Storizen Magazine January 2022 | Mastering The Art of Nonfiction Writing by Storizen Magazine

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JANUARY 2022

STORIZEN

MASTERING THE ART OF

NONFICTION WRITING Exclusive Digital Issue For more Columns and features, scan the QR code

Exclusive Feature on PAGE 8

Cover Story

Book Reviews

Mastering the Art of Nonfiction Writing

Swapna Peri

Brand Partners Aleph Book Company Bloomsbury India

Editors Pria Raiyani Saurabh Chawla

Fingerprint Publishing Hachette India HarperCollinsIndia

For Advertising, Contact us attalktous@storizen.com

Pan Macmillan India Penguin India Roli Books Rupa Publications Westland (An Amazon Company)

WHAT'S INSIDE 7

EDITOR'S NOTE

STORIZEN INTERVIEW Tete-A-Tete wit Tanvi Shah

COVER STORY Mastering the Art of Nonfiction Writing

- Riya Gulati

- Pria

The software behind the Bollywood films

HOT OFF THE PRESS

- Debojit Acharjee

Incantations Over Water by Sharanya Manivannan

- Westland

HOT OFF THE PRESS The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett - Hachette India

STORIZEN CONTRIBUTE

Keeping Cholesterol Levels Low - Sushma M Bhardwaj

- HarperCollins India

STORIZEN CONTRIBUTE What are you looking for? - Madhusudhanan S

HOT OFF THE PRESS The Blue Book: A Writer’s Journal by Amitava Kumar

STORIZEN HEALTH

STORIZEN CONTRIBUTE A Happy Memory - Neelakshi Banerjee

HOT OFF THE PRESS The Ayurvedic Kitchen by Sonal Chowdhary and Dr. Asghar - Westland

WHAT'S INSIDE 46

STORIZEN REVIEW

The Force Behind the Forces: Stories of Brave Indian Army Wives by Swapnil Pandey - Swapna Peri

STORIZEN REVIEW

STORIZEN POETRY Rhapsody in Silk - Sangita Kalarickal Krivosik

STORIZEN POETRY I Bet You Think about me

What's Within You by Tom Lillig and David Shurna

- Madhumathi H

- Swapna Peri

STORIZEN REVIEW The Legend of Birsa Munda by Tuhin Sinha - Swapna Peri

STORIZEN REVIEW Neeraj Chopra: From Panipat to the Podium by Arjun Singh Kadian - Swapna Peri

STORIZEN POETRY Remembrances - Sumantra Chaudhury

STORIZEN POETRY An Encounter at the Mall - Vidya Shankar

To read Storizen on the web, visit storizen.com. Follow Storizen on Instagram @storizenmag.

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from the editor

calling all writers!

DO YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF STORIZEN FAMILY? You can also be a contributor. Mail us your entries at talktous@storizen.com. Your smart ideas and inputs help us create our informative issues.

The night has come to a halt and I can't stop thinking about

you. I believe in a small corner of your heart, where you kept our memory, I bet you are also thinking about me. Starting 2022 as the year of love as it is governed by number 6, the Venus. As we make an entry into the new year, it's all about leaving the past memories behind and starting anew. But some memories are for a lifetime. So we dedicated this month to the theme "I bet you think about me…" We have seen a lot of new authors coming up as everybody has got a chance to harness their talent during the pandemic, we have included "Mastering the Art of Writing Nonfiction" as the exclusive Cover Feature to help you out in writing your next bestseller! Do check it out on page 8. As book lovers, we get to read awesome books this month. Check out the Hot Off The Press column to soothe your reading senses this month. We have got awesome feedback and contributions this month and are super excited to have interviewed the Grammy Award Winner and singer Tanvi Shah for this issue of Storizen. Love filmmaking or are you an aspiring filmmaker? The article on the Software behind the Bollywood films is something you would not like to miss. Packed with wonderful, heart-touching stories and poetry, we are sure that you would not like to miss this issue. We thank our readers and contributors for their constant support and motivating us to bring you some of the best content each month. Keep spreading the love and support! Do read, like, comment, and share with your friends & family. Happy Reading! editor@storizen.com Saurabh Chawla, Editor in Chief

COVER STORY

Mastering the Art of

Nonfiction Writing A Storizen Exclusive Feature

Text by Pria

ou have got a lot of ideas and a lot to tell to people. A person is populated with over 6200 thoughts a day on average. That's a lot! If you are the one reading this, you must be wondering that probably you get this many thoughts in a time period of 24 hours, how many of these are the thoughts you would like to share with the people around you? People consume a lot of information today via their surroundings and thanks to the digital world, we have got access to a plethora of facts and what's happening around the world. You have got something to share and you plan to write a nonfiction book to share your experiences and thoughts with people around the world but you get stuck on how to

COVER STORY

apps, his reason stands tall. COVER STORY

write one? If that's the case with you, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will be sharing 5 important tips and techniques which you can utilize to write your nonfiction book 1. BUILD A MEMORABLE STORY AROUND YOUR FACTS Who doesn't like to read or listen to a story? We have all heard it since our birth from our grandparents and parents. Later on we deep dive into adulthood and listen to stories in literature in school and college. Cutting it short, we all love stories. The idea here is simple. We remember stories in a far better way than rules, concepts, or any formulas. Why? Because we can relate to them at some level. A success or a failure story quite fascinates the readers as they can relate the incidents to what's happening in their lives.

For example, if you are writing a book that talks about how smoking can be dangerous to your health. Instead of stating the facts bluntly, you can tell a story of a person who s leading a wonderful life after quitting smoking. In that case, the readers would be more engaged and it will become a memorable one.

People consume a lot of information today via their surroundings and thanks to the digital world, we have got access to a plethora of facts and what's happening around the world.

