Book Review: What Young India Wants by Chetan Bhagat

‘What Young India Wants: Selected Essays and Columns’

By Chetan Bhagat

Rupa Publications

ISBN 978-81-291-2021-2

This book is a collection of newspaper articles and columns published by the author Chetan Bhagat. The book starts with Chetan talking about himself and his life, in fact in the manner of a concise autobiography, though readers may find it unnecessary. Then there are about 30+ articles collected for the book which span over many issues and subjects, with the central theme being India and its progress.

I personally didn’t agree with many of the view points mentioned by the author and many arguments. For example, do you really think a diverse and big country like India can ever be compared with a city state like Singapore? It will be like comparing apples with oranges and all the statistics and parameters of these two countries will take us nowhere. The pages show that the author is deeply concerned about India and wants progress here, which is very appreciable. I think young readers should definitely think about the issues Chetan Bhagat takes to write upon. They may or may not agree with him, but at least the thinking will create something positive and will be an improvement over statuesque.

For not so serious thinkers and casual reading but never without readers’ own perspectives on the subjects.

- Rahul

Book Review: A Tiger For Malgudi by RK Narayan

‘A Tiger for Malgudi’

RK Narayan

Indian Thought Publications, Mysore

ISBN 978-81-85986-11-1

“A Tiger for Malgudi” is one of the classic RK Narayan Novels. In this novel, author presents our world through the eyes of a tiger. Having read it, we are left wondering and appreciating the author for having such a great power of imagination and detail.

This book could also be aptly called “An autobiography of a Tiger”. It starts with a tiger narrating his story. The tiger, who is the hero of this novel, was born and brought up in a jungle. He was a mighty tiger who went on to marry and have kids. But one day, humans arrive in the forest and kill his family. More tragedy follows and he was captured by a circus. There starts his story of immense suffering which ended when he killed his Captain and was rescued by a Sadhu. The sage called him his brother and talked to him like a human being. The story is full of humorous instances and is a pleasure to read.

I think this book should be patronized by “Save the Tiger” project. I think no sane person will ever dream of harming a tiger after reading this book. Also, readers will build a greater connect with the world and nature, after taking a ride with RK Narayan’s Tiger.

Highly recommended to all.

- Rahul 

Book Review: Yayati by VS Khandekar

‘Yayati’ (Novel) (Hindi)

(Winner of Gyanpeeth Puraskar and Sahitya Akadami Puraskar)

By Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar

Translated in Hindi by Moreshwar Tapaswi

Rajpal and Sons

ISBN 978-81-7028-559-5

‘Yayati’ is a mesmerizing epic tale as told by the brilliant author VS Khandekar. Yayati was originally a character from the great epic Mahabharata. In this novel, the author has used his own literary skills and imagination to develop the story by adding some character and modifying the story, which he has clearly and honestly clarified in the introduction section of the book. His is not really a mythological story but one with which readers of every generation and time can connect with. Though essentially Yayati is a king and this novel revolves around his struggle for power and affluence, the finer elements of the story and the lessons coming out of them are relevant even for today. Here is a novel which describes heights of greed, lust and craving for materialistic pleasure which are increasingly becoming inherent part of human nature. It is not a depressing story but one which shows that there always is light at the end of the tunnel if we care to find it…

This is my first reading of Mr. VS Khandekar, which was recommended by a friend. And how lucky I was for being introduced to it! Though the book was originally written in Marathi language, it has been translated into many languages. The same book is available in English as well. I got its Hindi translation and found it exceptionally good. The language is of very high quality and it’s a pleasure to read through the book. At some places, the language is so beautiful, with such relevant and wonderful adjectives being used, that we can’t remain without falling in love with the book.

A few lines from the book from pages 52/53:

“Sabhi Rishi aur pahaad door se ek-se hi lagte hain.”

“Japmala me jaise ek-ek rudraksh pichhe khisakta jata hai, usi tarah se eke k din bitataa chala gaya.”

“Gahri hari vriksh-vaatikaon me we do kutiyan aise lag rahi thin, mano do nanhi-munni bahnen ek-dusre se lipatkar ek hi kambal me so gai hain.”

I felt in love with author’s such a strong connection with nature and an eye for detail…

I highly recommend the book to all.

- Rahul 

Book Review: 1984 by George Orwell

‘1984 a novel’

George Orwell

Rupa Publications

ISBN: 978-81-291-1611-6

George Orwell (Eric Artur Blair) (1903-50) born in Motihari, present day Bihar, India and educated in England, is a writer author par excellence and has produced some classic works like Animal Farm (1945) and Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949). Through his novel 1984, Orwell has highlighted the perils of a totalitarian or authoritarian state.

