A Folk Festival of Arunachal Pradesh

 

Yesterday, I have received a unique souvenir from the state of Arunachal Pradesh. It's all about a Folk Festival of Singpho race, and which has been running since 1985 to the present year. Dr. Gumlat Ong Maio, one of its editorial members has been rushed it on my request. My only quest for knowing the culture and heritage of North Eastern states made me  read the material of its kind. This festival happened in the month of this February. But creating a book out of immense articles, photos and other contributions is  something like not an easy work. 

This souvenir got printed in a beautiful way with the articles of many sorts like Youngsters who penned for an essay competition, other ones focused on Singpho's Folk life. By the way, the festival is called by Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi. And it's the 38th year of celebration. Though, Singphos are basically Budhists, they are always trying to keep up their age old unique customs. Nat-Worshipping is the name for it. Many photographs of various cultural activities placed in this publication.

Some articles are in English and some are in their own native language, of course, with using English alphabets. Congratulatory messages from the Governor of the state and other dignitaries added. Bordumsa is the place where all these activities has taken place. My blog readers could already have known about the Dr. Gumlat Ong Maio was a well known writer apart from being a medical doctor. And his book was also reviewed in this blog some time back.  

  

"Fathers and Sons" a novel by Ivan Turgenev

 

(Google pic)

Ivan Turgenev's  novel "Fathers and Sons" comes to our mind when we ever thought of the ideology of  Nihilism. What is it all about and what kind of impact it laid on the generation of nineteenth century..? For all that, we have to read this novel. We can also know that how the philosophical currents of France and Germany influenced the whole Russia. Slavs of various countries like Bulgaria, Poland and other countries have common cultural framework and they are proud of being apart from western European influence. Even in Russia there was considerable chunk of population who support the idea of  Slavophile. Russian Orthodox Church played vital role in it.

Well, what is the concept of Nihilism..? ,broadly speaking, it  rejects all kinds of religious and moral values and opposes all kinds of authorities. Without proper scientific examination and scrutiny, Nihilists don't accept anything. Practical approach in everything. This novel based on the life of a nihilist. His name was Bazarov. Human life can be lived with some principles but at the same time it's very difficult to stick to them in all conditions.   

Now, let's get into the story. It was in the month of May,1859. A gentleman named by Nikolai Kirsanov was waiting for his son at the wayside of his nearby village. His son Arkady was studying at St.Petersburg university. His son arrived with his friend Bajarov. Nikolai received them wholeheartedly. Nikolai was a land owner of 5000 acres and owned 200 serfs also. Bajarov soon was disapproved by Nikolai and his brother Powell. Reasons are simple but bigger enough for the brothers of Nikolai to hate him.

Bajarov criticized Nikolai's liking towards classical music, poetry of Pushkin and other habits of  appreciation of Russian history. Nikolai argued that not every old thing is to be hated. With Powell too, he maintained strained relation. Bazarov criticized even Powell for his passion for English way of dressing and their magazines. Arkady placated his father and uncle when they were angry about Bazarov's character. Strangely enough, Bazarov later fell in love with Anna Odinstsova. He lost his  scientific temperament in this matter and also with the maid who kept by Nikolai. Bazarov was bound to face duel with Powell. There were many layers in the story. One should read it for having the real pleasure. 

He did not lead a happy life even with his parents because of his nihilistic approach of life. At last, he died when he was conducting an autopsy. It showcased the thinking trends of Rural and urban areas of  Russian society. This novel published in 1862 in Russian language. And made a sensation. Translated into English in the year of 1867. Captured the attention of whole Europe and was followed by Leo Tolstoy.

"The Brothers Karamazov" : An epic novel of Dostoevsky

 I have recently gone through this much talked about novel ,"The Brothers Karamazov". And I would like to share my astounding thoughts in brief. Already a lot of people came out with their own interpretations on the theme,principal characters,ethical debates and so on.Trying my best to pick out some unique characters in the novel. In attitude and outlook,they would get us petrified and protracted. It's truly a classic novel.Not an easy reading at all.One should put a period of at least 15 days aside to read and understand its quality of eternity and spirit of life pestering questions.People simply say that it's a tale of murder mystery.And of course,that's true to some extent but it's far beyond such conclusion.To stir the attention of common reader,Dostoevsky might have taken such exterior and in reality he churned the entire human struggle in its interior layers.   

The descriptions some times longer than what we have expected but all these are worth reading.For example,it took almost fifteen pages when Alyosha entered the house of Ilyusha,the stone pelting brat, and was introduced to the family members of that drunkard captain. But there was a beauty in every sentence of that episode.Not only that,the psychological conditions of three characters like Lice,Father Ferapont and Michael,the brother of Zosima the elder.Lise,the crippled and rich young girl how she had tried to seduce the monastic young disciple Alyosha was a message to all spiritual seekers.The trickier part is when he yielded to household life with her,she intrigued to switch her priority to his brother by requesting a letter to pass him.

Father Ferapont was another character.He was an ascetic with extreme fasting by taking very little bread ,that too with  three or four days gap.Egoistic about his practices while he always was criticizing the elder Zosima for his popularity among the people.He didn't like confession taking from fellow brothers.And he was claiming that ghosts would personally talk to him,especially those who live on the trees of premises of monastery. The reader could identify many people with this character.His way of dressing,behaviour and talking ,everything could be seen in front of us. Dostovesky's selection of words,pattern of speaking styles invariably awesome.

