Download or read book Sivakami s Vow 2 written by Nandini Vijayaraghavan and published by Penguin Random House India Private Limited. This book was released on 2023-04-17 with total page 271 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The political stature of the Pallava crown prince, Narasimha Varmar, has grown considerably after defeating the king of Ganga Nadu at the historic Pullalur battle. But he has more obstacles to overcome. Emperor Mahendra Pallavar, after restraining the Chalukya forces for nine months at the northern border of the Pallava kingdom, is on his way back to Kanchi and continues to oppose the crown prince's relationship with the dancer, Sivakami. Meanwhile, the Machiavellian Naganandi adigal has convinced Sivakami and Aayanar to leave their home in the forest against Narasimha Varmar wishes. And the Chalukya army marches towards Kanchi, causing destruction and damage across the countryside. Yet, the emperor remains unwilling to cross swords with them. Expecting the enemy to lay siege to the Kanchi fort, Mamallar must find a way to balance his duties as crown prince and his love for Sivakami. Expertly weaving suspense, romance and drama, Kalki's gripping narrative describes the tremendous efforts of the Pallavas to counter the Chalukya invasion and the growing intimacy between Mamallar and Sivakami in the action-packed second volume of Sivakami's Vow: The Siege of Kanchi.
Download or read book Sivakamiyin Sabadam written by Kalki and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 862 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Based on Narasimhavarman I, King of Kanchi, fl. 630-668.
Download or read book The Toss of a Lemon written by Padma Viswanathan and published by Vintage Canada. This book was released on 2010-03-12 with total page 642 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In south India in 1896, ten-year old Sivakami is about to embark on a new life. Hanumarathnam, a village healer with some renown as an astrologer, has approached her parents with a marriage proposal. In keeping with custom, he provides his prospective in-laws with his horoscope. The problem is that his includes a prediction, albeit a weak one, that he will die in his tenth year of marriage. Despite the ominous horoscope, Sivakami’s parents hesitate only briefly, won over by the young man and his family’s reputation as good, upstanding Brahmins. Once married, Sivikami and Hanumarathnam grow to love one another and the bride, now in her teens, settles into a happy life. But the predictions of Hanumarathnam’s horoscope are never far from her new husband’s mind. When their first child is born, as a strategy for accurately determining his child’s astrological charts, Hanumarathnam insists the midwife toss a lemon from the window of the birthing room the moment his child appears. All is well with their first child, a daughter, Thangam, whose birth has a positive influence on her father’s astrological future. But this influence is fleeting: when a son, Vairum, is born, his horoscope confirms that his father will die within three years. Resigned to his fate, Hanumarathnam sets himself to the unpleasant task of readying his household for his imminent death. Knowing the hardships and social restrictions Sivakami will face as a Brahmin widow, he hires and trains a servant boy called Muchami to help Sivakami manage the household and properties until Vairum is of age. When Sivakami is eighteen, Hanumarathnam dies as predicted. Relentless in her adherence to the traditions that define her Brahmin caste, she shaves her head and dons the white sari of the widow. With some reluctance, she moves to her family home to raise her children under the protection of her brothers, but then realizes that they are not acting in the best interests of her children. With her daughter already married to an unreliable husband of her brothers’ choosing, and Vairum’s future also at risk, Sivakami leaves her brothers and returns to her marital home to raise her family. With the freedom to make decisions for her son’s future, Sivakami defies tradition and chooses to give him a secular education. While her choice ensures that Vairum fulfills his promise, it also sets Sivakami on a collision course with him. Vairum, fatherless in childhood, childless as an adult, rejects the caste identity that is his mother’s mainstay, twisting their fates in fascinating and unbearable ways.
Download or read book Pyre written by Perumal Murugan and published by Grove Press. This book was released on 2022-02-15 with total page 174 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: By the author of One Part Woman: “A haunting story of forbidden love set in Southern India that illustrates the cruel consequences of societal intolerance.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review Saroja and Kumaresan are young and in love. After meeting in a small southern Indian town where Kumaresan works at a soda bottling shop, they quickly marry before returning to Kumaresan’s family village, where they hope to build a happy life together. But they are harboring a terrible secret: Saroja is from a different caste than Kumaresan, and if the villagers find out, they will both be in grave danger. Faced with venom from her mother-in-law and questions from her new neighbors, Saroja tries to adjust to a new lonely and uncomfortable life, while Kumaresan struggles to scrape together enough money for them to start over somewhere new. But in a world filled with thorns, their love may not be enough to keep them safe.
Download or read book Critical Introspections written by Periaswamy Balaswamy and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Papers presented at a national seminar held in August 2010.
Download or read book Gun Island written by Amitav Ghosh and published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. This book was released on 2019-09-10 with total page 316 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Named a Best Book of Fall by Vulture, Chicago Review of Books and Amazon From the award-winning author of the bestselling epic Ibis trilogy comes a globetrotting, folkloric adventure novel about family and heritage Bundook. Gun. A common word, but one that turns Deen Datta’s world upside down. A dealer of rare books, Deen is used to a quiet life spent indoors, but as his once-solid beliefs begin to shift, he is forced to set out on an extraordinary journey; one that takes him from India to Los Angeles and Venice via a tangled route through the memories and experiences of those he meets along the way. There is Piya, a fellow Bengali-American who sets his journey in motion; Tipu, an entrepreneurial young man who opens Deen’s eyes to the realities of growing up in today’s world; Rafi, with his desperate attempt to help someone in need; and Cinta, an old friend who provides the missing link in the story they are all a part of. It is a journey that will upend everything he thought he knew about himself, about the Bengali legends of his childhood, and about the world around him. Amitav Ghosh‘s Gun Island is a beautifully realized novel that effortlessly spans space and time. It is the story of a world on the brink, of increasing displacement and unstoppable transition. But it is also a story of hope, of a man whose faith in the world and the future is restored by two remarkable women.
