Kiran Manral's RISING documents 30 women changemakers from sports, politics, business, administration, entertainment, art and science. The choice of wKiran Manral's RISING documents 30 women changemakers from sports, politics, business, administration, entertainment, art and science. The choice of women from among many others are interesting and inspiring. Not only have these women made the sun shine brighter for themselves but have made the path smoother for others by breaking many persisting stereotypes. Reading those journeys made the book very special and makes the reader want to be there, take the legacy ahead in whatsoever big or small capacity. The author is heartwarmingly invested in the cause of women, where she creates her own benchmarks and leaves the milestone behind with her next rendition. Ten years later if this book has a sequel, which certainly will even if it doesn't come by the same name or from the same publisher, I believe Kiran Manral will find a proud chapter and I will cheer that for my dear friend and senior....more
There are two distinct narratives in the book. A childhood in the hills. And grown up years in the cities. Other than everything else that got my heartThere are two distinct narratives in the book. A childhood in the hills. And grown up years in the cities. Other than everything else that got my heart, I was mesmerised by the way the locations add their flavour in storytelling. The mystery of the hills and the tales that keep children away from places that shouldn't be inhabited, got punctuated by the habits and choices of the people, the food and their names. The story touches upon Delhi and Mumbai but establishes itself in Goa, where comes yet another landscape and mindscape - of rosaries and graveyard, a luxury villa and a dying diva. Death finds life in More Things in Heaven and Earth, each death redefining life in a whole new way. Oh, the descriptions of people and houses and the nights. Love you, Kiran Manral....more
Kiran Manral's books always take the readers off the edge, but this one is a different level altogether. One life reviewing itself from different lifeKiran Manral's books always take the readers off the edge, but this one is a different level altogether. One life reviewing itself from different life-stages, and at each stage, the perspective of reviewing has changed! This time travel sci fi has planted mirrors all across the manuscript where a linear narrative gains a multidimensional structure. Relationships blossom and sink in that plane, pains emerge and diffuse, pleasure flickers. Thrown in between the human sensitivities are the natural participants - birds and animals questioning and clarifying things with the precision of human subconscious. Brilliant!...more
I had loved Javed and was almost forming arguments in my head to defend Bubbles dating this hunk, so what if he was a smuggler, when winds turned the I had loved Javed and was almost forming arguments in my head to defend Bubbles dating this hunk, so what if he was a smuggler, when winds turned the page and I realised that I was reading a book! Unpredictable characters in a typical Bengali elite super-rich society has its own pull. Their tastes ecstatic and their meanness, worth a billion bucks. And then there are the proud, unapologetic women who wouldn't mince words, neither feel any need to contain their bold domination...'bhodrota' (humility) my foot. Interesting was the dual age love story of Bubbles and Shreya. Very unexpectedly and interestingly, though Bubbles travelled through another era, she was more open about expressing herself while Shreya was caught in blinding ego, compromising understandably to social norms, lamenting in secret, proud in public. The way Bubbles bails out her niece, Shreya, is hilarious. Character of Shantanu Mukherjee, the successful and handsome 'bhodrolok', has been under-utilized, perhaps to make more space for his sulking ex-wife and her loud aunts. But then...Bhodrolok, my foot, totally agreed! The story takes you back to the times that believe in true love, over the one that gives up too fast. Anjana Basu's book is a crazy breeze. It makes you laugh, it makes you fall in love, it makes you want those designer aunts in family. Read it!...more
Even if you're not a sports person, do try reading #PlayingItMyWay! Logic remains the same. You love #Tendulkar even if you aren't a cricket fanEven if you're not a sports person, do try reading #PlayingItMyWay! Logic remains the same. You love #Tendulkar even if you aren't a cricket fan. That one unique person who still instills our faith in words like honesty, integrity and talent. The leader who lead even when he was not a captain. And the book is exactly like what he is. You can actually hear him speaking to you. The short crisp sentences; some path-breaking achievements narrated with characteristic detachment; zero display of over-powering or overwhelming emotions; and yet speaking out things that you may have wanted to know. There are places where you'd be shocked about the life of the legend and sit back pondering, this is the grill they call "practice!" That's not just with the bat in tow. Its about crying all the way walking from Dadar to Shivaji Park; riding a friend's cycle with heavy cricket stuff on one shoulder and in hand, a wet handkerchief ruined by blood oozing out of the face of an early teenager; rejections; trials; and endless experiences with a coach and a brother, who, inside or outside cricket, never called a score when the game wasn't worshiped with pure heart!
