Book Review - Here, There and Everywhere - Best Loved Stories of Sudha Murthy

Author - Sudha Murthy

Publisher - Penguin Books

Genre - Non-Fiction

Pages - 243

Price - Rs. 250

First Impressions

This is the first book authored by Sudha Murthy M'am that I have read. I usually address authors in their name, but after watching her interviews, reading about the work she does and reading about her experiences in this book, it would have been very rude of me not to give her the respect we all give to school teachers. Hence, I address her as M'am. 

I am sure if you are a book lover in India, you must have definitely watched or read at least one interview of Sudha M'am. While her simple living high thinking nature impresses us all, one can't help but be charmed by her smile...the kind of friendly smile your mom or teachers would give you when they would give you important lessons in life in a very friendly manner. Hence, the simple and smiling face of Sudha M'am greets you on the cover, as if asking you to join her over a cup of coffee and a warm conversation about life. 

My View

When this book was released more than a year ago, I casually picked it up influenced by the hype. However, life got busy and the book was lying unread and forgotten in my carton of books. Fortunately, few days ago, as I was browsing through videos on youtube, I came across an interview of Sudha M'am with Mr. Shashi Tharoor. While I was obviously impressed by her simplicity and out of the league thoughts, her smile reminded me that I had seen this face somewhere before. It didn't take me long to remember that I had seen this smiling face on the cover of a book lying with me. 

So the next day itself I pampered myself to this book. Before I had finished the 100th page, I couldn't resist ordering few more books of hers, as I had already fallen in love with her writing!

Here, There and Everywhere, as the title suggests, is a compilation of stories and incidents from Sudha M'am's life. These may not be stories that have been garnished with flowery language, illustrations or elaborate description of the subjects to hold readers' interest, but these are stories of the common people we come across in our daily life. Yet, these are stories that will leave the readers hooked on till the last page. 

We all have had conversations with our mothers/teachers/aunts/grannies where they shared incidents from their life inspiring us to become a better version of ourselves. While reading the book, that is the same feeling one gets. 

The stories are basically snippets from Sudha M'am's life. The subjects are diverse, ranging from a beggar in the train to a multibillionaire in the US, to a devdasi in a temple. But the common thread that binds all stories is the fact that the situations and the subjects seem very relatable. These may be the people we may have come across and ignored in our busy lives. But the author, in her subtle and simple fashion reminds us of what we could have done with a little more compassion and empathy in that interaction. 

One may say that it is easy to have such incidents to quote, for Sudha M'am has been a globe trotting philanthropist. However, as you read the book, you come across several inspiring people who, without any money or resources have been able to contribute to the betterment of their fellow human beings. Be it the amma from the remote village who treats every child delivered by her in the village as her own, or Sudha M'am's own grandfather who taught her the value of giving the best while donatng, or Kashibai, who raised the orphaned son of her Muslim neighbour as her own. There are however, some stories which are eye openers about the reality of relationships that we so heavily count upon. 

Many stories are just lessons from the life of a young woman growing up, stories of her struggles, triumphs and failures. But the common message one gets is that one shouldn't give up on efforts when the intent is right.  

Hits

The best part about the book is that Sudha M'am pours her heart out in each story, which makes the narration so powerful that by the time one flips the last page, the heart is already introspecting upon our understanding of compassion and empathy. 

The language is very simple and crisp so anybody can read this. The writing is so powerful that one literally enters the world of the protagonist. Ultimately, it is the message that matters, not the packaging. 

I remember while in school, our curriculum had Hindi and English books which had inspirational stories which taught us to be better human beings. In today's times, when children automatically gravitate towards immense materialism in their formative years, making them read such books in their academic life will not only make them value the quality of life they have, but also understand the aspects of life which really matter. 

My Rating

4.5/5

Book Review - The Assassinations

Author - Vikram Kapur

Publisher - Speaking Tiger

Genre - Fiction

Pages - 211

Price - Rs. 299

First Impressions

The year 1984 is a very important special year for me, because I was born that year. Well, on the serious front, being a Delhiite I have heard many first person accounts of the 1984 riots. When merely listening to those accounts shook me, imagine what those people would have gone through. I hardly get to read anything about 1984 these days, so I was quite intrigued when i came to know about this book. 