How can you build a story? You have your facts and figures in place, you have interviewed the experts and leaders in a particular industry, now it's time to weave out a fascinating story. 10

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2. COME TO THE POINT QUICKLY Just like in fiction writing there is a hook that instantly grabs the readers' attention. Similarly, nonfiction writing involves hooking the readers instantly to get them interested. This is because there is a lot of information floating around. This overflow of information can leave some of the readers overwhelmed. To overcome the influx caused by information explosion or information overload, people have now started skimming the content or just read the headings and subheadings before deciding to read the full story. You can simply do the same by starting with an instant hook-like telling a joke or asking some personal question. Some of the writers start off with a compelling personal or historical story that readers instantly relate to and engage with your content. It's always helpful while telling a compelling story is to keep the suspense element alive. The readers must be always wondering what's next.

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This way you will get engaged readers who are likely to share your work among their peers and friends as well. 3. CONNECT WITH YOUR READERS AT AN EMOTIONAL LEVEL When we come to storytelling, it is essential to connect with your readers emotionally. Bad nonfiction pieces comprise only of mere facts. They often include complex sentence structures and a lot of technical or nontechnical jargon. This can make your readers overwhelmed again. The solution is to use more imagery and put a personality In your writing. Metaphors are also an interesting way to add some spice. Instead of writing “double-digit percent fluctuations,” write, “a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs.” As humans are visual creatures, it's essential to include visual components in your writing. the best non-fiction writing techniques involve emotional descriptive terms that help readers begin to decode the complex facts which may be offered within the text. STORIZEN MAGAZINE

COVER STORY

So, it's time to reconnect with the emotional side of your writing and stir up your readers' feelings. 4. FOLLOW SIMPLICITY

THE

RULE

Yes, you read that right. No matter what industry you belong to or you are writing on a specific industry, it is surely going to have technical words or you can say jargon that is

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necessarily unknown to your readers or layman in general. If you are writing particularly for the people involved in that industry like medical journals, you can keep the jargon intact. For the others, it's always best to follow the rule of keeping it simple. It's tempting as a writer to include complex wording but it's better to impress with a story than its wording.

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COVER STORY

Your aim here is to get your idea across and it can be done by saying it simply. 5. MAKE IT UNPREDICTABLE Fiction comprises a lot of surprising twists and turns. Nonfiction on the other hand is read as a predictable piece of writing. That makes it dull! You are going to change this with your nonfiction writing and surprise the reader. You want to give them an unexpected surprise to your reader. It will keep it interesting and fun for your readers. They will enjoy it more like they enjoy their daily dose of drama they watch. You can also offer a fact that isn't expected just like in some of the movies the ending is something that the audience didn't expect. Use your imagination and references from your own experiences to include an element of surprise and to put your point across in an exciting way.

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About Pria - Young mesmerizing freelance blogger, social enthusiast, an economics graduate from Jharkhand University with Master in Child Psychology. She is hardworking yet crazy, a passionate reader, an ardent music fanatic, an avid caffeine lover, and a maniacal animal lover too. She has been a part of numerous anthologies, articles, and write-ups for newspapers and magazines which are multi-linguistic. She has also written screenplays for YouTube series. Contact: pria@storizen.com

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HOTthe OFFpress Sharanya Manivannan makes her debut as a graphic novelist with a surreal story of a mermaid who brings to life stories, both magical and real.

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HOTthe OFFpress COSY CRIME COMES BACK IN 2022!

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The Blue Book by Amitava Kumar

Picasso said that painting is a way of keeping a diary. The Blue Book is an example of such a diary. A diary, both in words and images, tells us that we can keep in sight the daily sublime. All we need to do is pay attention, with an equal eye, to everything around us. Beauty exists only if you notice it. Don’t let your life pass unnoticed.

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STORIZEN EVENTS

Amitava Kumar is the author of several books of non-fiction and three novels. His work has appeared in Granta, the New York Times, Harper’s, and several other publications. He has been awarded a Guggenheim fellowship and residencies from Yaddo, MacDowell and the Lannan Foundation. His novel Immigrant, Montana was on the Best of the Year lists at the New Yorker, the New York Times, and Barack Obama’s list of favourite books of 2018.

ABOUT THE BOOK Drawing as a way of keeping a diary. Writing down words in a diary is a way of maintaining a historical record. Watercolors and also words. These were the resources that the writer Amitava Kumar had been using even before the pandemic arrived. But the task gained urgency exactly when he felt most isolated and afraid. The Blue Book is Amitava Kumar’s urgent artistic response to our present world—a world that bestows upon our love and loss, travel through diverse landscapes, deaths from a virus, a flood of fake news, and if we care to notice, visions of blazing beauty. From the acclaimed author of books like A Time Outside This Time and The Lovers, this writer’s journal is a panoramic portrait of the experience, both individual and collective, of the pandemic. JANUARY 2022

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The Ayurvedic Kitchen by Sonal Chowdhary and Dr. Asghar

A comprehensive, accessible book on Ayurvedic principles and recipes that are modern and include international cuisines and global ingredients.

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Sonal Chowdhary is a holistic nutrition consultant with a specialization in weight management, sports, and clinical nutrition. She is a certified Ayurvedic nutrition consultant and a medical yoga therapist. Dr. Asghar is the founder-director of Greens Ayurveda in Azhiyur, Kerala.

ABOUT THE BOOK Increasingly sedentary lifestyles, and the dominance of processed foods in our diets, has led to a spike in a range of diseases in recent times. Our ancestors, however, had a firm understanding of the connection between eating right and staying well. They saw Ayurveda as all that is conducive to long-term health and well-being—a balance between food, body, mind, and soul.

doshas, cooking, and seasonal routines as distilled from various classical Ayurvedic texts. An accessible and essential cookbook for harmony and holistic health, The Ayurvedic Kitchen aims to empower you with the information you need to create energy and mind-body balance.

