Bismillah Khan: The Maestro from Benaras

Author: Juhi Sinha
Publisher: Niyogi Books
(Pp 154, ISBN 978-81-89738-91-4)

An insight into the home, the heart, muse and music of one of the greatest artists of India - Bismillah Khan. The book traces his journey from a small town of Dumraon to Benaras and thence to the world. It focuses on how a small boy became a man, a shagird became an ustad and the ustad became a legend – from his early days when he charge five rupees for a programme to the days when each performance commanded anything between five to ten lakh rupees.

The book also gives a picturesque view of Benaras – its streets, gallis and muhallas, its ghats and temples, etc. It also lovingly portrays the whims and foibles of Bismillah Khan – an artist, whose stature as a musical legend could never quite overshadow the wit, humour and charisma of the man. The author Juhi Sinha also a filmmaker has captured both Bismillah Khan and Benaras in an unforgettable way. The descriptions are crisp and the pictures memserising. An interesting and informative book for all who want to know more about this Indian legend.

Touching Distance: The Great Indian MBA Dream

Author: Shiva Prakash
Publisher: Amaryllis
(Pp 258, ISBN 978-81-910673-3-0, Rs 195)

The book peeks in the life of millions of Indians who think gaining the MBA degree would change their life forever. Their ambition to do something in life land them in a swanky MBA degree college, the curriculum and the culture puts them in awe. But, does the life really change after the MBA degree? Seen through the eyes of a witty, idealistic and ultimately fatalistic south Indian protagonist, the story evokes humour and captures our dilemmas. The story revolves around Shiva, who is fed up of his software programming job and pines for an MBA degree to change the course of his life. He quits his job, takes an education loan and lands in one of the finest Indian B-school.

But, as they say that there is a plan bigger than your own. The same happens with Shiva who after completing his MBA, finds himself in the same office where he was working before. But, his perspective towards life change. He no longer sees his job as boring or unworthy. Probably, the degree of MBA has given him the vision to see things in a different perspective.

The storyline is so realistic that people who have gone through this stage can actually relate it to their lives. It is an enjoyable read for all those who are bugged by the great Indian MBA dream.

The Emperor’s Writings

Author: Dirk Collier
Publisher: Amaryllis
(Pp 609, ISBN: 978-81-910673-6-1, Rs 695)

The Emperor’s Writings

Great Mughal emperor Akbar is believed to be illiterate – that he could not read more than a few simple words here and there and that he could barely sign his own name. But, undoubtedly, he was a learned man with wealth of knowledge in his mind – the knowledge he had gained from thousands of books that had been read to him.

The book ‘The Emperor’s Writings’ narrates the true story of Akbar’s life and times, his swift and spectacular rise to absolute power, often against overwhelming odds, and his remarkably modern vision of a prosperous, diverse and tolerant Hindustan, against the backdrop of his eventful personal life, his relationship with his favourite wife and tragic conflict with Salim (Jahangir), his only surviving son and bitter rival.

It is not just a historical novel – it offers a unique historical perspective on the heart and soul of the Indian sub-continent. Brilliantly written, the books takes us down the memory lane – towards the days of the Mughal reign in India and gives us a glimpse of the life of Akbar the Great, the most powerful and wealthiest monarch of his time. 

The One Above – What if God was your neighbor?

Author: Sirshree
Publisher: Penguin Books India
(Pp 160, ISBN 978-0-143-41519-0, Rs 150)

The One Above

What will you do if God was your neighbor – living in the same building as yours, helping you find happiness in your current state of life? Imaginative but so peaceful! The book shows how to infuse passion and energy into everyday activities, both at work and at home. The book helps to accept all happiness and sufferings to reach a state where whatever be the circumstances, you are happy.

The book does not preaches, instead all the mantras of life are woven together in a form of a story where Ecklavya, an architect by profession, is unhappy. He asks God to come down to his rescue and God does come in the form of a neighbor. Ecklavya does not know his name but he calls him ‘The Above One’ or ‘Tao’ and starts sharing his feelings with him. Tao teaches him practical ways of being happy and dispelling common beliefs about unhappiness and pain and provides insights into the real causes of suffering. Towards the end, Ecklavya learns how to be happy and so do the readers.

