@nileshb
Trying painting, poetry translation. Good at cooking. Love reading. Getting paid for product strategy, leadership coaching. He/him. Mumbai. Have you read @unmana.bsky.social’s Chikkamma Tours (Pvt.) Ltd? Bookstores and online links at https://unmana.com
Prepping for tomorrow’s art viewing at home!
If you are in #Mumbai and would like to see my paintings, please come (we are in Bandra West, dm for address). #artsky
Lovely review yesterday with a couple of quotes from me in the Free Press Journal.
#booksky #delhi
to the handful of IndiaSky people on bsky who will see it, if you know of anyone looking for a videographer/editor/photographer - connect them with me.
I'm looking for assignments for April-May-June.
Translation:
What hope can I keep of getting back the joys of life I couldn’t have,
I cannot even ask for the tears that this world robbed me of.
- Barkat Virani ‘Befaam’
#gujarati #poetry #translation #niltranslates
41/n
ગુમાવેલા જીવનનાં હાસ્ય તો પાછાં મળે ક્યાંથી ?
જમાનાએ લૂંટેલા અશ્રુ પણ માગી નથી શકતો.
*Gumavela jivan na hasy to pachha male kyanthi?
Jamanae lootela ashru pan magi nathi shakto.*
- Befaam
#gujarati #poetry #translation #niltranslates
40/n
નયનને બંધ રાખીને મેં જયારે તમને જોયાં છે,
તમે છો એના કરતાં પણ વધારે તમને જોયાં છે.
*Nayan ne bandh rakhi ne me jyare tamne joya chhe,
Tame chho ena karta pan vadhare tamne joya chhe.*
When I closed my eyes and saw you,
I saw you even more than you are.
- Befaam
#gujarati #poetry #translation #niltranslates
Ocean and rocks with a faint skyline. Water and sky both are blue.
Good morning, blue sky!
This is kind of what I am feeling about BlueSky also :)
English translation:
I kept reliving that moment I’d left you and gone away,
Didn’t find that moment when I came back and met you.
- Adi Mirza
#gujarati #poetry #translation #niltranslates
39/n
તમને છોડીને ગયો’તો એ પળો મળતી રહી,
તમને આવીને મળ્યો’તો એ ઘડી મળતી નથી.
Latin script:
*Tamne chhodi ne gayo’to e palo malti rahi,
Tamne aavi ne malyo to e ghadi malti nathi.*
- Adi Mirza
#gujarati #poetry #translation #niltranslates
🖤
Not there. Not yet, at least!
You can read more about FLN's advocacy for reform and its People's National Library Policy PNLP here: www.fln.org.in/library-reform-demanding-the-peoples-national-library-policy/
4 children, 2 girls & 2 boys, ages 10-13yrs are huddled over an Alphabet Book. They are seated at a library table and are surrounded by colourful bookshelves. They are deeply engrossed in the book.
A girl aged 8 yrs is in a red dress inside a mud hut, she is seated on the bare floor and is reading aloud a book called The New Sweater.
A girl in pigtails aged 7-10 yrs is reading an accessible books for visually impaired readers. She is reading by feeling the book with her hands. The book is a large green object, with cut outs of a tree, monkeys, dogs etc. A library facilitator holds up the book to her. A smiling older lady watched the read aloud.
A park scene. Children of all ages (6-14 yrs) are in a circle. There are books in the middle of the circle, on the grass. A bespectacled librarian does a read aloud. One of the children is pointing at the book excitedly. The grass is green and the sky is a dull blue. Two women (gardeners of the public park) are outside the circle but listening to the story.
Today & tomorrow, activists of the Free Libraries Network will represent grassroots libraries & their members from across India at the #IndianLibraryCongress in Delhi. They will talk about the power of libraries when they are made free & non-exclusionary for all.
Indian almond
Is shedding red leaves — I stare
At old green photos
I would warn you of
Spring coming— but I sneeze in
All the seasons now
Too much going on last week or so… haven’t been able to do poetry translation:/
Also have to pack and move at end of the month and then unpacking, setting up things — so don’t know when I’ll get back to it.
But hopefully I will! 🤞🏾
Ughh:/
The image is a poster with several elements. On a blue background, there are several elements of a flyer. There is a photograph of a person looking at camera. Below that, the person’s name, and a description: Tashan Mehta Author Next to it is this text: For a donation of ₹5000 to the Free Libraries Network, I am offering a one-on-one chat with me. We can discuss my work / your work / writing in general – you pick! In a band across the bottom are two logos. On the left, one logotype has a stylised image of three books on a shelf and next to it, the name of the organisation, Free Libraries Network, India & South Asia in dark blue letters. On the right, the second logotype, which has a stylised image of a blue gift box opening and little red book flying out of it, and the name of the campaign, Library Love.
