WHAT'S INSIDE
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"The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand, we listen to reply." This quote by Stephen R Covey is the root of the Theme for our October 2019 Issue of Storizen Magazine.
We communicate and its essential to do so in order to survive and to avoid misunderstandings, it needs to be done effectively.
We are delighted to feature A Thriller Writer at HeartKanchana Banerjee who will tell us how she ventured into writing and how her love for thriller genre germinated.
Book Lovers, this month we bring you six hot releases in association with Hachette India and HarperCollins Publishers viz. Japan Made Easy by Sandeep Goyal, Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell, THE SWACHH BHARAT REVOLUTION by Edited by Parameswaran Iyer, FAST CHEAP and VIRAL by AASHISH CHOPRA, LOSS by Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi, RITA FERREIRA SERIES by VISH DHAMIJA. Grab your copies NOW!
Do check out our Editor's Choice article of the month - The Art Of Saying It Right by Sumana Bhattacharya
Packed with poetry and a book review of Virat: The Making of a Champion, This issue is surely going to light you up.
We received a lot of love and support and would like to thank our readers and contributors.
Help us spread the word by a like, comment and share!
Wish you all a very HAPPY DIWALI!
Happy Reading!
Saurabh Chawla, Editor in Chief editor@storizen.com
A THRILLER WRITER AT HEART KANCHANA BANERJEE
AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
After writing successful first thriller, A Forgotten Affair, Kanchana Banerjee has another feather in her cap with her new release Nobody's Child. A Thriller Writer at heart, how Kanchana ventured into writing and how her love for thriller genre germinated, Kanchana tells Pria.
How was the transition from writing about Domestic Drama to Psychologicalthriller?
by Pria
I think I’m a thriller writer at heart. Havealwaysenjoyedreading& watching thrillers. The genre fascinates me. Even my first book, though not a thriller, had some thrilling aspects to it. I always knew inmyheartthatIwillpenathriller.
Was it easier to adapt to the new genre? Tips for budding authors to switch genres?
One needs to read a lot. I devoured bestselling thrillers – by Gillian Flynn, Mary Kubica & many others. Writingisn’teasy.Nogenreiseasy. As a writer you need to immerse yourselfintothestory,thecharacter and plot. Read a lot and teach yourself.That’swhatIdo.
A young woman is found on the streets of Mumbai, dazed and covered in wounds. Her mind is clearly addled by drugs. She tells a TV journalist that she is the famous singer Asavri Bhattacharya, the winner of the 2016 reality TV show Indian Koel. But as far as the world knows, Asavri died in a car accident soon after her win. Her body was cremated; her death mourned by the whole nation. As news spreads like wildfire, the press and public begin clamouring for answers. How can Asavri be alive? And if this is indeed the real Asavri, then who was cremated three years ago? And who is behind what happened to her? Is it Tanya, the first runner-up who wore the victor's crown after Asavri was declared dead, or Rudra, Asavri's ex-husband? Or is it Kamini Devi - the glamorous MP with a sinister plan? Or Avniel, the film journalist who shot to fame by writing Asavri's biography soon after her death? And why does Asavri keep muttering the name Monty? Who is he? Nobody's Child Is An Exhilarating And Chilling Story About The Dark Side Of Fame.
Your book talks about various hypocrisies of our society. Do you think it's the hypocrisy that makes one evil?
Hypocrisy is natural to humans, as is evil. The good and the bad co-exist in us. Some people allow the bad and the evil to be theirguidingcompasslikethe characters in Nobody’s Child. Kamini Pratap can only see her goal and her ambition. She wants to win at any cost and anyonewhostandsinherpathis just collateral damage. Avniel is in a professional rut and uses Asavri to benefit himself. But in the second half of the book he realizes the wrong he did and feelsbadaboutit.
With reference to your story line, If one is always disowned by parents, relatives, friends and loved ones, how do you think it affects one's thought process?
I think it’s betrayal of the worst and the mosttraumatickind.Tobeshunnedand thrownoutbythepeopleyouhaveloved.It cancompletelydestroyaperson.
Your book has amazing script while using Reality TV show as backdrop. Anyplansofmakingitintoawebseries ormovieoradailysoap?
Most readers after reading Nobody’s Child havethisremarkbuthonestlywhilewritingI didn’t think about anything else other than writing a good story. My only aim was to write a story that would make an interesting read. I hope I have been able to achieve that.
Hypocrisy is natural to humans, as is evil. The good and the bad co-exist in us.
Yourcharactersseldomnarrate their own stories. What do you keep in mind while choosing yourcharacters?
That they are interesting, intriguing, come alive and carry the plot ahead. I try to get into the skin of every character. You’ll be surprised to know that Kamini, inspite of being such an evil character, most readers enjoyed her story.
Do you believe that in Reality Shows, One man's failure is TickettoOtherMan'ssuccess?
I think as human beings we are extremely curious about other people. We are nosy and inquisitive. Reality TV is a peep into other people’s lives. What would a group do if locked up in a house for 30 days? What would happen if couples are made to face challenges..etc.
What do you have to say about the dark side of TRP game? Is content important in that game?
These are just tactics to sell and make money. Just like newspapers and magazines sell pictures and news about celebs… to make more money. TV channels use gimmicks to spike up the TRP and make money. It’s a money game. Who am I to comment on this?
The genre like Crime/Thriller have picked up pace in India compared to other genres.
In your opinion, what has led to this increased interest?
I think crime / thriller genre has always been popular. Agatha Christie was a huge hit decades ago. Sherlock Holmes and his exploits have been a favourite since years. So I don’t think fascination for this genre is new. Crime is fascinating, as long as it
doesn’t involve or affect us. We like to know about the darker side of human beings. What we know little about, we are drawn to it.Why does someone do something nasty? Is evil born or does evil rise out ofcircumstances?
Which genres you enjoy reading the most? Which you don’t enjoy at all?
Thriller is my favoutite genre and I don’t reading love stories. I get bored unless it’s a beautiful saga like Thorn Birds, The Far Pavillion, Gone with the Wind.