Tendulkar is huge. But when he comes to you in printed pages, you do get flashes from your own life! A plan that didn't work out; an ambition that failed; a trophy you never expected; a friend who had betrayed when you called upon a war...only difference is, the legend is still "friends" with the offender. He could do this because he never fought with anyone else, but himself! His struggles were personal.
As you progress, you are reminded of the farewell speech once again and your eyes well up. You can't help but wish that Sachin Tendulkar never grew up and our Sachiiiiiiiin Sachiiiiiiin never really came to an end. By the way, it hasn't!...more
I finished reading the book 5 days ago. There are many moments and metaphors that have stayed with me. They are just so amazing. Other than the story I finished reading the book 5 days ago. There are many moments and metaphors that have stayed with me. They are just so amazing. Other than the story that builds up a lot and breaks a lot, I loved the way the 'environment' changes for readers - it feels different when I read Megha's life in the US and her days back in India. USA where many cultures flock in, in search of opportunities. India where multi-culturalism is indigenous. Ambitions and failures floating somewhere in between - as rich as a dream, as poor as being lost in a crowd. In between comes poetry and prose, books and bookshelves, one moment of passion and another grossly reclusive, deconstructing and reconstructing identities based on the choices made. Teaching, no doubt is a 'romantic' career - sometimes disturbingly exposing too. Traditionally teachers are perceived as the voice of God, absolute and strong, holding the students by their pulse. In this book the author has explored the reverse. Poonam, whom Megha didn't quite consider her legitimate student, but she claimed to have learnt from her, is aware of the rhythms of her 'teacher' and doesn't hesitate to push some blockages that Megha wasn't aware of. Wonderful....more
Just finished reading Vikram Sathaye's How Sachin Destroyed My Life. For someone like me who always took more interest in cricketers than in cricket, Just finished reading Vikram Sathaye's How Sachin Destroyed My Life. For someone like me who always took more interest in cricketers than in cricket, and never understood why husband or father would fret over "bad cricket" when India is not even playing...the book connects beautifully as it tackles the human side of the game. The stories behind flashbulbs and shout-outs; the emotions beyond a win or a loss; and the world of people who live or die over the stroke of a bat! What I loved most is the way the book glides effortlessly through cricketers and fans and wives and reporters and commentators, talking about sportsmanship as a way of life and suggesting that every profession has its equations. The research and the coverage, which is not restricted to those 22 yards, is mind blowing. "Bats up at the audience" dude, for attempting this; Sachin Tendulkar has clapped already :)...more
Nice to meet you, Dushyant Singh Rathore. And thank God you stared at me from the printed pages of a book. Not sure I would have understood or appreciNice to meet you, Dushyant Singh Rathore. And thank God you stared at me from the printed pages of a book. Not sure I would have understood or appreciated you, had I met you in person. Neither would I ever believe that there is any scope of morality beyond my conservative judgement. I mean, why should I trust that a womanizer might as well have a heart, and it needs the right woman to bring that out in him? I hate you, and yet my ego shatters if I am to believe that I am not that "right" woman. Haven't all of us wanted to be the Wrong Girl who can bring to task the strangest of the breeds? Your character has been crafted by a talented creator, Dushyant Singh Rathore. Otherwise, secretly falling for the person whom we curse in kitty parties and social-reform gatherings doesn't really happen every day! ...more
Thrilled with The Blue Horse by Nandini Sengupta. Animals played intense role in Indian history, from keeping the forests to dying in wars fought by tThrilled with The Blue Horse by Nandini Sengupta. Animals played intense role in Indian history, from keeping the forests to dying in wars fought by the rulers. Nandini's fabulous writing looks at the stories from the perspective of animals, endearing one to that section of life and seeking acknowledgement....more
The fact that the book is a fab thriller is an understatement. What comes out brilliantly between spine chilling imageries of death and escape, is theThe fact that the book is a fab thriller is an understatement. What comes out brilliantly between spine chilling imageries of death and escape, is the grandeur of Indian history through picturesque descriptions of art, culture, architecture, men and women. Take a bow Harini. ...more