A literary work of writing becomes strongly relatable when it is born from experiences that touch the heart and lives of the many who live through it or even those who know about. Life and fate play games that can be understood by less, but the effects can be felt by all. “The Khan of Khel Khudai” by Harshaa Bharatula is one such book where life and its unpredictability find an accurate mention and also explore the reasons and happenings in the lives of the characters, simultaneously keeping the political flavor in the backdrop. Set in the lands of Afghanistan and the action swinging between the United Kingdom and Afghan homes as the book progresses, “The Khan of Khel Khudai” has the air of Afghan environment and a close portrayal of life, as it happens there. In light of this, the book becomes both exciting and has the necessary touches of reality which a reader of the foreign or native land would find gripping and fascinating. As the author begins unraveling the plot of the novel, there a sequential development of the lives of the two characters where fate pulls the strings of their lives, and both take an individual course of action. At the same time, the Afghan lands and the political instability and the ripple effects of it find a direct or indirect mention at different stages. While the book remains open to a psychological study of the central characters, it also opens up for examination from a political and sociological standpoint. At the same time, as the action shifts to London time and again, the book shows how events operate on a foreign land far away from home. Although “The Khan of Khel Khudai” is written in a fictional framework, the fact that it is based on events happening, in reality, gives the book the necessary artistic strokes to make it appear true to life. Bharatula creates this in the fiction format, which excites the readers’ imagination and also helps them connect it all with the characters. Alongside, the author gives glimpses into Afghan culture, their lifestyles, social customs and explores the themes of brotherhood, family life, relationships, and the fragments of a life on foreign land. This makes the reading experience diverse, and the readers are able to have their imaginative journey to the land of Afghanistan and feel the life that exists there. Bharatula, in his “The Khan oof Khel Khudai” constructs characters who are a product of both their circumstances and the choices they make in their lives. The book shows the development of their lives in a chronological manner where their lives unfold effortlessly and yet, in an unpredictable manner. He also shows how the political forces hold the fate of all, whether it is the vulnerability of the bureaucracy or the question of the state of common man, the impact and hold of religion; all find mention in the book. Alongside, the book also shows the impacts on the youth who are guided into different directions where they hold their own version of the truth and constructive work. He creates characters who speak for themselves, make their own decisions, and choose their destiny by freeing themselves from the pen of the author. Due to both the subject content and the characters., the book would catch the interest of the readers in no time. At the same time, it would also ensure that they would have a reading experience that may be born from fiction, but the resultant effect is their updated knowledge and awareness about the prevailing situation in Afghanistan. In light of this, recommending this book to all readers may not be wrong. While younger readers would find this book interesting from the fantasy point of view, the grown-up readers would be able to interpret “The Khan of Khel Khudai” from the viewpoint of mature and aware readers. At the same time, some may also find their knowledge being updated or refreshed with new facts about life and how it happens. Written at a time when there is a political change in the land of Afghanistan, “The Khan of Khel Khudai” becomes more important and no less than a record of the present time. Readers of the future would find this book useful in studying the life and fate of the common man of Afghanistan and the situations he faced when there was political turmoil and a situation which was no less than unrest. It would not only give them an idea about the present-day circumstances but would also help them in reaching the roots and understand as to how it would all have conspired. Therefore, recommending this book to not just Indian readers but also the readers of foreign lands would help in opening the eyes of many towards the unspoken truth and hearing the other side of the story. Reviewed By: Akhila Saroha
Book Review : Time Machine and my ten residences by Vijay Kumar Soni
Wonderful work by Author Vijay Kumar Soni (VK). The book is based on the concept of Time Traveling and Time Machine. The story is an amusing one and takes you through the life of VK. To the comparatively younger readers, it may come out as a ludicrous world of high spirit from the bygone eras in the life of Indians. This story is not less than a mix of wit, whimsy and comic banter. In the 1960s – the era in which this journey begins – Indian lifestyle was quite simple. So, it starts with the commuting by tongas, includes luxuries of air travel in th 1980s and merry misadventures of everyday life in the 1990s, through the tech innovations that altered life till the 2000s, up to Indians finding their global presence in 2020. Author VK has properly talked of the Time Machine in terms of flight path and passengers. The machine takes breaks while moving from one destination to the other. He has put his destinations in the form of his past 10 residences in life. He has described his memories related to each residence in the form of short and crisp, sub-titled paragraphs. Written in a reader-friendly language with utter simplicity, the story comes across as a relatable memoir for most Indian readers. What makes it different from the usual writings these days, is that it could have been written in a serious tone but isn’t. Nostalgia is generally supposed to make people emotional. Rarely does a nostalgic text, or any such object for that matter, makes people smile. But here we have VK’s time travel that does. The idea of going down the memeory lane struck the author’s mind during a lockdown period in year 2020. Given the waves of pandemic all around and forced to stay indoors, he decided to sit and watch a movie called Project Papa. In this movie, the daughter worries that her Papa is getting Alzheimer’s and may progressively soon forget everything including her. VK felt the same concern about himself. And in order to avoid falling prey to the issue, he opened the lid of his own time machine and attempted to go back through almost 70 years of his life till then. It wasn’t as simple of him, as it may appear. Disjointed and unrelated thoughts flooded his heart and head. As he describes, to him it felt as if someone stores files randomly without a proper structured filing system and then tries to locate an old file. This is how memories work. Often incorporating new items of the present moment, and old memories get re-stored with all these changes, but without a file recording these changes. This is why we all have some false but mostly true memories.