To help make Ayurveda an integral part of your life, Sonal Chowdhary and Dr. Asghar have put together a host of nutritious and wholesome recipes that take into account Ayurvedic principles even as they incorporate modern influences, international cuisines, and global ingredients. Also included are the fundamentals and norms regarding JANUARY 2022

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TÊTE-À-TÊTE WITH TANVI SHAH by Riya Gulati

Within a short span of time, Tanvi Shah has created a huge name in the Indian music industry and also received substantial recognition and reverence from all over the world. The first-ever Indian woman to win a Grammy Award for the song Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire had not only won millions of hearts for her Spanish lyrics but also for creating aesthetic music. Tanvi is indeed the pride of India. We will provide you with some insights on the Grammy winner sprinkling up ten zigzag questions:

What made you choose music as your career path? From whom do you draw your inspiration? Music just happened all of a sudden as it was never in my plan of action. Initially, I used to be a fine art student; I never chose it. I can say, music chose me. I am basically a designer (creative/graphic designer). There are so many people whom I look upon for inspiration. Herein, I would mention Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in particular because I feel that he was so principled and the way he used to believe in dedication, discipline, determination, and punctuality which I think are the four attributes all of us should have. How did you start your journey in the music industry? Were there any struggles/roadblocks? My musical journey started with my first song, ‘Fanaa’ from Yuva, with Rahman Saab. My training started after that song. I was never trained till then (I used to be a bathroom singer back then).

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Struggles and roadblocks- yes, lots of them! I think that if you don’t have struggles/roadblocks, you can never grow. You have to face, get up and walk again, that’s what makes us a better person. I think we must go with the flow, instead of fighting with it. I feel whatever struggles I had were really good. It was a lesson that I had to learn. Roadblocks are required for you to become wiser. So, it started with Yuva and there has been no looking back. Apart from being a musician you were a creative designer correspondingly, how did you manage your time? Time management is something that we all have to learn. It wasn’t difficult to juggle designing and music because while I was doing some kind of doodles or designs, there was always a tune going on in my head that was very interesting. I have been very lucky because music and design have gone together. I never found it difficult to balance out the work. Time management is very important- if you

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want to do it and if it makes you happy, you should go ahead and do it. So, for me, I was very happy designing and doing my music- the passion for it was there! Would you share your memories of Indian and Western classical music training?

which was nice as I got to learn to sing as one voice even though there are like 80 or 90 of them singing their different parts. I cherished all those moments because that’s what kind of molded me. In Indian classical, I couldn’t find a good teacher here so I was always listening to all the MyStores Pandit Jasraj, Begum Parveen Sultana Ji, Kishori Amokar, etc. I used to listen to their

Well, I’m not Indian classically trained. My musical training didn’t start until 2003. I met my professor, Mr Augustine Paul who took me under his wing and I got my western classical music training from him. I did finish my 8th gradeTrinity college training vocals from there. I got to experiment a lot. I was part of the MMA choir in Chennai and lots of choirs 22

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YouTube videos and try to mimic them for the Indian part of it. So, I would say that somewhere it really helped me- so those are the memories I really have of the training part. Which has been your prominent professional milestone? I wouldn’t want to pin it anywhere but, definitely, the Grammy, the BMI Award, the World Soundtrack Award, the Oscarsthat was definitely a professional milestone. In addition to that, our performance in Malaysia which was a huge show with Yuvan Shankar Raja and the whole stage mechanics and everything and I come out from under the stage- for some reason, I feel that was like breaking open and flying up like a Phoenix kind of a moment for me. When was the time you said it to yourself- I made it? I have never said it to myself as of now and I don’t think that I would ever say it because as an artist, I will always keep learning and growing. There will never be a moment when I will be like oh, I made it! In spite of all the accolades and credits I have, I don’t feel like that because I believe there is more to do. In other words, what’s next? I have set the bar for myself- I’m not competing with anyone (the only person I am competing with is myself). I don’t want

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to be a part of a rat race. There have been many times when people have said: they are doing this and you should also do that- I’m sorry, I’m not that kind of person. I am in no hurry and have started balancing my life really well which definitely makes me happy and satisfies my soul- be it music or design. At the end of the day, it’s like you being happy with yourself and your work. I believe that in the future there is something more I can achieve so I never stop dreaming. You have sung in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Spanish, Portuguese, AfroCuban, and Arabic- what is your take on language in determining the melody? Language is not a barrier- if you can sing in multiple languages, you show variety. It is a little more philosophical to say that music is something that brings people together. It is one thing that is positive and that makes you smile. Today people listen to Despacito and at the same time, they listen to Why this Kolaveri di?- so how does that even match? I don’t think that language is a barrier and I am very happy that I got to sing in all these languages and capable of singing in divergent languages (my favorite one would be Spanish though). I really like to sing in various languages and I think collaborations are good. Sometimes when I sing and I just break up into Spanish or Afro-Cuban or Portuguese songs, people get amused 24

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and say: how do you even know this? work on my pronunciations- I really work hard upon it. I don’t think language is a barrier and music is an art so it can be any melody wherein you can use any kind of language. You have a prudent choice over the songs- which song is next on your list? That would be a surprise! I have taken up a back seat and I have been watching the industry right now. I am taking it slow; I don’t feel like I have to jump into or lose out on something. Maybe there is something better for me. There are a couple of songs in the pipeline (not going to mention it as I am superstitious and I don’t want to jinx it). 10 years from now, what do you want your fans to remember you for? That’s fascinating, I would like to be remembered as a good human being, the one who made everyone happy, for the smile and for the pleasant songs that we have created. I would be glad if they rejoiced in the songs that I did.

heartedly. Whatever you do, do it with gumption, believe in yourself. It might take time, but, slow and steady wins the race. Don’t fall for the glamour part of it, please. I have seen both sides of it. Go in with devotion, do your work with devotion, don’t have any fallout for awards. For example: if you are going in and doing a song, don’t go in there thinking that I am going to get this award because I feel somewhere we lose that sense of devotion when you are putting that much effort into the song. Just go with the flow and do your work. Surely, something will happen (something good will come out of it). At the end of the day, something good has to come out of whatever you do. And also, to have something to fall back on, by that, I meant- have a side business, have a side hustle (whatever you want to call it). Moreover, don’t just believe in everything that happens on social media as it is a different world (it’s a fake world). Live your life, take a deep breath- BREATHE, go out, stay grounded and that should work.

