Lamakaan

Starting from the young people who came together at Jantar Mantar during the CJP protests, this conversation asks what brought them there, what they made possible together, and what we can learn by understanding these protests as part of an emerging Gen Z politics.

Is NEP the only reason for the protest, and if not, then what were the other causes that led to the protest? A critical discussion around Eram Agha’s Caravan article “Teaching a Lesson: How the NEP’s killing of the public university brought Gen Z out on the streets”. Alongside questioning education policy, students’ futures, social change.

MY LIFE’S JOURNEY THROUGH THE FIELD OF LITERATURE


Mangari Rajender (Zimbo) has made significant contributions to Telugu literature as a poet and short-story writer. His writing seamlessly bridges emotional resonance and keen social observation, producing sensitive reflection alongside thought-provoking commentary. Apart from his literary pursuits, he remains active in the legal field.

ZIMBO
Mangari Rajender
( Former District Judge.
Twice served as the director to
The Judicial Academy )
An Eminent Writer , poet.

MY LIFE’S JOURNEY THROUGH THE FIELD OF LITERATURE

Moderator :
Dyavanapally Satyanarayana
( Historian, Socialist )


Venue : LAMAKAAN
On 8th October ‘26.
Time : 2 pm to 4. 30 pm
High Tea 4. 30 to 5 pm.

Book Launch of Telugu Novel 'NAA JATHAGAA NUVVUNDAALI' by Swapnapriya Ganji - Published by Anvikshiki

Read A Kitaab is an unbiased community of Readers, Booklovers, writers and artists. We strive to provide the community an ecosystem with an online library, book discussions, author meet, book of the month, monthly meets, newsletters & much more...

We love kids for who we have a kids book club. Read A Kitaab is a calm & comfort space to be yourself, to discuss books and life with no bars on age/gender/ethnicity/political views etc.

Maa Ka Doodh - Uncovering A Nation's Dairy Disaster is a film about a doctor quits his job to become a documentarian and embarks on an investigative journey across India to find out if there is indeed a link between the nation's massive dairy consumption and its beef exports.

Ek Aur Dronacharya, penned by Shankar Shesh, is a thought-provoking and hard-hitting play that remains profoundly relevant even today. It portrays the moral conflict of a teacher who becomes the modern inheritor of Dronacharya's legacy, caught between personal integrity and societal pressures. The play functions both as a reinterpretation of a historical myth and as a powerful critique of contemporary society, illustrating how power, corruption, and institutional compromise can erode even the noblest ideals. By drawing parallels between the ancient epic and the present, Shankar Shesh transcends mere retelling, using mythology to expose enduring human dilemmas and to question the ethical foundations of modern education, justice, and social systems.

This program is a talk and conversation with Dr Sylvia Karpagam on her new book, The Meat of the Matter: How the Politics of Food Shapes Our Health (HarperCollins India). Dr Karpagam is a public health doctor and researcher with over two decades of experience in food and nutrition policy.

In conversation, she will unpack the myths surrounding "healthy," "ethical," and "pure" food in India and ask whether eggs really raise cholesterol, whether India is truly a vegetarian country, and why access to nutrient-dense food is restricted not just by scarcity but by politics, ideology, caste, and religion-based prejudice.

The session will run for approximately 2 hours, including a moderated discussion followed by an audience Q&A. It promises to challenge what we think we know about food and leave attendees with evidence-based perspectives on one of the most contested subjects in Indian public life.

The Pearl Experience is an interactive workshop that takes participants into the fascinating world of Hyderabad’s pearls. Discover the story and craft behind pearls, learn from skilled artisans, explore different pearl types, and create your own pearl bracelet to take home — a hands-on experience celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and Hyderabad’s pearl heritage.

Hyderabad Bookworms' Movie of the Month meetup. Meet your fellow bookworms, as we enjoy a movie adapted from a book or a play, share thoughts, compare with source material, and discuss its cultural relevance. This event is organised once a month, movie is chosen based on poll on our discord server. (dm for the link to the server!) movies can be in any language, as long as supplied with subtitles, preferably under two hours, so that there is enough time for some sweet discussion! instagram: @hyderabadbookworms

STRANGERS AFTER DARK
Strangers, stories, what-ifs & conversations worth having.

Strangers After Dark is a Halloween evening for young adults exploring the strange, funny, uncomfortable and deeply human things we think about but don't always say out loud.

The evening combines interactive games, storytelling, anonymous prompts, psychology trivia and facilitated conversations. Participants can contribute to a "What-If Wall", respond to another stranger's question, test their psychology knowledge through "Therapy Trivia", and write their own "Horror Story" about the scariest part of adulthood.