In all, motivating book which keeps you glued till the end. Beautifully presented, it makes an interesting and very helpful read!

The tenth unknown

Author: Jvalant Nalin Sampat
Publisher: Niyogi Books
(Pp 288, ISBN 978-81-89738-97-6, Rs 295)

The Tenth Unknown

This book is a mix of myth, fact and fiction – starting in Emperor Ashoka’s court in Rajagriha, Magadha in 232 BC and ending with India’s independence in 1947, this action-packed thriller, set primarily against the backdrop of World War II, is a high-octane and heady cocktail.

The story revolves around the nine books containing forbidden knowledge leading to unlimited power and wealth, which have been protected for centuries by a secret society – the nine Unknown Men of Emperor Ashoka. The clue about the locations of the book is hidden in the ruins of the world’s most ancient university in Nalanda. One of the books has been acquired by the Third Reich under Adolf Hitler. Now, these books need to be protected and Prithvi Rathore, an anglicized aspiring cricketer is set to acquire all these books. The plot is interesting and takes readers to the long-forgotten part of Indian history and legends as the Germans, British and Indians race to secure the book. A high-paced novel, which keeps the readers’ attention till the end! 

Not made in heaven

Author: Ranjana Sinha
Publisher: Abhinav Publications
(Pp 440, ISBN 978-81-70175308, Rs 390)

What happens when there’s a clash between traditions and modernity? Based in early post-independent India in the 1950s in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, which is now the state of Uttarakhand in North India. The language of the book is simple and the story gripping – people can actually feel that they have lived some of the instances in their life.

The book depicts the clash between tradition and the aspirations of young, modern and optimistic new India. The author has touched upon serious issues in a light-hearted manner. 

Mirza Ghalib: 100 Famous Ghazals

(Translated from the Urdu)
Author: Dr Sarvat Rahman
Publisher: Abhinav Publications
(Pp 336, ISBN 978-8170175278, Rs 390)

Mirza Ghalib: 100 Famous Ghazals

The question was once asked, “What did the Mughal dynasty which ruled over India for so long leave behind?” The answer was, “The Taj Mahal, the Urdu language and the Diwan-e-Ghalib.” Of all the poets writing in Urdu, Mirza Ghalib (1797-1869) may be said to be the most famous and the greatest of all Urdu poets alongwith Mir.

Ghalib’s ghazals are unforgettable and his poems are read, recited and remembered. This book is a collection of 100 famous ghazals selected from the complete translation of the Diwan-e-Ghalib published in 2003 by the Ghalib Institute, New Delhi. All the ghazals are given in Urdu, followed by its translation in English. The same ghazal is also written in both English and Hindi languages.

By her translations, the author Dr Sarvat Rahman wishes to make known the humanistic and liberal ideas inspired by Sufism, in particular, which were and are the heritage which we received from the great poets of the Urdu language. It’s indeed a collectors’ edition

The Body in the Back Seat

Author: Salil Desai
Publisher: Gyaana books
(Pp 254, ISBN 978-81-909391-5-7, Rs 250,)

Another debut novel of an Indian author, The Body in the Back Seat is a fiction thriller written by Salil Desai, an author and a film-maker.

The story starts with a body found in the back seat of a car in the tow yard of the Chaturshringi police station. Prima facie, it looked as a case of suicide. But, senior inspector Saralkaar was not convinced. He sets out to find the truth behind it. What seemed to be a suicide was actually a murder – a murder by the victim’s wife who was caught in a loveless marriage and who did not want her son to be known as a child of a gay.

The novel maintains the thrill and suspense till the end. The story line is sharp and the description articulate which keep the readers glued to the book.

Tagore’s Mystique of Dance

Author: Utpal K Banerjee
Publisher: Niyogi Books
(Pp 260, ISBN 978-81-89738-96-9)

Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore derived inspiration from diverse sources while articulating his unparalleled ingenuity in the realm of visual, literary and performing arts. His uniquely expressed Rabindra Nritya (Tagore’s Dance) has been recognized as an unmistakable fount of creativity. This ‘mood dance’ incorporates the suitable dance elements from the classical dances of the Indian sub-continent and the regional dances of the Asia-Pacific. Tagore portrayed his seasonal odes and music dramas through this wonderful form of art.