Any piece of advice would you like to impart to the novice musician(s)? Always have something to fall back on. The industry, especially now, is very different. There is a lot of competition. Put in your 200%. Don’t do anything half-

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Riya Gulati is a Paralegal at Law Offices of Caro Kinsella, Ireland. She is LL.M (Intellectual Property & Information Technology) from University College Dublin & BA.LLB from Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University. STORIZEN MAGAZINE

BY DEBOJIT ACHARJEE

The Software Behind Bollywood Films

ilmmaking is a million-dollar business in the Bollywood film industry, and with the help of digital technology, filmmakers are now able to make incredible films, in no time. The Bollywood film industry has been making films since the 20th century, and Shree Pundalik was the first feature film of Bollywood released in 1912. Earlier, films were made using old film cameras and various lighting techniques. Filmmakers used the traditional linear editing method to edit and make films. However, due to the digital transformation of the film industry – it has now become possible to make a successful film, with the click of a button. Nowadays, computer software can help filmmakers create films, seamlessly with perfection. Let us look at a few software that is mostly used to make films in the Bollywood film industry.

anywhere using such video editing software on a laptop or PC. However, most film editing is done at a production studio using dedicated studio software. For using video editing software on a laptop – a high-end CPU and graphics card are required. That’s why laptops like Macbook Pro, are mostly used for seamless video editing purposes. Moreover, these days most of the films are recorded in High Definition (HD) 1080p format, and professional video editing software like Final Cut Pro – supports HD video editing also. 4K

VIDEO EDITING SOFTWARE: Video editing using computer software is called non-linear video editing and various video footage, taken at different times can be used with this type of video editing because, with the help of video editing software, one can rearrange the shots as required. Most popular video editing software used in Bollywood are Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Avid Media Composer. One can now edit a film JANUARY 2022

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video recording is also becoming popular among filmmakers, and most video editing software also supports that. Many people are now using such video editing software to make online movies and Ads for video sharing sites like YouTube also. Apart from using offline (standalone) video editing software, it’s also possible to do video editing using cloud-based online video editors like Lumen5, ClipChamp, Biteable, and Animoto. Adobe also provides its cloud-based online video editing services on Adobe Creative Cloud. YouTube also has an online video editing interface that can be used to edit videos before uploading them. Online video editors have a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that provides almost the same software components (tools) and functionality, as the offline (standalone) video editors. But online video editors are not suitable for professional video production because of their limited performance but can be used for amateur filmmaking purposes. The main advantage of using such a cloud-based video editor is that it can be used on any laptop or PC with minimum hardware requirements because such cloud-based video editors work on a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA).

visual effects to a film were created using various mechanical methods. In 1857, Oscar Rejlander (photographer) created the world's first special effects image by combining different sections of 32 negatives into a single image, making a montaged combination print. These are the types of visual effects: ● Special effects: These are kinds of effects created live while shooting a film with the help of mechanical and optical methods. For example, on-set explosions and stunt performances while shooting a film, can be called special effects. Special effects are the traditional techniques used while making a film without the need of any computer software. ● Digital effects (FX): With the emergence of digital video and computer software – it’s now possible to create various visual effects using computer software, and is known as digital effects. There are various kinds of digital effects: ● Matte painting: It is a process of creating a fake background for any environment in a film using a highly advanced photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop. By creating such digitally created backgrounds, a scene can be created in a film of a location that was not really visited while shooting the film.

VISUAL EFFECTS (VFX) SOFTWARE: Visual effects are the magic done to a film during post-production, to create unbelievable realistic scenes. Previously, 28

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● Modeling: This is a kind of digital effect, through which fictional characters can be created in a film using modeling software like Autodesk Maya or Autodesk JANUARY 2022

3D Max. Both of these are awardwinning software and are used by many filmmakers to create virtual characters or objects in a film. ● Animation: 2D/3D: Animation is done to create digital effects in a film using the most popular software called Autodesk Maya. With the help of such software – 3D animations can be created in a film, with minimum camera requirements. ● Compositing and rendering:: Compositing is done by combining visual elements from different sources to create the illusion that all those elements are parts of the same scene. This is usually done before rendering the completed video. Software like Nuke and Adobe After Effects are used for Compositing purposes. Rendering is the final stage of the FX video and it’s done usually with the help of a popular software called Renderman (Pixar). Renderman (Pixar) is an award-winning software and is used in many production companies for rendering purposes.

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COMPUTER GENERATED IMAGERY (CGI) SOFTWARE: CGI is an image or video that is digitally created using computer software. The difference between CGI and FX is that a CGI video can be completely created from scratch, using graphics software but, FX can be done on recorded videos only, and requires a camera to shoot the video before applying the FX. CGI can be used for filmmaking as well as for the production of print media, advertisements, and video games also. The most popular software used for creating CGI is Autodesk Maya and Autodesk 3D Max. Creating visual effects using special effects with traditional methods like on-set explosions and stunts – always carries a risk of accidents. Many people in the film industry succumbed to injuries while creating such on-set special effects. That’s why creating special effects is a risky part of a film, and cannot be done easily. But with the help of FX software, it’s possible to create visual effects

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digitally without the risk of life. Using CGI software, it’s now also possible to create realistic videos without the need for any special camera or studio setup. That’s why nowadays, most films are created using VFX and CGI to show something which is impossible to shoot in real life using a camera. Many films like Robot, Ra. One, Krrish-3, Dhoom-3, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, and Baahubali, were made using FX and CGI software.

software, anyone with minimum singing ability can sing a song for a film because this software can correct the pitch of the singer according to the chords of a song. That’s why nowadays, most Bollywood singers sound good after the postproduction work, and the music also sounds amazing because such audio enhancement software is used.

AUDIO SOFTWARE: Audio is the important part of a film and the audio track of a film is created separately using various post-production techniques. After the arrival of Dolby Digital (DD) audio, the audio quality of films has improved significantly. Previously, films used only stereo sound, which included 2-channel (2.0) audio but DD audio uses surround sound with 6channel (5.1) audio. Software like Adobe Audition is used for the post-production of audio tracks in a film. Soundtracks are also a very important part of a film and most of them are created by various sound artists with the help of such audio software. For dubbing and recording vocals, software like Nuendo (Steinberg) is used. Many music directors can now easily make music using software like FL Studio (Image-Line) and Music Maker (Magix).

