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Kamal Haasan A Cinematic Journey
In many ways, Kamal Haasan is unique. One of the greatest actors India has ever produced, he has usually gone further than just enacting a role to completely immersing himself in it. Kamal Haasan: A Cinematic Journey explores some fifty films out of the 245 Haasan has been associated with and analyses his cinematic journey from his beginnings as a child star all the way to his latest blockbusters. It traces how, even at a young age, he took on roles other actors would be wary of, positioning himself as an object of female desire in the 1980s; balancing both comedy and tragedy with aplomb; playing formerly caricatured roles such as that of a dwarf in Apoorva Sagodharargal and a woman in Chachi 420 with dignity; and having a resurgence in 2022 with the blockbuster Vikram. This book is the best introduction possible to Kamal Haasan: his life, his thoughts and his movies.
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The Inheritance Games
The Inheritance Games 'Barnes is a master of puzzles and plot twists' E. Lockhart, author of We Were LiarsAn addictive and twisty thriller, full of dark family secrets and deadly stakes. Perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson. A BILLION-DOLLAR FORTUNE TO DIE FOR . . .She came from nothing. Avery has a plan: keep her head down, work hard for a better future.Then an eccentric billionaire dies, leaving her almost his entire fortune. And no one, least of all Avery, knows why. They had everything. Now she must move into the mansion she's inherited. It's filled with secrets and codes, and the old man's surviving relatives - a family hell-bent on discovering why Avery got 'their' money. Now there's only one rule: winner takes all. Soon she is caught in a deadly game that everyone in this strange family is playing. But just how far will they go to keep their fortune? 'Impossible to put down' Buzzfeed DON'T MISS THE HAWTHORNE LEGACY - THE UMISSABLE SEQUEL TO THE INHERITANCE GAMES, AVAILABLE NOW!
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The Hawthorne Legacy
The Hawthorne Legacy (The Inheritance Games, Book 2) 'Barnes is a master of puzzles and plot twists' E. Lockhart, author of We Were Liars Intrigue, riches, and romance abound in this thrilling sequel to the global bestselling The Inheritance Games. Perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson.A DEADLY GAME. A PUZZLE TO SOLVE. A FORTUNE AT STAKE. One step forward. Avery thought that solving the riddle left by billionaire Tobias Hawthorne would reveal why he left her - a complete stranger - his entire fortune. Two steps back. But as the cryptic clues tale an unexpected twist and the handsome and enigmatic Hawthorne grandsons continue to pull her in different directions, Avery can't help but wonder who she can really trust and who is just looking out for themselves. What happens when the truth just hides more secrets? Soon Avery realizes this game is no longer just about money and power. Now she's playing for her life. 'Impossible to put down' Buzzfeed DON'T MISS THE FINAL GAMBIT - THE EXPLOSIVE CONCLUSION TO THE INHERITANCE GAMES SERIES - COMING AUGUST 2022!
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Empire of the Cholas
South India. 11th Century In the middle of an undulating piece of land, a colossal structure emerges. It unites a land, creates harmony among a diverse population and even brings together lovers. This Big Temple breaks through the upper layers of the atmosphere in Thanjavur and transfixes the Chola Empire and its people. An ambitious man who comes adrift on a piece of wood; an Emperor who comes into his own greatness; the strong women of the court and beyond who assert their presence and authority—they all surround the construction of this Temple while facing the threat of a renegade foreign nation, which tries to take them all down. Empire of the Cholas narrates the legend of the construction of the Big Temple in Thanjavur and the Chola Empire. Weaving together the fictional and the factual, it creates a tapestry that promises to captivate and enthrall.
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Mangifera indica:A Biography of the Mango
Mangifera indica: A Biography of the Mango The mango, the king of fruits, is also the fruit of desire and the fruit of love. Every aspect of the tree is profoundly intertwined with Indian civilization. The leaves, flowers, and fruits of the mango are depicted in paintings and sculptures, and references to it are found in Indian literature through the ages and in several languages. It has played, and continues to play, an important role in religion, cuisine, and a variety of cultural forms. But do we really know all there is to know about this delectable fruit? In this deeply researched and superbly written book, we go beyond the well-trodden stories of the obsessions of nawabs and kings and breathless annual debates about the best mangoes in the world. From the orchards where they grow to the vibrant markets redolent with their aroma, and ultimately to our tables, Mangifera indica describes every aspect of India’s favorite fruit. Book One begins with the history, origin, and the relevance of the mango in contemporary culture, including its place in religious rituals and festivals, literature, and diplomatic relations. Book Two takes us far back in time, 4,500 million years ago, to chart the coevolution of the ancestors of the mango and humans. In Book Three, we traverse the length and breadth of India, encountering a kaleidoscope of mango varieties—the fragrant Alphonso, sweet Kesar, succulent Dashehri, and dozens of others—as well as never before heard stories of growers, traders, distributors, and consumers. An ambitious synthesis of reportage, history, biology, ecology, economics, and culture, Mangifera indica is the definitive account of India’s treasured fruit.
