The Blog of Small Things

  Name : Azadi Author : Arundhati Roy Year of Publication : 2020 Genre : Non-fiction, Essays , Politics Rating : *** (3 stars out of 5)   Arundhati Roy's latest essay collection focuses on her pet themes of excoriating Hindu nationalism, market capitalism and lopsided economic development. Unlike the memorable essays of yesteryear wherein every line of her (Think "The end of imagination") became catchy slogans for any activist with an alternate vision for India, she has begun to repeat herself. That she has become repetitive is more a commentary on our society which has stagnated despite supposed progress in many realms. The message might be getting old and hackneyed but the messenger remains sincere in her convictions.

    Name : Arasiyal Cinemakallum Cinemakallin Arasiyalum Author : Suguna Diwakar Year of Publication : 2020 Genre : Non-fiction, Tamil, Essays , Politics Rating : *** (3 stars out of 5)  A collection of the author's articles on Tamil cinema spanning the decade of 2010-20. The author does not consider the aesthetics or the technical aspects in filmmaking much. His sole criterion for a good movie is the underlying politics behind it. His profile of M.R. Radha is incomplete because he does not comment on the MGR shooting incident. In some ways, Suguna Diwakar is the anti-Baradwaj Rangan of film reviews and I really look forward to reading a writer who can combine the sensibilities of both.

  Name : Dravida Arasiyalin Ethirkaalam Author : Suguna Diwakar Year of Publication : 2019 Genre : Non-fiction, Tamil, Essays , Politics Rating : *** (3 stars out of 5)   A collection of political articles written by the author over a period of ten years. The author's emphasis on the relevance of Dravidian politics today is noteworthy. The book is marred by repetitive ideas which is understandable considering it is a mere collection of essays written for different periodicals.

Name : Rivers Remember Author : Krupa Ge Year of Publication : 2019 Genre : Non-fiction, Memoir, Society Rating : **** (4 half stars out of 5) The author who lost her house to the Chennai Mega floods of 2015 goes in search of the culprit behind the crime and concludes that it is a collective act of the human race exacerbated by governmental apathy. Her lyrical prose weaves different narratives seamlessly - personal , legal , political , societal, geographical and historical. It is a must read for policy makers who ought to realize that behind their decisions (or indecisions) lie the tears and blood of a suffering populace. She introduces a wide array of characters - volunteers ,activists and pluviophiles - but the most memorable of all are the rivers -Adyar, Cooum and Kosasthalaiyar- which flow through the city of Chennai. In making us remember the rivers (which remember) lies the book's success.

Name : The Commonwealth of Cricket Author : Ramachandra Guha Year of Publication : 2020 Genre : Non-fiction, Cricket Rating : **** (4 half stars out of 5)   After wrestling with Gandhi for so many years, the historian is back to his permanent refuge of joy : Cricket.  The book is a throwback to days when Ranji trophy matches were played in jam packed stadia. Contrast this with 2020 when many state associations prefer white ball cricket in the Ranji tournament. While "A corner of a foreign field" is India's history via cricket, this nostalgic volume is Guha's own life story via cricket. His love for cricket comes through in the first chapters and his integrity shines in the retelling of his tenure as an administrator. Even as the historian turns up at enough points in the book, this ultimately remains a fanboy's love letter who reads CLR James when his wife delivers a baby and dreams about Warne's leg-breaks for inspiration.