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Wild Fictions Essays
'We owe a great debt to Ghosh's brilliant mind, avenging pen and huge soul' --- Naomi Klein 'Urgent, beautiful and far-reaching . . . it should be essential reading' --- The Times Literary Supplement on The Nutmeg's Curse 'Consistently stimulating' --- The Guardian on The Great Derangement 'He has surpassed many historians in his ability to synthesize a wealth of research with remarkable intellectual clarity' --- The Times on Smoke and Ashes
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From Dubai To Karachi
'Who is bigger than the King?' Dawood Ibrahim went undercover after the serial blasts of 12 March 1993 in Mumbai. Nobody knew how he had managed to escape from India while his D Company had proven links to the blasts. Yakub Memon was subsequently executed, resulting in the bloody split of the Mumbai Mafia. What happened to Dawood Ibrahim then? Where is he now? As these questions began to surround, S. Hussain Zaidi's riveting investigation led to Karachi, where Dawood is now the Kingmaker. Fiercely protected and valiantly denied by the Pakistani government, he has come to become the protector of the country's dwindling economy and tumultuous polity. Yet, Dawood Ibrahim remains untouched by either of the governments across the Line of Control. From the lanes of Dongri to becoming world's most wanted fugitive and a powerbroker for the Pakistani government, Dawood has come a long way. Thrilling and jaw dropping, From Dubai to Karachi is a much-awaited sequel to Black Friday, uncovering his last thirty years as S. Hussain Zaidi pens a definitive end to the Dawood saga.
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The Ten Commandments Of Parenting
The book Ten Commandments of Parenting is a fresh perspective on parenting, where there is no do's and don'ts only honest suggestions on how you as a parent can make a world of difference in your child's upbringing and holistic development. It is a quick reference book, which is both concise and complete.
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Hanuman
"Long live Hanuman! Long live Bajarang Bali! Long live Anjaneya!" The crowd cheered. "You are also Kesari's son," Kesari declared. "Ah, another name for me!" Hanuman exclaimed joy fully. "Yes, and it clearly indicates that I am your father." "So, I have more names. Marvellous! Keep them coming. I adore names. However, for now, just call me Hanuman. It's my favourite name because it commemorates my encounter with Indra Deva," he shared, proudly displaying his chiselled chin. This is why Hanuman stands out as a uniquedeity in the Hindu pantheon. He is simultaneously a god, a devout follower, and a dedicated servant of Rama. He is the only deity with temples and gyms dedicated to his name. And being immortal, he is certainly present among us. Indrani Sawakar offers us a story of Hanumana from a different perspective.
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Ravana The King Of Lanka Bhag 2
For the first time in recorded history, Ravana did not leap from the plane before it had fully stopped. Mandodari's ankiety soared to into lerable heights as Ravana, known for his stride, stumbled, walking as if on a bed of thorns. In his trembling arms, he carried abundle wrapped in silk-a deadman. Who could it be? Casualties were common in war. Yet, she had never seen her husband so deeply shattered; his face was pallid, shoulders drooped, and chest heaving with laboured breaths. Could it be Vidyujjiva? This is the tale of Ravana, a character with numerous flaws, yet simultaneously well-versed in the shastras, an upholder of the moral code, in love with Mandodari, an exemplary ruler, a family man, and a devout follower of Brahma and Shiva. He had a story, an echo of a historical fact buried in the ancient past. And inspiration drove him to compose a magnificent epicbased on it. Thus, here it is, the alternate poem that was relegated to the hidden depths by later moralists: Ravana by Indrayani Sawkar.
