Delhi: The new bestseller

All eyes are on Delhi now – not just is the mercury rising on the political scenario but in the creative arts field too. After the recent trend of movies set in the capital city (Delhi 6, Dev D, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye), the literary scene too has shifted to Delhi. According to those associated with the publishing industry, while earlier the centre of literary attention was Mumbai, now it has distinctly shifted to Delhi.

Ronjona Sengupta, author of Delhi Metropolitan and editorial head of Penguin, says that it is because of the political status of the capital – the city is an ideal cradle of debate and discussion among the literary circle that encourages works based on the city. “Delhi is now the biggest market for our reading clientele. The importance of the arts and the location of major publishing houses here have made Delhi the most receptive city for literary works.”

According to Shougata Mukherjee, senior commissioning editor and rights manager for Harper Collins, current market surveys say that Delhi has become the biggest market for publishers with Mumbai at a close second, especially for the non-fiction category. In fact the political stature of Delhi has also been a contributing factor. “Delhi is a city that is very politically charged and that definitely has influenced the publishing industry,” she says.

Interestingly, the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi next year have also added to the rise in number of books set in the city that provides an insight to those who want to explore its many nuances.
Author Sam Miller who wrote Delhi: Adventures in a Mega City feels, “It is the best time for a writer to document the changes going on in Delhi…It is the mark of India’s modernity,” says Sam.

Recent books about Delhi
Nayantara Sahgal's A Situation in New Delhi
Omair Ahmad's The Storyteller's Tale
Abha Dawesar's Family Values