What is the biggest surprise that you experienced after becoming a writer?
That people think I have an opinion on everything from politics to relationships. I’m not an expert on anything, least of all relationships. It’s very strange when people ask me to comment about social norms as an author. Anything you would like to say to yourreaders?
I hope you buy and read Nobody’s Child.That’sallanauthorwants.
What are some ways in which you promote your work? Do you find that these add to or detract from yourwritingtime?
By being invited to talk about my book on magazine like yours. I’m so thankful and delighted that you think me and my book worthy of being featured.
What projects are you working on at the present? When can we expect a new crime fiction from you?
On Book 3. Yes of course it is a thriller. I am going to be writing in this genre for sometime.
What do your plans for future projects include? Any plans for a motion picture/web series based onyourbook(s).
I just want to write. Learn to be a better writer. If movie happens… great. If not..it’s not meant to be. I want to focus on my writing craft. I want to enroll for a really good thriller writing course. I enjoy learning and love to learn and grow.
I just want to write. Learn to be a better writer. If movie happens…great. If not..it’s not meant to be.
Rapid Fire With Kanchana:
1.
Your all-time favorite author/writer?
Jeffrey Archer
2. Do you believe in writer’s block? Did you have it anytime or not?
No, I don’t believe. It’s just unwillingness to work at it.
3. Your favorite place to write your book(s) My writing table in my study.
4. What do you do in your free time?
Read, play with my dogs, do some gardening, watch TV. Am a huge Netflix addict.
5. Do you Google yourself?
No, I don’t. I have better things to do.
Who are some of your favorite authors that you feel were influential in your work? What impact have they had on your writing?
Gillian Flynn, Mary Kubica and Martha Alderson – she has written this amazing book Plot Whisperer. It ismywritingBible.
In your opinion, what is the most important thing that people DON'T know about your subject/genre, whichtheyneedtoknow?
"Thriller is my favoutite genre and I don’t reading love stories. I get bored unless it’s a
beautiful saga like Thorn Birds, The Far Pavillion, Gone with the Wind."
I really don’t want to comment on this. I’m just 2 books old and hardly an expert to answer this question.SoIwillpass.
What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
I wanted to write a book that the reader is unable to put down. A thriller that has been reading page after page without stopping. I think I have been able to do that. Many people have written to me saying they stayed up all night reading the book. So I feel happy that I have been able to do that.
(As told to Pria)
(Visit www.storizen.com for the full coverage!)
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.
pria@storizen.com
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101 short essays that cover everything from sushi to sake, and sama to sumo
Learn these 101 Japanese words to travel freely, work, and live in Japan! How should one negotiate effectively with Japanese businessmen? How can one understand the unique attributes of Japanese culture? What are the most essential factors to consider while travelling across the country? For the average Indian, Japan is the land of the bullet train, zippy cars, and geisha girls, and perhaps hard to understand as well. However, what appears to be opaque and insular to the world outside turns out to be a society that is friendly, intimate, and closely knit together when you get to know it better. In Japan Made Easy, Sandeep Goyal, an old hand at explaining the country, takes us on a joyous roller coaster ride through Japanese aesthetics, business, culture, food, philosophy, spirituality, and much else, to make this land of mysteryandmystiquefamiliartous.
With India's rising number of tourists to Japan and Olympics 2020 on the horizon, this book is the best guide to a complex, nuanced and an utterly lovablecountry.
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR:
Sandeep Goyal has visited Japan over a hundred times over the past twentyfive years. Goyal was the president of Rediffusion - DY&R at the age of thirtyfive. Post that, he became Group CEO of Zee Telefilms. In 2003, he partnered with Tokyo-based Dentsu Inc., the world's single largest advertising agency, in joint-ventures for India and the Middle East. His previous book was titledKonjo.
101 short essays that cover everything from sushi to sake, and sama to sumo
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The spectacular new novel from the bestselling author of Cloud Atlas and The Bone Clocks, DAVID MITCHELL
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Utopia Avenue are the strangest British band you've never heard of. Emerging from London's psychedelic scene in 1967 and fronted by folksinger Elf Holloway, guitar demigod Jasper de Zoet and blues bassist Dean Moss, Utopia Avenue released only two LPs during its brief and blazing journey from the clubs of Soho and draughty ballrooms to Top of the Pops and the cusp of chart success, to glory in Amsterdam, prison in Rome and a fateful American fortnight in the autumn of 1968. David Mitchell's new novel tells the unexpurgated story of Utopia Avenue; of riots in the streets and revolutions in the head; of drugs, thugs, madness, love, sex, death, art; of the families we choose and the ones we don't; of fame's Faustian pact and stardom's wobbly ladder. Can we change the world in turbulent times, or does the world changeus?
Utopia means 'nowhere' but could a shinier world be within grasp, if only we hadamap?
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David Mitchell is the bestselling author of,amongothers,CloudAtlas,TheBone Clocks, number9dream, Ghostwritten, and Black Swan Green. He has also brought two books on autism by Naoki HigashidatotheEnglish-speakingworld; contributed to the Netflix series Sense8 and to the upcoming film in The Matrix series; and written opera libretti. Twice shortlisted for the Booker Prize, Mitchell won the Sunday Times Award for Literary Excellence in 2018. He has won or been shortlisted for many prizes including the Costa, Guardian First Book Award, World Fantasy Book Award and Commonwealth Writers' Prize. He lives inIreland.
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Four Pillars of India’s Behavioural Transformation
On 15 August 2014, in his maiden Independence Day address to the country, Narendra Modi became the first Prime Minister of India to address the challenge of open defecation from a national platform. It was a practice historically ingrained in Indian society and had seemed impossible to curb. But the Prime Minister did the unthinkable: he declared a firm resolve to eradicate it in just five years.Launched to implement this vision, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) had a challenging job on handbuthasprovedtobeoneofthe major successes of the government. Over the past five years, almost 10 crore toilets have been built under SBM-Grameen, and rural sanitation coverage has risen from 39 per cent in 2014 to 99 per cent in June 2019. The Mission’s mass outreach effort hasmobilizedover60crorepeople–nearly half of India’s population – to changetheirbehaviour.Indiaisnow
on the verge of declaring itself Open Defecation Free on 2 October 2019, Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary.