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Ravana The Rise Of Rakshasa Bhag 1
Dashanana's calls had reached Brahmadev living in Brahmaloka far above the Himalayas, out there inspace. The magnitude of his self-mortification was indication enough of the intensity and unusualness of his desires. The god desired to test him fulsomely. However, he did not want him to die either. So every time Dashanana chopped off his head, the god fixed it back over his strong neck. Ten times it happened. Ten times Dashanana's head rolled down his shoulder on to the snow-covered ground and blood whooshed out of his neck. Nevertheless he remained relentlessly resolved, dedicated and riveted. Brahmadev could not take it anymore. His devotee had cleared the test with flying colours. He appeared before him, dressedin yellow silks and all fourheadsgrinningwithcontentment. This book unfolds the epic of Lankadhisha Ravana, afigure of scholarship, bravery, might, and vigor, penned by Indrayani Savkar to offer an exhaustive insight into Ravana's character.
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Aavarana The Veil
Because my questions made Amir uncomfortable, he pronounced talaq just like that on the wife who had abandoned everything for him because his religion gives him that privilege. Where do I now stand, sir? Do you have any solutions for me?' Lakshmi, a rebellious, free-spirited and intelligent film-maker, breaks ties with her staunchly Gandhi an father to marry Amir, the man she loves. She even agrees reluctantly to Amir's request that she convert to Islam, as a formality and change her name to Razia. However, she is shocked to discover that her husband is not the open-minded, progressive individual he claimed to be. For after marriage, Amir takes his family's side in trying to force her to follow the more rigorous tenets of their faith. This sets her off on a personal journey into India's history to uncover the many layers of religion, caste and creed. Her quest leads her to the many parallels in the narratives between the past and the present and she gradually finds that though much has changed in Indian society over the centuries, much remains the same. The second historical novel by celebrated Kannada author S.L. Bhyrappa, translated for the first time into English by Sandeep Balakrishna, Aavarana: The Veil raises pertinent and searching questions about religion, liberalism and identity and highlights the importance of unshackling oneself from the bonds of false knowledge. Book Features: Raises questions and uncovers truths about religion and historyGoes deep into history to reveal the extent of tyranny by foreign invaders in IndiaWas a bestseller in Kannada, Gujarati, Tamil and other vernacular languagesThe Kannada version was sold out even before its release in February 2007. It went into 10reprints within 5 months of its release
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Great Indian Business Stories
How did Dhirubhai Ambani build a polyester plant in record time? What made J.R.D. Tata launch India's first airline? How did Vijay Mallya wrest control of Shaw Wallace from Manu Chhabria? Why did Bhai Mohan Singh fall out with his favourite son and lose control of Ranbaxy? The Portfolio Book of Great Indian Business Stories contains excerpts from a selection of the finest business books published by Penguin Portfolio. This anthology features snippets from the lives of some of the most eminent business leaders India has seen-M.S. Oberoi, Ratan Tata, Aditya Birla and Rahul Bajaj, among others. There are tales of outstanding successes, crushing failures, extraordinary challenges and relentless determination, some of which chronicle the times when these legends were just simple businessmen trying to make a mark. The grit and ruthless persistence of these men defined who they were and the legacies they left behind.
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Ksattra
Bhārata has been a land of plenty in many ways. We have had a timeless tradition of the twofold principle of Brāhma (spirit of wisdom) and Kṣāttra (spirit of valour) nourishing and protecting this sacred land. The Hindu civilisation, rooted in Sanātana-dharma, has constantly been enriched by brāhma and safeguarded by kṣāttra. The renowned Sanskrit poet and scholar, Śatāvadhānī Dr. R Ganesh takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride through space and time, highlighting the dazzling acmes when kṣāttra shone brilliantly and also pointing out the despicable abysses when kṣāttra was all but forgotten. This book is a must-read for all Indians in general and all students of Indian history in particular, for it paints an authentic picture of the past unlike the post-Independence History textbooks, which have attempted to whitewash the crimes against humanity committed by the Islamic invaders and downplayed the achievements of the native rulers who adhered to Sanātana-dharma. The spirit of valour tempered by wisdom ensured the continuity of our civilisation spanning more than seven millennia. We can forget this only at our own peril. This book is a result of deep research spanning many years but it has been presented in an eminently readable form, accessible even to high school students. It has been adapted into English from Dr. Ganesh’s bestselling Kannada work Bhāratīya kṣāttra-paramparè (‘Indian Kṣāttra Tradition’) by Sandeep Balakrishna and Hari Ravikumar, who are authors in their own right with several books to their credit.
