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Chikankari: A Lucknawi Tradition by Paola Manfredi My rating: 4 of 5 stars White-on-white embroidery made more beautiful Name of the book: Chikankari: A Lucknawi Tradition Author: Paola Manfredi Publisher: Niyogi Books ISBN: 978-93-85285-53-0 Price: Rs.2495 Pages: 252 The review can also be found here : https://www.freepressjournal.in/book-reviews/chikankari-a-lucknawi-tradition-paola-manfredi In the words of Amita Walia, “The magic of Chikankari or the white-on-white embroidery of Lucknow reflects the splendor of Indian craft as pure moonlight resplendent in all its beauty.” Spread over 252 pages, this illustrated book exquisitely presents a detailed view and well-researched analysis of chikan embroidery – the most artistic and most delicate form of what may be called the purely indigenous needlework of India, as per George Watt (1903). It delves into the nitty-gritty of the chikan embroidery – the mysterious origins of the craft that develop...

Everybody's Son by Thrity Umrigar My rating: 4 of 5 stars Coloured woes, in black and white Name of the book: Everybody’s Son Name of the author: Thrity Umrigar Publisher: HarperCollins ISBN: 9780062442246 Pages: 352 Price: 26.99 USD The book review can also be found here: https://www.freepressjournal.in/book-reviews/everybodys-son-by-thrity-unrigar Thrity Umrigar , an Indian- American journalist and the winner of the Nieman Fellowship to Harvard and a 2006 finalist for the PEN/ Beyond Margins Award, who relocated to the US at the age of 21 from India, has deftly explored in this book how racism can exist without one even realizing about it. Everybody’s Son is an example of powerful and uncomplicated writing which pushes your borders and leaves you at the edge of a mountain top. The only option you have is to jump. And jump you will, into Anton’s world – the main character in the novel. There is not much suspense in waiting. The story has be...