Scion of Ikshwaku: Amish

A handful of confusions that arouse while reading the Shiva series of Amish seem to have found solace and hints of answers in this one. If you have followed his earlier series, you might well have wondered how the Somras became available to everyone during Ram’s rule or why Ram ruled in Meluha once he returned from his exile. You might have also wondered about how Ram’s personality and innate traits would have been, whose karma made him one of the Vishnus. For readers expecting a new style of writing or a whole fresh series, you might as well be disappointed. It feels like you are reading a scion from the earlier series which is just termed differently. Needless to say that it is an awesome entertainer, this time Amish has kept a better proximity with the actual story of Ramayana.

Thoughtful sentences from the book are inspiring and the dialogues compel us to mull over the sentences and read on a “slow-go” mode. The sibling talks, the education and the discussions that happen in the Gurukul of Vashishta have a lot for the readers to learn. Ram is the righteous royal who considers the nobility also among common men and has a vision of imposing the law on all, just as equally. Laxman is that loyal guard-brother of Ram who constantly doubts a conspiracy going on behind his brother’s back. He blindly abides by what his elder brother say, though he protests at first. Sita is the tactical and powerful leader here who is portrayed as the Prime Minister of Mithila, who can also fight strategically and can hunt clean. One can find this character very similar to Sati of Shiva Trilogy. Within Bharat is a rebel who refuses to accept the laws as they are, if the logic and law doesn’t coincide. Shatrughan is the scholar who is the mightiest with books than on battle field. Urmila is that innocent girl who packs almost a tonne of luggage when they set for exile and is left behind since she is that delicate girl who couldn’t stand the forest even for a day.

Roshini is a doctor who serves the poor. She gets brutally raped and hurt by immoral gangsters. Roshini’s episode resembling Nirbhaya’s episode of Delhi seems so apparent in the novel. Dhenuka is a juvenile who is the chief assailant in the story. That leaves us with an enraged thought of what could be done with the juvenile who escaped the death sentence because of law.

It’s not just this part of the story; there are a lot of situations and conversations which can be linked to present day’s happenings and today’s society. This a truly thoughtful novel which has told what it wants to. How we intercept it, is left to the reader though.

ರಂಗಿತರಂಗ: ವಿಮರ್ಶೆಯಲ್ಲ; ಮೆಚ್ಚುಗೆ

ಬಣ್ಣದ ಅಲೆಗಳು- ರಂಗಿತರಂಗ. ತುಳುನಾಡ ಸೀಮೆಯ ಮಳೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಳೆದು ಬಣ್ಣ ಬಳಿದಂತಿರುವ ಹಚ್ಚ ಹಸಿರು, ಬ್ರಹ್ಮರಾಕ್ಷಸ ವಾಸವಾಗಿರುವ ನಂಬಿಕೆ ಉಳಿಸಿಕೊಂಡ ಆ ಸಿರಿ ಮೊಳಕೆಗಳು ಇಣುಕುವ ತಳಗಾಣದ ಬಾವಿ, ಯಕ್ಷಗಾನದ ಸದ್ದು -ಇವುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅದ್ದಿ ತೆಗೆದ ಸವಿ ಈ ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರಕ್ಕೆ. ಅನುಪ್ ಭಂಡಾರಿ ಇದರ ನಿರ್ದೇಶನ ಮತ್ತು ಹಾಡುಗಳ ಸೂತ್ರಧಾರರು. ಈ ಇಲೆಕ್ಟ್ರಾನಿಕ್ ಯುಗದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾವೆಲ್ಲಾ ಮರೆತೇ ಬಿಟ್ಟಿರುವ Post- ಕರೆವ-ಓಲೆ --ಕರೆಯೋಲೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹಾಡು ಕೇಳಲು ಇಂಪು- ಅರ್ಥಗರ್ಭಿತ. ಅರ್ಥ ಕಳೆದುಕೊಂಡರೂ ಜನಪ್ರಿಯವಾಗಲೇಬೇಕೆಂಬ ಹಟಕ್ಕೆ ಬಿದ್ದವರಂತೆ, ಮನಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ತೋಚಿದ್ದನ್ನೆಲ್ಲಾ ಗೀಚಿ ಅದೇ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯವೆನ್ನುವ ಪರಮ ಅಸಹ್ಯಿಗಳ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಅನುಪ್ ಭಂಡಾರಿಯ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ (ಉದಾಹರಣೆ:"ಕರದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಲಮಾ ಹಿಡಿದು ಕರಿಶಾಹಿ ಬರೆದೋಲೆ") ತೊಳೆದ ಮುತ್ತಿನಂತೆ ಕಾಣುವುದು ಸತ್ಯ. ಇತರೆ ಹಾಡುಗಳೂ ಮತ್ತೆ ನೆನೆಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಗುನುಗುವಂತಿವೆ.

