The Heart of Ramayana

Many a times, I have heard my mother mention about the greatness of Sundara Kandam in Ramayana. As a brief prelude, Ramayana - the great epic is divided into seven kandams or portions namely the Bala Kandam, Ayodhya Kandam, Aranya Kandam, Kishkinda Kandam, Sundara Kandam, Yuddha Kandam and Uttara Kandam. But it is often mentioned that even if one has not read Ramayana in entirety, reading Sundara Kandam with utmost devotion can equal reading the epic itself. Sundara Kandam is famously stated as the Heart of Ramayana.  

My mother's multiple and casual mention of the power of Sundara Kandam made me look for it on www.flipkart.com - an online book portal. The search landed me at this book - The Hidden Gems in Sundara Kandam by K. Lakshman, the original rendition of this book in Tamil by Amman Sathiyanathan. The book priced at Rs 150 on this site presents Sundara Kandam in easy to understand English with beautiful illustrations, in black and white. In this book, the heart of Ramayana is rendered in a tale like format. 

The book begins with a prologue elaborating importance of Sundara Kandam in Ramayana, why it is named so, what portion of the great epic does it span, why it is revered as the Heart of Ramayana. The author explains different versions of Ramayana he has referred to in writing this book. The next portion is the tale itself - Sundara Kandam beginning with Hanuman's crossing the sea in search of Sita, surveying Lanka, meeting Sita in Ashoka vana, setting Lanka ablaze thereafter in a bid to scare Ravana, crossing the sea again to meet Rama and convey the news - "Sighted Sita". 

The story telling is not abrupt as chosen/necessary references are taken from previous portions to complete the reader's understanding. The epilogue section sails seamlessly with brief accounts from Yuddha Kandam and Rama Pattabishekham (coronation ceremony after return from forest exile for 14 years) providing the neat end. Many important questions that hit the reader's mind during elaboration of the tale are discussed with authors' opinions and answers in the epilogue section. 

No Sanskrit verses in here, no heavy prose, this book is meant for all those who wish to do some devout reading of something godly and spiritual, not merely a one time read and definitely not a "finish in one go" book too. 

Cover of the Book

Illustration showing Sita handing over her crest jewel to Hanuman in Ashoka Vana, Lanka

Illustration showing Hanuman setting Lanka on fire, his tail ablaze

Roald Dahl: My Favorite Author

Enter the colorful, illustrious world of Roald Dahl, you emerge out of it, happy and content like a small child. During childhood days, I immersed myself into books by Enid Blyton - The Magic Faraway Tree, The Enchanted Wood, Malory Towers, Famous Five series, The Secret Seven series and Little Noddy series as well to name a few. These books, along with illustrated classics pocket series of books (titles like David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, Black Beauty, Robin Hood, Three Musketeers etc) were never laid to rest until they were completed, even at the cost of a sumptuous meal or good night's sleep. 

Years later, the same satisfaction and child-like happiness sprouts from books written by Roald Dahl. In my library lies the author's books - The Phizz Whizzing Collection and The Collected Short Stories of Roald Dahl and they are my cherished possessions. 

The Phizz Whizzing collection is a set of 15 books, heavily illustrated, largely meant for children. But wait, there is nothing stopping us grown ups from having the fun. The collected short stories of Roald Dahl is an amalgamation of his books, an omnibus containing stories from SWITCH BITCH, KISS KISS, OVER TO YOU, SOMEONE LIKE YOU and Eight Further Tales of the Unexpected. This book, though non illustrious, has spine chilling and nerve racking twist in each tale.  

My first introduction to Roald Dahl was in school, we had the story Umbrella Man in our English Textbook, I am not sure which grade though. It was a very funny story and I was glad to read it again many years later in the Collected Short Stories book. 

The world of Roald Dahl is magical, simple stories that entice people across all ages. A visit to the author's official website will lend an insight into this world - http://www.roalddahl.com/ 

Trying to get back to heavy reading habit with severe intent - I have completed 10 titles of the 15 books set - Phizz Whizzing collection and two sections in the Collected Short Stories book. 

Every book in the Phizz Whizzing collection comes alive with superb illustrations by Quentin Blake. At the end of each book lies some information about Roald Dahl, information on his daily routine, his writing hut where stories used to cook and churn like magic potions, snippets of his childhood and some adventures. 

Of the 15 book series, Boy - Tales of Childhood and Going Solo are stories of Roald Dahl's personal life, not a boring autobiography but a very beautifully conceived insight into some memorable moments he experienced as a child and as an adult when serving for the RAF during Second World War times. The other titles in this collection are fun packed, smile assuring, complete in one-go stories. 

