The Woman That I Am - Not A Book Review

I don't think I need to give a rationale as to why I picked up this book as my next read... I guess the title itself says it all :)!

I had decided to club three book reviews in one single blog post from here on but this book deserves special attention.... Not only because of the title alone... But because it's a compilation of stories of 30 women and writing a review for this book is like writing a review for all those 30 beautiful pieces of work in the book.... Each of which made me feel special for the woman that I am.

Cover Page & Title

I simply loved the cover page. It just couldn't have been anything else. A perfect cover page design for signifying 'The Woman That I Am'. A simple picture which somehow instills that feeling of celebration within.... The celebration of womanhood... The celebration of Acknowledgment.... For the Woman that I am... You are... And we all are. Very nicely and in all it's simplicity the cover design just says it all....

Book Sneak Peek

I loved the very concept of the book... As in, we all happen to read various blog posts, articles and pages on womanhood and it's various aspects... But mostly in a disjoint manner. Each of them have a different story of struggle... But to bring it all under one fold... In the form of one book... Is such an amazing concept. When you read the stories of each one of them.....each experience being unique of the trysts faced... Yet each that you can identify with... Each a distinct celebration in itself of the enigma of womanhood.

While one story speaks of a woman trying to find her value at home another speaks of her trying to empower herself in the true sense of being able to choose between career and home.... While some other speaks of a mother and it's definition and some other of societal ideologies of ages being associated with marriage and motherhood. The book is a collage of experiences.... Very real and very true... Which every woman experiences without fail.

An ode to the book & it's title

While, I strongly believe that the word 'Feminism' has got terribly abused over a period of time and so much so that it has started to overbear on the very concept of womanhood. I say this because I feel somewhere in that fight of equality we seemed to have missed the cause. Let me try to illustrate my point.....I pay an ode to this book for bringing out the 'woman in me' to write down my thoughts today :).

The 'Door mat' Feeling

So, if a door mat feels like a door mat... And sees no worth of being a door mat then who does it expect to garner it with it's deserved worth. And if the door mat finds itself to be of utmost value.... So much that it's placed at the entry point of every house... To serve a very important purpose without which the entire house is at the mercy of the dirt evading it's space..... Then does any one really have to explicitly tell or uphold the door mat's worth?! In simple terms, if the door mat were to realise it's self worth it does not have to wait for anyone's endorsement and for all you know it can even probably see it's worth in other's eyes... The very ones it was searching before to find that worth.

Basically, value or worth is what you give to yourself... No one else can give or take it away from you. It doesn't matter who you are... A homemaker or a career woman... If you feel like a doormat... Others will treat you like one! Seeking value (not begging for it!) is like a mirror... It will show you what you want to see... If you see value in yourself the mirror will also show you the same. And let me assure you.... The feeling of door mat has nothing to do with financial independence.... You might be an ambitious career woman earning decent pay checks and still feel like a door mat!

The word 'sacrifice'

Coming to sacrifices....I don't know if there is some abnormality particularly in me or anyone else also feels the same... But with all honesty, when I see those superwoman mothers being honored for all the motherly sacrifices that they have made for their child snaps and forward messages on Mother's Day it makes me cringe. Why does a mother have to be propagated as a superwoman.... If someone is doing all those superhumanly things as a mother.... Kudos to her... But why is that being set as an example. And what's with the word sacrifice really?!

If I choose to give up my job for my child .....or if I choose to continue with my job after a child... They are choices we make as a woman. Why term them as sacrifices?! Even if you do so... Are you trying to say if a mother chooses to continue with her career and is leaving her child back home with a baby sitter or at a day care is not making any sacrifice?! Is sacrifice only restricted to career aspirations and persuasion of hobbies and nothing else?!

Every choice that we as an individual make... Be it a woman or a man... Is accompanied with costs to be paid... Or as you call it sacrifices to be made. Anything you want to pursue in life wholeheartedly will lead to sacrifice of something else.... It's just one life and millions of aspirations... You can't possibly pursue all. 

Let's not abuse this word sacrifice. I choosing to be a mother is a choice.... I choosing to quit my job so that I can be with my child is also a choice. I cooking for my child... Helping with his homework.... Taking care of his/her likes/dislikes/rants.....sleepless nights etc is what comes naturally if you have chosen to go on that roller coaster ride of motherhood. And you do all this naturally because when you see that smile on your child's face you feel gratified and rewarded for more than what you had laboured. And in doing all this do I crave to see myself as an inspiration to my child. No, I don't... How can I... I want my child to do better than me in life.... Better in all respects. And for him/her to grow up to be better than me....how can I be the inspiration.... If I am the inspiration then my child will grow up to be like me... Not better than me!! 

In other words, motherhood is a choice you made to feel good for yourself then why belittle this divine feeling by terming it as sacrifice?! And why ask for endorsements on this too.... And why propagate the thought of sacrifice?! Motherhood is a divine feeling to be cherished and lived then why make it sound like an accomplishment waiting to be recognised and awarded!

'No time for self'

Yes, unfortunately a day is designed in such a way that it has only 24 hrs.... Sadly we can't ask the Sun to wait....science has not got that far yet!!