The cover bore a fiery read look, symbolising the flames that had engulfed the once peaceful city and burnt many lives, hopes, desires and friendships. All that they left behind were burnt houses, burnt lives and ugly scars that refuse to leave the hearts of those affected. 

My View
If you have lived in Delhi during the 1980s, you would have your own set of memories related to the 1984 riots, irrespective of your religion. Having been born and brought up in Delhi, I have heard several accounts of the riots from my parents and in-laws. Those few hours of lawlessness left scars of a lifetime to many lives. I recall having once met a Sikh uncle at a social gathering whose one arm was amputated. When I asked my mom how he lost his arm, she made a grim face and told me in a hush tone, "He lost his arm in the 1984 riots". While uncle was happily enjoying his Patiala peg, I am sure the drink would do nothing to remove the ugly memories from his mind. When my mom in law came to know about the plot of the book, she went in past and recalled how houses were burnt in the nearby colonies. In my previous organisation, a Sikh woman told me how she and her family had to hide in the Gurudwara for days before they felt safe to venture outside. 

To feel unsafe in one's own home is the worst fear come true and sadly, this happened in the city I call my home. For those who unlike me, haven't had the chance to hear the stories of survivors, The Assassinations beautifully narrates how one incident can affect the destinies of multiple generations. 

The book portrays through Prem, Deepa and their families the physical, social and emotional trauma people went through in the times that followed the assassination of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Prem, the son of a migrant Punjabi family and Deepa, the daughter of a an affluent Delhi Hindu family are head over heels in love. Even as Deepa's father, a beaurocrat has his hunch on the upcoming situation becoming tense due to Operation Bluestar, the father in him is unable to say no. While Prem and Deepa are engaged and weaving dreams of a rosy life ahead, the flames of Operation Bluestar and its aftermath reach Delhi. In the lawlessness and riots that followed, Prem was transformed overnight from a guy next door to a youth with endless turmoil going in his mind. The effect is seen on their relationship as well, however keeping the focus on the aftermath, the book does not unnecessarily drags on their relationship. While reading a book like this, one often anticipates the next, so while I had anticipated Prem and Deepa to be the focus till the end, I was shocked when they both die in a militant attack. I think it was the powerful narrative after their untimely death which brings brownie points to the story. The story suddenly shifts focus to the lives that remain, how they try to pick up the remains and move on. While Deepa's parents live a life of endless guilt having agreed for the match, Prem's family tries best to escape the tag of a militant's family. The story fast forwards two decades later, where both families are seen struggling with the after affects of the incident. They do move on physically, however the scars on their hearts refused to fade. 

Hits

• One has to be very careful when touching upon such a sensitive topic as Operation Bluestar and the 1984 riots. I am impressed how the author beautifully captured the pulse of those times without any exaggeration or digression. 

• The chapters are divided aptly before and after 31st October 1984, which makes it easy to understand the sequence of events.

• Each character is penned thoughtfully and has an important role to play in depicting the mindset of each generation.

• The consistent pace of the book is its biggest plus point. Without any exaggeration, the book is able to keep the reader glued and one literally feels transported to 1984. 

• Unlike a lot of books that use such incidents to grab eyeballs without focusing much on the storyline, The Assassinations is a book that delivers what it promises. The powerful story not even once loses focus from the core issue and even as you flip the last page, your heart might say a silent prayer for those who suffered in those horrible times. For a moment, I felt as pained for the characters as I had felt while watching the 90s movie Maachis.

My Rating
4.5/5

A must read, for its powerful narrative.

I received the book from WritersMelon for an honest review.

Book Review - My Father Is A Hero

Author - Nishant Kaushik

Publisher - Srishti

Genre - Fiction

Pages - 199

Price - Rs. 195

First Impressions

True to its title, the book's cover welcomes readers with a humble picture of a father taking her daughter to school. Just like our fathers try to bear all our burdens on themselves, the father on the cover too, is seen carrying his daughter's school bag. Our parents are the guiding lights in our life, who hold our hands and show us the path...just like the father on the cover.

Since for me, my father is indeed my hero, I knew the book would be an emotionally enriching experience.

