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The Way I See It: A Gauri Lankesh Reader
DC Books and Navayana are proud to announce The Way I See It: A Gauri Lankesh Reader. It takes an assassination these days for us to sit up, get the full measure of the life and work of a person, and cherish her for it. A late start, in the grisliest sense. Yet, two years before her killing, Gauri Lankesh wrote: “No one knows who will gain materially by Kalburgi’s death. But it is clear that it is the right-wing fascist forces that will gain ideologically when reformist voices such as Basavanna’s and Kalburgi’s are brutally and fatally shut down. Ideas, however, never die.”
The prospect of getting her own name on this list did not deter her. A selfish silence that values personal comfort over facing down bullies was never an option. We are left with her ideas, her words—like with Basava and Kalburgi. As a journalist and social activist, Gauri Lankesh (1962–2017) joined the battle against not just Hindutva but all forms of bigotry and obscurantism. As the editor of Gauri Lankesh Patrike, a major political weekly in Kannada, she hosted critical discussions on a range of compelling social, cultural and political issues. Activists from different spheres of social struggle found a ready ally in her.
The life and work of Gauri inspire those who still care to speak the truth, especially conveying it to power. Hence this reader compiled by Chandan Gowda, a scholar-translator who had been her friend for over two decades. The Way I See It collects the best of Gauri’s writings translated from Kannada, her work in English, as well as the remembrances of people who knew her well, each in their own way.
Says Chandan Gowda, “The book brings together select political and cultural writings of the courageous activist-journalist. Published over the last two decades, these writings, many of which were originally written in Kannada, offer a rich introduction to her varied political commitments and cultural interests. Her political journalism reveals a constant concern for the fate of India’s democracy and an unswerving passion for social justice. Gauri’s essays in the autobiographical mode also illustrate the affection and seriousness she brought to human relationships.”
Kavitha Lankesh, whose kind permission made this work possible, says: “Anyone who cherishes and respects India’s diversity will find this book valuable. India belongs not just to the socially privileged classes but to its marginalized sections as well: women, Muslims, Dalits, tribals, among others. If we aspire that our children live to respect the many voices of our country, people like Gauri should be heard.”
The prospect of getting her own name on this list did not deter her. A selfish silence that values personal comfort over facing down bullies was never an option. We are left with her ideas, her words—like with Basava and Kalburgi. As a journalist and social activist, Gauri Lankesh (1962–2017) joined the battle against not just Hindutva but all forms of bigotry and obscurantism. As the editor of Gauri Lankesh Patrike, a major political weekly in Kannada, she hosted critical discussions on a range of compelling social, cultural and political issues. Activists from different spheres of social struggle found a ready ally in her.
The life and work of Gauri inspire those who still care to speak the truth, especially conveying it to power. Hence this reader compiled by Chandan Gowda, a scholar-translator who had been her friend for over two decades. The Way I See It collects the best of Gauri’s writings translated from Kannada, her work in English, as well as the remembrances of people who knew her well, each in their own way.
Says Chandan Gowda, “The book brings together select political and cultural writings of the courageous activist-journalist. Published over the last two decades, these writings, many of which were originally written in Kannada, offer a rich introduction to her varied political commitments and cultural interests. Her political journalism reveals a constant concern for the fate of India’s democracy and an unswerving passion for social justice. Gauri’s essays in the autobiographical mode also illustrate the affection and seriousness she brought to human relationships.”
Kavitha Lankesh, whose kind permission made this work possible, says: “Anyone who cherishes and respects India’s diversity will find this book valuable. India belongs not just to the socially privileged classes but to its marginalized sections as well: women, Muslims, Dalits, tribals, among others. If we aspire that our children live to respect the many voices of our country, people like Gauri should be heard.”