In this world and age which is moving at lightening pace let me ask a simple question again.... Who do you think has any time (unless really worked out in the schedule) in his/her jam packed schedule for himself/herself on this planet Earth?! Unless you are like a log with nothing better to do in life everyone else are fighting to adjust their day in those sacrosanct 24 hrs ! Everyone is running against that race of time. So, please pat yourself that in whatever you are doing... That is be it household work... Or at office... Or juggling with both... Woman or man for that matter.... No one has that sought after 'Me Time'.....you have to fend for it yourself as per your definition. It's like salt.... Add as per your taste... And it's always in small quantities and a very important ingredient.... You forget about it... It's to your peril.... You add too much of it... Peril again!

Fight for Equality

Yes, we must fight.... If we don't fight for our own right... We won't get it. True... Very True! But what are we fighting for.... Equality in what? Should we not define it?

Somehow this fight has also got twisted and bent towards 'monetary benefit' and finances. For equal amount of work the pay definitely should be equal....I completely agree....  but what about unequal amount of work?!

A and B have equal amount of work in an office. Both are equally sincere and equally hard working and let's assume for ease sake both are women in this case. A goes on maternity leave for 6 months and comes back. Now, it's time for appraisals. So, who should get promoted or the better rating/increment/bonus. Just incase B does get all these things why does A feel betrayed? Did A achieve any less in the whole process? Or is it just the money and the promotion that defines and is the only measure of achievement here? What about the creation of a life here by A... Why doesn't she count it towards her achievement for that year? If B was a man instead of a woman in the example how does the entire logic change?

Since our fight for equality has somehow got limited to just this petty issue organizations in India have given a 6 month maternity leave (instead of 3 months earlier)  and some organizations have assured no downfall in appraisal ratings because of the maternity leave and of course no firing during the leave period. That's it.... But we have missed the bigger picture here in just fighting for this teeny tiny piece of equality. Many new mothers still leave their jobs after a while... Even after these rules.... Do you know why? Because after a point the equal pay thing doesn't matter... All the mothers need is some flexibility. And when I say flexibility it's not in terms of having a crib in the office building but flexibility in working hours.

If organizations could give work from home options.... Half day work weeks... Or flexibility to choose 3/4 day work weeks still retaining the concept of equal pay equal work... Many women wouldn't have to embrace motherhood and leave their jobs. Even today many companies ask reason for gaps in CVs and don't appreciate it even if its for child care reasons. But how much are we fighting for these things?! Somewhere in that fight for equal dignity we are losing the race to equal pay ! 

And if the fight is for equal distribution of household work... We will come to it below. And for everything else, we are more than equal....we know that....well, so then what's the fight for?! 

Equal work distribution 

Yes, the household work and when I say household it means everything from the cleaning of dishes to procuring the earning to run the household.... Distribution should be equal. Very justified ask. 

The ask sounds silly only when we start segregating the work as 'menial' and 'non-menial'. If we ourselves call the work we do as menial and valueless I guess it's difficult to expect someone else to value it. Cooking, washing, cleaning.... How many times have you heard anyone say it with pride.... What do you do.... I take care of essential services of household without which survival is difficult.... I cook, wash and clean. Does any one answer that way?! If you crib and complain and call your job menial then that's the status it will attain and so it has. And after the work has been branded as menial the fight on distribution of it begins!

And just for a hypothetical argument... Look around.... All essential services are underpaid and taken for granted.... But that doesn't make them of any less value.... People can only clap and cheer for these essential services....and cant be more thankful.... as they are invaluable!

The Asks

The problem on the list of asks from a woman is age old... Not a novel one. In fact, we should be truly lucky to be born in this generation where atleast a few of us have had the privilege to earn our rights. 

So, coming to the asks.... Yes they are many... Innumerable... Should be beautiful, fair, modest, shaant and susheel (let me not spoil it with the English translation), able to do all the house hold work (or sometimes should do!) .... And added to all this a new feature these days should be educated and  EARNING (you are clever enough to add the greater than smaller than symbols...!!) Long list. But my only humble submission....if you have just one attribute of this long list...that single one in the bold capitalized... They why fall prey to honing the other attributes which you don't have and which seem to you like a compulsion forced upon you. What's stopping you from walking out if you find it unjustified ? The list is long and injustice it is... Yes.... But if the doer is a culprit so is the one who succumbed to the injustice especially when she is not a dependent. Don't you think?! 

The Real Problem

Having said that, not that it's a wrongly understood fairytale story for any woman here. Only a woman knows what it takes to be a woman. There sure are real problems (even if I don't talk of the bone chilling crimes and the innumerable societal taboos) and in all their gravity. All the above might hold true for the privileged class.... But the social issues rooted elsewhere are manifold and need to be addressed.

Unfortunately a woman not so well educated or maybe uneducated.... Who was neither given the right to pursue her studies nor any exposure.....and was made dependent and left at the mercy of the societal conditions and beliefs.... Devoiding her or rather stripping her off the confidence to be able to stand on her own if need be....and with all this if fate is against her... Then the problem is stark and real. But it's also very unfortunate that that very woman doesn't know about any of the above fights nor are these fights reaching her! 

Celebration of womanhood will be true and complete on that day... When even this woman will be able to celebrate that woman in her. 

So yes,  till then .......let's keep taking these baby steps by compilation of thoughts and experiences through such books. If I pick and choose stories of this book the essence of the book will be lost as each story is real and each story is unique. 