We can talk about my work and writing practice, or any potential issues you're currently facing in your writing practice, or writing in general – it's up to you. I will not be able to read your work (before or after the session) or give you feedback, but I can chat with you artist to artist. I am best versed with novels. Tashan Mehta is a novelist whose interest lies in form and the fantastical. Her second novel, Mad Sisters of Esi, won the 2024 AutHer Award for Best Novel as well as the 2024 Subjective Chaos Kind of Award for Best Fantasy, and was on the 2023 Locus Recommended Reading List. Her first novel, The Liar’s Weave, was shortlisted for the Prabha Kaitan’s Woman’s Voice Award. She can be found at tashanmehta.com. Below that, a QR Code, and these words: To claim this offer (and view all the other offers), please scan this code, or go to https://www.fln.org.in/librarylove/
FLN is a collective of grassroots organisations and practitioners building, operating and advocating for free, anti-caste and feminist libraries that guarantee equal access to reading, learning and information resources for all. We work with governments, civil society, national and international library associations, publishers and literary groups and individuals, to create policy and implement free-library curricula and models, and to reform India’s public library system. Library Love (14–28 February) Our storyteller friends are making an array of generous offers in exchange for donations to FLN. Funds raised will go towards curating book sets for grassroots libraries, training library leaders, research and advocacy, and paying our team of educators, organisers, trainers, researchers and managers. Donations to Free Libraries Network FLN are exempt from tax under section 80G of the Income Tax Act (old regime). FLN can only accept donations within India and in Indian currency.
The image is a poster with several elements. In large text at centre are these words: Our vision of a free library does not stop at delivering excellent library services to all. It must also be anti-caste, gender and disability-inclusive, and do the essential work of welcoming into reading and thinking, those who have been historically excluded. FLN asserts that free libraries are a matter of right. In a band across the bottom are two logos. On the left, one logotype has a stylised image of three books on a shelf and next to it, the name of the organisation, Free Libraries Network, India & South Asia in dark blue letters. On the right, the second logotype, which has a stylised image of a blue gift box opening and little red book flying out of it, and the name of the campaign, Library Love.
Sunday L💙VE for Libraries is real!
Our Library Love fundraiser campaigns for the 'Right To Read' through free, anti-caste & feminist public libraries #ForALL
@tashanmehta.bsky.social is making an amazing offer.
So scan the QR code on slide 2 to donate
OR
Click www.fln.org.in/librarylove/
Listen, I took five years writing and revising my novel before it got accepted. I will share what I learned so you get there faster!
Sign up here www.townscript.com/e/library-lo...
The image is a poster with several elements. On a blue background, there are several elements of a flyer. There is a photograph of a person looking at camera. Below that, the person’s name, and a description: Unmana Author Next to it is this text: For a donation of INR 3000, you can join an online workshop on finishing your first novel. In a band across the bottom are two logos. On the left, one logotype has a stylised image of three books on a shelf and next to it, the name of the organisation, Free Libraries Network, India & South Asia in dark blue letters. On the right, the second logotype, which has a stylised image of a blue gift box opening and little red book flying out of it, and the name of the campaign, Library Love.
The image is a poster with several elements. One is a block of text which says: This is for writers who have started a novel or have an idea, and are feeling stuck. We will discuss structure, characterisation, plot and setting, and how to revise your manuscript till it's compelling. Tentative date and time: Sunday, 6 April, 2025, 3-5 pm. Next to it is a bio of the person making the offer: Unmana’s novel Chikkamma Tours (Pvt.) Ltd is a deliciously bookish mystery set in Bengaluru that features India’s first fictional queer detective. Zac O’Yeah calls Unmana one of “the pioneers in the genre of Indian bibliomysteries” and “Asia’s own Alexander McCall-Smith”. Unmana’s short stories have been nominated for the Best of the Net and the Deodar Prize. They live in Bombay. Below that, a QR Code, and these words: To claim this offer (and view all the other offers), please scan this code, or go to https://www.fln.org.in/librarylove/
FLN is a collective of grassroots organisations and practitioners building, operating and advocating for free, anti-caste and feminist libraries that guarantee equal access to reading, learning and information resources for all. We work with governments, civil society, national and international library associations, publishers and literary groups and individuals, to create policy and implement free-library curricula and models, and to reform India’s public library system. ===== Library Love (14–28 February) Our storyteller friends are making an array of generous offers in exchange for donations to FLN. Funds raised will go towards curating book sets for grassroots libraries, training library leaders, research and advocacy, and paying our team of educators, organisers, trainers, researchers and managers. Donations to Free Libraries Network FLN are exempt from tax under section 80G of the Income Tax Act (old regime). FLN can only accept donations within India and in Indian currency.
