The Linear Tide- My New Book is Out!

I am so glad to tell you that my new novel 'The Linear Tide' is out (e-book)!

The unique story of a simpleton Avni, an erudite Manav and a compassionate Anurag, 'The Linear Tide' is out on Amazon India!

When Avni meets an erudite and loving ad-man Manav, he splits open a new world of knowledge, literature, art and creativity in front of her making her realize how philistine she had been. Anurag, a vet who also enters her life guides her into a world of compassion, even though he is fighting his own demons and she finds herself trying hard to save his life from collapsing. Their lives then take a strange turn when the ghost of the past returns and she decides to make an unusual choice.

The story, through many other interesting characters, also explores some relationships which are perfect in their own peculiar way.

Do check out. I hope you will enjoy reading it!

Caravan

I keep your warmth tangled in my tresses

Like the wispy clouds entangle the moon

Trapping its silvery halo in dewy softness,

Like a seed within some fleshy ripe fruit

I carry your gaze in my wide open eyes

In them it quietly floats instead of sleep

Like mist over two far-off mountain tops

Like long dead stars on a placid lake

I keep your smell filled in my breath

Laden with old woods, untamed seas

Moss covered rocks on soaked earth

Like a mouthful of winter breeze

I keep your touch locked in my fist

In my palms that I stare night & day

Guessing which line may lead to you

Like a traveler trailing his caravan

That he knows well too, has long gone…

Scar

Celebration Desi Style!

Whatever be the occasion, celebration is always in the same pose! Say Cheeezzz!
We are Desi and we know it! 

Medium -Pitt pens and color pencil

Home Is Where The Heart Is

In this big bad world, home is the only beautiful place!

Medium- Pitt pens and sketch pens

Wound

With one callous gaze she cut him deep

As tide cuts the shore in a single sweep

No, he did not lament nor weep

Just muttered with a dismal breath 

“This wound will bleed me to death”

From 'You Must Be Around- 80 Poems on Love, Life and Longing' (2016)

Chakravyuh

I happened to watch the ‘Chakravyuh’ scene of B. R Chopra’s ‘Mahabharata’ today on Epic channel and the first thing that struck me was its uncanny similarity with a certain thing. The young, confident and cheerful Abhimanyu entered the Chakravyuh formation when his uncles and other family members promised to help him but later they were barred from entering the formation by the enemy soldiers. Inside, Abhimanyu was attacked by his elders in the Kaurava army all at a time: an unethical attack. He died bravely defending himself and crying for this father. Gurus Dronachrya and Kripacharya were genuinely sad about this but could not do anything. A brave young life was lost due to unethical fighting.

‘Chakravyuh’ exist in modern context too and are known by the name of the ‘Arranged Indian Marriages’ that don’t turn out to be as expected. A young and confident girl enters the alliance but ends up catering to everyone’s demands and fighting for her freedom and rights. Her family members are not allowed to interfere and thus they become helpless as well. She ‘dies’ fighting, not literally always, and even though her downfall and deterioration is mourned by a few members, they are too dependent to take a stand. An arranged marriage in India is an unethical combat that swallows young lives where they not only battle for their freedom every day; they are attacked by many societal malpractices all at once as well. There is no way out from such formations, they are one way streets that lead only to frustration and rapid decline.

Image from Shutterstock

Warrior Abhimanyu entering the Chakravyuha. 

Stone artworks of the 12th century Hoysaleshwara temple in Halebidu, India.

Ego Hassles

Love, every time I look into your eyes,

My heart whispers

That life is too short for ego hassles

Somewhere Deep...

Somewhere deep within my bones 

Your last goodbye still echoes...

Words Linger All Around...

