From Deepa's Desk

  A Cup Of Zen by Kai Tsukimi Available in Kindle edition This book is a collection of 21 short zen-centric stories that make you pause and reflect. I have always been fascinated with the concept of Zen. These stories have only increased my fascination and inclination. Every story is deep in its essence and induces stillness in the mind. I found myself pausing at the end of every story and reflecting upon it. Some stories are clear in their concept, some endings are confusing but every story impacts on a deep level and sets you thinking on it. At the end of every story, there are some reflections on the same, some questions that make you ponder about how the story relates to you. There are also simple exercises based on Zen. I especially loved the reflections. While you may not always get the answer to the questions, they do bring a lot of clarity to the mind. Every chapter has a drawing that is beautiful and poignant. This book is a treat for the eyes, the mind and the soul! I did...

  O Dharmaputri by Vidhya and Parani This book is a collection of beautiful heartfelt letters that the authors have written for their daughter in response to her questions about life. Imbibing ancient wisdom and indic philosophy into their letters, the authors have presented brilliant insights to the various questions that have plagued the human mind namely, the purpose of our lives, about balancing earnings and wealth, about living a spiritual life in today’s materialistic world and so on. The insights are based on real life experiences of the authors. Through snippets of their lifestyle and their family history, the authors have discussed the merits of living a moral and ethical life. Although these teachings are based on the ancient wisdom of India, they are applicable for every age and every generation. Every chapter begins with a question by Uma, the authors’ daughter. It then proceeds with the answers the authors share. The insights shared by them are timeless and inv...

A posh colony in Delhi is rocked by the finding of a dead body. ACP Bhuvan finds himself in a case that appears to be complicated - no clues, no identity (initially) and no apparent motive. When the body is identified, it doesn't exactly solve matters. The ACP and his team find themselves digging deeper and deeper as the suspects prove elusive and the case takes on new angles with every passing day. Will the case be solved, and how? The narrative is quite engaging and nowhere does the story lag. Although there are multiple characters, they are relevant to the story and add to the mystery. The tidbits about New Delhi bring an old-world feel to the story. The crimes, while gory, haven't been overtly described and yet are deeply impactful.  While all the characters are memorable, ACP Bhuvan, his associate Ghanshyam Singh and Munni who has an important presence in the story, stand out with their unique personas.  The ending has been presented very well. The reveal was gradual yet ...

A Thousand Trains To Somewhere by Krishna Gady Available in Kindle edition This book is a travelogue of a couple's visit to Japan spanning the twelve blissful days they spent there. It starts with a not-so-pleasant flight to Japan. But things start changing right at the first glimpse of Mt.Fuji, or Fuji-san, as the Japanese refer respectfully. The travelogue describes in detail, the couple's visit to the various locales in Japan that make it the amazing country it is. First glimpse of Fuji-san, scuba diving in the waters of Okinawa, the sublime autumn of Kyoto, the bowing deer of Nara and the charm of Tokyo - all these amazing experiences have been featured in the travelogue. I loved the description of every place. It felt as if I was there personally. The author's unique style of staccato narration to describe emotional experiences is indeed amazing. I have always fantasized about Japan and this book brought many a fantasy to life for me. The breezy and crisp narration kee...

Ex-cop-turned-private-detective Satyadarshi who works in Mumbai is given the case of an eighty-year old woman who was stabbed to death. Outwardly the case appears unsolveable. An eighty-year old woman with no apparent enemies, leading a retired life of her own. Satyadarshi needs something to start looking into the case. Thankfully, she doesn’t have to look far. A mysterious wall-hanging and a book that appears to be out of place in the library inside the deceased’s home gain her attention. As Satyadarshi begins her investigation by trying to contact friends of the deceased, she gains startling revelations that point out that it is no way a simple investigation, especially when kings of the past have a connection to the same! What with her mother amping up her matchmaking skills, Satyadarshi having to play investigator for over-weight yet incredibly cute canines and trying to remind herself every few seconds that she is not to fall for her almost-a-date (no matter how cute or nerdy ...

As I stand before the holy pyre lit for Bhogi celebrations in my lane, I realise that another spiritual month has come to an end - the month of Margasheersha or Margazhi as we South-Indians refer to it as.  But then, when a month ends, it doesn't end alone. After all the month is made of days, and the days are made of tiny rituals that more or less make us who we are, and stay as memories in our mind.  With the ending of Margazhi, there ends the daily ritual of listening to Thiruppavai, a beautiful composition of thirty pasurams (or paragraphs, if you will). These are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and have been composed by one of His greatest albeit youngest devotee, Devi Andal. Every morning, since thirty days, this composition has been playing in my home. This ritual comes to an end today! Thiruppavai is also song in the temple in my colony. The special prasad for Margazhi month is pongal, steaming, peppery, ghee-laden aromatic pongal that just tastes divine. Today, this ritual o...