My View

Ask any girl about her picture of an ideal man, and she would often end up describing her father. It has often been observed that women often draw parallels between their fathers and partners, looking for positive qualities they have grown up witnessing. If there is one man who influences a girl the most in her life, he is her father. The sacrifices, the care, nurturing, guidance all make fathers role models for their daughters. After all, haven't we all heard phrases like "My Daddy strongest"; "My Daddy is the best"?

My Father Is A Hero is a touching story of Vaibhav and his daughter Nisha and the bond they share. Circumstances force Vaibhav into being a single parent. But the love for his daughter overpowers every other aspect of his life. For Vaibhav, fatherhood is not just a responsibility, it is his badge of honour; a role that empowers him to face any obstacle in life. Like all parents, Vaibhav too puts his daughter's happiness before his own. While we often witness kids being ignored by overambitious parents, here is a sacrificing father, who doesn't think twice before risking his professional growth for his daughter's career.

As one progresses through the story, one is touched by the simplicity and sacrificing nature of Vaibhav. A man of simple means, he foregoes his comforts and desires to ensure his daughter has a comfortable life and a bright future. With his own dreams long buried in the past, Vaibhav now has only one aim in his life - to make his daughter a successful singer. His obsession for fulfilling his daughter's makes him go to extremes

While destiny has been cruel to Vaibhav in terms of his profession and marriage, his daughter Nisha is the saving grace in his life. As they say in Hindi, "Doobte ko tinke ka sahara". A bright kid, Nisha too never ceases to acknowledge her father's sacrifices and tries to do everything to make him proud. Vaibhav fills her life with so much love that Nisha never feels her mother's absence.

It is not a story one reads to know the end, but a beautiful tribute to all the fathers who live for their children. While we all read various stories of sacrificing mothers, this is a unique story of a father who goes beyond than being a parent to being his child's role model. Being very close to my father, the book made me very emotional since for me too, My Father Is My Hero!

Hits

• Simple yet impactful narration
• The story strikes the right emotional cord without going overboard

I received a copy from Writersmelon in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Book Review - Lanka's Princess

Author - Kavita Kane

Publisher - Rupa

Genre - Fiction

Pages - 296

Price - Rs. 295

First Impressions

Ugly, evil face, with eyes that reflect the devil - that was the impression of Surpanakha I expected to see on the cover. However, the dusky beauty displaying innocence in her eyes made her seem anyone but Surpanakha. Perhaps her long, devilish nails were the only sign of her identity. My focus quickly shifted to the burning golden city of Lanka in the backdrop. Clearly, the book had a vey strong story to tell and I just couldn't contain my curiosity!

My View

Ramayana is one epic we have all grown up on. While the story reinforced in our minds revolves around the Ayodhya princes, their wives, the war and of course, the mighty Ravan, we fail to notice one character without whom perhaps the story would have been different. That character is Surpanakha, Ravan's sister and the root cause behind the war between Ram and Ravan.

The very mention of Surpanakha reminds us of the asura lady who, attracted by Ram and Laxman proposed them marriage. However, upon facing rejection when she attempted to attack Sita, Laxman cut her nose and ears with his sword. An injured Surpanakha rushed to her brother and not only did she complain to him about the two brothers, but also manipulated the incident to describe how the two brothers disrespected Ravan's status and how beautiful Sita was. Agitated, the short tempered Ravan decided to teach the trio a lesson, and the rest we know is history.

While we all conveniently shift focus to the others characters hereon, we never bother about who Surpanakha was and why did she instigate her own brother when she very well knew the outcome won't be a pleasant one.

Well, it is here that the book attempts to answer many questions about Surpanakha. It is a very different version of Ramayana than the ones we all know, one from the eyes of Surpanakha, who always got overshadowed by her powerful brothers, particularly Ravan.

The story has a wonderful prologue wherein one is surprised to know that Surpanakha was reborn as Kubja and Lord Krishna himself lands up at her door to release her of her suffering. The story then rushes into flashback unraveling aspects of Surpanakha's life that we never cared about before.