Michael-the elder Zosima's brother, who was the reason to Zosima's saint like transformation was in fact nearing his death.How a human heart responds to the breath taking nature's bounty when it's under the knowledge of final journey was revealed through this character.The way he spoke with a bird and all other trivial activities strikes an unknown chord in us.Any many other things I like about this time tested novel.But it would be continued in the days to come whenever I feel for it.But it is wonderful to know that all this heavy duty psychological and philosophical thriller was written before Freud  came into arena with his groundbreaking psychoanalysis theories.

----Murthy KVVS

A Review on my Kindle E-book

The Guest Obsessed ---------------------------------- This is the first story in KVVS Murthy' stories book "The Riverside man and other short stories". I am too obsessed with this story. I don't know whether there is true "love at first sight " or not but surely that is true when a human being encounters an animal. If you love and treat them at first sight, a melancholic relationship develops and later on their sudden disappearance makes you to feel the pain, whenever you happen to see the place where you saw them first with a loving attitude. If you tame or I'll treat them they become a menace to you in course of time and you will be constrained to adopt even inhuman methods to get rid of them. The story depicts this truth in a beautiful manner. The language in story is simple and touching. From the very moment I saw the cover page of story my inner voice told me perhaps stories might be beautiful in this book and the very first story provide that my premonition was correct.🙏 -----Reviewed by R.S.Venkateswaran

(IF YOU WISH TO HAVE THE BOOK FOR FREE Click here for details & DON'T FORGET TO WRITE YOUR REVIEW ON THE AMAZON PAGE)

The Dark Arena : A novel by Mario Puzo

I resumed reading this Puzo's novel in a journey. In fact, I should have read it long back since myself was and is an ardent fan of him for many of his deceptive tale telling techniques. This novel sets in the backdrop of second world war. Walter Mosca was a young war veteran of American origin. He returned to Germany after a few of days spent in his hometown,refusing a marriage proposal from Gloria. He also denied his mother's advice to settle down in a different way.

One fine morning, he sets out to the war zone of Berlin. Mosca met his German girl friend Fella again. War rules don't permit a relationship with local people. But you know love is blind as the age old adage goes by. In course of time, Fella became pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy. He started his efforts to take Fella and the son to the US and for which some important legal papers to be approved by higher officials. There were some people who keeps playing against it.

The real troubles came upon while Fella caught up with he health problems. Military doctors were to  answer their superiors when they treated outsiders. It made the couple irksome to come up with their real identities. Mosca compelled to have drugs by adapting foul play or she would get affected miserably. Surprisingly, the most wanted currency then was not dollars or marks or anything else,but American cigarettes. In black market, those crates have great demand. He exchanged them for medicines. However, his son and girlfriend died due to the timely medical treatment at the bay.At last, he returned to the US  leaving his second son with a care taker in grief.

What Mario Puzo did want to tell us by this piece of work..? Well, the cruel face of war surfaced with many implications. Not only that, the way how Germans were being treated by the victorious nations was also described. Frankly speaking, this would nothing to do with Mafia like themes since Mario Puzo was acclaimed for his crime,manipulation,betrayal and Mafiaso saga.This novel had been written in 1955. That means his very first novel and it saw no big success comparing to The God Father. Perhaps he could have shifted to the genre of crime fiction seeing its fall.

But for some curious reason,I liked it for its quality of warmth,war time love and historical importance in descriptions. It showcased a different Puzo in spirit. He could definitely have inspired from Dostoevsky while he was writing some parts dealt with psychological suffering of the lovers and societal indifference towards human values. ---Murthy Kvvs            

The Riverside Man & Other Short Stories By Murthy KVVS

Sucharitha Publications

First print: June 2019

Pages:71

Price: Rs.100/-

For Copies: Navodaya Book house, Kachi guda, Hyderabad-500 027

                    Mobile:90004 13413

Murthy's "The Riverside Man&Other short stories" comprises of eleven enthralling short stories. He beautifully encapsulates his diverse experiences in these stories. This is his maiden attempt in English but he has successfully penned four titles in Telugu. His multiple interests in social activities speculate in these stories that will make you laugh and learn.

"The Guest Obsessed" articulates about obsession. Obsession with anyone or anything considers unscrupulous. This story brilliantly encompasses the obsession of monkeys and it's both consequences.

"Missing of an Old Woman" highlights the schizophrenia that rampant in the society. Every three out of five persons suffer from this chronic disease. One need not run away from harsh reality while one needs to face it boldly and find out solutions. This old woman has been portrayed symbolically and suggests that she can be anyone in the world. She roams and rests carelessly and recklessly by the side of dividers. The story emphasizes that our moral duty is to send off schizophrenic persons to hospitals rather we stand, stare and laugh at them.

"Rajanikant" The very name of this short story refers to Tamil superstar Rajanikant. Yes, it is because one of the students changed his name and is being called as Rajanikant. But after the headmaster's admonishing, he sticks to his original name and now continues his studies with pursuing business administration. It will definitely remind your "childhood should be like that, fun and frolic"(23)

"A Burial Ground and Memoirs" reveals the strong connection that lies between the place and our old experienced memories. Memory keeps us haunting and longing for bygone days and this story refreshes and rejuvenates the reminiscences.

"On the Fateful Day...!" reveals one's unplanned journey of life as one needs to adjust with moving time's plan. In one's life, everything occurs unpredictably in the domain of universal force.