Debojit Acharjee is a Software Engineer and currently working as a freelancer. He likes to geek and blog about various software technologies online. Apart from that he also likes writing articles related to science and technology. His passion for computers made him contribute his work at the finest level. He believes that success comes in life only through hard work and good skills. @debojitacharjee

Playback singing has also become very easy with the help of software like Melodyne (Celemony), and with this

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Keeping Cholesterol Levels Low by Sushma M Bhardwaj

STORIZEN HEALTH

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. It does not intend to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases. Get the help of a certified medical professional or a certified dietician before making any changes to your diet or exercise regimen.

holesterol is found in all animals, including humans. It is a waxy fat-like substance essential for biomolecules. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. It serves as a raw material for cell membranes, the precursor of hormones, bile, acid, vitamin D, and skin. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that has no calories and provides no energy. Even though fats are vital to our body, they can be harmful if eaten in excess. Fat enables to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. They are a combination of fat and protein. There are two types of cholesterol: 1) LDL (low-density lipoprotein): It is the vehicle of cholesterol transfer that causes blockage narrows down the passage of arteries and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

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STORIZEN HEALTH

LDL level - less than 100mg per DL9Decilitre) is optimal. It is also called bad cholesterol. If you have a high LDL level in your blood it forms plaque. This causes the arteries to become hardened and narrowed, which slows down or blocks the blood flow to your heart. Since your blood carries oxygen to your heart, this means your heart will not be able to get enough oxygen which might lead to angina (chest pain), or if the blood flow is completely blocked it may lead to a heart attack. Following measures can affect the LDL level

2) HDL (high-density lipoprotein): it is good cholesterol because it helps to remove another form of cholesterol from your bloodstream. A high cholesterol state can also be inherited, but it's often the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices, which make it preventable and treatable. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and sometimes medication can help reduce high cholesterol. To keep the LDL in check make the necessary changes in lifestyle and do not let fat take control of your life. Take control of fat and choose the right food for a lifetime of good health.

a) Diet - saturated fat and cholesterol in the blood should be avoided b) Overweight - being overweight may raise your LDL level and lower the HDL level c) Lack of physical activity d) Smoking - it lowers your HDL cholesterol e) Genetics- your genetics decide how much cholesterol your body makes f) Medicines - certain medicines like steroids blood pressure medicines HIV or aids medicines can raise your LDL level. kidney medicines and diabetes medicines can also raise your LDL level. 34

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What are you looking for? by Madhusudhanan S

avi, a family man works as an analyst for a well-reputed company in a Capital City. He was living with his father, mother, and wife. He was a very good man and was leading a simple life. Ravi was very workaholic and has a good reputation in his office. Suddenly, as a storm comes after calm, he started facing many problems personally and professionally. He was so worried and annoyed with himself. His family was also worried about what happened to him and why he is behaving in such erratic ways these days.

Ravi was startled, stunned, and was almost in tears. He had huge respect and faith in his boss's words. So, he quietly left for home. Once, he reached home — his parents and wife asked what happen to him and why he is so devastated? He told them what has happened in the office. His parents and wife said we have been telling you for all these days, but, you were not listening to us. So, now you got to know it from your office too. His father said “Son, whatever happened has happened for your own good. Even now, it’s not too late trying to figure out what went wrong or what’s bothering you before it’s too late”

He was so stressed out that he couldn’t even figure out what he is doing with his life. One day, in his office, there was an important meeting with the clients, and he made a presentation. Once, the meeting was over, after the clients went his boss called him to his cabin and said - “Ravi, the client was not at all pleased with the presentation, and they said they have to reconsider their deal with us” He further said to him that “What happened to you, Ravi? You’re an asset to this firm; I have been noticing that something is bothering you for a long time now. Have you ever noticed what are you doing these days? I think you need a break, so go home now and take a break for a few days. I need you back only when you’re good enough to handle yourself.” JANUARY 2022

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Ravi couldn’t figure out what’s wrong with him. So, Ravi decided to leave home for a few days and said the same to his family. His family happily agreed to it and said to take good care of him and come back soon. He left home to the countryside where his teacher/mentor stays. The Mentor was very happy to see his student coming to visit him all the way and gave him a warm welcome. It didn’t take much time for his mentor to figure out that something is bothering him or something was wrong with Ravi, and he is here to know/ understand the same. But, his mentor didn’t ask him anything for the first few days. They went for a silent walk around the country riverside every day. His mentor took him to certain beautiful places and made him spend some time with nature. After a few days, his mentor asked him to fetch some water from the river for his plants by giving him a very dirty pot that had a hole at the bottom. Ravi went to fetch the water noticing how dirty the pot is and without noticing that it was also broken at the bottom. He fetched the water for the first time and realized there is a hole at the bottom when he was about to water the plants. So he again went to fetch the water, and he covered up the portion with his hand where there is a hole and watered it to the plants. Now his mentor asked him Mentor: “Ravi, what did you notice while watering the plants?”

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Ravi: “Sir, I have noticed that pot was very dirty, and it has a hole at the bottom” Mentor: “Ravi, have you noticed both the things in the very first view or only later?” Ravi: “I noticed the dirt in the pot in the first view but didn’t notice the hole till I came to water the plant” Mentor: “Why so, you could’ve easily figured it while fetching the water” Ravi: “I didn’t notice it there Sir.” Mentor: “Exactly, so what you noticed now?” Ravi: “That the Pot had a hole in the bottom” Mentor: “What happened to the dirt now?” Ravi: “It’s been washed with the water while fetching Sir.” Mentor: “Good, so dirt is gone by cleaning it with water. You have noticed the hole at the bottom and covered it up with your hand to water the plants right?” Ravi: “True, Sir!” Mentor: “That’s what life is also about. You got to cleanse yourself often in a stressful life by making yourself relaxed and having fun. The cleansing of the mind is always essential. Do the things that you love most. Every day spend some time

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with nature. It has the ability to heal. You don’t need to cover up your weakness, but concentrate on your strength and improve it further” And “Now, tell me, what happened to your first pot of water?

Mentor: “Ravi, remember the lessons you have learned and never forget. Ask yourself what are you looking for? Peaceful & happy life or Frustrated & agony life! Live life as it comes, in that way you will be always happy and contented.”

