Bombay Reader

Magical Creatures Of Mumbai’s Underbelly

Mumbai was drenched by the mistakes of the past. It’s meaning had been lost in time. And it’s myths needed a new era of thinkers.

–Sneh Sapru, ‘Magical Creatures Of Mumbai’s Underbelly’.

A collection of short fantasy stories happening in the most vibrant city of India, Mumbai. The author takes you to the most affluent and shady places of the city; terrifying and stunning your senses with her astonishing supernatural creatures and magical realism. Through her mythical characters and strange accidents, the author has tried to impart moral lessons lost in the fiery vibe of the city .

With each human character and their emotions relating to the reader, it’s sometimes scary how the stories turn grody revealing the dark side of humans. I wouldn’t say I was very comfortable reading the book coz I don’t read dark fantasy mostly so for me some stories were hard to digest and being a Mumbaikar myself I’m gonna look at all those corners of the city suspiciously now.

The creativity of the author is spectacular, building her own magical world and creatures without disrupting the real world. Recommended to dark fantasy readers who wanna try reading short stories.

Thank you Sneh Sapru for the beautiful copy.

Why I Am An Atheist

Rebellion against kings is always a sin according to every religion.

-Bhagat Singh, Why I am an Atheist.

Agreed!!!

An insightful book about atheism from a young revolutionary hero before he was executed by the British Government post Independence of India. His execution is the base of the story telling the readers that even though Bhagat Singh was at the altar of death; he did not believe in the existence of Almighty Supreme Being.

I didn’t read the book, I just listened to it today morning while jogging. I found the concepts discussed by Bhagat Singh valid but then once again all the points of indifference made by him come back to the same statements repeated by every atheist.

Why doesn’t God help the oppressed against the oppressor?

Darwin and other theories prove Evolution?

Why are some people born with physical or mental ailments?

Is the world made to torture us?

Don’t get me wrong but most of the people who proclaim themselves to be atheist are as illiterate about the concept of religions (I mean all religion, All, coz until you learn about all how you can say that) as those who blindly follow their religion and throw shit on others. To explain such a person about the concept of God is as difficult as to explain a person misguided about the senseless beliefs of their own religion. I really love to talk and discuss the concept of God but what I’ve observed is atheists believe in miracles in science but don’t believe in magical events in the past and the extremist cannot bear to listen to one single hurtful word against their God.

So at the end I conclude it as ‘Join Hands’

Sharing with you the link for this YouTube audio video whatever you call it

It’s short, just an hour I guess, British accent but still good to listen to.

Caste Matters

Indian caste society has willingly embraced it’s violent and toxic ethos. Deep hatred of the Other is a fuel for survival. India has been unleashing caste terrorism upon ‘lesser’ defamed bodies since the advent of Vedas-sponsored casteism.

-Suraj Yengde, ‘Caste Matters’.

First lemme explain to you why I chose to start my caption with such a blatant quote. TBH It was very difficult for me to choose one particular paragraph to present as my hook for this post coz each page in the book is an eye-opener (Why eye-opener? Coz this book talks about oppression on Dalits. Dalit a terminology unknown or you could say carefully wiped off for outsiders and for half the people of my generation INDIANS such oppression is a bygone/manipulative story) but this particular lines will help you as a reader decide if you would like to read further or scorn.

The Book is divided into 6 chapters with a powerful introduction which makes it clear how the life of the Dalit community is subservient, exploited and neglected by the Indian society since the genesis of Hinduism till today i.e 2020 with an increase in abuse and suppression of the voices that raise in defense and objection in recent years.

What is sad and disgusting is to know the Hindus of India still practice untouchability and despotism towards a group of people only and only because they belong to a certain caste which they have declared as inferior, forget about people belonging to other religion (who also show disgust towards the Dalits just bcoz the vile thought is infested in their minds)

OK! Nor me neither the book mean everybody but to say it is only in rural India would be a shame for we have cases like Rohit Vemula and Payal Tadvi (if you don’t know about it please educate yourself)

What is a bigger disgust? The outsiders or the institution like #UN who are caretakers for oppressed people don’t even identify these people as ill treated although the Indian news is filled with rape cases, lynching, bondage, police brutality, arson, forceful imprisonment of these people.