A creative "Anger Station" offers a space to anonymously write something they are angry about and physically tear or crush the note.

The central social experience brings strangers together through progressively deeper conversation prompts, followed by a facilitated conversation with "Zara, a practising psychologist", exploring themes that emerge during the evening — including loneliness, vulnerability, overthinking, emotional expression and making friends as adults.

Costumes are welcome, but not required.

Film Screening & Discussion on non-binary identities, bringing together Indian and regional perspectives and languages. The event is titled “Beyond the Binary - Film Screening & Panel Discussion”

Hyderabad Book Launch of "De- Democratisaton, A Global Story: Script, Actors and Enablers" by the author Kavita Krishnan published by Context (an imprint of Westland Books) along with discussion with Dr. Rammanohar Reddy(TBC)

Donga Dora is a sharp, satirical Telugu adaptation of The Inspector General by Nicolai Gogol.

Set in a corrupt small town, the play unfolds when local officials, terrified by news of an undercover inspector’s arrival, mistake a petty conman for the feared authority figure. What follows is a hilarious chain of bribery, deception, and moral collapse, as fear exposes hypocrisy and greed. Enriched with local folklore and vibrant folk arts like Burrakatha, Donga Dora blends sharp satire with indigenous storytelling, making the narrative more engaging, entertaining, and rooted in Telugu cultural sensibilities—inviting laughter while holding up an uncomfortable mirror to society.

Hyderabad Book Club is a community of readers who come together to talk about books, exchange recommendations, and discover new writers, ideas and perspectives. Every month, we pick a theme and meet to share what we’ve been reading. Our discussions are informal, open and welcoming, and you don’t need to be an expert or a voracious reader to join us. Please join our WhatsApp group for future meetup details. We usually limit the meetups for 12-15 people to facilitate discussions among our readers.

Donga Dora is a sharp, satirical Telugu adaptation of The Inspector General by Nicolai Gogol. Set in a corrupt small town, the play unfolds when local officials, terrified by news of an undercover inspector’s arrival, mistake a petty conman for the feared authority figure. What follows is a hilarious chain of bribery, deception, and moral collapse, as fear exposes hypocrisy and greed. Enriched with local folklore and vibrant folk arts like Burrakatha, Donga Dora blends sharp satire with indigenous storytelling, making the narrative more engaging, entertaining, and rooted in Telugu cultural sensibilities—inviting laughter while holding up an uncomfortable mirror to society.

This Documentary is about a painter who caught my eye at an event. I have travelled with him for few months and made a documentary with the help of his acquaintances.

Sahityam tho Sayantralu

A Discussion on Gurram Jashuva’s Literary Journey & Gabbilam

Telugu Collective presents the next edition of Sahityam tho Sayantralu, a three-hour literary discussion exploring the life, literary journey, and enduring relevance of Gurram Jashuva—one of Telugu literature’s most powerful and distinctive voices.

At the heart of the discussion is Gabbilam, Jashuva’s landmark work that uses the voice of a marginalised individual to question caste, social inequality, exclusion, and the structures of privilege. Through a close engagement with the text, we will explore its literary form, language, historical context, and the questions it continues to raise today.

The session is an opportunity to read Gabbilam beyond its familiar interpretations and understand Jashuva’s place in the broader history of Telugu literature.

📅 Date: 31 October
⏰ Time: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
🎟️ Entry: Free
🏛️ Hosted by: Telugu Collective

Title: Sherlock Holmes Chichcha
A complete family entertainer (hyderabadi hindi comedy play)

This is the story of a man from a village called Pareshanpur who acts as he knows everything about every mystery in the world. Everyone calls him *Sherlock Holmes Chichcha*—though his detective skills are often more dramatic than accurate.

His partner is Constable Paandu, a local policeman who supports Chichcha mainly because he hopes there will be some money, snacks, or a reward involved.

In the same village lives Chichcha’s biggest fan, a curious and overconfident girl known to everyone as *Google Jasoos*. She believes she can solve any crime by searching random clues, asking unnecessary questions, and giving advice that nobody asked for. Sometimes her ideas are brilliant—but most of the time, they make the investigation even more confusing.


The big question is: what kind of case will Pandu give Sherlock Holmes Chichcha, and how will Chichcha solve it? Will Google Jasoos become the unexpected hero of the investigation, or will her endless “Google knowledge” ruin the case completely?

What follows is a hilarious comedy village mystery full of misunderstandings, dramatic detective speeches, fake clues, and a final twist that no one in Pareshanpur sees coming.