Love, my words linger all around

From dim crevices of my mind,

To green wounds of my heart

As I struggle to arrange them

Into some sort of a poem

Clear and meaningful enough

To make you understand

How vague and meaningless

 Life has become…

Snake

Pic-source

You left me behind like

A snake that sheds its skin

To move ahead callously

Crawling to a new hole

A new terrain, a new prey

While I lay kaput like a diadem

Crushed under enemy’s wagon

Like a sad note, half discernible

Coming from a broken violin

Like that mild reek that springs

From stale forgotten bouquets

I was your skin once, intimate and attached

Now, I am mere an object of odd curiosity

Of strangers with greed gleaming in ice cold eyes,

All bitter gazes and silent taunts that rip as a knife

I know, I know Love, that I will be loved by none

But I also know, I understand that you are a snake

Indeed one…

Book Review- Wet Silence

Title:           Wet Silence

Author:       Sweta Srivastava Vikram

Publi.:         MHP

ISBN:          9781615992560

MRP:           Rs 314/- (Kindle)

It is not every day that one comes across poetry that can touch one’s very soul. 
The book ‘Wet Silence’ by Sweta Srivastava Vikram is piquantly stirring and rips apart the hypocrisy of our so called morals. It throws much light upon a subject that reeks of pain and gloom, and calls for urgent reforms. 

Her poems on Hindu widows reflect the depth of suffering, be it psychological where a widow is expected to mourn and be as “brooding like soot on windows”, or sexual and societal, when she is considered a “toxic waste”. For no fault of her own, a widow is perceived as an ill-omen and a “crude metaphor”. Even in today’s world where we boast of ultra-modernism, in some places in India, esp ‘Vrindawan’, widows are forced into so pathetic a life that it can shame the Satan himself. 

The author captures the breadth and depth of this topic very well. Some poems like 
“The Question” present a unique way to look at traditional myths. The words, like a high definition camera, capture every emotion perfectly and to say that I loved this book will be an understatement. 

Random Excerpts-

-"I hate that the hand wiping my tears aren't yours"

-"Winter blankets my longing arms

    whispers he is never coming"

-"Like a sack of rice in pantry,

   I am sitting quietly"

-"Here I am called a crude metaphor

   for not wanting to wake up under fouled sheets"

Check out 'Wet Silence' here

Truly Together!

In these technical times, we have achieved a lot but on the cost of togetherness and heart-to-heart bonding. Now we see far more cases of elders spending long afternoons alone, waiting for their ever busy professional office going children to remember them once in a blue moon and kids who have a life of their own and are consumed by electronic gadgets  and television. Also, with urban colonies coming up, every inch of land is covered with concrete. In such times, it has become a task to come together to enjoy each other’s company and spend time in the lap of nature. However, every problem has a solution and one important catalyst that can make us achieve this goal can be the nature itself. Spending time in nature is not enough; rather, taking up a project can solve both the issues.

We can find a patch of raw land, or simply take two or three planting pots and start off! Seeds are available in the market and even online very easily and I would love to recall what the ace writer Late Khushwant Singh once said, that there are few things that are really therapeutic and gardening tops the list! Watching a plant grow is to unlock your emotions and feeling one with nature. For example, we can plant small household plants like tomatoes or ladyfingers that are easy to maintain. For this we can come together and this way every day or every other day, plan a small tea party as well. Growing flowers and sharing tips with neighbors and friends is also a great way to come together and experience warmth and bonding.

I remember an incident where an old couple, on their front yard, sort of exhibited their cactus collection for the colony to see how amazing it was! Not many of us know that cactus plant gives beautiful flowers and is one of the most beautiful plants. Many people shared tips and some took photographs even when there were no digital cameras but only the traditional film-roll ones. Their socialization popped up suddenly and I saw them smiling more often.

In the digital era too, we can blog and form groups with like-minded people and come together for gardening or improvement of a colony park. I think this will not be necessary even, because real closeness is to be found with our neighbors and friends. However, another relevant point is the involvement of children. They must learn to open their hearts and break the ice and feel how deeply and beautifully one can find solace with nature even in the midst of an urban life.

I planted tomatoes once and along with my family members, I tended to the plants. However, the crop wasn’t bumper but still we loved tending to it and the desperate wait for that little green raw thing to become a full grown red tomato soon was awesome. Try doing such things, you will never forget or regret!
(Real pic of our tomato plant)

To find how you can come together, do visit www.kissanpur.com

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Couplets

“Why this ire?” Out he did freak

I said “I am patient not meek”

 Incessant churn of day & night

Crushes my little life

Pic from here

A Memorable Evening!