The story underscores the fact that an evil mind is not born. Sometimes, circumstances cruelly bring the worst out of a person. Sadly, Surpanakha was such a victim of neglect and deceit. Born to Rishi Vishrava and Kaikesi as Meenakshi, Surpanakha was just like any ordinary girl with dreams, hopes, desires and affection. However, the goodness inside her falls prey to neglect by her own family. Overshadowed by Ravan, she struggles for her parents' attention, but gets nothing but rejection. Her feelings are trampled by her mother's ambitions. The only people who she finds solace in are her maternal grandparents however, unfortunately they end up misguiding her more than doing good.

She finally finds the love she had been looking for in the Kalkeya prince Vidyuvijaya. Just when life seems perfect, tragedy strikes her. Enraged by the death of her husband and son, Surpanakha decides to take revenge for her loss from her very own brother Ravan and eventually becomes responsible for his doom. 

At times, one feels sympathetic for her pain as she suffers for no fault of hers; while at times, one hates her for her wickedness and wonders how can someone be so blinded and manipulative to meet one's selfish interests. Throughout the story, one gets to see various shades of Surpanakha's personality - compassionate, rebellious, revengeful, dejected, guilty and forgiving. I feel the book is a lesson to all parents that neglect and undue criticism can turn even the best of child to the worst person.

Overall, a well researched and beautifully penned book which you just can't miss!

Hits

• Well researched book
• Mythology is not an easy genre, considering one has to consider the religious sentiments of masses and there is no scope to play around with the facts. However, the author does full justice to the story and proves that mythology is indeed her forte. Impressed by her attention to details and sensitivity in narration, I am enticed to read her other books. 
• Powerful narration. In no time, one starts imagining herself in the era of Pushpak Vimans and rishis.

The book is available at Flipkart and Amazon.

received a copy from Writersmelon in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

HR Diaries - Harminder Singh

ऐच् आर डायरीज़ 

लेखक - हरमिंदर सिंह
पब्लिशर - ओपन क्रेयॉन्स
पृष्ठ - १८१

प्रथम प्रभाव -
"कुछ नौजवान जिन्होनें नयी दुनिया में कदम रखा, उलझ गए दौड़ भाग के पाटों में. ज़िन्दगी की पेचीदगियों को उन्होनें अपनी तरह से हल करने की कोशिश की. अनेक रोचक मोड़ आते गए. वे हँसे, रोये,घबराये, लेकिन रुके  नहीं। आखिर में उन्होनें पाया की नौकरी करना कोई बच्चों का खेल नहीं. उनकी ज़िन्दगी का एक हिस्सा उनसे हर बार सवाल करता है की यह दौड़ यूँ ही क्यों चल रही है?  हमें क्यों लगता है की हम एक जगह बंधे हुए हैं? क्या यह हमारी नियति है?"

सूट बूट में ऑफिस एग्जीक्यूटिव को पुस्तक के कवर पे देख समझ आ रहा था की कहानी कारपोरेट जग  से प्रभावित है. किन्तु  मेरी  उत्सुकता तब बढ़ गयी जब कवर पे पढ़ा "मानव संसाधन विभाग की अनकही।" चाहे आपने किसी भी विभाग में काम किया हो, परंतु मानव संसाधन विभाग से कोई अछूता नहीं रहा. अनुभव कभी मीठे कभी कड़वे अवश्य रहते हैं, किन्तु इस विभाग  के अंदर का सच जानने को कोई भी व्यक्ति उत्सुक होगा।

मेरी नज़र से 
कहानी की शुरुआत में ही ये अनुभूति हो जाती है की ये हम में से किसी की भी कथा हो सकती है. आफिस का वह पहला दिन, वो झिझक, वो उत्सुकता - ये ऐसे अनुभव होते हैं जो आजीवन आपकी स्मृतियों में अपनी छाप बनाये रखते हैं. कुछ ऐसा ही अनुभव रहता है कथानक का, जिन्होंने अपने अनुभव इस कहानी के  माध्यम से व्यक्त किये हैं.

