Manali Manan Desai's Blog, page 53

When You Measure Progress By Everyday Personal Growth ~ An IT Professional & Independent Artist Shares Her Story

Andy Warhol said,

“Don’t think about making art, just get it done.  Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it.  While they are deciding, make even more art.”

In our #MondayMotivation blog focusing on the #WonderWomen, we bring to you the story of a woman who believes in creating art for her own satisfaction and has accepted that she will be lifelong student of the subject. Meet, IT professional and Independent Artist, Bhuvaneswari Chandiran. She does a fulltime job as a QA Analyst and alongside that is also an artist who dabbles in various art forms like henna art/mehndi, water colors, digital art, mandala and gouache. Not to mention she is also a hands-on mother to a toddler as well. So how does she manage the two professions and her personal life duties, and from where did she get the motivation to become an artist? Let’s find out in her own words.

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Drawing has been my favourite hobby right from a very young age which slowly turned into a passion when I started exploring henna art form in college. I then started practising this art form and have done quite a few bridal mehendis too for my close friends and family.

In 2019, I was blessed with a baby boy and I did not get enough time to practice henna, so to break the monotonous post pregnancy schedule, I just started exploring other art forms mainly from Instagram and was introduced to a whole new world of art forms. I started learning by seeing some amazing artists on Instagram and YouTube. I have tried my hands in different art mediums and am currently practicing water colors, digital art, mandala and gouache.

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I haven’t yet decided to become a full time artist but it still keeps running in my mind and though I have a wonderful family to support me, I still feel I haven’t gathered the courage to quit my current job and pursue what I am passionate for. Every time I would think of it and it stops midway. Probably that’s the only struggle that I can think of as of now.

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As I am still in the learning phase of educating myself on the different mediums and trying to find some time to practice, this is probably my other struggle as I have started working post maternity and running behind a toddler takes up most of the time daily .

I was sticking to only one art form all these years so I would say that post maternity was my turning point when I was introduced to a whole new world of art forms, which sometimes makes me wonder as to why I didn’t start this earlier.

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To be honest, when I was practising henna art form, I did post on Instagram but never got any reach and I used to feel very demotivated. But after I started exploring other art forms, I came across so many amazing artists on Instagram who were doing such wonders and I learnt a lot from them, right from how to engage with other artists, how to take quality pictures , how to improve your skills and so on. That has definitely motivated me a lot in the initial stages and I am so happy with my progress When I say progress, it’s not just about the number of followers alone, but I am happy that I am able to be a part of a wonderful community of artists who never fail to support each other and I am able to improve my skills which kind of gives me some confidence that I can also become a full time artist one day.

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To be honest, when I was practising henna art form, I did post on Instagram but never got any reach and I used to feel very demotivated. But after I started exploring other art forms, I came across so many amazing artists on Instagram who were doing such wonders and I learnt a lot from them, right from how to engage with other artists, how to take quality pictures , how to improve your skills and so on. That has definitely motivated me a lot in the initial stages and I am so happy with my progress When I say progress, it’s not just about the number of followers alone, but I am happy that I am able to be a part of a wonderful community of artists who never fail to support each other and I am able to improve my skills which kind of gives me some confidence that I can also become a full time artist one day.

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Even though I don’t measure my progress with the number of followers on Instagram, but it definitely helps in boosting your confidence. In November 2019, I hosted my first giveaway for reaching 1k followers and now I have a whopping following of 13k +. I have met some amazing artists here on Instagram and am happy to be a part of a beautiful art community. I started collaborating with other artists and one such collaboration was with my dear friend Saileena (@saileenas_art_gallery) where we planned to start an art sharing page called (@soulful.artists) and use it as a platform mainly to promote artists and host interesting challenges. The response we have received for it is tremendous and we are so happy to have started this initiative. We got the opportunity to collaborate with leading art brands like @karinmarkers and with some of the leading art stores in India for challenges or giveaways. The future plan is to take my journey to the next level by conducting workshops, start a YouTube channel and continue to work on plan to become a full-time artist, hopefully sooner than later.  

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My biggest learning has been to,

“Practice, practice and practice and never lose hope“

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and what keeps me motivated is the fact that I try to compare my progress with how I was doing yesterday and how much better I have become today, and I do not measure my progress with another artist’s journey.

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To get in touch with Bhuvaneswari, learn more about her and her artistic pursuits, check out her amazingly creative works (and maybe inquire or place an order for a commissioned artwork by her) follow the links below:

Social Media profiles:

Bhuvaneswari’s Artist profile on Instagram ~ bhuvanas_artistry



Bhuvaneswari’s art sharing page which is a platform to promote artists and host interesting challenges ~ Soulful Artists



Bhuvaneswari’s Henna Designs page on Facebook ~ Mehendi by Bhuvana

Noteworthy features and mentions:

CraftanglesRosa ArtistryPotpourri of ArtistsMedley of ArtistsPlatform for Passionate People (Plapp.in)Kalakar ki Adakari

Other personal and professional social media links:

LinkedInFacebook personal profile

In Conversation With Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu

Thomas Hardy said,

“Poetry is emotion put into measure. The emotion must come by nature, but the measure can be acquired by art.” 

Being an ardent reader and a poet myself, I am drawn towards anything poetic in nature. I look forward to and get excited about any new poet I read or come to know about. This is why I chose to read Some Earth Poetry, a poetry book by a newbie poet/author, Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu.

When I reached out to Bharath and asked him if he would like to be a part of my Author Collaborative segment, he graciously agreed. So, today, we spoke at length about each other’s writing and a lot of other stuff related to all bookish stuff.

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Before we get into the details of what Bharath and I talked about, here’s a look at what we thought of each other’s books that we recently read.

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We, of course had a lot of questions to ask each, but narrowed it down to these over an hour long session.

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Continuing with the new fun segment of ‘Rapid Fire’ both Bharath and I asked each other 5 questions each. Have a look at these in below creatives.