The story revolves around Winston Smith who lives in Oceania, one of the three super-states remaining in the world after a global war. He works in the Ministry of Truth as an editor revising historical records and articles to make the past conform to the party line and deleting references to the people who have been "vaporized". But he develops hatred towards the govt. and Big Brother and even goes on to love a lady called Julia. He is trapped and exposed of his intentions by the Thought Police and is made to undergo a reform, to “cure” him of his dislike towards Big Brother and also to betray his love. Julia also is subjected to similar treatment and even she betrays him. In the end both accept the betrayal.

There are many interesting and invented concepts which have come up through this novel and have gone on to become realities in their own ways. Concepts like of Big Brother, Room 101, the Thought Police, thoughtcrime, unperson, memory hole (oblivion), doublethink and Newspeak have become phrases for denoting totalitarian authority. Even the adjective "Orwellian" now denotes characteristic of George Orwell's writings especially the novel 1984.

The novel is a classic one and I think in parts it even resembles science fiction. Part of it looks like political literature and not exactly fiction. But in some parts it is even dramatic and grasping. It is one of those novels who have impacted human history and collective thinking. It forces all of us to do self-introspection and also to review if we are helping directly or indirectly any authoritarian government in our respective countries. The novel should be read by one and all, especially before voting age, in order to ensure that our world remains safe and sane for ages to come.

[Rahul Tiwary]

Book Review: Talkative Man by R K Narayan

‘Talkative Man’

RK Narayan

Indian Thought Publications

ISBN: 978-81-85986-12-8

Talkative Man is a story set in the legendary town of Malgudi and is one of the classic novels by the great author RK Narayan. Talkative Man or TM as he is called lives at leisure in the prestigious Kabir Street of Malgudi and is passionate about his journalistic endeavors. One day, a man gets down at the city’s railway station and instantly becomes center of huge attraction and talk in the town because of his Western attire and affluent air around him. TM takes up the task of entertaining him and the man ultimately could only be satisfied in getting accommodation inside TM’s house itself. Next, there are some curious gossips about the man and his actual activities as against his claimed one, of working on a book to shake up the world and his claimed mission of working for the United Nations. To enhance the suspense, a lady comes down from a train at the same station and claims to be the wife of this curious gentleman. TM is more loyal towards his ‘friend’. And the later part becomes a tale of his unfriending with is friend who is getting more suspicious day by day and to reconciling the lose ends to contain the harm that could be caused to the peace and life of Malgudi.

It’s a wonderful story and it’s a pleasure to read RK Narayan. I simply loved reading each bit of it and highly recommend to all.

[Rahul Tiwary]

Book Review: Bhaj Govindam by Adi Shankaracharya

‘Charpat Panjarika Stotram’ by Adi Shankara

Bhaja Govindam

Translation and analysis by B. Neelakar, B.P. Shashank Kalyan

Hindoology Books

ISBN 978-81-223-1074-0

Ancient Hindu texts like the Vedas deal with immense depths of philosophy and contain truths which are relevant for time immemorial. Because of difficult language it may not be possible for all to read and learn those evolved texts. Therefore it is very important that gist of those remarkable texts are presented for the younger generation in the simplest ways possible. Through this book which contains at least twelve shlokas from Adi Shankaracharya and many others from his disciples, one can get a good overview of the richest Hindu philosophies. The language of translation is clear and of very high quality. Each shloka contains immense wisdom and encourage us to seek the true purpose of our life.

I recommend this book highly to one and all.

- [Rahul Tiwary]

Book Review: Bhaj Govindam by Adi Shankaracharya

‘Charpat Panjarika Stotram’ by Adi Shankara

Bhaja Govindam

Translation and analysis by B. Neelakar, B.P. Shashank Kalyan

Hindoology Books

ISBN 978-81-223-1074-0

Ancient Hindu texts like the Vedas deal with immense depths of philosophy and contain truths which are relevant for time immemorial. Because of difficult language it may not be possible for all to read and learn those evolved texts. Therefore it is very important that gist of those remarkable texts are presented for the younger generation in the simplest ways possible. Through this book which contains at least twelve shlokas from Adi Shankaracharya and many others from his disciples, one can get a good overview of the richest Hindu philosophies. The language of translation is clear and of very high quality. Each shloka contains immense wisdom and encourage us to seek the true purpose of our life.

I recommend this book highly to one and all.

- [Kumar Rahul Tiwary]

Book Review: The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy

‘The Cossacks’

By Leo Tolstoy

‘The Cossacks’ is a wonderful story of a young man who has seen the ‘best’ of the times and has volunteered himself out of a cozy rich life. Having lived carefree high society life for years, Olenin decides to give it up and goes to live the harsh life of a military man in the region of Cossacks. There he discovers his peace of mind and a balance that he was looking for. But things were not to remain just like that. He falls in love and finds himself in conflict with keeping his love or to maintain his friendship with a young Cossack man called Lukashka. He ends his stay by making it a journey and discovers the other side of human faces in the end.

