Join us on Saturday, 30th August, for an engaging discussion around WHAT’S YOUR PRICE, MR. SHIVASWAMY? by M. R. Dattathri, in conversation with Karthik Venkatesh. Set in contemporary Bengaluru, the novel explores human dramas and the conflict between material aspirations and morality, and the discussion is sure to be an enlightening one.
Here are the details of the event:
Date: August 30 2025, Saturday
Time: 6PM
Venue: Champaca Bookstore, Vasanth Nagar
Since there is limited seating, we recommend that you confirm your spot here!
About the book:
Having worked all his life, Shivaswamy eagerly awaits the serenity of retirement. But his plans are suddenly upturned when his attempts to buy a house are scuppered by unscrupulous builders. Suddenly, he realizes that he might have to join the workforce again. What follows is a tale of gentle satire that is also an intense human drama. Shivaswamy faces the toughest choice, one that threatens the values that have sustained him throughout his life.
Set in contemporary Bengaluru, What’s Your Price, Mr Shivaswamy? is an elegantly crafted and deeply engaging story about a man torn between material necessities and spiritual aspirations. How much would you sacrifice for some peace of mind?
Translated into English by the author himself, this novel was originally published in Kannada as Ondondu Talegu Ondondu Bele.
About the speakers:
A novelist at heart, M.R. Dattathri is a seasoned IT professional who has worked for many multinational companies in India and the U.S. He writes in Kannada and English, and all five of his published novels have garnered critical acclaim, winning him several awards. He is the recipient of the Māsti Praśasti (2019), the Book Brahma Best Novel of the Year (2023), the Vardhamana Prashasti (2023), and many more prestigious awards for his literary works. Two of his novels have been translated into Telugu and have been well received. Dattathri is also a poet and a noted Kannada columnist.
Moderating the conversation is Karthik Venkatesh, Executive Editor at Penguin Random House India. He holds an MBA and has a background in education and teaching. He has written two nonfiction books for children, including 10 Indian Languages and How They Came to Be. He has also written for a number of publications, including Mint Lounge, The Hindu Literary Review, First Post, and Scroll, among others. Aside from his editorial work, he has a keen interest in languages, and speaks six of them.