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If you found those questions interesting, you can listen to the answers in the full video available on YouTube (attached below)

Here’s where you can check out Bharath’s (and my) book:

Some Earth Poetry on Amazon IndiaSome Earth Poetry on Amazon.comThe Art of Being Grateful & Other Stories on Amazon IndiaThe Art of Being Grateful & Other Stories on Amazon.com

Emergence by Ankita Kashyap Khataniar

Book blurb:

This book is a collection of short poems that are about the emotions that every girl goes through in her course of self discovery. In short bursts of words, the author talks about loving as a child, the teenage anxieties and loving as an adult.
The journey of self discovery is about getting lost and being found and repeating it all over again.
“It is all about emerging from your coccon.”
“Love is not just a bed of roses.”

Genre: Fiction/Poetry

Pages: 60

Format: Kindle eBook/Paperback

Price:

Kindle eBook: 49 INR/$0.99Paperback: 150 INR/$6.00

My Ratings: 4.2/5

This book is a lovely collection of poems recommended for every poetry lover. Divided into three sections (• THE COCOON •THE CHRYSILIS•THE MONARCH) it is a virtual journey through the author’s life as she grows from a girl to a woman. The poems are short, yet impactful and go straight to your heart.

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What I liked about the book:

–> The visible growth in the author depicted not only through her experiences and her understanding, but also via the way these are written and narrated.
–> It is a short read which I could finish in less than an hour.
–> The various stages of life, childhood, teenage and adulthood are beautifully depicted and can ne relatable for all, especially for girls/women.
–>The titles of the poems which are so apt and thoughtful.
–> The analogical division of the book just like the developmental stages of a butterfly.

What I did not like about the book:

–> A few poems did not connect with me as much as the others.
–> Most poems seemed to focus on love which was a let down because the author seems highly capable of having done justice to many more themes.

Quotable quotes:

–>Oh how I want that shiny new toy
That she waved in front of me
I wished I could snatch it away
Afford is a word I could not fathom then
–>They don’t want to play
With me, I complained,
My mother looked sad,
Now I understand
Rags don’t attract riches
–>A bright and warm feeling filled me when
My mother woke me up
Taking me in her arms
My father tore half of his bread
Gave it to me
I wish I knew I was happier as a child
–> My teachers fills my mother’s head
That my brain needed to grow quickly
And that’s how
I never got to know my heart
–>I was afraid
I did not understand
Blushing every time you looked my way
My friends teased me endlessly
And I was afraid
I was not good enough
–>Pleasure was a new concept
Self love was a new discovery
Ecstasy was entirely foreign
–>I am glad
That she introduced
You to me
Now I can blame someone else
Other than me
–>I see that I am
Rarely myself
When I am with you.
How strange that I
Love you still
–>The world has not been very kind to me
And to women in general
Should I be kind to you or be indifferent?
–>His hands explored my body
In a heated frenzy
My mind was at a loss
Was I beautiful?
Or was I just a woman?
–>The question is not why I hate
But how can I Love again?

Buying details:

Amazon IndiaAmazon.com

Author’s social media links:

Website/blogInstagramFacebookTwitter

Holding On To Love by Ashish Sinha

Book blurb:

LOVE ALWAYS FINDS A WAY. BUT CAN TRUE LOVE OVERCOME DESTINY?

When ASHU finds out that his so-called loved ones pampered him only till his father was living, he is heartbroken. After his father’s sudden demise, Ashu is left alone, fighting the world for every small bit of happiness. But he rediscovers love and affection in DISHA, who he meets at a job interview.

Disha is an epitome of love and he finds his true happiness with her. Soon after their marriage, just as they are beginning to relish the little joys of life, Ashu is diagnosed with a fatal disease. The only way out is a transplant, which in itself is a life-threatening surgery.

Will Disha’s overwhelming love, acceptance and sacrifice make the impossible possible?

Holding On To Love is an astonishing true story of Ashu’s will to defeat destiny, backed by Disha’s faith in the power of their love.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 176

Format: Kindle eBook/Paperback

Price:

Kindle eBook : 49 INR/$4.99Paperback: 165 INR/$19.83

My Ratings: 3.9/5

This is a story of how keeping up hope and positivity leads to good results. Ashu, the protagonist of the story is suffering from liver failure and will not survive if he doesn’t get a liver transplant soon. This book is his life story of how he survives this terminal illness and what led on to it. Will he get a new liver and does he survive? Read the book to find out. 

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What I liked about the book: 

—> Effectively makes the point that out thoughts are what makes us. 

—> Tells us how important it is to have a life companion who stands by our side through physical ailments. 

—> It is an autobiographical tale and yet feels like reading a novel or story, which makes it a good read. 

—> Teaches us that having a good support system in the form of family and friends, matters a lot, especially during financial, emotional and physical upheavals. 

—> We feel empathy towards the protagonist,Ashu, who has lost loved ones at a young age and then had to struggle through a terminal illness himself. 

—> The little tidbits about the importance of liver, provided at the end of each chapter. 

—> The author’s views about dowry and allowing women to be a part of the cremation ceremonies are appreciable. 

What I did not like about the book: 

—> Though I understand that the story is dedicated to the protagonist’s wife, Disha, at times it feels like her character is glorified or that there’s too much focus on just her. 

—> A few paragraphs are repeated, which is a turn off and there some places where the narrative lacks consistency, majorly because it moves back and forth in the timelines, which makes the reading confusing. 

Quotable quotes: 

—> Everyone else has one is not reason enough to get something.

—> Childhood is such a carefree time for those surrounded by loving families. We are fed, clothed, and sheltered, with little awareness of how those provisions are obtained. We often take our parents and family members for granted, thinking they will always be there, and sometimes faulting them when we do not feel loved. But their provision for us is meaningful – it is their very lives that they pour into giving us the things needed in life. The fact that they perform their duties consistently is, in itself, a statement of how much they love us.

—> The tragedies of life can wear down even the most loving relationships; and, for some, the loss of loved ones can make it more difficult to find love in their hearts for others.

