HarperCollins India signs up Girish Kuber for two books

The first, The Tatas: How a Family Built a Business and a Nation, a translation by Vikrant Pande of Girish Kuber’s bestselling biography of the Tata family in Marathi, will be published in November this year. The second book, tentatively titled Marathi Manoos: Identity Politics and the Fight for Maharashtra, will be published in the second half of 2019.

Speaking about The Tatas, Girish Kuber said, ‘The story of the Tatas is not only about software and steel. The values the Tatas stood for, right from Nusserwanji to Ratan Tata, resulted in contributions not only towards wealth creation but more so towards nation building. It is an inspiring tale. One can say without exaggeration that the Tatas stand for all that is good in India.’

About Marathi Manoos, he said, ‘Like the story of the Tatas, the story of Maharashtra too is that of India in the making. But it’s one that has not received its due. Be it Mahatma Gandhi’s Guru or his killer, the Father of Indian cinema or the God of Cricket, India’s first lady doctor or the champion of women’s liberation movement, or be it a scientist who was described as “India’s Edison” – it all, and much more, happened on Maharashtra’s soil. The book is my attempt to tell the complete Maharashtra story for the first time – how the state has led the country intellectually and set the India narrative for centuries.’

Siddhesh Inamdar, Commissioning Editor at HarperCollins India, said, ‘It is a matter of great pride for HarperCollins to be publishing two books by Girish Kuber. He is also the bestselling author of seven books in Marathi, and we are delighted to publish him in English for the first time. The Tatas will be published at a time when the industrial house is completing 150 years. Marathi Manoos will be a first-of-its-kind historical, political and sociological analysis of one of India’s most important states that we will publish in the run-up to the state election in Maharashtra next year.’

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Girish Kuber is the editor of Loksatta and a regular contributor in the Indian Express. He is also the author of seven bestselling books in Marathi. He lives in Mumbai.

PRAISE FOR THE TATAS:

‘Shows the humane side and the large-heartedness of the Tatas. Many will find this book motivating.’ – Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra

‘Girish Kuber’s book on the Tatas has made publishing history in Marathi. This English edition will take the story to the whole world.’ – Prithviraj Chavan, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and former Union minister

‘Not only chronicles the industrial expansion of the Tata group but also narrates the story of India’s social, industrial and economic transformation. An absolute must-read for every Indian.’ – Sharad Pawar, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, former Union minister, and President, Nationalist Congress Party

‘This is one of the few books that offer the complete and up-to-date Tata story. Girish Kuber’s easy-flowing writing style makes it extremely interesting.’ – Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation

‘Capturing the history and contribution of each leader of the Tata group from Nusserwanji to Ratan Tata is a tough task. Girish Kuber has done this job remarkably well with his fluency in writing, warmth in language, and passion and love for the house of Tatas.’ – Y.M. Deosthali, former Chairman, L&T Finance Holding

‘Reveals the enigma behind the Tata group … an inspiration to all the entrepreneurs of our country.’ – Raj Thackeray, President, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena

 For more information, please contact Aman Arora at

aman.arora@harpercollins.co.in