Rakhi Jayashankar's Blog, page 5

Day has come - Inviting Entries for Outset Books Anthology: At the Outset

 Finally the day has come. First Anthology by Outset Books - At the Outset. Everyone out there is invited to send your manuscript on or before May 1st.

Criteria:

 A short story or poem with word count not more than 2000Topic : A short story or poem that indicates a new beginningLanguage: EnglishPayment:
Nil
What you will get?
An e bookAn e-certificate Disclaimer: The entries which are selected will only be added in the anthology.  
How to submit?Send the edited manuscript to outsetbooks@gmail.com with subject Outset Books Anthology.
Deadline1st May 2023
For more details subscribe to Outset books and follow Outset Books and Rakhi Jayashankar on Instagram. Join our FB group for your blog promotions. 

Chennai - A biography by V Sriram -

 Chennai is an emotion for anyone who has spent at least a week in the city. The fragrance of the earth, concrete jungle, Tamilian food - The reasons can be numerous. Here in Kerala, I have met numerous friends and colleagues that reminisce about their Chennai days. We even have a song 'Chennaipattanam'in a Malayalam movie. All these and more created an unprecedented intrigue inside me to know what is special about this city. Chennai - a Biography by V Sriram is indeed the biography of the eponymous city right from the time it was called Madras.

Chennai - a Biography by V Sriram

Everything related to Tamil Nadu has been accounted for for thousands of years. The author has rightfully called out this habit of ours. This assumption is because the city and its language are of the ancient ones in India. The author grabs our hand and takes us through the lanes of Madras in the post-colonial period. It is fascinating to see how the city that grew up around cooum which later became synonymous with gutter emerged to be one of the most influential metros in India. The growth chart is steep and is punctuated by heartwrenching pain, sweat, and blood. 

While the author adores the land he leaves no stone unturned in calling out the other side of the picture, be it the MTC buses, or faulty educational system, or the fact that Chennai is the suicide capital of India. While the city is the hub of cosmopolitan life, there is another side to the city where the downtrodden underdogs survive.

The author has successfully portrayed the city as a miniature representation of the variety of human life. Of all the facts that hook humans to the city, food is the prime factor. The author talks about language politics and how molded the city into what it is now. Once we wrap the book, we are content to have known the city inside out with its richness of history, literature, cuisines, politics, and whatnot.

Batshit by Kritika Kapoor - Dark, Endearing, Thrilling

Demons or hallucinations - The debate never ends. We might have read books and seen movies that talk about the scientific truth behind paranormal activities as well as the ones that condone the belief that ghost exists. While the debate prevails, the reading and viewing experiences provided by such creative products are unarguably endearing. Batshit by Kritika Kapoor is one book that hooks the readers to the happening and boring life of Pia while leaving them lingering on the thoughts about the demons in her head. 

Batshit by Kritika Kapoor - An AnalysisBook Name: BatshitAuthor: Kritika KapporPublisher: Pan Macmillan IndiaPia belongs to a family of perfection and is going to marry someone who, according to her family is the embodiment of perfection. What matters to the family is the sprawling mansions, extravagant functions, and splurge of money to impress the world outside. While the family expected their younger daughter Khushi's wedding to be a cakewalk (they are all social animals) Pia turns out to be a hot potato, and the relapse of her past happens on the very night of the wedding. The mess she is, Pia messed up her sister's wedding. What happens next? How she deals with the demons in her head? How her life changes after that night and everyone else's for that matter is the crux of the book.Blurb

 A monster is on the loose. And it’s dressed to impress the posh South Delhi social scene.

Twenty-something Pia Bhandari has the ideal life – or so it seems. As long as she puts on a happy face, no one is any the wiser about the sinister voices in her head. Not her boyfriend Raghav, or her soon-to-be-married younger sister Khushi, her long-time psychiatrist Dr Agarwal, her father Ajit or even her mother Neeta, who is otherwise obsessed with controlling her daughter’s life.

But Pia’s demons follow her wherever she goes. One yellow-eyed demon in particular. Feral and bloodthirsty, it threatens to rip through Pia’s life, leaving a murderous trail in its wake. Hurtling between the opulent kothis of GK-2 and the plush bungalows of Sainik Farms, this twisted tale about a Delhi girl’s fight against the dark forces is about to get batshit.