"Dantewada" stresses on atrocities and terrorism. It also highlights the pathetic conditions of underpaid teachers and they are compelled to work another business to cope up in life.

"A Boulder in Stream" elucidates the story of a backbencher, silent, reticent boy. The teacher scolds him without knowing his mental condition for not responding to him. When the teacher came to know his family split through another student then he accepts his fault and said sorry. He says sorry to him.

"Polling Duty" energetic and enthusiastic spirit for one's work defeats the hunger of the stomach for sometimes. They work without having food but engulfing water time and again.

"The Riverside Man" deals with a missing girl and saint. The missing girl is found but can the life of saint valuable for his/her family? Why not her/his family members bring him back? The saint sits beside the river and chant deeply. When the narrator questions his life and belongingness and he politely replied and states everything is uncertain except death then why do we worry about. Enjoy each and every moment of your life.

"Memorabilia" throws light on the nostalgia of the CIIL Campus, Mysore. The author shares his varied experiences about visiting R.K.Narayan's house, nearby places like Coorg, Ooty, Nagara Hole etcetera and his encounters with diverse culturally and linguistically persons.

Murthy's each and every story carries a pinch of mystery that tightly intact your interests in these stories till you finished them off. These stories contemplate various societal issues at the same time advocate for moral lessons. Geographical locations and descriptions accentuate on the staunch and unfading memories of the author. His narration is flawless, lucid and coherent.

               -----Reviewed by Shivnath Kumar Sharma (Research Scholar),

                                         Dept. of English, Pondicherry University

                                         Puducherry- 605014 

A Story compilation "Twenty Tales" by Rabinarayan Senapati

One window takes us into another window.Sometimes to a shore of exotic exhortations.That's what the vibrant side of  internet.The story writer got released this book in the hands of veteran writer Sri Manoj Das and the same pictures attracted my attention while browsing the concerned FB page.That's how things get streamlined to have a copy of "Twenty Tales" written by Rabinarayan Senapati.

Let me speak out a few words as I have finished the reading a couple of days back.There are twenty stories in the compilation as the title corresponds.Some are small and some are big in size.However above 215 pages altogether.Madhubana hills and its surrounding villages of Odisha state encompassed in most of the stories with extracting hues of people life.Writer told it in a palpable spirit to provide the glimpses of human's woes and blues.How industrialization took a toll in the lives of go simple and happy villagers was described in stories like "Return of the Axe and Ghuguniwala of Madhubana" etc.

You would feel being in Madhubana with its characters like Lalu,a small time vendor who experiments with his life on the advent of industries in his locality and Bidisha,a destitute woman lost all her property as she was devoid of worldly ways.A Saudi returned Mirza Ayub' resolve towards newly usurped phenomena,all these take readers into the vicinity of Madhubana.Almost 10 stories based on this landscape and the happenings were not of fiction but the results of colossal development spree.

And there were other stories like caste,tryst with destiny,daktarbabu so on.Able disabled filled with light sarcasm while Old students association brings out the love and affection of buddies about their college days.One Rajendra depicted in this can be seen out in the world with true love towards his old friends of college.A literature farmer's suicide based on award wapasi incident which carried a message about ossified ideologies.

Senapati's style of writing is simple,straight and crispy.No unnecessary bombastic linguistic show off to confuse the reader.He wants to convey what Madubana quintessentially was and is with ever changing situations.He sincerely confessed his possible short comings as he was being occupied with his profession of medical doctor.However it proved an added strength while writing about corporate hospital strategies and other details in many stories.---   Murthy K v v s 

Camouflage of warfare of Modern era : The future of cyber warfare

To begin the short write-up on this wonderful book,I would like to tell you some thing about Mr.Manojit Das,who co-authored  the venture.He happens to meet me at Mysore.Unplanned in every way.Looked sober,humble and brilliant.On exchanging of thoughts,he revealed that he had been pursuing his studies on Cyber crime at Madras university and dispensing services as an ethical hacker too.That makes me intrigued to have his book to give a study,at least for self enlightenment on the much discussed and sought after subject.

Mr.Manojit Das rushed the same.Thanks for that.The book covered a lot of information on security challenges emerging from the cyber crime,so vividly with the context of Indian networks.At present,every walk of citizens' life intertwined with the web space,be it e-commerce,online banking or any transaction.All this made us comfortable and the same time vulnerable to the security threats.Right now,even nations keep waging wars online by attacking with their honed up technological advancements.Sea,Land,Air warfare now extended to cyber space.

Cyber attacks,the news related to it are being read almost everyday.Our comfort zone turns catastrophic all of a sudden,yes..every possibility is there.Then how to cement the loopholes.How to beware of it and be tackling the given situations,all these were extensively discussed in the book.Sophisticated cybercriminal are increasing to steal the information or destroy critical infrastructure.This publication is very timely with throwing enlightenment on the concerned things.As it puts in the pages of the book,this war carried out today and will be carried out tomorrow.

I congratulate Mr.Manojit Das profusely, for his valuable contribution on the much sought after subject.Let the more laurels be showered upon him in the days to come.Interested people can contact the publisher to get the copy or you can also buy  it from Amazon.Publishers:Shiva prakashan,G-10,Shri Ganesh complex,Khajuri bazar,Indore-452002 (M.P) MOB: 094251 25580. ---Murthy K V V S

The Bulldozers : A review on Manoj Das novel

The Bulldozers, a novella authored by Manoj Das.Needless to say about his indomitable writing skills as a bilingual author.This story serialized  in the prominent publications way back in sixties yet,has its own relevance with the present day.It was a satire on surface but a chord of compassion strikes somewhere in the heart of reader,we remain clueless who to blame at the end.However things went that way in the mundane world.

