Naim sahab wrote a wonderful essay on Urdu Asrar and Mistriz for our Indian Genre Fiction volume. He was prompt, invested in the volume and also very kind to an early career scholar. He will be missed.

The weather was grand so went to the library. The first entry for NMML membership was 15 years ago. Filled with some impressive and existential dread: I really don’t know how to do anything else apart from research.

Archival Fun: a list of lifelong members of a Sabha revealed Gandhi, the Spinner, the agriculturist. Jamnalal Bajaj the banker. Nehru, no vocation necessary. And many zamindars.

Having ordered and devoured #5, I can now say that I’m a certified durian lover.

Hello, trying Bluesky out - come say hi if you’re here too, my friends!