Mythology

Myth = Mithya: A Handbook Of Hindu Mythology by Devdutt Pattanaik

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Book Review #35

Myth=Mithya is a fair attempt to solve the complex shrine of Hindu gods. Devdutt, says while Hindus believe there is one God, there 330 million others for every caste, village and household. Understanding this complex web is key to understanding and decoding our beliefs, values and behavior.

I absolutely loved this book. I am a big fan of Hindu mythology and books based on classical references, both of which are at the core of “Myth=Mithya”. I’m not so sure about, how closely the narrative is based on those in the original myth but the author doesn’t deviate from what I already knew about these.

Precisely, the book is written in such a beautiful, brilliant and detailed form that you can’t help but fall in a pleasant “Reading Hypnotism”. I would thoroughly recommend this to all fans of Hindu Mythology and even those who aren’t!

Undoubtedly, one of the best works of Devdutt Pattanaik. (Surely, a go to writer for me now)

Where to buy?

Amazon.in and Amazon.com

Mythology

The Pregnant King By Devdutt Pattanaik

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Book Review #34

The “Pregnant King” is the story of a sterile king, who accidentally drinks the blessed tonic that was meant to make his queens pregnant. The Mythological Protagonist is allowed to live unaccompanied, to have competence, to be scared and to be punished. The account is infused with such a striking intensity of feelings like love and vulnerability at the same time.

Devdutt stands out as remarkably, he’s incredibly passionate about what he does and the prove to that is this novel of his. He’s Extremely brilliant at capturing all the incidences and situations of these classic tales but infusing them with such emotions that are prompt and bona fide. Unsurprisingly, when references are made to “Hindu Mythology” it feels like the author treats him with particular affection. But Devdutt as an author is such a convincing figure in his own way that I wanted to spend even more time reading about the protagonist.

Lastly, there will be a lot of grieve during this novel, although it’s likely to be your own. 

#impossible, strange and yet human.

Where to buy?

Amazon.in and Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/The-Pregnant-King/dp/B07SJ8QKMN/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=THE+PREGNANT+KING&qid=1577985115&sr=8-1
Non Fiction, Project

INDIA AND THE COLD WAR BY MANU BHAGAVAN

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Book Review #33

The book is a collection of essays that explains how India became a powerful symbol of Decolonization of non-alignment, disarmament and global governance as it stood between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Manu’s Academic perseverance and unerring sense is what makes this book really interesting and intelligent at the same time. His book filled with all the factual stuff you want to know. The interpretations made in this book are not shockingly original—we’ve read this before, mostly on internet or in course books, but a new concise narration was Manu’s aim here, and he succeeds amazingly.

In the end, the book is short, and at the same time descriptive, the author has done an impressive job to discuss his judgments and the history of the entire era of the Cold War.

#Overall a FAB-BOOK!

Where to buy?

Amazon.in and Amazon.com

Indian Classics

Shakuni & The Dice of Doom : Book 2 of the Mahabharata Series

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Book Review #32

The Mahabharata has been an inspiration for 100’s of Authors (not necessarily Indian Writers/Authors). The freedom to express the views has helped many writers to bring alternate ideologies on, whether “Protagonists” of Vyasa’s narration were that forbidding and “Antagonists” of the story were really that sinister. This book will make you realize that there are some gray areas on both sides of characters.

The book tells the story of “Shakuni”, who tops the list of the most “Evil” characters in Mahabharata, what he has done and why. The illustration is both compelling and dramatic which will automatically interest the readers to read further. The author has tried to explore all the aspects in the life of the Protagonist, which will leave you with no questions.

The book went quite in depth into what was going on inside Shakuni’s head. Mallar, has this way of getting into the head of the reader, allowing them to sympathize with the character and what they’re going through, thus, making this reading experience much more interesting.

Overall, the speed was like a runaway train and I couldn’t put the book down.

Where to buy?

Amazon.com and Amazon.in

Fiction

Sins Of A Mother by Joshua Blocker

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About the Author

An Interview with Joshua Blocker :-

Book Review #31

To begin with, get prepared to sit on the couch, drink hot coffee, and listen to your country music on scratchy records while confronting few pretty heavy issues. The story is about “Tarrylyn Brown” and her life’s roller coaster ride. Be forewarned that this is not the happiest novel you will ever read. “Sins Of A Mother” is filled with abuse, violence, and heartbreak.

