Why Top Lawyer Menaka Guruswamy Is Hooked To Graphic Novels

An undelivered lecture by Dr. Ambedkar, later published as a short monograph. A book that captures the many moods of Mumbai. A love story set in Harlem. A book on the building blocks of constitutions. These are the themes that stayed with Menaka Guruswamy.

The senior advocate of the Supreme Court of India, known for winning a historic verdict on decriminalising homosexuality in India, spoke to BloombergQuint about her love for graphic novels, and the Constitution of India. “I'd like to write a graphic novel on the Constitution of India.”

Here's a look at her reading list...

Constitution Of India

“I recommend everyone read it. Any freedom we have is located in it. I'm inspired by it. Any freedoms that are taken away have to subjected to constitutional tests,” Guruswamy said. “The Constitution is a ‘thoughtful' project.”

Discovery of India, By Jawaharlal Nehru

This book provides a real exhaustive look at India. Nehru wrote it while he was in prison. Towards the end, he talks of “substantive equality”, and he only stops writing because he ran out of pen and paper in prison, Guruswamy said. “I find this book deeply influential.”

Annihilation Of Caste, By BR Ambedkar

This is an undelivered lecture by Dr. Ambedkar, later published as a short monograph. A searing indictment of caste, according to Guruswamy.

The Rights Revolution: Lawyers, Activists, And Supreme Courts In Comparative Perspective, By Charles R Epp

An important book that reflects on how change is actually arrived at by studying the courts, civil society of U.S., Britain, Canada and India, Guruswamy said.

The Princely Imposter, By Partha Chatterjee

A brilliant book that talks of the return (or not) of a “prince”. Chatterjee tells the story of an entire culture (legal and social) through one case, Guruswamy said.

The Code Of Capital: How The Law Creates Wealth And Inequality, By Katharina Pistor

This book talks of how the law privileges a few and dis-empowers the majority, according to Guruswamy.

Democracy And Authoritarianism In South Asia, By Ayesha Jalal

A look at Jalal's masterful book on democracy authoritarianism in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Pakistan, By Keith Callard

This looks at the political history of Pakistan. Nuggets on Constitution-making in Pakistan, including how the Muslim League approached it, Guruswamy said. “Rare to access such material.”

Principles Of Constitutional Design, By Donald S Lutz

The building blocks of constitutions and constitutionalism.

Graphic Novels

“I love graphic novels” — they are the interface between words and the picturisation- the whole juxtaposition between the act and the written word, Guruswamy said. “Here are a few that I especially remember.”

• Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel
• Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi
• Kari by Amruta Patil

“I'd like to write a graphic novel on the Constitution of India”.

Novels

An Equal Music, By Vikram Seth

Beautiful book on love, music and life.

Maximum City, By Suketu Mehta

A riveting book on Bombay.

If Beale Street Could Talk, By James Baldwin

Most recently read If Beale Street Could Talk. This is a love story set in Harlem, amid race and wrong imprisonment, Guruswamy said.

“I recommend everything written by him.”

Recent Reads

Why We Sleep, By Matthew Walker

This is written by a scientist who studies sleep. It assesses how poor sleep contributes to diseases like diabetes, cancer, mental health issues. A real stunner, according to Guruswamy.

Trial By Silence, By Perumal Murugan

Just finished this book. It's about a relationship and an old traditional practice that changes everything, Guruswamy said.

Sabrina, By Nick Drnaso

This graphic novel talks of the murder of a woman named Sabrina, and ordeal her family is put through due to various conspiracy theories regarding her murder, Guruswamy said.