Chetan Bhagat makes headlines by claiming to know what young India wants- jobs, girls and a social status. It isn't enough that he stereotypes everyone belonging to the female gender in his books, now he has just added a new nomenclature. Young India= males. So us women don't have a say at all, whether we want jobs or guys or even plain respect. I know many don't regard him as a great writer, but this statement is so foolish that even people like me who tend to take a neutral stand on the much debated topic of his writing ability can't help but feel disgusted.

To hell with him.

The Blind Boy

Tinkling trinkets, roaring trumpets

Whistling breeze

Rustling leaves

Aromas of cooking, soft satin,

Fragrant flowers

Pungent clovers

are familiar sensations

to a little boy

His life devoid of light

His eyes devoid of sight.

He's a blind boy

who stands in the planetarium.

The puzzled proprietor in his infinite wisdom

asks him-

"My dear little boy, how will you experience

the heavenly sights,

the meteors, comets and Mars?"

The boy smiles and replies

"Mr. Planet man, I'm not here to see,

I just like the idea of stars."

Book review: Dork

Book: Dork
Author: Sidin Vadukut
Penguin Books India
Rs. 199


This is the first book of the 'Dork' trilogy featuring Robin 'Einstein' Varghese, a management consultant with a  'God' complex. The book is in the form of diary entries; an interesting way of presenting the story to the reader. The entries chronicle the life of Einstein who gets himself into one stunning mishap into another. Einstein wants to make it to associate at his firm and get into the pants of his lady love, Gouri, all within a year. Whether he succeeds or not forms the crux of the story.


Sidin Vadukut creates a protagonist who is filled up to the brim with flaws. Einstein is a bumbling idiot, blundering his way through life. Yet, he's supremely confident in his abilities and in spite of his qualities reminding the readers of someone they might know in real life, he is likeable and therein lies the brilliance of his characterization. As a reader, you are cheering him on, every step of the way. It reminded me of another narcissistic titular character, (Dr. House, anyone?)


Something that did irritate me though were the management or consulting terms used freely in the book. Coming from a non-management background, I for one, could not figure out what the author intended to convey at times. It could mean that I'm dense though I hope not! Overall, it's quite a refreshing read, quite different from the books that I have read recently. And yes, Shahrukh Khan's dentist's accountant and Padmalaxmi's ex-husband's hairdresser are on the spot with their reviews on this one! Stumped? Read the back cover of the book for it's most 'ROFL' moment!

To Binga! My rock star! :)

Brett Lee has always been my favourite cricketer. And believe me, in India, that's a tough thing to admit in public, that a non Indian and that too an Aussie is your favourite cricketer. But the mention of Brett's name, however does not evoke as many extreme reactions as one might expect. It's a testimony to his greatness!

Brett was a passionate fast bowler and a thorough gentleman, a species rare to find these days. His fist pumps and million dollar smiles would make girls faint within seconds! And I will shamelessly admit, I am one of those girls, who would swoon at the mere mention of his name. I remember trying to meet him in my second year of MBBS. He had been on a visit to my city to conduct a cricket coaching camp at a boys' school. It was a requirement to have purchased a 'Boost' packet and producing it at the school gate to gain entry. My friend and I had forgotten to buy one, but the organizers let us in anyway. And there we were in the midst of little school boys, out to catch a glimpse of my hero! I couldn't gather up my courage to get his autograph that day, but I sincerely hope that some day I will meet him again.

Though my little school girl crush has disappeared over time, my respect for him has only grown. He will always be my first love, my hero and my most favourite cricketer. As he opens a new chapter in his life, let us all raise our glasses... To Binga! Here's wishing you all the very best in your future endeavours!

Love is...

Love is...
Feathery light,
delicate,
like wisps of dandelion.


Love is...
melodious harmony,
romantic,
like strums from a guitar.


Love is...
Whimsical memory,
mellifluous,
like tunes from a music box.


Love is...
Smooth and creamy,
delicious,
like coffee art.

Wet

Thunderous applause greets us

The dance of the water drops reminds me

of the joy I found in your arms on a rainy August night

Colourless spray clouds my vision,

celestial will combined with our arousing passion!

The drone of the waves, the hum of the waterfall

The drenched leaves, the defeated rocks

All witnesses to our perfection!

Clouds of grey gathered to congratulate

Rumbled their blessings 

Joined by the the reverberation!

Little drops form mighty whirlpools

Whorls of water

Swirls of currents

give way, drawn into the vortex

We arise wet, splashed with celebration!

