Sundari Venkatraman's Blog, page 46

A-Z April Challenge 2015: R for RAAS LILA

R for Raas Lila
Google Images
Just as the sun went down the horizon at one end, the full moon made its appearance from the opposite end, embellishing the Yamuna River with ripples of white gold. The water flowed calmly while the birds and animals began to settle down for the night. Suddenly, their ears cocked as they heard the divine music from Krishna’s flute. Deer, cows, horses along with crows, pigeons and peacocks came rushing to the bank of the river to find their favourite Gwala seated on a smooth rock, his fingers delicately caressing the flute as he blew such wonderful notes from it.

It was not long before Radha joined the scene at his feet, her eyes looking up at her lover’s face adoringly. A gentle sigh broke from her lips as she placed her head against his lap, giving herself up to the soft music.

Gopika Karuna stood straight, entranced by the sounds coming from the river bank. She forgot that she was serving her husband his dinner and walked out of the house, following the notes.

Gopika Shivangi didn’t stop to find out if her baby was asleep in his crib before she stopped her lullaby in a hurry to reach the banks of the river.

Gopika Madhavi was spreading the bed on the floor to settle for the night. The pillows fell out of her hands as she left her task midway to follow the music flowing into her ears.

Gopika Ranjana was just shutting the cowshed when the cows pushed against the door and walked away. Surprised to see this unexpected behaviour of the cattle, she turned in the direction they were walking when she heard Krishna’s flute. She followed the cows, forgetting her home.

And so it was all around Gokul, every single woman from age 14-50, thronged the banks of Yamuna, listening to Lord Krishna’s divine flute. Their eyes studied Radha enviously. Wasn’t she lucky to have the Blue Lord belong to her!

Lo and Behold! Each Gopika was astounded to find a lovely Krishna beside her, looking at her with glowing dark eyes, as if she was the only other person on earth besides himself. And it began, the celestial dance of hundreds of Gopikas with as many Krishnas, with Radha-Krishna in the centre. The anklets of the Gopikas added rhythm to Krishna's flute as the  Raas Lila  lasted through the night.

Glossary:
Gwala – cowherd





Check out some of my favourite bloggers who are also participating in A-Z April Challenge 2015
Ina Tales Devika Fernando - Author of Romance Novels Eloquent Articulation by Inderpreet Kaur UppalI Luv Fiction by Ruchi Singh Shanaya Tales
Prasanna Rao
Flightless Bird Thoughtful Wings by Swathi Shenoy
The Moving Quill by Shailaja Vishwanath

Cover Reveal: LOVE AGAIN by Shrruti Patole Clarence & Sumeetha Manikandan

Cover Reveal
Love Again 
by Shrruti Patole Clarence & Sumeetha Manikandan
A Double Header Novel

Blurb 


Love, Again is a double header novel published by Half Baked Beans andFablery with two novellas - A Tulip in the Desert by Shrruti Patole Clarence and These Lines of Mehendi by Sumeetha Manikandan.

TULIP IN THE DESERT Shrruti Patole Clarence
A historian in making, Charmaine has settled down in Amsterdam after her father migrated from India when she was very young. Life was picturesque until the final year of Graduation when she elected to specialize in Egyptology. Thereafter from the time she read the book about Cleopatra, revelation after revelation turns her world into a tornado!

Raj, another aspiring Historian, walks into her college and her life like a whirlwind. A simpleton from Delhi, Raj too finds mysteries unfolding before him from the time he enters the college library right through to their educational tour to Egypt.A series of events throws them together at every step of their college life despite Charmaine wanting to maintain a distance from ‘this’ natural charmer.

A twist of fate puts Raj and Charmaine in the most unthinkable situation that finally links back to their ‘revelations’. Raj must face a choice again…A choice of history over his love… or does he have the mettle to change history and create his own?

