Cheryl Snell's Blog, page 73

Praise for Shiva's Arms

"Cheryl Snell's book is an interesting, lyrical, humorous at times - read about two cultures. The main character is charming, vibrant, real in the best of ways. I love reading about different cultures, and ... Cheryl Snell describes in lyrical ways the Indian culture and American artist's reactions and accommodations to that culture. And of character (three-dimensional and likeable, but not perfect) I like. Very good writing."

--Nanette Rayman-Rivera, author of Project: Butterflies, algerias, ...

Shiva's Arms: the cast

1. Alice. Wife, mother, daughter-in-law, artist, depressive. It's not until she learns the meaning of reconciliation that she finds her place in her extended family.
2. Ram. The husband who runs away from his Hindu culture as fast as his wife runs toward it. He tries to accommodate both his traditional mother (the namesake of the god of destruction) and his wife. The quintessential man in the middle.
3. Amma. Matriarch of a Brahmin joint-family, she must reconcile herself to the culture clash w...

What's the Book About?

Is there a happy medium between Hindu tradition and American style or does the battle of wills between a mother and daughter in law for the love of the man in the middle trump all else?

From a seemingly simple clash of cultures between in-laws, Shiva's Arms evolves into an exploration of freedom and the ties that bind, love and duty. Written in a lyrical style studded with startling imagery, the author uses South Indian myths and customs to explore questions of belonging--national, cultural,...

Tamil Festival of Lights

One version of the origin:
Once,a small rat drew out the wick of a lamp in a Shiva temple, and the glowing lamp filled the temple with light. When it came time for this particular rat to be reborn, it came back as a king, as a reward for its inadvertent good deed. Now, on the full moon day of the Tamil month Karthigai, bonfires are conducted in the temples, showing that we have set fire to our sins and sorrows.

The Cover Unveiled

Watch this Space

The novel is coming soon!
Meanwhile, watch this slideshow. It'll get you in the mood.

a story for Ganesh Chaturthi

Independence Day

Today marks the sixty second anniversary of India's independence. I'm making masala dosas for the occasion.








Amma's Famous Dosa

Recipe coming in Shiva's Arms

Gopalkala

Gopalkala is an interesting part of Janmashtami celerbrations, going on right now.
A Dahi Handi, the pot of milk, curd, butter, fruit juices and Gopalkala
(Soak beaten rice for fifteen minutes. Melt some ghee in another pan, toss in cumin seeds. Add finely chopped chilies and ginger. Add rice and salt it. Sprinkle it with sugar and grated coconut)is hanged with a rope at a height, and a pyramid of celebrants try to break it. The winner is showered with colored water.

Review

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Have a look at this REVIEW. It's penned by Julene T. Weaver and the subject is Nanette Rayman-Rivera's new book, shana linda ~ pretty pretty published by Scattered Light Publications, my sister's and my new venture.