Entwined fingers, heavy breaths

Moist lips, let's go with the flow

and where it will take us,

Downstream, 

away from the iron stranglehold,

away from nature's marvelous water show.

Picture: Courtesy

PS: Poem inspired in reality by Mumbai's monsoon, not something else ;)

The Mermaid

I am waiting for you

When you come by with your magical aura

There's a lingering beat, a longing glance

A tiny wave that tingles my spine.

You seem to know the effect you have on me

You tranquilize, you make me fantasize

You put me in a drug-less trance!

I get lost in your dreamy eyes, 

You are the reason behind the smile on my lips

The spring in my moves

Your touch leaves me breathless, I feel winded

like I have swum a thousand miles!

So I wait till your boat arrives

All around I see salty waves till infinity

In my world, the fishes dart

Around the coral reefs

It's a world more enchanting than you will ever see

I know you are coming for me

I will miss my world of aquamarine blue

I have given up it all, just to be with you.

Ashwin Sanghi's 'The Krishna Key'

After the success of 'The Rozabal Line' and 'Chanakya's Chant', writer Ashwin Sanghi is back with his latest mythological thriller- 'The Krishna Key'. I happened to read the first few chapters which are up online. It looks promising although the characters seem to have been totally ripped off from a certain other historical thriller writer which I'm sure you will have no trouble identifying after reading the book preview. A 40 something historian and a villain who has tattooed almost every inch of his body.. Sounds overtly familiar? Though I was disappointed about the not-so-original characterizations, I have full faith in Sanghi's abilities as an excellent storyteller. I thoroughly enjoyed his last book 'Chanakya's Chant' which is a work of art and I am hopeful that 'The Krishna Key' will live up to my crazy expectations. ;)


The book is expected to be released in the last week of August 2012.


A preview of the first five chapters- http://www.slideshare.net/ashwinsanghi/the-krishna-key-preview


Pre-order it on Flipkart- http://www.flipkart.com/krishna-key-9381626685/p/itmdayz59gtzmq22?pid=9789381626689&ref=229eff10-c8b3-4044-91c9-7843377440ff


And now for my favourite bit! The trailer for the book. I should mention that the music is awesome! Mystical, enchanting and it piques your curiosity regarding the book.

Walk on the beach

She walks along on the sandy expanse
Never ending, little grains of golden
graze against her feet
She looks back, she feels relief
There is no need to compete.
Swirling water laps at her toes
The coolness soothing and it then recedes.
The sun casts a blazing orange glow
It cannot mask the shadow that doth follow
Little wisps of hair dance on her forehead                                                                       
her eyes speak of a great sorrow                                                      Picture: Courtesy 
Tiny tear drops mix with the falling rain
And she feels numb no more.                                        
                                                                                                                
Palms sway to a heavenly tune
Gulls fly to an imaginary home
The mighty sea beckons to her
Pleading, to be her abode.


The rain stops and the sun fades
The shadow blends with the darkness
The palms stand still 
The gulls are asleep
Yet the watery grave cries out to her
She must enter and so she weeps.

Random thoughts-1

When I started this blog, I had no idea where I was heading or what it is that I wanted to blog about. Slowly, over the past few months it has taken shape mainly into a poetry blog. No idea how that happened! I know that my poetry isn't all that great but I have somehow come to love this mode of expression. I have this insane urge to make the lines rhyme even though I know that good poetry doesn't have to... That's a part of my obsessive personality I guess. :)


I have also read some wonderful posts over the last few months. Maybe I can never live up to them, but I'm enjoying the ride. :)

Fabled Fame

Feverish hands
Reach for the treasured crown
Studded with the rubies red
Redder than the blood shed.


Frenzied eyes
Gleam in a manic stupor.
Whispering wail reaches a screaming pitch
But the steady gaze does not flinch.


Frantic fingers
Trace the tainted ornament
Blood mixes with the deserved sweat
Prisoner to his inevitable death.


Faltering breaths
Interrupt the mighty king
He has proved his gutsy mettle
Yet life gushes out in a slow trickle.


Fiery desire
Of a mortal being?
Or a foolish game
On the walk of the Fabled Fame?

Unlock

Rusty key cannot

Dusty lock unlock, even

when freedom is sought.

Written for: Haiku Heights

Drifting thoughts...

Drifting thoughts run
Like comets in the sky
All in a different direction
To the awe of the passersby.
They run and then they turn
Invisible force draws them together..
They collide
They coalesce
With little strings they tether.