ರಂಗಿತರಂಗ ಅನ್ನುವುದು ಅನಷ್ಕು ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಕಥಾನಾಯಕ ಹೊರತರಬೇಕೆಂದಿರುವ ಕಾದಂಬರಿ. ಕಮರೊಟ್ಟು ಅನ್ನುವ ನಾಲ್ಕಾರು ಮನೆಗಳ ಊರಿಗೆ ಹೆಂಡತಿಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಬರುವ ನಾಯಕ ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ಪೋಸ್ಟ್ ಮಾಸ್ಟರ್ ಮತ್ತು ಹೈಸ್ಕೂಲ್ ಹೆಡ್ ಮಾಸ್ತರರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಗೆಳೆತನ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಬಂದ ಕ್ಷಣದಿಂದಲೂ ಅಧೀರಗೊಳಿಸುವ ಘಟನೆಗಳು ಕಮರೋಟ್ಟುವಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಲೇ ಇರುತ್ತವೆ. ಆ ಗ್ರಾಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವ ಪ್ರಭಾವಿ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗಳ ವಿರೋಧವನ್ನೂ ನಾಯಕ ಗೌತಮ್ ಎದುರಿಸಬೇಕಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಮುಂದೇನಾಗುತ್ತೆ? - ನೋಡಿ ತಿಳೀರಿ. 

ಇತ್ತೀಚಿಗೆ ಬಂದ ಭಯ-ಭೀಭತ್ಸ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ರಂಗಿತರಂಗ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ. ನಿರೂಪ್ ಭಂಡಾರಿ ಸಹಜ ಅಭಿನಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಗೆದ್ದಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಮೊದಲರ್ಧದಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಧಿಕ ಚೇತನ್ ಅಭಿನಯ ಇಷ್ಟವಾದರೆ ಉಳಿದರ್ಧದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವಂತಿಕಾ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿ ಮನಗೆಲ್ಲುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅರವಿಂದ್ ರಾವ್ ಖಡಕ್ ಮತ್ತು corrupt ಪೋಲಿಸ್ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಯಾಗಿ ಮಿಂಚಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಸಾಯಿಕುಮಾರ್ ನಟನೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆಯಂತೂ ಎರಡು ಮಾತಿಲ್ಲ. ಸಂವೇದನಾಶೀಲ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಹಾಗು ನಟನೆ ಈ ಚಿತ್ರದ ಜೀವಾಳ. ಪ್ರೇಕ್ಷಕರನ್ನು ದೃಶ್ಯಗಳು ಕೆಲವಾರು ಬಾರಿ ಬೆಚ್ಚಿ ಬೀಳಿಸುತ್ತವೆ.

ರಂಗಿತರಂಗಕ್ಕೆ IMDB ranking 9.5. ಈ ವರ್ಷದ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ranking. ಬಾಹುಬಲಿ ತೆರೆಗೆ ಬರುವ ವಾರದ ಮುಂಚೆಯಷ್ಟೇ ಈ ಹೊಸ ಮುಖಗಳ ಚಿತ್ರ ಬಂದದ್ದು ಹಲವಾರು ಜಿಲ್ಲಾಕೆಂದ್ರಗಳಿಂದಲೂ ರಂಗಿತರಂಗ ಎತ್ತಂಗಡಿಯಾಗಲು ಕಾರಣವಾಗಿದೆ. ಬಾಹುಬಲಿಯ ನಂತರ ಬಜರಂಗಿ ಭೈಜಾನ್, ಇನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆ ಶ್ರೀಮಂತುಡು ಗುಂಗು, ಹೊಸ ಕನ್ನಡ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳ ಮಳೆ. ಇಷ್ಟೆಲ್ಲ ಸಹಿಸಿಕೊಂಡೂ ಜನರ ಬಾಯಿಂದ ಬಾಯಿಗೆ ಹರಡುತ್ತ, ಮಾಲ್ ಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವ ಎರಡು ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಅವಕಾಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರತಿ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನಕ್ಕೂ ಹೌಸ್ ಫುಲ್ ಕಾಣುತ್ತ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ರಂಗಿತರಂಗಕ್ಕೆ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಯಶಸ್ಸು ಸಿಗಲಿ ಅಂತ ಹಾರೈಸೋಣ. ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಿನಿಮಾಗಳೆಂದರೆ ತುಚ್ಛವಾಗಿ ಕಾಣುವ ಮಂದಿ ನೋಡಲೇ ಬೇಕಾದ ಚಿತ್ರ. ಮೆಚ್ಚದಿರಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾದರೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಮಾತಾಡಿ...    