—> Many of us, whether from the east or the west, are the product of traditions, of duty, or of responsibility, rather than beloved children of parents who share a loving bond. This can hold us back, if we let it. Life gives us a challenge: Can we view the act of providing basic essentials for our children as a form of deep love?

—> Those of us blessed to survive childhood are no longer confined by our origins. We can choose differently, and there is always hope for a better way to live.

—> To me, these things – having money and food – had just happened. I had never considered exactly how they happened.

—> It is a mistake to stress the importance of studies over the talents demonstrated by a child. How many great cricket players are discouraged in their youth? How many great musicians or artists? Rich families often encourage these things in their children, but we need to find ways to search for hidden talent in middle class families as well, to bring it to light.

—> Death is a difficult thing for anyone to cope with, at any time. But for a youngster, it can be devastating, especially if they lose a parent. Children need their parents; they need love and encouragement; they need their parents to be involved in their lives.

—> I really feel life is a series of waiting rooms. What counts is what we do in those rooms. One of my resolutions going forward is to make better use of precious hours, days and months; contributing to relationships and to the world in ways that will last; ways that will make us all better people. Having a brush with death puts a lot of life into perspective: our time here is short, and we have to make the most of what we have been given.

—> It’s shameful that people are willing to tear each other down, but so unwilling to build up their loved ones. But this seems to be human nature – negatives are glaringly obvious, but positives are often overlooked.

—> Death can come so suddenly, but even when there is prolonged illness, a family can never be prepared for the loss of a loved one

—> Until we savour success, we remain unware of its tanginess. But with every success we count, we become more desperate to achieve yet another, unaware of what success truly is.

—> We only understand the pleasure of being employed in a top-notch company with a high salary. We don’t understand in that moment that there is still a lot to achieve. Our everlasting desire of success has no ends and we always strive to achieve a still better life, compromising with a whole lot. We cut short on the everything – family, relations, our passions, friends and so much else to provide for our fight for constantly changing success. We all run after worldly matters which comfort us. But to be truly happy in life, we have to spare some time for our self. We have to learn to live every moment of our life. We have to count our blessings. Not just this, our behaviour and thoughts towards others will give us immense happiness too. We need to be more contented in our life only then we could be happy. Let’s not stop trying for more happiness and success, but let us learn to balance our life well. We should strive for a better me along with a better life.

—> Each one of has aspirations, but the moment we find it perilous, are we not hesitant to take even the first step? We lose faith very easily sometimes and it shows in different events of our life. Is it not true even when our life is going on well, that we fear for our future. Irrespective of our bright present, we worry about securing an even brighter future. But you know what, every negative thought is like a virus in our life that depletes our energy to perform well. We must have faith in our goals and only then we can bring it to realization.

—> We can never know what future holds for us, but the best we can do is live in the present and strive to make it the second to none moment of our life. Our efforts in unison with our beliefs will work wonders. That is when every object of the universe will start shedding energy for us and conspire with us to work magic in our life. Fearing a future will only mess with our present.

—> Many times in life we find people behave contrary to our expectations.

—> You cannot make everyone behave as per your presumption and this perhaps is the beauty of life.

—> Trust is very brittle; it takes years of hard work and commitment to build, and once it’s built, it takes even more to carry on with it. It’s a value which is reflected in different events of our life: professional or personal, or both together.

—> Irrespective of what you feel for others, you must always strive for doing the right things, the right way.

—> In today’s times, where the bride is often as well-educated and financially stable as the groom, there simply is no rationale for the bride’s family to be subjected to arbitrary demands from the groom’s side. Perhaps someday soon, the families of both sides will contribute equally to the marriage, with neither side assuming a position of supremacy.

—> Travelling can be fun, but coming home is always a relief.

—> Possessions were just meant to comfort us and should not be associated with sentiments. When they become liabilities, it’s better to dispose them.

—> Death is a part of life – we all come to understand that at a very young age. But that doesn’t make losing a loved one any less painful.

—> Our families value traditional norms so much, that the fear of any change in the traditional way of doing things can cloud their reason.

—> Becoming the head of one’s household is a solemn event, because it almost always comes because of the loss of a loved one. In our tradition, the men carry this burden heavily, knowing that the eyes of their family are upon them, and that failure is not an option. Although the women in our culture suffer the grief – perhaps to an even deeper level than the men, especially when they are mothers – they are usually able to mourn under the care of others in the family. For us men, however, the grief of the loss is often shoved aside as we tend to the practical matters of the sanskar karma, the payment for all the services related to the rituals, and the adjustments which must be made within the affected households.

—> Families who forbid women from entering cremation grounds, leave aside performing cremation rites. But have you ever thought about it? Are these women not the wives, daughters and sisters of those who have passed away? They are also bread winners for many families. They are equal in every sphere of life, if not steps ahead. They merely can’t be spectators sitting at home.

—> We can never know what the future holds, but our ‘present’ is made better when we hold on to hope, picturing the best possible outcomes. These pictures turn real if you believe in them.

—> We could all learn something from children. As adults, we sometimes have to muster up motivation to tackle the day, but children have a natural motivation and excitement, looking at every new day as a new opportunity. Not only that, but they rejoice over a new toy or doll, and giving them a bigger one would not make their joy any greater – they know how to celebrate what they have to the full.

—> If you know someone who is facing terminal illness or a devastating disease, I encourage you to help them escape the prison of themselves… to try a change of scenery and meet people of different lands. While it may not cure them or even reduce their suffering, it will give them a sense of living that they otherwise may not ever experience, and give them a chance to dream of better times and better places… to plan for a day when their current restrictions are gone, and they can once again live a full life.

—> Have you ever asked god why you were rewarded with uncountable blessings? No, we never do that. It is only when we find things going a bit differently than our expectations, we make god accountable for the plight. We must also acknowledge the blessings if we curse the desolation.

