Like Blood on the Bitten Tongue: Delhi Poems - Akhil Katyal (Illustrated by Vishwajyoti Ghosh)

A vivid, visceral, and deeply empathetic anthology from one of India’s most beloved contemporary poets. Experience the roaring, bittersweet heartbeat of Delhi, beautifully brought to life through poetry and striking graphic art.

In Like Blood on the Bitten Tongue, the multi-layered soul of an ancient, sprawling metropolis is laid bare. Within these pages beats a city’s true heart—at once visceral and intellectual, brash and gentle, unyielding and constantly evolving.

Celebrated writer and translator Akhil Katyal masterfully bridges linguistic worlds, seamlessly combining the rich emotional depth of Urdu and Hindi poetic traditions with modern English forms and sensibilities. His bittersweet verses map the complex geographies of Delhi: from its crowded metro coaches, historical ruins, and bustling street corners to its intimate spaces of love, longing, political dissent, and quiet resistance. In an increasingly cynical world, Katyal’s voice shines through as stirring, sincere, and shot through with fierce empathy.

Adding a powerful visual dimension to the verse is acclaimed graphic novelist and artist Vishwajyoti Ghosh. His evocative, atmospheric illustrations perfectly mirror the text, capturing the texture, shadows, and vibrant chaos of the city. Together, Katyal and Ghosh create a stunning, immersive multimedia archive of urban life, making this collection a breathtaking masterpiece for any poetry lover or art collector.

Why This Illustrated Poetry Collection Stands Out:

• A Cultural and Linguistic Fusion: Effortlessly weaves South Asian poetic heritage into contemporary English verse, capturing the authentic bilingual idiom of modern Indian youth.

• Stunning Visual Collaboration: Features bespoke artwork by one of India's premier graphic novelists, making every page a visual and literary treat.

• A Definitive Portrait of Delhi: Stands alongside classic urban literature as an essential, modern love letter (and critique) to the national capital.