Baahubali: The Beginning

Rajamouli has cast his magic through the movie and a minute appearance that he performs in the movie also calls for whistles. There are visual effects everywhere in the movie. There are only countable scenes without any VFX. But the digital work is so great that it is a feast to eyes. Maahishmati, the empire of fiction is a work of wonder. Minutest details from each scene are well addressed. Prabhas seem to have generously granted a depth and effect to his voice. Though everyone has casted life into their characters, Ramyakrishna as Shivagaami has an outstanding performance. Sudeep has a guest appearance which notions that he may have more to perform in its upcoming sequel.

The whole plot reminds us, kannadigas of the super famous “Mayura”, a Dr.Rajkumar starrer based on the rise of Mayura kingdom. Prabhas, a prince grown up with tribes realizes a constant trepidation to climb up the humongous waterfalls though his tribe is against the unseen danger beyond the waterfalls. Similar to Rajkumar in “Mayura” who experiences repeated dreams of a lady asking him to conquer the throne. When inspired from Amar chitra katha, it is bound to have a semblance in many stories is what I feel. Story of Baahulabli has coinciding picks from histories of Maharana Pratap, Shivaji and few other Rajput kingdoms too.

Almost half hour floods our senses with the war being fought. War seems a short word for its causes and effects. The actual war to be fought might take a few days. But there is a try to show us the strategy with which each party proceeds. The strategy with which the catapults succeed in killing a huge part of enemy’s army is worth watching. The war formations brought the scenes that I had read from Amish’s trilogy alive.

Once the movie comes to a sudden halt is when u realize the movie is over. Longing for the rest of the story and the visual feast, the audience leaves the theatre with a heavy heart and silence.

Picture Credits: https://www.facebook.com/creativesamstudio?pnref=lhc

ABCD2: Movie review

The movie is pure dance and a story woven just for the sake of dance. But for those who possess that dance element in them, this movie gives them the required adrenaline rush to dance more with all their heart. Based on the motto, “We dance to express, not to impress”, dance score well above all other elements of the movie. Adding Dee, Olive, keeping a few lines from ABCD (Bezubaan phirse mein rahaa) and its dance, a similar dance to Ganpathi bappa morya make us relate to the first one and rejoice.

It’s a jovial movie made for youthful minds and for dance lovers. Movie is best watched in 3D since many scenes are built for its 3D effects which you may regret if you watch in 2D version.

A few sequences are hilarious and keep the light mood up. Rest is all dances. Enjoy a full-fledged dance version of a small and real storyline of a dance group called “fictious”.

Its biggest drawback lies in its climax. For people who have watched ABCD, it’s a huge disappointment. For the kind of ending that is expected would be far more bold than the one choreographed here. Hence the movie leaves you with very less impact. But to mention, it is a must watch for dance lovers.

ರನ್ನ : ಭಾರ್ಗವ - ಚಂದು ಮತ್ತು ಮಿಕ್ಕೆಲ್ಲವೂ...

ಭಾರ್ಗವನಾಗಿ ತಾತನ ಕಣ್ಬೆಳಕಾಗಿರುತ್ತಾನೆ; ತಮ್ಮ ಕಂಪನಿಯ shares ಬಾಚಿಕೊಂಡವನಿಗೆ ಮಾಡ್ರನ್ ಭಾರ್ಗವ ರಾಮನಂತೆ ಫೈಟ್ ಮಾಡಿ ಬುದ್ಧಿ ಕಲಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಚಂದುವಾಗಿ ಮುನಿಸಿಕೊಂಡ ಸೋದರತ್ತೆಯ ಮನೆ ಸೇರಿ ಡ್ರೈವರ್ರಾಗಿ ಮನಗೆಲ್ಲುತ್ತಾನೆ; ಕಡೆಗೆ ದೂರಾದ ಅತ್ತೆಯನ್ನು ಓಲೈಸಿ ತಾತನ ಮನೆಗೆ ಕರೆತರುತ್ತಾನೆ. 

Hit out or Get out.. ಇವನಾರಡಿ cut out !!! 