—> They call it ‘sankalp se srishti – thoughts create destiny’. The secret is to start believing in what you want from your life. Inert power will awaken inside you. You will begin to unlock the true potential of your mind to create the kind of magical life that you have envisaged. It is not all plain-sailing to live your thoughts; it really requires a lot of practice. You must not let any negativity to override your belief. In order to get things right, not even a single thought of negativity thriving in your mind could be spared. You need to be firm and unwavering with your faith, only then you can expect the magic of faith and positivity in fruition.

—> We cannot abandon from striving hard to achieve our goals (what we believe will happen) and replace it just by contemplating for a positive outcome. Certainly this is not the way. Our efforts in unison with our beliefs will work wonders. Only if we believe in achieving our goals, we will work for it with diligence. It would be then that every object of the universe will start shedding energy for us and will conspire with us to work magic in our life.

—> Every person’s life is a roller coaster, with highs and lows. When a serious health condition enters in, however, the ride becomes much more extreme!

—>In many ways, life is pain – and yet, somehow at the same time, it is a joy to live.

—> It’s your thoughts that make your destiny.

—> Taking a break with a change of scenery is usually a good thing. If you can relax and get your mind off your troubles, it raises your spirits, which has to have a positive effect on your well being.

—> How funny we are, we people. As a child, I may have cried over the injury of a needle piercing my skin. As a dying young man, I am grateful for it – knowing that it may lead to my healing.

—> Life indeed is a flow of love, the flow of ecstasy and you have to steal a full life from moments.

—> We must accept the reactions of other people, regardless of whether or not we can understand them or relate to them. Each person has a story, just as I have mine. Each person has had good times and bad, joy and pain. When someone reacts unexpectedly – such as not being generous or kind – it is usually because of suffering in their life. Understanding this makes it easier to allow people to be just who they are, and to forgive reactions that cause us pain. In a way, we can view it as helping them carry their pain, if we can accept the fraction of it that they share with us in the right spirit.

—> I always considered love to be associated with admiration, we love each other for the physical or psychological virtues, we fall for either beauty, intelligence or other virtues in our partner. This experience in life has taught me another view of love ‘generosity’. Love in this context is not a thrill in the face of accomplishments and desires, it’s a skill to seek beyond partner’s outer dimensions into their experiences in life to bestow forgiveness and kindness and to be generous in spite of trickiness of life.

—> To sustain healthy and long relationships, we need to explore generosity in love.

Buying details:

Amazon IndiaAmazon.com

Connect with the author through below links:

WebsiteFacebookInstagram

A Pleasant Escape by Piyush Rohankar

Book blurb:

When Alok Shirke decided to prepare for the mother-of-all-exams – UPSC Civil Service – little did he know that the journey would turn out to be much more than just books and classes. He moves from the comfort of his home to the crowded lanes of Old Rajinder Nagar. A chance encounter with Sarah seems like destiny’s compensation for all his hard work. He also meets buddies for a lifetime. Their life-stories of love, regret, friendship and shattered dreams take him through Kashmir and Turkey; from brothels to hospitals; and from dingy quarters to the hallowed halls of UPSC. When life finally seems to be coming back on track, he stumbles upon a truth that is bound to change him and the rest of his life.
Will Alok crack the exam, or will be just one of the many soon-forgotten aspirants? Will a strange revelation make him see his life as A Pleasant Escape?

Genre: Fiction/Drama

Pages: 197

Format: Kindle eBook/Paperback

Price:

Kindle eBook: 49 INR/ $4.99Paperback (available only in India) : 152 INR

My Ratings: 4.3/5

This book aptly describes the journey from being an IAS aspirant to becoming an IAS officer. We all know about the civil services and how tough it is to crack the competitive exams for becoming a civil servant. Read this one to go through a virtual journey which tells us the ins and outs of the Indian UPSC exams, alongside some fictional, and unexpected twists, inspired from real events.  

What I liked about the book: 

—> The name of the protagonist is revealed much later in the book, and yet we feel connected to him right from the beginning. 

—> Ankit and Sakshi are of course the most intriguing side characters, but besides them too, the characters of Manish, Balram, Mustafa, Hazal, and towards the end even Manish’s sister, Rashmi, are equally well written and will compel us to feel compassionate towards their misfortunes. 

—> It tackles actual events like the passing of the Jan Lokpal Bill and the events that led to it, the Nirbhaya case, the situation in Turkey, etc, without making it seem too oppressive. 

—> The virtual tour through Delhi’s historical monuments. 

—> It clearly makes the point that cracking the UPSC and becoming a civil servant is no cake walk, but it also needs some percentage of luck. 

—> Alok’s trip to Guwahati and how it sheds light on the state of the people there. 

—> Alok’s argument in the beginning regrading legalising of prostitution in India, is something I completely agree with. 

—> Alok’s good deeds like saving Rashmi and making an effort to help Mr Das and Bulbul. 

What I did not like about the book:

—> Alok’s seeming immediate infatuation with every beautiful female he comes across. 

—>After a point it becomes confusing and tiring to keep up with the names and stories of so many characters. 

Quotable quotes: 

—> Writing is like purgation of the mind.

—> A simple white page becomes the canvas that brings to life people who leave an imprint on our minds.

—> It is the reader who adds true meaning to the work and who is reflected in the work.

—> Right and wrong depends on a person’s perspective. In itself, nothing is ever right or wrong.

—> A person can be judgmental or non-judgmental. Only to a judgmental mind are things right and wrong.

—> A long silence in the midst of a discussion is considered as an acceptance of defeat.

—> Clearing the Civil Service exam, supposedly the toughest in the country, is a game of probability you play with a loaded dice. No matter which room you make a home in, the hopeless helplessness is the exact same in them all.

—> I called Old Monk ‘students’ drink’ because it is the cheapest good quality liquor a student can afford.

—> Great determination is publicly displayed only after a person is slightly drunk.

—> Saturday and Sundays were no longer special. Each day felt the same. It was as if somebody had erased the names of days from my calendar.