Ravi: “Those are wasted, Sir” Mentor: “Smiled and showed him the places where water had fallen. See here, it is not wasted, but it’s been watered to other plants on the way. Ravi, at times, what one notices, the others may not.” “In the same way, all your efforts and hard work will not go to waste. Nature has its own way to reward your hard work it will come to you in one form or the other. Now, tell me have you got your answers or still something is bothering you.” Ravi was literally in tears holding his mentor’s hand and thanked him for showing the light. He now, realizes what was bothering him and why he has been behaving like this!! He spent a few more days with his mentor. Before he was leaving his mentor, his mentor said -

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Ravi nodded his head as a sign of acceptance to the mentor’s word that he had learned his lesson and he left his mentor happily to home. He reached home and everyone was happy to see him back. They noticed that he is back with his old vigor and renewed man. He joined his office and his boss saw his happy face and happily welcomed him back to the office. His boss gave him the same task of presenting to the same client, as the boss somehow managed to hold them back till Ravi came. Ravi made the presentation to the same client and this time client was very happy with the project. His company bagged million dollars deal.

Madhusudhanan S is an Economist by profession. He loves to write Fiction and issues on Economics.

His boss was very happy and awarded him a promotion, which was due for a long time. Though he got his promotion now, for which he was waiting for, it didn’t bring him more joy; as he was completely poised now. Ravi is now leading a happy and contented life and nothing ever bothers him, as he has learned the lesson that he was looking for.

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JANUARY 2022

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A HAPPY MEMORY BY NEELAKSHI BANERJEE

t was a long time back. The details appear blurred at times. Nonetheless, it was the best summer I have had and has made an indelible impression in my mind. It was the summer of 1995-96 when I was in the 2nd standard. My father got posted in Bolpur, Shantiniketan returning to our home in Calcutta only on weekends. During summer vacation, my mother and I joined him for a month or so in that little quarter in Bolpur amid the quaint natural setting wrapped around by mother nature far, far away from the din and bustle of daily life.

overlooked the vast expanse of undulating fields lined by the faint silhouette of trees meeting congruously with the horizon. Once when a thunderstorm raged through the fields, the winds moving with great gusto amid the equally raging trees and the booming noise of thunder seemed to proliferate our township, shaking it by their unparalleled strength, I was captivated by the raw unadulterated beauty of mother nature, by the impeccable color-combination of the sky casting a halo in the backyard

It was no luxury holiday, or an opulent foreign trip, but the simplicity of it accentuated by the close proximity of nature and the cultural exposure which we felt still brings bouts of joy in my mind whenever I reminisce about it. I had the fortune of spending two summers and one winter in that idyllic place and during that period, I witnessed the famous Shantiniketan Dol Utsav, the coveted Poush Mela, and a proper Santhal village. Although the intrinsic details may be a little obscured I will try to give a fastidious account of my experience. My father’s township was situated in the outskirts in the heart of the fields and luckily our quarter was the farthest one from the entrance, almost in the lap of the open horizon. Our balcony JANUARY 2022

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illuminating the treetops with an eerie glow and when the torrential rain followed the thunder, it rejuvenated the thirsty fields and garnered them with a new equally scintillating look. Never have I ever felt so awestruck by watching rains. Though I couldn’t take a picture of that unusual beauty it is still secured in the folds of my memory as vivid as yesterday’s phenomenon. There I made some friends, more so companions with whom I shared many a laugh or tear. But with the passage of time, they all dispersed leaving behind a sweet memory to cherish. Hence on this cold winter evening, I thought to travel the memory lane to relive those happy times once more. I have often heard of the artistic grandeur associated with Shantiniketan Dol Utsav but to witness it with my own eyes was an altogether different experience. This traditional spring festival was started by Rabindranath Tagore at Visva Bharati, Shantiniketan and the legacy is carried forth even today. On that morning we went to the Visva-Bharati university along with a few other colleagues of my father and their families. I watched amazed at the visually vibrant surroundings where girls wearing yellowcolored sarees and flower-ornaments were performing dances on Rabindra Sangeet. After the singing and dancing, started the famous “abeerkhela” where almost everyone was greeting everyone with colored powders. In no time the 44

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entire campus got embellished by a multitude of effervescent colors, rendering a bridal glow to the entire landscape and all of us were entranced by the sheer beauty of it. Another experience worthy of mentioning is the Poush Mela, a cultural fair, a reason to celebrate in the chilly months of winter. Some 1000 stalls were erected in an enormous ground displaying fabrics, embroidered shawls, woolen garments, and also other artistic and traditional materials of heritage value. Therefore the first time, I heard traditional Baul music. The Baul music has roots in Vaishnavism, Buddhism and evokes mysticism. A couple was performing with impeccable finesse, the lady was playing the instrument while her partner was singing the Bengali folklore in a pellucid voice. Later when I studied the details of Baul music and the history attached to it, I realized that India is such a treasuretrove of culture, of artistic refinement, of talent pool but due to lack of due recognition and conservation, they are withering away day by day, advancing towards the fate of a dying art. Lastly, I will talk about the Santhal village which I visited on a rickshaw along with my parents. Though a little vague in my memory, I remember going through a winding earthen road lined by doublestory and single-storey earthen huts. I was bewildered by seeing such gigantic earthen huts and the technology with

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which they were built. Ponds were located here and there and an unmistakable smile was perennially present in the faces of the people despite the plethora of hardships they endure every day. It was an entirely different world, set in tranquility, camouflaged from the complexities of our outside world. Now in the clamor of the modern world, such distant memories seem to be a portal to a happier time, a simpler time recalling which can temporarily suspend our daily anxiety and provide some modicum of peace. Even the memory of a small quarrel with a friend, or a headlong collision with a swing-set while playing in the field or watching Dunston Checks In on Christmas Eve with parents in that little quarter has its own relevance. Those magical summers, far away from the din and bustle of Calcutta, in the nature-shrouded landscape of Bolpur, will always hold a special place, a safe place in my mind where I will always feel protected, catered, happy.

