Vidhi’s next Book Adda will feature Pranay Lal, a renowned natural history writer, as he discusses his book ‘Indica: A Deep Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent’. Mr Lal will deliver a lecture on ‘The rise and rise of Dinosaurs’, an integral theme explored in his book Indica, followed by an interactive discussion with participants.
This hybrid event will take place at the Office Library, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, A-232, Defence Colony, New Delhi, with an option to join virtually. You can sign-up either for in-person events or via Zoom online, by mentioning your preference in the registration link below.
The discussion will be held 04:30 PM-6 PM IST on 12th February 2025 (Wednesday). High tea will be served at 04:00 PM IST.
About the book
Did you know that the stunning Ellora caves were carved from rock formed by one of the largest lava floods in history—eruptions so massive they may have wiped out the dinosaurs? Or that Bengaluru’s pleasant climate is thanks to a tectonic shift that happened 88 million years ago? The Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers not only sustain life but also store nearly 20% of the world’s carbon and have carved underwater canyons in the Bay of Bengal that dwarf the Grand Canyon. And have you heard of Rajasaurus—India’s own dinosaur, possibly even fiercer than T. rex?
These are just some of the incredible discoveries explored in Indica: A Deep Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent. Biochemist Pranay Lal takes readers on an enthralling journey through India’s four-billion-year past, uncovering fossils, lost landscapes, and the forces that shaped the land. Traveling with scientists and drawing from multiple fields, he crafts a vivid story of India’s prehistoric world—filled with giant reptiles, ancient mammals, and extraordinary plant life.
With rare images, maps, and engaging storytelling, Indica brings India’s deep past to life. A celebrated work, it won multiple awards, including the Tata Lit Fest’s Best Non-Fiction Debut in 2017, the best book award at the Delhi Book Fair 2017, and was named among the top 10 memorable books of the year by Amazon and The Hindu‘s non-fiction list of 2017.
About the author
Pranay Lal is a natural history writer, a public health expert and a climate change advocate. He is the author of two books on natural history. Indica: A Deep Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent (Penguin, 2016), his debut book won the Tata Lit Fest Award and Delhi World Book Fair Award 2017. It was listed among Mint’s 50 most significant books about India since Independence. His second book, Invisible Empire: The Natural History of Viruses (Penguin, November 2021), also received multiple awards and was named among the 20 Best Non-fiction Books of 2021 by GQ and won the Green Lit Fest Award 2023. Both books have been translated into several languages.
Register here.