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The Lion and The Lily
The Lion and The Lily: The Rise and Fall of Awadh Through the turbulent eighteenth century, Awadh grew to become one of the richest and most coveted regions in all of Hindustan. Although it was nominally ruled by the Mughal emperor in Delhi, the Mughal empire itself under Muhammad Shah ‘Rangeeley’, and later under Shah Alam II, was in terminal decline. The British and French East India Companies were vying for control of the subcontinent. As the Seven Years’ War between these European powers came to an end, and the British lost territory in other parts of the world, they became more determined to seize power in India. Meanwhile, France began a ‘war of revenge’ against its old enemy to restore its prestige. The French Revolutionary wars (1792–99) and the Napoleonic wars (1803–1815) would lead to even greater volatility in India. French players continued to intrigue till the last quarter of the eighteenth century in various Indian courts. Awadh’s rise to prominence began when Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk (r.1722–1739) was posted there by the Mughal emperor as a demotion for failing to quell a Jat rebellion. Undeterred, Saadat Khan and his successors worked relentlessly to bring stability and glory to the province. Shuja-ud-Daula (r.1754–1775), the third nawab, was widely considered the most powerful and courageous ruler of the time. But after the disastrous loss of the Mughal army at the Battle of Buxar (1764) Shuja was forced into an unsavoury alliance with the British. Despite this unfortunate development, Shuja worked hard to develop Awadh, and Faizabad in particular. Shuja’s son, Asaf-ud-Daula (r.1775–1797), was a visionary and an exemplary diplomat, and his mother, Bahu Begum, a formidable force of nature. Asaf created a Shia renaissance that was a challenge to both Mughal Sunni power and the increasing parochialism of the EIC. His adopted son, Wazir Ali (r.1797–1798), was deposed by the British who then crowned his uncle Saadat Ali Khan (r.1798–1814) as a puppet ruler. In the treaty of 1801, Saadat Ali Khan ceded half of Awadh to the British East India Company and agreed to disband his troops in favour of an expensive British-run army. These and other developments would reduce Awadh to a shadow of its former glory within a couple of decades. Using Persian, English, and hitherto untranslated French sources as well as recent work by art historians, bestselling author Ira Mukhoty brings to focus the life and times of Awadh in the eighteenth century as well as some of the most important figures of the period—the nawabs, EIC officials such as Robert Clive, Warren Hastings, Richard Wellesley, as also the powerful begums, elite eunuchs, soldiers and adventurers, such as René Madec, Jean Baptiste Gentil, Claude Martin, Antoine Polier, artists both Indian and European, and others. The Lion and the Lily is a nuanced, detailed, and richly told account of the rise and fall of Awadh in the eighteenth century against the background of the international struggle between Britain and France.
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Living Spirituality
The subject of spirituality has become an elusive one. And with so many paths, ideologies, beliefs, masters, and gurus, where each is convinced of their superiority, it has become impossible to know what amounts to true spirituality. Living Spirituality has been written to remove this veil of confusion and distortion that shrouds spirituality and put the control back into your hands. The author offers a deeply insightful and rational understanding of the subject that aims to clarify and illuminate the truly spiritual life. Not only that, but the book also addresses various queries and tribulations that one is bound to confront when on a spiritual journey. This includes: • Do we need a master or guru to be on the path of spirituality? • How can we bridge the gap between spirituality in words and spirituality in one’s actions? • What makes spirituality different from philosophy and religion? • What is the difference between spirituality and escapism? . . . and many more The central theme of the book is to make spirituality accessible. Living Spirituality is a thought-provoking book that will confront our preconceived ideas, capture our souls, and direct our lives towards the true essence of spirituality.
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The Mystery of the Portuguese Hearts...