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Dharmashree
Composed in the early phase of Dr. S L Bhyrappa’s literary career, Dharmashree (1961) deals with the evils of religious conversion and the trauma it causes—at the levels of the individual, family, and society. The subtle and nefarious attempts of Christian missionaries and their relentless attempts at undermining Hinduism for the sake of proselytization are vividly brought out in this novel. Dharmashree depicts the episodes in the life of Satyanarayana, a staunch adherent of Sanātana-dharma, who ends up falling in love with a Christian girl, Lily. Initially a harsh critic of Hinduism, Lily is deeply influenced by Hindu ideals as she wades past discussions and arguments with Satya. Lily’s father would never marry her off to a non-Christian, so what does Satya do? The issues that Bhyrappa raises in this work—authored over sixty years ago—continues to be relevant because even today, thousands of Hindus are getting converted to other religions, creating a rift in their families and the society. The English translation of Dharmashree has been undertaken by Prof. L. V. Shanthakumari, a renowned scholar, literary critic, creative writer, and translator.
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Niraakarana
Narahari, a widower and the father of five, decides to give away his children for adoption. He craves for solitude and finds it impossible to participate in the mundane world. He is drawn towards saṃnyāsa and is allured by the heights scaled by realised souls like Bārāmāsi Mahārāj. He treks the Himalayan peaks, but… can he freeze his mind at a place where time and space are frozen? Can he swim against the river of life to reach its source? Does physical altitude translate to spiritual altitude as well? India’s foremost novelist, Padma Bhushan S. L. Bhyrappa explores the attractions and aversions that humans feel towards worldly life in Niraakarana – The Refusal. He lays bare the dilemmas that a person faces at various stages of his life and the repercussions his decisions can have on his immediate family. The novel creatively suggests the true nature of renunciation and the kind of forbearance it demands. The English rendition of this emotionally engrossing and spiritually uplifting saga retains the nuances of the Kannada original. It has been admirably translated by L. V. Shanthakumari and Arjun Bharadwaj, award-winning authors and translators in their own right with many books to their credit.
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Life Eternal
In this title life and death collide in the stunning sequel to the breathtaking "Dead Beautiful". Renee Winters has changed. When she looks in the mirror, a beautiful girl with an older, sadder face stares back. Her condition has doctors mystified, but Renee can never reveal the truth: she died last May, and was brought back to life by the kiss of her Undead soul mate, Dante Berlin. Now, her separation from Dante becomes almost unbearable. His second life is close to an end, and each passing day means one less that she will spend with the boy who shares her soul. Just when Renee has almost given up hope, she learns of the Nine Sisters - brilliant scholars who, according to legend, found a way to cheat death. She can't shake the feeling that they are somehow connected to her dreams, strange visions that hint at a discovery so powerful, and so dangerous, that some will stop at nothing to protect it. Renee thought she knew the truth about life and death. But there is a secret woven through history that holds the only hope for Dante and Renee. Unless they find answers soon, their time together is doomed to be cut short. A Children’s Bookshelf Selection: Each month our editor’s pick the best books for children and young adults by age to be a part of the children’s bookshelf. These are editorial recommendations made by our team of experts. Our monthly reading list includes a mix of bestsellers and top new releases and evergreen books that will help enhance a child’s reading life.
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Before We Forget Kindness
In the fifth book in the sensational Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, the mysterious café where customers arrive hoping to travel back in time welcomes four new guests: - The father who could not allow his daughter to get married - A woman who couldn't give Valentine's Day chocolates to her loved one - A boy who wants to show his smile to his divorced parents - A wife holding a child with no name . . . They must follow the café's strict rules, however, and come back to the present before their coffee goes cold. In another moving and heartwarming tale from Toshikazu Kawaguchi, our new visitors wish to go back into their past to move on their present, finding closure and comfort so they can embark on a beautiful future.
