Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

Hyderabad's history comes alive

Staff Reporter

Narendra Luther pens a literary sojourn

HYDERABAD: The homework behind "a replica of heaven on earth", the four minarets, the light blue streak indicating the River Musi, imperial palaces, shehnais and mushairas, gardens and finally the transition of Baghnagar into Cyberabad -- over 400 years of Hyderabad's history come alive through the pages of former bureaucrat Narendra Luther's latest literary sojourn. Titled `Hyderabad, A Biography,' published by the Oxford University Press (OUP) and accompanied by a riveting reading session by the Little Theatre and ghazals during its formal release on Thursday by Governor Sushil Kumar Shinde, the book talks about nawabs, the role of Aurangzeb in the completion of South India's biggest mosque -- the Mecca Masjid, of the king's conscience, of soldiers, of loyalty, the devastating floods of 1908 and much more in an engaging narrative.

Hussain touch

`Hyderabad, A Biography', which becomes a collector's item with M.F. Hussain's painting that adorns its cover, while doffing off hats to the city's cosmopolitan nature, also takes a pot-shot at its present state with references to "precarious civic amenities" as Mr. Luther wonders whether "fast changes have taken away its charm," and asks: "Where is Bhagnagar?"

OUP India managing director Manzar Khan called the book a "fascinating chronicle of one of the most historic and important cities of India" while Mr. Shinde said it would be an ideal gift to all visitors and an asset for whoever wanted to know about Hyderabad. Priced at Rs. 550, the book is available in all leading bookstores.

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