I particularly liked the chapter The Dalit Middle Class coz most of the books donot talk about them and their negligence towards the upliftment of their own fellow. And I hope there are more Brahmin against Brahminism.

The courage and the writing is plausible, the author has shared many personal experiences making the reader actually feel the anguish and anger felt by the Dalits everyday.

I would recommend it to everyone honestly especially if you are someone who regularly reads about Blacklives, Islamophobia, Uyghur muslims, humanrights.

The Sense Of An Ending

How often do we tell our own life story? How often do we adjust, embellish, make sly cuts? And the longer life goes on, the fewer are those around to challenge our account, to remind us that our life is not our life, merely the story we have told about our life. Told to others, but—mainly—to ourselves.

-Julian Barnes, ‘The Sense of an Ending’.

What’s the story?

Tony, a 60 yr old divorcee living a cheerful life receives an envelope on a regular day which contains will of his ex-girlfriend’s mother who’s left him 500 pounds and two document (one containing a letter from Mrs. Ford and the other diary of his best friend Adrian, which is still in possession of his ex-girlfriend Veronica). Now Tony takes a nostalgic trip to find the reason for this special gift and plot a plan to get back his friend’s diary.

What do you think must have happened?

Da…that’s philosophically self-evident.

But it’s not.

This story will make you question your memory, teach you about the paradox of life, re-think about perception. It makes you realise how easily one may break hearts and how enigmatically someone may be attached to you.The author tells you about the wisdom granted with age and the memories we hold together to suit our triumph. You finally understand how history is written and who holds the pen.

I loved the narration and the literary flair of the author…Hhmm interestingly the book is also a 2011 Booker Prize Winner so I’m not the only one who’s flattered by the author’s prodigious style.

Throughout the book the author talks to you in first person, comically, like an old man he talks gibberish and let you know, he talks about unimportant character, bores you at a point and let’s you know, he admits to go off plot and yet you wouldn’t want to miss any sentence; coz every paragraph makes sense as you ascend.

And at last at the end you sense the sense of an ending.

TBH even though I’ve unraveled the mystery I would read the book again and again.

It’s one of those belletristic literature.

UNBLOC

“You know what’s common between being a great networker and living a more fulfilled life – learning to give before expecting to receive.”

-Satish Kataria, ‘UNBLOC’.

The author is one of India’s leading Entrepreneurial Coach offering his experience of two decades as a Brand Manager, PR, Venture Capital Fund Management, Investor Relationship to empower and create young trailblazers. Through his coaching programmes, video series and blogs he helps you overcome barriers and channelize your network. You can visit his site

www.buildyourownpaths.com

In this book the author has discussed about 21 powerful thoughts that can help one transform their business/idea to success starting from renovating one’s personal configuration what the author rightfully refers to as ‘Inner Coding’.

I really loved the simplicity and the language of the book. Throughout the book we get insights from the journey of some of India’s Top Start-up Entrepreneurs who have emerged into Brands.

Recommended to all Young Minds who love to read short business books. It will help you to learn and guide your goals and vision to realistic zenith.

Out Of My Skull

Boredom,like beauty, could be said to be in the eye of the beholder. One person’s joy is another’s boredom.

-Out Of My Skull, The Psychology Of Boredom.

I was reading this book last night and slept midway. No it wasn’t boring like most of non-fiction book that has research and complex study language in fact it helped me understand about the mediocrity I’m feeling these days and how unconsciously I have labelled it as boredom.

Nice book, helpful.

International Translation Day

Without translation, I would be limited to the borders of my own country. The translator is my most important ally. He introduces me to the world.”

— Italo Calvino.

Comment a book you’ve read but didn’t know was a translated version???

My answer ‘The Alchemist’

Honestly my mind is blocked and I can’t think about anything these days.

