Book Reviews
Legendotes of Hyderabad
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Legendotes of Hyderabad Author: Narendra Luther
Publisher: Niyogi Books, New Delhi
(Pp 258, ISBN 978-93-83098-17-0, Rs 995)
Here’s yet another art & illustrated book from the house of Niyogi Books. Printed on art paper with beautiful images from Hyderabad, the book is a treat for the eyes. The birth of Hyderabad is rooted in two legends. One is the early-teen love affair of Prince Mohammad Quli with Bhagmati, a beautiful singer and dancer. The other is the decree issued by him as the sultan of Golkonda that a new city should be constructed which would be a replica of heaven. It was earlier called Bhagnagar, after his beloved Bhagmati. Such legendotes, as the author calls them, form a chain of gripping snippets from the history of Hyderabad and the basis of this book. It is an interesting book and a collector’s item.
–Varsha Verma
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Arjuna: Saga of a Pandava Warrior-Prince
Author: Anuja Chandramouli
Publisher: Platinum Press, an imprint of Leadstart Publishing, Mumbai
(Pp 363, ISBN 978-93-8157-63-97, Rs 250)
Arjuna is the immortal tale of one of India’s greatest heroes. This Pandava warrior- prince has been a fascinating person for one and all.
The book is a collection of episodes from Arjuna’s life (some well known, others relatively obscure), gleaned through years of painstaking research and then presented in a seamless narrative with the uninhibited panache and style of a 21st century writer. It spans his journey from before his birth, when omens foretold his greatness, across the fabled, wondrous landscape that was his life. This is the intense and human story of his loves, friendships, ambitions, weaknesses and follies, as well as his untimely death and revival.
The book will appeal to both general readers as well as scholars.
- V Verma
100 Ways to Motivate Yourself
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Author: Neeru Sachdeva
Publisher: Lotus Press, New Delhi
(Pp 230, ISBN 978-81-8382-232-9, Rs 125)
Self-help books are always in demand and every now and then we see a new book on the rack. An average person easily gets stuck in the daily routine of life. The book aims to help you turn that way of thinking around and motivate you to reach your desired goals. Simple, easy-to-follow tips, the book prepares you to face the harsh realities of life and emerge as a happy, satisfied and successful person.
The language is simple and can be read by students, home-makers, besides the management professionals as well.
- Vasu V
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Story of a Bollywood Song
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Author: Vijay Ranchan
Publisher: Abhinav Publications, New Delhi
(Pp 130, ISBN 978-81-701-7551-3, Rs 550)
What is Bollywood without its lovely songs? Well, it is unimaginable. The Story of a Bollywood Song traces the evolution of a Hindi film song from the time of silent movies to the era of talkies. The book depicts certain incidents and situations during the process of composition, narrating the contextual background of a song. These stories are illustrative of the gradual as well as the simultaneous evolution of a Hindi film song. As we hear it today. Each milestone in the evolution of a Bollywood song has a story to tell – be it the story of a Jesuit Father, or of the first test recording, or of the mendicant-beggar song, or of a song sung by a princess or a rebel commoner, and so on.
This interesting book has some interesting pictures as well, showcasing singers from the yesteryears – Jamshedji, Ardeshiriji, Jahanara, Noorjahan, Mohd Rafi, Kishore Kumar,
Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, besides the modern-day maestro AR Rehman. A well-written book, which can enchant a general reader as well as those who wish to know more about the legendary Bollywood songs.
- Vasu Vt
Authors: Radhakrishnan Pillai and D Sivanandhan
Publisher: Jaico Publishing house, Mumbai
(Pp 232, ISBN 978-81-8495-401-2, Rs 299)
Publisher: Jaico Publishing house, Mumbai
(Pp 232, ISBN 978-81-8495-401-2, Rs 299)
Want to transform yourself into an ideal leader? Well, who can be the better guru than Chanakya, who was a leadership guru par excellence. The treasure of his teachings can be found in his treatise, Arthashastra, which deals with good governance based on ideal leadership. The concept of the ideal nation in the Arthashastra, called saptanga, holds that there are seven pillars of a kingdom: swami, amatya, janpada, durg, kosha, dand and mitra.
This author Radhakrishnan Pillai delves into Chanakya’s saptanga, with the real-life example of D Sivanandhan, former director of police, Mahrashtra. Together, Pillai and Sivanandhan bring Chanakya’s model to life. One can apply them in life and see the Chanakya’s wisdom transform one into the ideal leader.
- Varsha
Author: Andaleeb Wajid
Publisher: Amaryllis, New Delhi
(Pp 360, ISBN 978-93-81506-40-0, Rs 399)
Publisher: Amaryllis, New Delhi
(Pp 360, ISBN 978-93-81506-40-0, Rs 399)
Don’t go by the name of the book, it is not a recipe book but a novel. It is a fascinating story of a young woman Zubi who is unable to communicate with the people she loves and so turns to food as a way of showing her affection. But soon, she realizes that it is food that helps her forge an identity for herself. Readers can cook along as Zubi’s stories travel through time, facing the challenges of life, the emotional complexities of family relationships, discovering identities, overcoming fears and above all, embracing love.
The choice of words is fantastic, sometimes you can actually smell the delicacies prepared in the book!
- Varsha
Author: Jayabrato Chatterjee
Publisher: Amaryllis, New Delhi
(Pp 258, ISBN 978-93-81506-42-4, Rs 299)
Publisher: Amaryllis, New Delhi
(Pp 258, ISBN 978-93-81506-42-4, Rs 299)
A chronicle of any middle-class girl trapped in the city’s so called elite El Dorado, A Soft Eclipse touches the heart of the readers at the right place. Set in Kolkata, the book takes us behind the superficial high society. It reveals the disturbing lives and unfamiliar narratives in shockingly familiar surroundings.
The author Jayabroto Chaterjee is a film maker, literary editor and corporate communicator. He has portrayed the woman in the story so realistically that you often think if this book has been written by a female. Written in first voice, the book will appeal to all those who wish to peep into the mind of a woman.
- V Verma
