all things Love

The Past as Present: Forging Contemporary Identities Through History by Romila Thapar My rating: 4 of 5 stars Loved the details. Highly informative even if some of her ideas have been contested often times. Romila Thapar is without doubt one of the best Historians alive in India today. Her characteristic narrative style with adequate focus on analyzing an issue from all corners, makes one think strongly about the believes they have had since as long as they can remember. How can one say if the tradition that they have been following since decades and centuries isn't something that originally begun with those ideas mind and isn't were simple tactics to gain wealth and suppress the enemies; when the sources themselves that tell us the history of these practices can be found to not withhold under scutiny. The history of India, it seems, is as multi-faceted and ever changing as are the people and it's languages in the contemporary world, a fa

Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup My rating: 5 of 5 stars "12 years a Slave" is truly a moving account of the arduous journey and experiences of Solomon Northup. Prior to listening to this book, I had been of the opinion that the story was a fictional one. However, published in 1853, the year of the author's extraordinary deliverance from the shackles of Slavery, the harrowing tale is indeed a truth. Reading the book across a passage of close to two centuries, the kind of perils borne by some sections of our society is perfectly stupefying, and yet still today among the remote parts of our world there are some similar instances taking place. I believe writings like "12 years a Slave" pave a way for us to face the atrocious history that a few of our ancestors have lived every day. In having the courage to speak out about his experiences and to publish this singular account, back in mid-19th century, the author played a pivotal role in bringing afresh the

The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie My rating: 5 of 5 stars Nice mystery. Quintessential Christie. Loved it. Must have read it before during School days. View all my reviews

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne My rating: 4 of 5 stars Quite a short tale. I liked the philosophical and social dilemma Hester Prim and the Reverend go through throughout the story. The insights on their inner turmoils is what has made this book a classic literature. The retribution sought after by the tale's silent antagonist is appalling and yet, one can but feel a connection with them. Author's poignant account of Hester's life moves the reader's heart to pause a moment and ponder. The ending is what I would have liked it to be. The Audible narration, as usual, was mesmerising. View all my reviews

Mr Dodge, Mr Hitchcock, and the French Riviera: The story behind To Catch a Thief by Jean Buchanan My rating: 5 of 5 stars Nice story about how the critically acclaimed "To a Catch Thief" by Alfred Hitchcock came out to be. Some of the outré aspects of the way Mr. Dodge came upon the plot were interesting. And the French Riviera seems to be an enchanting place. View all my reviews

Copied from the Diary from last night बैठ मुंडेर पर नीहार रहा है पथिक भ्रांत दृश्य एक ‌‌‌‌‍ सामने उसके रचा हुआ है रचनाकार का बसंत विशेष दिवास्वप्न-सा आगंतुक अविचल है ऋतुराज का दृश्य नवल नवीन मानो शाख शिखरों पर जा बैठा हो सूरज चाँद का कोई दर्पण रंगीन उधर समुद्र किनारे दूर क्षितिज पर चुंबन करता नीर गगन को इधर तलैया तीरे उथले जल में मछली भी अतुर आलिंगन को हरे हुऐ हैं पीले पड़े थे पतझड़ पे पत्ते जो खिल उठे हैं सिमटे हुए थे कमल के पुष्प लो घन-घन करती छा रही है चारों ओर घनघोर घटा टप-टप करके टपक रहा है इधर-उधर जल वर्षा का सर-सर करती बह रही है साए से बौराई हवा राहगीर भी लौट रहे हैं राह पर से यदा-कदा हौले-हौले से आ रही है निशा की लाली समीप सिमट-सिमट कर उड़ रहे हैं पक्षी भी पेड़ों के बीच इतने में विस्मित होकर उठता है वह पथिक भ्रांत जाग उठी है भीतर मन के अभिलाषा की एक क्रांत हो ना हो इन आभूषणों का कारण है कुछ यूँ ही नहीं प्रकृति करेगी धारण ये सब कुछ शायद इंकित करता अंबर पर अंकित यह नील रोशन होगा किसी समय पर नाम तुम्हारा भी बिस्मिल चलता है फिर धैर्य धरा का धरके वह भेश बैठ मुंडेर पर नीहार रहा था यश

Why do my poems be like water rushing in a rapid I seem to love four four letters in a row four lines in a tow Why do my poems be like joyful bursts of sporadic laughter short sweet fragrant after as if they need reader till writer greets Why do my poems be like dreamy sunrise on mountain summit I seem to have taken the road hither nobody seldom goes thither Why do my poems be like hazy reflections upon silent sea roaring rolling beneath before perhaps the one sought perhaps the one aft