Performing Classical Dance (Bharatnatyam)

Starting from the young people who came together at Jantar Mantar during the CJP protests, this conversation asks what brought them there, what they made possible together, and what we can learn by understanding these protests as part of an emerging Gen Z politics.

Is NEP the only reason for the protest, and if not, then what were the other causes that led to the protest? A critical discussion around Eram Agha’s Caravan article “Teaching a Lesson: How the NEP’s killing of the public university brought Gen Z out on the streets”. Alongside questioning education policy, students’ futures, social change.

MY LIFE’S JOURNEY THROUGH THE FIELD OF LITERATURE


Mangari Rajender (Zimbo) has made significant contributions to Telugu literature as a poet and short-story writer. His writing seamlessly bridges emotional resonance and keen social observation, producing sensitive reflection alongside thought-provoking commentary. Apart from his literary pursuits, he remains active in the legal field.

ZIMBO
Mangari Rajender
( Former District Judge.
Twice served as the director to
The Judicial Academy )
An Eminent Writer , poet.

MY LIFE’S JOURNEY THROUGH THE FIELD OF LITERATURE

Moderator :
Dyavanapally Satyanarayana
( Historian, Socialist )


Venue : LAMAKAAN
On 8th October ‘26.
Time : 2 pm to 4. 30 pm
High Tea 4. 30 to 5 pm.

Book Launch of Telugu Novel 'NAA JATHAGAA NUVVUNDAALI' by Swapnapriya Ganji - Published by Anvikshiki

Read A Kitaab is an unbiased community of Readers, Booklovers, writers and artists. We strive to provide the community an ecosystem with an online library, book discussions, author meet, book of the month, monthly meets, newsletters & much more...

We love kids for who we have a kids book club. Read A Kitaab is a calm & comfort space to be yourself, to discuss books and life with no bars on age/gender/ethnicity/political views etc.

Maa Ka Doodh - Uncovering A Nation's Dairy Disaster is a film about a doctor quits his job to become a documentarian and embarks on an investigative journey across India to find out if there is indeed a link between the nation's massive dairy consumption and its beef exports.

Ek Aur Dronacharya, penned by Shankar Shesh, is a thought-provoking and hard-hitting play that remains profoundly relevant even today. It portrays the moral conflict of a teacher who becomes the modern inheritor of Dronacharya's legacy, caught between personal integrity and societal pressures. The play functions both as a reinterpretation of a historical myth and as a powerful critique of contemporary society, illustrating how power, corruption, and institutional compromise can erode even the noblest ideals. By drawing parallels between the ancient epic and the present, Shankar Shesh transcends mere retelling, using mythology to expose enduring human dilemmas and to question the ethical foundations of modern education, justice, and social systems.

This program is a talk and conversation with Dr Sylvia Karpagam on her new book, The Meat of the Matter: How the Politics of Food Shapes Our Health (HarperCollins India). Dr Karpagam is a public health doctor and researcher with over two decades of experience in food and nutrition policy.

In conversation, she will unpack the myths surrounding "healthy," "ethical," and "pure" food in India and ask whether eggs really raise cholesterol, whether India is truly a vegetarian country, and why access to nutrient-dense food is restricted not just by scarcity but by politics, ideology, caste, and religion-based prejudice.

The session will run for approximately 2 hours, including a moderated discussion followed by an audience Q&A. It promises to challenge what we think we know about food and leave attendees with evidence-based perspectives on one of the most contested subjects in Indian public life.

The Pearl Experience is an interactive workshop that takes participants into the fascinating world of Hyderabad’s pearls. Discover the story and craft behind pearls, learn from skilled artisans, explore different pearl types, and create your own pearl bracelet to take home — a hands-on experience celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and Hyderabad’s pearl heritage.

Hyderabad Bookworms' Movie of the Month meetup. Meet your fellow bookworms, as we enjoy a movie adapted from a book or a play, share thoughts, compare with source material, and discuss its cultural relevance. This event is organised once a month, movie is chosen based on poll on our discord server. (dm for the link to the server!) movies can be in any language, as long as supplied with subtitles, preferably under two hours, so that there is enough time for some sweet discussion! instagram: @hyderabadbookworms

STRANGERS AFTER DARK
Strangers, stories, what-ifs & conversations worth having.

Strangers After Dark is a Halloween evening for young adults exploring the strange, funny, uncomfortable and deeply human things we think about but don't always say out loud.

The evening combines interactive games, storytelling, anonymous prompts, psychology trivia and facilitated conversations. Participants can contribute to a "What-If Wall", respond to another stranger's question, test their psychology knowledge through "Therapy Trivia", and write their own "Horror Story" about the scariest part of adulthood.