Now it takes shape..
A vision, a dream
More detached from reality
it now should seem...
Rays from a glittering diamond
Fingers running through the mauve sand
Gone in a second, 
Gone in a blink
Testimony to it's temporary stand.



Fearsome storms invade
into a hidden recess
Finally.. some clarity shines
Though I must confess...
Tangible as they are
In straight lines they do not align
They deviate
They drift
Yet they are figments of my mind.

Joy, unadulterated

Picture Courtesy

Dolphins prance

They invite us all

Come, let's dance!

Say, 'Ahoy'!

In the ocean blue

Share my joy!

Ok, that was my first post in Haiku. So if I have made any mistakes, feel free to correct me!

Written for:  Haiku Heights

Desire

Anthem of an egomaniac :)


The sun burns bright
But brighter is the desire
unfettered by logic
not fenced in
like a Mahjong tile.
To be taller than the tallest
or faster than the fastest
See them? They burn brighter than the brightest
yes, brighter than the Sun.
Should I be worried
by the lack of ethics?
Frontiers are to be conquered
Mountains to be scaled
There's no time for niceties when
That top spot on the ladder is to be claimed.


I will crush the opposition
I will stamp out protest.
Yes, I will squeeze them out,
Bleed them dry
Just to broadcast my conquest
For the fame has to be mine!

Under a Spell

Inhaling deeply,
Consciousness fades..
Arriving in a dream 
Where I make no mistakes..
The sun blushes
The petals close
Fantasy it might be
But I want some more.


Cleansing breaths
For a tired, old lung
Whiter than the whitest
pretty flowers are strung.
They whisper a message
So soft that I can't hear.
It must be meant for me
I should lean near.


A warm loving hand
breaks the fragrant spell
I turn to see the face
Who? But I couldn't tell
The touch lingers 
and I reach for it slowly
It withdraws, invisible still
And I'm shaken out of my reverie.

Summer Night

Night descends

The sweat still trickles

For the want of a fresh breeze

The clouds are still

The leaves motionless

Waiting for that powerful whiff...

Sleep resists

Lights stay on..

The city stays awake

Till the wind's presence is known.

Dreams not dreamt

Promises not kept

All I need is some rest

But the air does not move

My eyes are too tired to see

And sleep still evades

Despite my desperate plea.

Photo taken from the roof of my hostel :)

Book Review: The Rozabal Line

My fascination with historical thrillers led me to read Ashwin Sanghi's novels- The Rozabal Line and Chanakya's Chant. 

Is Sanghi really the Indian answer to Dan Brown? His first novel, The Rozabal Line has a very Brown-esque feel to it, particularly the theme which deals with Jesus Christ having settled down in India after surviving his crucifixion. It seems to me that a lot of authors have tried to cash in on the success of Brown's The Da Vinci Code. Though the whole prospect of using Jesus' life as a subject in a potboiler is bound to make a reader pick up the book while casually browsing through titles, does this book really live up to the hype? My answer would be both a yes and a no. Sanghi seems to have done his research well, the book rolls of at top speed with many sub plots and heads towards a surprising, and for me, a satisfying conclusion. However, the style of writing could have been much better. The author seems to have found a wealth of information and conspiracies on the subject and found the need to include everything in his book.. There are historical happenings on different continents that are apparently all linked together and the mind boggling amount of information, gets overwhelming and confusing. The narrative is like that of a history text book, with headings and dates and like a text book, it gets draggy and boring. Another aspect is the lack of a prominent protagonist. The character of Vincent Sinclair is the only one that fits the criteria for a protagonist but his lack of page space (as in, screen space in a movie) makes one wonder whether Sanghi really wanted the reader to think of him as a protagonist.

Still, for a first time writer, Sanghi has done very well, in spite of the book's shortcomings, a fan of historical thrillers will definitely enjoy the book.

Here is a Youtube trailer for the book. Interesting way of marketing!

Killer

An irresistible force drew her, she had made her pick

She was drawn to it, like it was magnetic

Mental peace was all that she did seek

Gilded is the tomb, but there are worms underneath

How could something this right be so wrong?

One small puff and to it she belonged

She never let go like a mother clinging to her child

Whatever happened to an innocent soul so mild?

The barrow was running smoothly till the wheels came off

The deep craving for oxygen, it started as a cough.

It might have seemed like a matter sitting on the fence

But when the cancer starts, it's of little consequence.

She knew that it was a habit to escape from the darkness.

But why didn't she realize she was running toward the wilderness?

There is no obvious answer to every question

She sighed as her life reached it's final destination.