Let's get into the story.Ravi was a library in-charge in a modest town.The library was a private one founded by Roy institute.His dream is to have a house.Ravi also works as a small time reporter for a local daily called Simhanaad to earn some extra bucks.One day,a gentle man Rabindra Mohan Das came to his library with a recommendation letter from the trustee and his wish was to conduct a meeting in the memory of deceased writer of letters to the editor , late Pran Mohan.He checked auditorium,mike and chairs for the forth coming event.

Pamphlets  distributed widely and one Prem Nayak has been fixed as the chief speaker.Alas,on the De day ,no body turned up to fill up the seats.Even including Prem Nayak,Rabindra Mohan Das was suffering from fever and his message was sent through his grand daughter Geetha.Both have bound to finish the meeting without any other person.Here the description was hilarious  that how literary events went on with high sounding jargon even while attendance of people was zero.

There was another episode of  Sahitya sabha , conducted by central government,for which Ravi was made secretary to lead the committee.Writers' verbal fighting over different opinions display inside politics of people of letters.And this hullabaloo made municipality workers bizarre and ultimately astonished by knowing it all a theoretical discussion.

Ravi and Geeta got married at last and bought a house to start their life.On the occupation moment,there was a great problem never expected welcome them.Bulldozers keep hitting his new found home.With full police security.Then he understood how he got the house at the throwaway price,the owner concealed the truth of demolition orders from the authorities.

Almost every page packed with humor and satire which spoke volumes of every day life experience.Humans true behavior revealed in the carefully chosen characters.Every budding and veteran writer showcased quintessentially.Through a lot of chuckles , this will land up the reader into a melancholic plane as how innocence was harnessed to have hell of a headache.

Once again, thanks to Dr.Kulamani Dash ji for gifting me this stupendous work of Sri Manoj Das.   

Jack London's White Fang

" White Fang " is the book which I have read some days back and It makes me changing my perspective about bovine world.It's all about a wolf - dog in brief.Transforming from a naive,cute and cave ridden puppy to a ferocious fighter in the betting games.Also he traveled to San Francisco with his new master and learned how to live in compact along with other pets and people.It's author Jack London keeps us engaged all along the story telling,of  which an animal voiced his woes,pleasures,struggles some times more fatal  incidents that could turn one meeting death for sure.

Jack London style of telling is objective.And the wolf dog was no way inferior as a whole comparing to any human being to have led an eventful life.White Fang was a hybreed offshoot,born for a wolf and a dog in the forests of Arctic area.So his appearance,strength and swiftness was different.Gray Beaver, his first master gave him that name in the woods.As a puppy, White fang was happy in the cave and his meat was provided by the mother.

He often touches the walls of the cave to ascertain the length and breadth of the world,after some more days he realized that there was unknown space outside it as there were rays seen coming through the entrance of his cave.Gradually he keeps going outside and trying to eat small birds,eggs and reptiles.But a lynx suddenly attacked it to kill,fortunately he got helped by his mother's timely arrival.

White fang learns the first lesson that he should not overpower bigger animals and confine to only small ones.As months go by,he accompanied his mother in acquiring food,one fateful day both were caught by two human beings and brought to the camp where he met other dogs and internal fights were started.Lip-Lip was another one that always tried to bully White Fang whenever he chanced upon.

White fang learns tricks to avoid Lip-Lip and kept sinking his sharp teeth on his enemy when his mother was around.He grasps how to obey his master to get more meat.He grows well and his muscle,bristle and knack for fighting got improved.No dog  challenged his power as he would kill anyone in minutes and he also came to know that he was a special creature with his enviable intelligence and strength.

His demand makes his master to sell him another one for profit thus he was brought to Yukon to fight in betting games and that got his new master rich.But White Fang receives severe wounds now and then in addition with clubbing by his master.In one fight, he was near to death.At that time, he was brought by another human master to land in San Francisco.This was another kind of world.Here I stop for a reason,simply to make you enthusiastic about forth coming events. Sure you appreciate the skillful  work of Jack London for his keen eyes for the world of animals.
                                               --Murthy Kvvs 

A Walker who refused to get tired..!

Let me introduce a book here and which will make you aware of its author with his own mission.He is a  unique  traveler to scale  distances by his foot only.His name is Machavarapu Adinarayana.A retired university teacher,residing at Visakhapatnam.After having read  his "Bhramana kaanksha" (Wanderlust),composed myself to write a few words about such  gentleman.

His legs are his trusted soldiers.He walked 4000 k.m. and penned all those  exhilarating moments in the book.Sounds quirky..? yes.. There were three trips elaborated all through the book.The first one,which had been taken up from Visakhapatnam to Darjiling,where the tomb of Rahul Sankrityayan,the renowned scholar was placed after his demise.Our foot  traveler payed his respects there by  walking off all  the way via Andhra, Orissa and West Bengal.However Darjiling  is extreme north part of Bengal.

