Review : The Resurrection Of Evil By Neelabh Pratap Singh

Introduction:
A novel with a difficult subject - as difficult as solving a thousands of years' mystery needs a painstaking research and courage to write down which Neelabh Pratap Singh accepted and came out with flying colors since the subject is dry, not everyone's cup of tea and hard to fathom pertaining to the complexities involving the story.

The Plot: The story starts with the sudden theft of a pot, a cauldron of historical importance, from the national museum at New Delhi. ACP Aryan is given this case which he finds simply uninteresting in the first place but comes to know the gravity of the case very soon when he comes to know the dangerous game being played by a number of claimants to capture it. A game of cat and mouse chase starts and Aryan becomes successful in getting and restoring the cauldron to the govt. passing through a maze of thrilling turns and twists - of course putting his own life at risk.

Language: It seems that the writer has put considerable research on this difficult subject before jotting down the story on paper and in a flow of easy tangible, yet appropriate language using the old and new terminology suitably.

Merits: Due to painstaking research and perhaps patience, the writer has dealt a complex subject of the story containing and describing mythological characters and their grievances along with modern day stake holders comprising an Irish citizen Lugh, ACP Aryan, Rohit, Maninath and Vajra, Vats and Mukesh Anand and a few relevant more. The theory of reverse migration is unique and spreading of Ancient Indians like Devas, Manavas, Asuras, Mayan and Danavas to the far places like Ireland and North America is an encouraging and informative concept which is neither proved nor discarded ever.

Demerits : The book is edited to the perfection, is devoid of any irrelevant subplot and has been successful in maintaining the intrigue and thrill to the last. So I don't think it has any demerit as such.

What I liked : The narrative is supplemented with graphic details, and to some extent the writer has tried to explain the ancient mythology on simple scientific parameters making it a comprehensive read. The second thing I liked the effect of EVIL in the day-to-day life of people compelling them to commit crimes and chaos - almost warning everybody to reform.

Social Message: Though I myself am against of preaching morality or anything like that in my novels and stories and leave it to the reader to grasp what's wrong and what's right, Neelabh has underlined clearly that Evil breeds evil and Good breeds good without thrusting anything on the reader.

My Take : The Resurrection Of Evil is an insightful, informative and interesting read where the writer Neelabh Pratap Singh has become successful in presenting the story of a complex subject where one has to deal with mythology and modern day science in an unhindered manner with a fine balance without dragging. I would like to read his forthcoming works and wish him all the best!!

Ratings: 4.5/5

Rajeev Pundir

22/07/2017

पुनःअवलोकन : तुम्हारी यादें - द्वारा श्रीमती रंजना प्रकाश

आजकल हिंदी साहित्य कम पढ़ने को मिलता है I हांलांकि हिंदी में किताबें बहुत हैं, परन्तु मैं अंग्रेज़ी में ज़्यादा लिखता हूँ इसलिए अंग्रेज़ी का साहित्य अधिक पढ़ता हूँ I इन्हीं दिनों फेसबुक पर रंजना जी से मित्रता हुई और मुझे उनके द्वारा रचित हिंदी कवितायें पढ़ने का सौभाग्य प्राप्त हुआ जिनसे मैं बहुत प्रभावित हुआ I फेसबुक पर उनका पृष्ठ निनाद है जिसे आप लोग भी पढ़कर आनन्द उठा सकते हैं I

अभी हाल ही में मुझे उनकी किताब 'तुम्हारी यादें' प्राप्त हुई जिसके लिए मैं उनका आभारी रहूंगा I

दोस्तों, पूरी किताब के आगोश में यादें ही यादें भरी पड़ी हैं. सभी कविताओं का एक ही विषय है - यादें I और मुझे आश्चर्य है कि लेखक ने एक ही विषय को इतने रंगों से भर दिया है कि पाठक को हर एक कविता नयी और निराली लगती है I पाठक कविताओं में इतना खो जाता है कि उसे पता ही नहीं चलता कि क़िताब कब ख़त्म हो गयी और खुद ही कह उठता है - अरे ख़त्म हो गयी ! काश अभी और भी पढने को मिलती I

दोस्तों ऐसी कवितायेँ तभी लिखी जाती हैं जब किसी ने किसी को बेपनाह टूट के प्यार किया हो, तभी लिखी जाती हैं जब कोई बहुत ही प्यारा बिछड़ गया हो और हर पल उसकी याद में गुज़रता हो, तभी लिखी जाती हैं जब किसी के बिना ज़िन्दगी अधूरी लगती हो, तभी लिखी जाती हैं जब दिल में कोई इस तरह समाया हो जैसे फूलों में खुशबू, तभी लिखी जाती हैं जब हर आती-जाती सांस पर किसी का नाम लिखा हो, तभी लिखी जाती हैं जब किसी ने किसी को पूर्ण रूप से समर्पण कर दिया हो...

