Book: Love without a story

Author: Arundhathi Subramaniam

Described as “one of the finest poets writing in India today” (The Hindu, 2010), and as a “unique poet of our times in a league all by herself” (Indian Literature, 2020), Arundhathi Subramaniam is a leading Indian poet. and writer on the sacred. She is the author of thirteen books of poetry and prose, most recently, the poetry volume, Love Without a Story. Some other works include the well-loved Penguin Bhakti poetry anthology, Eating God; and the bestselling Penguin biography of a contemporary mystic, Sadhguru: More Than a Life. She is the recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award 2020 (conferred by India’s apex academy of letters), the inaugural Khushwant Singh Prize, the Raza Award for Poetry, the Il Ceppo Award in Italy, the Mystic Kalinga Award, the Zee Women’s Award for Literature, and the Homi Bhabha and Charles Wallace fellowships, among others. Her book, When God is a Traveller, was the Season’s Choice of the Poetry Book Society, shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize.

Review Excerpts

‘…a breathtaking and heartwarming book.’– Poetry Book Society Bulletin, UK

‘a unique poet of our times…in a league all by herself.’ – Indian Literature

‘The language and imagery in Subramaniam’s poetry fairly sizzles…Her approach is always elliptical, ambushing both reader and the subject she is tackling……. it occurred to me that these were the best poetry volumes I have read in half a decade….’ – – Keki Daruwalla, The Indian Express

‘One of India’s finest lyric poets offers her signature combination of finesse and largesse…’ – The Wire

‘A tall and elegant collection from a rigorous craftswoman.’ The Hindu

Moderator: Shruthi Mukund

Shruthi Mukund brings more than 20 years of experience in arts programming, research, special events, and grassroots methods together with an equity lens to inform her work in socially accountable community engagement. She has a Master’s in arts management from American University.

Shruthi is currently the Director of Community Engagement at Olney Theatre. She runs the Indian Dance Educators Association a volunteer service organization supporting Indian classical dancers, schools, and companies.

As a curator, consultant, and speaker, she creates dynamic experiences through arts programming and uses her extensive network to build community and cross-cultural bridges strategically. She has shared her knowledge and experience on many panels and presentations. She sits on grant panels regularly to lend a diverse viewpoint and mentors emerging arts administrators, especially women of color.

Host: Niharika Kalkeri