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR:
PARAMESWARAN IYER is Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti – the ministry overseeing the implementation of the flagship Swachh Bharat Mission and the new Jal Jeevan Mission, aimed at providing drinking water to all rural households in India. Prior to his current appointment, Iyer served as Manager for Water in the World Bank based in Washington DC. A former IAS officer, he headed the innovative community-led Swajal Project in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the 1990s, and has over twenty-five years of global experience in the water and sanitation sector, particularly in Vietnam, China, Egypt and Lebanon.
Four Pillars of India’s Behavioural Transformation
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The ultimate guide to creating ‘viral’ content from the master of content marketing who has taken the Internet by storm!
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Aashish Chopra's first viral video wasshotwithclosetonobudgetand sparing equipment. Yet, today, his content has over 350 million views and industry masters universally agree that Aashish has cracked the viral code.In Fast, Cheap and Vir al, the ace marketer shares the secrets behind his success – all of them learnt and honed on his journey. This one-stop super-guide toviralvideomarketinggivesyouthe low-downon:
HOWTOGRABEYEBALLSinasea ofcontent;
HOW TO DRIVE ENGAGEMENT (because views can be bought, but engagement is earned);
WHY STORYTELLING BEATS PRODUCTION VALUE and behindthe-scenestipsandtricks;
HOW TO BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRANDandkilljobinsecurity.
For every student, entrepreneur, blogger, marketing manager or leader who dreams of reaching millions on a shoestring budget, this book is the definitive manual on sustainableviralsuccess.
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
Aashish Chopra is an awardwinning viral video marketer, having made and marketed videos with millions of shares and gazillion views. His videos have hit 350 million views, with one becoming Asia's most-shared branded Facebook post and another hitting 40 million views in a week. He's a soughtafter speaker on viral video marketing and was featured in Forbes. He heads contentmarketingatIxigo.
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Personal essays on mortality from one ofIndia’s most beloved writers
Whatdoesitmeantolose someone?Toanswerthistimeless question,bestsellingauthor Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi drawsonastringofdevastating personallosses–ofhismother,of hisfatherandofabelovedpet–to craftamovingmemoirofdeathand grief.Withsurgicaldetachmentand subtlefeeling,Shanghvichartsthe landscapeofbereavementashe takesthereaderdownthedark, windingpathtohealing.Clear-eyed andintimate,Lossisthefirst collectionofnon-fictionbyoneof India’smostbelovedwriteroflife experience.
Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi’s firstnovel,TheLastSongofDusk, wontheBettyTraskAward, thePremioGrinzaneCavour,and wasnominatedfortheIMPACPrize. Hissecondbook,TheLost FlamingoesofBombay,was
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
shortlisted for the Man Asian Prize. His most recent book is The Rabbit & the Squirrel. A past contributor to TIME, the New York Times,Vogue and other publications,helivesinnorthGoa.
Personal essays on mortality from one of India’s most beloved writers
Photograph by Shekhar Karambelker
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1982.Three teenage girls planning a flight from the Soviet Union to the West end up being sold in Bombay’s red-light area instead.
1982.Three teenage girls planning a flight from the Soviet Union to the West end up being sold in Bombay’s red-light area instead. The murders start a quarter of a century later. The victimsareallmen.Allofthemtricks, waiting for trysts with high-class escorts.DCPRitaFerreiraisquickto recognize it as the work of a serial killer; the media isn’t far behind. The news sends shock waves through the city: the first serial killer in the living memory of Mumbai is out on the streets. As Rita grapples to establish the pattern, the killer gives her24hourstostopthenextmurder. Can she do that before she herself becomesthenextvictim?
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR:
Vish Dhamija is the bestselling author of eight crime fiction books. In August 2015, at the release of his first legal fiction, Deja Karma, Glimpse magazine called him ‘India’s John Grisham’ for stimulating the genre of legal fiction in India, which was almost non-existent before his arrival on the scene. The Rita Ferreira series has been acquired by Abundantia Entertainment to be adapted into a multiseasonshow.
1982.Three teenage girls planning a flight from the Soviet Union to the West end up being sold in Bombay’s red-light area instead.
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The inimitable Rita Ferreira returns to unravel a web of lies and deceit as she races against time in this thrilling page-turner.
Ron Jogani, a jeweller from Mumbai, arrives in Belgium to buy a consignment of loose diamonds worth over €10 million. Hours later, he’s found dead in his hotel room in Brussels – murdered. The techsavvy killers have managed to elude the CCTV cameras in the hotel … except the concealed camera in the elevator that has captured one of them. When one of the stolen diamonds is sold in Mumbai, the Belgian Police reach out to their Indian counterparts, and the case is assigned to DCP Rita Ferreira. But when Rita and her team track down the man in the CCTV photograph provided by the Belgians, they realize there must have been some mix-up: the target does not even have a passport – he couldn’t have travelled to Brussels. The inimitable Rita Ferreira returns to unravel a web of lies and deceit as sheracesagainsttimeinthisthrilling page-turner.
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR:
Vish Dhamija is the bestselling author of eight crime fiction books. In August 2015, at the release of his first legal fiction, Deja Karma, Glimpse magazine called him ‘India’s John Grisham’ for stimulating the genre of legal fiction in India, which was almost non-existent before his arrival on the scene. The Rita Ferreira series has been acquired by Abundantia Entertainment to be adapted into a multiseasonshow.
The inimitable Rita Ferreira returns to unravel a web of lies and deceit as she races against time in this thrilling page-turner.