कहानी के शुरुआत का भाग और रोचक हो सकता था. जहां कथानक के पहले दिन का अनुभव कुछ फीका सा रहता है, वहीँ पाठक भी कहानी के साथ चलने का प्रयास करता है. उम्मीदों की गठरी बांधे जब कथानक अपने दफ्तर में दाखिल होता है, तो वहां का परिवेश उसे किसी अनजान शहर में होने की अनुभूति दिलाता है. कहानी की धीमी गति की तरह ही कस्थानक का उबाऊ कार्यक्तिक जीवसं भी गति पकड़ता है. जो चेहरे उसे अनजान और खडूस से प्रतीत होते थे, धीरे धीरे उन्ही के बीच उसका दिन कैसे बीत जाता है, उसे पता नहीं चलता. नौकरी करना बच्चों का कआ खेल नहीं, और कथानक बार बार ये सन्देश पाठकों तक पहुंचाता है.

मानव संसाधन विभाग मेंकथानक का अनुभव किसी आम कर्मचारी की भांति ही रहता है. जहाँ एक तरफ उन्हें विजय और तारा जैसे सच्चे मित्र मिलते हैं, वहीँ विभाग में कई रोचक, कई टेढ़े पात्र भी टकराते हैं. खडूस बॉस, चाटुकार कर्मचारी, और कुछ ऐसे लोग जो ऑफिस के गरम माहौल को अपनी हंसी मज़ाक से हल्का फुल्का रखते हैं.  कहानी में रोज़ मर्रा का कार्यकारी जीवन झलकता है. रोज़ के हलके फुल्के किस्से, चाय पे  चर्चा,मित्रों के साथ घूमना,चुगलियां,ठहाके और मौज मस्ती पाठक की रूचि बढ़ाते हैं. यदि आप कार्यारित हैं, तो आप अपने कार्यकारिक जीवन की झलकियां कहानी में देख पाएंगे. ऑफिस के वो छोटे छोटे किस्से, पिकनिक, गहमा गहमी, डेड्लाइंस  - लेखक ने मनो अपने सारे कार्यकारिक अनुभव पुस्तक में उड़ेल दिए हों.

जैसे जैसे कहानी गति पकड़ती है, पाठक एक रोचक लेखन शैली देखना चाहते हैं. किन्तु ऐसा लगता है की लेखक ने अपने चर्चित ब्लॉग वृद्धग्राम की तरह ही लेखन शैली संजीदा और धीमी रखी है.

कहानी में जहाँ हंसी के पल हैं, वहीँ रुला देने वाले भाग भी हैं. अपने साथ कार्यारित कर्मचारियों से हमारा एक पारिवारिक नाता सा बांध जाता है. सब सुख और दुःख फिर साझे प्रतीत होते हैं. तारा की बीमारी और देहांत कथा के कुछ ऐसे ही भाग हैं. अंत  बेहद भावुक है. कथानक के समक्ष कई सवाल हैं जो पाठक के मन में भी  घर बना लेते हैं. नौकरी  का असली उद्देश्य क्या है? कार्यकारी जीवन में संतोष किसे कहते हैं? ये ऐसे सवाल हैं जो कथानक के ही नहीं, अपितु हर पाठक के मनन में आएंगे.

परंतु एक सवाल मेरे मन में प्रायः उथल पुथल मचा  रहा था. ये कहानी मानव संसाधन की अनदेखी  कहाँ से प्रतीत होती है? ये तो एक तरह से कथानक के कार्यकारी अनुभवों की एक दैन्द्विनी सी जान पड़ती है. शायद इसलिए शुरू के कुछ पृष्ठ पाठक का ध्यान बाँधने को जूझते हैं.

यदि आप मानव संसाधन का जीवन जानने के उत्सुक हैं तो शायद निराश हाथ लगे. किन्तु यदि आप इसे एक साधारण कॉर्पोरेट जीवन के अनुभवों से भरी एक कथा के  रूप में पढ़ेंगे तो पुस्तक का मज़ा ले पाएंगे.

ये समीक्षा ब्लोगअड्डा के लिए है.

Book Review - Colorful Notions - The Roadtrippers 1.0

Author - Mohit Goyal

Publisher - Srishti Publishers

Genre - Fiction

Pages - 194

Price - Rs. 175

First Impressions

Three travellers and an SUV in a desert make for an apt cover, given that the book is about road trips. I was skeptical if this was a road trip guide, when the blurb on the back saved me. When the story is about three crazy youngsters giving up their high paying job and comfortable personal life to drive ten thousand kilometres across India, just for fun, you just can't miss this story.

