Book Review: Safarnama

Writers are much known for the styles they undertake in writing and the simplicity with which they communicate the complex emotions or thoughts which would otherwise have no words for expression. Janhavi Bhat, in her poetry collection, “Safarnama,” endeavours to convey the complexities that are part and parcel of human nature and explores them to the depths of her artistic capabilities.

Beginning the book from a cover that would invoke nostalgia in readers to quite an extent, Bhat talks about the circumstances which led to her taking the pen and jotting what had been in her mind for quite some time. Thereafter begins the Safarnama, the rollercoaster of the emotional states of humans with the breaks of changing poems. It is interesting to observe how the poet chooses not to title the poems and lets her verse be at the forefront. This technique gives “Safarnama” a continuity that would otherwise be broken by the presence of titles. Simultaneously, it also makes the readers reminisce the themes that would otherwise be discussed in prose format, which here got poetic expression. Readers who read through sequentially would understand the different states of mind a human being has in one lifetime where there are changes of mood at routine intervals.

Thomas Hardy once said, “Happiness is but a mere episode in the general drama of pain.” Bhat’s work is a poetic expression of this quote to quite an extent, and at the same time, it also conveys the depths to which human emotions can influence the personality of a person. She shows how life has different episodes and moments of both happiness and pain. Another notable feature is the fusion of languages that the poet uses in her work. She mainly relies on the Hindi language, but the tinge or Urdu gives the work a touch of royalty and grace of a different level. This fusion makes her work all the more elegant and hints at Bhat’s versatility as a poet.

Readers interested in poetry and particularly Hindi poetry can take “Safarnama” and go on the Safar the poet wants to take them to. They would encounter a life where the expression of letters still prevails, away from the world of smart technology and when life was much simpler than it is today. 

Book Review: Amritsar Express

Usage of the journey motif in narrating a tale is one of the ways to give human imagination the trigger in the right direction. Amrathanshu Barde, in his debut work, “Amritsar Express,” uses this motif at the right time to keep the readers connected with the narrative from the beginning. The journey factor is what attracts the readers instantly, and they are in the grip of the book the moment they start reading. The book may be providing ample hints to the relevance of the title from the start, yet the author makes sure it makes absolute sense only when the readers reach the last pages of the novel.

“Amritsar Express,” on the surface, seems to be a linear narrative told through the eyes of young Angad, but on reading between the lines, the readers would get to see the multiple themes that the author has attempted to explore in the more than 350 pages novel. While the dominant theme that pervades the canvas of the text is the twists and turns and the game of destiny where unexpected things happen at unforeseen junctures, the sub-themes include the portrayal of middle-class family life, human relationships, and their inbound complexities, the power of friendship, the discretion required in all stages, the importance of the ties that mould the life of a person, and difference of urban and suburban culture.

While Angad is portrayed in the most realistic form incarnating the basic human nature where there are swings of mood, anger, annoyance, frustration, sense of self-respect, tantrums on not getting things the way he wants; these are the characteristics that make him much more human, realistic and relatable for just any person. At the same time, some readers may not agree with the actions of Manpreet and the manner in which she handles things. The author shows her to be a passive receptor of things, but as Angad says, she is emotionless, and the readers ultimately agree more with Angad. Angad’s father has the features of any father who does want the best for his children, but the manner of showing his love is not much close to loving actions. Angad’s friend Ajay seems to be the one with the most sensibility and maturity among his friends.

Readers who are interested in picking up voluminous, bulky texts where the narrative develops at its own pace keeping the reader in tune due to the element of unpredictability, can pick “Amritsar Express” without any second thought. Other than the fluid language, the narrative moves just like Amritsar Express would.

Book Review: Azure Daydreams

#QOTD: What do you do when people don't return the books they borrowed from you?😑

.

“Azure Daydreams” by Gayathri Krishnan is a collection of poems with thoughts that explore different dimensions of life and society. This makes the work multi-faceted and also making it a work which would be chosen by not any particular set of readers. 

The collection comprising 30 poems, for once, create an atmosphere of a dreamy and imaginative landscape, yet poems like “When Will We Walk Fearless?”, “Grow Your Own Skin,” “Comrades,” “You Should Not Miss You,” “Smiling Scars” show the poet’s connect with the present world too. Some poems like “Pluviophile,” “Waves Unrequited,” “The Woods do Cry,” “How Does Rain Sound to You” do carry a Wordsworthian air where she seems to connect with nature closely, but at the same time, poems like these show her worldly awareness.

“Azure Daydreams” as a title only reveals the surface-level details without letting the readers guess the surprises of different themes which Krishnan shares in her work. Poetry lovers would find poems of this collection catching their interest effortlessly. In addition to the poetic forms the poet uses, the diction is also carefully chosen and placed. Krishnan may or may not have read the classics but displays the potential of writing more such content in the future and helping in opening the minds of the readers to different dimensions.

Book Review: Emaddin Adventures

Fantasy and adventure are two genres that can become of instant interest to any reader. Omar Pasha presents the fourth book of his adventure series, “Emaddin Adventures,” which is a combined form of the 3 books written earlier which narrate the adventures of Emaddin and the kingdom he lives in. These adventures are not just limited to the life of young Emaddin but also many other people who meet him at different junctures.

As the readers go through the books, they do not understand the relevance of the title until they actually reach the end part where “Emaddin Adventures” as a title makes perfect sense, and the readers agree that no other title would have done more justice. In addition to a plot featuring adventures, the author takes the readers to the lands of Baghdad, where there are a sultan and his beloved kingdom. The problems he faces and how he counters them is what forms the basic fragment of the book.

The work would be of interest for both grown up and younger readers due to the presence of characters of different age groups who have their issues in accordance with their age. At the same time, the connectivity of the books makes readers eager to read the sequels without waiting. The 3 books can be a part of children’s bed-time stories and elders’ recreational reading. Therefore, all readers should try reading all the books.