So come on, stop being a Bootboggler, pick up Roald Dahl's book before your head get Rotsome with everyday mundane routine. Do not watch Telly Telly Bunkum box , serials aired in it have Chatbags in them, nah no recreation. Put the serious fiction right into the bin, sheer Glubbage it is, savor yourself and rekindle some of those lively, happy go lucky childhood days by grabbing some Scrumdiddlyumptious books by Dahl. Wondering what all this bingo lingo means - take a plunge into this whole new world :)  

Book Review: 7 Secrets of Vishnu

When I received a shipment of this book titled - 7 Secrets of Vishnu written by Devdutta Pattanaik from Flipkart at my office, I had two of my colleagues questioning me my age and if everything was OK with me, why I was reading this book? Devdutta Pattanaik's books are exactly of the sorts that break this notion most have on books on God and Mythology - that they are meant only for elderly and ones in immense trouble. 

I came to know of the author when his book titled Jaya (an illustrated retelling of Mahabharata) made it to the top selling book brigade. There are other titles too, written by him - Myth=Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology, 7 Secrets of Hindu Calendar Art, 99 thoughts on Ganesha and 7 Secrets of Shiva that are immensely popular. 

7 secrets of Vishnu, as hinted by the title, is split into seven chapters - Mohini's secret, Matsya's secret, Kurma's secret, Trivikrama's secret, Ram's secret, Krishna's secret and Kalki's secret. 

The book on each page is marked by illustrations on the left hand side and written information on the right hand side. I captured a few images of the inside of the book -

Devdutta Pattanaik's 7 secrets of Vishnu is meant for all who have missed out on mythological tales, normally handed over by grandparents during one's childhood days, for all who love to know more about their favorite Gods and Goddesses. Tales of purpose and intent of each incarnation of Vishnu are discussed in very simple and easy to understand language. The font is bold and many illustrations with labels explaining them stand to elucidate the seemingly complex divine concepts. These aspects of the book only broadens the audience the book caters to. The book explains quite clearly many of the symbols and figures we see on temple walls, inside the sanctum etc. 

The first chapter - Mohini's secret explains mutually exclusive but quintessential spheres of material and spiritual growth. Matsya's secret tells the tale of the avatar and explains how man alone, with a larger brain has the power to imagine, empathise and exploit. Kurma's secret reveals the act of churning of ocean. Trivikrama's secret deals with tales of Varaha, Narasimha and Vamana avatars of Vishnu. 

The chapter on Ram's secret deals with understanding dharma based on one's Varna and Ashrama. Here, incarnations of Parashuram marking the end of Krita yuga, Ram marking the end of Treta Yuga, reasons behind their actions are explained in detail. 

Krishna's secret emphasizes on thought behind an action. Many complex decisions are taken by this avatar to deal with changing times of Dwapara Yuga. The book ends with Kalki's secret where incarnations like Balarama and Kalki do not take an active course of action like other Vishnu's incarnations to root out injustice and evil but recede passively, allow things to wane to complete the Kalpa or world cycle so that a new one can begin. 

The book will provide answers on why Brahma is never worshipped, explain how Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu were once the gate keepers Jaya and Vijaya of Vaikunta, why Lakshmi has an owl along with her in most pictures, why Narada triggers trouble wherever he goes, how Bhagavatha Purana came into being and many interesting aspects. 

If you want to take a break from routine fiction and non-fiction related to travel/history - here is a good read. I am not rating this book on a scale of 5 or 10, I will just say, I enjoyed reading it thoroughly. The book is meant to be read slowly and details assimilated carefully. It is not a one time read, I would love to get back to few chapters time and again to refresh some details. I also procured a copy of 7 secrets of Shiva by the same author, I am sure I can unravel few more secrets by reading it. 

I could not find a better day than today (Vaikunta Ekadeshi - Jan 5, 2012) to write about this book. Well written, adequately illustrated and highly informative, 7 secrets of Vishnu helps one to gain better understanding of one's faith. 

Ultimate Urge to KILL ....

Peculiar things snowball into a PHENOMENON ...lesson learnt from year 2011, right on time when it is about to end. 

I had, for long, refrained from writing down a post on this topic - quite consciously. I did not want to give it my share of attention. The topic barely required it as it had garnered copious and unimaginable proportions of interest from many quarters - far and near, known and unknown. 

Why this KOLAVERI DI? Precisely, this post hovers around the new found national rage. 

To start with, it all seemed rather peculiar when I found a video on Facebook liked multiple (better said innumerable) times over a span of week. The feeling was reaffirmed when a fellow colleague at work, hailing from North India, requested me to explain the word "kolaveri" . I summed it up as an uncontrollable rage to KILL. The feeling lingered on with Times of India blog featuring 5-6 articles using Kolaveri Di theme that week. The theme was funnily extended to the release of Kanimozhi (2G spectrum scam case) from Tihar jail, an article quoted Stalin,  her brother wondering "Why this Kanimozhi Di"?  

Over the next few weeks, I felt very peculiar when I received an IT (Information Tech industry)  version of this song as an email forward. Then, I saw the original version sung by Dhanush and felt the IT version of the song fit IT folks' bill well. Sonu Nigam's very young son sang the song throwing in his "apt for kids" modifications. Kids in my street assembled and sang this song like an anthem, once (at least) every evening before they commenced playing. They ensured they emulated the minor nuances and naughty expressions of the song well - Kaila Glass .. only English .. , Mama notes eduthukko, Papapa Papapa etc .. They appeared thoroughly enthralled while singing. 