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DCP Rita Ferreira is called into the investigation after a third corpse is discovered in Mumbai, which confirms it’s the work of the same killer who paints his victims’ lips with dark red lipstick. high-heeled wives …
DCP Rita Ferreira is called into the investigation after a third corpse is discovered in Mumbai, which confirms it’s the work of the same killer who paints his victims’ lips with dark red lipstick. The Lipstick Killer, like all serial killers, is fast decompensating – the time interval between the murders shortening, the victims shifting from street-side hookers to high-heeled wives … And he watches everything and everyone – the news of his exploits, Rita, the investigation – and talks. However, heonlytalkstoyou:‘WhenI’mgone, some people may tell you that I was evil, perhaps even call me a psychopath. Don’t believe them. I am not. I am anything but irrational and impractical; perhaps only slightly more detached than your average guyonthestreet.’
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR:
Vish Dhamija is the bestselling author of eight crime fiction books. In August 2015, at the release of his first legal fiction, Deja Karma, Glimpse magazine called him ‘India’s John Grisham’ for stimulating the genre of legal fiction in India, which was almost non-existent before his arrival on the scene. The Rita Ferreira series has been acquired by Abundantia Entertainment to be adapted into a multiseasonshow.
DCP Rita Ferreira is called into the investigation after a third corpse is discovered in Mumbai, which confirms it’s the work of the same killer who paints his victims’ lips with dark red lipstick. high-heeled wives …
How Do I Communicate?
by Geeta Varma
When my dog comes to me I talk rubbish but it responds, tilts its head, wags its tail and I feel happy. When I listen to a violin, I feel happy. When the notes played are sad, I feel sad, but I enjoy.
Even Nature communicates. When trees sway or there is a thunderstorm, we react.
In other words, we communicate even without words. Do we need words to communicate? Don’t puppets communicate? They don’t use words. Neither do dancers or artists or sculptors. But we understand and enjoy because the communication is artistic. How can communication be an art? It can, only if it satisfies the demands of an art. Does, then, art demand? What is art?
I have read somewhere that art is derived from or is part of the word artificial, which again, means, not real. That which is an imitation. But I am sure no artist would agree to that.
However,any art has two aspects to it – 1. Idea/feelings which can be abstract and 2.Skills which have to be acquired. Applying this to the art of communication or the art of language use, one has to learn the skills of language use to express ideas or feelings effectively. In other words, communication is effective expression of ideas or feelings. Therefore, one has to be thorough with the language rules, vocabulary etc. in order to express effectively.How does one acquire language skills? By learning to read, write, speak etc. And, how does one develop ideas? Can one develop ideas? One, actually has to have ideas and they depend on one's inherent nature or intellect. If one has ideas and no skill to communicate them, one is like a musical instrument in the hands of a novice. Similarly, if one is an adept at using language and has nothing to communicate, it is like a musical instrument in the hands of a monkey.
GeetaVarma has been a teacher and a journalist for many years. She has taught in Vidya Mandir Higher Secondary school and The School KFI. She has conducted Creative workshops for children and used to run a Creative Learning Centre for children where they could explore and learn. She has been an Educational Consultant for some time. She has written for publications such as Aside, The Hindu Metro plus, Trident, Ritz, City Express, The Deccan Herald and so on, and was also involved in Design and Publishing. As a journalist, she has interviewed many creative people- Scientists, Writers, Artists and Filmmakers, including the Chinese writer Han Suyin. She has recently published a book of poems, ‘To my Violin’. She lives in Chennai.
I honked Twice or Retrospecting
by Parth Lakhani
Running late for meeting I took sharp turn on WHC road. To avoid traffic, I took another left turn in a lane thinking it would be short cut, but as India and Nagpur growing rapidly we need concrete roads even in small lane’s as per govt. making people like me stuck out of no were. Taking a U-turn I started again, trying to exit the same lane I just entered, I took a left turn and had to jammed brakes immediately as white Honda WRV rushed in.
finger rings on a waving palm to realize it that she signaled NO! In fact, she wants me to reverse my car, whichis already having its nose in the correct lane. So, I lowered my glass first then came out of my car and gave acourtesy smile saying, “Ma’am, I need to go in left lane and I am alreadythere. Don’t you think
As I was onmy left lane of the road and needed to take left turn, I signaled my counterpart to move straight and let me pass but little did I know I stood against hardcore feminist. Initially,when car didn’t move I thought driver didn’t get my signal. (How stupid of me?)So, I honked twice. It took three shiny
you should move ahead and let me pass?” to which sherolled her glass down and said, “NO! Just because I am women doesn’t mean Idon’t know how to drive or I am wrong here.” She said that in such a weird way that it pissed me off. Still, Itried to reasons her by saying, ”I didn’t said that you are wrong I am just saying I am on left lane and want to
take left, if you could drive ahead….” To which she rolled her window up when I was talking and flashed me her middle finger. I stood there firstly in disbelieve and then red faced. In a meanwhile, she upped her stereo volume. I felt like smashing my hand on her window glass in rage but I stood there for min, looked at her, walked towards my car, got in,reversed it, drove in front of her, slapped my forehead lightly with my palm and smile at her and flashed her middle finger paying respect to her feminism to which she had her jaw dropped open. As the day progressed, and after my meeting till the end of the day I thought off that incident. Thought hard aboutit but couldn’t pin point what and where thing went so, wrong. That she felt the need of
playing women card and flash finger at me. Was I aggressive when I Signaled first? Did I walk to her car in a manner of which she felt threatened? After retrospecting on it for a while I could come to only conclusion that, maybe she was already victim of male chauvinism and reacted as per her past learning and experiences or she all ready had makeup her mind that she is not wrong. But, the deeper thing fetched from here is, “One won't be able to communicate properly if he/she already have an opinion on the thing being talked about. One needs to communicate with open head along with open ears. As one can’t talk with non reactive thing, one can’t also talk with rigid or unstable mind. Communication should be open to feedback along with being open ended.” Little things learned in our day to day life plays a vital role in shaping our future understanding and decision.
PS - I genuinely think, I shouldn’t have taken that left to avoid traffic.
PPS – I shouldn’t have flashed finger to her.
