W. Somerset Maugham says, “To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.” So, reading is a habit to be inculcated for our benefit.
The Grantha Club at Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth was started with the intention to popularize reading and to get everyone to discuss a variety of books. This endeavour was envisioned to be a platform where booklovers, be it faculty, students or staff, could come together and talk about the books of their choice and what makes them special.
It is not just about reviewing a book; in fact, it is not about reviewing a book at all. It is all about discovering a book, partaking in the experience of reading a book, and sharing anecdotes. It acts as a forum for budding and veteran bibliophiles to talk about books and authors.
‘Grantha Club’ focuses on conducting book talks (every week) which include the following:
• Introducing a book (talking about what is special about that book, providing anecdotes)
• Reading excerpts from the book
• Talking about the author
• Discussing ideas presented
English translations of books from different languages in a variety of genre are included.
Here are a few glimpses from the books discussed, since the initiation of the club:
[1]
This book is a translation of the original Kannada version written by Swami Paramananda Bharati. Interestingly, the Sanskrit translation is done by Dr. Sudarshan Chiplunkar, Assistant Professor at CVV. Though it narrates the story of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, it is not just a biography but focuses on India’s history during that era, the different religions that co-existed at that time along with drawing insights from Advaita-Vedanta.
[2]
This book, by Dr. D Venkat Rao, is a translation from the Telugu book by Rani Siva Sankara Sarma [3]. It provides a look at modern-day Hinduism and compares it with the ‘old order’ or ‘Order of Sankara’. It comes across as a semi-autobiographical work and juxtaposes a ‘Hindu’ Brahmin with a ‘Vedic’ Brahmin.
In the longer run, the club aims to conduct book weeks (based on certain themes), quizzes and puzzles every month; organize book exhibitions in collaboration with CVV library; and increase student contribution towards newsletters and blogs.
All the books discussed in the book talks will be made available in the library so that everyone gets an opportunity to read and discover their favourites!!!
-Sandhya Shankar
Assistant Professor
School of Linguistics and Literary Studies, CVV
References
[1] Maugham, W.S. (1940). Books and You. Doubleday, Doran and Company Incorporated: University of California (pp: 29)
[2] Swami Paramananada Bharathi (2016). Mahaparivrajaka: A Novel Based on Shankaracharya’s Life and Philosophy (Chiplunkar, S. M, Trans.) Chaukhamba Surbharathi Prakashan: Delhi. (Original Publication: 2014)
[3] Śarma, R. S. (2007). The Last Brahmin: Life and Reflections of a Modern-day Sanskrit Pandit (D. Venkat Rao, Trans.) Permanent Black: Andhra Pradesh.