This novel is in its brilliant cast of characters – Joshua, the book’s writer, is so likeable that you can’t help but admire his determination to create a masterpiece. Good literature gives you new insight. It makes you relate to it in ways you didn’t expect.

This is a heartfelt book full of abuse and love. I like the way Joshua can reach out to the reader and vividly tell them how his protagonist and other characters felt in the book. You can picture yourself in their shoes (Mostly). This accounts keeps you hooked and tied from page one until the end. You won’t want to put it down! After reading the book you will be looking at the library for another one of Joshua’s work.

At the end I would like to mention, that due to the maturity and sensitivity of this book, the appropriate age range would be in the young adults and up. If you like page turning novels that get you thinking than the great inspiring book, “Sins of a Mother” is for you.

Where to buy?

Amazon.com and Amazon.in

Fiction

My Last Love Story by Falguni Kothari

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Book Review #30

“My Last Love Story” is a novel written by Falguni Kathori, a renowned author of Young Adult fiction. The story gives an account of “Simi Desai” and her friend “Zayaan” finding out that her husband “Nirvaan” was dying of cancer and the trio’s unconventional relationship.

To begin with, Falguni’s book moves with such simplicity and honesty that you will find it hard to put “The Last Love Story” down. She doesn’t play on cliches but rather creates precious moments, in a fresh way which will make you laugh and cry……like a toddler. Yes it’s heart-rending at times and does deal with “Complicated Relationships”, but it’s more than that. This a book about grown attachments and while it does not necessarily have any major life lessons to teach you, it’s a beautiful piece of fiction that will stay with you long after you read the words on the final page.

At the end, I cannot help but mention this is a brilliant book to be recommended to everyone regardless their age and gender. The problems touched upon in the narrative will appeal those who are searching the answers to the questions about love and friendship, life and death.

Where to buy?

Amazon.com and Amazon.in

Fiction, Horror

Devi by Nag Mani

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About the Author

***************AN INTERVIEW WITH NAG MANI****************

Book Review #29

Writing Fiction isn’t an activity for the faint-hearts, and the one who manages, as Nag Mani to generate two successful books (in an impressive variety of horror) clearly deserves credit for discipline, diligence, resolve and, most of all, confidence.

The protagonist “Aditi”, is shown as a bewildering scale of the human spirit courage, perseverance, pusillanimity, deceit against conditions that are grim at best. The story suggests the horror that is to come, while also displaying Nag Mani’s skills as a humorist.

There is a lot about this book that impressed me. The characters and story line is addictive, and I read this book without ever finding a dull moment.  While I can’t say there were moments that were especially surprising, some of the classic temple rituals were used creatively. Nag Mani’s writing style is very simple. Blunt. Direct. He has this way of being underrated though upfront in his portrayal of “ordinary and simple” settings that creates excellent thrill contrasting with the horror in his work.

Finally, the end has a magnificent massive note that stuck in my mind long after I’d finished the last few lines. The subtext of this story is a rare gem that is to be found.

#Resolute Superb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where to buy?

Amazon.com and Amazon.in

Article (FYI) By Richa Mehndiratta

Social obigations (The cups left unkissed)

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My midnight musings got me scribble in the “Social Obligations” tonight and my running year resolute to dealing with it in a better way. I think about all those years back in school. Growing up dreaming from one corner of my classroom, just a Nobody doubting whether she would ever make it to the other side of that room ever. And then I think of myself Today, still wondering the same.

These were the most painful days, with everyone gone I would think over if all these restless and anxious nights, someday would be worth it or not. The society sets hegemonic structures for everyone. The term Hegemony refers to the controlling social and cultural ideologies. These structures are ruling since forever predefining notions on how things are to be done by all and sundry. When in a small town the girls are not allowed to go out of the house after 9:00pm where as the boys can stay overnight at their friends house. They are still struggling with the blue n the pink colour. I sometimes wonder why the society has to (or should i say NEEDS to) validate your undertakings at every step be it being a successful person or a looser ? 

