Chennai International Book Fair 2023- A annual ritual of visit to the world of books

Pics says it all.   Missed the Notion Press stall this year in the book fair, or probably, I missed being at the right stall.  Enjoyed Queer Publishing Stall,  been to Emerald Publishers owner by my friend Nalini Olivannan and Went in search of Sixth Sense Publications and happy to find the Chennai Bloggers club book - "After the floods'' which had 21 authors writing the anthology and happy being one amongst them.  It feels good to find your book amidst millions of the books in the Book fair !!!

First time the LGBTQ community found a voice at the International Book Fair,  The Queer Publishing stall was quite a big turn for inclusivity in the society.  It makes me feel proud of our Constitution for providing equal rights to all human beings in India.  I know the struggle these trans sisters had on the first couple of days of the book fair, but glad they won their way and finally are able to make few sales for the books through the stall

Felt happy meeting Perivavallavan's mother at the fair and appreciated her for the longest legal battle she fought and won for her son.   I am no one to comment on a judicial proceeding and aftermath long judicial custodies of those involved in a former Prime Minister's assassination.  

But the resilience of the mother, to single handedly fight, run behind court rooms and hearing after hearing., fighting for appeals, went for Presidential Plea and knocked the doors of every politician in search of justice for her son.  The mother showed utmost belief in justice, waited almost 30 long years, amidst long struggle for justice, managing the household, losses and unsurmountable hurdles her way.   

People were amazed to her will and courage, wisdom to understand complex IPC sections to support their case.  She did not hesitate to travel the length and breadth of the country seeking justice.   She left behind her typical shyness, and wore a sleeve of grit and determination with single motive to set her son free before she dies.  She walked thousands of miles and joined every call with the voices of justice,  and she emerged as victorious as any other woman in the history pages of India.  

Jai Ho, to the mothers of this Nation who take on courage as the only weapon as they fight the battles of life.    Jai Ho, to the mothers, who inspite of their own pain, withstand the turbulences to protect their children and families..  Jai Ho to the mothers, all around the world, who keep the wellbeing of the family first than themselves.   Jai Ho every mother,...to my grandmother who raised me, my mother who taught me,  my sisters who mothered me with wisdom and support,  to my daughter, who mothers me with the generational gap knowledge and mother in me who craves to provide love to all around.   Jai Ho Maa Darthi....Jai Ho Mother Earth!!!!  

Thanks to my better half who ensures we visit the book fair every year!!!

It was also so nice to Giri Traders stall having Pooniyan Selvan in English translated by Ms. Sumeetha Manikandan.  

Enjoy Reading..Paper back is the best!!!  Authors, keep writing...The Mighty Pen is powerful than the sword!!!

A Journey of Corporate Woman to Entrepreneur - 4th Edition of "Chat with Umasree Raghunath" in JAIMAA Times 17 Jan 2023

 #jaimaaTimes #umasreeraghunath

#weeklycolumn

Talking to one super woman every week for sure is keeping me highly motivated.

JAIMAA Times weekly edition carries 4th edition of "Chat with Umasree Raghunath" with Niraimathi, Executive Director of Zyvana Integrated Services...

women around do not stop surprising and felt so good connecting with her discussing Entrepreneur challenges and more so when they move in from the l

ucrative corporate career!... With Bala Chandar

#BookReview : The Powerful, The Powerless by Shiva Dhuli

 

The Book -  “The Powerful, The Powerless”  indicates the larger divide in the society between haves and have-nots.   This fictional novel contains characters which are seen around us in daily lives.   The characters those represent the top layer of politicians and corrupted system  and the downtrodden who are suppressed and kept suppressed always by the society for no fault of theirs.  

The Poor remains Poorer, and The Rich becomes Richer.     The darker side of our thinking is clearly brought out in the novel, which is for serious readers and deep thinkers.  The power struggle politicians who use powerless underprivileged lot for their own benefits is clearly brought out in the novel.  

Not many writers can weave this story brining in the harsh realities of life.   This fiction is not for fun reading but for people who have thinking about the hard lives around us, show empathy and try to be good at least within our levels of control.

Summary of the Story.

The story starts in the hospital beds of two people waiting for their time to get the organs for transplantation and ending up talking about the story of the person who seems to be powerful at beginning but of the most powerless background.  They pray for miracles in life.   The main characters Bharat and the Government man Kanskumars is introduced to us from here.  Bharat starts narrating his story to Pasupathi in the hospital ward, about his story, struggle, losses, and everything that can be sad in one’s life. 

