20 Jul 2025

The many cultures of India meet Aotearoa through radical publishing: Spoor Books

From Culture 101, 2:30 pm on 20 July 2025

Erena and Balamohan Shingade are partners in life and in a distinctive publishing enterprise. Based in Titirangi, they describe Spoor Books as a community-oriented platform.

The pair have thus far published two books: Zen Buddhist poet Richard Von Strurmer's Slender Volumes, which was shortlisted at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, and a book of essays from 12 artists and activists on education, which the Shingade's jointly edited, Past the Tower Under the Tree.

But Spoor is also an online bookshop. Featuring what they describe as "independent, curious and radical publishing from India, and beyond". Representing within India many different cultures and regions - to give you a flavour, the books offered range from series The Greatest Indian Stories Ever Told to another called A Thousand Cranes for India: Reclaiming Plurality and Hatred.

Erena Shingade is a writer, poet, musician and a graduate from the University of Auckland and India's Seagull School of Publishing. While Balamohan Shingade is a writer, public gallery curator and graduate of Elam School of Fine Arts. Completing a philosophy PhD he also describes himself as an occasional performer of Indian classical music.

They joined Mark Amery on Culture 101.