So, instead of living obligatorily when you choose yourself over social standards you tend to become apprehensive, your fear let-downs. It is not easy but then no one said it would be, I may fail terribly or I may reach my purpose but I will learn. One can never know that he can win, until he is only left with the choice of winning.

I never knew what I wanted from life until very late. It took me twenty three years to apprehend my abilities and make my passion for the same to assert the presence of my insignificant self in this universe. Society never stopped me it only elicited my sense of self, and I embarked on this journey to self-discovery. It never should be an end to yourself rather a new beginning for what you are and what you want to be. 

And, I have never felt this alive before!

Article (FYI) By Richa Mehndiratta

Boycott Fake Feminism / Stop Erasing Men! – Written By Richa Mehndiratta

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What is Feminism?

The word “Feminism” has two definitions.

1) From the “Oxford Dictionary” :-

“Feminism” is the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.

2) From the ” Modern and Heated Feminist Dictionary” :-

“Feminism” is an organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.

Convincing the people to consider yourself a feminist is an easy task these days. All you have to do is declare it, loud and clear. Recently, everyone has been encouraged to take up the “TAG” – Children at school included. It might sound like a progress, but there is huge understanding gap and problem with women’s proclaimed feminism.

For Instance, In 2018, the #MeToo movement had not only opened up the conversation about the “all-pervasiveness” of sexual harassment and assault, but it had successfully held men responsible for all that had been ignored or kept secret for a very long time. Later, when the so-called “Feminist Group” wanted to pretend unbiased, it also encouraged men to start speaking out publicly, but hiding the identity of the women.

One such incidence also took place, four years down the lane. (You can read the detailed article, by following the link mentioned in the end of this write up)

Women rights activism/feminism has been in the riptide of World (Not particularly any country). The movement has neither a central body nor any leaders but the agenda is clear common it is women, not men, who are squelched.

The whole point of writing this article is to let everyone know that, degrading men is not what FEMINISM mean, but to show the equality and that they have a stake in the revolution (if that’s what it is considered) is what it stands for. To bring the change feminism/sts must include men, not just as support but as allies, with an equal voice and rights.

EITHER BOYCOTT THE WORD FEMINIST OR GIVE MEN THE EQUAL RIGHTS THEY DESERVE AS HUMANS.

Link – “https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/4-years-after-being-called-delhi-ka-darinda-sarvjeet-bedi-announced-not-guilty-by-court”

Non Fiction

Inlays of Subjectivity – Nikhil Govind

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About the Author

Nikhil Govind is Associate Professor and Head, Manipal Centre for Humanities, Manipal Academy for Higher Education. He did his doctoral work at the University of California, Berkeley, was on the consonance between revolutionary and literary form in strands of Bengali and Hindi literature.

Nikhil came up with his first novel (BETWEEN LOVE AND FREEDOM: THE REVOLUTIONARY IN THE HINDI NOVEL) in 2014. Currently, he is working as an Editor and on the Editorial Board of the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics (IJME).

Book Review #28

Disclaimer – By far this has been the toughest project I have taken.

This review got a lot deeper than I meant it to be. I had no idea that the book contained such heavy and meaningful ideas under the surface until I read it (Thrice). The purpose of this book, as I could understand is to understand anew and from a number of different perspectives the highly complex and controversial relation between literature and society. This is not meant to be a study in sociology or political science; the analysis of Indian literature – its structure, content, function, and effect – is our primary concern.

Nikhil has given an open idea of how the imaginative work is rooted in and grows out of the parent social body, to what extent it is influenced in subject matter as well as a technique by the dominant climate of ideas in a given historical period, and to what degree and in what manner literature “influences” the society to which it is addressed.

The stream of literary influence is of-course difficult to trace or track to its putative source, for here we are not dealing, as in science, with isolated physical phenomena which can be fitted precisely within some cause-and-effect pattern. The relationship between literature and society is far more complex than social scientists or cultural critics commonly assume.

Where to buy?

Amazon.in and Amazon.com

FooD FoR BraiN by Richa Mehndiratta

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