A Re Parkar Destination Thriller In the heart of Portugal's wine country, a sinister game of life and death begins. When Filipa's beloved grandfather, Ricardo Monteiro, is brutally assaulted on their ancestral estate, the heiress finds herself thrust into a deadly race against time. "Follow the trail of the lenços... I love Ana!" His dying words hurl Filipa into a desperate quest for the truth. As a chilling note warns of impending doom, investigative journalist Re Parkar enters the fray. From the shadowy vineyards of Penafiel to the olive slopes of Freixo Espada à Cinta, Re and Filipa chase the mysterious trail of Ana's love handkerchiefs, unearthing sinister secrets, even as they face off against a cunning adversary. As the bodies pile up, Re must navigate a treacherous maze of deception to halt a nightmarish catastrophe. But who is pulling the strings behind this deadly game? And what dark connection does Ana hold to the Monteiro legacy? The Mystery of the Portuguese Hearts is a psychological suspense tale of thrilling intrigue, love and sacrifice.
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100 Desi Stories Series: Great Indian Leaders
Inspiring stories from the lives of Legendary Leaders India is home to many legendary figures who have paved the way for change through their indomitable spirit. 100 Desi Stories: Great Indian Leaders is a testament to the talents, inspiration, and resilience of a hundred trailblazers. These crusaders may be royals, warriors, rebels and reformists, spiritual mentors, artists, activists, or sports persons who have proved their mettle under the most trying circumstances. Emperor Akbar stabilized the Mughal economy; Chandragupta founded the Mauryan dynasty; Mahatma Gandhi led the Indian independence movement; Prime Minister Narendra Modi has garnered attention for his innovative strategies; and Priyanka Chopra has turned into a global icon—the stories of these leaders from the ancient and contemporary times will inspire you to achieve your goals. Each story ends with pertinent questions making the reader introspect. It reminds them to persist through hardships to realize their dreams. Dive into the world of these changemakers and enhance your problem-solving skills!
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100 Desi Stories-Wisdom from Ancient India
Timeless Tales with Invaluable Life Lessons Since time immemorial, our ancestors have always used stories of gods and saints to ward off our fears, instill confidence, and teach us the difference between good and evil, or right and wrong. In a country where many faiths coexist, India has a rich heritage of holy narratives. At the heart of every philosophy lie tales of foresight and wisdom. Such stories impart invaluable life lessons. With an exhaustive collection of rare gems from Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism, 100 Desi Stories: Wisdom from Ancient India is a treasure trove of short narratives all set to enrich your curious mind and soul. Each story ends by asking pertinent questions, making the reading experience interactive and introspective. Dive into the world of these desi narratives to enhance your problem-solving skills!
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The Annihilator
A Dark Obsession Romance (Dark Verse) Paperback The Annihilator A Dark Obsession Romance Paperback by RuNyx Latest Edition
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The Finisher
A Dark Marriage of Convenience Romance (Dark Verse Book 4) The highly anticipated fourth book in the Dark Verse series. What happens when a beast of blood finds a bride of light in the land of death? Growing up on the streets of Los Fortis, Alessandro 'Alpha' Villanova scrapped his way to the top, fighting for his very survival, losing everything in the process. A city that shunned him then is now the one he rules, albeit alone, as the king of a dark empire few know about. Far from Alpha's world, Zephyr de la Vega has a normal life, normal family, normal drama. Her biggest problem is people trying to make her lose a few pounds. When a chance encounter puts her on his path, she makes a proposition that changes the course of their lives. As a killer goes on a spree in Alpha's city, taking apart his scarred empire corpse by corpse, and The Syndicate comes into play, their partnership evolves into something deeper, more enduring, more powerful than either of them anticipated. Evil ascends. Darkness descends. A new order is born. *** The Finisher is not a standalone. Reading the series in order is highly recommended.
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The Emperor
A Contemporary Dark Romance: 3 (Dark Verse) The highly anticipated third installment in the Dark Verse series. What happens when a legacy of ruin mates with a realm of blood? Heir to the notorious Tenebrae Outfit, Dante Maroni has been trained since birth. A silent rebel in the shadows, he has learned to hide his ruthlessness under his charm, his brutality under his suits, and his love for one woman under his silence. Infiltrating the Syndicate responsible for the missing children, Dante discovers information that shatters his reality and forces him to trigger a lethal game. Daughter of the Maroni housekeeper, Amara has loved Dante for longer than she's known it. Abducted and tortured at the young age of fifteen, she loses herself, her life, and her home as she knows it. Years after, unknowingly protected, she's found some semblance of normalcy when her world collapses again, forcing her to join the game. Mysteries are unraveled. Secrets are discovered. And their young love is transformed, replaced by a deep intimacy, power, and survival. The reluctant king and inevitable queen play. An empire of death is born.
