Reading and viewing list

In reflecting after their trip, past field-schoolers expressed regret that they had not taken enough time in advance of the trip to learn more about India. We will be exposed in 2024 to its history and its current social/cultural context. But a country as old as India that is a modern, wealthy democracy on one hand, and a place of poverty and superstition on the other, would take years of study to begin to understand it. With a population over a billion people, and about 25 languages, a dozen different religions, and with a geography that includes mountains, deserts, jungles and several of the world’s largest cities, India is more a collection of distinct regions and cultures than a single country.

We encourage you to take some time in the months ahead to learn something of the place you will be visiting. One of the best ways to start the process is to watch the TV series The Story of India (http://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/). It provides a comprehensive sense of the history, culture and customs of the country. We asked MRU’s librarians to put together a list of other resources about India you can access at the school, the public library, and bookstores.

A message from MRU Library
The Library has a number of resources that can help you prepare for your adventure in India. Below is a short list of novels, biographies, and videos that can help you learn more about Indian history, culture, and society. Many of our electronic resources, including eBooks and streaming videos, can be accessed remotely from our website (http://www.mtroyal.ca/Library). All you need is your MRU username and password to access these resources wherever your travels take you. Best wishes for an inspiring and enlightening journey!

Novels
Rohinton Mistry, A Fine Balance Call number: PS 8576. I77 F5 1995
Vikas Swarup, Q & A (source for the film, Slumdog Millionaire) Library Paperback Collection
Arundhati Roy, The God of Small Things Call Number: PR 9499.3 R59 G63 1997
Aravind Adiga, White Tiger Call Number: PR 9619.4 A35 W47 2008
Kiran Desai, The Inheritance of Loss Call Number: PS 3554. E82 I54 2006
Librarian Margy MacMillan also recommends anything by Gita Mehta.
Sally Haney and Yasmin Dean also recommend Shauna Singh Baldwin’s novels.

Biographies

• Joseph Lelyveld, Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle with India [on order for MRU Library – check in the Fall for the call number]
• Mahatma Gandhi, Louis Fischer, and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, The Essential Gandhi: An Anthology of His Writings on His Life, Work, and Ideas – Call Number: DS 481. G3 A28 1983
• Paramahansa Yogananda, Autobiography of a Yogi Call Number: BP 605. S43 Y6 1998 (autobiography)
  

Journalism
Katharine Boo, Behind the Beautiful Forevers Call Number: HV 4140. M86 B66 2014

Films

• Mahatma Gandhi: The Great Soul Lives DVD: DS 481. G3 M26 2004 DVD Streaming Video
• India Rising: The New Empire Streaming Video
• The Story of India Series – DS 436. S76 2008 DVD (2 DVDs) Streaming Videos (6 videos)
  

Movies, Books & Websites
To help familiarize yourself with India (cultural, spiritual and social awareness)

Available on Netflix

• Born into Brothels (2005)
• Girl Rising (2013)
• It’s a Girl (2012)
  

Other Movies

• Water (2005)
• Mother India (Life Through the Eyes of the Orphans) (2013) http://motherindiafilm.com
• Lion (2016)
  

MRU India Field School Project Videos

• projects
• books
• documentaries
• vlogs
  

Websites

• Sri Ram Ashram: http://sriramfoundation.org
• Baba Hari Dass: http://www.babaharidass.org
• Lovely Professional University: http://www.lpu.in
• Exotic Tours: http://www.exotic-tour.com/index.html – This is the travel agency that arranges our group travel while in India. This would be a good resource for booking independent travel before or after the Field School if you plan to do more touring in India.