A creative "Anger Station" offers a space to anonymously write something they are angry about and physically tear or crush the note.

The central social experience brings strangers together through progressively deeper conversation prompts, followed by a facilitated conversation with "Zara, a practising psychologist", exploring themes that emerge during the evening — including loneliness, vulnerability, overthinking, emotional expression and making friends as adults.

Costumes are welcome, but not required.

Film Screening & Discussion on non-binary identities, bringing together Indian and regional perspectives and languages. The event is titled “Beyond the Binary - Film Screening & Panel Discussion”

Hyderabad Book Launch of "De- Democratisaton, A Global Story: Script, Actors and Enablers" by the author Kavita Krishnan published by Context (an imprint of Westland Books) along with discussion with Dr. Rammanohar Reddy(TBC)

Donga Dora is a sharp, satirical Telugu adaptation of The Inspector General by Nicolai Gogol.

Set in a corrupt small town, the play unfolds when local officials, terrified by news of an undercover inspector’s arrival, mistake a petty conman for the feared authority figure. What follows is a hilarious chain of bribery, deception, and moral collapse, as fear exposes hypocrisy and greed. Enriched with local folklore and vibrant folk arts like Burrakatha, Donga Dora blends sharp satire with indigenous storytelling, making the narrative more engaging, entertaining, and rooted in Telugu cultural sensibilities—inviting laughter while holding up an uncomfortable mirror to society.

Hyderabad Book Club is a community of readers who come together to talk about books, exchange recommendations, and discover new writers, ideas and perspectives. Every month, we pick a theme and meet to share what we’ve been reading. Our discussions are informal, open and welcoming, and you don’t need to be an expert or a voracious reader to join us. Please join our WhatsApp group for future meetup details. We usually limit the meetups for 12-15 people to facilitate discussions among our readers.

Donga Dora is a sharp, satirical Telugu adaptation of The Inspector General by Nicolai Gogol. Set in a corrupt small town, the play unfolds when local officials, terrified by news of an undercover inspector’s arrival, mistake a petty conman for the feared authority figure. What follows is a hilarious chain of bribery, deception, and moral collapse, as fear exposes hypocrisy and greed. Enriched with local folklore and vibrant folk arts like Burrakatha, Donga Dora blends sharp satire with indigenous storytelling, making the narrative more engaging, entertaining, and rooted in Telugu cultural sensibilities—inviting laughter while holding up an uncomfortable mirror to society.

This Documentary is about a painter who caught my eye at an event. I have travelled with him for few months and made a documentary with the help of his acquaintances.

Sahityam tho Sayantralu

A Discussion on Gurram Jashuva’s Literary Journey & Gabbilam

Telugu Collective presents the next edition of Sahityam tho Sayantralu, a three-hour literary discussion exploring the life, literary journey, and enduring relevance of Gurram Jashuva—one of Telugu literature’s most powerful and distinctive voices.

At the heart of the discussion is Gabbilam, Jashuva’s landmark work that uses the voice of a marginalised individual to question caste, social inequality, exclusion, and the structures of privilege. Through a close engagement with the text, we will explore its literary form, language, historical context, and the questions it continues to raise today.

The session is an opportunity to read Gabbilam beyond its familiar interpretations and understand Jashuva’s place in the broader history of Telugu literature.

📅 Date: 31 October
⏰ Time: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
🎟️ Entry: Free
🏛️ Hosted by: Telugu Collective

Title: Sherlock Holmes Chichcha
A complete family entertainer (hyderabadi hindi comedy play)

This is the story of a man from a village called Pareshanpur who acts as he knows everything about every mystery in the world. Everyone calls him *Sherlock Holmes Chichcha*—though his detective skills are often more dramatic than accurate.

His partner is Constable Paandu, a local policeman who supports Chichcha mainly because he hopes there will be some money, snacks, or a reward involved.

In the same village lives Chichcha’s biggest fan, a curious and overconfident girl known to everyone as *Google Jasoos*. She believes she can solve any crime by searching random clues, asking unnecessary questions, and giving advice that nobody asked for. Sometimes her ideas are brilliant—but most of the time, they make the investigation even more confusing.


The big question is: what kind of case will Pandu give Sherlock Holmes Chichcha, and how will Chichcha solve it? Will Google Jasoos become the unexpected hero of the investigation, or will her endless “Google knowledge” ruin the case completely?

What follows is a hilarious comedy village mystery full of misunderstandings, dramatic detective speeches, fake clues, and a final twist that no one in Pareshanpur sees coming.