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The Reaper
An Enemies to Lovers Dark Romance (Dark Verse Book 2) What happens when the untameable wind and the endless sea collide in the dark of the night? Tristan 'The Predator' Caine had been unprepared for Morana Vitalio. After spending his entire life with a vow he broke on a rainy night, he finds himself torn in a battle between his painful past and an uncertain future. The only thing he knows? Her life still belongs to him. For Morana, the line between enemies and allies has blurred. Everything she once held dear to her has disintegrated and the unknown gapes at her, leaving her with both her freedom and life on the line in enemy territory. The only thing she knows? His life has always belonged to her. With twenty years of history tying them to each other, Tristan and Morana begin their hunt for the truth together. And they realize that the mystery of the missing girls is just the tip of the iceberg. Skeletons are uncovered. Dominoes begin to fall. A storm is born.
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The Predator
★ AN AMAZON TOP 20 BESTSELLER ★ An Enemies to Lovers Dark Romance (Dark Verse Book 1) What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object in the field of death? In the dark underbelly of the mob, Tristan Caine has been an anomaly. As the only non-blooded member in the high circle of the Tenebrae Outfit, he is an enigma to all - his skills unparalleled, his morality questionable, and his motives unknown. He is lethal and he knows it. As does Morana Vitalio, the genius extraordinaire daughter of the rival family. What Caine does with weapons, Morana does with computers. When a twenty-year-old mystery resurfaces, Morana infiltrates Caine's house, intent on killing him, unaware of a tie that binds them together. Hate, heat, and history clash together with unexpected sparks. But something bigger, something worse is happening in their world. And despite their animosity, only they can fight it down.
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Around the World in Eighty Treasures
Dan Cruickshank's quest is to tell the story of civilisation through the greatest of man's achievements. It will also be the story of his travels, and who and what he meets along the way. Whether standing before the solemn heads of Easter Island, investigating the mysterious Nazca lines in Peru or the magnificent temple of Borobodur in Java, Dan is never less than fascinating about the origins, construction, mysteries and vicissitudes of each of these monuments to the great civilisations of the world. Do they live up to expectation? Have they been left in ruin, or over-restored? Dan's diary, written at the end of each day, records his most intimate thoughts and feelings, the people he has met, the ups and downs of the journey, perils, joys, and the ongoing relationships formed on the road.
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Nine Lives
From the author of The Last Mughal (“A compulsively readable masterpiece” —The New York Review of Books), an exquisite, mesmerizing book that illuminates the remarkable ways in which traditional forms of religious life in India have been transformed in the vortex of the region’s rapid change—a book that distills the author’s twenty-five years of travel in India, taking us deep into ways of life that we might otherwise never have known exist. A Buddhist monk takes up arms to resist the Chinese invasion of Tibet—and spends the rest of his life atoning for the violence by hand printing the finest prayer flags in India . . . A Jain nun tests her powers of detachment as she watches her closest friend ritually starve herself to death . . . A woman leaves her middle-class life in Calcutta and finds unexpected fulfillment living as a Tantric in an isolated, skull-filled cremation ground . . . A prison warder from Kerala is worshipped as an incarnate deity for three months of every year . . . An idol carver, the twenty-third in a long line of sculptors, must reconcile himself to his son’s desire to study computer engineering . . . An illiterate goatherd from Rajasthan keeps alive in his memory an ancient four-thousand-stanza sacred epic . . . A temple prostitute, who initially resisted her own initiation into sex work, pushes both her daughters into a trade she nonetheless regards as a sacred calling. William Dalrymple chronicles these lives with expansive insight and a spellbinding evocation of circumstance. And while the stories reveal the vigorous resilience of individuals in the face of the relentless onslaught of modernity, they reveal as well the continuity of ancient traditions that endure to this day. A dazzling travelogue of both place and spirit.
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The Phoenix
NAME: Aryaman Khanna.PROFILE: Ex-intelligence officer, Phoenix 5 division, Intelligence and Research Wing.STATUS: Released from a high-security prison in Lakshadweep after serving a seven-year sentence for a botched counterterrorism operation led by Director General Amarjyot Bhushan.KNOWN FAMILY: A mother, a son and a wife, who was attacked before she could publish an expos about a bioweapon in her newspaper.CURRENT LOCATION: Last seen heading to Mumbai in pursuit of his wife's attackers and on a top-secret comeback mission.MISSION: Foil the bioweapon strike an international terror group has been planning to carry out in Mumbai on the anniversary of 26/11.The Phoenix tells a dystopian tale of espionage and global terror, of sleeper cells and double agents, of biological warfare and suicide attacks. But at its heart there's a message of hope and one man's love for his family and country.