Dark humor and stark realityThe author unapologetically lays bare the societal standards of the thin girl is beautiful and poised girl is a successful formula. She subtly places the scenarios where with a single line of thought or dialogue the characters come across as body shaming and judgemental. Pia's looks have been a constant topic of discussion before and after her weight gain and loss. How a plump woman is left out in the cold during family gatherings much worse scanned from tip to toe with hidden disgust and evident pseudo sympathyHow someone's mental health is a butt of jokes for the family much less the society is palpably portrayed throughout the book. The worst-case scenario when the closest ones are unaware of the real issues is a reality that is sticking out like a giant tree of truth in the book. Someone who has been through the same can relate closely with pia and be sympathetic and empathetic in the process.A cliche trope with a unique narrativeThe trope of Good for nothing heroine with a perfect and smug sister and don't care, partner, is a trope that has been overdone. So is a mother who body shames her daughter to feed on her insecurities. But what makes the book stand out is the uniqueness of the narrative. The author makes the readers swim through the psyche of each character and makes them connect with each of them. Like a movie screenplay, the characters are placed in the right place at the right time to the viewers the right perspective and a visual representation of imagination. Once we are immersed in the book we just go with the flow with no regard to the trope. The readers are just in the eye of the tornado with Pia waiting for what happens next.While trope sounds like a cliche what transpires later is an unexpected twist in the tales of Indian literature. The author leaves the readers flabbergasted with gruesome twists without graphic sequences. 

This post is part of #BlogchatterA2Z 2023

A Human History of Emotion : How the Way We Feel Built the World We Know by Richard Firth-Godbehere - Review

 Emotions - I have been researching on human emotions and how they can impact society. I learned in my REBt classes that emotion is a verb and not a noun because the definition and shade of emotion are based on the actions that we take as a result of the emotion. While I was learning more about it, I came across the book A Human History of Emotions. 

A Human History of Emotion by Richard Firth-GodbehereBook Name: A Human History of EmotionAuthor: Richard Firth-GodbeherePublisher: Harper CollinsBlurbHow have our emotions shaped the course of human history? And how have our experience and understanding of emotions evolved with us? We, humans, like to think of ourselves as rational creatures, who, as a species, have relied on calculation and intellect to survive. But many of the most important moments in our history had little to do with cold, hard facts and a lot to do with feelings. Events ranging from the origins of philosophy to the birth of the world’s major religions, the fall of Rome, the Scientific Revolution, and some of the bloodiest wars that humanity has ever experienced can’t be properly understood without understanding emotions. In A Human History of Emotion, Richard Firth-Godbehere takes readers on a fascinating and wide-ranging tour of the central and often under-appreciated role emotions have played in human societies around the world and throughout history – from Ancient Greece to Gambia, Japan, the Ottoman Empire, Britain, and beyond. Drawing on psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, art, and religious history, A Human History of Emotion vividly illustrates how our understanding and experience of emotions have changed over time, and how our beliefs about feelings – and our feelings themselves – profoundly shaped us and the world we inhabit.

From Plato and Socrates

The author has taken us for a stroll down the history of how emotions were assessed. It is amusing to read about how emotions were perceived in a different window during those times and how philosophers have managed to crack the chemistry of emotions and biology for that matter.  The books seep into our intellect bit by bit with detailed research about the history of how the perception of emotions evolved. If the research was vast, the author has managed to tight pack it for the ease of the readers.  He himself mentioned at several parts of the book how certain philosophers' studies call for a separate book in itself and how he managed to cut it to fit the bill.

Religions and emotionsThe author further goes on and interlinks the evolution of emotional research with religious beliefs and how it helped mold the psyche of the masses. From Hinduism to Christianity to Buddhism, different religions perceive emotions differently. The reference to how Christianity and learning that the religion evolved later is new information for me and it makes the intrigue to know more about feelings and emotions paramount.Mental health and historyThe book is a textbook for students who are interested in learning about feelings and emotions. In short, it is something that teaches you about the history of mental health or how it was perceived as such. The author's narration makes it all the more alluring and makes it a book that we can cherish and flaunt.
This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z 2023.