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The American Roommate Experiment
'Elena Armas is the undisputed queen of slow burn, steam, deliciously swoony rom-coms.' Ali Hazelwood, bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis From the author of the Goodreads Choice Award winner The Spanish Love Deception, the eagerly anticipated follow-up featuring Rosie Graham and Lucas Martín, who are forced to share a New York apartment. Rosie Graham has a problem. A few, actually. She just quit her well paid job to focus on her secret career as a romance writer. She hasn’t told her family and now has terrible writer’s block. Then, the ceiling of her New York apartment literally crumbles on her. Luckily she has her best friend Lina’s spare key while she’s out of town. But Rosie doesn’t know that Lina has already lent her apartment to her cousin Lucas, who Rosie has been stalking―for lack of a better word―on Instagram for the last few months. Lucas seems intent on coming to her rescue like a Spanish knight in shining armour. Only this one strolls around the place in a towel, has a distracting grin, and an irresistible accent. Oh, and he cooks. Lucas offers to let Rosie stay with him, at least until she can find some affordable temporary housing. And then he proposes an outrageous experiment to bring back her literary muse and meet her deadline: He’ll take her on a series of experimental dates meant to jump-start her romantic inspiration. Rosie has nothing to lose. Her silly, online crush is totally under control―but Lucas’s time in New York has an expiration date, and six weeks may not be enough, for either her or her deadline. "A frothy, playful delight... a god-tier forced-proximity romance that had literally grinning so hard at the pages! Delicious fun from start to finish!' Christina Lauren, bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners ‘It’s great on crushes and longing and the deep satisfaction of a slow-burn romance eventually reaching boiling point. This romcom is fresh, funny and highly enjoyable.’ Daily Mail ‘The American Roommate Experiment feels like an homage to all things romance, bringing together so many of the genre’s favourite tropes, nods and scenes in a book that is just as heart-warming and emotional as it is fun and sexy. And best of all, it’s also packed with the most delicious kind of slow-burn tension that will keep readers turning the pages and eager for more.’ Culturefly ‘A delicious romance’ Woman’s Own ‘A light-hearted dose of fun and flirtation for die-hard romantics’ Hea
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Warmth
Dear reader, If you have a heart, you will fall in love. And chances are, someone will end up breaking your heart. I wrote this book after someone broke mine. What do you do when the only person you’ve ever loved with your whole heart decides to leave your life? You keep trying to run away from the hurt, but to no avail. This book is a product of all the running I did from heartbreak. I feel everything too deeply, and when my heart broke, I collected all the broken pieces, and they fuelled my art. This book is everything I wrote after someone I loved left me. There’ s too much heartbreak in these pages, but also too much hope and, more than anything, a promise that life can’ t always hurt you. I hope healing finds its way to you soon. Love, Rithvik
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When Haru Was Here
t's magical how Dustin Thao can make you fall in love with having your heart broken' - Adam Silvera, #1 bestselling author of They Both Die at the End What does it mean to let go . . . ? After the death of his best friend, Eric Ly creates imaginary scenarios in his head to deal with his grief. Until one of them becomes real, and a boy he met last summer – Haru Tanaka – walks into the coffee shop and sits down next to him. The only thing is, nobody else can see him. Eric suddenly has someone to connect with, making him feel less alone in the world. But as they spend more time together, he begins to question what is real. Soon Eric is losing control of the very thing that is holding him together, and must confront his reality. Even if it means losing Haru forever.
