Pretty little things...

... is how Russian author Vladimir Nabokov referred to paperbacks. Unlike other authors he wanted to be involved in their cover design.

One day in 1963 Vladimir Nabokov received from his British publisher a paperback copy of Laughter in the Dark with a request to sign it for Penguin's founder, Allen Lane. Nabokov was known not to sign books and, in this instance, was also annoyed by the cover art for the book. He sent a letter recording his displeasure. This was not the first time Nabokov had found the artwork for his paperbacks “pretty bad and insulting.” Earlier a Penguin cover art for Nabokov's Dozen had upset him: a sketch of a professorial-looking man chasing a butterfly with a net. Unlike many serious literary authors of his time, Nabokov liked paperbacks. He wanted to be involved in their cover art and design. In a survey sent out to many writers asking what they felt about paperbacks, Nabokov telegrammed three words: ‘Pretty little things'.

Slender monograph
Paperback Nabokov by Paul Maliszewski is a pretty little thing in itself. I nearly missed spotting it on the bookstore shelf: a slender 20-page monograph published by McSweeneys that could easily disappear between rows of books. Maliszewski (the author also of Fakers: Hoaxers, Con Artists, Counterfeiters, and Other Great Pretenders, which examines “literary and journalistic deception”) explores the world of Nabokov paperbacks: details N's feelings towards the cover art for several editions, his son Dmitri's role as illustrator, the artist that finally satisfied N with his artwork, and a few choice letters from N on paperback design and cover art. The bonus is right in the middle of the monograph: four pages of full-colour photographs of at least 43 various paperback editions and their cover art.

Full report here Hindu

80 years later, Russia recalls tryst with Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore visited Russia in 1930 and recorded his impressions in Letters. A Russian Bengali scholar recalls what the many-sided poet means to Russians Rabindranath Tagore visited Russia in 1930.

A Russian scholar, who teaches Bengali, recalls her love affair with iconic Indian poet and what he means to Russians India will be formally marking the 150th birthday anniversary of iconic poet-philosopher Rabindranath Tagore next May.

The celebrations have already begun in Shantiniketan, the university founded by the sage poet in West Bengal, with spirited renditions of songs, dances and plays composed by the bard. Russia, however, is celebrating its tryst with the Nobel laureate in September this year. It’s exactly eighty years since Tagore visited the Soviet Union in 1930, an appropriate time to look back at the man, his legacy, his connection with Russia and how Russians see this many-sided polymath.

For many Indians, Tagore is more than just a writer and poet: he is a symbol of its cultural glory and renaissance, the first Indian to win international literary acclaim. He penned India’s national anthem, and, has the unique distinction of having authored national anthems of two sovereign countries. Tagore’s song (‘Aamaar sonar Baanglaa’: My Golden Bengal) first became the anthem of liberation for the people of Eastern Pakistan, and then became the national anthem of a free Bangladesh.

Full report here Oye! Times

Hindi Day celebrated in Russia

Teachers and students of Hindi, both Indians and Russians celebrated the day of India''s national language by reciting poems of contemporary and classical poets at a function here.

Several young Russian students recited their own poems written in Hindi by them at the Hindi Day celebrations in the D P Dhar Hall of the Indian embassy graced by Ambassador Prabhat Prakash Shukla was organised by the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre (JNCC).

Prof Shishir Pandey, Hindi professor at JNCC expressed admiration at the enthusiasm with which young generation of Russians is studying Hindi.

He noted that there were thousands of common or similar words with common meanings in Hindi and Russian and the Russian grammar is similar to the Sanskrit grammar.

Prof Svetlana Mikoyan, a Hindi teacher gave examples of common and similar words in both languages like Hindi word ''Sona'' (to sleep) and Russian word ''Son'' (dream), ''Prasar'' (expanse) and Russian ''Prostor'' with similar meanings.


Full report here MSN