ಸುದೀಪನ Family photo ನಿಂದ ಶುರುವಾಗ್ತಾ ಕಥೆ ಪಕ್ಕಾ ಕುಟುಂಬ ವಾಚಿನಿ (Watch-ಇನಿ) ಅಂತ ಗೊತ್ತಾಗ್ಹೋಗ್ತದೆ. ತೆಲುಗುವಿನ ಅತ್ತಾರಿಂಟಿಕಿ ದಾರೇದಿ ಯ ಯಥಾವತ್ ಚಿತ್ರಣವಾದರೂ ಸುದೀಪ್ ತನ್ನ ಎಂದಿನ ಅಭಿನಯಪರತೆಯಿಂದ ಗಮನ ಹಿಡಿದಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೆ. (ರನ್ನ ನೋಡಿದ ಮರುದಿನವೇ ಅತ್ತಾರಿಂಟಿಕಿ ದಾರೇದಿ ನೋಡಿಯೇ ಈ ಮಾತು ಹೇಳಿದೆ) ತಾತನ ಪಾತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಕಾಶ್ ರಾಜ್ ಮಿಂಚಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆತನಿಗೆ ಎಂಥಹಾ ಪಾತ್ರಭೂಮಿಕೆ ದೊರೆತರೂ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ನ್ಯಾಯ ಒದಗಿಸುವಲ್ಲಿ ಗೆದ್ದೇ ಗೆಲ್ಲುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆದರೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ 75 ವರ್ಷದ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದಹಬ್ಬ ಅಂತ ಹೇಳಿಸೋ ಬದಲು 70 ಅಂದಿದ್ದರಾದ್ರೂ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿತ್ತೇನೋ ಅಂತ ಅನ್ನಿಸದೆ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅತ್ತೆಯ ಪಾತ್ರಧಾರಿ ಮಧುಬಾಲಳೇ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ದೊಡ್ಡ disappointment. ಆಕೆ ಅಭಿನಯ ಮರೆತಿದ್ದಾರೋ, ಅಥವಾ ತೀರಾ ಸಣ್ಣಗಾಗಿ ಆಕೆ ತೋರಿದ ಅಭಿನಯ ಕ್ಯಾಮೆರ ಮುಂದೆ ಕಂಡಿಲ್ಲವೋ ತಿಳೀಲಿಲ್ಲ. 

ಇದು ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕನ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಅಂತ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಒಪ್ಪಬೇಕಾದದ್ದು. ಎಲ್ಲ ದೃಶ್ಯಗಳೂ ವಾಹ್ ವಾಹ್! "ವಿಷ್ಣುವರ್ಧನ ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಮಧ್ಯೆ" ಅಂತ ತೋರಿಸಲೇ ಬೇಕು ಅನ್ನುವಂತೆ ಸಿಂಹದ ಗ್ರಾಫಿಕ್ಸ್ ಗೆ ಅಂಟಿಕೊಂಡ ಹಾಗೆ ಕಾಣ್ತಿದೆ ಅನ್ನೋದೊಂದು ಬಿಟ್ರೆ, ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಬೊಂಬಾಟ್. ಸಿಂಹದ ಅನಿಮೇಷನ್ ಮುಂದಿನ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಾದರೂ ಅತಿಯಾಗದಿರಲಿ ಅಂತ ಹಾರೈಸಬೇಕಷ್ಟೇ. ಭಟ್ಟರ "ಸೀರೆಲಿ ಹುಡುಗೀರ ನೋಡಲೇ ಬಾರದು" ಒಂದು ಸೆನ್ಸೇಷನ್ ಹಾಡಂತೂ ಹೌದು. Lyrics, ಸಂಗೀತ ಒಂದು ತೂಕವಾದರೆ ಛಾಯಾಗ್ರಹಣ ಹಾಗು ಸುದೀಪ್ ಅಭಿನಯ ಅದನ್ನೇ ಸರಿಗಟ್ಟಬಲ್ಲ ತೂಕ!

ಚಿಕ್ಕಣ್ಣ ತಮ್ಮ ಸಹಜ ನಟನೆಯಿಂದ ಇಷ್ಟವಾಗುತ್ತಾರೆ. ತೆಲುಗು ಅವತರಣಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಲಿ ಪಾತ್ರಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಚಿಕ್ಕಣ್ಣನ ಪಾತ್ರಪೋಷಣೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿದೆ; ಸಂಭಾಷಣೆಯೂ ಸಾಂದರ್ಭಿಕವಾಗಿದೆ.  The fun that is cherry on the cake!