The book explores at the treasure-trove of his music and the panoply of his paintings, unearthing only the dancing figures, thereby unravelling their mystique. It also covers the legacy of his dance, which has been carried over by the choreographers who have used Tagore’s dance.

The book is alive with paintings and pictures of the art-form - truly a tribute to 150 years of Rabindranath Tagore.

Fifty years of Silence

(The extraordinary memoir of a war rape survivor

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Author: Jan Ruff-O’Herne
Publisher: Mehta Publishing House
(Pp 214, ISBN 978-81-8498-126-1, Rs 300)

An emotional and moving account of a war rape survivor – Fifty Years of Silence is a true story of a woman – Jan Ruff-P’Herne - who was forced into sexual slavery in a brothel for the Japanese military after Japanese invaded Java in 1942 and she was put in Ambarawa Prison Camp. For fifty years, Jan kept silent about her miseries. But in 1992, when Korean war rape victims made appeal for justice on television, Jan decided to speak out. What was more difficult was to tell her family about what she had gone through. Instead of a face-to-face discussion, she resorted to writing a memoir, which finally took the shape of this book. Jan liked to sketch and she has shared the sketches she drew at the brothel and the camp.

The book also has pictures and memories from her childhood – Jan belonged to a rich family…her dreams only to be shattered by the Japanese invasion. Written in a simple yet powerful way, the book outlines the life of a girl, who literally lived through hell. It is an account of her courage, her sufferings and her endurance.

Inner Pilgrimage

Auhor: Raji Lukkoor

Publisher: Third Eye
(Pp 176, ISBN 978-81-8274-502-5, Rs 195)

Have you ever experienced frustration, desolation and emotional relationship problems? Are you unhappy? Are your fears, compulsive desires and obsessions holding you hostage? Probably you are going through an inner war which Buddha calls cravings, aversions and ignorance. To emerge from the inevitable sufferings of existence, practice Vipassana or insight meditation.

The book is a comprehensive description of the author’s ten-day Vipassana meditation retreat. Her ten days to inner pilgrimage actually transformed her.

She comes home with an inner calmness and heightened awareness that together nurture and enhances spiritual growth. This personal spiritual journey will definitely motivate readers to transform their restlessness and judgmental tendencies into spiritual growth.

The Tenth Unknown

Author: Jvalant Nalin Sampat
Publisher: Niyogi Books
(Pp 288, ISBN 978-81-89738-97-6, Rs 295)

This book is a mix of myth, fact and fiction – starting in Emperor Ashoka’s court in Rajagriha, Magadha in 232 BC and ending with India’s independence in 1947, this action-packed thriller, set primarily against the backdrop of World War II, is a high-octane and heady cocktail.

The story revolves around the nine books containing forbidden knowledge leading to unlimited power and wealth, which have been protected for centuries by a secret society – the nine Unknown Men of Emperor Ashoka. The clue about the locations of the book is hidden in the ruins of the world’s most ancient university in Nalanda. One of the books has been acquired by the Third Reich under Adolf Hitler. Now, these books need to be protected and Prithvi Rathore, an anglicized aspiring cricketer is set to acquire all these books. The plot is interesting and takes readers to the long-forgotten part of Indian history and legends as the Germans, British and Indians race to secure the book. A high-paced novel, which keeps the readers’ attention till the end! - Vasu V

The One Above – What if God was your neighbor?

Author: Sirshree
Publisher: Penguin Books India
(Pp 160, ISBN 978-0-143-41519-0, Rs 150)

The One Above

What will you do if God was your neighbor – living in the same building as yours, helping you find happiness in your current state of life? Imaginative but so peaceful! The book shows how to infuse passion and energy into everyday activities, both at work and at home. The book helps to accept all happiness and sufferings to reach a state where whatever be the circumstances, you are happy.

The book does not preaches, instead all the mantras of life are woven together in a form of a story where Ecklavya, an architect by profession, is unhappy. He asks God to come down to his rescue and God does come in the form of a neighbor. Ecklavya does not know his name but he calls him ‘The Above One’ or ‘Tao’ and starts sharing his feelings with him. Tao teaches him practical ways of being happy and dispelling common beliefs about unhappiness and pain and provides insights into the real causes of suffering. Towards the end, Ecklavya learns how to be happy and so do the readers.