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Rama of the Axe: The Epic Saga of Parashurama
THE LEGEND OF PARASHURAMA, THE SIXTH AVATAR OF VISHNU, RETOLD IN ALL ITS FANTASTIC DETAIL. The youngest son of Saptarishi Jamadagni, Ramabhadra has the weight of an immense prophecy on his shoulders. For not only is he the gifted son of a supremely revered rishi and his wife, he is also being quietly trained to fulfil his destiny as an avatar of Lord Vishnu. But the path to divinity is not one without trials. When his father and guru is suddenly snatched away from him, Ramabhadra knows he has to avenge his death, come what may. But before that he must master himself. A tale of revenge, love and duty Rama of the Axe is the story of Rambhadra’s journey to becoming Parashurama.
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Blood On The Sands
Ripping off the lid on the problems that simmer under the surface of modern-day India, Blood on the Sands is a riveting murder mystery that unfolds in the inhospitable but mysterious expanse of the Rann of Kutch. Quiet Mankor stays in Kuran, the last Indian village on the Indo-Pak border and takes care of her two children, Samar and Ranu. Her husband Virender is a tracker at the BSF headquarters in Rapar. Virender returns home during Navratri, triumphant after nabbing Shaukat, a member of a militant outfit involved in a terror plot against India. But terrible news awaits Virender in Kuran. Soon, Virender gets murdered under mysterious circumstances, Virender’s boss, Commandant Ranbir connects it to the unravelling terror plot. But was he missing something? And then little Ranu goes missing! As Ranbir sets out to seek the truth, he discovers a terrifying web of deceit. Will he be able to save Ranu, find Virender’s killer and save the country?
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Brahmaputra : The Ahom Son Rises - 1
AHOM - THE LAND OF GLORY, BRAVERY, SACRIFICE AND PATRIOTISM. Lachit Borphukan falls in love with Princess Padmini. But her father, Swargadeo Jayadhwaj Singha, the king of the Ahom kingdom, finds out and throws Lachit out of the capital, Jorhat. A few days later, the Ahom capital is attacked by Aurangzeb's forces. The king signs a truce treaty, thereby ceding part control of his kingdom to the Mughals. For Lachit and his best friend, Prince Chakradhwaj, the terms of the treaty are humiliating. Within days their troubles multiply as a prince from a kingdom loyal to the Ahoms misleads other minor kingdoms and attacks Jorhat. As Lachit and Prince Chakradhwaj defend the capital, this battle has the power to change the future of the Ahom kingdom forever. Can Lachit, Prince Chakradhwaj and Princess Padmini restore the honour of the Ahoms by defeating the rebels and breaking free from the Mughal stranglehold?
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Ghalib Danger
The first novel from Neeraj Pandey, Ghalib Danger takes us on a journey of the Mumbai Underworld in a fast-paced tale. The chief protagonist of the book is a cocky young taxi driver in the city of Mumbai called Kamran Ali. Like most others in the city, he dreams of making it big some day. But his life takes a turn for the worse when by accident, he saves the life of an underworld don Mirza. He is indebted to Kamran for his timely intervention and as an act of gratitude, decides to take him under his wings. Kamran's life transforms completely as he embraces guns and bullets. He gets drawn into the don's ugly and murky world of cops and rival gangsters. Kamran inherits the don's empire eventually and along with it, he also inherits one of his traits. This trait happens to be the don's belief that the solution to every problem lies in Ghalib's poetry. Kamran finds great solace in poetry and Ghalib's work keeps him from going insane. Because of this, Kamran gets a new nickname. As he is rising to the top of the gang, he has cops, politicians and many others on tenterhooks. Soon, he becomes the city's most-feared gangster with a poetic name, Ghalib Danger. Thrilling moments make Ghalib Danger an unforgettable read. This book was published by Penguin India in 2013 and is available in paperback.
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The Dirty Dozen: Hitmen of the Mumbai Underworld
KILL YOUR SISTER’S HUSBAND, AND THEN I WILL KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMETHING IN YOU! Chhota Shakeel to Sadiq Jalawar Munna Jhingada, Farid Tanasha, Baba Reddy… hitmen and executioners all. Each with haunting tales to tell. The executioner has no remorse. He is the man who strikes the fear of his boss in everybody’s heart. While he has no criminal empire of his own, his barbaric bio-sketch could fill several police case diaries. Those who live by the bullet die by the bullet – almost every last man of them. But in their short reign of terror, they leave a trail of devastation in their wake. In this no-holds-barred book, undercover reporter Gabriel Khan, backed by years of behind-the-scenes work, provides an insight into the lives of twelve of the most vicious and fearless hitmen of Mumbai, giving readers a first-hand insight into what fuels the men behind some of the bloodiest battles and showdowns in the city.