My View

Being a travel enthusiast, I was super excited when this book came for review. After all, those who have been on road trips know there is nothing more rejuvenating than discovering new places and taking the road less travelled. I have often been on unplanned road trips and believe me, the kind of kick it gives is phenomenal! 

Perhaps a similar thought came in the minds of Ab, Sasha and Unnati when they decided to fulfil their long cherished dream of setting out on a road trip. And this was not to be a simple Delhi-Jaipur road trip. This was about travelling across 25 destinations across the length and breadth of the country; a whopping 10,650 kilometres, 75 days and a road tripping experience that could be made into a movie! Now that is ambitious, I say.

As they travel across destinations like Corbett, Haridwar, Ladakh, Bhangarh Fort, Goa, Sundarbans and many more, they realise the journey was to be more than just a road trip. Gradually the trip transforms into a journey of self discovery, of facing the inner demons and of fighting the fears that were holding them from following their heart. The journey also gave them some important lessons about relationships, but most importantly it gives them a fresh perspective on life. It is the journey that matters more than the destination and their experience in a way reinforces this saying. The baggages of the past are gradually done away with, for present is all that matters.

What fun would be a trip when all goes as planned. So the book is full of comedy of errors. Somewhere along the way, the reader too becomes a traveller, for the characters and events are so well portrayed that one gets glued to the story. 

Whether you are looking for a travelogue or a light read, I recommend this book as a one time leisure read. A lot different than the travel books on bookshelves yet each one of us would be able to identify some or the other aspect with our life. A book that teaches one to live in their present and throw emotional baggage behind. 

Hits

• Refreshing change from the usual travel books I have read. The story has a certain fun element to it which binds the reader to the story. You don't realise when you feel like a part of this crazy gang.
• I loved the way the journey gives an entirely different perspective to the characters’ lives. Yes, road trips often take one on the path to self discovery.
• The narration is simple yet engaging.

Misses

• The travel enthusiast in me was left looking for more insights on the destinations. I was curious if the author has indeed traveled to these destinations.

This review is for Writersmelon

Book Review - A Thousand Memories

Author - Vibha Vyas

Publisher - Amaranthus Books

Genre - Fiction

Price - Rs. 200

First Impressions

A mug of steaming coffee and a book in hand makes for a perfect winter day. The cover instantly gives the feel of that perfect winter day. Often, such quiet times spent with self rings in nostalgia and we end up reflecting on the times gone by. I decided to treat myself to a hot cuppa and explore what the book had to offer.

My View

True to the cover, the book indeed is all about memories and nostalgia. It is the story, rather memoir of Richa. Often, we sit back and reflect on the good and bad times gone by, analysing what we did and what could have been done. More often than not, the refection is about the relationships in our lives. 

A Thousand Memories is one such memoir where Richa looks back at the men in her life. She recollects how with each relationship, her heart graduates to understand the meaning of true love, before finding the right man. Perhaps "Diary" would be a better description, for reading the book one gets a feeling as if reading Richa's diary. 

Like any girl of her age, for Richa too her first experience in love is of a one sided crush on Roy. Although the madness inside her goes beyond a simple crush, it also gives her some very important lessons in life. If you've ever had a crush, reading this segment will indeed make you smile with nostalgia.

Before Richa's wounds are healed, The Mr. Perfect Rajiv enters her life. A life with Rajiv sounds like a dream come true, however the past haunts Richa enough to shadow her present. 

Richa eventually does find true love, but not without her share of struggles with her inner self and painful moments. 

Grab this book for an honest narration, sans any frills or drama. For most readers, this diary will surely ring in some their own memories. 

Hits

• Unique narrative
• Simplicity 
• No unwanted gloss to add tadka to the book. The emotions and events are presented unedited.
• Beautiful anecdotes to suit the situation.

Misses

• Not all fiction lover will find this book his/her cup of tea.
• True to being a diary, the story runs flat and straight, sans any drama and struggles to hold interest of the reader.

This review is for Amaranthus Books. 