THESE LINES OF MEHENDI Sumeetha Manikandan
Beautiful and efficient Lalitha loved to deck up brides for their wedding, though her own marriage was in shambles. When her estranged husband suddenly commits suicide she realizes that things wouldn’t be the same again…

Shrikanth thought that he was a confirmed bachelor but when his mother refused to get herself treated for cancer unless he got married, he had to get a bride in a hurry.She needed a husband in name, to save her career while he needed to marry to please his mother. Will they find love second time around? Will they lower their shields and succumb to a mutual passion?
About 
The Authors
Shrruti Patole Clarence

Shrruti has been a voracious reader since early years and took to composing poems when she was very young. She has worked as an Aviation Manager for over ten years with various airlines, she has been on a sabbatical for her two son's aged six and one year respectively. She enjoys this welcome break from career, to be able to pursue her passion, writing!
She has to her credit six short stories featuring in different Anthologies; a Hindi poem featuring in Tumbhi’s contest Ehsaas judged by the famous screenwriter Javed Siddiqui.Shrruti is a warm and friendly person who loves music and watching sports when she is not writing.

Stalk her @Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Blog 


Sumeetha Manikandan
Sumeetha Manikandan is a freelance writer and an author who loves to write and base her plots on the tambrahm community of Mylapore, Chennai. She is the author of ‘The Perfect Groom’ that has been a best selling ebook on the top 50 charts of Amazon India ever since its publication in 2013. 
An avid reader, she loves to read across different genres – romance, historical fiction, non-fiction, mystery, fantasy etc. A history buff to the core, she is currently translating Ponniyin Selvan – the evergreen tamil classic epic history by Kalki Krishnamurthy into English.
Married to film maker K.S. Manikandan, Sumeetha lives in Chennai, along with her six year old daughter.

Stalk her @Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Google+ | Blog | 

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Book Review: THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING IGUANA by Ruchira Khanna

The Mystery of The Missing Iguana by  Ruchira Khanna 




My Review
This book, probably the first one in the series “Adventures of Alex and Angelo”, is meant for kids. I am sure the write up and pictures will bring absolute joy to children from Age 3-8. It’s a cute little story of boy detective Alex and his monkey pal Angelo. 
It is written in simple language that will aid your child to show interest in reading. I will recommend this one by Ruchira Khanna definitely. 
The illustrations by Novella Genelza are too lovely and create a perfect background for the story. 
Disclaimer: I received a PDF of this book from the author in return for my honest review as part of The Book Club blog tour. 


The Blurb

Alex and his pet chimpanzee Angelo are the young detectives of their neighborhood. When a friend's pet Iguana goes missing, Alex and Angelo immediately take on the case, and the sneaky reptilian leads them on an exciting chase. How will alex and Angelo use their sleuthing skills to solve this mystery?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A biochemist by profession she made a mere choice of enrolling herself into a technical writing course. Now, little did she know that this small decision would take her on a path to creative writing and eventually publishing a novel.




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A-Z April Challenge 2015: Q for QUEEN DAMAYANTI’S SWAYAMVAR

Q for Queen Damayanti's swayamvar
Google ImagesQueen Damayanti stared unseeingly at the garden from the window of her chamber. All the riches in her father’s kingdom and her adoring children did not stop her from missing her husband. They had shared twelve years of happiness. Twelve years in which they had lived as one soul in two bodies.

Alas, he had left her alone in the forest. Of course, Damayanti knew that Nala loved her more than his own life. He hadn’t left her for a better life. She knew that he had left her so that she did not have to undergo the suffering along with him. A deep sigh came up from the depths of her being. Where was he?

A bizarre idea took shape in her head as Damayanti’s eyes began to sparkle. She snapped her fingers before turning around to call out to her maids. Her step was lighter as she got ready to go meet the king, her father. It was time to hold another swayamvar. Yes, a swayamvar for Queen Damayanti this time as against Princess Damayanti. Despite the passage of almost two decades, despite being the mother of two growing children, Damayanti looked young and beautiful. And there were even the Gods lusting after her.

The king sent out the invitation, knowing of his daughter’s intention. He prayed from the depth of his heart that Damayanti was reunited with her husband King Nala.