Parth Lakhani writes romantic comedy, short stories and first hand life experiences. His writing has a perfect blend of soul and quirkiness. His style of storytelling will make things relatable and will take you to a bitter sweet ride on the lane of nostalgia. Marketing professional turned entrepreneur, a passionate writer. A travel enthusiast and once in a week poet. He is often seen penning down his thoughts and shorts stories on his word press blog. Just type, “Parth Lakhani at wordpress” on Google, to see his work. Foodie by heart and fitness conscious, he’s lazy enough to not take any of them seriously.
Ranjit Chaudhri
Author, The Shiva Sutras
Tell us about your book, 'The Shiva Sutras'.How did you get theideaforit?
The Shiva Sutras is a text revealed by Lord Shiva to the sage Vasugupta in the 8th Century AD. It explains our true nature and the illusion we are living in. It also explains how we can set the illusion aside and experience ultimate reality. The Shiva Sutras belongs to a system ofyogaandtantracalled,Kashmir Shaivism. My first book, titled, “112 Meditations For Self Realization”, is a translation of another text of Kashmir Shaivism – The Vigyan Bhairava Tantra. The Vigyan Bhairava Tantra and The Shiva Sutras are the two most important texts of Kashmir Shaivism. Once I finished working on the Vigyan Bhairava Tantra, I always knew that my next book wouldbetheShivaSutras.
Why did you choose the topic of'TheShivaSutras'?
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
I felt its message is important and increasingly relevant to us today. It has the power to end our suffering and transform our livescompletely.
Do you think in this era of smart phones and fast life people will pay attention to concept of universal consciousness and detachment?
Definitely. Technology has made our lives more comfortable but has not increased our level of happiness. A great number of people in the more affluent countries of the West, are in some form of medication for stress, anxiety or depression. To improve the quality of our lives, we need technology for inner wellbeing, which is something yoga and meditationprovides.
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
The book has all the concepts neatly articulated for a quick yet effective read. What difficulties did you face in editingthelongexplanations?
While doing the commentary, I followed the concept of a sutra. The word “Sutra”, literally means thread. It is meant to convey the essence of something. A sutra is typically a phrase, or two or three words. It is not a complete sentence but it contains the essence of some truth or message. For my commentary, I tried to follow the same principle – keep it concise, yet convey the essence of the message of the sutra.
Can you suggest some methods or techniques to the young adults to understand the core conceptof'TheShivaSutras'?
One important message of The Shiva Sutras is that, it is our identification with our body that causes our suffering and our bondage. To evolve, we need to give up the “I am the body” idea. The very first sutra in fact tells us whowereallyare:caitanyamatma -TheSelfisConsciousness.
What research did you make in ordertofinalizethisbook?
I had to research the philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism. Kashmir Shaivism is non-dualistic. It teaches that only God exists. Everything and everyone is part of one Supreme Being. There is not two, there is only One. I also studied the teachings of other Masters who taught nondualism. I even researched some of the ancient texts of Advaita Vedanta, which is very similar to Kashmir Shaivism.
What other genres do you read orwishtoread?
I used to read books on business management because it helped me with my work. I read less of them now.
Whatareyourfavoritebooksand whydoyoulikethem?
Neale Donald Walsch’sCommunion with God, Eckhart Tolle’s Power of Now,RamanaMaharshi’sWords ofGraceandTheAshtavakraGita. Their message is beautiful and so transformative. It immediately changesyourlifeforthebetter.
Name one book that has had a profound effect on your thinkingprocess?
The Ashtavakra Gita. Its words impact you immediately. They stir up something within you and you realize you are being awakened fromyourslumber.
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
Few words for your readers.
Be a seeker not a believer. Find the truth for yourself. Don’t blindly follow others. See what worksforyou.
Who are some of your favorite authors that you feel were influential in your work? What impact have they had on your writing?
Neale Donald Walsch, Ramana Maharshi, Sadhguru, Echkart Tolle, Osho and Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. They all taught the philosophy of non-dualism and explained it so well. I was able to understandthephilosophyof non-dualism from these masters. It helped me immensely in understanding Kashmir Shaivism andthesutrasIwastranslating.
As the legend has it, Lord Shiva appeared to Sage Vasugupta in a dream and instructed him to go to a particular stone near a stream. When Sage Vasugupta went there the next day, the stone turned over at his touch, and on its face were inscribed the Shiva Sutras. These sutras were to be revealed to those fit for grace as per Lord Shiva’s instructions. Explaining our true nature and the illusion we are living in, The Shiva Sutras guides us as to how we can set aside the illusion and experience ultimate reality. The sutras with their transformative message have the power to end our suffering and open up a whole new world for us.
In your opinion, what is the most important thing that people DON'T know about your subject/genre, which they need toknow?
The subject of these books is basically our enlightenment. For most people, enlightenment is a distant, far off thing, which they will look at later but for now, they are more concerned about their day to day problems. What they don’t realize is that these ancient texts have a great deal of practical wisdom and even explain how to handleourdaytodayproblems.
(Interviewed by Swapna Peri)
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
SThe Art Of Saying It Right
by Sumana Bhattacharya
aying what you want to say. Being understood or perceived the way you would like to be. Therein lies the challenge of communication and it’s much more than mere words!
Elated Arjun after winning Draupadi in a Swayamvara returned home to the potter’s cottage where Pandavas were living disguised as Brahmins. Yudhisthir, the eldest brother called out to their mother who was cooking and said, “Mother, see what we have brought today.”Kunti, without looking up replied, “Whatever it is, share it amongst yourself.”
Another instance from Mahabharata, where Guru Dronacharya was wreaking havoc on Pandavas with his divine weapons. Arjuna, the only one who could hold him, refused to fight his Guru. Dronacharya’s only weakness was his son Aswathhama. Wily Krishna asked Bheema to kill an elephant with the same name and then convinced Yudhisthir to twist the truth, “Aswathhama hatha (and then he murmured) iti Narova Kunjarova (don’t know whether it’s man or elephant).”
