Civil Lines (magazine)
Encyclopedia
Civil Lines is an India
n literary magazine, which was launched in 1994 by publisher Ravi Dayal, from New Delhi
. Civil Lines quickly became the bastion of new Indian writing in the English language. Initially inspired by British magazine Granta
, its focus on high quality unpublished fiction, personal history, reportage and inquiring journalism instantly appealed to the growing populations of intellectual literate Indians living in urban areas.
Significantly the magazine sought to challenge the traditional literary model by refusing to publish to a set schedule. Instead it prioritized quality, with issues appearing only when the editors felt that they had intelligent, well-written and inspirational enough material to publish. The result has been five issues to date, all defined by their eclecticism, intelligence and originality.This publication was largely edited by practicing writers (Rukun Advani, Ivan Hutnik, Mukul Kesavan
and later Kai Friese) rather than academics and thus had no defined literary manifesto determining the content .Civil Lines is ultimately a testimony to power of the story to describe, illuminate and make real.
Ravi Dayal, one of most respected publishers, had worked with Oxford University Press
as an editor since 1971, before remaining as its Chief Executive Officer in Delhi for several years. After his retirement in 1987, he opened his own publishing company, Ravi Dayal Publishers, and finally started the 'Civil Lines' in 1994, he died on June 4, 2006 at the age of 69 "Written For Ever: The Best of Civil Lines", edited by Rukun Advani and dedicated to Ravi Dayal as well as Dharma Kumar
, was published by Penguin Viking, New Delhi, in late 2009.
"Written For Ever: The Best of Civil Lines", edited by Rukun Advani, published by Penguin Viking, New Delhi, 2009.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n literary magazine, which was launched in 1994 by publisher Ravi Dayal, from New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
. Civil Lines quickly became the bastion of new Indian writing in the English language. Initially inspired by British magazine Granta
Granta
Granta is a literary magazine and publisher in the United Kingdom whose mission centers on its "belief in the power and urgency of the story, both in fiction and non-fiction, and the story’s supreme ability to describe, illuminate and make real." In 2007, The Observer stated, "In its blend of...
, its focus on high quality unpublished fiction, personal history, reportage and inquiring journalism instantly appealed to the growing populations of intellectual literate Indians living in urban areas.
Significantly the magazine sought to challenge the traditional literary model by refusing to publish to a set schedule. Instead it prioritized quality, with issues appearing only when the editors felt that they had intelligent, well-written and inspirational enough material to publish. The result has been five issues to date, all defined by their eclecticism, intelligence and originality.This publication was largely edited by practicing writers (Rukun Advani, Ivan Hutnik, Mukul Kesavan
Mukul Kesavan
Mukul Kesavan is an Indian writer and essayist. He studied History at the University of Delhi and later at Trinity College, Cambridge where he received his MLitt. His first book - Looking Through Glass received critical acclaim. He teaches social history at Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi. He's keen...
and later Kai Friese) rather than academics and thus had no defined literary manifesto determining the content .Civil Lines is ultimately a testimony to power of the story to describe, illuminate and make real.
Ravi Dayal, one of most respected publishers, had worked with Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
as an editor since 1971, before remaining as its Chief Executive Officer in Delhi for several years. After his retirement in 1987, he opened his own publishing company, Ravi Dayal Publishers, and finally started the 'Civil Lines' in 1994, he died on June 4, 2006 at the age of 69 "Written For Ever: The Best of Civil Lines", edited by Rukun Advani and dedicated to Ravi Dayal as well as Dharma Kumar
Dharma Kumar
Dharma Kumar was an Indian economic historian, noted for her work on the fiscal history of India. Her Ph.D at Cambridge on the fiscal history of South India was awarded the Ellen MacArthur Prize, and was published as Land and Caste in South India .She is noted for the position that many of the...
, was published by Penguin Viking, New Delhi, in late 2009.
Further reading
- Civil lines: new writing from India, by Rukun Advani. Published by Orient Blackswan, 1995. ISBN 8175300000. Excerpts
- Civil lines: new writing from India, by Rukun Advani, Mukul Kesavan, Ivan Hutnik. Published by Orient Blackswan, 2001. ISBN 8178240122. Excerpts
"Written For Ever: The Best of Civil Lines", edited by Rukun Advani, published by Penguin Viking, New Delhi, 2009.
External links
- A Review of Civil Lines:4 India TodayIndia TodayIndia Today is an Indian weekly news magazine published by Living Media India Limited, in publication since 1975 based in Mumbai. India Today is also the name of its sister-publication in Hindi...
.