The people he met in all these places were  different in their own way and regaled the fabric of our nation.The hats made by  rural folk  of Sompeta in Andhra were of unique quality to withstand the rainy season.At Ganjam of Orissa,he was received well  by a family and at the same time  marked by a menace of thieves.Khandagiri monkeys' behavior described.Richly decorated architecture in the temples made our traveler tempted to be there but denied it unwillingly to pursue his walk-journey since every moment was valuable to reach the destination.

He entered the  Bengal state via Bhadrak and other places.Kudeghars,the two storied village buildings in the state were typical entity with animals and humans existence hand in hand.Telugu diaspora at Kharagpur was almost  foreseen.Flora and fauna,chirping of varied birds,Dhabas  at  waysides,and with myriad  colors of experiences  reached Darjiling  and Rahulj's tomb.This was  1500 k.m. walk altogether.Fulfilled in 38 days.

And another one was 2300 k.m. walk from Chavata palem,his native place to New Delhi.This was done in the memory of his deceased sister who worked in army hospital.All this,he traveled through Chattisgarh,Madhya pradesh,Rajasthan and Haryana.We would  literally be with the walker all along the way he conceived  with not less than a mini India.He also had taken up 300  k.m.  trip and which had started to reach the origin place of Gundla kamma river.

Travel on foot is synonymous with Adinarayana in Telugu states.These were a few words indeed on his book.The Rest to be known through reading it only.Astute planning with persistence brings success.More over, the passion works as a key factor in any pursuit.That's what one could understand from this scholar gypsy.

A Promising Writer from Arunachal Pradesh : Gumlat Maio

It's very rare, be it online or offline,coming across a storyteller  from North Eastern part of India.Am telling about myself strictly.Music bands are synonymous with that region.And the pristine beauty of nature and untouched exuberance of landscapes all these come to fore when we thought of it.For the reasons whatsoever,rest of the country remain cut off emotionally and socially with it and which makes us aware  whenever stray incidents of teasing or ragging happened in the name of Chinkies.Why this is all bound to happen though they are  also citizens of this country in every respect.I pondered over it many times.

At that moment,I was desperately thought of reading some stories or other literature written by North Eastern writers which would explain the social fabric of that region.There were many tribes with their own specific customs and way of life.That's OKay.But a perfect voice in the form of contemporary writing does make a sense in every possible way.There is a place for a Chingiz Aitmatov from each state to highlight the tapestry of life of the region and rest of the entire country is eagerly awaiting the same.Yes,much to be said and read.Then only the gap would be filled up.

Coming to the subject,in fact ,the name of this writer Gumlat Maio came my way when I  was browsing through a news website.After going through his words in the interview,really got surprised to have known that he was a doctor,writer and cartoonist.Out of enthusiasm,bought his book "Once upon a time in the college" from Amazon.He is a  ray of colossal sun in the offing.That's what I felt soon after reading his debut novel.

The novel sets in a medical college located at Siliguri,West Bengal.In brief, it is a story revolving around medical college ambiance.Hero and his friends Handu,Lokha and Prem bhai etc.,spiced up the college life.And many characters such as seniors and teaching staff went as they should be in any jolly ride college.There were twists,ragging,hot scenes,mischief dudes and what not.Protagonist was a Buddhist from Arunachal Pradesh.How they were mistaken even from Darjeeling people though they were looked alike.

A sketch of life is seen even in the college based plot.Many doubts clear off concerning the stigmas of North East people.Gumlat Maio is praise worthy for his simple style.Yet crisp to read further.He knows how to handle the theme without boredom.Cartoons he has drawn for the parts are fantastic with having his own lining signature.Gumlat Maio is expected to come out with a more substantial novel next time that could be of anything, intrigues every soul about the North East fabric of life. --Murthy Kvvs

Buy the book here through Amazan

Autobiography of a Sadhu (An Angrez among Naga Babas) : A Review

At last finished reading of the book written by Baba Rampuri.Of course,the American expatriate who wanted to become a Naga Baba and experiment his life with wild and ancient order of India.People usually see their naked pictures while Kumbha mela in swing in order to have muse along with any other happening.And no one after that would get followed to know about it further.That's what happens with people of this country.But an American wished to be part and parcel of it to inquire deeper and deeper of this order.Then what happened and how things went for him is the all about this book in almost exceeding 250 pages.His account about meeting his Guru Hari Puri Baba and austerities observed there was given vividly.

Initiation ceremony took place with five Gurus by offering Rudraksha,Lingoti,Vibhuti and other things to this person and an vow was also taken to not retreat under any circumstances.Naga Baba tradition he now belonged to  the Juna Akhada.Yes,there were lineages as many as some fifties.Each akhada has its own senior leader.He receives respect duly  in the matters of initiation and leading all other spiritual pursuits.The Guru  of Baba Rampuri as you know is Hari puri Baba fortunately knows some English,not only that Italian,Spanish and other few European languages.He also calls Crows in their language and feed them eventually.

Our Rampuri Baba interested to know occult and other secret knowledge.But Hai puri Baba shuns noting mantras by Rampuri Baba because learning mantras through the chanting of Guru only powerful rather than dissection of it.If you do so,there will be nothing except hallow words.Despite of it,he made thousands of pages on what he lived like.There was an opponent Guru called Bhairon Baba who dislike the arrival of a foreign one into the ancient fold but Guru Hai puri Baba never cared his word.