So, if you want to be a part of the joy in the celebration of womanhood... Come take a step towards it by downloading the book

Link to download (free for limited period) is here. 

Link to my own book 'Dots And Streaks' is here (free download for limited period). 

Fellow Authors From My Land - Odisha | Book Reviews

The month of May had been a pretty adventures one with me embarking on my journey of 'blogger to author' and with launching of my debut book via blogchatter. And just like every journey is memorable not just because of the adventure it unfolds but because of the accompaniment of the people you come across who make it memorable this too was no exception. Like in a foreign land when you come across people from your own land your feeling of belongingness gets livened.... I felt the same when I met these authors from my native place embarking the journey with me in the world of blogchatter e-book carnival 2020.

Having been born and brought up in a different state (because of my father's job posting in Andhra Pradesh then Telangana now) my association with my native state had been limited to our summer vacation visits to my grandparents place until my post graduation of two years that I did from Odisha. Hence, Odisha (the land of Jagannath) has always held a very special place in my heart entwined with childhood memories of hearing to tales of our ancestral villages to celebration of various festivals and occasions in the traditional style and relishing of home made local delicacies from my grandma's hands. I don't know how many people in India know that Cuttack and Bhubaneswar alone host close to 300 exquisite pandals celebrating Durga Puja, in a large scale and in full grandeur.....my fondest memories of childhood so much so that even today Dussehra celebrations seem incomplete to me if I am unable to visit those pandals during the Puja. 

Hence when I came across these books highlighting the culture and traditions of Odisha I couldn't help delving into them even after having read each of their posts during the A2Z blogging challenge. Let me give a glimpse of Odisha through a brief overview of these books:

Starting with the book 'My Village My Country' - The book comprises of glimpses of culture and traditions of not only Odisha in particular but also of India as a whole. The author being a well travelled person himself and having had the opportunity to reside in various states within India has written his first hand experiences of the cultures in those places highlighting his native place Odisha and his village Nua Mahulia.

What I loved about the book is that it just made me reminisce a lot of my childhood days starting with the Bali Jatra fair that is held in Oct/Nov every year commencing with Kartika Purnima (full moon day of Kartik) celebrations by Boita Bandana. This reminded me of floating that small palm leaf on a tiny wooden shaped raft with a candle atop along with my grandmother. Thakurani Jatra which the book speaks about reminds me of the numerous occasions I have seen it in summers and asked my grandparents about the stories behind each of those female deities. Those intriguing dances and music of Danda Nacha which I only got to know now after reading the book that it has a powerful religious meaning. The book also very beautifully explains the history behind Odissi dance origin and the forms/poses. The description of the village Nua Mahulia which is so very similar to my grandfather's village which he used to describe to us in all his tales... I wish I remembered it's name!

Apart from all these the book also talks about other aspects of India delving into history of erstwhile Bharatavarsha. The author has also touched upon the finer aspects of Hinduism, its origin and differences between Vedas and Upanishads. There is also an interesting perspective of the different forms of Mathematics and the significance of Shunya (Zero).

Overall the book is like a first hand diary entry of an Indian by heart and soul who loves to delve in it's cultural diversity (barring the few prejudices) with a soft corner for his homeland and native state Odisha.

Link to download the book for free (limited period) is here.

The cover page of the book 'Geographical Indications Of Odisha' is so beautifully and meaningfully designed that it just can't fail to capture your attention. Very apt to the title of the book you can see the various GIs of Odisha very artistically showcased on the cover page itself. Did you know Odisha has 17 GIs to its name?!

Hailing from Odisha and having seen, bought and used multiple products from the state over the years I wasn't aware about their GI tagging. Apart from the famous sweet battle between West Bengal  and Odisha claiming on rasgulla/rasagola to be theirs I wasn't aware of the other GI tags. This book is an eye opener and a must read for people like us who should know and be aware about the cultural and traditional identifications of our native places and our roots. Yes, there is much more to Odisha apart from the world reknown Ratha Yatra (Car Festival) and the Sun Temple of Konark.

Although I never really got to reside in my own home state for a longer period of time I always loved a few things from there being it's native. Like the Orissa Pattachitra or the Pipli Applique Work which are unique to the state. I love them so much that till date whatever items I have bought of this work I have stored them somewhere in the corner of my house like those old photo albums so that whenever nostalgia harnesses they can be revisited. And this book highlights all these works, their artists, the places in Odisha where these originate from and the method and the way they are done.

Not a very big fan of jewelry or sarees myself, I however am a big fan of the silver filigree (Tarakasi work) and the handloom fabric prints on bedsheets, covers and dresses. Thanks to the author for explaining all the different types of fabric prints of Odisha in so much detail... Now I know the types of Bandha/ Ikat prints and it's really interesting to read how it is done....and it was an eye opener for me to know that verses from "Gita Govinda" are woven in these works....now I can look for them! 

Be it about the different types of fabrics like Sambalpuri Bandha, Dhalapathar fabrics, Gopalpur Tussar or Berhampur Patta...the author has put her heart and soul in explaining these works to great detail and creating awareness about these works. The book is a must read for people hailing from the state of Odisha and also for those readers who love to study the art work of various states of India this book provides the wholesome information needed. 

Link to download the book for free (limited period) is here.

