New Books Network Zeenath Khan, "The Sirens of September" (India Penguin, 2025)
Nov 29, 2025
Zeenath Khan, a debut novelist and journalist based between Hyderabad and New York, delves into her historical coming-of-age novel, The Sirens of September. She shares the inspiration behind exploring Hyderabad’s 1948 annexation and its impact on identity. The conversation highlights her meticulous archival research and the duality of aristocratic life against political upheaval. Zeenath also delves into her characters, like the perceptive Farishteh and the complex General El Edroos, weaving themes of longing and nostalgia throughout her narrative.
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Childhood Memories Shaped Farishteh
- Zeenath Khan drew on childhood memories like long hair and Quran classes to shape Farishteh's character.
- She reconnected with school friends to recreate teenage dynamics and silly fights authentically.
Annexation's Overlooked Historical Weight
- Khan argues Hyderabad's 1948 annexation is the subcontinent's most significant event after Partition that remains under-discussed.
- She links the annexation to the erosion of Hyderabad's syncretic Hindu-Muslim culture and aristocratic way of life.
Use Diverse Sources For Historical Texture
- Research widely: use newspapers, archives, memoirs, family stories, films, and material culture to recreate a period.
- Visit physical sources like archives and rallies to verify details such as cars, planes, and household objects.
