Book Review : Panchatantra by VishnuSharma, retold by Vrinda Varma

 

I bought this book recently for myself and to read it to my younger son. The Panchatantra as most of us know, is collection of stories written by Pandit VishnuSharma around 200 B.C.  They are one of the most sought after book for children and many Indians like me would have listened from our elders. These are one of the oldest fables written to inculcate moral values, kindness, wisdom among children. These stories have been told and passed on from generations to generations.

 

About the book : These stories were written by VishnuSharma to educate the there sons of king Amarashakti.  The name "Panchatantra" means Five("Pancha") Stratergy(Tantra).The book is divided into five sections each one dealing with ways and strategies to live and lead a prosperous life in this world. The stories are written as stories within stories, however you can read any of the story randomly. These stories are accompanied  by beautiful illustrations by K.R.Raji keeps you mesmerized. The language is simple enough to understand by young kids, each story having a moral at the end. This book is published by Mangobooks.

Jaya, by Devdutt Pattanaik

I bought this book a long time ago on Flipkart, recently finished reading it. It's an interesting read, once you start it becomes an addiction -:).

Most of us would have heard the stories of Mahabharata either through our elders or by watching the famous 'Mahabharata' which used to be aired on DD once upon a time. I have couple of books on Mahabharata one for the children , one for facts by C Rajagopalachari . But what is interesting in 'Jaya' is its simple, beautiful illustrations, the way it is narrated. You feel like reading more and more and never putting it down. Even people who don't like mythological stories too would love to read this since it flows like a fiction.

What I loved was the box in the end of each chapter where the author gives us an insight into the local, regional version of few of the plots. Also how these stories are relevant even today, what lessons we can learn from it as a reader. At the end of the story  the concepts of dharma and justice are explained very well.
You will learn lot of new things from reading this for instance,
Pandu while dying tells his sons, ' I have after years of meditation and celibacy have achieved  great knowledge and is embedded in my body. When I die eat my flesh and you will be blessed with knowledge'. But the Pandavas cremate their father and will not do as their father had instructed them. However Sahadeva one of the Pandavas sees ants carrying tiny pieces of his fathers flesh and eats the ants. After doing this he would know what happened in the past and in future. He eagerly wishes to share this information with his brothers but stopped by the God himself. God instead  forbids him telling anything voluntarily to anyone. He says when people ask you questions reply with a question. He waited for the people to ask him right question but it never came. Interesting isn't it?

A lot to read..

Off late I have been travelling to city for my personal work. I always make a point to visit to this book store located opposite to Hot Chips/near to the Jayanagar bus station. This guy sells second hand books and has a good, huge collection of books. The shop also offers membership if you are regular and interested. If you happen to live in south of Bangalore, and book lover like me, do pay a visit.
After couple of visits last month I have a collection of books to read. I love author Alexander McCall Smith's writing and his famous 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' series. I bought a lot of them as it was available there. These would definitely keep me occupied for few days.
A lot to read before I go to sleep -:))

Book Review : Extra Virgin by Anne Hawes

I picked up this book from a second hand book shop and tell you the truth, didn't disappoint me.
The story is the real life experience of Anne Hawes and her sister Lucy who are from London and visit a tiny Liguarian village Diano San Pietro in Italy. They visit this place to learn Rose grafting, to experience Italian Reviera but fall in love with the stone house a midst of olive grooves. They buy this house which seems too cheap compared to the highly priced homes in London which they definitely can't afford.  The author describes her experiences with making this village as their second home, olive growing, encounters with their neighbors, beautiful landscapes, peasant villagers and their funny notions about her having cappuccino, salads and using beach . The olive farming village folks think these females have gone nuts for buying olive grooves without any knowledge about them, but gradually assist, accept both of them.

Book Review: To the Elephant Graveyard

This is an amazing and unusual book that I read last year and thought I will write the review.
It is a real life story of a hunt for an elephant named 'Phandika' who is referred to as 'the rogue', in the North East frontier of India. The author(Tarquin Hall) along with the hunter Mr. Choudhary and his team hunts for this elephant who has so far killed 30+ people. The hunter himself loves elephants and has grown up among them. There seem to be moving story behind this rogue who is deliberately killing people, choosing his victims smartly. At one point of time the hunter is about to capture the rogue and decides to give rogue a chance and mend his way.
The author gives the first hand account of incidents that happens while hunting. He also portraits about the relationship between the mahouts and their elephants, how modernization has lead to shrinking of forests and suffering of elephants.
This book is like a page turning detective story, keep you engrossed till the end.

Book finished

I finally finished 'One flew over the cuckoo's nest' by Ken Kesey y'day. For a while I just ignored my kids, husband and just wanted to read and finish it. Nice book. I had bought this last year while I was carrying, started reading but didn't continue. I felt the story might have some bad effects on me and the baby. Picked up again last week and finished it.