In all, motivating book which keeps you glued till the end. Beautifully presented, it makes an interesting and very helpful read!

Tracing Marco Polo’s Journey: the Silk Route

Author: Major HPS Ahluwalia
Publisher: Niyogi Books
(Pp 236, ISBN 978-81-89-738-846)

Tracing Marco Polo’s Journey: the Silk Route

“One day I will explore this region,” decided Major HPS Ahluwalia, as he stood on the summit of Mount Everest on May 29, 1965. It was a dream project for Ahluwalia to explore the Tibetan plateau and the mysterious land of Central Asia – the Silk Route, which he accomplished in 1994.

The book takes the readers on the fascinating and adventurous two-month trip through cities as exotic as Bukhara, Samarkand, Andhijan, Xian, Yarkand, Kashgar and Lhasa. It also takes us through grand deserts, ancient monuments and mosques, and finally the monasteries in the magnificent Himalayas. The book is alive with interesting and mesmerising pictures of their journey. The author Major HPS Ahluwalia is a famous mountaineer and an expert on the Himalayan region.

You are their love…their life… – by Varsha Verma

You are their love…their life… – by Varsha Verma	Printer Friendly Version
Often, we have heard and read that 'Cats are independent creatures,' but it is not so. They are dependent on their pet parents for various needs – love, care and attention. Let's see how.
When you bring home a kitty, you bring home a treasure of memories. You love her antics, you love the way she yawns, her nature – sometimes indifferent, sometimes playful…you just love spending time with her. Yes, they do seem to be independent, but they need you in their life, just like you need them in yours. Here's how you can help your kitty have an enjoyable time at your home: Make your home kitty-safe: Drop down on all fours and look around your house – make your home kitty safe. Take care of her meals: Consult your vet and give her cat food at specified intervals. Give her a comfy bed: Cats love to sleep. Give your kitty a nice comfy bed to sleep – warm and cosy - that's how her bed should be. Give your cat her ID: Always put an identification tag around your cat's neck, just in case, she strays out and is not able to come back home. Keep her litter tray clean: Cats are clean creatures, keep their litter trays clean too! Groom her even though she can groom herself: Even though they are very good at grooming themselves, they still need to be groomed to detect any problems in the skin. Play with her: When you play with your cat, she feels cared for. They love to chase, so bring her cat toys to keep her occupied. Spend quality time: Some pet parents think that cats can be left alone as they are happy themselves. But it is not so. They too need company – yours and other pets. Take care of her health: They need to be regularly monitored to detect any signs of illness. Take them to your vet at regular intervals. Be prepared for emergencies: They depend on you to take car

A Goddess named Gold

Written by Vasu V

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Author: Bhabani Bhattacharya
Publisher: Orient Paperbacks
(Pp 320, ISBN 978122294605, Rs 240)

A modern fable of rural India, A Goddess named Gold is narrated against the backdrop of freedom struggle. It is a masterly satire on those who live by the lure of gold. There’s a pretty girl named Meera who is poverty-struck, whose grandfather is a minster. The grandfather gives her a touchstone, which is believed to turn copper into gold, provided she acts kindly as a natural and spontaneous expression of herself. Then there’s a Seth, a rich person, who wants to own that touchstone. And one point of time, Meera is ready to trade it - all for a bottle of oil.

The book describes rural India in a picturesque manner. The characters look real, the instances also look real. The book is entertaining yet makes you think about the problems in villages and how difficult it is for a poor man to survive in this world.

The author Bhabani Bhattacharya is Sahitya Akademi award winning author and a remarkable feature of his writings is its purposeful thrust and social relevance in all times.

Education for All

Author: Tushar Mukherjee
Publisher: Ramakrishna Mission Lokasiksha Parishad
(Pp 301, Rs 125)

Swami Vivekananda had rightly said, “Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man.” Education for All, the modern call to the nation by the National Literacy Mission is mere reiteration of the obvious felt by Swamiji at that time.

Education for All is a compilation of essays on formal and popular education. The author, Tushar Mukherjee was associated with training, orientation and research centre of the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Narendrapur after retiring from Department of Education, Government of West Bengal. He has had an abiding interest in the field of adult education. The book is a collection of his selected past publications in different journals.

