Report by Santanu Ganguly; New Delhi: Niyogi Books released it's latest title "Wit and Wisdom: Pickings from the Parsee Punch"� (written by Mushirul Hasan) on 16th May, 2012 at an impressive function held at the India International Centre, New Delhi.

Chief Guest, Mr. Soli Sorabjee (Former Attorney General of India) released the book and highly appreciated the efforts and inputs of the Author and the Publisher in producing this interesting title. Richly illustrated with cartoons this book highlights the relationship between the then prevailing public culture and colonialism. 

Guest of Honour Mr. Vinod Mehta (Eminent Journalist) also lauded the author and publisher for this book which, through a lighter vein, projects the contemporary anxieties and predicaments in a witty satirical fashion. The event was well attended by the art, literary and cultural stalwarts of the city along with the media. Bikash D Niyogi (Managing Director, Niyogi Books) said, "it is a pleasure and privilege to publish this title which, is, the second in the Punch series brought out by Niyogi Books."�

The Parsee Punch made its mark as the only illustrated comic weekly paper in the Bombay Presidency. It was published in July 1854 at the Apyakhtiar Press by Dadabhai Soheri from 12 Elphinstone Circle, Fort, Bombay. Parsee Punch appeared in four sheets, demy quarto, with English and Gujarati letter-press below the illustrations. Soon, a monthly selection of the cartoon, cuts and sketches appeared as the "˜Pickings.'  Like the London Punch, it contained 24 to 36 pages full of humorous illustrations.  Four years later, it changed its name to Hindi Punch to broaden its base. It continued to be published until the 1930s.

"˜This is a Parsee enterprise,' the Mahratta reported while welcoming the publication, "˜and we have hopes that the Hindoos would follow in the wake.' Parsee Punch was much more than that. If the cartoons were meant to enliven the dull monotony of our every-day lives, then the Parsee Punch did just that. If, on the other hand, they were meant to be skillfully designed and drawn, then the job was equally well done. "˜The faculty of humour,' observed the Indian Nation from Calcutta on 7 April 1854, "˜is worth cultivating and we are glad to see this opportunity afforded to countrymen of sweetening their temper, enjoying the ridiculous and training themselves to look at things occasionally in their comic aspect.'

The Parsee Punch highlighted the relationship between public culture and colonialism. The cartoons they published illustrate, in a lighter vein, contemporary anxieties and predicaments in a witty satirical fashion. Wit and Wisdom: Pickings from the Parsee Punch presents a selection from the publication.

Professor Mushirul Hasan is an internationally renowned historian, prolific author and former Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Milia Islamia University, Delhi. Professor Hasan has also authored Partners in Freedom: Jamia Milia Islamia (Niyogi Books, 2006); Mutiny Memoirs (Niyogi Books, 2009); and The Avadh Punch: Wit and Humour in Colonial North India (2007) as part of the Punch series brought out by Niyogi Books.

He has written extensively on the Partition of India, on communalism and on the histories of Islam in South Asia. Professor Hasan was the elected President of the Indian History Congress in 2002. In 2007, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India and in 2010 the Ordre des Palmes Académiques was conferred upon him by the French Government. He is presently the Director-General of the National Archives of India. His next book is Gandhi, Islam and The Nation.

NIYOGI BOOKS has been successfully publishing illustrated books on a wide variety of subjects; books which are rich and eclectic in content and treatment, coupled with a penchant for aesthetic design. The publications are moderately-priced and are easily accessible and available to all sections of readers and book lovers, bookstores, libraries and institutions.

The dedicated, experienced and professional team members of Niyogi Books are sincerely involved in every stage of the publishing process""be it the selection, sourcing, research and commissioning of subjects and authors; the evaluation, editing and designing of manuscripts or the production, promotion, marketing and distribution of the books. As a team we are engaged in fresh creative pursuits, keeping in mind our country's rich heritage along with global paradigm shifts and contemporary talking points.

Their quarterly newsletter Reading Corner""an attractive broadsheet""is a newsworthy herald and a pleasant read. Circulated widely among book lovers to bring to the forefront literary issues, our current and forthcoming publications and their authors and subjects, the newsletter also touches upon our book launches, events, awards and aspirations.

Their authors have made exclusive and unrivalled contributions over the years through extensive and careful research. A reader-friendly approach, quality images and lucid language have lent value to our publications, rendering them worthwhile and exclusive; ensuring their long shelf life.

The success of our initial venture has lent us hope and encouragement to stride forward with added confidence and expand our realm of publication. Our recent foray into fiction, translations, cookery and cuisine as well as self-help books has received a warm welcome and appreciation from all and sundry. Our titles have been short-listed for prestigious awards like the Man-Asian Literary Prize, Gourmand Award, Vodafone Crossword Book Award and have also received several awards from the Federation of Indian publishers.

Bikash D. Niyogi, the Chairman of Niyogi Books said, "Our commitment towards best quality books at an affordable price for all will remain forever.:

ISBN: 978-81-920912-6-6, Page: 164, Size: 305 x 203 mm, Book Printing Paper (White and Black)

162 illustrations, Hard back with jacket, Price: INR 795/-