Folios get flamboyant

Illustrated books that will occupy pride of place on your coffee table this season.

Just the other day, on a Seinfeld re-run, kooky sidekick Kramer had a rather eccentric idea about coffee table books that are about coffee tables, complete with fold-out legs and built-in coasters.

Turns out the idea wasn't that bizarre, because in 2003, Black Dog publishing actually came out with "the coffee table, coffee table book".

The fact that they didn't credit Kramer's ingenuity is a story for another day but it does go to prove that the traditionally restrictive coffee table book is being injected with a sense of humour.

A quick reconnaissance of the local publishing market didn't turn up anything quite as inventive but there is plenty in store for illustrated book aficionados this coming season "" from Sultanate architecture to art in the Indian sari, mural traditions and unseen cricketing archives.

The subjects are still a trifle predictable, but with the Indian publishing industry playing guest of honour at the world's biggest book fair in Frankfurt this October, perhaps a morale (and hopefully monetary) boost will spark off an unorthodox gamble or two.

Bound to set off ripples of interest is Made for Maharajas, Roli books' star title. Authored by Amin Jaffer, a senior curator with Victoria and Albert Museum, the book focuses on the eccentric extravagance of Indian maharajas and their penchant for sustaining luxury makers through commissioned goods.

"Maharaja Bhupender Singh of Patiala once ordered a silver dinner set worth 14 Rolls Royces to celebrate a visit by the Prince of Wales "" it was the biggest commission for the jeweller. Maharani Indira Devi of Cooch Bihar would order shoes from Ferragamo, set with precious stones sent from India," says Priya Kapoor, editor, Made for Maharajas.

Who decides what titles will solicit interest? Ashwini Sabharwal of Prakash books says his decisions are driven by his traditional buyers who have been tourists and embassies.

Well targetted then will be their book on the Palace on Wheels, due for release in October, which will be marketed directly to souvenir-collecting tourists boarding the historic train besides regular retail channels.

"People tend to want image-driven books these days," says Sabharwal, mentioning the upcoming titles on Indian interiors and a black-and-white photo recall of India through the last 15 years. "Buyers love vintage photography," agrees Kapoor.

And so, coffee table books are fast moving towards more photo cataloguing and less research, with a little text blurb here, a shred of history there, and plenty of eye-popping photography. Bipin Shah, founder-publisher Mapin, couldn't agree more. "People just don't have the time anymore."

And that hurts his commerce. Shah admits it is harder to sell 1,500 copies of the same book that sold 3,000 copies 12 years ago. He is glad for the strength of markets like the US, UK and Germany.

"The serious Indian market for well-researched books is rapidly shrinking, but we don't let popularity dictate our work." Mapin, that has been publishing well-researched books on Indian art, culture and history since 1984, sticks to titles that are significant from the point of view of documentation and archiving.

"That certainly limits quantities we distribute," says Shah. Still, Shah is excited about the soon to be released three-volume set, Wonders of Indian Wilderness, that covers bio-diversity and conservation issues at hand. The book will be limited to private circulation until early 2008. "It's 30 years of research, a lifetime's contribution," says Shah.

Mapin is travelling the path that Marg, a premier publisher of some of the most authoritative texts and quality visuals, set out on 55 years ago.

Radhika Sabavala of Marg publications senses there is still an unambiguous market for books in which equal weightage is given to the textual and visual content, especially among collectors. An upcoming Marg title is called The Art of Play: Board and Card Games of India.

"It is not commonly known that several of the world's most popular board games were conceived in the Indian subcontinent, including Ludo (or pachisi), snakes and ladders and chess," says Sabavala. This is the first time a single volume is addressing the subject, in both its cultural and artistic aspects.

"When your titles hover on the periphery of academic and general interests, it certainly limits quantities you distribute," says Shah.

Maybe that's why Mapin chose to deviate a little and launch the Bollywood cookbook, which addresses the history, stylisation and the culinary predilections of an industry that has captivated the interest of popular culture voyeurs the world over.

"People want books that make a statement," says Pramod Kapoor, publisher Roli books. So Roli experiments with silk book cases, embroidered titles, and even a silk cushion thrown in for good measure.

Made for Maharajas, will come to buyers inside a suitcase reminiscent of, but certainly not, the Louis Vuitton luggage commissioned by royalty back in the day.Kebab Journeys to Bukhara, another Roli book, celebrating ITC's food traditions, will come with a separate recipe book so that the main book doesn't get soiled in the kitchen. Mind, you pay a premium for the frills. Made for Maharajas will be priced at Rs 5,000.

"When I sit with a buyer, he tells me that whether I price my book at Rs 1,800 or 2,500 makes no difference, says Shah. Pramod Kapoor says coffee table books are definitely more price inelastic. Publishers gain from price inflation what they lose from capricious consumer behaviour."

Mapin is starting a children's imprint this year, in a bid to introduce children to authoritative art research and illustration "" first up, a book on miniatures. Can never catch them too young, they say.