The image is a poster with several elements. In large text at centre are these words: ===== Our vision of a free library does not stop at delivering excellent library services to all. It must also be anti-caste, gender and disability-inclusive, and do the essential work of welcoming into reading and thinking, those who have been historically excluded. FLN asserts that free libraries are a matter of right. ===== In a band across the bottom are two logos. On the left, one logotype has a stylised image of three books on a shelf and next to it, the name of the organisation, Free Libraries Network, India & South Asia in dark blue letters. On the right, the second logotype, which has a stylised image of a blue gift box opening and little red book flying out of it, and the name of the campaign, Library Love.
Sunday L💙VE for Libraries is real!
Our Library Love fundraiser campaigns for the 'Right To Read' through free, anti-caste & feminist public libraries #ForALL
@unmana.bsky.social is making an amazing offer.
So scan the QR code on slide 2 to donate
OR
Click https://www.fln.org.in/librarylove/
The image is a poster with several elements. On a blue background, there are several elements of a flyer. There is a photograph of a person looking at camera. Below that, the person’s name, and a description: Jane Borges Author, journalist & oral historian Next to it is this text: For a donation of INR 2500, I will do a 90-minute talk about my craft and the subjects of my work over Zoom. In a band across the bottom are two logos. On the left, one logotype has a stylised image of three books on a shelf and next to it, the name of the organisation, Free Libraries Network, India & South Asia in dark blue letters. On the right, the second logotype, which has a stylised image of a blue gift box opening and little red book flying out of it, and the name of the campaign, Library Love.
My workshop will be held at the end of April. It will be an hour and a half long and held over a weekend. The session is for people interested in using elements of oral history in their storytelling. Next to it is a bio of the person making the offer: Jane Borges is a senior journalist, author and oral historian. In 2022, she won the National RedInk Journalism Award. Her debut novel, Bombay Balchão (2019), was shortlisted for the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puruskar and Atta Galatta Bangalore Literature Festival Book Prize. She has also co-authored the non-fiction Mafia Queens of Mumbai: Stories of Women from the Ganglands (2011) with S. Hussain Zaidi. A chapter from the book was adapted into the Bollywood film Gangubai (2022) by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. She lives in Mumbai. Below that, a QR Code, and these words: To claim this offer (and view all the other offers), please scan this code, or go to https://www.fln.org.in/librarylove/
FLN is a collective of grassroots organisations and practitioners building, operating and advocating for free, anti-caste and feminist libraries that guarantee equal access to reading, learning and information resources for all. We work with governments, civil society, national and international library associations, publishers and literary groups and individuals, to create policy and implement free-library curricula and models, and to reform India’s public library system. Library Love (14–28 February) Our storyteller friends are making an array of generous offers in exchange for donations to FLN. Funds raised will go towards curating book sets for grassroots libraries, training library leaders, research and advocacy, and paying our team of educators, organisers, trainers, researchers and managers. Donations to Free Libraries Network FLN are exempt from tax under section 80G of the Income Tax Act (old regime). FLN can only accept donations within India and in Indian currency.
The image is a poster with several elements. In large text at centre are these words: Our vision of a free library does not stop at delivering excellent library services to all. It must also be anti-caste, gender and disability-inclusive, and do the essential work of welcoming into reading and thinking, those who have been historically excluded. FLN asserts that free libraries are a matter of right. In a band across the bottom are two logos. On the left, one logotype has a stylised image of three books on a shelf and next to it, the name of the organisation, Free Libraries Network, India & South Asia in dark blue letters. On the right, the second logotype, which has a stylised image of a blue gift box opening and little red book flying out of it, and the name of the campaign, Library Love.
Sunday L💙VE for Libraries is real!
Our Library Love fundraiser campaigns for the 'Right To Read' through free, anti-caste & feminist public libraries #ForALL
Jane Borges is making an amazing offer.
So scan the QR code on slide 2 to donate
OR
Click www.fln.org.in/librarylove
A cuter image list of the same on Instagram if you are there:
www.instagram.com/p/DGDYgjrMHk...
But more importantly so many of these authors are here on BlueSky, so follow them if you aren’t already doing :)
@kjcharleswriter.com @oliviawaite.com and others too!
Valentine’s Day reading list by @unmana.bsky.social in yesterday’s Scroll…
Queer romances that make hearts flutter and end on a happy note:
Sultry, dizzying, cute romances in historical and contemporary settings by 12 writers around the world.
scroll.in/article/1078...
#booksky #queerlove
I'm helping raise funds for the Free Libraries Network with the offer below. Please donate so that @freelibsnet.bsky.social can continue to do the amazing work they do!
Photo of a painting on an easel. Painting is that of a selfie of a couple cuddling.
Happy Valentine’s Day :)
“Love”, Acrylic on 12”x12” stretched canvas, September 2023.
#painting #nilpaints #ArtSky
@unmana.bsky.social
![The image is a poster with several elements.
On a [final colour] background, there are several elements of a flyer.
There is a photograph of a person looking away from camera.