"तेरा साया क़रीब लगता है, आहटें तेरी सुनती रहती हूँ,
तू मेरी जां में हो गया शामिल, रूह की तरह मुझमें रहता है I"

और भी-
"भीनी-भीनी तेरे बदन की खुशबू से, घर-आँगन मेरा महकता रहता है,
तेरे हाथों की नर्म हरारत से, तपती रहती है सुर्ख हथेली मेरी I
एक और-
"दिल में नश्तर है तेरी यादों का, कतरा-कतरा लहू टपकता है,
दर्द लेकिन सुकून देता है, बस यही इक गुनाह है मेरा -मैंने केवल तुम्हीं से प्यार किया I

जो आपके दिल में उतर जायेगी -
"भीनी खुशबू से महकती है रात की रानी, है तेरे क़दमों की आहट या पवन बासंती,
रफ़्ता-रफ़्ता ये दिल शाम से धड़कता है, और तेरी खुशबू में भीग जाती हैं मेरी साँसें I"

"रात आया था चाँद मेरी खिड़की पे, धुंध में लिपटी मुलाक़ात याद आती है,
आसमां खो गया था जब ज़मीं की बाँहों में, और ज़मी लाज से सिमट सी जाती है I

मित्रों, रंजना जी ने इन कविताओं में यथार्थ में अपना दिल खोल कर पाठक के सामने रख दिया है I उन्होंने अपनी भावनाएं व्यक्त करते समय सभी रंगों का, छंदों का, रसों का, विशेषणों का और अलंकारों का प्रयोग बखूबी किया है कि पाठक मंत्रमुग्ध हो जाता है I कवितायेँ पढ़कर आपको लगता है कि चाँद-सितारे, छाँव-धूप, आसमान-सूरज- क्षितिज, हवाएं, फूल, खुशबू, तितली,मयूर और पूरी प्रकृति आपके पहलू में समा गयी है  या फिर आप उसके आगोश में समा गए हैं I इसके साथ-साथ प्रेम, वियोग, विरह, दर्द, करूणा और आंसुओं में भी आपको ये कवितायेँ भिगो देती हैं I

हांलांकि मेरी उतनी औकात नहीं है कि मैं उनकी कविताओं पर कोई टिपण्णी कर सकूँ, फिर भी मैं कहना चाहूँगा कि एक परिपक्व लेखिका का अति उत्तम कार्य है ये क़िताब जो उन्होंने दिल से निकाल कर कागज़ के पन्नों पर उकेर कर जगमगाता करके आपके सामने प्रस्तुत कर दिया है I मैं उन्हें इसके लिए बधाई देता हूँ और आशा करता हूँ कि उनकी लेखनी के और भी रंगों का मुझे इंतज़ार रहेगा I

हिचकियाँ- बस अगले संस्करण में थोड़ी एडिटिंग की ज़रुरत है क्योंकि टाइप करते समय कुछ शब्दों की स्पेलिंग गड़बड़ हो गयी है जिससे पढ़ने का तारतम्य कभी-कभी टूट जाता है I

रेटिंग : 4.5/5

राजीव पुंडीर
10/जुलाई / 2017

Review : Reveries; by Kapil Diwakar

Introduction:

Just finished short story collection entitled - Reveries written by Kapil Diwakar.

This is an ebook published by a new publication house Apni Publishing.

All stories are written to the perfection of describing the characters' thoughts and emotions felt during the short-time experience of life they had. Stories, right from A Letter To Ankur to the last one Who Watched My back are interesting enough compelling the reader to turn the pages.

The language is unique, impressive and fluidic. Vocabulary aptly used in the narration making it outstanding.

The cover is in sync with the theme and the title is appropriate.

The best is difficult to choose but I will remeber Whatsapp Dad and The End.

Hiccoughs: A few stories have space to be elaborated a bit more to make them complete.

My Take: Overall a short, succinct and crispy book.

This is a book the young writers should read for inspiration. Looking forward more from his pen, I wish Kapil all the best for his literary endeavor.

Ratings : 4/5

Book Review : Her Last Wish by Ajay K Pandey

Story:

This is the story of an​ introvert boy Vijay who takes himself as a confirmed failure, courtesy to his father's high ambitions and unmatched hopes from him which he fails to fulfill. Due to his low self-esteem, he gets rejected by most of the girls for his marriage. Finally, an extrovert, beautiful, happy-go-lucky snobbish girl, Astha, accepts his proposal and they get married. Soon, their life turns upside down with a phone call informing him something grave about Astha.
What was that call about and what followed thereupon, read this novel A Last Wish by Ajay K Pandey published by Srishti Publishers, New Delhi.