—> An assertive and outgoing girl, she was confident in the way she talked. Maybe it was the JNU effect, where they like teaching you to think and agitate – but sometimes only for the heck of agitating!

—> Do we dare call ourselves human? Is this what we do to the best among us? If so, why should I try to be my best? To suffer like Manish and his family? That’s too high a price to pay!

—> What option does life leave for us if not to laugh at ourselves and our life?

—> “We have the rest of our lives for enjoyment once we clear UPSC,” 

“Man, you sound just like my father. He says the same thing. I wonder if a Civil Service job is meant for enjoyment. No wonder our country is suffering because the Civil Servants are busy enjoying their life.”

—> Certain things are not said in so many words, it’s a given.

—> The preparation for UPSC Civil Service turns people melancholic and morose.

—> It’s just society that has got things wrong. Can’t a man and woman just be friends?

—> Not everyone is corrupt. Don’t see people in such a negative way.

—> So many people called me that day. It hurt to realize that I had to become an IAS for people to think of me. Being the person that I am wasn’t enough for the world. I was sad by the end of the day, somehow.

—> When I told my parents that I had cleared the Prelims they reacted casually, as if the result was no surprise to them. It was as if they had known, even before I was born, that I was meant to clear the toughest exam in the country! There was nothing unconditional about their love. If you obeyed them and chose things that fit into their world-view, only then would you truly deserve their love. The love they tried to shower on me suffocated me.

—> When love is laden with unreasonable expectations and such a deep desire to control, it is bound to suffocate.

—> When you are stuck in a sad phase, everyone else’s life seems to be better and easier than yours. You even become envious of the guy who sells momos.

—> You would be surprised to know that Delhi happens to be the world’s second most bird-rich capital city.

—> Always keep your imagination wild or you will never be able to enjoy this dull life.

—> “What can be worse than ghosts?” 

“Religion.” 

“And how can religion be worse than ghosts?” 

“Religion kills a thousand times more people than ghosts do.”

—> There are good and bad people in all religions.

—> Denial and avoiding confrontation can be comforting, at least for some time.

—> There is solidarity in misery.

—> When words fail to defend, violence takes over.

—> Was the Government, as a way of diverting the attention of the people, trying to create heroes in the riot-affected state by making the aspirants belonging to these states top the Civil Service exam? 

—> If only Indian parents knew how to accept their kids as individuals, everyone would be a lot happier.

—> Poetry was always a medium of escape for me.

—> Love is blind and apparently hasty and impatient too.

—> I had never imagined that caste could be a problem even in such well-educated families. Sakshi’s father is an IPS officer, for god’s sake! He should know better.

—> It was easier to gauging the mood of a woman than that of UPSC!

—> Hatred does this; it drags our attention to the most unpleasant memories.

—> It felt good whenever people praised my poems. That’s one thing that got me excited.

—> Once you clear the exam, you will know why you gave it. It’s just failure that is making you say sad things about it. I think you should first clear it and then criticize, if at all.Then people might appreciate your criticism. Otherwise, they will think it’s a case of sour grapes.

—> No one can understand the games god plays with us humans!

—> It’s hard to give up everything and become a writer. 

—> If you are a good writer and if your product is good, you will sell.

—> “I have zeroed in on a publishing house and hopefully, the novel should be out by the end of next month.” 

“Congratulations! That’s wonderful news.Treat!” 

“Sure! But there is a lot to be done. I have to shoot the trailer/ teaser for the novel along with designing the website for the novel. Then I have to promote my book on social media by setting up a blog and twitter account. I think the real work will start after the book is released as I will have to take my book to the public and build an audience for my next book.” (The truth about being an author/writer right there in two paragraphs)

—> Sometimes things don’t add up in life even if you try to make it work.

—> It was a very unpleasant feeling to be giving your best to someone and things still not working out.

 —> We all spend all our lives struggling to see those dreams materialize and fight for our beliefs. What is the purpose of these grand plans when there is no certainty of life? Who will teach us how to live every second and be grateful, how to love deeply and laugh like a child?

—> I made a lot of new Facebook friends; the more friends I made, the emptier I felt. Desperate to alleviate my feelings of loneliness, I sent and received friend requests to and from random strangers.

—> No woman is born a prostitute but made into one by men and sometimes by other women.

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LOTUS-BORN: The Ballad Of Satyabhama by Srilakshmi Kochiyil

Book blurb:

“Srilakshmi weaves an enthralling tale spanning two avatars of Bhudevi and her undying love for Lord Vishnu. Her poetry, mellifluous and soothing, adds to the charm of the rich tapestry of the underlying tale. In reading through the journeys of Satyabhama and Andal, the reader gets a soulful experience of Prema and bhakti”

Genre: Fiction/Poetry

Pages: 191

Format: Kindle eBook

Price: 199 INR/$3.99

My Ratings: 4.2/5

This book is a beautiful poetic journey through Indian mythology. If you are allured by Indian mythology and have a love for poetry, this is the best combination to satiate your heart and mind.

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What I liked about the book:
–> I was not aware of Satyabhama and other mythological characters+tales talked about in this book, so I absolutely loved learning about these and getting a poetic journey through my Indian roots.
–> It shows love from a different perspective and the depth+purity of love between Satyabhama and Lord Krishna can teach us all a thing or two.
–> History glorifies the tale of Radha- Krishna and Rukmani – Krishna and neglects Satyabhama However, the writer/poetess has given the space for the character to express herself which is quite noteworthy.
–> I’m a lover of flowers, so I loved how most poems draw analogy between humans and flowers, Satyabhama fascination with for flowers and how she even talks to them like they’re her friends.

What I did not like about the book:
–> It is confusing initially and can be boring, but it picks up pace after the first 10-15 pages.
–> I could not complete it in one seating, unlike most of my recent poetry book reads.
–> Some of the poems were quite dull and drab in comparison to most.