ಕಿಚ್ಚ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಜೈ ಜೈ ಹಾಡಲ್ಲಿ ಸುದೀಪ್ ಅಭಿನಯ awesome ಆದರೂ ಮನಸ್ಸಲ್ಲುಳಿಯುವುದು ಸಾಧುಕೋಕಿಲ ಪರದಾಟ. ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾನಂದಂ ಪಾತ್ರವನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿರೋ ಸಾಧುಕೋಕಿಲ wonderful. ಅಹಲ್ಯೆ ಅಮಾಯಕಿ ಅಲ್ಲ - ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಏನೇ ಪಾತ್ರ ಮಾಡಲು ಹೋದರೂ ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಂದಲೂ ಬಡಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಸಾಧು ಎಲ್ಲರನ್ನೂ ಹೊಟ್ಟೆ ಹುಣ್ಣಾಗುವಂತೆ ನಗಿಸೋದು ಸತ್ಯ!

ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಕೊನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಚಿತ್ರೀಕರಣದಲ್ಲಿನ ತಪ್ಪುಗಳ ಸದ್ಬಳಕೆ(!) ಆಗಿದೆ. ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಮುಗಿದ ಮೇಲೂ ನಗಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕರು. ಕನ್ನಡಕ್ಕಂತೂ ಇದು ಹೊಸ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ. ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ಛಾಯಾಗ್ರಹಣ ಮತ್ತು ಸ್ಟಂಟ್ಸ್ ಸಿನಿಮಾದ ಬೆಲೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಿವೆ. ಸುದೀಪ್ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಆಗಿರೋದ್ರಿಂದ ನಾಯಕಿಯರ ಅಭಿನಯ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದರೂ ಮಬ್ಬಾಗಿ ಕಂಡಿದ್ದು ಸಹಜ. ಒಟ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಲೇ ಬೇಕಾದ ಚಿತ್ರ. ಕನ್ನಡದ ಮಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ. ಸುದೀಪ್ ಕಟ್ಟರ್ ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಗಳು ಕಡಿಮೆ ಅಂದರೆ ಎರಡು ಸಾರಿ ನೋಡಿ.. ಥೇಟ್ ನಂಥರ!!  

Simply ban Maggi or cry out “Foul” louder!

Maggi is off the racks in all retail stores of India with #MaggiBan. If more than permitted MSG and lead could do it to Maggi, have we widened our eyes enough to recognize the flawed quantities of heavy metals, harmful germs or carcinogenic chemicals being added unintentionally to our own food prepared at home?

Aginomoto is a powder researched to cause cancer on long term usage and we use aginomoto to enhance flavor while frying Gobi manchuri. Lead finds its simplest way to our belly when we consume fried hot pakodas or bajji right from the old news papers which are majorly used to patt off the excess oil instead of kitchen towels. Trans-fats are condensed when the oil is reused again and again for frying. These trans-fats are associated with an increase in the free-radical oxidation which is associated with higher incidence of cancer. One can’t calculate the amount of contagion possibility when the Golgappawala smashes potatoes by merely jogging on them.

Crowding food in fridge with less space between the containers can actually accelerate microbial growth if the bits of food mix together. Wash thoroughly before you cut fruits and veggies since the rind could have easily harbored potential pathogens which will be transferred through knife when you cut them right through without proper washing.

Many of us taste that little portion to check the edibility of a stale food in a corner of fridge. Tasting even a small amount of a spoilt food can still prove very dangerous. Putting cooked meat back on a plate that held the uncooked meat can still spread germs from uncooked meat.

Always cook eggs thoroughly. Avoid foods that contain raw or undercooked eggs which may contain Salmonella or other harmful bacteria. So, avoid eating raw cookie dough to check taste.

Microwave cooking fastens the cooking process and is a preferred way of cooking in the competent world with busy life. What we oversee are the plastic containers which are used for reheating or cooking which contain cancer causing substances which can enter food when food is cooked. We don’t seem to be aware that plastic covers to cover foods are also equally dangerous. These acts may cause biomagnification and prove dangerous in long run. Instead, we need to use only glass containers to microwave.

Hence, kindly be aware of the hazards which are far near than the yellow packs of Nestle Maggi piled on the shelves of supermarket.

The Da Vinci Code: Dan Brown

The book tells you the story of the royal bloodline of Jesus (Yes! You read it right!!) and advocates that it is being protected by a secret society called the Priory of Scion, with no intentions to release the secret to the world.