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My name is Neelakshi Banerjee. Recently I have developed a budding interest to delve through the subtle beauty of art and articulate my imaginations with the help of words. Music holds a pivotal place in my life. Though am an engineer by profession I believe both science and arts are equally imperative to make this world a more beautiful place.

@justice11254

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A Must Read Book Reviewed by Swapna Peri

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BOOK REVIEW

This book by Swapnil Pandey is based on real-life stories from the Indian Army. The book attempts to highlight the extraordinary lives of the wives of the killed soldiers. I had an opportunity to read books on wars and soldiers from all over the world and our country. But, this book feels so personal and close to heart as we get to listen to real people's real struggles and emotions. The book has seven stories, each of which is celestial in its way. Each story tends to inspire future generations. How the author has presented the veer naris' stories is indeed stupendous. Every woman showcased the valor, courage, and strength that is ever inspiring. The unbiased and selfless women and families who give the country the bravest people to safeguard the citizens is an act of extreme bravery. The women of the soldiers' households are as bold as the soldiers on the borders.

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About the Book The Force Behind the Forces is a collection of seven true stories of eternal love, courage and sacrifice. Written by an army wife, Swapnil Pandey, this book brings to light moving stories of unimaginable valour in the face of broken dreams, lost hopes and shattered families.

Book Review

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Reading each story gave me a space to think, ponder and question my responsibility as a citizen. This is a must-read and definite recommendation to all, especially the youngsters. Visit storizen.com for full review

A passionate book reviewer, writer, narrator, translator, and copy editor, Swapna has a B. Tech in Computer Science and is a former SAP Technical Consultant. She is the writer, narrator, editor, and translator for three books published with Literoma Publishing, Kolkata. She created and manages the “Book Reviews Café” official blog and Facebook page that contains all the book reviews. Swapna is also a content writer and reviewer with Storizen Magazine, CriticSpace Journals website, The Literature Times website, The Asian Review website, and the Literature Today website. She is a columnist with one of the leading women's websites in Telugu named 'Vihanga'.

@swapna.peri @sappy_dreamz_unlimited @swapna508

JANUARY 2022

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A Book To Know Yourself Reviewed by Swapna Peri

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What's Within You: Your Roadmap to Living Life With No Barriers is a book that is much more than a typical selfhelp book. The book has accounts of personal stories of so many famous personalities who are philosophers, leaders, sportsmen, or people from other disciplines. These stories explain and convey what a person can achieve in spite of facing severe obstacles. After reading the inspiring yet touching stories of people's wins over the odds, the readers will feel inspired to follow the seven life elements to a No Barriers Life. What's Within You offers a framework for applying principles, learning, and growing into a stronger, more tough person. Reading this book, it is very much possible that things pop inside the mind, and we get to see a way to solve it. The stories and the other contents help the readers to find a path to the solution.

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About the Book Within You Is Stronger Than What's In Your Way No one believes this more than David Shurna and Tom Lillig, co-founders of No Barriers USA. In 2003, they launched this awardwinning nonprofit with the mission to help people reach their fullest potential, no matter the obstacles they face.

Book Review

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Challenges are common in life. But, the way one deals with them is what makes the difference. This book will make sure that one understands the importance of finding the purpose of life, then working on it, rope a team as the book says and triumph. This book is a recommended one by all means. (check out storizen.com for full review)

@swapna.peri @sappy_dreamz_unlimited @swapna508

JANUARY 2022

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The Adivasi Fireball Reviewed by Swapna Peri

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BOOK REVIEW

Indian freedom struggle is one of the most iconic incidents that happened in the world. There have been numerous books, plays, articles, movies, etc. forms where the heroes of the freedom struggle have been talked about. Meanwhile, there are many other prominent people who ate their own risk and power fought against the feudal system of the British government. The latest mentions of Alluri Seetaramaraju of Andhra, Komaram Bheem of Telangana, and Birsa Munda of Odisha have gained prominence. In this connection, more details about Birsa Munda from some sources say that - During the period, 1886 to 1890, Birsa Munda spent a significant amount of time in Chaibasa, which was close to the center of the Sardars agitation. The activities of the Sardars had a substantial impact on the mind of the young Birsa, who soon became a part of the anti-missionary and anti-

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About the Book In 19th century India, deep in the heart of what is now the state of Jharkhand, the Adivasis have been leading a life of absolute misery and darkness. With the help of its scheming local collaborators, the colonial state has cast a net of abuse and exploitation that is tightening around these Adivasis, much like a hangman's noose does.

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government program. By the time he left Chaibasa in 1890, Birsa was firmly entrenched in the movement against the British oppression of the tribal communities. Visit storizen.com for full review

@swapna.peri @sappy_dreamz_unlimited @swapna508

JANUARY 2022

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A Hero's Biography Reviewed by Swapna Peri

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With utmost respect, if one can get a copy of the book, read and feel proud of our country's sportsmen, it is as good to appreciate the author's work. The book is an excellent eyeopener to showcase the plight of a young and energetic person who wanted to bring a difference in life but had to undergo certain hardships in order to achieve his goals. The book gives much more information about Neeraj, his family, and the rewards, accolades, and awards. His hard work finally paid off in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he won a Gold Medal for the Javelin throw. Honored Prime Minister of India, Shri. Narendra Modi stated that - 'What Neeraj Chopra has achieved will be remembered forever.'

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About the Book Neeraj Chopra: From Panipat to the Podium, this book takes the reader through the challenges of a sportsperson's life and covers Neeraj's journey in the right stead. The book gives an account of his life from his childhood, his initial days into sports in Panipat and the small victories that laid the path to the ultimate success. The book is a fascinating and inspiring read.