These are fairly well-knowninstances of miscommunication. While the first one is unintended, the secondinstance is carefully thought through and deliberated upon. In the first case,Yudhisthir assumed his mother would look up from her cooking before responding,while Kunti assumed it would just be alms or a wild animal that the bothers hadhunted down. Thus, Draupadi ended up with five husbands. The second instanceled to the victory of Pandavas in the battle of Kurukshetra. History is full ofsuch instances.In today’s context,were everyone has an opinion thanks to social media, and fake news ormisinformation can be spread at the click of a button, communication has becomeevenmore challenging. It’s important to understand and be aware that communicationis not just about what we say, it’s about how we say and to whom it is said.Expressions, body language, tone - everything forms part of the communication.Basis how the words are said or delivered, the listener or the audiencecomprehends them.
The same words can be understood and interpreted differentlyby different audience, sometimes the interpretations may be very different fromwhat the speaker or the writer intended it to be. Years ago, in Englishliterature class, while we werecritically analyzing Keats’ ‘Ode to a Nightingale,’our Professor humorously quipped, ‘Keats probably never even imagined that hispoem would be open to so many different interpretations.’ An innocent statementcan cause lot of damage if not addressed to the right audience. Remember ShashiTharoor’s ‘cattle class’ tweet. While ‘cattle class’ maybe a common enoughjargon in the US, we sensitive Indians found it unacceptable. When you arepublic figure or communicating in a public forum it is very important tounderstand and be aware of these sensitivities and nuances.Today, technology haschanged the whole game of communication.We live on social media platforms whereeverybody is talking –expressing opinions, knowledge, wisdom or just showingoff how cool their lives are. We often forget to listen, we forget therepercussions of the social media, the danger of exposing ourselves too much,of being interpreted in unfavorable
manner. And what concerns me more is, whilewe are talking to everyone, we are forgetting to talk to the person next to us.Walking into a living room or a gathering where each person is focused on hisphone or iPad is fairly common nowadays, especially among the younger lot.I may be old fashioned, but nothing can replacea good chat with a friend over a cup of coffee or a heart to heart chat with aloved one. For it’s not just words, so much is said in between the words or evenwithout. You can say so much just by looking into someone’s eyes or with asmile!!
Sumana Bhattacharya is a PR practitioner by profession and a writer by passion. Her style is simple, she likes to write about things she feels deeply about.In her writings she sometimes draws from her experiences of having grown up in a small town, Agartala. She has recently started a blog The Retro Feeling, that stems from nostalgialonging or twinge of guilt for days gone by or left behind. She is an ardent reader of poetry, fiction and mythology. Sumana is a post graduate in English from Hyderabad Central University. She works for a PR agency and lives in Gurgaon.
Tell us about your book "Kaalkoot"
Ranjit Chaudhri
Author, The Shiva Sutras
KaalKoot is a suspense thriller set in the present day, but with a strong historical underpinning. The book brings a forgotten Himalayan legend, a dark secret from the freedom struggle and a global conspiracy together in a race against time. Readers have liked the mix of conspiracy, history, mythology and science in the story. It has also been appreciated by those with a fondness for travel andadventure.
How did the journey from an equity investor to fiction author happen?
I have felt the urge to write for a long time now, and have been inspired by a number of things –ranging from travel to history to people. My corporate career as an equity investor gave me a series of life experiences, and many of own travel experiences, such as crawling through war tunnels or chancing upon an Indus Valley ruin,servedasasourceof
inspiration. However, the demands of my career meant that I was able to act on this urge only sporadically. A few years ago, I got an opportunity to give more concrete expression to this inspiration when I was traveling extensively on business and spent a lot of time in flights and airport lounges. That gave me the space to silence the external noises and pressures, and tune in to my inner mind. Once I did that, the book practicallywroteitself!
What is the story behind the title?
The name ‘KaalKoot’ has a mythological origin. According to the Puranas, the deities and the demons undertook a massive churningofthecosmicocean–the Samudra Manthan. The churning released many things from the cosmic ocean, including the lethal poison known as KaalKoot or Halahala, which had the power to engulf the entire universe and annihilate all of creation. You might wonderwhatconnectionthismight
have with a story set in the present day. You would have to readthebooktofindout!
What other books influenced youtoweavethisstory?
No books as such, but the research for KaalKoot led me to read up extensively on the freedom struggle, and also on weapons of mass destruction. That background work obviously shaped the story and made the scenariosmorebelievable.
What do you think about the advent of chemical and bio weaponsintherecentproxy wars around the world? Did those incidents have an impact onyou?
We live in a rather dangerous world. Weapons of mass destruction have proliferated, and the presence of rogue regimes and non-state actors means that they are more likely to be used. Using these as a context for my storyseemednatural.
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
Unfortunately, many of the scenarios described in KaalKoot canactuallyhappen–thereisno supernatural or fantasy element involved.
What are your most favorite booksonwarandwhy?
’Gates of Fire’ by Steven Pressfield is a fictionalized account of the battle of Thermopylae in ancient Greece, when a small band of Spartans took a heroic last stand against aPersianarmymanytimestheir size. ‘The Art of War’, an ancient Chinese book on military strategy by Sun Tzu, is alsoagreatread.
Is the Modern-day Indian literature reflecting the Modern world? The reason behind this question is most of the new authors are weaving stories from mythology.
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
Stories based on history and mythology have a timeless relevance because the underlying drivers of human emotion and behavior are the same.Moreover,ourcountryis goingthroughaphasewherethe younger generation is seeking to shed the baggage of colonialism andunderstandourheritagewith a fresh set of eyes. Stories based on history or mythology are an effective vehicle for that process of rediscovery and reinterpretation and are a more relatable and vibrant medium compared to dry academic treatises.
Coming back to the book, is there any specific story behindthecoverpageimage?
The significance of the mountain is obvious – a forgotten Himalayan legend plays a key fictional role in the story, and the latterpartofthebooktakesthe
reader on a chilling journey to a deadly secret hidden in one of the remotest corners of the Himalayas. The eerie symbol on top of the mountain is an internationally recognized symbol for a certain type of potentially lethal danger. But you would have to read the book to figure out more!- The Self isConsciousness.