The Da Vinci Code which had created a huge debate from around the world when it was released was again in my hands after a decade of having read it once. Yet I felt as if I had never read it before, that someone had illustrated its story long back which had become hazy over all these years. May be it was because I was so naive in understanding the story since I was unaware of everything regarding religion in depth. I had only read it as a suspense thriller. When the descriptions and the knowledge surrounding it in your brain do not fit, you can hardly understand the concept.

I studied in a convent school and all that I knew as an adolescent was that the church blamed women because of the supposedly original sin of Eve by munching on the fruit of knowledge in Eden Garden. During the discussions among the characters of novel, it will dawn on you that the lore of sacred feminine is being sung everywhere through the artwork of great people of the past. I did a little research on internet and found supporting data for both sides of the debate. Hence, conclusions are tough to be drawn.

Every page of this book is a quest for the long lost secret. The reader finds himself drawn into the nerve racing escapade of a symbologist Robert Langdon and a cryptologist Sophie Neveu. You keep guessing the mastermind behind the plot threatening the very existence of proof to sacred feminine and the book has managed to keep it to itself till the last fifty pages. The plot is well spread across France and England and the events within two days.

The reader will be left with more thinking on the subject even after racing through the novel. The novel leaves you with a hint that the best kept secrets in history are for the good of mankind; revealing secrets is not the only way to make them obvious.

The Eternal Bonding

I wonder why he scolds me when I disobey her.

I wonder why she cries when I am rude to him.

I wonder what makes them stay together;

Though their only claim defends their love is long gone.

I wonder why he orders food for all of us on her birthday;

Though he never wishes her himself.

I wonder why he passes her calls of wish;

Though they never celebrate their anniversary;

I wonder why she tries to perfect her cuisine;

Though he points out some reconsideration every time;

I wonder why she takes care of him;

Though I see them blaming each other with others;

I wonder what has made them stick together;

Till the expanse of the horizon;

That which has kept them united for all these years;

That which opposes when someone tries to defame the other;

That which makes them care about the other;

If this is not love; what else would you call that bonding?

Shiva Trilogy - Amish

The word of mouth spread and compelled me to buy these three books together. I wanted to know what do this trilogy carry, that it has drove so many readers towards and what made Amish to have been called the Paulo Coelho of Asia. Hence with immense curiosity I turned each page.

I was carried away by the story telling, I must admit. But there are few repetitive sentences for similar situations which pop up every 40-50 pages once, all along the three books. (Like a sentence that reads " This would be the guilt that he shall carry for the rest of his life". This dialogue gets repeated at least 5 times. And so is the phrase 'Started at'). Though the story line is strong with handful of unpredictable turns, the lines used for description becomes too predictable at times. There are narrative flaws recognizable almost half way through his first book, "Immortals of Meluha". Then on, either I got adjusted with his style or Amish has improved within his book.

I got engrossed so much that Shiva's picture in a calender at home began to show only his masculinity and warrior-like fierceness; The picture of Sati/Parwati began emanating a brave warrior's image; Karthik became my favourite strategist; Ganesh started appearing more calmer and secluded..Well! well! well! Enough for imaginations right? This book depicts Kaali (Hindu Goddess with Jet dark complexion and four hands) and Ganesha (Hindu God with an elephant head) as people with cancerous protrusions resultant of a side effect of the evil of Indus Valley civilization. It says all the war weapons named "Daivi Astras" were similar to nuclear weapons that we see now.


Yes. Imaginations are good. There have been attempts by authors of various times at mortalizing the immortals (Gods). We have accepted them and encouraged them as well. This trilogy drags us deep into its story to a point where we get confused with facts, myths, mythology and beliefs.

As  Jayraj Dave tells us on Quora-

YES, Amish Tripathi's Shiva trilogy has definitely connection to our scriptures (like  Shiva being 'Neelkanth', Shiva's third eye, Shaktipeetha's of Sati, Name and behavior of many Characters, part of Sequences in story,etc. ) and some of the parts are also purely fictional (story of 'Somras', conflicts among different empires, War at the end).

-So it's neither totally based on scriptures nor totally fictional.

This book has to be read with a staunch foot-note that One needs to know about what Indian mythology says, before you put your hands on this trilogy, since you need to remember that this book is a blend of fiction and mythology, to a point of fiction again.

With that, It is worth imagining things as you sail along the book since it keeps you engaged of the messages it carries within. A sentence is worth quoting from the book, which actually explains the stand on Amish- Trilogy as well.-

- "There is my truth and there is your truth. As for the universal truth, it does not exist"