When Was The Last Time You Read A Book?
An author writes the book, and the reader completes the book.
QUILLS FEELINGS WITHIN – Book Review
Poetry is the form of literary writing that can give words to emotions that would otherwise go unstated in prose writing. “Quills: Feelings Within” by Shivani Garg Parti is a testimony to that.
Margesh Rai’s ‘Khushboo Bikherti Pagdandiyan’ – Book Review
After his debut English poetry collection, which also became an Amazon bestseller, “Poetry: a garland of words,” the young poet Margesh Rai is back with another groundbreaking work, this time in Hindi with the title, “Khushboo Bikherti Pakdandiya.”
Plan Your Diet Like an Expert | Book Review | The Literature Times
Since time immemorial, looking attractive and being fit has always been one of the dominant issues in the minds and hearts of human beings. In light of that, the fashion and beauty industry has been blooming at large and will continue to be so. This, coupled with the prospect of being slim and fit, has always been a prerequisite for a person to look good both on a physical as well as psychological level. But, due to a lack of proper knowledge and guidance, people are misled, and their dreams are not achieved. Eventually, they either lose patience or heart, and they leave the path they had undertaken with zeal. Akanksha Sharma’s book, “Plan Your Diet Like An Expert,” comes as a lifesaver for the many caught in this struggle. “Plan Your Diet Like An Expert” is like a guide for all the people who struggle to get in better shape and boost their confidence. Through her experience and knowledge, Sharma and practical applications of the solutions, she shares guide the readers. At the same time, she also clears many questions that the readers could have and opens their eyes to the myths that may have been clouding their brains because of hearsay and lack of access to the right knowledge. She begins the book on a very personal note, and through the references of her experiences, she gives a pragmatic approach to the burning issue in question, getting fit by following healthy ways. These are the facts that make her work relatable for many at a personal level, at the same time making it practically applicable also. Sharma does not jump into instructing the readers as to what diet they should follow or lay down rules to be followed to lose weight. In “Plan Your Diet Like An Expert” she prepares the foundation the right way; by preparing the readers on a mental level by making them diagnose and understand how their bodies are and how they should approach them. At the same time, she shares clever tricks and hacks to make the journey a happy one instead of one filled with striving or struggling. Hence, the fear of most of the readers is removed, and they are ready to work on themselves with enthusiasm. By the time they are through with the book, many of their misunderstandings would be cleared, and they would be in a different state of mind in comparison to the beginning. Sharma also shares a sample diet plan towards the end, and altogether, this ensures that the readers are ready to participate in the journey that lies ahead. The language that the author uses in “Plan Your Diet Like An Expert” is easy for any reader to understand. Sharma avoids using jargon or any terms that would drive the reader away before even initiating. This makes the book more of a guide and a bedside reading, which the readers can read and get motivated to work on themselves the following day. The author may not be present herelf but “Plan Your Diet Like An Expert” becomes a document of her omnipresence for every one who looks for the right guidance. Apart from this, the author doesn’t digress or waver from the central issue in focus and makes sure that it reaches the readers without testing their patience. In addition, she also updates the readers’ knowledge other than just telling them the facts straight away. This makes the foundational understanding of the readers strong as they can continue to read more books or research in the right direction. Wherever needs are, Sharma gives the details in theory and bullet points form as per her discretion. She shares experiences from her journey and also from the journey of the many others who achieved their goals under her guidance. At the end of every chapter, the author shares a summary of all that the readers have learnt, which is a sort of brushing up of their facts and a revision. Recommending this book to any particular kind of readers would imply doing injustice to the readers themselves. Being healthy, staying fit, and doing this the right way is essential for everyone irrespective of any factors. The readers can read this book for themselves or learn things for their loved ones or just update their existing knowledge. People’s current lifestyle sometimes makes them opt for unhealthy habits, and the year 2020 has made people realize the meaning of being healthy and fit. Therefore, all readers, men or women, should get their hands on “Plan Your Diet Like An Expert” by Akanksha Sharma and update their knowledge, which would be helpful at any juncture of their lives. Even people who do not read books should take this book and keep it as a friend for life and plan their diets like a pro.