The day of the swayamvar dawned. Indra, Varuna, Yama and Agni had come down to earth to try their luck at securing Damayanti’s hand, at least this time round. They were all happy that Nala was not in the running this time round. Dwarf Bahuka rode Ayodhya King Rituparna’s chariot as the king of Ayodhya was also keen to participate in the swayamvar. Bahuka wondered what his wife was getting at. Yes, it was Nala who had attained the form of a dwarf due to a snake bite. Had Damayanti given up on husband? Didn’t she have faith that he would return to claim her?

Damayanti watched from her window as the kings and Gods arrived for the swayamvar. But the face that she sought was missing. Her disappointment was acute.

Just then, her maid brought her a bowl of cooked meat. The aroma was titillating to say the least. Moreover, it was familiar. Hope flowered in Damayanti’s heart as her appetite returned with a vengeance. As she took a bite of the dish, a wide smile broke out on her face. Her husband was back. Her maid took her to the kitchen to point out the dwarf Bahuka and informed the queen that it was he who had cooked the meat.

Damayanti walked into the kitchen to face Bahuka, much to the surprise of the palace cooks. She lifted the swayamvar garland and placed it on his neck. Lo and behold! Bahuka was transformed into the tall, fair and handsome Nala. Queen Damayanti’s joy knew no bounds as she was reunited with the love of her life.



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Ina Tales Devika Fernando - Author of Romance Novels Eloquent Articulation by Inderpreet Kaur UppalI Luv Fiction by Ruchi Singh Shanaya Tales
Prasanna Rao
Flightless Bird Thoughtful Wings by Swathi Shenoy
The Moving Quill by Shailaja Vishwanath

A-Z April Challenge 2015: P for PURU BECOMES YOUNG AGAIN

Puru Becomes Young Again

P for PURU
Google Images
The Prince admired himself in the full length mirror, adjusting his angavastram on the left shoulder, his thick moustache oiled and brushed back, underlining his masculinity. His lips tilting in a half smile, he was content with his life. After completing a hard day at sword training, he was on his way to meet the love of his life, Tilottama. 

With his foot on the threshold to his chambers, the prince noticed a servant walking towards him. The servant stood in front of the prince and said, “Greetings O Prince Puru! His Highness Emperor Yayati sends his greetings to the prince and awaits him in the throne room.” He stood with his spear held in his left hand, his right hand at his mouth and his body almost bent double out of respect.

Puru’s expression never changed as he mentally postponed his rendezvous with Tilottama and walked towards the throne room to meet his father, the emperor. 

Seeing his aged father seated on the throne, Puru bowed before him offering his “pranam”. “My dear father, you wished to speak to me?” he asked respectfully.

The emperor glanced at the ministers around him. Understanding his silent command, they all left the throne room along with the attendants, leaving Yayati and Puru alone. 

“My dear son, I have a request. I know I shouldn’t ask this of you....?”

Puru rushed forward to place a hand on his father’s lips. “Never say so my father! Command me! I am always at your service.”

Yayati asked the youngest prince for something that none of his other sons were ready to grant him – his youth in exchange for the emperor’s old age, a curse he had acquired from Sage Shukracharya. Prince Puru didn’t think twice before agreeing to his father’s request. A rejoiced Yayati sprang up energetically from the throne while Puru’s form shrunk, his skin wrinkling even as his body bowed down with old age. 

Taking leave of his father, Puru went to keep his delayed appointment with Tilottama. Unable to recognise the old man with shrunken shoulders, Tilottama was extremely upset to find out that Puru had sacrificed his youth and good looks for his father’s sake. Unable to face a future with the ancient man in front of her, the lovely princess walked away, breaking the brave Prince’s heart. 

Puru ruled the kingdom for thousands of years while his father Yayati explored different avenues to enjoy his youth.

A few thousand years later.....

Yayati returned to the palace and gave back his loving son Puru, his lost youth, and retired to the forest.

