Following Fish: Travels Around the Indian Coast | Winner of the 2010 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize | Fifteenth Anniversary Edition
India's coastline stretches vast and wonderfully varied, and fish occupy a surprisingly central place in its tapestry. They nourish bodies, yes, but they also anchor traditions, drive economies, fuel competition, connect to the past, and shape how communities live. Subramanian travels this sprawling edge, uncovering nine fascinating accounts through sharp reportage. He visits Hyderabad to investigate the peculiar therapeutic use of fish for respiratory ailments. He explores West Bengal's prized hilsa, examining both its preparation and the rituals surrounding its consumption. In Gujarat, he documents the vanishing craft of boat-building by hand. Kerala's toddy shops reveal themselves as vibrant social hubs with their own fierce flavour and character. Mumbai's earliest inhabitants emerge through their relationship with food and daily existence. A historic fishing settlement of Catholic heritage in Tamil Nadu comes alive through its stories. Near Goa, he pursues one of the ocean's most elusive creatures. Along the way, something troubling becomes apparent: the cosmopolitan openness and layered heritage of coastal India sits alongside a quiet erosion. Fishermen drift away from livelihoods their families have held for generations. Commercial operations expand relentlessly. Waters grow murky and shores diminish under the weight of industrial extraction. Brisk with wonder and tinged with melancholy, this account speaks equally to those dreaming by the fireside and those who've felt salt spray on their skin.
- Author: Samanth Subramanian
- Publisher: Penguin India
- Genre: Journalism & Media Studies
- ISBN: 978-0143064473
- Pages: 184 pages