A kimono-clad Tamil woman greets Japanese soldiers at the door while her Anglophile husband cowers in his Jaguar. Two sisters share a husband when one fails to produce a child for the longest time. An American diplomat's urgent inquires about the Malaysian treasury’s facilities are hilariously misunderstood. A daring civil servant proposes to a Ceylonese lady in his hometown mere minutes after meeting her, breaking a thousand years of marriage protocol. M. Shanmughalingam's debut collection paints, with gentle wit and humour, the concerns and intrigues of the Jaffna Tamil community in Malaya. At turns satirical, empathetic and insightful, these fifteen stories explore what happens when we hold on to—and choose to leave behind—our traditions and identities in a changing world.

A legally-minded sleuth takes to the streets of 1920s Bombay in a fascinating new mystery.

Ayaan does not wish to get married. In his late twenties and a product of urban, upper-middle-class society, he’s had a comfortable life. Juggling his time between setting up his new business venture and lounging with friends—and frequent escapades with beautiful women and booze—life seems to be going well. Until one morning when his life hits a roadblock in the form of his overprotective, authoritative mother who only wants what’s best for her son. And this time, it’s in the form of marriage...arranged marriage. A reluctant Ayaan gets entangled in the frustrating and exhausting process of meeting women chosen by his determined mother, who refuses to stop till she has what she wants. Will Ayaan find his perfect match or does the universe have a different path laid out for him?

Savour The Tantalizing Flavours Of Andhra Cuisine While Hyderabadi Cuisine With Its Distinctive Mughlai Flavour Is Famous Around The World, Food From The Other Parts Of Andhra, One Of India S Largest And Culturally Most Diverse States, Remains Relatively Unknown. In This Addition To The Penguin Series On Indian Food And Customs, The Author Brings Together For The First Time The Different Tastes Of Andhra Cooking From The Humble Idli-Sambar To Spicy Seafood Delicacies. Along With The Recipes She Recounts The Traditions And Rituals Associated With Food, Such As The Right Order In Which To Serve The Dishes, A Typical Menu For An Occasion Such As Ugadi, And The Sweets Indigent On Certain Auspicious Days. From The Dishes Traditionally Prescribed For Pregnant Women, To The Festivities Surrounding Birth And Marriage, Bilkees I. Latif Describes With Knowledge And Flair The Cuisine And Customs Of Her State. The More Than 200 Recipes, Lucidly Written And Easy To Follow, Include: Amrit Phal Badam Ki Jaali Gil-E-Behisht Luqmi Meed Godavari Avakkai Bagharey Baingan Gosht Ka Achar Kachi Biryani Zarda-E-Aamba

Whenever I hear the word curry, I’m filled with a longing for spicy hot food with the fragrance of cumin, cloves and cinnamon. I see deep red colours from lots of Kashmiri chillis, tinged with a suggestion of yellow from turmeric. I think of the tandoor oven, and slightly scorched naan shining with ghee and garlic.When Indians talk of their food, they talk about their life. To understand this country, you need to understand curry. What makes a good curry? Sensual spicy aromas or thick, creamy sauces? Rich, dark dals or crispy fried street snacks? Rick journeys through India to find the answer, searching this colourful, chaotic nation in search of the truths behind our love affair with its food. Chefs, home cooks and street vendors hold the key to unlocking the secrets of these complex and diverse flavours – and Rick's travels take him to the heart of both their long-held traditions and most modern techniques. He uncovers recipes for fragrant kormas, delicate spiced fish and slow-cooked biryanis, all the while gathering ideas and inspiration for his own take on that elusive dish – the perfect curry.