A newly rejuvenated Puru with blessings from his father, set out in search of Tilottama. He arrived at her kingdom after five days of travel on horseback. Reaching the palace, he requested a meeting with Princess Tilottama. While he waited in the palace garden, he caught sight of the lovely princess as she sat near the lotus pond, lost in thought. “My Tilottama.......” called Puru softly. She turned around to see a stranger, obviously of royal lineage, looking at her with so much love that she blushed. 

The dowager queen looked from afar, tears rolling down her cheeks. Her prince had fallen in love with her great granddaughter who also happened to carry her name. 






Check out some of my favourite bloggers who are also participating in A-Z April Challenge 2015

Ina Tales Devika Fernando - Author of Romance Novels Eloquent Articulation by Inderpreet Kaur UppalI Luv Fiction by Ruchi Singh Shanaya Tales
Prasanna Rao
Flightless Bird Thoughtful Wings by Swathi Shenoy

A-Z April Challenge 2015: O for OM NAMAH SHIVA!

O for Om Namah Shiva!
Mohini teaches Bhasmasura to dance while Lord Shiva watches on
Google Images“Om Namah Shiva! Om Namah Shiva! Om Namah Shiva!” Bhasmasura chanted again and yet again over many years, patiently awaiting the appearance of his Ishta Devata Lord Shiva. The lord knew the asura’s intentions. But had he ever refused any bhakta’s prayers? Never! Lord Shiva never says ‘no’ to anyone’s prayer. And thus he came down to earth to give darshan to Bhasmasura.

The asura was mighty pleased when the lord appeared before him. Not the smartest person on earth, Bhasmasura had just one boon to ask. He could have asked for riches, land, wisdom, cattle, the most beautiful women, a horde of people to serve him. But no, he wanted just one boon – one that he believed will make him superior to all; one boon that will make him all-powerful; one boon that will make every living being fear him. And he asked of Lord Shiva to grant him the power of burning down to ashes anyone on whose head he placed his hand.

A smiling Shiva granted him exactly what he asked. An excited Bhasmasura went on a rampage, killing human being and animals. Having done with that, he went to Indraloka – where the Devas lived – and managed to kill a few before the rest of them disappeared. What more could he do to establish his power? The dim-witted Bhasmasura went back in search of Shiva. He wanted to place his hand on the lord’s head.

Could the rest of the triumvirate (Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva) sit back watching? Lord Vishnu went to Shiva’s rescue, taking the form of Mohini , once again.

It was up to Mohini to deal with an impossible situation. The lovely maiden lured Bhasmasura with her beauty. She insisted that he should learn to dance before she would become his. He followed her steps as she danced. Soon, she placed her hand on her own head. Following her lead, Bhasmasura placed his hand on his own and got burnt down to ashes.

Glossary:

Ishta Devata – Favourite deity
Asura - Demon
Bhakta - Devotee
Bhasmasura – Bhasma+ Asura – ashes+demon – A demon who can turn things to ashes




Check out some of my favourite bloggers who are also participating in A-Z April Challenge 2015
Ina Tales Devika Fernando - Author of Romance Novels Eloquent Articulation by Inderpreet Kaur UppalI Luv Fiction by Ruchi Singh Shanaya Tales
Prasanna Rao
Flightless Bird Thoughtful Wings by Swathi Shenoy
The Moving Quill by Shailaja Vishwanath

A-Z April Challenge 2015: N for NAKULA, THE 4th PANDAVA

N for Nakula with Panchali
Google ImagesPanchali’s hands trembled in excitement as she arranged the royal blue vastra over her lush breasts. She looked into the mirror and smiled into her own eyes that shone brilliantly, like black grapes freshly plucked off the vine. She bit her lips to make them redder than they already were, as she tilted her head to look out of the window. A full moon was rising up in the sky just as the sun had slid down the horizon at the other end. Her heart pumped harder as she awaited her lover for the night.

Panchali didn’t know if she was lucky or not, for she did have five men to love her. But then, she found the eldest Yudhishthira quite staid. He went about making love just the same as he would go about running his kingdom – out of a sense of duty. That was not the best way to keep a woman happy.