There were some miracles cited in various situations.His Guru Hari puri Baba appeared when he was paying respects at the tomb in a throne.All this happened in the night when a storm like atmosphere prevails.The importance of Ganja is known among the fold.Our foren baba met a chiristian Sadhu named Patrick Baba who behaved eccentric and people belief in him to ward off evil spirits is amazing.They lived together in different caves for some time.

The prose he selected is easy to understand even to a layman and entertain the reader at the same time.But there were links to adjoin and doubts to solve that we bound to feel whenever keep reading it.Our ancient traditions require unconditional surrender to the Guru  when learning these sort of things,mere exploration tendency not to be worked out in the issues like it.Narration is great yet lacked some soul.West and East are like two lobes in our brain.West is for worldly things to explore and East is for inside world and they would be masters in their particular parts only.That's God ( or Super power) ultimate judgement.That's what I felt after reading it. 

A Little about RD

I have been a subscriber of Readers Digest for some quiet years.With my own errands and other avocation,renewal not done,of course,frankly speaking not aware of it in toto.What made me surprised is that they  assumed sending me copies for the last five months.Free of cost,I must confess it.And no requisition from my side.Sometimes,we don't know how to react for the things that are queer in nature.In the first place,why should they send me without my intervention for renewal,I asked it my self  and the answer came up as they must have my address in their database.That's right,great to have it,but what about my conscience that pinches me day in and day out that I am getting something of others for nothing.Yes,It could not be like stealing or the sort of it.That's their decision and I am the receiver.That sounds fair enough.

What I like most with.RD is its size.Trust me.Comfortable to carry it anywhere.I also felt happy seeing one Telugu man's name inthe marketing section.It's my hobby having seen editorial team and crew details.Please do not smile.That's how a typical Telugu guy often tend to go impulsive.

In the issue of last month...appeared an article on Deeyah Khan,an artist living in Oslo with a lot of problems.Heart melting woes.Sometimes , you have to stamp down the snow. Here the real irony comes,I am eagerly waiting to get furnished the new subscription for my friend that was gifted by me some two months back.

A Review on "The Last Labyrinth"

Arun Joshi , probably not known well enough as we do it with R.K.Narayan,Raja Rao and Mulk raj anand in the sphere of Indian English literature. But he deserved a place in the realm of fiction concerning Indo Anglican arena.Arun Joshi born in a traditional brahmin family of Varanasi and he studied industrial management in U.S.,after that he returned to India to assume high positions in corporate World.His passion was writing and continued it with great conviction.His style was simple and shrewd but plunged in to rare depths of thoughts,his allusions,metaphors and word coining are entirely different to spin his own transcendental  plot that revealed his inner urge for cosmic reality.

Theme of the novel was about corporate strategy to overtake another company.Yet it needed characters like Som Bhaskar,Aftab and Gargi and so on.And of course Anuradha.All the theme seemed as outward conflict of human beings but which had a wrapped meaning in the struggle of  gaining love and company shares.Every dialogue has its own connotation that could touch who has such open horizon .

Som Bhaskar was the principal character who was a millionaire industrialist eyeing  the company of Aftab plastics.Aftab was a descendant of feudal lords worked under the Mogul emperors.He was the owner of many buildings in the Varanasi ,by the way all are so old as his historical background.Bhaskar met him at a star hotel and they talked some business.His passion grew about Aftab's lady called Anuradha ,once a famous starlet.The relationship between Aftab and Anuradha was enigmatic.

Anuradha knew Bhaskar's passion but remained calm without making any forward step whenever Bhaskar visited the haveli of Aftab located at Varanaasi.Bhaskar was living at Bombay with his wife and two children.Bhaskar always felt the haveli of Aftab as a mysterious labyrinth as it was having a number of rooms and corners with its own miasma.He keeps coming to haveli on the pretext of shares but in reality for Anuradha itself.There was developed an unspeakable bond between Bhaskar and Anuradha.They talk together and smoke together and it goes on.

Aftab too not so envious about theirs,but he has his own entanglements.Anuradha had a flashback .Poignant to say.Bhaskar was in confusion about the relationship of Aftab and Anuradha.Anuradha played a hide and seek game with Bhaskar when he falls ill.But it was for his welfare.At any cost Bhaskar wanted to buy Aftab's shares ,curiously they were with a person residing in the Himalayas.So he started his journey towards..Himalayas..! What happened next...one has to read it for the true excitement..!So I stop it here..!

Arun Joshi's style in making phrases is so novel. How an Indo Anglican writer does take his own words to suit his ambiance with conviction should be seen in him..!Sentence framing is terse but tempting.Adventurous the buzzword, in other words.Transcendental  theme has been  chosen and told in the light of human day to day life.Writer starts the novel from Anuradhapura of Srilanka and the connotation reveals forth coming of Anuradha character.Socio economic and cultural issues judiciously blended with metaphysical thoughts.

Sesha Prasna : A Telugu translation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyaya

The name Sarat chandra is quite familiar among the readers of Telugu folks and it was given to the number of children with fond remembrance ,is it not enough to make a writer honored with eternal  love and reverence,perhaps even no vernacular writer got such fanfare through his writings.What made him so special in one generation, I always ponder over the question ,yes ,after reading one of his novels "Sesha Prasna" ,written way back in 1930s ,understood his real contribution to the society of down trodden and the elevation of woman's problems.If I am not mistaken, Sarat babu was the pioneer in upholding hidden corners of the woman world.Definitely the work had to be faced its own opposition as which was not so easier in the times he lived,almost a ninety years back.