Book Review - Panorama - A collection of short stories

Author – Shilpi Chaklanobis

Publisher – Notion Press

Pages – 134

Price -  Rs. 150

First Impressions

I am a big fan of short stories, so the plain cover that revealed nothing about the book could hold my attention for few seconds only. Like a child, I was eager to dive into the world of stories, when these words on the back cover caught my attention...

"Often laced with an element of introspection, the stories are sure to change the way you see the world around you..."

My View

There is something magical about short stories collection that entice the reader in me. Whether I am in a mood to read or not, a short story collection is something that is bound to lift my spirits on a dull day. It was on such a dull, rainy day that Panorama arrived to uplift my mood. 

The stories even though poles apart are weaved with a common thread of emotions. Touching different aspects and emotions of life, each story strikes a chord with the reader's heart. Wok  is a story that speaks of innocence, sacrifice and love. The powerful story of a single mother, her challenges, sacrifices and love for her little one got my eyes moist. If you ever had a pet and you loved "Marley & Me", the story "Peanut" is for you. The devotion towards his master is more important for a pet than his own life, and  this tragic story proves this. "The Thirst" tells the story of a daughter whose thirst for her mother's love blinds her of her own interests. Whether she finally gets the love she's been looking is for you to find out. Sometimes, all it takes is an incident to change our perspective and wash away the mind blocks society has built up and "Selective Secularism" narrates one such incident. "Bribe" introduces  us to the mental tug of war between a father and a husband. The father wants to be his daughter's favourite. But, does the demanding husband understand the silent sacrifices made by his wife? "Forever" is the story of ambitions, love, compromises and revelations. Life doesn't always give us a second chance, especially when it comes to relationships. "The Wait" shakes us with its powerful narrative; a dutiful wife's endless search and hope for the deceitful husband who abandoned her. Her innocence charms and her dutiful nature surprises the readers. A story of devotion, diligence and deceit that shakes our conscience. When a natural calamity strikes, all we do is extend our sympathies and perhaps some donations. However, little do we know the harsh reality of children who have been orphaned in such calamities. "The second Tsunami" is such a heart warming tale of tragedy, hunger, love and survival. Does hunger come above a sister's love for her brother? "The Example" forces us to reconsider the definition of success and achievements. Is real success all about accolades or about making a difference in someone's life? "The Meeting" is a wonderful story that explains the changing dynamics of friendship when money crawls in between. On the land of Sudama and Krishna, will Payal get the same love and recognition from her rich friend Ria as she used to when they both shared the middle class status? Children often fail to notice the sacrifices of their mother, especially when she is a working mother. "Mirage" tells about such a relationship between a mother and daughter. Selfish, busy and a bad wife is all that Khushi thinks of her mother, a single parent, until one day an old cupboard reveals a shocking secret. "Destiny" is a chilling story of beliefs, destiny and the unexplained powers of the universe. Fortune tellers can tell our future but can we change our destiny if we know the impending risk in advance? "The Untimely Death" is a story set in the unforgettable year "1984" when Indira Gandhi's assassination changed the lives of many families overnight. Unaware of the political dynamics that govern the fate of cities, an innocent school girl discovers the world around her totally changed in the wake of 1984 riots. Often, we sacrifice our personal space to feed our ambitions.  In the story, "Before It's Too Late" Arnab discovers the importance of family time after reaching the pinnacle of his career. However, to his surprise, the same family who earlier craved for his presence had conveniently filled the void with materialistic comforts and friends. While money can buy almost everything, can it buy back the precious moments that could have been spent with family? The last story "The Sealed Wish" is a story of love, tragedy and coincidences that challenge a mother who has lost her husband and daughter. 

Powerful and thought provoking, these are the stories of people around us, of their hopes, feelings and circumstances. Each story is refreshingly different from the other, and hints at important lessons life teaches us. 

A brilliant work from a debut author! A perfect book to give you company on a rainy afternoon with a hot cup of chai. 

Hope to see the book made into a motion picture someday....

Thumbs Up

• Powerful narrative. Each story strikes an instant connection with the reader.

• Versatility of stories.

• Writing style that lives up to the standards of a perfect short story.