Plot: The story is beautifully woven as per the theme and neither drags nor digresses from its course. It keeps the reader hooked till last disclosing some or the other secrets from the lives of the protagonists at regular intervals. It goes in perfect sequence, spiced up short flashbacks in between.

Language: The author has written the book in a very easy lucid language keeping a fine balance of narration and dialogues. The book will make you feel pain, happy, cry, sympathy, hate, anger, smile, laugh and lot more mainly describing the actual aspect of love.

Character Development: The author has been successful in developing flawless characters pertaining to their nature and role, be it the hopeless boy, an honest but ambitious father, a journalist but strict mother and the outrageous girl.

Hiccoughs:
However, there're none as far as the novel as a whole is taken, I found a few trivial ones.
The following could have been addressed better:
1. Description of a govt. hospital AIIMS at length in poor light could have been avoided as it diverts the attention of reader from the real story.
2. Arranging 50 lakh rupees by students of a college is far from reality and could have been described in more pragmatic way.
3. Blood transfusion for the treatment of some skin disease is not in my knowledge. A simple roadside accident during childhood causing blood loss could have served the purpose better.

My Take: It's a wonderful book which obliged my eyes to get moist a number of times. I wish more such good books from the pen of the author Ajay K Pandey. I appreciate the cover which is in sync of the theme but after reading the book I would have gone for its title as You're The Best Husband. All the best!

Ratings: 4/5 overall.

Rajeev Pundir

22/04/2017

Love; A Big Gamble!

"Honey, God has been very kind to us," she said while resting her head over his shoulder.

He smiled, combed her hair with his fingers and kissed her forehead.

She felt truly blessed, closed her eyes and thanked God for bestowing Satyam, her boyfriend, in her life.

Then she turned her face towards him, looked very lovingly into his eyes and smiled to whisper, "God is going to gift us something very precious very soon, and this is high time for us to transform from three into one."

"Oh, thanks for the great news and many-many returns of the day," Satyam wished her, his eyes tinged with hidden naughtiness.

Her name was Sati.

Mesmerized by his jovial wish, she, firstly, gave a gentle fistful at his chest and soon they both started to laugh out loud in unison. He pulled her into his arms and patted her back.

She felt that how fortunate she was to have such a caring man in her life and got completely reassured.

"Sati, how many months?" Satyam asked her flashing a lively smile towards her.

"Last month I missed my periods, thought it normal. But when I missed this month too, I turned suspicious and got my urine tested," she said while unlocking her purse, "The report is confirmed," and handed the lab report to him.

"Dear, we don't have much time now," apprehensive, she looked at him.

"Sure, let's ask our parents to move further and finalize the date of our marriage," he said nodding his head in agreement.

And within a month their ring ceremony was held with full fun and fare.

She was on cloud nine.

*****

Within a few days she got a call from him asking her to come to Chhattarpur temple.

It was an evening quite cold. Spine chilling. He received him right at the bus stop. As it was illuminated dimly, when other passengers moved from there, he took her in his embrace and planted a peck on her cheek. His love and the warmth of his cozy hug made her feel heavenly solace and she felt truly blessed.

They both started to move towards the temple. Midway she asked, "Why did you call me here?"

"There's a big problem cropped up just now. Only the God can bail us out," he said entering the temple holding her hand.

And after they together worshipped sincerely before Lord Shiva, Satyam turned towards her and started, "Sati, we are going to marry next month. Normal gestation period is nine months. That way if we calculate we'll be having a baby just after six months of our marriage."

The preface was enough for her to fathom his motto for visiting a temple, he never did, with her.

"Satyam, I love you to the core of my soul so to my baby. Time is irrelevant."

"Yeah, time is irrelevant. But we live in a ruthless society and I don't want a tag of illegitimate child for our baby," he tried to convince her.

"I damn care for this society," she replied with firmness.

"Honey, my parents have come to know, you see, I cannot hide such a fact related to us from them for long...And they've become very much disturbed," he pleaded before her, expressing his helplessness.

She became standstill, her body froze. An eerie Silence prevailed between them.

Seeing her keeping mum, he started again, "Your name is Sati, the epitome of sacrifice. I expect the same from you what she did for her husband. This is the time to prove the real meaning of your name," and he lifted her face by her chin, looked deep inside her eyes.

The intensity of his gaze moved something inside her and she mumbled, "I can do anything for you, my love! But your parents, not very happy already with this marriage, may force you..." and before she could complete, he said, "My name is Satyam and I assure you that I will prove its meaning."

"Do you assure me that you won't ditch me?" she asked demanding a promise from him.

"People who love by heart don't ask for promises, only trust prevails between them," he replied quite philosophically and turned serious showing that he was not happy with her doubting his integrity.

Seeing him in that comportment, she moved towards him and kept her head over his chest.