So I’ll just let the picture and quote speak today.

Adios

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said? asked the boy.
‘Help,’ said the horse.
‘Asking for help isn’t giving up,’ said the horse. ‘It’s refusing to give up.

-Charlie Mackesy, ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’.

Did you ever feel like buying a paperback or hardcover just after reading an e-book so that you can cherish it for lifetime.

Well I felt this today after reading this mind-blowing, beautiful, deplorable book. I really wanna buy it’s hardcover copy and own it and cherish it for lifetime.
It’s a juvenile non-fiction book basically with illustrations, sketches, unusual fonts but I go with the author’s verdict whether you age 8 or 80 you are gonna love this book.

A story about friendship, true love, kindness, self discovery, self-respect. Story of a lone boy travelling unknown path to reach home who meets a mole, a fox and a horse and together they teach you how to be hopeful, believe in yourself and be happy with your life.

Mohini

There is no end to my journey for as long as people dream. And tell their stories. In the end, I found my immortality as others looked for theirs.
For I am…

-Anuja Chandramouli, ‘Mohini, the Enchantress’.

A beautiful rhytmic story with well-crafted prose about age old forgotten mysteries is bound to spell any reader and what if the storyteller is an Enchantress with irresistible charm that no human, Deva and Asura could resist.

This book is a re-telling of ‘Mohini’, a Hindu mythological character whos an avatar of Hindu God Vishnu created to hypnotic perfection. There are different versions of stories about her and her contribution throughout the hindu mythology wherein she is revered like a Goddess or sometimes disgraced to be just a courtsean but through this book the author has given a voice to her to narrate her life beyond stereotypes. I liked the way Mohini is not just reduced to beauty and seduction but we get to see not only her but everything going around her through a fresh lense.

Set against the background of events that involved the churning of the ocean by Gods and Demons, and their desire for immortality Mohini tells you more about the untold fable age which was forgotten by memory and myth, the tales of deceit and the reasons of the deceiver. She advocates and alibi for the most misunderstood female hindu mythological characters which is my most favorite part and also tells about the extraordinary race whose harbinger is her child Shastha.

Although this is the 11th book by the author who’s well-known for historical fiction, its my first book from her. The authors clever narration and figurative language is plausible, the entire story is dreamlike so the characters just come and go and the plot is shifted at fast pace but I would have appreciated a description about other characters at the start or end.

If you love reading mythical fictional stories this book is highly recommended but you need to have a little knowledge of Hindu mythology beforehand to absorb this book well.

The Mother Of All Parties

What does it take to throw the party of the year???

Coming up with a unique theme, arranging the most lip-smacking food, expensive drink, the perfect dress and styling to make you the cynosure of all eyes, filmy entertainment or chalking down the right guest list?

Well it’s all of this.

And Paramsundari aka Pam has to do all of this for her 20th Anniversary Party in just four weeks without involving event management. Being the head and the soul of her interior company ‘Glitterbug’ and playing second fiddle to her successful husband; Pam is also mother to a smart but troublesome teenager Tikky and the less worrisome Sid. Pam who’s already losing the control and attention of her kids due to her opulent social life has to now plan and execute the most memorable party that should beat the anniversary party thrown by her Kitty-Kat rival Honey just a week before hers and show-off her Best Socialite Side among the desi elites of Dubai.

With her husband Raj forcing her to judge and look after a singing audition in a labour camp, the return of her old fling, an unattached yet respectful husband, safe-keeping a worker in her house without her family’s knowledge and a constant battle to be the best mom to her teenager; Pam has no time to plan for anything that could make her party, the Mother Of All Parties.

Light-hearted, fun read especially for married middle aged women balancing work life and family life. The author has thoughtfully described mid life crisis and the lack of intimacy and understanding between couples through her characters…love how the relationship between Pam and her daughter Tikky is portrayed.The book makes you realise how difficult it is to be a woman with a mind, kindness, passion, lust and the daily pursuit to be the perfect mother, wife, daughter and friend.