The Last Tiger by Ruskin Bond - Palapable

He is an emotion for me. I create birthday reels for him, something which I haven't even done for my family but this man is my nostalgia from childhood till date. He has given me memories to cherish for the rest of my life. No, not my husband, not my lover but an incredible author - Ruskin Bond. I have grown up reading him, I grew old reading him. After three decades of the journey of words together, the author still leaves me wanting for more. The Last Tiger by Ruskin Bond is a collection of his animal stories along with a new story The Call of the Leopard .

The nature animal 

While the author is writing about animals in nature, he himself is a nature animal. His love for the tiniest and immaterial creations.While he shares his encounters with various creatures, he leaves a brief history of their existence or extinction. The book is equally entertaining and educative. From the story of Tongas to the fictional snail Samuel, the author holds the readers by the hand and takes us through the nature.

From Rats to Tigers Myna, Rats, Owls, Panthers, the variety of animals in the book is vast. As always the author left me wondering how he could get so many experiences in life or is it like we all forget the tiniest of instances and Ruskin Bond finds a story in all. Panthers moon is probably the longest of all and has several layers to it. As always the simplicity of the plot and the palpable emotions and next door characters stay with us.

Tiny Habits Massive Results by Jaishree Nenwani - No Philosophical Jargons but Practical Solutions

Our life is like a thick jungle. The more we go inside more surprises await us. With simple changes in life and by inculcating basic habits, we can reroute our life to an unprecedentedly smooth path. Tiny Habits Massive Results by Jaishree Nenwani is one book that systematically points out simple habits to bring about massive results. Being a Holistic Wellness Coach myself, I was able to resonate better with the points shared by the author.

MindfulnessBeing mindful is one habit that I have always advocated in terms of self-development. The author gives the readers a step-by-step directive as to how one can be mindful in all its essence. As simple and easy as it seems mindfulness is not always easy to put into practice. We get distracted by too many occurrences in our lives. How to bring oneself closer to the self and be away from the unwanted noise around is what the author teaches us.JournalingBe it a daily anecdote or a gratitude journal, the author has established the importance of journaling and how it can help you deal with issues ranging from daily chores gone wrong to childhood trauma and more. This is another point that I have been trying and having massive results on. The author has put it across in a language that is comprehensible to everyone. The book appeals to everyone irrespective of their literacy or cultural and social circumstances. These are not it. The author has 7 important habits like these and practical instructions to turn these into reality in your life. Practical and FeasibleQuite often than not self-help books are brimful of philosophical jargon making the layman get lost in the maze of words. But Jaishree Nenwani is considerate of everyone who gets hold of the book. The tips that are shared by the author are practical in a common man's life and they don't have to wait till they are settled or calm before they practice these. One need not be intellectually enlightened to try these simple and effective steps.
Overall the book is ideal for everyone who wants to change their life.

Simple, Sweet and Heartwarming - Innocence Has a Name by Dr. Kisholoy Roy

I have always been interested in different lifestyles and different cultural practices across India. Of these, the Bengali household and their customs and cuisines have been topics of interest for me. When I got "Innocence has a name and other stories" I was so happy to have come close to a Bengali household. The author has introduced the readers to the indigenous lives of Bengalis.

Mithali's InnocenceThe plot unveils the birth of Mithali, the daughter of Professor Debapratim Bhattacharya. Mithali's character is the life of the whole book. The eponymous story also mentions how the innocence of Mithali has been exploited and the same makes her special. The story connects the readers with her at a personal level. Though the preceding stories about her childhood are also palpable, this story is what hooks the readers.Though the book is an anthology the stories are snippets from the same household. Each story has a statement to make. Statements against gender discrimination, body shaming, color shaming, and more. The book makes us realize that irrespective of the place or creed, the judgments and some regressive thoughts of the society are just the same.Bengali cultureAs I am intrigued to learn about a different culture, the close trip to Bengali culture is a take-home for me. Cuisines, cultural practices, and daily lives - I was enjoying the plot at several levels. On one hand, the storyline of each story was simply sweet and enjoyable. On the other hand, seeing the culture up-close. If you are going on a literature drive with deep philosophical preachings, this is not the book for you. But if you are looking for a read that is close to the earth and heartwarming, this is the one. It is a quick read over a coffee with 64 pages. Worth the time.