Bheema was... Panchali searched her mind for the right word... his appetite for food outshone all his other appetites. She couldn’t stop grinning to herself as she passed this judgement over the second Pandava. Well, there was no other way to describe it.

Prince Arjuna! Well, he was handsome, he was a warrior through and through. And it was he who had won Panchali at the swayamvara. But did that make him the best lover? Panchali saw her head shaking in the mirror. Arjuna was too much of himself. He counted himself first and foremost. Everything else followed after that. His wife was probably way down in his list, she was sure.

Now Nakula... Panchali blushed a fiery red, her cheeks turning hot to the touch. He was the handsomest of the five. In spite of that, and despite the fact that he shared Panchali with his four brothers, Nakula had never thought of getting married again. All the other four had many wives. But not Nakula!

Panchali felt cherished by the 4th Pandava prince. He knew how to make a woman happy – both mentally and physically. Was it any wonder that Panchali eagerly awaited her turn with him? She quietly juggled the schedules of the other princes so that she got to spend more time with Nakula. It wasn’t too difficult as they did have other wives to keep happy.

Wasn’t Panchali lucky that she had got Prince Nakula in the package deal when Arjuna won her at the swayamvara?




Check out some of my favourite bloggers who are also participating in A-Z April Challenge 2015
Ina Tales Devika Fernando - Author of Romance Novels Eloquent Articulation by Inderpreet Kaur UppalI Luv Fiction by Ruchi Singh Shanaya Tales
Prasanna Rao
Flightless Bird Thoughtful Wings by Swathi Shenoy
The Moving Quill by Shailaja Vishwanath

A-Z April Challenge 2015: M for MOHINI, VISHNU AVATAR

M for MOHINI
Google ImagesThe sea of milk boiled over as both the Devas and Asuras worked hard to churn it. It was not just these two groups at work. Lord Vishnu had taken the form of a tortoise (Kurmavatar) and settled in the ocean bed. Over the huge tortoise was placed Mount Mandara, used as a churn. Vasuki, the serpent was used as rope. All working in tandem, churned the ocean.

Out came Mahalakshmi, then the Kalpataru and more. Still there was no sign of the Amrut that the Devas and Asuras were seeking. Just as everyone was getting tired, a golden Kalash rose from the depths of the ocean. The two contingents jumped with joy. Finally, the Amrut was there – the potion that would ensure that they became immortal.

Lord Vishnu watched from the depths of the sea. Unless he did something in a hurry, the three lokas would soon be populated with evil Asuras who would never die. Rising from the river bed and changing his form quickly from a tortoise to that of a beautiful apsara, Lord Vishnu transformed into the beautiful Mohini in a second.

Holding the golden Amrut Kalash on her hips, Mohini walked slowly, her hips swinging deliciously, towards the eager Asuras. Giving them an alluring smile, she turned to the Devas and distributed the Amrut amongst them. While her hands were busy serving the Amrut to the Devas, her eyes were turned invitingly to the Asuras who were too absorbed by her beauty to notice what was actually happening.

Finally, Mohini reached the end of the line of the Devas to check the Kalash. Her face held pretended surprise to find the golden pot empty. She threw the Kalash back into the ocean of milk and walked away with swinging hips.

The enraged Asuras turned on the Devas. Alas, the Devas were invincible as Lord Vishnu had accomplished what he had set out to do – making them all immortal.

Glossary:
Devas – Heavenly beings
Asuras – Demons
Amrut – Potion of immortality
Kalash – Pot
Lokas – worlds



Check out some of my favourite bloggers who are also participating in A-Z April Challenge 2015
Ina Tales Devika Fernando - Author of Romance Novels Eloquent Articulation by Inderpreet Kaur UppalI Luv Fiction by Ruchi Singh Shanaya Tales
Prasanna Rao
Flightless Bird Thoughtful Wings by Swathi Shenoy
The Moving Quill by Shailaja Vishwanath

A-Z April Challenge 2015: L for LORD OF LANKA

L for Lord of Lanka
Google ImagesRavana, the emperor of the three worlds, the Lord of Lanka, ruled his kingdom wisely. All his subjects were very happy during his reign. It is said that the poorest of people in his kingdom ate from plates made of gold. Such was the prosperity of Ravana’s kingdom.