The transition of a destitute boy, abused in childhood, traumatised as a teen, and transforms into a well-educated professor is the picture we get from the story of Bharat.   How a politician can destroy the world of a commoner for his greed and political upliftment, how the love world of this young man shatters with murders, kidnaps, and killings.   Eventually how he gets framed for a  murder someone else does and murder is made to look like a suicide.    The repeated scenarios that show the pathetic circumstances that evolve around the protagonist, and despite of all the odds, spends time with hope and revival  in life.   Shiva Dhuli weaves this tragic situation around us, and we can find many Kanskumars and Bharaths around us!!

Circle of connecting dots

1.      Political incorrectness with all its corruption, greed, and heartlessness

2.     The great divide between the working class, labourers and politically and financially rich is portrayed in dept.

3.     The story strongly supports the title of the book

4.     Journalist tragedies, erasing of judicial evidence and portrayal of the characters wrongdoing is clearly brought out.

5.     How government and opposition, always try to rub on the mud slings on each other and trying to dispose of each other convenient for their political vendetta.  

6.     It is not just the powerless, but also the struggle of the powerful to remain at power.    They represent lack of justice, spreading of hatred and evil around us

7.     To me, personally, the story has a gripping view of the society and some chapters felt dragging and the reader would love to have a speed in the story.  However, for this kind of a serious subject, you can introduce all characters at once and rush into the sequential events.

8.     Shiva Dhuli, clearly brings out the uncertainty and continuous suffering of the downtrodden and how society in general, ensure that the poor remain poorer.    There is no known mystery but an unending misery that is deeply conveyed

9.     This novel showcases the realities in life, which we fail to acknowledge around us

10.  Final say:   good novel to read.  To think.  To redeem few things around us if we can.     Fortunately, to a reader who is sensitive it will hit straight in their head for some deep thinking.   Unfortunately for readers who do not like serious stuff, this book can be lengthy and not to the speed.   But be prepared to unwind with the unfortunate power struggle, powerlessness, and nothing in our power to control anything powerful around us. 

I brought the novel from Amazon India .   Good work Shiva Dhuli.  More power to your pen!!!

#Food Blogger #Food Review : Bhale Bhale food and hospitality at BANGHRA - Punjabi Restaurant near Mayajaal ECR Road, Chennai

After a sumptuous meal in the afternoon - celebrating PONGAL Festival at home, we as a family wanted to drive down in the famous ECR road, visit a temple and then have dinner outside.  

The crowds at ECR Chinmaya Mission Matsya Narayana temple, was too much and there was no parking possible anywhere near by.   So we decided to drive further down to Sri Jaganatha Puri temple opposite to Mayajaal crossing the Reddikupam fish market (Ofcourse, we did buy the fish coming back home)...and then when it was time for dinner, our young adults were sure that we go to 'Bhangra'... especially after seeing the 4.9/5 rating in the Google ((google uncle never tells lies))   

The restaurant was  overflowing when we visited, and we had a waiting time of around 20 mins and then got a table for 8 of us.   The menu card itself was tempting with so many options and authentic punjabi kanna...we went ahead ordering 3 big Thali's  - 2 non veg and 1 veg, and the Thali can be shared by 2 or 3 people easily.   The brocolli cream tandori starter was mouth-watering and finely cooked.  The corn stuffed starter was equally good, and crispy outside and creamy and softer inside with right blend of spices.   The papad and masala chutneys was equally good.    Then came the Soups, salad, 3 starters, naan, roti, pulov rice and a whole bunch of gravies including Mutton, Chicken, Egg curries and with the kheer and traditional lassi.   The veg side was equally appealing with aloo-mutter, rajma, finely made dal tadka,  dal  makhani and nice tomoto soup.  

It was great meeting the owner Navtej bhai,  who ensured every customer is attended aptly, he took time to come and speak to us if we would need anything else,  suggesting us dishes and ensuring we had a good time.   Finally we felt the experience truly enriching and definetly the restuarant is worth the raving ratings it is receiving.    Honestly we could not finish everything we ordered, for the quantities were also higher than what we expected.  No wasting of food, and the staff was courteous to ensure we get the food packed to take home on the extra orders we made.   

If you are driving down in the ECR, stop by Bhangra and you would surely not be disappointed.   For a rich spread of both veg and non-veg, your taste buds will be surely tickling long after you leave the place too.    If you have a group of food lovers, I am sure this place provides the best dining experience.     Bhale Bhale Bhangra!!!   Punjabi's are known for their hospitality and love in serving food and you will surely experience this at Bhangra.   

