Born Manjunath in a small town in Karnataka’s Bellary district, Manjamma grew up watching village plays and temple performances, even as her womanhood struggled for expression. Ostracised by family, Manjunath’s uncertain childhood transformed into Manjamma’s consecration into the Jogathi tradition — a path at once ceremonial and stigmatised, sacrosanct and scorned. She rose to the stage of the Karnataka Janapada Academy, which she led as its first trans woman president. Her footwork carried her all the way to one of the nation’s highest honours, the Padma Shri.
Feminism and Modern Indian Women’s Autobiographies by Suresh Kumar. Aakar Books. Pages 374. Rs 995
This book offers a rigorous engagement with women’s life-writing in India. Through close readings of 12 autobiographies drawn from varied communities, including Muslim, upper caste, Dalit, tribal, and sex worker, the book foregrounds the plurality and complexity of Indian feminist voices. It examines how these narratives interrogate structures of patriarchy and reveal the layered intersections of gender with caste, class and religion.
The Age Code by David Cox. HarperCollins. Pages 405. Rs 599
The author investigates the growing evidence that our diets are accelerating how quickly we age — and what we can do to change it. The book reveals how everyday food choices impact our biological health, offering practical, science-backed strategies to help readers live longer, healthier lives. He takes a deep dive into how modern diets can be a source of great damage, how geroscientists are uncovering micronutrients in our foods and what emerging tech is telling us about our bodies.