And next very day she underwent MTP (medical termination of pregnancy).

*****

Two days later...

She was recuperating in her bed at home. Her attention got diverted by the sound of a ping in her phone. It was a WhatsApp message from Satyam.

"Sorry, parents are not ready to accept a girl who got pregnant before marriage, god only knows by whom. You're free to search elsewhere. Take care. Bye!"

All hell broke over her head and she felt the earth slipping from beneath her feet. Her eyes got shut and when she opened them, she felt the whole world upside down revolving.

She gathered herself with all her might she had and gave a call to him. There was no answer but the prerecorded one—the person you're trying to contact is out of the coverage area. Frantically, she dialed him a few more times to get the autoreply - the phone you're trying to contact is switched off.

Her phone slipped out of her weakened grip, fell on the floor and shattered.

So got her life!

She understood the ambiguity of his replies and got how smartly he had become successful in befooling her, first by the ring ceremony and later by blackmailing her emotionally against the backdrop of - Love!

Rajeev Pundir

13/04/2017

Review : The CEO In Making By Pakhi Dixit

This book is a biography of a boy named Vipul who started a website called Pustakmandi.com which I am also connected with as an author. It's written by a girl, Pakhi Dixit, who's about to graduate as an engineer from Manipal University Jaipur.
The book starts with the family background of Vipul, the struggle of his father in bringing up his kids and the grey areas of Vipul as a student. It leads you the circumstances he has to take admission in an engineering college where he finds himself - his weaknesses and strengths. Subsequently, he puts all his talent in the field of web designing and programming and succeeds in heading the most sought after club ; the IBM Club. In between his love-life is also unfolded by the writer keeping adequate space with justified intervals.
I can sum up this as - This is a book of the struggle of a family as a whole and a boy in isolation to carve out a niche for himself applying his best without letting him down by circumstances come what may. This is a book of failures, fatigues, fantasies, frustrations and friendships resulting into success with flying colors.

Strength of the book: It's pace. It starts with a bang and proceeds in a perfect sequence in linear fashion maintaining the music of storytelling throughout ends with with the same finishing bang.

Weakness of the book: I wouldn't say this as a weakness of the book in particular, but the story is not unique as these kind of stories of 'rags to riches' are scattered all around us.

Yet, it's bold story to read and to inspire the younger generation to fight and fight to fulfill their dreams.

Quotes I liked:
1."The most important fact about time is; it never remains the same."

                       
2."You need to move along with time. You cannot become stagnant to a situation."

                       
3."This is so funny that a few mark-sheets, certain grades or your college brand would decide your success in life."                  
And many more...

My take: This is a commendable attempt by Pakhi Dixit and what i can say is that she has a lot of potential as writer. The language she bears is mesmerizing and the flair is hypnotic. Would like to read her books in the form of novels and short stories. All the best!

Rating: 3.5/5

Rajeev Pundir

Review of "Savera" - a simple, forceful and motivational poetry by Jaydeep Surendra Khot

Introduction:
Generally I feel a tad uncomfortable while going through poetry, be it in Hindi, English or Urdu. Though difficult words have always been a reason behind this, simplicity of the verses has always attracted and fascinated me towards the ghazals. That's why I'm a die hard fan of ghazals sung by Jagjit Sing.
When I got an offer to edit this poetry book from Jaydeep, I was not sure whether the purpose will get justice at my hands or not but I was wrong. The simplicity of his words made me quite comfortable and my work damn easy. And the simplicity of the words is so powerful that I found this book very interesting.

Verses I liked:
तूफ़ान:

"प्रतिष्ठा की चाहत ने मुझे बेईमान कर दिया
घमंड के अन्धकार ने मुझे असलियत के प्रकाश को देखने से रोक लिया. "

एक पेड़ कहता है -
"विशाल ज़रूर दीखता
पर कोई नहीं जानता कितना ज़मीन में मैं टिका हुआ.

दलदल:
"दलदल में मैं फंसता चला गया
हकीक़त से दूर होता गया.

था मरने का डर मुझे
पर आज तक ज़िन्दगी ने मुझे क्या दिया.

Merits:
Its rawness. The thoughts of the writer have been inscribed in an utterly natural and simple way. The poems give very strong messages to the people in an innocent manner which is rarely found in poets.

Demerits:
Of course this is a book and like any other book it has some flaws also. The biggest flaw of this book can be attributed towards it down to earth narration. It is devoid of adjectives, similes and other metaphors which are part and parcel of poetry and make it splendid. The writer has to work hard to amalgamate all these in his successive attempts to make his verses shine.

My take:
Jaydeep Surendra Khot's maiden effort to pen down his socially motivational thoughts is praiseworthy. Best of all for his journey as a poet.

Rating:
3/5

Rajeev Pundir