Quotable quotes:
–>We are not the ones who chose the stories we write. The stories choose us. They see in us, a spark of their own splendour and fire.
–> When one has secret love,
It is best spoken to flowers:
Silent spectators who will never spill your secrets.
–>A gem would lose its shine,
If confined in the darkness of a chest.
But a star,
Till it died,
It shone bright and beautiful,
And when the light would be snuffed out
It would become stardust,
Collected and wished upon.
–>It’s a pity most don’t believe in magic.
Logic, its misplaced counterpart,
Its actual companion,
Has taken center stage.
We all live by logic now,
Trying to fold all happenings
In fiery wrappings of reason
Tied with ribbons of cause and effect.
Of course logic is important.
Why else would it be magic’s consort?
We have merely separated both
Prized one and disregarded the other.
–> Isn’t that magic enough?
That despite the poison of hate
And greed
And selfishness,
We still thrive,
Healthy looking on the outside
And wilting like a flower deprived of sunlight
On the inside?
–> Poetry is such.
It is laughter and compassion and song.
It is an incantation of our hidden selves
Urging to let go of bindings
And flow freely like a waterfall.
–>Love is like a rose.
The harder you hold it in your palm
Curling up your fist
With insecurity and jealousy and fear,
The more it withers away
Crushed into a ball,
Bleeding and broken,
All the more difficult to salvage.
–> The magic word is none but one.
Selflessness.
We have taken and taken and taken.
Naturally, we find it difficult to give.
But once you start giving,
You will genuinely,
Never be able to stop.
–> When one season turns into another,
I am taught the most important lesson of all.
The fact, that nothing is permanent
Within the threshold of our lives.
–> Occurrence and ordeal is the nature of life.
But that does not cut out joy from our grasps.
–> Spring needs winter
As winter needs spring.
Without scorching summer
You will not understand the cool showers of monsoon.
–> Make today your celebration
Cherish it
For today will turn into yesterday
And tomorrow will not be the same as today.
–> Without meaning, the word
Is merely a string of alphabets
Just as a promise is powerless
Without purpose.
Just as words are powerless without its meaning,
So are our thoughts and perspectives.
–> Wealth isn’t evil-greed is
Criticism isn’t harsh-intolerance is
Time isn’t a factor-Laziness is
–>Detachment didn’t mean
That you wouldn’t own desire.
It meant that desire
Wouldn’t own you.
–>There is joy and sorrow,
Love and hate,
Success and failure
Positives and negatives.
And that is the beauty of balance>
Without the sun, the moon cannot thrive.
Without sorrow,
Joy will lose its comprehension
–>A deed done with love is quick,
It doesn’t look at consequences or reasons.
–>If awakened deeply within us,
Devotion can cleanse us in a way.
–> With numerous petals,
Pink and gentle,
Rising from grime and mud,
Lotus was a rising symbol of triumph.
–> But you need to break to be rebuilt.
If gold had to be purified
It had to embrace the heat of the fire.
–> It took immense strength to know
That breaking is the first step to forging.
That the heart can bear blows
And still love someone who was the reason for its breakage.

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Love Voyage by Madhuri Tamse

Book blurb:

All Samaira wanted was some seclusion from her frenzy past when flirty Rehaan invaded it with his charm. As they meet at the Airport to board the flight, sparks fly. Read this short romantic journey of grumpy Samaira and flirty Rehaan from Boarding to Landing

Genre: Fiction/Romance

Pages: 31

Format: Kindle eBook

Price: 49 INR/$0.99

My Ratings: 4/5

A simple love story, beautifully narrated and with an unexpected twist. I finished reading it in an hour (with some breaks) and would recommend it to all lovers of the romance genre.

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What I liked about the book:
–>Both the male and female protagonists.
–>Samaira’s and Rehaan’s banter which makes you nod and chuckle all the while.
–> Samaira’s stance about how work should not be given priority over family.
–> Rehaan’s charming and easy way of talking and getting along with people.

What I did not like about the book:
–> I wish we could get to know a little more about both the lead characters and their individual stories, as well as their love story too.
–> Having read ample love stories, the plotline was kind of predictable for me after a point.

Quotable quotes:
–>She could have dumped fewer clothes but she couldn’t afford to carry less attires for a trip like this one which comes once in a lifetime and she had full proof plans to envy all her friends by sharing the best pictures on social media.
–>She preferred reaching the airport early and not hustling at the last minute. But she was also aware of people who delayed the flight by their last minute check-in. When will such people learn?
–> Eating alone doesn’t fill your stomach.
–>Work is secondary. Time with family should always be your priority.
–>She loved watching the chain of flights, all waiting for their turn on the runaway to takeoff.
–>Just checking with someone where we have met previously isn’t flirting.
–>Normal people tend to be afraid of turbulence. I don’t know about people like you.
–>If you distance yourselves from each other instead of dealing with the problems, your love will fail.

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The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Boob blurb:

Narrated in the first person, the story is a collection of journal entries written by a woman whose physician husband (John) has rented an old mansion for the summer. Forgoing other rooms in the house, the couple moves into the upstairs nursery. As a form of treatment, the unnamed woman is forbidden from working, and is encouraged to eat well and get plenty of air, so she can recuperate from what he calls a “temporary nervous depression – a slight hysterical tendency”, a diagnosis common to women during that period.

In this book you could find:

Great literary speechesFirst person narratedSuspense thriller

Genre: Fiction/Psychological thriller

Pages: 30

Format: Kindle ebook/Paperback

My Ratings: 4.3/5

The plight of women, patriarchy and mental health have always been shrugged off. The protagonist and her husband move to a mansion in which the female lead finds the wallpaper of their new bedroom, highly disturbing. Despite her constant pleas, her husband says it’s nothing to worry about. Is the wallpaper really haunted or is it something else altogether? Read this monologue to understand the plight of women in the 19th century.