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Neeraj Chopra: From Panipat to the Podium, provides a detailed account of the hard work that Chopra had to put in since the age of 12. Apart from fitness and nutrition, he had to focus on building emotional strength. (check out storizen.com for full review)

@swapna.peri @sappy_dreamz_unlimited @swapna508

JANUARY 2022

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STORIZEN POETRY

Remembrances by Sumantra Chaudhury

The cup slipped as I sipped, A gentle breeze caressed the brows, A sensation familiar...yet unknown, As if someone's kiss had blown. The lips they parted, a shy smirk peeped, A curious thought in lightning flashed, As if the agreement did shake this crown. Did I blush or was it a happy frown? Like a doll into the mirror, I gazed, A misty reflection upon the glass floated, Those dewy-eyed, a favored message conveyed. My ears rang..did I hear a serenade? Ahh..'twas that feeling I now took note of, Oft it blooms on a gray morning, It emails my day for sure I say. Like a madman, unreasonably I smile all day. To know being in your spirited mind, A fragment in your deep memories, I dare say, 'tis a valuable space, A position I shall dearly embrace. And so did I bask in this joy, Of remembrances sweet as a rose, And if these feelings should arise, I shall fondly remember thee likewise.

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Sumantra is a young aspiring poet trying to express his thoughts, emotions, and ideas through rhyming verse. He is working as a Senior Consultant (Communication Design) with a reputed IT firm in Bengaluru. He is also a trained Kathak & Hip Hop dancer and has performed in several stage shows. When not writing or dancing, he spends time creating short funny videos on social media. He believes that the best gifts in life come in small packages.

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Rhapsody in Silk by Sangita Kalarickal

Every taste of mountain air And sweaty hikes in the Sahyadris Two girls singing loud dirty army songs We were those moments We were those narrow trails Winding to the forts Yet a moment later, around the bend I find myself singing a duet, alone. In a concert of dark heartstrings, Something different. A scherzo pulsing with faint Life Can you hear it? Can you feel it? Can you taste youth?

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Born a poet at heart, Dr. Sangita Kalarickal has been composing since childhood and is a published fantasy author with a soft corner for literary fiction. Her poems have been published in anthologies and e-magazines and she is currently working on her poetry collection. She lives in Minnesota, the USA where the winter cold stretches almost half the year and currently she spends much of her time studying and honing her skills in various poetry forms.

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I Bet You Think About Me by Madhumathi H Ting!", is not a tone but hope When I stare at life, clueless I bet you think about me, text randomly Listen to my heart's rant No matter how far we are from each other I customize tones, for a reason... "Ting", is not a tone, but a sleeping pill When all I wanted was silence, yet I knew my lullaby is in your voice Your soul speaks to my tears I bet you think of me, like a mother Who wakes up startled, checking her infant snuggled to her Do you know, some voice notes make the best playlist?! The songs you love, on loop Movies you cry, watching Awed moments, heart replenished by Nature's magic Poems that make you, weep your eyes out When you see deep Purple or Pastel green All things aesthetic, moments brimming with life I bet you think of me, and smile twice, even more For we don't text, call each other every day No "good morning, good night, had breakfast?" cliches But exchange warmth through art that loves us Art that nourishes, healing us...

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DECEMBER 2021

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What about your firm tones that chiseled me I bet you think about me, giggling While my eyes well up in gratitude, for the mentor in you You often understand me better, than I understand myself I bet you think of me when I rest in my shell Blanketed by silence Your thoughts check on me, through the quiet night sky, stars, the moon That never owns a voice. . . On days I curled up in bed, fatigued, lonely Exhausted inside out, you fed me soup, tea from afar Your therapeutic art the soothing balm, ray of sunshine into my chaotic room I bet you think about me, in Pastel shades of empathy... Your handwritten letters effortlessly say You find me worth gifting your love, and time for They gently reassure you are with me I smile, peacefully sleep, keeping them close I wake up to their warmth, and light What if storms overwhelm me often? Am blessed with souls to confidently say, "I bet you think about me..." Am elated, humbled by every thoughtfulness Every time someone meets Poetry and finds a part of me...

A bilingual poet-writer(Tamil, English), Madhumathi is an ardent lover of Nature, Poetry, Photography, and Music. Her poems are published in Anthologies of The Poetry Society(India), AIFEST 2020 Poetry contest Anthology, CPCChennai Poetry Circle, IPC – India Poetry Circle, Amaravati Poetic Prism, and in ezines UGC approved Muse India, Storizen, OPA – Our Poetry Archives, IWJ - International Writers Journal, Positive Vibes, and Science Shore. ‘’Ignite Poetry'’, “Arising from the dust”, “Painting Dreams", “Shards of the unsung Poesies" are some of the recent Anthologies her poems, and write-ups are part of. Besides Poetry, Madhumathi writes on Mental health, to create awareness and break the stigma, strongly believing in the therapeutic and transformational power of words. Contact: madhumathi.poetry@gmail.com

DECEMBER 2021

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STORIZEN POETRY

An Encounter at the Mall by Vidya Shankar We look at each other Awkwardness written on our faces Unsure if we should be hugging As we usually would have done Each one waiting for the other To make the first move. Neither of us does. A few embarrassing seconds pass Too late for the hug now. “Been a long while, all are well?’ I nod. She nods. We nod with assumed concern In our replies. “You’ve put on weight.” “You haven’t changed much.” “Come shopping?’ “No, yes, well...yes.” A heavy pause hangs between us The years of misunderstanding. “All’s well?” Smile Smile Pause Pause Then, 66 |

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JANUARY 2022

STORIZEN POETRY

“I need to be going. Drop-in sometime.” “Yes, getting late. Sure will.” The heaviness... Our feet are leaden. “Do you think about me?” I want to ask. My tongue is leaden. She makes the first move She always did, she always could “Bye.” My tongue is still leaden.

Vidya Shankar finds meaning to life through yoga and mandalas which invigorate her to write poetry that wins accolades and finds its way into the ‘Yearbook of Indian Poetry in English, 2020-2021’. Be it stories, articles, blogging, editing, her work is suffused with passion. Featured in a unique coffee table book, ‘50 Inspiring Women boys and girls should read about, Chennai Edition’, Vidya Shankar, a motivational speaker and a “book” in the Human Library, is the author of The Flautist of Brindaranyam (in collaboration with her photographer husband, Shankar Ramakrishnan), and The Rise of Yogamaya (an effort to sensitize her readers about mental health and the need to break free from an outdated society).

@shanvidwinsalways @vidya.shankar.author

JANUARY 2022

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