Book review “India, Designed and Photographed By Roloff Beny with essay by Aubrey Menen.” First published 1969.

The book primarily comprises various photographs taken by Canadian photographer Roloff Beny during his visit to India with legendary art collector, Peggy Guggenheim. Recently, I completed Peggy Guggenheim’s autobiography – Out of this Century. Within this book, she describes her incredibly pleasurable journey to India alongside photographer Roloff Beny. Upon completing “Out of this Century,” I immediately got this book. The reason to get this book was to remain more in the company of Peggy Guggenheim. But what I received was a shock, though of a very readable kind.

Among the photographs of various places of India shot by Roloff Beny, the book includes an essay on India and Indians by author Aubrey Menen.

Menen has an irreverent take on India and Indians. I cannot compare India and Indians with any other country, for I have never lived in any country. But I’m aware of the sociological and cultural issues which India faces, for example, the Caste System, underdevelopment and poverty. What Menen writes, though caustic, it’s true and still true.

To understand Indian quirks, customs, and, above all, thoughts and attitudes, one should read the essay by Menen. For Indians, these are not big deals. But the fun lies in the author’s articulation.

At first I thought the author had a racist attitude towards all things Indian. But I was surprised to learn that the author, Aubrey Menen, is half Indian, his father from the state of Kerala in India and an Irish mother. He was born a “Menon” and later replaced the “o” with an “e.”

The author, a trained British journalist, has written the prose which flows. It’s never a dull moment as one reads his stories about India, even though, as an Indian reader, I felt his several kicks on my butt right till the end.

I quite enjoyed the attention.

The essay starts near India’s Independence, i.e., 13th Aug 1947, and immediatly lets into an event which no one may know in India. Portion of the book which mentions the event is appended.