When Durga Thought of Divorce | A Short Story By Atrayee Bhattacharya | TLT
The same weird feeling churned her stomach. Absolutely annoying it had become; and since the past month, this had been an unwanted and unwarranted companion of Durga. She lay on that small ramshackle cot and looked at the shelves, hoping to find something to munch. There should be a chips packet no? Rudra da assured her something spicy and tangy would be kept. But no. There was nothing. Absolutely nothing, except for a few biscuits scraping the base of that glass jar. Rudra da’s grandma’s jar. He kept it as a sign of her legacy or love or whatever. Durga stared at that, rather glowered almost and mused if she could hold her hunger for some more time. Second day of Durga Puja, Paromita Aunty might cook some mutton. And probably, like the other day, she would heed Durga’s plight and send a bowl of mutton through Rinku, her ten year old daughter. A gush of air flew in through the window. And, along came the mellifluous drum beats. Durga got up and ran to the window. She glanced at the wall clock. Huh! It had also stopped last night at two. How come she didn’t realize? She was awake the whole night; gathering courage to ask Rudra da for a saree. And she could ask. After six months of marriage, she finally demanded something and even agreed to disown any hope for anything expensive. With tear soaked eyes, she was ready to reconcile even with a simple printed cotton saree if not a Tangail. Bright sunlight and that azure blue sky stretched unendingly with loose white cottony patches of clouds. It looked beautiful; much like a polka dot saree. Like how Priyanka Chopra wore for that award function! Her eyes glittered with that mere thought passing through. At least for that feeble second Durga could knit a fairy tale for herself. Much rewarding actually, than the brutal truth of her present life. Somewhere, it stockpiled a tale of unblemished love, a sketch of that perfect life which Durga had always imagined. She peeped out a little more. Did Maa Durga really live there in the sky? With her four kids and her husband? She pondered. The distant roads, however far her eyes could reach, were all bristling with life. Obviously. It was Kolkata. And it was Durga Puja. Nobody sat idle at home. However, Durga remained locked in her house. Not a single pandal she could visit yet. So what? Even the old man of the opposite house, spending most of his time sitting on that mottled, half broken balcony wouldn’t have been to a pandal. Not only this year, but for many years. Durga sighed at her pitiable consolation. She glanced at that house. She wondered, how two old people could remain alive and agile in that anytime-crumbling building. That house was some 200 years old and could collapse anytime soon. She sighed and doubted if that was the lone one in such a pathetic situation. Absolutely not. Most of the houses around were equally ruined. A string of chants reached Durga. Probably from that next lane pandal. Although faint, she could surmise the priest reciting the Pushpanjali Slokas. How couldn’t she? She was after all brought up amidst the grandeur of Roy Chaudhuri dynasty with a hundred year history of Durga Puja. Tears slid down her cheeks. Was she right in leaving her bloodline; rather everything behind for the sake of love? Durga never understood what Rudra thought of her decision. One fine morning, when she stood at his door carrying a small bag with few clothes, Rudra simply let her in. Neither he questioned nor did he advise. Neither was he angry nor looked happy. Not even a hint of disbelief he showed. He just let her in, closed the door and resumed with his painting. God! Durga could no longer distract her hunger. She opened the jar and chomped down all the biscuits. At least a momentary respite; before Rudra got something for lunch from that adjacent mess. Ugh! She puked. That’s not lunch. A bowl of heavily starched rice, watery dal and some vegetable. Occasionally, a small piece of fish Rudra got, drowned inside a brownish gravy. She scraped the crumbly bottom of the jar and licked her fingers. It was Saptami. Shikha kakima (aunt) and Asha didi (sister) might be busy making khichudi and laabda. Baba (father) might be instructing the cooks to take extra care while frying the fishes. Today he would have brought Rohu and Paabda. Pulav was always prepared for Ashtami bhog. Today, it would be plain rice, roasted moong dal and brinjal fried lengthwise. Durga felt the flush of saliva bickering inside her mouth. No holds barred, Durga was indeed missing her once-upon-a-time luxurious life. She lay down again. Belly cramped a couple of times. She looked at the calendar which Paromita Aunty lent her. It should be her time of the month. However, three months had passed since her last one came. Durga was just nineteen. She had often missed her periods but it had never cramped so badly. Moreover, she had never been into such wicked hunger. Her eyes stared the ceiling fan. Rotating out on a limb, it could stop or fall any day. She had asked Rudra da to replace it and as usual the request was put on hold. Even the slightest of the wind made the left window pane bang onto the grill rods. The stopper on the jamb had broken, what now felt like many eons ago. Many a night, that raucous noise had snatched sleep from her eyes. Strangely, it never disturbed Rudra da. He slept peacefully, lugging that immutable kind smile. Tear drenched, Durga sniffed as she strolled down her memory. One year ago, Rudra da was invited to Roy Chaudhury Nivas for drawing a portrait of Durga’s grandfather, along with the project of painting their years of heirloom. Durga’s eldest cousin, Dipankar had introduced Rudra da to the