I loved the cover page of this book as well... Simple and elegant... With colourful flowers and leaves signifying the title 'Five Petals'. As intriguing is the title of the book so are the five different stories in it very skillfully woven just like the cover page! Each story having a deep rooted meaning or a life lesson. Loved the way the author has tried her hand in different story forms including the suspense genre.

Not to give away the plot of the stories let me just discuss about the essence of Odisha in the stories. Although the book is a pure work of fiction and the theme is short stories this book also brings forth few subtle Odisha related aspects...... Like the story on the household of the Pattnaiks or the story of Neetu and Aja. Now, for all those who hail from the state very well know the word 'Aja' and I am glad the author has retained the name of the character as Aja in her book upholding in an indirect way the Odia language.  

This being the debut book of the author the book reflects the childlike enthusiasm and a story teller's heart. I hope going forward she can weave more stories  hailing from our roots in Odisha keeping the subtleties intact marking her niche.

Link to download the book for free (limited period) is here.

Link to my own book 'Dots And Streaks' is here (free download for limited period).

Unlocked - Book Review

The second book that I pick up as part of Blogchatter book review for the 2020 e-book carnival is another gem - 'Unlocked' by Sonia Dogra. She's been one of my favourite bloggers since the time I came back to blogging and now one of my favourite author's of the series too.

Book Intro - Cover And Title

Do you see a number of images of historically significant people in the back ground accompanied with barrels and footballs and submarines and yes whiskey bottles!! And to add to the suspense goes the title of the book as 'Unlocked'.

For all the suspense thriller book fans out there behold, for here comes a lyrical suspense thriller your way! And to top it all, the thrill is around something that you thought you were happy you mugged it all up when they were presented to you in those fat school textbooks and waded through the exams somehow... But wait... It need not be all washed off into history! For history is back ....and is back in such taste.... that this time you will gulp it all down with awe and even crave for more!!

Sneak Peek Into The Book

Genre - Again this time too I picked up a book in the genre of poetry but this one's unique. History in poetic verses is something I could never imagine was even possible. But here is a book which is bound to capture your attention and 'Unlock' those tales of history that you might have heard of (or should I say mugged up) and forgotten or will introduce you to a totally new discovery leaving you spellbound.

Characters & Theme - The book is divided into two parts.

Part one speaks of significant figures in history that of Adolf Hitler, Mahatma Gandhi, Genghis Khan, Muhammad Ali, Cleopatra etc each entwined in verses of an intriguing tale to tell. Famous figures of history whose names must be imprinted in everyone's mind but did you know of the childhood of Hitler or the Sergeant credentials of Gandhi.... What's the tale behind Genghis Khan's gravestone or Muhammad Ali's lost gold medal....everyone knows about Cleopatra's beauty but what's with her nose!!

And the best part is when the book highlights the tales of the unsung heros and not to forget the bravery of the '(S)heros' (no not Rani Lakshmibai...and yes there are many other lady warriors who fought like a woman!). The poetic tales of those valiant few that the textbooks forgot or chose to forget to cover.

Part two of the book speaks of some epoch episodes in the history of time. Be it the story behind Radcliffe line or Kokura's luck or for that matter the bewildering tale of the sunk Titanic or the lost speech of Abraham Lincon....if this book was a game of Monopoly (did you know even this game has a story in history!) .... Let me assure you....you would end it having amassed loads of wealth comprising of knowledge of historical times!!

Literary Sense - The author being a veteran in this field and having authored many books in the past.... this book is as rich in literature as it is in history. The literary usage in composition of poetic verses around historical facts is as commendable as is the research that must have gone behind in creating this masterpiece.

I personally loved the small prologues before every chapter. And the footnotes that the author has painstakingly put explaining every significant historical event making the life easy for the reader. Let me quote the book's introductory poem which perfectly summarizes the book.

"Well, I'm going to rummage my pockets
To look for some stories,
Tales about noses and mustaches
And those of unparallel bravery,
I'll talk of famous towers
A story you'll devour,
And of speeches and gunshots
War over football matches who
Would've thought
Also, some tales desolate and bereft
Of 'Harrowed Lines' and 'Quarantines',
And some unscrupulous 'Angels of Death'.
For isn't that what I'm supposed to be?
A vast chronicle of the good and the ugly.

All of this and a little bit more
I have for you so much in store. "

So, quoting the book again.... Whether "history is necessarily a result of accidents rather than social or economic forces or laws" or if "Somewhere between the wrinkled pages of history, lie untold tales of many a bravery"....so that " when history repeats itself and blatantly stares you in the face"....hope we learn something from that that had once passed or failed!

My Two Pence

Any book usually caters to a particular audience based on a certain age group but this is one such book that has the potential to impress a 12 year old upto 85 year olds equally. That's the potential it carries as this is a book in which you just don't marvel at the lyrical poetic verses but the book also leaves you with a whole lot of knowledge in History to cherish and chew upon. What more can you ask for! I wish history was as interesting during school days then probably today I wouldn't have to rake my brain to try and remember the names of all those famous people or the wars and the years in which they took place. After reading this book (thrice... Yes, I was that smitten!) now I know history can be made this interesting. This book should definitely be made available in a paper back edition to make it reach the kids and for their easy read while the adults can definitely enjoy the paper light e-book edition. My only humble request to the author is to add more historical poetic tales to the book..... ke dil abhie bhara nahi  :)! 

