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VOICES ON THE VERANDAH
An Anthology
of Anglo-Indian Poetry and Prose
Edited by
Margaret Deefholts and Sylvia W. Staub
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The vision behind Voices on the Verandah is to document,
publicize, and celebrate the inherent talent of the Anglo-Indian
Community in story and in verse.
The contents were compiled from an international literary
contest (open only to persons of Anglo-Indian ancestry) held
in 2002-3 and finalized in 2004. Twenty-two narratives and
twenty-nine poems were selected: twenty-four from India; nine
from Australia; eight from the USA; five from the UK; three
from Canada; and one each from New Zealand and Germany. We
also have guest contributions from Ruskin Bond, William Dalrymple
and other prominent Anglo-Indian writers.
The book is aptly titled, as the tales and poems are, indeed,
the voices of our Community and are authentic portrayals of
Anglo-Indian thought, feelings, culture, and way of life.
This is an important step towards perpetuating a body of literature
that repudiates the distorted and derogatory images of the
Community depicted in pulp fiction and movies.
R. Dean Wright, Professor of Sociology (Iowa), who earned
a doctorate for his thesis on Anglo-Indians, says, "I
have looked back over the history of the Community and note
several 'bumps' of cultural surge, times when the group took
its destiny into its own hands and demanded it become something
else. The something else was ultimately a movement to become
more permanent, more lasting, to preserve its heritage for
future generations . . . cultural heritage that uniquely identifies
that group as having a life that will last far beyond the
life of any member . . . a heritage found in the arts."
Nothing can sum up the intent of CTR Inc Publishing as aptly
as Dr. Wright’s observation. It is, indeed, time to
take "destiny into our own hands" and mould it into
a lasting "heritage for future generations". To
this end, "Anglo-Indians - Vanishing Remnants of
a Bygone Era", "Haunting India",
and now "Voices on the Verandah" are the
first three publications in a series of books about Anglo-Indians
and India to be released by CTR Inc Publishing over the next
several years.
All three books have another vitally important and synergistic
function: the proceeds of all sales (publishing costs are
borne privately) will go directly to CTR Inc, the charity
helping less fortunate Anglo-Indians in India.
The series thus serves a dual purpose: to preserve the culture
of the Community and to provide much needed resources for
its poorer members in India.
We can, and we will,
make a difference.
Blair Williams
Publisher
CTR Inc Publishing
New Jersey
USA
The following is an excerpt from a review by Jyotirmoy
Datta, News-India Times: December 3rd 2004, quoting
a passage from the piquant and deeply moving winning story,
"Butterfly" by Kathleen Cassity,
an Anglo-Indian who lives in Hawaii.
 Back
at my parents' house, I sat with my (American) mother
in front of the fireplace, silent, while a Presto-Log
burned in every colour of the rainbow. After she drifted
off, I wandered into the kitchen, rummaging through
the cupboards until I found the last jar of hot mango
pickle. I opened the jar and inhaled, lungs pierced
by the pungent aroma that contains my entire life. I
pressed my nose against the icy windowpane. The fire
inside my belly glowed and spread, threatening to thaw
the deep, deep freeze within. Outside the snow was falling,
in a world shrouded in silence.
The narrator is the eternal Ruth, standing amidst the
alien cold. The children and the grandchildren do have
strong emotional ties and these ties are sweeter, having
been transformed by imagination.
In the 'Meet the Author' section at the end
of the anthology, it is said of the writer:
Kathleen enjoys music, swimming, yoga and travel
- particularly visiting her Anglo-Indian relatives all
over the world.
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This fascinating book is a 'must-read' for anyone who has ever visited, let alonelived, in India for any length of time. To an old 'koi-hai' like myself, it has poignancy all of its own, and it brings back many memories . . . . .
Helen Craig
Author
of Under the old school Topee - (BACSA Vol 10,
Spring 2005)
UK
. . . . . let me also say that there are some absolutely wonderful
contributions here . . . amusing, touching, informing, thought
provoking. . . the kind of writing one would want to present
to the outside reader. Congratulations to everyone.
Stanley Brush
Author of Farewell the Winterline
USA
I received the three copies of "Voices" and they were fabulous! I do believe, that the book, as well as it has been done by you, and your team, will be successful on its own merit, and I, in whatever small way I can, will ensure every one I meet hears of it.
Patricia Corner
Singer, Writer, Actor
Bangalore, India
I just received a copy, it looks good, and feel proud that our community has an added work of literary art.
Jennifer Bayer, PhD
Head of Research Group on Communications
and Literacy at the Central Institute of Languages
Bangalore, India
My reaction to "Voices on the Verandah". I have dipped into it many times and
have enjoyed what I've read, but I confess I have not found
the time to read it from cover to cover. It has certainly contributed
to my pride in my origins and I trust will do the same for many
others who have shared our very special place in history.
Peter Moss
Author of Bye Bye Blackbird
and Malayan Archipelago
Hong Kong
"Voices on the Verandah" is a unique book filled with wonderful short prose. Personal stories that relate to a fine history lesson that stretch across the pages. I continued on to the poetry for a real treat.
David Cohen
USA
I would like to offer you my sincere congratulations on the wonderful job you did in getting the above book published. I can well imagine what you must have gone through. Shabash.
Ralph Moore
Australia
"Voices on the Verandah". What can I say? It was beautiful to look at and hold. That's all I could do for my parents have taken it away and will return it only on finishing!! You, Margaret and Sylvia and the entire team have done a wonderful job.
Maria Anand
India
Thank you for the wonderful book, "Voices On The Verandah'', which I received a few days ago. I could not put the book down for long, and enjoyed every article. You, Margaret and the team need to be congratulated.
Gwen Estelle Desmier
India
Voices
on the Verandah
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