278 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2017
17 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Gauri Lankesh
7 books4 followersGauri Lankesh (29 January 1962 – 5 September 2017) was an Indian activist and journalist from Bangalore, Karnataka. She worked as an editor in Lankesh Patrike, a Kannada weekly started by her father P. Lankesh, and ran her own weekly called Gauri Lankesh Patrike. She was murdered outside her home in Rajarajeshwari Nagar on 5 September 2017. At the time of her death, Gauri was known for being a critic of right-wing Hindu extremism. She was honoured with the Anna Politkovskaya Award for speaking against right-wing Hindu extremism, campaigning for women's rights and opposing caste-based discrimination.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 17, 2017
I bought this book on 29th oct, the day it was launched. I saw Gauri’s mother, sister and Kanhaiya Kumar tearful when they spoke about her.
This is a tribute to a women who was single, ferocious and was a threat to the so called men who shot her point blank.
She mentions about her early college life, her relationship with chidu and their companionship.
I love the way she talks about her dad, chenni and the incidents during her father’s cremation. I wish they release another book on her. A very few people have been able to write about her.
Her life and her work must be celebrated and her death as well because she risked her life for the society we live in.
This is a tribute to a women who was single, ferocious and was a threat to the so called men who shot her point blank.
She mentions about her early college life, her relationship with chidu and their companionship.
I love the way she talks about her dad, chenni and the incidents during her father’s cremation. I wish they release another book on her. A very few people have been able to write about her.
Her life and her work must be celebrated and her death as well because she risked her life for the society we live in.
July 8, 2020
So humbled to have read her work, even if it was only a small glimpse of what her ouevre contains. Gauri's writing is clear, precise, and presents news in an engaging manner. I wonder what she would have felt seeing where we are now, three years later after her assassination. I guess I know the answer to that. She is probably one of the first people I've discovered whom I feel akin in terms of ideological leanings. So grateful that she lived. So hurt that she was murdered. Today, I feel a curious mix of hopelessness and hopefulness. May she rest in peace wherever she is, and may we fight as passionately as she did.
January 13, 2018
Having never read Gauri Lankesh's news articles, I took keenly to this book. What amazed me greatly was her erudite and fierce reporting on topics ranging from the infamous Satya Sai Baba to the serial killer that terrified Bangalore in 90's. I liked her interview with post-revival of her father's Lankesh Patrike and subsequently, her own Gauri Lankesh Patrike. It takes courage to face threatening agencies that you know always lurk around and yet she kept her writing assignments and other work going. This reader has become an important source and shall remain one for future. Hats off to you, Gauri! It's a befitting tribute to her by Navayana.
July 7, 2018
It is a great book if you want to know about gauri , about her writings in guari lankesh patrika . She was against caste, religion and had a very large circle of people coming from various background. She was a fierce activist-journalist who spoke against the hindutva and false propaganda spread by a certain community . I hope she was alive as we need an open space for discussion about the various things which in present situation is getting lesser and lesser.
March 4, 2018
It gives a complete picture about activists,reformists & journalist Gauri Lankesh. Her voice for rational view, secularism & protecting the rights of the oppressed, minority communities are exemplary, had a really very good read , very good compilation
May 20, 2020
the book that I so wanted and the one that I finished on the day I bought it.
A collection of all the major events in her life and maybe more specifically in her career.
A collection of all the major events in her life and maybe more specifically in her career.
April 9, 2024
Such an inspiration. A must read.
March 25, 2018
**NOT A POLITICAL REVIEW**
A fascinating book, traversing the journey of a journalist for almost two and half decades. Interesting insights into Karnataka political landscape. Also, some of the non-political pieces are very thought provoking.
A slightly more detailed review of the book on my blog: https://adventuresofatraveller.wordpr...
A fascinating book, traversing the journey of a journalist for almost two and half decades. Interesting insights into Karnataka political landscape. Also, some of the non-political pieces are very thought provoking.
A slightly more detailed review of the book on my blog: https://adventuresofatraveller.wordpr...
November 22, 2017
A collection of essays, editorials, columns, interviews of the recently assassinated Gauri Lankesh - famous activist/journalist of Kannada. An excellent work from her supporters. Hearty applauds to the publisher and all who behind the book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews