Birds have engaged the human imagination since time immemorial. Showcasing some of the best pieces, Birds of India : A Literary Anthology takes a fresh look at natural history writing in India, and discusses the role of birds in human life–from religion to entertainment, mythology to science, superstition to wisdom. The selections are mostly from writings in English; however a few translations from Indian languages have also been included. For the first time extracts from ancient, medieval, as well as later-day works are brought together, highlighting the richness and diversity of the literature available on the subject. From the Panchatantra, The Baburnama, The Jahangirnama, and Abdul Halim Sharar’s accounts of bird-keeping in Lucknow, to writings by the inimitable Edward Hamilton Aitken (EHA) and other British naturalists like Allan Octavian Hume, R.S.P. Bates, and Douglas Dewar–the writings speak for themselves. Alongside Salim Ali, the doyen of Indian ornithology, works of contemporary greats like S. Theodore Baskaran, R.S. Dharmakumarsinhji, Madhav Gadgil, Edward Pritchard Gee, Prakash Gole, Peter Jackson, M. Krishnan and Zai Whitaker are also included. Pieces by well-known writers and public figures like Abul Kalam Azad, Simon Barnes, William Dalrymple, Rudyard Kipling, Jawaharlal Nehru, Khushwant Singh, and Mark Twain add an additional dimension to this delectable anthology. The Introductory overview places the selections in their historical context. The chronological listing of authors, biographical head-notes to the writings, separate listing of sources, and detailed further reading add value for readers. This anthology will appeal equally to nature lovers and birdwatchers, as also environmentalists and conservationists.
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