Design

The author clearly sees beauty where others may not for she has captured the humble loveliness of the Indian mud huts as well the more grand offerings of the raj palaces. She takes you on a delightful journey from coast to coast and gives you along the way an insight into the surroundings of the houses as well as their interiors

Starting in the north of India, this compact guide to the best of Indian style takes the reader on a tour down through to the south of the country, exploring a wide range of Indian architecture and interior design.

Whether you are facinated by the culture and design of india, or whether you are seeking ideas for translating the Indian influences into a conteporary interior, then this book provided a rich visual reference of styles from traditional to contempory, presented with integrity and panache.

Through a return to traditional methods, many Indian designers and architects are rediscovering the qualities that make the "look" of India: the materials; the techniques; and the colour. This text shows the modern design and architecture going on in the sub-continent and examines the background to the work in India's history and cultural environment. A team of photographers has travelled all over India to capture and present the look, both ancient and modern, of design and architecture, including the masterpieces of the Moghuls and the decoration of the past with the best houses and interiors. India has constantly provided inspiration for designers in the West, through the textiles, the ceramics and the intensity of colour.

The sights, smells and sounds of India draw legions of travellers every year in awe of the changing terrain and countryside, but to truly experience the range and diversity of this huge country one needs to gaze into the many, spectacular residences, as rich and eclectic as the landscape that surrounds them. Indian Interiors provides a longing glimpse into these exotic abodes. India's visual culture is ruled by bright colours, religious decoration and the unrelenting heat of the sun, and designers have responded to this challenge in many ways over the centuries. With this book as guide, you can wander into the restored splendour of ancient Maharajas' palaces, enjoy living in houseboats on the lotus-covered lakes of Kashmir, or cool off in imposing colonial buildings built for British rulers wilting in the tropical heat. This is truly a world of contrasts, as we move from simple but beautifully hand-painted tribal huts to the L.A. influenced home of a Hollywood star, from a Buddhist house in Ladakh to the most original house designed in India by Le Corbusier. All the interiors here are lavishly photographed and documented

Travel

The proclaimed aim of "Culture Shock India" is to help a foreign resident in India adapt to the country's culture and behaviour. The author is an expatriate Indian, which is probably the only politically-acceptable way nowadays to get a well-informed outside view on a society's mores. The book itself covers history, geography and religion before getting down to what the new resident really wants to know : how do Indians behave and how should I relate to them ? If it has a defect, it is that thr sections on cultural adaptation are too little too late. The end result is that "Culture Shock India" reads too much like the opening chapters of a Lonely Planet Guide and not enough like the antidote to culture shock that it purports to be. Still, there's no other publication with the aims of the "Culture Shock" series, so the expat-to-be won't find better than this.

Crammed with practical information on this huge, diverse & ever popular destination, including 221 maps! - accommodation options - palatial to ultra-cheap - 16 full-colour pages of highlights, plus themed itineraries and special sections on Indian cuisine, arts & crafts - guide to India's fabulous festivals - There are 330 million Hindu gods & goddesses. - India has the biggest film industry on the planet. - India is the only country in the world that is home to both lions and tigers.

Cookery

This title showcases the best of food in India today, with recipes photographed in the kitchen. Explore real Indian food, from spices to sweets, while basic recipes and a glossary of food terms complete your Indian kitchen.

A revised and updated edition of Madhur Jaffrey's classic Indian cookery book. As well as recipes, she includes comprehensive background information on spices and seasonings, equipment, authentic preparation techniques and suggested menus.