Book Review: Muskuraya Karo

https://criticspace.com/2019/12/02/book-review-muskuraya-karo/

Book Review: There's a poet in everyone

https://criticspace.com/2020/01/12/book-review-theres-a-poet-in-everyone-criticspace/

Book Review: The lute of the Nightingale

https://criticspace.com/2019/11/17/book-review-lute-of-the-nightingale-criticspace/

Book Review: Mirrro

https://criticspace.com/2019/12/09/book-review-mi%D1%8F%D1%8F%D1%8Fo-at-th%C7%9D-w%C7%9Di%D1%8F%C9%91-waywa%D1%8F%C9%91-criticpsace/

Book review: The life and times of a common man

https://criticspace.com/2020/01/19/book-review-the-life-and-times-of-a-common-man-criticspace/

Book Review: Perspective in visuals

Most of the writings in today's time are about people writing about what they think and feel. Few give others that kind of an opportunity. Aditya Jain's anthology, "Perspective in Visuals, Tripod Stories" is a brilliant collection of works of 100 budding artists. In the brief introduction he gives before the series of writings start, he clearly states that it is injustice if a story by any writer is left untold. He follows this strongly and does absolute justice when he selected and added the 100 writers in his book. 

An observable fact about this book is the how author has used the power of words, the magic of literature in showing how it can connect people and it also enforces the fact that everyone is an equal. The way the author brings together so many different writers from different corners of the country and also from different parts of the globe shows that literature knows no borders, and does not discriminate on any possible basis. If a person knows using a pen to give words to what he/she feels, that is enough to connect him/her to any person in any part of the world. The writers put together here belong to different fields of work and diverse professions but all of them share one thing in common which most of them have stated when they shared about themselves which is, their passion for writing. This passion for writing, this ability in them to express themselves is what adds to the beauty, appeal and distinguishes this anthology from others written.

Undisputedly, the author has taken great pains and made a lot of efforts in selecting and putting 100 worthy writers together. He has elected all of them very carefully and with the best of his prudence which has added quality to his anthology. He makes sure all of the artists follow the central theme of the work "imagination" by either writing prose or poetry or taking pictures, but at the same time ensures that their creative side does not get overshadowed. 

Most of the writers in the anthology are of the younger age group, students to be specific or the ones who have just finished their studies. But the maturity of thought they have displayed through their works is a rare combination. They give insights like a wise person. This is where the genius of Jain deserves more praise for having found 100 of such artists.

At times this collection of budding writers and artists reminds of the University wits like Christopher Marlowe and at the same time of the promising English romantic poets like Keats, Byron or Shelly. The anthology writers are younger ofcourse but the exhibit traits of recklessness, carefree attitude and daring spirit of taking challenges at any step of life and these characteristics were found only in University wits and the romantics.

The author has not just taken poems in his collection but also added short prose and at times, simply photographs taken by the artists. Hence categorizing this anthology as a poetry anthology would not be fair. Even if artists have contributed a photograph, they are such which can be explained and interpreted at length like artwork. He has included different themes of writing which include nature, women, emotions, loneliness, darkness, nostalgia, motivation, issues of social relevance etc.

There is some information about the artist before his/her work. This is from where the reader can get a little idea about the life of the artists and also the circumstances which contributed in their writing.

The cover has been kept simple and less shady implying that life is also beautiful when there are a few colors. It could also mean most people may have experienced a few common shades of life which makes them connect more easily. The language is simple and easy to understand but some poems have a lot of depth and at times, the subjects tend to get quite serious and thought-provoking. So even though the appeal of the book will definitely be among the age groups of the artists themselves but at the same time also among people of older ages due to the nature of content.

Book Review: Dincharya

In his "Elegy Writen in a country churchyard", Thomas Gray wrote the famous line, "Far Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife, Their sober wishes never learned to stray.." which talks about the simple life of the village people which is free of stress and worries and is more peaceful and healthy due to the life conditions they have. This later became the title of one of Thomas Hardy's novels where he showed the wrong effects of industrialization on humanity which were the result of the shifting of people from the simple village to complex and demanding city life which eventually affects their health. In modern contemporary writing, Kshitij Dabhade's "Dincharya, science of daily routine" is one such attempt to remind the reader of Gray's line. 

In his short but beautifully written book, Dabhade has attempted to take an Indian to his/her roots and strongly and appropriately attempts to remind every person of the forgotten rich culture and heritage of his country in general and hindu religion in particular. Without politicizing the religious aspects, he takes up the task of explaining religion in terms of science or as he states it himself, the religion which evolved from science. 

Through his writing, the author has attempted to raise concerns over the unhealthy life style of human beings due to the demanding nature of their respective fields and also their own lethargy and negligence. He keeps the narrator unnamed in order to make any person identify with him and relate himself/herself to him and trace his or her unhealthy habits through him. The habits and lifestyle he follows are more or less the same which an average city individual follows. The narrator lives in the busy city and follows a mundane routine. He has achieved success in terms of running a successesful business and earning good money. But he lacks the peace of mind which actually is the key to happiness which anyone feels from inside. Thereafter, on visiting his village the actual turn of events happens.

The author attempts to practically explain the effects and importance of following the "Dincharya" which was followed by ancient people but has been discarded and ignored by most of the people owing to the powerful effect of western culture and also years of colonization. He explains it through the words of a guru who is an emblem of knowledge and has answers to every possible question the narrator could ask.

The reader is reminded of the irony of the situation that the same western society people who have casted their effect and marginalized the original Indian culture are adopting and practicing ancient Indian ways of living by studying Indian culture and scriptures.

Undoubtedly, the author himself has done commendable research work before writing the book and has written it almost flawlessly and effortlessly. He artistically uses the guru-shishya (teacher- disciple) narrative to convey his thought. He achieves two targets by using this narrative style.On the one hand he takes the reader to the roots of Indian culture and heritage and on the other hand he reminds the reader about the forgotten relationship which was most regarded and respectable at one point of time. 

The book contains some very important secrets to a healthy and peaceful life which every person irrespective of religion should follow. Dabhade does begin with the idea of a hindu learning about his tradition but explains how Hinduism is less of a religion and more of a science as every act done has a scientific explanation. Other than that, later the guru takes his shishya beyond the realms of religion to understand how a few practices will only promote a healthy lifestyle for him, peace to his mind and a better, smoother life ahead. 

For all the people who do not know the cultural values of Indian culture, this book is more like a guide to a better life. For those who have some idea, perhaps this book can add on to their knowledge further. This book is not a conventional story but a practical book with systems that can be followed and scientific explanations of why things are done the way the are. One simple example in this regard is waking up in the morning. The language that the author has used is keeping in mind all age groups and their ability to understand things. Since the present generation is scientific in thought, he takes the task of relating everything with science and the universe to make the meanings more clear  and convincing. The author has given appropriate and good explanation to even a minute thing like this by putting words into the mouth of the guru. Keeping this idea in mind, this book serves to guide and enlighten people of all age groups from young to adult to even the older generations.