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What I liked about the book:
–> Through the monologue and first person narration, we witness the protagonist’s helplessness in the imprisonment of her house and her marriage.
–> Though the book was written in 1890s, some of the things like the plight of women, patriarchy and our attitude towards mental health, still feel so relevant.
–> It is a brilliant study of a woman slowly losing her mind.
–>It might not be a brilliant story but it will definitely provoke you to ask hidden questions which are always lying in the back of your mind.
–> It’s a fascinating read because the readers are able to look at what it’s like to be inside the brain of someone suffering from post-natal depression and psychosis.
–> It is a (semi) biographical story of the author herself, which is just another reason to read the book and then probably have discussions on what led her to such a miserable state of mind.
–> The writing is so brilliant that we feel trapped inside the house and that room too!

What I did not like about the book:
–> The edition that I read seems to be incomplete. I’m going to hunt down and read the original one now!!

Quotable quotes:
–>If a physician of high standing, and one’s own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression—a slight hysterical tendency—what is one to do?
–>Sometimes I think there are a great many women behind, and sometimes only one, and she crawls around fast, and her crawling shakes it all over.
–>It is the strangest yellow, that wall-paper! It makes me think of all the yellow things I ever saw—not beautiful ones like buttercups, but old foul, bad yellow things.
–>One of those sprawling flamboyant patterns committing every artistic sin. It is dull enough to confuse the eye in following, pronounced enough to constantly irritate and provoke study, and when you follow the lame uncertain curves for a little distance they suddenly commit suicide – plunge off at outrageous angles, destroy themselves in unheard of contradictions… a smouldering unclean yellow.
–>He says that with my imaginative power and habit of story-making, a nervous weakness like mine is sure to lead to all manner of excited fancies, and that I ought to use my will and good sense to check the tendency. So I try.

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Conversations with Coherent Worlds by Anusha Sridharan

Book blurb:

A tinge of logic and a bit of consistency, both contributing to our thought process. Eventually leading us to the choices that may or may not be right. But we let it lead us along as we choose to do so. “Conversation with coherent worlds” is about those journeys that we take while making those conversations with ourselves. The ultimate motive of thought is a reflection – to guide us through the decisions we take and the choices we make; be it an afterthought or inspection before making one. These poetic verses try their best to invoke the trail of thoughts in you. They make you more aware of yourself for nature of thoughts you carry.

Genre: Fiction/Poetry

Pages:117

Format: Kindle eBook/Paperback

Price:

Kindle eBook:75 INR/$3.99Paperback: 249 INR/$7.99

My Ratings: 4.5/5

An insightful and charming poetry collection. A three part poetry collection which covers a varied array of topics. This book is a must read for all kinds of poetry lovers, across the world. 

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What I liked about the book: 

—> The absolutely gorgeous cover.

—>A a

—> About the only collection in which I’ve already read most of the poems multiple times. 

—> It covers topics which touch your heart and soul, and some of the lines will feel like they’re your own thoughts put into words. 

—> My absolute favourite titles (which were so hard to pick because I loved most of the titles in the book) include ‘Starting With The Masses’, ‘Collecting What You Lost’, ‘Did You Dream Today?’, ‘False Pretense’, ‘Miss Mistaken’, ‘Skilled Connection’, ‘Brave’, ‘Life 2090’, ‘Blind Love’, ‘Curious Fascination’, ‘Pinch Of Madness’, ‘Precision And Patience’ and ‘Off the Cliff’  

What I did not like about the book: 

—>It took me over three months to get through the book (which is mostly my fault I believe) because the poems need a certain mood and mindset to absorb. 

—> Some poems didn’t make me feel that connection that most others from this collection did. 

Quotable quotes:

—> A writer is alive as long as there is a belief that there is art in everyone and everything.

—> Sugar is essential, said so too for salt. 

Grain of salt hit while sugar goes to pamper.

—> Because sometimes, things aren’t how they are Meant to be

—> The time is a challenge, you’ll yet face. 

For, it’s a keeper and you’re just a watcher.

—> Who gives the authority of limits,  

When the lines are not set by us?

—> Circles, centres and chords,  

All narrate different stories. 

For all what it leads to, 

is all the same,  

The ideality of the formed circle.

—> What’s left if you ask, 

I’d say, “the hope of becoming worthy, yet again.”

—> How far could prayer lead, 

A hope that survives, yet another dream.  

The kept distance, farther away to limit.

—> The fear it is, within, of failures. 

The fear of not being able to raise again.  

Why is it such a chance? 

Why could it not be a model, 

To rise up stronger the very time we fall? 

The weaker you are towards your goal,  

The lesser you dream about it. 

The stronger you are, 

The lesser you are feared by it.  

Alas! A fear to answer, “Did you dream today?” is gone.

—> From withins of head. 

Acceptance of the dreams as part of realities,  

Paves way to the grown mundane of dreams.

—> As much I want the time to cease,  

I realize the control isn’t with me. 

To possess the power to mend and blend,  

I shall have to wait 

To dream again, 

Where I do have controls 

Of what I see and continue to dream about.

—> A chance, 

Given if, to make things alright, and do it better,  

Would one still take a chance to cut the cord?

—> And then there were zeroes, 

Which I fail to understand.  

Carries no value, 

Yet has the potential to take it all

—> Had I known the place 

I used to go to,  

Or the one I want to go to, 

I wouldn’t be going somewhere hunting, 

Of that one reason which made me explore;

—> I might not know what’s right, as of yet!  

But, I know, for sure, I’ll figure it out along the way. 

As much I have refrained from writing,  

I have grown to boil myself out, 

To someone who defies to be self-sufficient. 

—> A humble man said, “Listen to all,” 

A wise man then added, “But do what you will.”  

A series of understandings then began, 

To understand the two.

—> Monotonous and real-like  

Yet, a programmed life. 

Agendas set for the days,  

Part of a cycle, 

Days in and out, 

A pattern in this beauty, 

A regular, a routine to stick on to.  

With a mix of extremes, 

A little bizarre, 

Of the intercepts and notions, 

Coarse or so, a course in its own way.

—> Who calls it love, the one who can’t see? 