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When The Wildflowers Bloom
Don’t try to predict life, try to explore it instead. Even the roughest, most crooked trails can sometimes lead to magnificent places. After suffering public humiliation at the hands of her husband on what would have otherwise been a memorable evening, Tara Grewal, a homemaker and mother of two, finds herself thrust onto a crossroads. She cannot readily go back to the life she once knew, nor can she move forward without a career or life skills to sustain her. As she transitions from questioning her choices to surrendering to the flow of life, an unfamiliar journey leads her to her grandmother village in Punjab. Amid the simple joys of rural life, and heart-wrenching struggles of daily survival, Tara unknowingly kindle a Spark of hope. A hope that eventually lights her own fire. As she casts off the reins of the predictable and embraces change, Tara unravels her fears and motivations, reaffirming her belief in what she knew to be true—about people, about life, about relationships, and most importantly, about love. In her challenges, she finds her strength. In her escape, she finds her home. Poignant, insightful, and deeply relatable, when the wildflowers Bloom weaves together the complexities of human emotions and societal norms with beauty, sensitivity, and unfailing optimism.
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The 24th Hour
Trouble is never far away . . . The Women’s Murder Club is out celebrating an engagement at San Francisco’s finest restaurant when a blood-curdling scream interrupts the festivities. They soon discover a young woman who has been the victim of a violent assault. Sergeant Lindsay Boxer makes an arrest. Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano takes the case. But assigning blame is made impossible due to the victim’s chaotic version of events – and the shocking reason behind her ever-changing memory. As Yuki argues the toughest case of her career, Lindsay must chase down a high-society killer whose target practice may leave the Women’s Murder Club short a bridesmaid . . . or two.
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On Beauty
What does it mean to be in the presence of beauty? And how can one explore and understand this through the filmography of writer, director, editor, music composer and choreographer Sanjay Leela Bhansali? In this sweeping text, Prathyush Parasuraman walks the reader through the auteur’s films―those hailed, those hauled―like Gangubai Kathiawadi, Padmaavat, Devdas, Ram-Leela, and Saawariya. With sensitivity and finesse, On Beauty examines beauty as an idea, and aesthetics as a philosophy, while simultaneously shedding light on the making of Bhansali’s painstaking frames through conversations with his cinematographers, composers, choreographers and production and costume designers. In these pages, Bhansali’s cinema comes alive.
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Parde Ke Peechhey
Ila Arun burst into public view with the controversial song from Khal Nayak (1993), Choli Ke Peechhey. But several years before that, she was already well known for her contribution to Rajasthani folk music. Mumbai soon became her home, and it was in this city of glamour that Ila made a name for herself in every genre of the performing arts―film, television, music and playback singing―and also as a composer and lyricist. In the course of her creative journey of almost fifty years, Ila has been associated with several of the best-known names in this field―actors and directors, singers and music directors, classical and folk singers, who appear as characters in her story. Her passion however remains theatre. A writer herself, with several original plays and many adaptations to her credit, this is her first book, an autobiography, which records her life from childhood to the present. It is an honest depiction of her successes and disappointments in the world of theatre, film and music. Told in her inimitable style, with sincerity and a touch of humour, this is Ila at her candid best, sharing a glimpse into her life and experience onstage and backstage, parde ke peechhey.
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Rearming Hinduism
Rearming Hinduism is a handbook for intellectual resistance. Within its pages, Vamsee Juluri delivers a sharp and comprehensive examination of Hinduphobia pervasive in contemporary academia, media, and popular culture. Juluri not only exposes the Hinduphobic narrative’s denial of the profound truths and beauty within Hindu philosophy but also challenges its disregard for the inherent integrity and sacredness of the natural world. This book fearlessly dismantles prevalent misconceptions about nature, history, and ancient civilizations propagated by modern media while debunking Hinduphobic myths surrounding Aryans, invasions, and ritual practices. Through this critique, Rearming Hinduism draws connections between Hinduphobia and a culture marked by exploitation and self-destruction, suggesting that a revitalized Hindu perspective may offer a potent counterforce. It urges readers to envision the present through the lens of timeless principles, thereby uplifting our understanding of our land, time, and the enduring values of sanatana dharma.