Sometimes, the guidance we seek is right in front of our eyes or around us in the form of our loved ones who always try to fill us with hope and optimism as well as positive thoughts. Just being together with them gives you a feeling of revival and freshness and makes you feel lucky and alive.

My maternal grandfather would visit us for few days once in a while, for he stayed in another state but I did not interact much with him or rather I would say I did not had a chance to converse deeply with him mainly because I was a kid that time. However, when I was in the first year of my Masters course, I met him again after sometime and he was as full of exuberance as ever. I remember that cool and breezy evening when we both had coffee and snacks in my room and he was all ears to what I had to say and how my life was going. Just like any other youth, I was slightly nervous about my forthcoming professional and personal life but when I spent  that evening with him, I felt as if a new dawn had kissed me with its warm rays full of hope and optimism and I could see the frost of my doubts disappearing like fog.

His entire persona was awesome; being a retired Army man (from education core) he was not only quite erudite but also very polished and dignified. Despite being an expert of Economics and Mathematics, his command over English was enviable. Let me recall that evening.  The way he handled my doubts still remains fresh in my mind. He told me not to be too-apologetic and extra-forgiving just because I am a girl, and to maintain my self-respect at all costs. He told me that I should rely only upon my own confidence and hope, and that armed with education I will make something better of myself. He advised that I should always stay away from mediocrity and save myself from getting into the mundane drudgery of a domestic life. His concepts were clear; he explained that the real meaning of being educated is to open up and liberate oneself from the mental blocks and avoid being myopic. He himself never even thought of preventing his own daughters (my mother and her sister) from pursuing any course(s) they wished to.

That evening, he made many of my doubts clear and in a very simple way made me understand that one should not be afraid at all about chasing his/her dreams. His charm and polish as well as the grace with which he carried himself years after retirement were really appealing. Though later also we interacted many times, that one conversation with him remains fresh in my mind till date. Just being around with him filled me (and cousins too) with motivation and confidence. Such is the power of being together!

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A Bold Step

Sometimes destiny brings us on crossroads, throwing at us the task of making difficult choices as I found myself years ago. However, I am glad I chose the right path and I do not regret my decision at all. At times you have to take decisions even in such daily mundane matters which are considered too petty to be thought of even second time.

Saving you all the mystery, let me get straight to the point. Many years back, I went on a holiday with my cousins and, contrary to my expectations, it turned out to be a nightmare because two of my younger cousins made sure that I did not enjoy it even for a moment. Their conduct was an appalling demonstration of rudeness and an extremely poor upbringing. While the parents of one were literally ashamed on his audacity, another’s mother who too had come along and ironically is into teaching, did not bother and at times even felt proud of the boldness of her maniac son.

They not only misbehaved (verbally) with me but also passed nasty jibes about my paternal relatives. When I got to know the cause of this behavior, I was shocked at their immaturity. They simply seemed to enjoy the ‘fun’ of teasing. When I complained to their parents, I was told to ignore their taunts as they were just a bit ‘boyish’ and ‘juvenile’ (they were in high school that time while I was in college), and also that being a girl, I shouldn’t take such matters to heart as ‘boys are like that only’. This literally made my blood boil as I had never faced such discrimination in my own family. Back home, I told the entire thing to my mother who gave a piece of her mind to the accompanying elder relatives, making them feel ashamed of themselves. Even then, the mother of the other younger cousin was as shameless as ever and did not feel anything wrong about her son’s behavior.

I then decided to kick out such crap from my life. I consider my life to be my own canvas and nobody except me will decide what colors will be splashed over it. I brushed aside all the shades of dark; I severed all ties with them even at the risk of being tagged as rude, unruly and selfish, for I believe when there is no respect and courtesy in relationships, they must be dissolved and one should mingle only with people who enrich his/her life. There is no point carrying on such relationships just for the sake of it, even at the cost of your own peace of mind.