What good books did you read in recent times? Do you recommend them to your readers?
I am currently reading a racy yet insightfully written thriller ‘The Paris Diversion’ by Chris Pavone. Another recommended read is ‘The President is Missing’ by Bill Clinton and James Patterson – the thriller is embellished by a real-life perspective from the former President. Among books by Indian authors, I recently read ‘Who Killed The Murderer’ by Moitrayee Bhaduri, and am looking forward to Vineet Bajpai’s ‘Mastaan’.
Are you working on any new project? Can you give us a brief insight.
My next book ‘AGNIBAAN –Guardians of the Fire Chamber’ should be released in early-2020. It is a conspiracy thriller set in the modern-day, but with a strong connection to a rather eerie historicalevent.
Words/Suggestions for your readers and budding writers, please. Make a beginning! The biggest enemies for a budding writer are procrastination and the fear of imperfection. Instead of waiting for that elusive day when you will get it perfectly right, you should make a start. Do not judge yourself too harshly as you write – let the creativity flow and you will get enough time to refine your manuscript later. Also, it makes sense to allocate some time to write on a regular basis, preferably everyday,ratherthanwriting sporadically.
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
Who are some of your favorite authors that you feel were influential in your work? What impact have they had on your writing?
I guess I have evolved my own writing style over the years, but many authors have left an imprint on me over the years. Among thriller writers, I have enjoyed reading John le Carre, Fredrick Forsyth and Tom Clancy. Other favorites include Kazuo Ishiguro, George Orwell, William Golding andAldousHuxley.KaalKootalso has a somewhat spiritual underpinning, and I have been fortunate to draw inspiration from jewels of Eastern wisdom such as the Upanishads and the Tao Te Ching.
January 1944
Holed up in a Himalayan hideout, freedom fighter Manohar Rai has to take a chilling decision – one that could mean life or death for millions of people. His only hope is a mysterious young man, who goes into hiding hours before Manohar is shot dead in cold blood.
June 2018
A forgotten legend from the upper reaches of the Himalayas is rearing its ominous head.The world will be brought to its knees. KaalKoot will strike again.Only three people have a clue about the horrors that are about the unfold. The only hope for survival lies buried deep in the remotest corner of Himalayas. But a terrible fate awaits those who seek it.Is it already too late Is KaalKoot – the primordial plague – unstoppable?
In your opinion, what is the most important thing that people DON'T know about your subject/genre, which they need toknow?
The area of historical or mythological thrillers is rather popular today, but it actually includes a number of sub-genres. Therearebookswhichareperiod novels – set completely in ancient times (such as the Mughal era). Then there are books which are reinterpretations or reimaginations of mythology. And then there are books (like KaalKoot) which are actuallymodern-daythrillerswith perfectlyplausiblestorylinesandno supernatural elements, but with a strong historical or mythological connection. I have come across many readers who have liked one sub-genre but are completely put offbyanother.Understandingthis difference may open you up to an interestingjourneyasareader!
(Interviewed by Swapna Peri)
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
Aby Swapna Peri
VIRAT: The Making of a Champion
by Neeraj Jha & Vidhanshu Kumar
How Virat Kohli achieved his dreams? Whatobstacles did he cross in the journey of cricket? Well, read this interestingbook ’ VIRAT: The Making of a Champion’ by Neeraj Jha&VidhanshuKumar.
teenager who dreamt to be a cricketer is now the captain of the Indian Cricket team. His tremendous journey will inspire each and everyone and leave them with a greatfeelingofinspiration.
Thoughthejourneywastoughand inflexible, he managed to overcome the obstacles and headed to the most prestigious position that one could ever imagine. His passion for the cricket made him one of the iconic figures of the Indian cricket team. The runs he makes and the strokes he takes will drive his fans crazy. He bagged numerous awards and titles for being an extraordinary player.
Yamini Pustake Bhalerao
WhatIlike:
The narration was good and the events in his life are presented beautifully. The struggle and the pain which Virat took throughout his journeywillinspirethereaders.
WhatIdidn'tlike:
Therearenonegativepointsassuch and the reader will find the book interesting and narration is done in a good way which will let the readers completethebookatonego.
Narration:
The narration is done in a good way and it could be more interesting and enthusiastic.
Language&Grammar: A clear language with neat and uncomplicated grammar is used in thebook.
Book Cover: The cover of the book is a digital image of the cricketer ViratKohli.
Book Title: The title of the book is ‘VIRAT:TheMakingofaChampion’
MyFinalVerdict: A story of a cricketer who struggled to be in the Indian cricket team and achieved the captaincy within very less time and led the whole team inabeautifulway.
Rating
BookTitle:3/5
BookCover:3/5
Plot:3/5
Characters:3/5
Narration:3/5
Language&Grammar:3/5
FinalRating:3/5
Swapna worked as SAP Consultant for 10 years in Major IT companies. Reading has always been her passion and occasional painting her hobby. She decided to quit her job, look after the family and pursue her hobby of reading and painting in a larger way. Thus, her big leap into book reviewing has paved a way and has been successful to date. Reading challenges interest her a lot and visiting book fairs is her favorite thing. She believes that there is no good back or bad book, but only books. Writing unbiased reviews is her strength and she is appreciated by fellow reviewers and readers for the same. An anthology of musings with her paintings is her pending dream!