My Rating - 

4.5/5

About The Author

Shilpi Chaklanobis hails from the beautiful city of Kanpur and has spent the majority of her adult life in Delhi. She currently heads  the Digital Marketing division at an MNC. The amalgamation of her years spent amongst the quiet, calm streets of a small city and the hustle and bustle of a metropolitan like Delhi has lent her a unique perspective towards life. She aims to translate her experience and understanding of human relationships into stories that not only move people but also resonate with them. She believes that the beauty of a story lies within its ability to be interpreted by the reader in the way they desire as is evident from her writing. Apart from writing, she spends her time time devouring books by the dozen. This is her first endeavour as a writer and her writing not only shows promise, but also has a sense of sensitivity that compels you to think about the lives you touch every day.

I received the book from the author for an honest review. You can buy "Panorama" from Flipkart and Amazon

Book Review - Rambles Into Sacred Realms

Author – Krish V Krishnan

Publisher – Inkhorn Publishing India

Pages – 208

Price - Rs. 1980

First Impressions

If art and history fascinates you as much as it does me, the sight of Acropolis on the cover will hold you for few minutes. There it is, in its full glory enticing readers to discover many more treasures hidden inside the book, in pen and paint.

My View

I must confess, the main reason why I picked up this book was my outdoor painting classes. Each morning, we would sit outside in the park and try to capture the tree in front of us in varied mediums - first pencil, then watercolour. So lost I would be in the detailing that often, these sessions left me with neck pain sitting still in one position, trying to capture the particular shade, before sun decided to play spoilsport by shifting it's position!

In the process I learnt that art is the best way to immortalise any subject in our heart. "We can take a picture" you may say. But will it be able to keep afresh the perspective in your mind, long after? Will you be able to make that very emotion timeless? The answer is a No. Three years later, I still remember each crack, each crevice and the branch to the T, for I captured them in my heart through watercolour!

And that's what fascinated me about this unique book. You may have read travelogues with fascinating travel stories; picture books that transport us to places in no time; art books showcasing masterpieces. But have you ever witnessed something that is an amalgamation of these all? This is the very factor that makes this book stand apart from your regular travel books.

The author has captured thirty years of travel to arcane centres of worship, that don't feature in a regular tourist's itinerary. The painstaking efforts and determination is evident as we read about near escapes, adventures and uncomfortable situations. From being suspected of kidnapping his own son across the Israel-Jordan border, to being grilled by a suspicious Sri Lankan immigration officer, nothing could deter Krish's canvass and brushes.

No travelogue is incomplete without references to culture and people. However, the book offers us an artist's impression of the same, keeping us engrossed in imagination. 

Each work of art captures the very essence of the place. You will feel the goosebumps looking at "Victim of a sacrifice" from Belize, shouting of Mayan ruthlessness; feel the heat looking at to the fury of vent at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; feel the sound of sacred chants in your ears looking at Manikarna Ghat in watercolour; witness the embodiment of resilience at Bethlehem; marvel at the magnificent world of Pharaohs at Giza; feel the legends come alive at Greece!

While reading the book, the reader often finds himself lost in admiring the artwork and has to be quickly reminded that it is a travel book. 

The author has tastefully explained every location, every masterpiece. This is not just a book to be read. This is an experience to be felt.

A must read!

Why it is a thumbs up from me -

• There is detailed explanation of artwork and choice of media, much to an art lover's delight. 

• Travel tips have been provided at the end of each chapter

• The choice of offbeat locations that speak of civilisations make the book stand apart. 

• Passion flows in words, with unique and vivid descriptions.

• The author's meticulous research reflects in the detailed background for each place, which helps to transport us into that  very era, imagining life in that very setting.

• Do I have to still say, I am in awe of all the Artwork in the book!

About the author

An artist and a traveller, Krish focuses on landscapes and ancient monuments, using a variety of techniques, including scratchboards, watercolours, and acrylic mediums. Over the last thirty years, he has participated in several group and solo exhibitions and several of his artwork have won art awards. An alumnus of IIT and Harvard Business School, Krish heads a global outfit, that sees him shifting gears between Thai, Hindi, Thinglish, Hinglish and English.

Having lived in or visited over 60 countries and published over 500 articles on travel and humour in various newspapers across the world, this is Krish's first book.

My Rating

4.5/5

This review is for WritersMelon.