The flaws, as they aren’t, to the eyes who see. 

Isn’t the love that is blind, 

For the blind, a line of sight? 

Perspective, rather a gain, 

For a blind, to not see, but see with heart,  

A plain yet, colourful theme.

—> There is so much more to explore,  

And so less time to waste, 

To the wind the thoughts to mill,  

To create way for new air to renew.  

Star lands and earthly spaces,  

Several spectacles to conquer, 

Build inferences more than possible fantasies,  

There is no single final destination, 

There are countless such.

—> Mad is not definition, 

It is a feeling, 

Of an expressed emotion, 

In the long-lasting singularities.  

A recipe to make the mad, 

Is the pinch of all, 

In this sane sane world,  

We are all so mad.

—> The society you be in, 

Isn’t by the company you keep,  

It is wherever you are, 

You are anyways still on the radar.

—> All lies aren’t alike, 

Unlike the source of how they are perceived,  

A confinement of truth, 

As they are in a way are.

—> Like a lotus, 

Knows the difference, 

By the weight of the dew drop on it,  

Accepts it as a part, 

But never becomes one with it.  

Open your wings to all possibilities,

—> Unfaithful to our asks, 

We deny changes, rather ignore, 

And yet complain about the routine lives,  

That we lead on. 

If this isn’t called escapism,  

Then that else is?

—> Everything comes at a price,  

You win some, 

You lose some, 

Both ways you have gained,  

An experience to carry, 

As a pride,  

To pass on, 

From your bones, 

To the generations to come.

—> Noises, aren’t distractions, 

They are very much the disguised trials,  

Coming your way, 

To knock you down,  

Make you stronger, 

To prove yourself, of the worthier,  

More to what you decided to win, 

As a prime – a factor of your targets.

—> Why is the time so dominant? 

To change the choices and desires.  

Is this do to with familiarity, 

Or the path that seems already so worn out?

—> The toughest it be,  

To be yourself, 

Yet not so hard, 

If you trust yourself.

—> Are we all what we are 

Or rather we pretend to be?  

Are we happy as we show,  

Or rather how sad are we,  

That we are not able to?

—> Not everything leads you the same way,  

To the same destination. 

Paths taken are different, 

Needful so, to be aware of the chosen. 

Not by the outcomes, but by the journey,  

Measure your success, 

For you learn a lot more, through than end,  

While you reach where you intend to. 

—>A fool only sees the output, 

A wise also sees the input through the output

—> Regardless of the wavelength, 

Of the timelines where incidents are to align,  

I try to stitch between the voids, 

Where I see a thin thread connecting them both. 

Like a clothing weaved into one. 

—> One doesn’t start right by inception, 

It is the errors that lead you to precision

—> Pain is not normal,  

It never is, 

For it is a learning, 

Of what normal looks like. 

At normal times, 

You can’t be in praise of what normal is.  

Only at not so normal times, 

You are made to realize, 

Of all the times which are rather normal

—> Normalcy is a gift, 

Not often appreciated for being so.  

Until unless there comes a time,  

So different than what normal is.

—> Poetry is not just a form of expression; it is a whole language in itself.

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Rescue Me by Cathy Bramley

Book blurb:

Fearne Lovage is living a neat and tidy life. Sure, the inner circle of people she opens up to is small – but it’s perfectly formed of people she loves. And when your heart is broken, feeling safe means everything. It’s not a time for risks.

But life has a surprise in store for Fearne – a hairy, scruffy, messy one. Soon Fearne finds herself saving the day, and getting rescued right back…

You’ll also meet the characters of Cathy’s upcoming new four-part ebook serial, MY KIND OF HAPPY – which follows Fearne on her search for true happiness. All parts are available to pre-order now.

Genre: Fiction/Short story

Pages: 40

Format: Kindle eBook

Price: 0 INR/$0.00

My Ratings: 4/5

Grief, loneliness and love for dogs in this cute little story.Ethel and Fearne are neighbours with a shared loneliness and love for dogs. Where Ethel has lived a full life and is now leading a happy ripe old age, Fearne is young but has given up on life after losing a dear one. Can their new found friendship make Fearne come out of her shell and get over her grief? Read this book to find out.

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What I liked about the book:
—> Ethel’s full of life character and her staunch independence, despite her age.
—> Scamp’s character which I’m sure will melt all the dog lovers’ hearts.
—> The unlikely and unusual bond between the two women and how it grows stronger over a period of time.
—> How Ethel feels Fearne is wasting her youth and tries her best to make her understand this.
—> Though it ends on a positive closure, it leaves us wanting to read more in the next leg of the story (which is carried forward in another book with Fearne’s story)
—> Provides a sneak peek into the first few pages of the next book where Fearne’s story is taken ahead.

What I did not like about the book:
—> It is mostly predictable as to how the story will unfold.
—> I would’ve loved to know more about Ethel and her husband’s adventures in their younger days.

Quotable quotes:
—> The way to ward off dementia is to keep learning, keep testing yourself, stay curious.
—> This was her life now; watching other people go about theirs.
—> Ninety-seven. Sometimes she felt greedy still taking up space on the planet. As if she’d had more than her fair share.
—> It was on the tip of her tongue to decline the invitation; she’d had enough of other people for one day, it was tiring maintaining her invisible ‘leave me alone’ force field.
—> She didn’t really like custard creams. Perversely, that was why she bought them, so she wasn’t tempted to eat them all.
—> University isn’t for everyone. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.
—> There’s a different silence to an empty house. I know this is a contradiction in terms, but it almost has a sound all of its own.
—> You’re never lonely when you’ve got a dog.
—> Your adventure is out there somewhere and when you’re ready it’ll be waiting for you.
—> Fearne knew that grief had made her irrational at times. She also knew that this was completely natural. But it didn’t stop her feeling like an idiot sometimes.
—> A dog fills a space in your heart you didn’t know was there.
—> Sometimes the scariest path can be the most rewarding. 

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