Magic Moments

Book Blurb: “I’m not drunk – just a litt-le high.” On a magical moonlit night,  Jai  and  Anusha  meet and fall in love. When they meet again however, they discover that Jai is the crass capitalist developing Rasa Vihar, the heritage building that Anusha and her NGO are fighting to protect. Inevitably they clash, with neither willing to concede to the other. The problem is that although publicly they are enemies, in private, they are wildly attracted to each other. – but when secrets and betrayals enter the equation – things really begin to get out of control.  Will the Activist and the Capitalist ever be able to find common ground? An exciting love story, set in Chennai from the best-selling author of Sweet Sixteen. I liked the lead characters so much- Anusha and Jai. Anusha is an introvert, a twenty four year old who finds it difficult to open up to people easily, and let them get close. She goes into a defensive state and retreats to a shell whe...

The very first thing you notice about Zaroon Junaid is that he is strikingly handsome. His deep penetrating eyes if ever rested on yours would give you a racing heart and make you swoon. But beware, he’s arrogant and a bit spoiled rich brat with conservative ideals, at first of course. He wants to be the best, and can’t stand anyone considered being at par with him in academics, and brilliance. He’s rude, chauvinistic, and too stubborn to apologize for his mistakes. Of course, at first. Then he learns from life, and changes for the good, for Kasaf Murtaza, once his sworn rival but then his wife. Zaroon is not the stereotyped hero as we see in Bollywood or tele soaps in India. He’s different, realistic, natural, not at all larger than life and therefore very likable. He’s imperfect and flawed. But his character, personality and viewpoints shape with time. He falls for Kasaf gradually over years of differences, arguments, and fights. He doesn’t go running after her but s...

Yama is the god of death according to Hindu and Vedic mythology. He is death- personified, and takes or collects the soul from the mortal world. He has been depicted in different form of art- theater, movies, children's tales and paintings. Many interpretations and popular culture has affected the way we view him. My favorite version is the modern uber-cool bored and looking for a bit of fun 'soul-collector' in a Bollywood movie. Hilarious depiction. Different cultures around the world has a God of death but with a different name. I would like to know more about it. :) Wikipedia Link

X represents every Anonymous writer, every ‘Unknown’ under my favorite quotes, and every person who prefers to hide behind a mask. The absence of a name, an identity makes me intrigued. I imagine and wonder the reason behind that decision to be anonymous. Perhaps in hiding they get the courage that they couldn’t summon otherwise. Perhaps it protects them from judgments of their near and dear ones who don’t understand them. A simple letter ‘X’ serves the purpose. Every secret letter signed off with this single alphabet speaks volumes. It tells of words unspoken, tales untold that have finally seen the light of the day. Everything so enigmatic. Everything so interesting. And who isn’t fascinated by the masked characters, unknown spooky narrators whose reliability is questionable, and every voice that seemingly has no source. And the authors behind pen names and second identities who stir minds, alter perspectives and create a revolution- Kudos to them! Anonymity has its ...

First originated perhaps in Scottish or Celtic folklore, water horses were said to be sea monsters- unusual looking animal, a long necked beast like a sea serpent with four limbs and a tail. These creatures found place in legends, tales, and even in the 18th and 19th century literature. Some voyagers claimed to have sighted them around 18th century and more than a few gave detailed description about how they looked. This mythical creature has been associated with magic and many abilities. A fantasy family drama film 'The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep' was released in 2008. A children's movie, I had loved watching it with my sister. It was the time when we were exploring fantasy world through Harry Potter movies and Narnia, and this one offered an entirely new realm. The story line was simple enough- a lonely boy discovers a mysterious egg that hatches a sea creature of Scottish legend. So exciting for the child in me! How he hides the fast growing animal from his f...

V for Vendatta- the movie(2006) It is a movie adapted from a graphic novel of the same name by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. Set in the dystopian, futuristic UK against the backdrop of oppressive fascist government, it tells about a vigilante called V- the mysterious man wearing a Guy Fawkes costume who works to bring down the government. His talks and speech patterns are unusual- full of artistic ornamental words starting with 'v', quotes and an influential intonation. The story is about his encounter and relation with Evey Hammond, and how they work together to reveal the governments' true face to the public. "Remember, remember The fifth of November The gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason Why the gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot." The movie itself is very thought provoking, influential and a must-watch. Anonymity, unknown identity and stories of such vigilantes interest me and this one is one of the best movies I have ever watche...

Book Blurb From GoodReads: As the title says it, it's about Sita's sister, Urmila, also Lakshman's bride, whom he left behind in the palace of Ayodhya for fourteen lonely years. She could have insisted on joining her husband as Sita did. But she did not. Instead, she silently braved tears and tragedy and loneliness. Why? This is her story: Urmila, the most overlooked character in the Ramayan.  Book Blurb From Amazon: From the bestselling author of Karna’s Wife, comes this book about Urmila, Sita’s sister and the neglected wife of Lakshman, and one of the most overlooked characters in the Ramayana. As Sita prepares to go into exile, her younger sisters stay back at the doomed palace of Ayodhya, their smiles, hope and joy wiped away in a single stroke. And through the tears and the tragedy one woman of immense strength and conviction stands apart—Urmila, whose husband, Lakshman, has chosen to accompany his brother Ram to the forest rather than stay with his brid...