How zubaan publishing house is bringing feminist literature?

128B, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi, Nestled in the cramped lanes of a village, The Zubaan  Publication House is a visualization of a choti haveli or small mansion with red walls, warm ambiance, wooden bookshelves, piles of brimming books and stories from the ever-welcoming staff, waiting to be unleashed.
It was founded by Ms Urvashi Butalia in 2004, following the split of its parent publishing house- Kali for Women. Kali was India’s first feminist publishing house, contradicting the initial scepticism around its launch, it went on to become a leading feminist publishing house. Kali was formed by Ritu Menon and Urvashi Butalia, a duo that dared to disrupt the norms set. This fierce feminist duo not only impressed the readers with their powerful writings like: ‘The Other Side of Silence(1998), Butalia and Making a Difference(1995), and Menon and Butalia, but also provided an encouraging platform for women belonging to all types of race, shape, and experiences, to publish their works.

KALI FOR WOMEN LOGO

A PUBLICATION HOUSE: MORE THAN WORDS

Zubaan Publication House continues to carry the torch of enlightenment lit by Kali for Women. Initially located in Hauz Khas, now is shifted in narrow lanes of Shahpur Jat.  Zubaan Publication House is a platform for women to publish their work from fiction, to academia, private, personal experiences, for other women and the world to read. Zubaan was initially a non-profit organisation but as sun sets in the west, it is known very well how much academia and scholarly work pays the pocket, to raise funds for smooth functioning of the publication house, Zubaan then started a private wing: Zubaan Publishers Private Limited, in December 26th, 2013, a pleasant post-Christmas gift for the company as now it is one of the leading independent publication house in India. 

LOGO OF ZUBAAN PUBLICATIONS

It is a platform for women across genre, class, lifestyles- from academia, to fiction, this powerhouse, makes space for everyone to share their stories. At their small shop, Zubaan ensures a perfect blend of affordability with excellence. One can easily spend hours at their store, where peaceful hum of a stand-fan and scent of old-paper mingles with the aroma of endless possibilities, an abode created by powerful women, about their experiences, for the world to read and live. 

CROWN JEWELS OF ZUBAAN PUBLICATION

A)Spotted Goddesses: Dalit Women’s Agency-Narratives on Caste and Gender Violence ( Roja Singh):

The plot of Spotted Goddesses covers caste, gender and leaders amongst the suppressed women. Beautiful usage of songs, oral and written history around women are used in the book for the purpose of representation. Different modes of resistance and tells a tale of lived and vicarious traditions of women in Tamil Nadu. 

Ms Roja beautifully compiles this inter-sectional minority experience through this expression of experiences.
Genre: non- fiction, discrimination, caste 

B)The Inheritance of Words: Writings from Arunachal Pradesh( Mamgan Dai):

A former journalist, a poet and novelist, a recipient of Padma Shri and Sahitya Akademi Award, Ms Mamgan brings together stories from women across the state and compiles them together is this book. This compilation gives oral history, culture, habits and behavioural traits of women in the tribal state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Genre: non- fiction, memoir, gender 

C) Why Would I Be Married Here: Marriage, Migration and Dispossession in Neoliberal India( Reena Kukreja):

Ms Reena combines capitalism, lack of brides and changing social values in the Northern India. This modern crisis and rapidly changing social dynamic is the topic of concern in this Zubaan Publication Paper.
Genre: Academia, Marriage, Social Dynamic 

D) Sisters at New Dawn ( Varsha Sheshan):

A children’s book following the adventures of a sister duo, Kannagi and Padma, at their school which is highly unconventional and confusing. These girls find themselves unrelatable at house and decide to solve their problems together. A great book on young adventure, teamwork, confidence, and loads of room for curiosity and imagination
Genre: Adventure, Fiction, Mystery 

E) Lady Driver: Stories of Women Behind the Wheel(Jayawati Shrivasatva):
This book traces the story of 12 women drivers, who were trained under Azad Foundation in 2008. These stories are one of hardships, struggles, rejections and a unanimous fight from women against it.
Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction

A PUBLISHING HOUSE, A POWERFUL MOMENT:

Zubaan is a small packet that holds a mighty punch. It is more than just a publishing house, it is a moment, a community. This small space holds immense power of dreams and amplifies resilience of women. Every story finds a place within these place, one must come, explore and engage with this revolutionary cause.

REFERENCES:

https://zubaanbooks.com/

https://champaca.in/collections/publisher-zubaan

Zwarteveen, M., Ahmed, S. and Gautam, S.R. eds., 2014. Diverting the flow: Gender equity and water in South Asia. Zubaan

Tsikata, D. and Golah, P., 2011. Land Tenure, Gender and Globalisation.