The link to download the book is here (free download for a limited period)

PS: The link to my own book 'Dots And Streaks' is here (free download for a limited period)

Mythological Monologues - Book Review

Let me first of all thank Blogchatter for giving me this opportunity to not only get to read the book Mythological Monologues (which I had tabled for reading as I had unfortunately missed to read the posts during the A2Z challenge),  but I also am thankful to  Blogchatter for giving me an opportunity to review this very book as a part of the assigned book review process.

Book Intro - Cover And Title

As the title of the book goes "Mythological Monologues" very aptly describes what the book is about that is monologues of various mythological characters but in no ordinary style. The monologues are in poetic style of the various epic characters of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Each monologue is an introspective rendition of the mythological character from his or her perspective and pedestal.

The cover page depicting the peacock feather on a yellow silk is very symbolic to the mythological character Govind. But the aura of mythology is not limited to the cover or for that matter to the distinctive dedication. The peacock feather also accompanies you all along carrying with it the essence throughout till the end of the mystical mythological journey.

Sneak Peek Into The Book

Genre - The book might be categorized into poetry genre and mythology based but it is a definite treat for even the non-poetry lovers clan. The narrative of each mythological character as depicted by the author is no less than a short recital like a sing song tale. Each recital deciphering the multifaceted aspects of the mythological characters like presenting the scene of Ramayan or Mahabharat as viewed from their eyes.

Characters & Theme - As the book is based on mythology all the characters are from mythology, taking you back to the memory lanes of those times when you would have either watched these mythological epics cast on Doordarshan or heard of the tales from your grandparents for sure. Most of the characters are important mythological characters and are known but what's intriguing is the perspectives of each of their roles which they played in the mythology battles. 

The book not only delves into the minds of Ekalavya, Bhishma, Arjuna, Draupadi, Sita, Bharata or Lakshman but also of those who have been termed as being on the non-righteous side in the mythologies like those of Karna, Indrajit, Kaikeyi. Not to mention some conspicuous mythological characters that the book has very well highlighted and brought forward their significance as well in the epics like Chitrangada and Urmila. And last but not the least my personal favorite was the monologue caricature of queen Satyavati - the ambitious queen who embraced her vices not batting an eyelid for the galore of judgments! 

Be it the heart rendering and blood boiling scene of Draupadi's vastra haran or the spine chilling scene of Abhimanyu's killing on the battle field or for that matter the earth shattering scene of Janaki deciding to reunite with mother Earth renouncing her ever giving altruism the book describes the contemplation of each character adorning their thoughts in poetic verses of monologues. 

Literary Sense - Considering that the author hails from the field of literature and is an experienced author, the book is rich in terms of literary usage. And when accompanied with the richness of mythology weaved in the interplay of poetic verses it sure leaves the reader mesmerized.

A few quotes from the book that are my personal favorites:

Chitrangada

"All my dilemma dissolved into thin air,

I gave up my borrowed beauty, 

And returned to the woman that I am"

Draupadi 

"I am the chosen one

Chosen to fight various battles

I may be battered

I may be tired of fighting and losing,

Yet I am fiery and opinionated 

Beautiful and compassionate 

Because I have the lord by my side"

Bhima

"I would never forgive myself

For failing Panchali on that fateful day

Panchali - the strong opinionated woman

Whose fearlessness always inspired me

To be a better man and a better warrior"

Abhimanyu

"I-Abhimanyu died like a brave, noble warrior

People will talk about my bravery for ages,

Whereas my murderers will always be

Looked down for their cowardly act.

In my defeat, I triumphed

Through my death, I became immortal."

Partha

"How desperately we humans love

The deceptive blanket and material ties!

How fiercely we humans think

Our existence would lose all meaning without them!

How dangerously we humans are

Chained in the web of illusion and attachment! "

Kaikeyi

"An ideal wife, mother, warrior

I claimed to be with foremost pride.

I was oblivious when the seeds of desire

To be better than queen Kausalya

Gave birth to a poisonous tree

That destroyed my Arcadia."

My Two Pence 

The concept, literature and the poetic style of the mythological monologues is sure to capture your attention. The book in itself coming from an experienced writer is professionally done and is a work of art. Mythology as such has a lot to teach us and especially when the times are trying the subtle lessons coming from our good old mythology are a much needed reminder. The concept of what is righteous and what is not....good versus bad...right versus wrong and why things happen the way they do?! Does every thing that happens have a greater purpose?! Are they all part of a greater ploy of the almighty!? Does each soul choose its purpose its destiny its journey before stepping into this mortal life?! These are some of the questions that the book will leave you with. Mythology being my personal favorite subject this book was definitely a treat for me to delve into. To just read the book it may take an hour with the lucid style and flow of the poems but to absorb the book in it's entirety and bask in it's true essence each poetic monologue is to be savored. This is one such book, the essence of which, even after turning the last page will still stay with you. Although the world has migrated to a more paper light platform of Kindle I personally would recommend to definitely endeavor to print this book going ahead to do complete justice to the work put in. 

The book is available at this link (free download for a limited period) 

PS : This being my maiden attempt at book review kindly pardon me for any shortcomings.

Link to my own book Dots And Streaks is here. 