#KnowYourCity, #KnowYourChennai- Magnificent Churches of Chennai City - Part- 1 - Santhome Basilica and Tomb of St. Thomas (Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai)

• First constructed by the Portugese in the 16th century, this church was subsequently renovated by the British in the late 19th century when they came into power.
• This church is significant because it is believed that St. Thomas stayed at the place where it was erected for approximately 20 years, making the land the church is built on divine.
• St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica is a minor basilica in Chennai and is one of the most important religious sites for Christians around the world.
• This stunning piece of architecture with an all-white facade is built in Neo-gothic style, naturally lit interiors and huge windows with coloured panes.
• As the church is close to the ocean, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that it is among the most beautiful churches in the world. The structure that you see today is a result of multiple renovations that the Basilica underwent over the last few centuries.
• The religious significance of the cathedral is linked to the belief that one of the 12 apostles of the Christ visited the place in the middle of the first century, and was put to death at St. Thomas Mount in 72 A.D. St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica was built on top of his final resting place.
• The church also houses a museum that has the fingerprint of the apostle and wall paintings depicting his life and death. The lance head that killed the apostle, a rare piece of precious bone, an episcopal chair and stone receptacle are also kept in the museum
• Christmas is a good time to visit this church. This is the biggest church in Chennai. Denomination/Affiliation: Roman Catholic
• Location: Santhome High Road, Chennai
• Timings: 06:00 am – 09:00 pm (All days of the week)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

"Chat with Umasree Raghunath" - Edition 3- Sandhya Subramanian- Respect one's need in Joint Family

 #weeklycolumn #JaimaaTimes

#umasreeraghunath

"Chat with Umasree Raghunath" is a weekly column that is receiving good reviews and glad to share the 3rd edition of the talk with Sandhya Subramanian ...lovely snippets of the wonderful conversation and with Bala Chandar

#Travel Diaries - Our visit to Tiruvannamalai and Melmaruvathur Adi Parashakthi Temples on Arudhra (Tiruvadhurai) Festival day - 6 Jan 2023

 Arudra Darisanam festival which celebrates the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva as Nataraja in Tamil month Margazhi is observed as Lord Nataraja Urchavam at Tiruvannamalai Temple .

The festival is observed at Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple when the Ardra Nakshatra falls in the month of Margazhi

Thiruvadirai..is also considered as birthday of Lord Shiva as Natarajar in Chidambaram on Ardhra nakshatra and auspicious pournami...

Had a great darshan of Melmaruvathur Adhi Parashakthi on Friday and Annamalai n Unamalaiyar Kuchalambal darshan at Tiruvanamalai and went on Girivalam n Ramana Maharshi Ashram with friends and had a peaceful, blessed darshans despite heavy crowds. Felt so good sending 3 bags of rice 300 kgs for annadanam at Chidambaram

Book Review : Ponniyan Selvan English Translation by Author Sumeetha Manikandan - Jan 2023

Kalki's Ponniyan Selvan translated by Sumeetha Manikandan....the gripping novel of 5 volumes and more than 2000 pages...a month long mesmerizing reading, best utilization of holiday season, last night I finally completed reading this populous novel.

My interest in the story started since the PS1 release and at the right time, Editor Divya Balaji posted about this English Translation from Sumeetha published by Giri Traders.

As a writer, I couldn't stop admiring the herculean task of translation by Sumeetha. Writing for your self is much easier than daunting task of translating a well-known novel and right, yet simple language, without diverting a single line is not easy. Kudos to Author Sumeetha and her team who worked hard behind this. They literally nailed it to the core.

Coming to the story of PS, the author very cleverly leaves the story with lot of open ended questions and suspense. The success of this story is in the weaving of innumerable characters and making each one of them important

Nextly, not giving it an ending that of popular opinion, Kalki n Rajendran very beautifully ends the story with readers wanting to read more. Not just 2 series of movies, but more than a dozen of them can be made from this magnificent book.

A facto-fictional story allows the author to pick important pieces of history and weave his imagination and bring in fictional characters that can dominate the story. Classical example is Nandhini.

Taking you through a journey and enhancing anecdotes of the dynasties that ruled the Tamil Kingdom, bringing the beauty of natural resources of rivers, forests, mountains and a subtle romance, fierce wars, vengeance, lust and love, relationships, cultural references, spiritual touches and references to epic Tirukural, everything becomes a part of the maya of this novel. Unknowingly you will get addicted to this novel, once you start reading. You will crave for the story to continue even after you complete reading all 5 volumes.

Jai ho Kalki...jai ho chola dynasty...jai ho Tamil culture...Jai Ho Sumeetha Manikandan. Congratulations girl, you have for sure etched your place in history with your English Translation. Way to go author !