:)

:)

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Bits & Pieces 6


Chitthi Aayi Hai!

One of the few things that can make me happily nostalgic is written letters. I still have preserved all the paper correspondence I used to have with a same age cousin when I was in school. In early 2000s, the fashion of writing letters started fading but with the advent of cell-phones and social media it has definitely become a long lost memory. We wrote each other letters out of sheer fun of writing and of course, for the excitement of receiving the next one.  Now, I am back on this track and with a few like-minded friends of mine, have joined the letter loving group!
Pic link

Biblio-mania

I cannot have enough of books and it seems I am slowly turning into a compulsive book hoarder, for I have a huge heap of unread titles in my room. Recently, on my trip to my ancestral house, I brought many of my late Grandpa’s books, most of them being classics printed around 1920s and 30s. Last week too, while browsing for something else, I impulsively bought two titles - one by Ruskin Bond and the other by Agatha Christie. Reading may be a good habit but book hoarding is definitely not, so now I will try my best to avoid buying books impulsively, at least this year.


 Rest in Peace...

My heart is deeply saddened by the demise of the brave horse Shaktimaan who died of shock after being given a dose of anesthesia. His case is an eye opener about the pathetic condition of animal-care in India. In western nations, even a local animal hospital is far better than any govt. hospital of India. In fact, after every hurricane and natural calamity, their special squads actively rescue pets and other animals. Such a thing is sadly unimaginable, rather laughable in our country where food grain remains scattered on roads due to lack of storage facility and thousands of liters of water is wasted in the construction of helipads for the ministers who go, ironically, to visit the drought hit areas. We have a mismanaged system working on wrong priorities. In such a scenario, animals remain the most tortured category.
Pic link



Tuesday, April 5, 2016

My Poetry Title Now in Paperback

I am happy to announce that my third book 'You Must Be Around- 80 Poems on Love, Life and Longing' is now available in paperback format. I have tried my best to keep this collection of 80 poems free of glitches as well as heavy and redundant words. I hope you will like this work. It is available on Amazon India and Flipkart.









Thursday, March 17, 2016

My First Title Now As E-Book


My first title ‘The Wedding Trousseau and Other Short Stories’ that was released in April last year is now available as an e-book.

This book is a collection of 11 tales inspired from various shades and areas of life. While some carry a lighter tenor, others show varied side of human psyche and relationships as seen from a different angle.

It can be previewed and purchased online from the following stores-


For ratings and reviews, please visit this book’s Goodreads Page.



Thursday, March 10, 2016

My Poetry Book Is Out!


I am really excited to announce that my third title 
You Must Be Around- 80 Poems on Love, Life and Longing’ 
has hit the stands! This is a collection of 80 of my unpublished poems. I have a particular liking for poetry and it is always close to my heart and soul. 

This work is divided into three sections. The first one, ‘Love’ describes the ideas about love, feelings and other related aspects. The second one, ‘Life’ is a bit philosophical and deals with topics such as death, rebirth and karma as these resonate closely with my culture and beliefs. There are some poems on Nature too. The third one is ‘Longing’ and revolves around heart-breaks and pain and also includes one poem about domestic violence. The credit for cover photograph goes to Ms Megha Chandola.

Currently, this title is available in E-book format on various E-book stores like 
Barnes & NobleLulu, Kobo, Apple iBooks, Inktera and Amazon Kindle StoreThe paperback will be released very shortly.

Please check out the book and its preview on Amazon.

I hope you will like it!




Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Letter

“That's one more for you, Colonel; 
If only I knew your address up there...”

Sighed a war widow, kissing a letter.


For Magpie Tales 




Friday, March 4, 2016

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




Sunday, February 28, 2016

Mirage


Enthralled by your friendly smile

I inched closer to you every time

Spectral voices confirmed love;

I did feel something of the same

But as I leaned against your heart

 Saw each beat resounded her name



Picture Link




Tuesday, February 23, 2016

My New Address!

I have a new address! Here is my personal website –www.ankitasharma.co.in

Also, presented below are some excerpts from my second book ‘Swati’s Marriage And Other Tales Of India’ published by Modern History Press, USA-

  • 'The silent movement of the moon, in different shades of white, almost every other day between the grey-black clouds, along with the various intermingled sounds of tiny creeps from frogs, a few birds, and strange insects I have never seen, keep me company when I stay up till late to ponder over something or solve crossword puzzles.' - "Birthday"

  • 'Life can definitely be not very lovely when you lie on an empty bed, all alone, between crumpled sheets, burning like a cigarette. The heat gets hold of your thoughts and you cease to think, cease to breathe, and lie like a sea shell that the ruthless waves suddenly kick out of its habitat before they disappear back into the ocean where they belong, without even giving the poor lone thing another chance or a second look.' - "The Return Gift"

Read More 

:)


Friday, February 5, 2016

Shades


Love, sky reminds me of you
When it changes shades
As a fickle chameleon







Sunday, January 31, 2016

My Art On Cover Page- 2

My art has appeared, once more, as the cover page of a paperback. The book 'Philosophical Musings for a Meaningful Life: An Analysis of K.V. Dominic's Poems' has been published from USA. 

This portrait of Dr. K V Dominic has been sketched esp. for cover purpose. Medium is pencil color.









The book is available on Amazon