"I decided to write it as a mark of respect for their stellar work and for the generation of today", Anirudhya Mitra - Author of 90 Days

 It is a breezy morning, a sunny day, and an uneventful evening. All of us have had similar in our lives when it is simple and sweet and "Okay-ish" in millennial lingo. But Anirudhya Mitra is someone who never had time for simple and sweet because he was busy bringing the can of worms out of the political closet. It took him three decades to publish his debut book and when he did, it was something that every history and politics lover would urge to grab. On this breezy, sunny, eventful day we have the man himself with us sharing his experience of writing 90 days and about his ventures.

    90 days is a marvelous craft. Why did it take so long to see the light?

AM: Yes, I had been asking myself whether to write a book on the assassination of India’s former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for far too long. It was during these times that many people including some members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that looked into the assassination case asked me why I have never thought of writing a book, more so after extensively covering the story in India Today magazine. And then when I reconnected with some of those SIT members who had cracked the case, I realized that the assassination had continued to haunt some of them even after all these years, thirty years to be precise at the time of writing this book. I decided to write it as a mark of respect for their stellar work and for the generation of today—to tell them about this intriguing piece of investigative journalism and to help them gain a deeper understanding of the events—and the attempted cover-up that followed—of what was surely a turning point in our nation’s history.

What were your thoughts when you were asked to cover the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination investigation?

AM: I was delighted to hear that. My senior Shekhar Gupta had done the first story that was soon after the former PM was killed. And then it seemed to be my turn. I was new to India Today and thought “this is my chance” to prove myself. I was very thankful to my editors, particularly Inderjit Badhwar and Shekhar Gupta.

How was your writing experience?

AM: I thoroughly enjoyed writing the book. It was like rewinding my life between 1991 and 1992. It all came out once I decided to uncap myself and much like a soda bottle reaction.

Are you planning to write another book?

AM: Yes, I am working on it and more than halfway through.

Every journalist would have a pandora's box of experiences. What was the moment that made you feel like yes, it was all worth it?

AM: I was narrating a story to a group of young creative people at a film production house when one of them came up to me and said, “Sir, my grandfather knew you when you were investigating the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case in India Today magazine.. he was so and so..” I laughed and realized it was high time I worked on the book.

How was your publishing experience?

AM: Excellent. I didn’t know any publisher. Took a long shot at Harper Collins India and they wrote back with a positive response. They have been very supportive. Not many would like to publish a book as sensitive as this one. They did this without any rider or condition.

Do you want to share an anecdote about 90 days that was not mentioned in it?

AM: Oh, there are so many actually. A very significant one would be about two key members of the SIT who I am not going to name for obvious reasons. They were mesmerized by the actions of the LTTE supremo and mastermind of the assassination, Sivarasan. Both officials were so impressed by the planning and execution of LTTE’s mission that they had no hesitation in drawing a parallel between Prabhakaran and Sivarasan with Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. Having said that, neither of the investigators was glamorizing the Tamil guerrillas. Certainly not. Looking at LTTE’s methodical, ruthless approach clinically, the investigators thought the LTTE duo was close to being unbeatable.

What is your advice to aspiring journalists and writers? 

AM: I think any writer needs to keep in mind that he or she is writing not just for self-satisfaction but for their readers. Therefore, their work must connect with the hearts of the readers. Readers must be able to relate to what they are given to read. What we write should enlighten and entertain the reader. That’s my take.

Thank you so much for your valuable time. Looking forward to your next book and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

The Spark by Rakhi Jayashankar - #Storytellersbloghop

We hugged each other after 7 months. Ray has become lean and his skin has become dark with Sun tan probably. I lost track of how long we hugged. He held me tight like never before. The shy self he is, he never gave me a full hug. I remember teasing him for behaving as if someone is watching him all the time.