Akhila Saroha Reviews The Gifted Words | Author Manish Kumar | The Literature Times
Human lives seem to be a bed of roses when projected in the utopian world. Only on closer reality checks, one understands the little intricacies they embody and the delicate fragments that form emotions. A product of a thorough understanding of these intricacies and observations of life is Manish Kumar’s novel, “The Gifted Words.” After his debut novel, “When Love Happens,” “The Gifted Words” explores life from a different perspective, which also introduces the readers to the multi-dimensional world that Kumar explores through his artistic personality. Kumar’s book begins with a baffling situation where the readers’ curiosity shoots up in wonder as to what events would have conspired in the past. As a narrator, Prince makes sure to reveal details that are enough for the readers to know at that moment. He assumes his roles in the first and third-person whenever required, which detaches the author from the narrative and frees the book from his hold. Sneha’s side is also presented once in a while which also ensures that the readers get to know the stories of multiple families that Kumar tries to traverse. In the midst of this, he talks about various themes and issues that form a fragment of any household. These themes include family, relationships, the fragility of life, living in the moment, happiness in little things, the importance of connectivity to roots, nostalgia, and the beauty of love in any bond. Such themes and ideas given Kumar’s work a Nicholas Sparks’ flavor; however, he maintains his ingenuity by infusing it with lesser pathos. The readers feel close to the characters from the initial stages of “The Gifted Words” and remain connected till the very last words. Mature readers would find their interest in being in the instant hold of the book as it presents life’s realities in the face of it without any tampering or sugar-coating. Structurally, the novel is finely paced and does not let the readers lose track of any event anywhere. They remain in tune with the narrative throughout. It features a variety of characters, but the central characters do not leave the stage even in their absence. Minor characters give their contribution as per needs. All readers who want to read a work that is infused with emotion, thoughtfulness, and maturity to understand life as it happens should take Kumar’s book for reading. It presents life’s realities, subtly and gracefully, making the book easily acceptable to the readers in an effortless style. Although his works feature youngsters, these youngsters represent the first impressions of the experiences life gives and how a young mind would respond when put in such situations. Hence, perceiving any work in the bracket of literary writing meant for young folks would not suggest doing complete justice to the kind of audience the work appeals to.
Anjali Mishra Reviews ‘The Perfect 5’ Authored by Abhay N Singh
Abhay has used his experiences and knowledge to give a perfect shape to this book. This book is designed and developed to enhance the skills and personality. It is a complete professional guide that will help you to achieve your goals. This book covers the most important topics like interviews, group discussion, effective communication, presentation, etiquette, and manners. Thus, the name ‘The Perfect 5’. It is for all professional and competitive students. The motive is to shape the career of many aspiring students and job seekers. The book has been published by Evincepub Publishing (www.evincepub.com) and now available worldwide. Anjali Mishra at The Literature Times, reviews the book ‘The Perfect 5’. Author Abhay N Singh Abhay N Singh is an MBA. By profession, he is a trainer, motivator and writer. He is the founder of ACEL (Ambient Centre for English Language), an institute for language and personality development. He trains professional students and also, he has been connected with TV Media. He has been a part of Live TV debate shows like “Dial C for Cricket” in NEO SPORTS CHANNEL at MUMBAI. He also writes columns and journals in leading newspapers. Abhay is planning to launch some more books on topics like ‘Defuse the Depression’, ‘Crack the Interview Trap’, ‘How to Be a Self-made’ to name a few.