Dots And Streaks

Young was still the dream

Almost in it's infancy 

When she started to scribble 

Disarray of  the lines

Weaving tales of words in her mind

When she started to scribble

A story declined, a story published

A child's fantasy afterall is meant to perish

But then scribble she still did

To escape the cacophony sometimes

Or so the haunt of the silences

Capturing the musings of life

Be it joy, be it sorrow 

Or just a life's ploy

When she started to scribble 

Anonymous to her other self

A soul known just to her words

An escape to that safe haven

When she started to scribble 

But, for the dream

A dream in hibernation that lived 

Young as ever even without any nourish 

The dream that was conceived 

To bear the writer's epithet 

When she had started to scribble

So, that's the story behind making of my first e-book (link for download below the post)  Dots And Streaks :)! A dream or a fantasy that I had cherished as a child to see my name as the writer/author just like those below the Tinkle digest stories or Hindu's Young World publications. But didn't realise when that dream of mine as a child went into hibernation mode for years to come.

It's only when one day I tumbled upon the A2Z challenge organized by blogchatter and jumped into the wagon at the nick of time that my hibernating dream woke up from it's long deep slumber. Had it not been for the blogchatter community that is the fellow participants of A2Z challenge (you can find the list in this post of mine) and their love and support during the A2Z journey I guess my dream of becoming an author some day would have still been in it's hibernation.

The challenge of writing one post a day and that too with my chosen theme of poems... for 26 consecutive days related to each English alphabet wasn't easy. But the difficulty was entwined with so much child like enthusiasm that it was fun for once to just go with the flow. Life has a way in surprising you I guess.... Sometimes you painstakingly plan every bit of it and the things never materialize.... And sometimes you just go with the flow and the things that materialize on their own leave you overwhelmed. 

Do you also have any such hibernating dream? Any such unplanned anecdote that life gifted you as a pleasant surprise? Do share your story alongwith the feedback on Dots And Streaks. 

The book trailer for Dots And Streaks is as below:

The link for downloading (free for limited period) the book is here. Happy Reading :)! Will look forward to hear from you.

Reflections !!!

March 26th, 2020

I was sitting lazily in my corner of the couch and scrolling through my e-mails. A routine activity more out of habit than anything else. That's when this mail from Blogchatter popped up announcing the A2Z Blogging challenge. Just then S came down after putting our 5 yr old to sleep.

S ( my better half) : Anything interesting?

Me :  There is some A2Z blogging challenge being organised by Blogchatter

S : What's it about

Me : Participants need to post 26 consecutive posts for each English alphabet for 26 consecutive days with Sundays off!!

S: oh that's interesting!!Enrol me

Me : What?!!!  Are you serious? You visit your blog even less than I do... And here I have not given it a thought... And you want me to enrol you?!! Did you even hear what it's about?!!

S: Yes.. I heard it... 26 posts for 26 alphabets in 26 days ....enrol me

Me : Wait a minute!  Do you even have a theme? And what if you enrol and can't even post 5 posts forget 26!!

S : You want a theme... OK wait... Ammmm...fine my theme will be travel... Now Enrol!!

Me: And who will answer my second question?!!

S: Why should I think so much... If I can't post I won't... And what if I can post... Then I will... Simple!! I will enjoy while it lasts!!

Me : Really?!! You think I should also enroll then?

S : Of course!! What's there to think so much?!!

Me : And what if  people don't like what I write

S : Ha Ha that's when they read your posts right!! .....You can put a disclaimer... Read at your own risk :P!!!

Me : What rubbish!! Then what's the point... It will be like writing for myself...!!

S : You said it... That's the point :)!

So, that's where it started for me. I enrolled finally after some thought and decided to go with the flow worrying less on whether I will crash or make it through. But then the Sheldon planner inside me doesn't really love the word impromptu you see!! So, I took an hour or two and chalked down a plan for each letter still undecided on the theme. And the theme evolved on it's own that is exploring the various streaks of life at large.

I having actually got back to blogging itself less than 1.5 yrs back after a long hiatus of 6 yrs (where was I... Lost running the corporate race... Where else?!) and this being my first ever blogging challenge in the blogosphere I was quite unsure that I will actually make it to the end.

I think the encouragement that I got reading the comments from fellow bloggers everyday in the morning kept me going. I didn't expect people will actually  love to read my poems just like I didn't expect I will see the finish line :)! I thank each one of them for helping me reach Z and complete my first ever blogging challenge. And of course not to forget the likes and badges that I got from Indiblogger community  (22 badges for 26 posts) which made each of my day !!

For a novice blogger like me whose track record of posting is probably 26 blog posts in a year to actually completing this challenge is like living in a dream. Yes it still doesn't feel real!! I think A2Z challenge is the best thing that could happen to me. I feel deeply obliged to Blogchatter for organizing this event. It helped me to find so much talent in one single place and that too on such varied topics and areas. The blogs that I read and the bloggers I came across are simply marvellous! Just reading their posts inspires you to write better and read more of them each time. I am just at loss of words to express how good it has been and felt looking forward to the comments, reading and writing all go hand in hand over the last whole month. The best April ever!! So much so that now that the challenge is over I do feel a bit lost!!

So, what next is the question!! While my friends and family are encouraging me to go for the book carnival too I am still pondering if that's a good idea. Being the recluse that I am I feel me having my twitter handle now (again thanks to my fellow bloggers who encouraged and advised me) is itself a great step and a take away from this challenge :)!!Let's see if I yet again decide to go with the flow or just settle down with this and catch up on my reading :)!