When I met him for the first time, there was this salty breeze that created an oxytocin rush that failed to subdue even five years down the line. Beach has played a protagonist in our romantic endeavor. I still remember those shy hazelnut color eyes stuck on me. Women are blessed with the intuitive power of knowing when they are being watched. But would I tell him that I know that he is looking at me? Not a chance. To date, he doesn't know that I put up the ignorant act despite knowing that he had his eyes on me. Those were the times we were playing hide and seek with each other's feelings but we felt closest to each other.
Walking hand in hand, we reached the water. I whispered in his years "I missed you". When I tried to move away he held my palm and pulled me back to his chest, our hands still intertwined. I reminisced how much I loved finding each other fingers alternatively. My fingers were slender and long while his were oversize bonsais. But how much I loved feeling them. I looked at the fingers and a chill ran down my spine. The realization was slithering up through my nerves forcing my facial hairs to tingle. I bit my teeth and tried to calm my nerves. Does he know that I know? The extra growth on his hand was the only sign that differentiated both of them. The eleventh finger!
How could I not notice? Have I forgotten how he feels? Has the salty breeze taken me over so much that I could not even recognize that this is his twin brother - Rex. The murderous lecherous creature. The one I despised growing up. If he is here, where is Ray? I tried to hide my nervousness and smiled. I am sure he recognized the awkwardness of the fake smile because I could see a creepy twinkle and his pupils were dilated, probably in delight.
Poor Ray! What has happened to him? I shouldn't have pushed him away, I shouldn't have judged him just because his brother was a wretched rogue. All the while he was trying to protect me from Rex because he has seen up close how much Rex despised me for looking down on him, for not paying heed to his desperate attempts to woo me. It was when their mother confronted me that I got to know how Ray came close to me just to protect me from his brother. On the other hand, I pulled myself close to him so as to pitch his brother's ego. Coming to think of it, I am as wicked as Rex because I played with Ray's feelings just to get back on his brother. Only when he was out of sight that I realised I was indeed in love with him. But see where it got me. I am right in front of the one whom Ray was trying to protect me from, because of my stupidity. How he reached me is not relevant because he has his means and connections.
Without leaving my hand, he led me to an empty shack nearby. I played along for there was nothing I could do, period. Where is Ray? Where is his mother? How did he reach me? Why did he pretend to be Ray? What are his intentions? Numerous questions rushed through my mind. But one question stuck in my head. Will I be able to escape? He took me inside and locked the door. A sudden jerk knock me out, and before I could decipher what surmised, I could see blood oozing out of my hands. My eyes started dropping and I slowly gave in to the fight to keep the lids apart. Through the slit of my eyes I saw Rex as two. 'I was hit in the head, I am hallucinating, convinced my inner self. But before my eyelids kissed each other, I saw those hazel eyes.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This story is written for StorytellersBlogHop Season 3 hosted by MeenalSonal and Ujjwal Mishra

Lulus Favorite Color by Sehal Kela, Illustrated by Abhilasha Khatri - Colorful, Educative

 A child starts recognizing colors first. As an infant it is the trance of colors that we use to keep the child calm and engaged. Once they grow, these colorful illustrations are used in the books to keep the child glued and thereby instilling the habit of connecting with the books. Sehal Kela, through her book Lulu's favorite color has tapped into this possibility of using the colors to connect with the little readers.

My Son Loved It

When I received the book, it was my third child Karan who jumped to grab it and play with tit. As usual, the expected demeanor was to crunch it and tear it more so when my second one jumps to grab it just for the sake of action, and not to read. But surprisingly, he sat in a corner and tried to read it. The words are placed so simple and the font is child friendly. I loved how the author has connected various colors to the vegetable, and related items that we encounter daily. This helped in creating a connect with the book and the surroundings. Thus the children's book turned out to be a sensory learning experience too. 

The illustrations

The illustrations by Abhilasha Khatri deserve special mention. She has brought about the colors in a mesmerizing and educative creativity. Be it Lulu or the human adaptations of colors, the illustrator has done a deft job of connecting with the little readers, thus making the book an enticing exoerience for younger kids who are unable to read as well.

All that is well that ends well

I mentioned that the book is educative and engaging. This is not just the introduction of colors and their adaptations in daily life but the author has brought about the life philosophy of inclusivity and unity in diversity in the simplest possible fashion. Teaching the child that everyone and everything in the world has its due importance while keeping them engaged and entertained, and simultaneously honing their reading skills, the book is a treat. The book is inadvertently priced on the higher side. While the quality of the book is maintained and thus justifies the price, the availability of cheaper books in the genre might be detrimental to the book in a sales point of view.