One friend gave me the book,  reprinted by Visalandhra  publishers .Translation of Telugu seemed good to proceed further but I can't say it's super fine.Even with that quality,theme he conceived was something to intrigue with it's own flavor ,be it the ambiance of Agra,where the so called bhadralok of Bengalis and their lives,enjoyments,complexities,sacrifices and intelligent discourses on different issues would take the reader in to exotic world.Even the principal character Kamala never ceased to haunt you with her  arguments with Ashu babu,Ashutosh babu ,Harendra and all others.The questions she raised were relevant even to this moment.It showcased the brilliance and foreseeing of the writer.

Kamala, the character was so strong with her conviction about life.She led a life of playing in the world what practically viable with things and her discourses flamboyant sort  even to this generation.That evokes admiration sometimes and bitchy sometimes.Sarat babu stood for change or reform in nutshell.All it reflected in the novel.Also mirrored the profound patriatism  with the characters of Ajit babu and Rajendra babu.Mallika and Neelima are  both typical in their own rights.In brief,discourses played a major role all along the novel.Sometimes those excelled the times of the writer and certainly it displayed the authority and prophesy of Sarat babu.

One should accept that Sarat was not a writer by chance or hobby but with a life he had seen and moved in his experiences proceeded with utmost desire for presentation,that's why his narratives take one to another plane without any second thought.I don't know any other writer like Sarat Babu in the past or present moved all the country with their thoughts having no language barriers.Because the life's underneath ,no language, only  the feel  whatever you name it. 

A Little Known story of Manoj Das : The Murderer

Last time, I have elaborated a story of Manoj Das,Farewell to a Ghost, that was taken from his selected fiction.This time I am eager to express my opinion on another story titled The Murderer.Don't be taken away by its very name as it is of bloodshed and hard core criminals etc.,The real chill is without all these things.Mostly the backdrop of Manoj Das stories based on village life and its daily routine.Sometimes though which seemed simple with likeness of traditional granny stories,all they have a unique quality of interesting narrative.

Writer was telling his childhood experience in the story.He was,then,studying in a primary school.Living in a village along with his mother and maternal uncle.One day his uncle told him that they were receiving a well known man Binu for the dinner ,his name was synonymous with awe striking murder.Everybody fears his name.Binu murdered not only an ordinary man but a great money lender and litigant Dabu Sahukar.He had no compassion in the matter of fulfilling his mundane desires.Uncle is Binu's best friend,that's why he could have accepted to attend the dinner in the night.So our boy was enthusiastic to see the man ,especially how a murderer could be in appearance.Atmosphere tuned stormy,his mother asked him to go to bed,but he refused it ,how would he see Binu, the murderer, if he got bedded early.

In fact,Binu was a bodyguard to Dabu Sahukar.He always follow his master wherever  he went ,particularly when he was required to travel with a fat purse.Binu's wife was a servant maid at his master's house and she was found dead at the pond while cleaning utensils, on a fateful day.Villagers thought there was Dabu Sahukar behind the death.Binu knew it but not expressed his anger openly.One night ,while the two were returning from a nearby town ,in that dense woods,Dabu Sahukar disappeared mysteriously.Police arrested Binu,but there was a rescue came in the form of Bhupal Singh,a rival of Dabu Sahukar.He helped Binu to come out of the station and now Binu became a bodyguard of Bhupal Singh.As years passed by, Binu got reputation as a murderer and the villagers started giving him due respect.

When the writer woke up on the next morning,he realized that he had missed the sight of Binu.As a child he was not able to control the dozing state.However,after some years,he heard one interesting story about Binu.Dabu Sahukar appeared in the village surprisingly after some years in the form Sadhu Baba.On inquiries ,he told that he had lost in the woods as he had seen a shrine in the midst of forest and went to see that.An ascetic was there ,with his blessings I recalled my past life and became his disciple.

Binu was now remained as a laughing stock with the appearance of Dabu.But Sadhu Baba (Dabu) understood Binu's position and he wanted to help the poor guy's reputation.He said to the crowd while he was delivering discourses " who said that I was not murdered..it's true".People came to a conclusion that some great power helped Baba to regain his life.Now Binu was at comfort and thanked Sadhu Baba silently.

Thus everything settled safe.The story tells how gullible our people in some matters like these.How an image made with a stroke of blind belief is described well.Anyway,Dabu and Binu ,both are winners at last.

Farewell to a Ghost : A Manoj Das Story

Manoj Das, he is an household name in Odisha as a vernacular writer and at the same time equally known as an Indo Anglican author even beyond the territories of our country.Perhaps he could have been the most acclaimed bilingual  writer of our times.I recently bought his fiction from Amazon people.Thanks for their impeccable packing and delivery on time.

I would like to write a few lines about one particular story " Farewell to a Ghost"  at this moment and the remaining will be taken afterwards as time permits me.In fact,there are 24 stories altogether in the collection.The story encompasses the mosaic of  beautiful  typical life of a village located in Odisha.The writer was telling us his childhood memories through the story.

There was a deserted villa in his village and which is said to be haunted by a Ghost.The writer and his childhood friends were playing nearby that villa and always kept glaring at it with some fear and devotion too.All this is from a judicious distance only.The villagers have an interesting story with that haunted villa,a girl who committed suicide some hundred years ago became a ghost and remain living there.

