Book Review : ‘Kalyug ' by R Sreeram

Okay, firstly it has got nothing to do with a mythological storyline. ‘Kalyug’ is a political thriller written by first time author, R Sreeram. If you actually read this book, you would be surprised at the amount of research, which has been put into some of the events. 

The actual story, which takes place in a period of six months, is not just gripping but fast paced, as well. Of course, you might get a little confused because of how much it goes back and forth between the times, and so there might be reason to stop and go back, until you actually get a grip. But it will not be long before you understand what is going on, and read on. 

Now back to the story. India’s political scenario of today is replayed in this book. As we go through some of the characters, we are struck by the close resemblance, they have to some real life characters. So, actually you could have a full game of it. Identify a few characters, maybe.

The main protagonist is difficult to tell, as the people who portray the story in this book, are too many. Between all these armies, politics and their conflicts and factions comes Balamurli Selvam, who actually wrote a full novel based on similar concept and paid the price for it.

And so, he is forced to return at this juncture and is given a view on the side lines. Also, on this trip, seems to be Richa Sharma a TV reporter, who was trying to tell the tale of the con involving Major General Qureshi.

The story itself involves Operation Kalyug, and how the Major General’s suicide led on to the events. As the story moves on to the US and other international areas, it bends to the reactions from all over these places and the powers. The story runs on the eternal twist of how India would respond to some of the reactions of these powers.

So, now we have a coup, which causes a democratically elected government to fail. Will this whole rigmarole lead to its ultimate government? Will we have the government, which would not just yield to everyone’s reactions? Does the new government remain unyielding and still fair to its people?

Answering these questions is ‘Kalyug’, which starts off with a brilliant concept and kind of loses its plot towards the end, I felt. But still, at least it attempts the coup and the honest reactions to it. A very well - written novel, with all the necessary twists and turns, giving us a political thriller, which stands true to its name and genre.

Writing, Reading and the correct Ergonomic Chair... A match made in heaven!

School Desks

When I first started writing, and I mean really, writing, I never realised the importance of having a good chair. Of course, in schools we always had those wooden chairs and desks, and in colleges we had chairs with boards attached to them. But, no purpose was really served.

College Chairs

After I got out of college and into a workplace, I had a really uncomfortable looking ergonomic chair. (I used to love the whole idea of a bed, and would hit the bed, straightaway, after work to rest my back.)

After, this I got into writing from home, as I chose the ‘work from home’ option.  At first, I thought this was better because I had my bed to hit, which was much closer now.

But then, I decided to actually invest in a good ergonomic chair, because I noticed my back, giving away. I have a desk, and next to nothing on it. 

Office Chairs

I guess, getting a good ergonomic chair did it for me. I have excellent back and neck rests and good lumbar support, as well. It supports the lower and upper back, and adjusts superbly to the curve in my lower back too.

And the arm rests are brilliant. Because the chair is a wide one, they give enough space to move and, rest both my arms on the armrests. Sometimes, even on the inside of the chair. It is also wide enough to allow me to shift slightly from side to side. And the soft comfortable material on my chair is also used on the armrests, as well.

Perfect!!

The controls of the chair also allow me to adjust the chair, according to my needs. If there is a time, I am just sitting in the chair and reading a book, it usually serves the purpose of letting me sit back, in a well-balanced position. The angle remains helpful to the change in position.

The best thing is that it not deeply contoured or too soft. Oh, and one thing : Always go, try it out, leave it behind in the store and come back the next day. Try it the next day and then only, make the purchase.

And do be ready to spend a little, because it will serve the purpose of being your lifetime support. Oh, read and write well, too! :)

Author Interview : Sriram Karri, author of 'Autobiography of a Mad Nation' - Part 2

Sriram Karri

This is the second part of the much awaited Sriram Karri’s 'Epic' 'Autobiography of a Mad Nation' Interview. Following the first section is this part, where he discusses what it was that was most challenging about the book and also, how it was that the political and social backgrounds have affected his writing.

Also, about the three books he is writing and also his favourite authors. All this, and much more. So, do, Read up, Folks…

TN Seshan

What was the most challenging part about writing this book?

Balancing the history and real with the needs of the plot and deleting what was a great essay but did not belong to the novel. ‘Show, not tell’, the credo, is very challenging when you pass the test for every line in a book.

I lost large parts on T N Seshan, P V Narasimha Rao, and my intellectual views on the past, and rightly, they are my views, not what the characters said. So, sacrificing the loved narrative and writing, for the sake of the story was the hardest but essential part of being from the romantic school of writing.

How did the political and social background of India affect your writing?

Completely, it is the canvas but the canvas should not dominate the painting, and that was the fun and challenge. In the end, the painting is the product and canvas was a needed toll, not the other way around.

Could you tell the readers about your experiences and how it was related to what you wrote?

We all were born and lived so far, in a nation that goes mad – they feel it. In fact, non-Indians who read it told me that it makes the think of their own country, so that my every experience that went into writing will become the experience of the reader now and they will know how I felt because they will feel it.

What is the most fulfilling part, now that you have written your book?

That is was written and is there for the readers.

That it was a kind of book that is not just difficult but nearly impossible to try writing but it happened against all odds and will now chart its destiny.

Any advice to writers that would like to be published today? How tough is it to be published?

Go out there and conquer. It is hard, but not impossible.

Who was it that told you that you could become the author, you are today?

All those great characters I read since as a child; all those great authors who wrote them and whispered across the ages, and my mother.

What is the next book that you have planned?

Writing three of them in parallel – waiting for the moment when one will consume me completely, enough to ignore all else and sprint.

Thomas Piketty

Which book are you currently reading?

I recently finished Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar’s, ‘The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey’, which was on the shortlist of The Hindu Book Prize. I have just started re-reading Thomas Piketty's ‘Capitalism in the 21st Century’.

Who are your favourite authors and why?

Besides the trio of Victor Hugo, Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Ayn Rand, my favourite storytellers are J D Salinger, Oscar Wilde, Albert Camus, R L Stevenson, Charles Dickens, Franz Kafka, Joseph Heller, George Orwell, and R K Narayan. You can imagine, we all have long lists. This is just some of the best names from all those whose writings have made life beautiful.

What else do you do on a daily basis?

I work as a brander and communications expert in a technology company. I am also by the side, working on some patents and a start-up, and write columns and articles. I am also a very involved debater and often participate in debates.

What advice do you have for the young writers of today?

Don’t bother with any advice someone like me can give.

Book Review : ‘The Dreamer ' by Vivek Jain

‘The Dreamer’ by author, Vivek Jain is of a teenager’s love tale or much rather, the story of his infatuation. So, it starts off with the author putting forward his thoughts.

So, you actually read about him seeing a girl in the school days and falling head over heels for her. His obsession for the girl remains through the years and the efforts that he makes to get in touch with her, and stay in touch with her, as well. He manages to contacget in touch with her and what follows gives the book, a much wanted finish.

Basically, the protagonist’s intense feeling for the girl in question and the repercussions that follow take up the remaining 200 odd pages. The story runs at a really slow pace, has no understanding of characters and reads probably, like a diary. Or a diary full of mistakes.

I, honestly did not see too much of editing time taken for this book. No points to the proof-reader, at all.  The book seemed to have a lot of mistakes and the spacing errors could not be counted.