@swapna.peri
@swapna508 @sappy_dreamz_unlimited
Communication: A Healing Potion
by Dipanjana Nath
When morning birds chirp into the forest deep
She wakes up after a fitful sleep
Her eyes still red
Just up from the bed
Her hair dry and rough
And a heart that’s gone so tough
Cleaning the rooms
Doing the dishes
She chops the veggies
But her heart still not eases
Serving the quiet ailing couple all day long
For years and decade
She makes money for living
But a deadly hush haunts her nonstop
And the solitude giving her a fearful façade
Her plans for wedding shattered in less than a second
When the only man existed in her life chose another woman
Leaving her heart broken and vacant
Rain or shine
She waited for one day fine
She waited for her beloved to return
But the day and the man never came
To sing her to stray in vain
Now the talkative girl is lost
Much like a snail spiraled into a shell in frost
When I entered home after many years
My eyes brimmed with tears
Seeing her pale face and a shaky mental base
Where silence kept creeping in at a fast pace
She speaks to the mosquito She speaks to the ant
But seeing human one or many
She goes wordless like a monk’s last chant
To her, sharing her pain with a doctor
Seems to be the hardest factor
But my core wants her to speak
Happy and thrilled Shooting her voice to the peak
When nightmare tousles her Pushing her into a well of fearItry to sit beside
Touching her head like a mother
dear
I grip her frail hands to comfort her disturbed vein
Urging her to forget the deep pain
Please break your silence or try to mere feign
Before you go way too insane
Taking the baby steps
She tries to share her grief
She confides her pain to me with deep belief
Now I speak to her daily every now and then
And she waits for the time when we’d meet again
These days the poor girl started talking
If not a lot but looks like the sorrow has stopped stalking
A software engineer by profession and a writer by passion, Dipanjana likes to pen down her thoughts during her free hours. In 2015, Dipanjana Nath published her first romance novel “Scandalous Disclosure” and continued her passion by writing a collection of short stories, “Unrequited”, in 2018. The author’s latest venture, her upcoming book, “Love Will Find a Way” is a mystery-romance novel.
@NathDipanjana
A Tangerine Illumination
by Mamta Joshi
A lone orange slipper
On a noisy beach
Held silent secrets
Waiting to be unraveled.
Could it be an impatient child
Running behind a kite
In boundless abandon
Focusing only on its flight?
Maybe being dragged away
A demanding kid
Hysterical for a balloon
Kicked it away with all it's might.
Relaxing on the sun kissed beach
The weekend romance
Kindled between parents
Their grip on life's trapeze act
Slackened with a few stolen kisses
The toddler may have waddled away
Lured by the bubble blower
Spraying big and tiny bubbles
Tickling it's bare feet
With only one flip-flop holding sway.
The cherub's forsaken slipper
A testimony to a thrilling trip to the beach
Where curiosity arose
The leading thread
To heartfelt adventures A future full of promises
Waiting to come it's way.Reply Forward
Mamta Joshi did her Masters in History from Allahabad University. Her poems, reflective essays, prose pieces, and short stories have appeared in national dailies and international e-magazines. A free spirit, she works with equal ease in Hindi and English.
@mamta.joshi.942
Therefore I Must Sleep
by Vidya Shankar
This raging feverishness has rendered my limbs weak,
And my head throbs with the heat. The unrest That runs down my spine brings on an anxiety
Unwarranted, as my febrile tummy seems constricted in the grip of fatigue. And I must sleep for it all to go away. Sleep, she hovers around me,
Prompting me to ease
And I drag my listless body to bed, thankful For the reprieve, but as I lay down upon my pillow It is not the welcoming pleasantness of rest
That overcomes me, but pathetic cries— Of rich evergreen forests that has never known heat But now flaming up in an unquenchable fire; Of rivers that once flowed gaily, but now asphyxiated
With undegradable waste; of trees facing unkind cuts; of Hormone-infested udders; of forced wombs; and of a displaced fauna in refugee state.
The poet Kodhai, she is the voice that makes heard These painful expressions to an unsympathetic population— So much to be said, so much to be done
But for now, the cries must bestifled the eyes must be closed, forI have miles to go therefore I mustsleepI have miles to go therefore I must sleep.
Vidya Shankar is a poet, writer, blogger, motivational speaker, English language teacher, instructional designer, content developer, and yoga enthusiast. An active member of poetry circles, her work has appeared in national and international literary magazines, literary platforms and anthologies. Her first book of poems 'The Flautist of Brindaranyam', a collaborative effort with her photographer husband, Shankar Ramakrishnan. Herself a ‘book’ at the Human Library, Vidya Shankar lives a life of purpose by using the power of words, both written and spoken, to create awareness about environmental issues, mental health and the need to break the shackles of an outdated society.
Silver and Red
by Bishaldeep Kakati
Strolled with her, When the crescent moon Showered smiles.
Ah! In the valley of lotus, She was the lone rose.
That refulgent rose, Shined!
Like a luminescent light In the dark night. Oh! For him, It was the luscious Presence of her, That made him Fall to his knees.
Within the quietude
Of the dusk, Her enticing bouquet Evaporated his emotions. Condensed his heartbeat. That way, She might float in his dreams.
The valley was lavishly bestowed.
The lotus bloomed!
Ah! The revulsive rose, Hugged his impassioned soul. The allegory of her smile,
Photo by Briona Baker
Made him,Go wild. That night,Lot remained untold.
Writer,Columnist and Socio-Political Commentator.
by Ryan Jacobson
Photo
What A Bliss
by Neetu Kajal
How dazzling it was When I dived down And had a confab Getting drowned.
What a bliss I endure When I seek pleasure Looking more and more Into my conferred treasure.
What an ecstasy I conceived When I take her in arms, She’s too pretty to embrace Feeling rapture in the charms.
What a faith I have secured When he kisses me on cheeks, I blush at his cheering mush That elevates me to the peaks.
How ravished, His do native When I look backward turned, Every throb gets detached Making all the sorrows burned.
Neetu Khatri Kajal has done triple masters in Commerce, English and Education. She had got her paper published on Education during her masters in Education. She is a published author of two novels titled 'Immortal Love' and 'Beyond Expectations' and working on her next one. She is an avid writer, traveller and blogger. One may find her blogs, articles and poems on boloji.com. Her travelling experiences are reflected in her write-ups. She loves to explore hill stations more often.She writes about Parenting, Adolescence, women and nature. She is a social activist and a big hand of help to the oppresed ones. Presently, she is working as a post graduate mentor in English.
@kajal_neetu
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