Minutest details are captured so well in this novel, be it geographical or human psychology, that I don’t think any other author will be able to match Tolstoy in this area. It has been an enlightening read.

- [Rahul Tiwary]

Book Review: Sharatchand Ki Sarvshrestha Kahaniyan

‘Sharatchand Ki Sarvshrestha Kahaniyan’ (Hindi)

Raja Pocket Books

ISBN: 81-7604-212-9

This is the first Sharatchand book that I have read so far and what a mesmerizing read it has been! The power of pen, the art of painting human characters as real as one can get, the science of understanding basic human relationships so well, and the enigma of writing stories of the common man; Sharatchand is a gem of a writer!

His first story in this collection, titled “Darp Churn’ (Breaking of her ego) is an extremely touching story of a husband who has been shunned and neglected by her wife only because he can’t earn enough money up to her expectations. It is a story of consistent sacrifices that he makes, of immense pain and suffering that he endures, only to give up on her in the end. The story presents to us another side of Indian women’s psyche which is full of material greed, excessive pride and utter insensitiveness. Second story, called “Raam Ki Sumati” is an equally touching story revolving around sentiments and relationships between a young man and her bhabhi whom he loved as her mother. Perhaps the inquisitive eyes of the neighborhood and their relatives couldn’t tolerate their affection and peace and they set to destroy all that was built over the years. Both these stories are not sad-ending stories but ones which presents hope and give out positive messages.

The book also has some of the author’s personal memoires, like “Balya-Smriti” and ‘Deoghar Ki Smritiyan”. The last story in this collection, called “Lathaiton Ki Kahani” is of completely different taste but as captivating as any other book.

Finishing this book, I am thirstier than before. I hope to read many other books from the author in the coming days.

Book Review: A Well Behaved Woman and other stories by Shweta Thakur

‘A Well Behaved Woman and other stories’

By Shweta Thakur

Mind Melodies

ISBN 13: 978-93-5018-168-3

Any storywriter essentially tells stories which somehow connect with his/her environment. Therefore every great writer has presented a wonderful account of the society and its colors prevalent at his/her lifetime. Shweta Thakur is a young author; trained as a scientist she also worked in a modern workplace. In many ways her book of stories comments on the challenges, dynamics, and varieties present in the modern era, more than anything else. So we get to meet a librarian living in his own world, two young ladies competing fiercely in a competitive system in their own ways, an executive facing ‘mid-life crisis’, and so on. A story titled ‘The Untouchable’ talks about modern women and things like Facebook/Orkut instead of any racist topic. There are human aspects well represented too, like a story titled “Wife of a financial planner”.

As her maiden book, A Well Behaved Woman and Other Stories seems a good starting point. The stories are well developed. With nine stories on variety of topics, the book can connect with young readers very well. The book is also designed beautifully with a stunning cover page and well presented content. We can hope the author to go on her promising writing stint with more variety, depth and then, sky is the limit.

- Rahul

Book Review: Ek Saans Meri by Jyotiparv Prakashan

‘Ek Saans Meri’

Jyotiparv Prakashan

Editors: Rashmi Prabha, Yashwant Mathur

ISBN 978-81-923276-3-1

‘Ek Saans Meri’ is a poetry collection published by Jyotiparv Prakashan, containing representative poems of eight poets including Neelima Sharma. The eight poets are of diverse backgrounds and the reader gets to taste multiple flavors in a single book. Some poems have become very touchy and almost all poets present to us very sensitive poems.

For example here are some lines from Neelima Sharma’s poem titled “Mahakti rasoi” (P94):

Mahakti Rasoi

Mahakta ghar

Woh angithi ke charo taraf

Baith kar khana

Tabhi pakti rotiyan

Woh sarso ka saag

Kundi me kuta hua

Woh ghont ghont kar banai hui kheer

Ek thali me khate sab bachche

Kuchh pake parathe hote kuchh kachche

Aaj haan aaj

Kahan rah gaya hai woh swaad

Another wonderful poem from poetess Anjana Dayal titled “Zara muskura dijiye” (P82):

Hans ke udaasi hara dijiye,

Masle ko na hawa dijiye

Bas, zara muskura dijiye

Yun khafa kya raha kijiye

Kyun sabhi ko saza dijiye

Jee, zara muskura dijiye…

Overall the book is a nice collection of Hindi poetry from contemporary poets and poetesses. A good read and those who love Hindi poems can find this book very interesting.

- Rahul