Recently, I found it fantastically peculiar when I saw a snippet of Dhanush's LIVE performance of the song in a New Year Celebration show hosted by Salman Khan, arranged by BIG Entertainment. The show is expected to be aired on Star Plus channel on New year's eve. Abhishek Bachchan tweets - Dhanush is his great friend and is extremely talented, Dhanush is seen singing a special Kolveri version for his friends' daddy dear - Big B on stage, talks are doing rounds on how Dhanush is planning to roll out a HINGLISH (Hindi + English) version of Kolaveri Di song, all by himself. 

Going a step further, it becomes fantabulously peculiar when the Indian PM invites Dhanush to render this song in front of Japanese PM who is on a visit to India to sell nuclear technology and sign deals for bullet trains. Looks like Dhanush's Why this Kolaveri Di? will oil the deal well and ensure smooth completion of work for our Indian government which is already tired of Lokpal and like hurdles. The Indian Government is quite like the soup boys who have no choice who figure in Dhanush's song.

The Japanese PM, I guess, will demand from Dhanush, a Japanese version of his song so that back in their country, they can sing the song in face of an impending Tsunami and many a typhoon, try to reduce the rage of such calamitous forces. The Indian cricket team too, I hear, loves Dhanush's song. Apparently, they believe, the music director of the song - Anirudh resembles their fellow team mate Ishant Sharma too very closely. 

Now, the sense of peculiarity attached with Dhanush's song, its lyrics, the song's rendition and music has ended, become all too familiar for me. My 2 and 1/2 year old nephew sings the song on phone specially for me - very cutely, with the whiteu whiteu blacku blacku extensions rendered correctly. At this age, he asserts that white skin girlu girlu has heart that is blacku blacku :) I can do nothing but LOL and ROFL. 

I do not intend to analyse here what worked with the song and why it is such a huge hit. I am sure we would have read articles of the likes -  "10 reasons why Kolaveri Di works". I also do not want to debate if the mammoth attention the song and its artist have received is in place or out of place. I am sure Barkha Dutt, Sagarika Ghosh and Arnab Goswami will do and would have done the needful in this aspect. 

My blog is titled - Furore Scribendi, furore means a rage, not kolaveri but veri (folks with Tamil background can understand this well, but thanks to Dhanush now, I am sure even rest of the nation will make an effort to understand). Furore Scribendi refers to an urge, madness or a frenzy to write. Therefore, not writing in this space about something that has whirl winded into becoming a national rage will be an unforgivable mistake. 

New Year ... around the corner

2011 is quickly coming to an end ... a new year is about to begin soon ... very soon :)

I have, in recent past, gained this practice of buying copies of Manorama Year Book or say any other compilation that grasps details of all major events in India and world around new year time. In fact, on New Year's day, I buy a copy of the newspaper - The Hindu (the one I grew up reading) and carefully preserve the 4-6 page section/segment that covers events of 2011. 

The problem I faced with Manorama Year Books is that these are bulky, drab and small fonted; a stockpile of details -  apt for a civil services exam aspirer, in my opinion. I have their entries for 2009 and 2010 but managed to turn only a few pages, barely 20%. For the year 2011, I bought a pocket yearbook - much thinner, released by IIPM publishing house, more like a general knowledge info bank. 

Casual browsing through new collections in a Reliance Time out, close to my office, brought me to a very colorful book - Hachette Children's Yearbook and Infopedia 2012. This colorful book with vital information in it of many events of the year comes along with a free CD - full of famous quotes and quotations on varied topics. I purchased a copy of this book from www.crossword.in - online shopping portal. This book marked for sale at Rs 275 in stores is available at crossword online portal for Rs 207. 

The contents of this book suffices my interests. There is no excess information and the way facts are presented is awesome. Bold lettering, different colors, the scheme of presentation is perfect for a casual summation of news of year 2011. Below are the sections into which the book is divided -

1. News : India 
2. News: World
3. ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Recap
4. Awards and Award winners
5. The year ahead - peek at 2012 Olympics
6. Countries of the world (A-Z)
7. Know your Planet 
8. History section 
9. India : States and Union Territories 
10. Literature 
11. Movies 
12. Science 
13. Space 
14. Sports
15. Diary - 2012 Calendar and Year Planner for you 

Each of the sections numbered 6-14 has a brief quiz session at its end with answers provided at the end of the book. The topics organization and extent of details are good for adults who are not so serious about every iota of detail in 2011. I prefer this colorful summation of 2011 by Hachette to Manorama series of which I have , now, got terribly bored. Though the title reads "for children", the book has many a detail that can fill in empty pockets of our heads too. 

Happy Reading and Happy 2012 :)