From Deepa's Desk

The Kaalansh Chronicles by Krishna Paswan (Books 1 and 2) Available in Kindle edition Twenty-seven year old Ishaan Vardhan is an archaeological conservator. While working on a stepwell in Gujarat, he saves a man from death and makes a startling discovery about himself.  Ishaan is a Kaladhar - someone who can transfer life-essence to another being, but at the cost of precious time from his own life. Everytime he transfers life-essence, he would age reasonably.  But that is not all. His discovery alerts a covert group named as the Sabha whose mission to keep the existence of people like Ishaan, a secret. There are various groups under the Sabha and not all are in favor of allowing Ishaan to live.  Accompanied by Tara Sen, an epigraphist, Ishaan struggles to escape from the people sent to kill him. Only, he doesn't know who can save him, and whom he should trust.  The narrative is quiet fast-paced. The plot is steady with a believable storyline. The chapters, while shor...

The Chandogya Upanishad is a collection of stories of wisdom that aim to awaken the seeker to the ultimate truth - that which we search for outwards, is within us, that we are both the seeker and the sought.  The author has presented these stories in a beautiful and poetic way that is both mesmerizing and enthralling. There is a certain rhythm to the narrative which has been clearly written at leisure and deserves to be read so.  The book begins with a description of what an Upanishad really means, and then proceeds to share its wisdom through timeless stories that strike the right chord and linger in the deep recesses of our memory.  The book talks in detail about the various Vidyas or sciences mentioned in the Upanishad - Madhu Vidya (The Honey Doctrine), Sandilya Vidya, Dahara Vidya and more such theories which have been presented in a clear, concise and poetic manner. I was left in awe and wonder at the simple yet immensely beautiful explanations of these sciences....

This is a story of four friends. Aariv, who is struggling under the weight of a goodbye that never came. Maya, who is confused about her orientation towards love, and struggles quietly not just for acceptance but also for clarity. GDR, whose MO is facts and careful planning, micro-managing even. And then there is Rohan, who is about to get married and for ten days, he wants to live a life where nobody needs him for any work.  Rohan calls for a trip, and the rest agree with lots of speculation, plans and ideas.  Four countries and ten days later, each one gets what they were seeking (and sometimes didn't know that that's what they wanted!). The narrative is breezy and casual with lots of good and clean humor. The camaraderie between the four is typical of people in their mid to late twenties, trying to find humor when life shocks them with events they didn't accept. The narration of places has been kept to bare minimum, just enough to present a clear picture of the scene. Th...

The Longest Talk by Avery Baines Available in Kindle edition A question triggered the concept of this book. 'Do you think they're okay?' Dorothy and Harold, married for five decades, were sitting quietly on a bench when a girl passing by saw them and asked this question to her partner. In a society where loud noise and constant communication are held as sure signs of normalcy, perhaps their silent presence on the bench came off as strange. And that is the whole essence of this book - the importance of solitude and personal space in a relationship. The book is narrated by both Dorothy and Harold. Dorothy grew up in a silent yet loving household, and considers silence as an integral part of her personality. Harold, on the other hand, grew up in a family where there was a need for constant work and effort, and hence feels the need to talk constantly, to plan everything and to micromanage his life and his relationship with Dorothy. This difference almost threatens their relatio...

This year's Ganesh Chaturthi has been an unforgettable experience. Late arrival of Pujari, lots of delicious Prasad offerings, beautiful Bappa, community spirit - the festival was a beautiful melange of moments of frustration, happiness and relief.  But it all came down to a 'Pancha' at the end. This piece of clothing created doubts, made me question my faith and ultimately solved all my doubts too.  Pancha is what people refer to Dhoti / Veshti in Telugu. Every couple performing the Pooja for Ganesha usually presents a Pancha as an offering to Him.  When it was our turn, my husband and I decided to buy a red colored Pancha, something to match the beautiful vermillion mark on Ganesha's forehead. We eagerly waited for the Pujari to drape the Pancha on the idol. Except, he said the color looked dull and he put it on Ganesha's shoulders as a shawl. We tried to convince him that the color matched Ganesha's forehead but the Pujari felt otherwise and didn't drape ...

Dear Bappa, You will be leaving tomorrow. But you won't be going alone. With you, will depart a week of bliss where the only concern of the day was, what meal to prepare as an offering for you. Also will depart with you, evenings spent in rushed preparation of prasad and the relief when the meal turned out okay, when people came together as a community, spent some quality time with each other and reminded everyone about neighbourhood, community spirit and friendships that don't need any labels. Those days will leave with you, when we forgot the usual routine and the numerous worries that come with the package of adulthood. You will be taking with you, the moments of happiness and togetherness that only YOU, Bappa, can bring in a community. Another week looms threateningly ahead, a week that will feel terribly dull and mundane without you. But what will help us get through it, is all the memories that are associated with you, Bappa, and your promise that you will visit us again ...