With three queens by his side, the emperor rejoiced in art and culture. He himself played the veena. A great Shiva-Bhakta, Ravana had done severe penance for decades to acquire a number of boons from Lord Shiva. 

He had mastered the Vedas while becoming an expert in all modes of warfare. Acquiring vast amounts of land and wealth, Ravana did not hesitate to share them with his siblings. 

Alas...

The Lord of Lanka’s bad time was imminent when his sister Soorpanaka lusted after Lakshmana. Rama’s younger brother cut off her nose in a fit of temper when she made a nuisance of herself. 

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” might be a modern saying. But the meaning applied to all times, it seemed. The scorned Soorpanaka instigated her powerful brother to kidnap Sita. 

Living an exemplary life until then, Ravana made the mistake of kidnapping Lord Ram’s wife. Though his brothers Vibhishana and Kumbakarna advised him to return Sita to her husband, Ravana’s arrogance would not permit that. 

And thus fell the mighty Lord of Lanka – because of his blind love for his sister and his arrogance. All the boons that he had acquired from Lord Shiva did not save him from sure death at the hands of Lord Ram. 




Check out some of my favourite bloggers who are also participating in A-Z April Challenge 2015
Ina Tales Devika Fernando - Author of Romance Novels Eloquent Articulation by Inderpreet Kaur UppalI Luv Fiction by Ruchi Singh Shanaya Tales
Prasanna Rao
Flightless Bird Thoughtful Wings by Swathi Shenoy
The Moving Quill by Shailaja Vishwanath

A-Z April Challenge 2015: K for KAIKEYI AND KING DASARATHA

K for Kaikeyi
Google ImagesQueen Kaikeyi’s joy knew no bounds. Her favourite Prince Ram was going to be crowned Heir to the throne of Ayodhya. She sang as she went about her duties, organising the function. She would not allow Prince Ram’s mother Kausalya to lift a finger. Kausalya and Sumitra watched in amusement as Kaikeyi went about the palace, ordering a number of maids and man-servants to do her bidding. 

The palace appeared like Devaloka when King Dasaratha rode on his chariot through the ornate gates, flanked by his four sons who were riding on horses. A smile broke out on the old king’s face. He knew that it was Kaikeyi who was in charge. She was the one who enjoyed the flamboyance of royal life more than anyone else.

Getting out of the chariot, the king’s eyes fell on Manthara, Kaikeyi’s faithful servant. Her half-bent figure was distinct in the twilight. His instincts told him that something was afoot. He went directly to Kaikeyi’s chambers to meet his favourite queen. 

Kaikeyi greeted the king with a wide smile. She held out her hands to him, “Where have you been the whole day? Have you forgotten it’s our dear Ram’s coronation tomorrow? There are so many arrangements to be made.”

Dasaratha smiled at her enthusiasm. Was the king expected to do the work of organising the coronation? He did not utter the words as he did not want to curb her enthusiasm.

Manthara stopped outside the chambers, hiding behind a pillar, when she saw that Kaikeyi was not alone. She bided her time, waiting for the king to leave, before poisoning Kaikeyi’s mind.

It was sad that all of Kaikeyi’s enthusiasm for her favourite Prince went to naught by an old maid-servant’s words. In barely a few hours, King Dasaratha found that his world had tilted on its axis. 

Glossary:
Devaloka – Abode of the Devas (Heaven)





Check out some of my favourite bloggers who are also participating in A-Z April Challenge 2015
Ina Tales Devika Fernando - Author of Romance Novels Eloquent Articulation by Inderpreet Kaur UppalI Luv Fiction by Ruchi Singh Shanaya Tales
Prasanna Rao
Flightless Bird Thoughtful Wings by Swathi Shenoy