simply Fly : A Deccan Odyssey" by Captain Gopinath. This book is not merely a rags to riches story of Gopinath, rather a well lived and inspiring life experience documented. " The philosophy of life, that this book carries, has been and eye opener for me" said Mr. Sandeep.

The next, book discussed was "Mahashweta" by Sudha Murthy. Ms.Rekha addressed the issues that a married woman Anupama faces in the novel and also narrated, how boldly she faced the challenges despite her medical condition "Leukoderma". The resilient nature that Anupama resonates in the book is something that Ms. Rekha said she'd carry back home.

The next story that Ms. Shreeprjana shared was a short story written by Tagore. The Kannada translation of it titled " Do bhiga Zameen". Tagore portrays the suffering that the helpless farmers, in a pre independent India goes through. Ms Shreeprajna reflected how Tagore, often picks up people who need to be heard primarily within the realms of society.

The prominent Novella written by Hemingway "The old man and the sea" too was something, that Ms.Shreeprajna shared.