I will end my post here thanking once again each and everyone in the challenge the participants, the organizers, the readers and the Indiblogger community . Congratulations to all those who made it through and also to those who participated in the adventure :)! I wish I could read more than I did during the challenge... But yes, better late than never ofcourse!!

PS: A special thanks to the following fellow bloggers for their support and encouragement throughout the challenge.

Sonia Dogra - https://soniadogra.com/

Anagha Yatin - https://canvaswithrainbow.com

Sonia Chatterjee - https://soniasmusings.com/

Tomichan Matheikal - https://matheikal.blogspot.com/?m=1

Navita Bhatia - http://towardsbetterlifestyle.com/

Jyoti Jha - https://myviewsandreviews.in/zealous-city-london/travel-diaries/

Durga Prasad Dash - http://durgadash.com/

Srivalli Rekha - https://sri-lovenature.blogspot.com/?m=1

Nisha Punjabi -http://shimmeringsunshine.blogspot.com/?m=1

Darshana Suresh - https://dashyspeaks.blogspot.com/?m=1

Arti Jain - https://artismoments.blogspot.com/?m=1

Arti Punjabi - https://artipunjabi.blogspot.com/?m=1

Suchita Agarwal - https://talesofsuchita.wordpress.com

Dipika Singh - https://www.gleefulblogger.com/my-z-way-to-happiness/

Dr. Anita Sabat - http://www.anitaexplorer.com/2020/05/zealously-use-and-promote-geographical.html?m=1

Sundeep Dubey - www.rightpurchasing.com

CRD - https://scriptedinsanity.blogspot.com/?m=1

Swarnali Nath - https://thelifeandlightblog.com/

Shweta Suresh - 

https://thesoulsearchersite.wordpress.com/

Shilpa Garg - https://shilpaagarg.com/

And yes, to the one who helped me take the very first step that is participate in the challenge :)

My better half (who luckily scrapped through to Z too!!) - http://milesandexperiences.blogspot.com/?m=1

******************************************

Links to my A2Z blog posts:

A - Apocalypse

B - Beauty

C - The Clock On The Mantle Piece

D - Debris

E - Ego

F - Friendsip

G - Grateful 

H - Hope

I - The Ink Blotch

J - Jigsaw Puzzle

K - Knapsack 

L - Luck Factor

M - Mnemonics  

N - The Nightingale's Song 

O - Obscure 

P - Pastels

Q - Quintessential 

R - Rendezvous 

S - Social Distancing

T - Time

U - Utopia

V - The Venetian Masks

W - Words Words Words

X - An Ex Too Many

Y - Yesteryear 

Z - Zenith

Posted as part of Reflections for #BlogchatterA2Z 2020 challenge

Without An Epilogue !!

And one fine morning, there it was.... standing outside the Witch's door.....waiting with patience.... to befriend for eternity ...or so it promised!! Maybe it just wandered around....and landed there.... out of nowhere. Or for all you know.... maybe it was a mere coincidence afterall that it was right there..... when the Witch's glance fell on it!But then isn't life all about mere coincidences..... atleast in hindsight for sure!

Just like the mere coincidence of seeing that living breathing thing.... with a bark made of wood....  reminded the Witch of a day in the past...of another such coincidence ...that had ended without an epilogue! (Well, so much for being a Witch... to have hoped for atleast an epilogue from a wooden thing... She should have known better!!) A day that she had scrubbed off her memory.... and come to terms with.... but the traces of which remained....hidden inconspicuously with the skeletons of similar.... in her dreams somewhere. And sometimes.... deep in her slumber they all came together to haunt.... clad in white...ghost like..... but very much alive....chasing her... clawing their way back.....endorsing and re-endorsing their presence! And when she woke up with a start.... she was greeted with that familiar mock of those very ghosts... like you thought we could ever be forsaken!

It must be a sign...the witch thought....for what else could it be! Or maybe this time it will be a different experience....with a different end...a subdued tiny voice said from inside! Or am I again getting trapped in the same web of hope....a bait woven by my heart as always.....pondered the Witch! For that unmistakably is the smirk of my mind.... And I can hear it clearly say.... "Again... Really?!...gosh you ought to be brave" For all those innumerable smirks.... Instead if only that Pandora's box could just device a way out of the heart's say!  And they all keep saying listen to the heart... Huh, then how come at the end it's always the mind that ends up with that annoying nod saying... And I said so didn't I!! 

But maybe that's because the mind always believed in finite and always will..... whereas the heart as always is stubbornly tilted otherwise! Maybe that's why it's always the braveheart... And not the mind!! And come to think of it.... If hope was all finite ....then how would life have turned out to be!! So, for the sake of that myth called hope (just like eternity!!)....and that devil called hope.... only for it's sole sake... It was probably still worthwhile to believe in that mirage of infinite coincidences!And that so called hope..... or is it hoping against hope.... that out of those many coincidences ....maybe not all... for sure not all... but for those few ....just for those very few.... of the many..... that might be an epiphany!!Worthwhile even if it's just a placebo effect... what say!! Afterall hope has no epilogue.... does it!! 

So, yet again.... perched on her window sill...sat the gift.... accepted.....very much with it's wooden bark.... and the hope of a new promise again..... if not of eternity but of green leaves .....and maybe of an epilogue this time around!