Even though, after many years one of them apologized several times, I simply did not bother and it is highly unlikely that I’ll do so in future. I chose my self-respect and dignity over rotten relationships even though I was chided for my decision by few other relatives who thought that a girl should always be tolerant, forgiving and submissive. I am proud of what I have done for living my life positively. Throwing out dirt is no crime; rather it is something that must be done to #StartANewLife!

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Check out this awesome video!

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Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

How true! ‘Good fences’ have become a sort of a necessity these days, seriously! That’s why I really adore this quote from the poem ‘Mending Wall’ by Robert Frost. Here, I would like to share two of the many pesting conversations I had with relatives. I really appreciate their concern but too much of everything, even care, becomes suffocating.

A few weeks back, I had a conversation with an overbearing and over-argumentative aunt. After giving her usual opening lecture about the importance of marriage, she told me about another suitor. I am reproducing the entire telephonic conversation here-

Aunt: Beta!! I have something special for you!

I: What!

Aunt: Guess beta guess!!

I: Some delicacy, may be?

Aunt: Ugh…I have a nice suitor for you! He is a very eligible boy.

I: Ok.

Aunt: He is earning well and belongs to our community.

I: His qualifications?

Aunt: How do they matter? He is working.

I: Don’t you think I need to know his qualifications?

Aunt: But he is earning well so why do you need to?

I: A scrap-dealer also earns well and so does a drug peddler.

Aunt: God! These girls! He is an engineer, OK?

I: Which college?

Aunt (agitated): Arrey baba, tell me how does it matter?

I: It does, to me.

Aunt: That’s irrelevant, and now I’ll tell you about his family in brief. Actually beta, they are two siblings; their father remarried after the demise of their mother but the stepmother packed them off to their Bua’s place and since that boy does not like that Bua, he is staying separately for years but his sister still resides there. They are not on talking terms with their father who has three more kids with his new wife.

I (in horror): Seriously?

Aunt (elated): Seriously! See, no in-law tension too! I’ll send you his photo.

I: No need, I do not think I’ll go for this match.

Aunt: Why? What is the issue? Atleast see his photo once.

I: Why should I when I’m simply not interested.

Aunt (very annoyed): What is the matter, tell me now? Is the boy not working? He is. Is he not well educated? He is. The community is same too. Then why are you not ready? Tell meeee! Answer!! Atleast see his photoooo!

I (WTF?): Hmmm…okk…Oh! An urgent call is coming on the other line; I’ll ring you back shortly!

A cousin of mine shocked me one day by the display of her sense of responsibility towards me. She arrived at my place one afternoon and this happened-

Cousin: Yaar! Give me your photograph.

I: You have so many of them.

Cousin: They are all group pics but I require a nice one, a single pic.

I: Ok, click one then.

Cousin: No, in Indian attire, with proper expressions.

I: What for?

Cousin: I need it urgently.

I: First tell me the motive for I am getting a bit suspicious.

Cousin: I think you should get married now and I want to know in detail the type of boy you wish. Tell me now!

I: Hey, what is your problem?

Cousin: Arrey yaar, actually I am creating your matrimonial profile and for that, I need a proper shaadi-wali type pic. I feel it is the correct time for you to get married.

I: Whatttt!

Cousin: Relax. Yup!

I: You did not even ask me? Strange!

Cousin: Do I need to take permissions for such day-to-day sundry things too?

I: Marriage is not a sundry thing. Are you nuts?

Cousin: Leave it. Pic?

I: You do not need to worry about my marriage and all, we can take care.

Cousin: See, I really care for you. I will create a profile and then we will scan the matches and would select the best one! I’ll provide my own contact number and only I’ll filter the matches.

I (WTF?): You don’t have to take such pains. Please go home and relax. Thank you.

There is a thin line between care and interference. When one’s patience is tested, only irritation and anger spill, leading to a friction in relationships. In this era, it is considered inappropriate to cross the limits and trespass into someone’s privacy, even in close relationships.

Image from- acieap.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/in-tense-relaxation/