Hi all,

I agree with Rasik in that it would be nice to have a much broader focus mainly because I think genres can be at most poorly defined and even if defined can be better understood by looking at their "external" influences. And then there are many writers who have been influenced or at least taken in by India and the Indian Diaspora, Octavio Paz and Dereck Wallcot being two who come to mind that it would be more fun if we talk about them as well. And what about P.G. Wodehouse? I bet a lot of Indian humor, at least the kind that gets written in English, derives some energy from that master!

Thank you Poorvi , for clearing up that terminology bit on "fundaes". And since I have tried my hand at translating Faiz, I suppose we could get started on "Poetry in translation" as a sub topic here with Faiz as the starting point. What do you think? I also wonder why Faiz seems to be the butt of so many translations ranging from very good (Agha Shahid Ali) to very bad (my own)?

Maureen also brought up a relevant point when she said that music be included into the agenda. Ghalib, Faiz and more personally Gulzar (a lyricist, filmmaker, poet etc) have been sung and celebrated. So onwards with that I say.

Having finished reading a novel Deep River by Shusaku Endo, staying up all night, I would recommend it to the list. It's relevant to the list because this novel is set in India with the river referring to Ganges. And for those given to God and such, it was an interesting exploration of those matters.

Hope everyone had a joyful 4th in the US and a good weekend elsewhere.

Joy! Sashi