Nain parindey, pagle do nain

Nain parindey, jaagein din rain

Pankh jhatak yeh ud jayenge

Aasmaan mein kho jayenge

Maghroor bade banjaare nain

Nain parindey, pagle do nain

  

Nain parindey baadal baadal

Khwabon ke sitaare chug lenge

Nain parindey chaand chura kar

Palkon se apni dhak lenge

Palak jhapakte ud jayenge

Sapnon ko apne ghar layenge

Mashoor bade matwaale nain

Nain parindey, pagle do nain 

Nain parindey roshan roshan

Andhiyaare saare dho denge

Nain parindey chhalke chhalke

Palkon ko moond ke ro lenge

Palak jhapakte ud jayenge

Gham ko bhula ke muskayenge

Majboor rahein sapneele nain

Nain parindey, pagle do nain

Nain parindey, pagle do nain

Nain parindey, jaagein din rain

Pankh jhatak yeh ud jayenge

Aasmaan mein kho jayenge

Maghroor bade banjaare nain

Nain parindey, pagle do nain

-----------------copied------------------

Is Santa Real!!!

Is Santa really there?
Asked the 5 year old looking everywhere
As he ran to check for gifts under the Christmas tree
Still no gifts....where cud Santa be!
Have you ever seen Santa Muma
Prompt came the next query of the day
And that's when came his way
My little anecdote with a tinge of drama
Do you see a red scarf on the snow man
That was gifted to me by my Santa, a real craftsman
Many a years back when I was little
And I had bawled....for I instead wanted a cuddly beetle
My Santa didn't have a long flowing beard
Or a crowd of kids around that waited and cheered
Neither did my Santa have a belly
That looked like a pot full of jelly
I didn't see my Santa on a reindeer
Nor in those red flowing robes that my eyes peered
But my Santa she very much was
Although she looked more like the grandmas
With her frail little wrinkled old hands
And glasses so thick that made her eyes comically expand
She wove for me that very red muffler
And made many a goodies to hog as if she was my butler
And I am sure wherever she is
From the blue sky above that 'tis
She is looking down at the red muffler with a smile
As our snow man sits by our window awhile
And do you see that white cuddly bear
Another gift from a set of Santas
When we lived life together without a care
So you see my dear..... Santa does exist
And your Santas will also come by.... the whole list
Sometimes in real
And sometimes imaginary that you will learn to deal
But nevertheless, every Santa
Will always bring you something under their big manta
And it's for you to count your very own Santas
And keep their gifts as momentos


Merry Christmas 2019!! :)

And the day I finally picked up the word "abandon" and added it to my dictionary....

Luckily the page that had "hurt" in the dictionary.... Wasn't a new addition... 

Sometimes... As they say... The strength is not in staying but in walking away... 

Sometimes... It's just not worth it.....it's just not worth you...

And why didn't you let me melt away

I am a candle for God's sake!!

The candle questioned me....

Because decades later... When I see you again

You are the only one who will be the same and remind me of this very day!!

I answered....

The Inconspicuous Room!!

She opened the door to that small little inconspicuous room and heard that creak she was half expecting. As if the door was alarmed seeing her and the hinges were either greeting her or were loudly creaking.....making her aware of their discomfort for waking them up from their deep slumber.

It had been years since she revisited that room of hers and she felt a bit unsure. The room got lit by the opened door as her eyes adjusted to the dim light. She wasn't really sure what she came to look for!!

Everything looked cluttered and she didn't know where to start. The room smelled that familiar overwhelming moist smell of dust laden old things stacked up and untouched. She looked around as if in a hurry to find something and her eyes rested on a small torn house flag. Which house was it in school... Was she 7 years old or more... She couldn't recollect. She only could see that 7 yr old stealing that house flag after the practice of march past for sports day because the PT teacher had ridiculed her and said she can never learn how to hold the flag properly. She smiled looking at that little flag.

Her broken doll lay their abandoned but it's eyes still shone in that dim light wearing that maroon laced frock.  It was wearing that silver chain of hers. She shook her head smiling at all those superstitions she had about that chain of hers and how much she loved that chain which her granny had gifted. Her half embroidered flowers with that wooden ring around them lay there. She couldn't remember why she never completed that embroidery!!

And there in a corner lied that English book. It reminded her of that class of 8th standard and that teacher's face who had made her read that entire session just because her English was broken and the teacher found it an entertainment to the class!!And she had read and kept reading!!

She sat on her rickety cycle and wondered where did all that strength go!! She wished she could repair the cycle and go for a ride on those very kachaa roads of that small town where she had first learnt how to ride it after many a fall and wounds that hurt. 

She rummaged around for her diary in which she used to make an entry every single day as a kid. But she just couldn't find it anywhere. Maybe that is what she came to look for. Her diary. She opened that  tin trunk of hers looking for her diary and marvelled at the falls that the trunk had withstood....the free falls along the stairs which it had to endure every single college year.... Before being tucked into the cloak room. She looked at the dent adorned trunk and wondered if she could ever lift it again the way she did end of college year!! 

And just then suddenly the walls of the room seemed to be either collapsing or dissolving. Before the walls could collapse on her she opened her eyes and looked at the clock hanging on the opposite wall. It was already late and her morning daily chores were lined up. Her fingers in an impulse touched the silver chain round her neck..... And she got up to go!!