People interested in formal and popular education can share his experience by going through this book. He has also raised some contradictory issues which would provoke further discussion and enrich discourse on formal, non-formal and popular education to the overall understanding of our national education policy.

The book is divided into six chapters thematically to provide opportunities to readers with various interests to skip and read selectively. The author, besides elucidating various kinds of educational programmes, has also mentioned the importance of continuing and life long education, which is nothing but the manifestation of the immortal sayings of Sri Ramakrishna that ‘Jabat Banchi Tabat Sikhi’ or one learns till his last breath. In all, this is a thought-provoking book for all who wish to know more about education.

Space for Shopping: Planning & Design for Trade & Commerce

Author: AK Jain
Publisher: Readworthy Publications (P) Ltd
(Pp 312, ISBN 978-93-80009-19-3, Rs 950)

The book offers a planning and design framework for trade and commerce, offices, hotels, shopping malls, etc together with a new paradigm for the marginalized street vendors. The studies to ‘actual ground’ situation provide a practical guide for all those involved with the livelihoods and lifestyles, in terms of planning for business, trade and commerce.

The book relates to actual Indian situation. Illustrations and pictures aid in better understanding of the subject. Besides, the book also gives important information like the mixed use regulation of Delhi Master Plan 2021, National Policy on Urban Street Vendors, etc.

The author, AK Jain is an architect-town planner, formerly the commissioner of Delhi Development Authority. He is also on the advisory board of the UN Habitat and a visiting faculty at Delhi School of Planning and Architecture.

I Wanna be Happy

Author: RVM
Publisher: Sterling Paperbacks
(Pp 87, ISBN 9788120755963, Rs 195)

Happiness is all what we seek, but not everyone is happy. Why? RVM explores the reason why people are unhappy and gives 6 simple steps to happiness. Do you really know what makes you happy? Do you really make efforts to make yourself happy? The book teaches you how to find happiness in life. It helps you know what makes you happy and how you can retain the happiness. The book also helps you to eliminate joy stealers from your life so that you can be happy for the rest of the life.

Written in a very simple manner, with no jargons, the book uses motivational language and helps you seek happiness in life. Happiness is guaranteed…if only, you want to be happy – that’s the mantra of this book.

The author, RVM, is a ‘Positivelife’ philosopher, author, singer and motivator. Businessman turned philosopher, RVM has built a RVM Humanitarian Home and Hospital to help poor. This book is an extension of his philosophical talks about happiness.

Kumarajiva-the transcreator of Buddhist Chinese diction

Author: Nirmala Sharma
Publisher: Niyogi Books
(Pp 180, ISBN 978-81-89738-19-8)

Kumarajiva is the luminescent word of the endless reverie of the Buddhist Sutras and Sastras where the grand cosmology of time and space finds harmony in the symbolic order of life. The book is an effort to outline the life and work of Kumarajiva who gave a new direction to the efflorescence of Sanskrit sutras in a new Chinese edition. In his linguistic creativity, Kumarajiva laid the foundations of deep bonds of friendship between India and China, and thence with Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

The book covers life and works of Kumarajiva, his translation activities, his biography, Sengjui biography and Chinese text of the life of Kumarajiva. The text is accompanied with around 100 beautiful illustrations of murals and scrolls besides breath-taking pictures, which take the readers down the ancient times. Infact, it is the first full-length nation of the extraordinary life, immense literary output, manifold philosophical perspectives and the development of a new translation methodology by him.

The author also discusses his critical texts that became the foundation of sects and philosophical systems in East Asia. Beautifully produced, the book is a feast for the eyes and a wealth of knowledge for all those who wish to know more about Kumarajiva.

Divine Music

Divine Music

Author: Suruchi Mohan
Publisher: Orient Publishing
(Pp 256, ISBN 978122204728, Rs 240)

It is a captivating coming-of-age tale against the backdrop of intricate world of north Indian classical music. Rich in details of Indian traditions and music, the author narrates a powerful story of growing dissatisfaction of ordinary people, their yearnings and hopes, their aspirations and accomplishments, their predicaments, joys and sorrows. The characters come alive and pull you into their middle class values and lives with finely depicted scenes.

The tale revolves around Sarika and her revered guru who recognizes a great talent in her, even far better than his. Well-written, lucid and entertaining, the book is a refresher, that too from a debutant author.