Britain: Hindi Kahani

With a PhD degree in Sanskrit from Punjab University in Chandigarh, Toshi Amrita came to Britain via Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where she had taught for a decade. She records her Hindi story 'Sard Raat Ka Sannata' for the Cine Ink Podcast series 'Britain: Hindi Kahani'. Toshi Amrita's stories and poems have been published in publications such as Kshitij Ke Is Paar, Deshantar Ki Kavitayein, Watan Ki Khushbu and Desi Girls. Music by Chanakya Shukla. You can share your feedback at: post@cineink.com [post@cineink.com]

A post graduate from Birmingham University, Aruna Sabharwal began writing Hindi short stories a decade ago. Her first story 'Ve Chaar Paranthe' was published in a Hindi literary magazine, Naya Gyanodaya, and received positive reviews. Within a few years, she published three collections of short stories- Kaha Ankaha, Ve Chaar Paranthe and Udari. Aruna has been teaching for the last 25 years in various schools of England. Presently, she devotes her time to writing and painting. Music by Chanakya Shukla.

Born in Lucknow and a graduate from the Banaras Hindu University, Zakia Zuberi is an elected councillor of the Labour Party from Barnet in London. She reads her Hindi story 'Maria' from her collection of short stories, Saankal, published by Rajkamal Prakashan. Zakia Zuberi has been in the fore front, promoting Indian and Pakistani culture in Britain for more than 40 years. Music courtesy: 'Dark Procession' by Darren Curtis Music. Cine Ink Podcast series 'Britain: Hindi Kahani' showcases the literary work of Hindi/Urdu writers based in the UK.

Shail Agarwal records her Hindi story 'Basera' in her own voice. Born in Varanasi, UP, Shail Agarwal, a masters in English Literature, has been living in Britain since 1968. She has published two short story collections 'Basera' and 'Dhruv Tara', along with a collection of her poems 'Samidha'. Two of her novels have been serialised in various Hindi magazines. Music by Chanakya Shukla.

In Cine Ink Podcast series 'Britain: Hindi Kahani', Jai Verma presents her story 'Gulmohar' in her own voice. A resident of Nottingham, UK, Jai Verma was born in Meerut, UP. She has worked with the National Health Service of the UK for about 14 years. Her published work includes a collection of Hindi stories 'Saat Qadam' and a poetry collection 'Seh Yatri'. Music by Chanakya Shukla.