It was also said that a young man once risked to have entered there was missed mysteriously. Frankly speaking,the Ghost has also become a part of their village,because it does no harm to any onle who respected her with keeping a distance.Here we have to know some back ground about the girl,she was brought here by three Firanghees as a servant maid against her will.She was an offshoot of a hybrid parentage of a sahib and a tribal woman belonged to the Sundarbans of Bengal.The Firangees came here to cultivate indigo crop over large tracts.She tried many times to escape from the place as she was punished severely by her masters.

She was unfortunately killed by her lover as the latter made efforts to swindle the wealth amassed by Firangees.He flew with money and gold.The masters later harassed the villagers and they had gone away leaving the villa to its fate.All these incidents had faded in to a painless memory.Villagers started offering new cloths,and other puddings to the Ghost of the girl on the occasions like marriages and birthdays.

Government eventually decided to demolish the villa to use the place for some other purpose.It made writer and his friends pity as they would not have another place to gossip over.The ghost was sent to a palm tree with due respect,with chanting concerned mantras.While coming in to village ,especially nights, he was gazing at the palm tree with the same awe.That becomes a habit whenever he embarked the road .

After vacation,the writer promoted to high school.And he admitted in the school located in a nearby town,almost fifteen miles farther.Town was all new to him and engrossed in various activities of the school.He gradually forgot the ghost.

After some months , he gazed at the palm tree and felt numbed.The tree was dead ,struck by lightning.Its charred branches were crumbling.The writer resumed walking with a heavy heart.As years passed by,he too got out of the village on his employment.Now his visits were remain rare.And the new generation children of the village were ignorant about all these things.They were just afraid of Ghosts,that's all.

The story ends with a note of  sigh and left you with loads of  childhood memories.Narration is gripping and choosing words for the story is commendable as it touches the surface of subconscious mind.

                                                     -Murthy Kvvs

Galaxy : Padmapriya's Poetry

The 56 page collection of poetry of Dr.Padmapriya has been brought out by Home of Letters (India),Bhubaneswar a couple of years back and here is a glimpse of it to show the some part of the oeuvre at its possible length.The poetess upholds the spirit of humanity and global peace all through her labyrinthine of magical words,that sounds simple yet profound.Padmapriya encompassed her views on almost every important happening which is bound to be encountered by every conscious human being.She has chosen the words carefully to voice in her own tone.

Padmapriya's commitment is flawless and she does not have any qualms in choosing the concept.In one poem ("Winter" ) the intricacies of replenishment of life portrayed in  like this,behold..

Snow does not fall always,

Nor are trees without leaves,

Why do we malign winters?

There may be good in winters too.

Does not the cold make us work to keep ourselves warmer?

Do failures not make us writhe in anger,

And make us to do things ,better ..?

Does not sorrow give way to happiness?

Sooner than later?

Does not loneliness make us seek company?

Does not a little bit of jealousy help us,

By making us outperform ourselves?.......

The magic of words came out from her as the mosaic of dazzling raindrops got snowballed in to a awesome piece of stream that vent out the meandering agony of every benevolent  heart.The poems in the book are ranged from the themes of nature,morality to God and religion.Dr.Padmapriya born in Salem of Tamil nadu in 1982.Being herself a doctorate in Economics from the University of Madras,has chosen writing poetry in English as her prime passion since her childhood.We have very limited group of women concerned to Indo -Anglican poetry and here now a promising  one with her apocalyptic and prophetic glow.

For copies: Mr.Mandal Bijoy Beg,(For The Home of  letters,Bhubaneswar),106,Santoshi vihar, Meherpalli,Canal road,Laxmisagar,P.O: Budheswari,Bhubaneswar-751006 (Odisha) India.Ph: +91 99373 41597.

Jottings on A story collection "Vennela malupulu-Cheekati Velugulu" (Part-2)

Last time,we have talked about the two stories in the collection.Let's take another two stories for our consideration.The third piece of work is "Varna Chitram".It describes how identical the thought process of writers' in almost similar conditions.Mahendra and Vikrant both were story writers,in a queer way,they had been lived in a same village and wrote a story each with the inspiration of a same dame.Vikrant's story happened to have published first and when the Mahendra's story got published in the later years,one distraught reader who had read both stories opined that the latter's, must have been a copy one.He informed it to the editor of the concerned magazine.Then on brisk exercise of both writers on the subject,they realized that Vikrant and Mahendra wrote on the same subject as they have lived in the same location.So similarities with surroundings and other descriptions were co-incidental.Vikrant wrote first part of the dame's life and Mahindra told about the later stage of her life.That's why with slight exceptions the plot looked like a same stream of line.

Everything remains happy as ever.But the concept taken by Malyasri here in this story is quite possible in the mundane world to prevail elsewhere.That's what our labyrinth of inner world filled with.Hillocks,banks of river Godavari and hamlets nearby there,all these eye feasting phenomena will take the reader in to the fulcrum of Bhadrachalam.

And the fourth story is Gundelu-Gunapalu.A typical love story between a banjara girl and a nomadic drama artist.Hero was an orphan and he was attracted by Bijili,a country side juvenile.At climax both were killed in a plan of  jealous relative of heroine.Writer highlighted the sacrifice of them and were  remained in a song which was known among the people as a folklore piece of work,that could have been prepared by some anonymous one.

Next time come back with another two pieces of work from the same collection..!

                                                                    --Murthy Kvvs