Below that, the person’s name, and a description:
Bijal Vachharajani
Children's book author and editor
Next to it is this text:
For a donation of INR 5000, I will offer feedback on your picture book manuscript and a 20 minute Zoom call discussion.
In a band across the bottom are two logos.
On the left, one logotype has a stylised image of three books on a shelf and next to it, the name of the organisation, Free Libraries Network, India & South Asia in dark blue letters.
On the right, the second logotype, which has a stylised image of a blue gift box opening and little red book flying out of it, and the name of the campaign, Library Love.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kzl6migteeqx5a4f7fmkghqq/bafkreigqs24jw7f4txup2udhy7glc4iqx37taxsz6zuh3uahmi53aqqjqu)
The image is a poster with several elements. On a [final colour] background, there are several elements of a flyer. There is a photograph of a person looking away from camera. Below that, the person’s name, and a description: Bijal Vachharajani Children's book author and editor Next to it is this text: For a donation of INR 5000, I will offer feedback on your picture book manuscript and a 20 minute Zoom call discussion. In a band across the bottom are two logos. On the left, one logotype has a stylised image of three books on a shelf and next to it, the name of the organisation, Free Libraries Network, India & South Asia in dark blue letters. On the right, the second logotype, which has a stylised image of a blue gift box opening and little red book flying out of it, and the name of the campaign, Library Love.
The image is a poster with several elements. One is a block of text which says: If you donate Rs 5000, I will offer feedback on your picture book manuscript and a 20 minute Zoom call discussion. I will be able to look at picture book manuscripts in English by the end of March and offer a critique and one call about the feedback. Next to it is a bio of the person making the offer: When Bijal Vachharajani is not reading a children’s book, she’s writing or editing one. She’s the author of multiple planet-friendly, award-winning books including A Cloud Called Bhura, Savi and the Memory Keeper and When Fairyland Lost Its Magic. One of India’s first climate writers for children, she’s a commissioning editor at Pratham Books where she dreams up diverse, multi-lingual picture books. Below that, a QR Code, and these words: To claim this offer (and view all the other offers), please scan this code, or go to https://www.fln.org.in/librarylove/ In a band across the bottom are two logos. On the left, one logotype has a stylised image of three books on a shelf and next to it, the name of the organisation, Free Libraries Network, India & South Asia in dark blue letters. On the right, the second logotype, which has a stylised image of a blue gift box opening and little red book flying out of it, and the name of the campaign, Library Love.
A block of text describes the work that the Free Libraries Network does: FLN is a collective of grassroots organisations and practitioners building, operating and advocating for free, anti-caste and feminist libraries that guarantee equal access to reading, learning and information resources for all. We work with governments, civil society, national and international library associations, publishers and literary groups and individuals, to create policy and implement free-library curricula and models, and to reform India’s public library system. Library Love (14–28 February) Our storyteller friends are making an array of generous offers in exchange for donations to FLN. Funds raised will go towards curating book sets for grassroots libraries, training library leaders, research and advocacy, and paying our team of educators, organisers, trainers, researchers and managers. Donations to Free Libraries Network FLN are exempt from tax under section 80G of the Income Tax Act (old regime). FLN can only accept donations within India and in Indian currency. In a band across the bottom are two logos. On the left, one logotype has a stylised image of three books on a shelf and next to it, the name of the organisation, Free Libraries Network, India & South Asia in dark blue letters. On the right, the second logotype, which has a stylised image of a blue gift box opening and little red book flying out of it, and the name of the campaign, Library Love.
The image is a poster with several elements. In large text at centre are these words: Our vision of a free library does not stop at delivering excellent library services to all. It must also be anti-caste, gender and disability-inclusive, and do the essential work of welcoming into reading and thinking, those who have been historically excluded. FLN asserts that free libraries are a matter of right. In a band across the bottom are two logos. On the left, one logotype has a stylised image of three books on a shelf and next to it, the name of the organisation, Free Libraries Network, India & South Asia in dark blue letters. On the right, the second logotype, which has a stylised image of a blue gift box opening and little red book flying out of it, and the name of the campaign, Library Love.
This is no ordinary L💙VE!
Our Library Love fundraiser campaigns for the 'Right To Read' through free, anti-caste & feminist public libraries #ForALL
@bijal.bsky.social is making an amazing offer.
So scan the QR code on slide 2 to donate
OR
Click www.fln.org.in/librarylove/
It’s the season of love! Revolutionary library love!
Share this with your friends & family (in India) and get them to follow us here in large numbers!
As for the rest? All will be revealed tomorrow 🥸🩵
What’s even better than reading #PoetryInParks?
Putting books in the hands of all who want them, particularly those from historically disadvantaged communities.
That’s what @freelibsnet.bsky.social and their member libraries do.
Follow, and reshare their post. Many goodies are coming your way.