Download or read book Leela s Book A Novel written by Alice Albinia and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2012-01-09 with total page 448 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Steeped in the tradition of the Indian epic, yet modern and vastly entertaining." —The Times (London) In her fiction debut, Alice Albinia weaves a multithreaded epic tale that encompasses divine saga and familial discord and introduces an unforgettable heroine. Leela—alluring, taciturn, haunted—is moving from New York back to Delhi. Worldly and accomplished, she has been in self-imposed exile from India and her family for decades; twenty-two years earlier, her sister was seduced by the egotistical Vyasa, and the fallout from their relationship drove Leela away. Now an eminent Sanskrit scholar, Vyasa is preparing for his son’s marriage. But when Leela arrives for the wedding, she disrupts the careful choreography of the weekend, with its myriad attendees and their conflicting desires. Gleefully presiding over the drama is Ganesh—divine, elephant-headed scribe of the Mahabharata, India’s great epic. The family may think they have arranged the wedding for their own selfish ends, but according to Ganesh it is he who is directing events—in a bid to save Leela, his beloved heroine, from Vyasa. As the weekend progresses, secret online personas, maternal identities, and poetic authorships are all revealed; boundaries both religious and continental are crossed; and families are ripped apart and brought back together in this vibrant and brilliant celebration of family, love, and storytelling.
Download or read book Wings of Fire written by Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam and published by Universities Press. This book was released on 1999 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, The Son Of A Little-Educated Boat-Owner In Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Had An Unparalled Career As A Defence Scientist, Culminating In The Highest Civilian Award Of India, The Bharat Ratna. As Chief Of The Country`S Defence Research And Development Programme, Kalam Demonstrated The Great Potential For Dynamism And Innovation That Existed In Seemingly Moribund Research Establishments. This Is The Story Of Kalam`S Rise From Obscurity And His Personal And Professional Struggles, As Well As The Story Of Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul And Nag--Missiles That Have Become Household Names In India And That Have Raised The Nation To The Level Of A Missile Power Of International Reckoning.
Download or read book Alai Osai written by Kalki and published by Sixthsense Publications. This book was released on 2009 with total page 884 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Bhagavadgita written by Penguin India and published by Penguin Books. This book was released on 2019-10-15 with total page 368 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The foundational text on dharma and Hindu philosophy, exquisitely rendered by one of our most eminent Sanskrit translators As a spiritual guide, the Bhagavadgita is a mesmerizing account of the debate between right and wrong, and the bond between action and consequence. One of the core Hindu scriptures, it is part of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata, and unfolds in the form of a dialogue between Krishna and the Pandava prince, Arjuna. This beautifully produced bilingual edition is a masterful verse-for-verse translation, providing the original Sanskrit verses alongside the English rendition. Bibek Debroy's deep familiarity with the text yields a treasure trove of insights that will delight the scholar and the lay reader alike, making this essential reading for anyone with an abiding interest in Indian scriptures.
Download or read book A Year with the Maha Puranas written by Anvita and Anika Agarwal and published by . This book was released on 2018-07-14 with total page 153 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why did Lord Shiva, at the instigation of Brahma, tease Parvati?Why do we not use the champak flower to worship Lord Shiva?In which purana would you learn about a prayer for Lord Vishnu to protect you in all four directions with his sudarshana chakra, koumodaki gada, sounanda hala, and shatana mushala?Why did Sita mata curse fire, the river Phalgu, the ketaki flower and the cow?Which Purana tells us the story of the lake that turned four black swans to white, and why?Why did Draupadi have five husbands?What does it mean to read abridged translations of all nineteen Puranas in one year? This is the book of questions and answers, of those nineteen books, thirty-eight reviews, and the year that went by. Anvita and Anika, sisters, read abridged translations of the nineteen maha-Puranas over the course of a year. In addition to thirty-eight reviews, there are also several anecdotes of their experiences through the year as they read and wrote, and how school, studies, exams, and a maniacal father drove them to ever greater depths of despair. In the book you will find over a hundred stories, factoids, and nuggets from the Puranas. How Parvati became Gouri, stories about Kurukshetra, the punya that accumulates from reading the Puranas, the types of fasts to observe and their benefits, the types of donations one can give, episodes from the Mahabharata, different accounts of how Ganesha was born and how he broke a tusk, and many, many more - as seen from the eyes of two young children!
Download or read book The Star of India written by Diana R Chambers and published by Penguin Random House India Private Limited. This book was released on 2020-04-24 with total page 319 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Hollywood, 1946. When Nancy Valentine meets the dashing crown prince of Cooch Behar, sparks fly almost instantly. Sporty-as she lovingly nicknames him-is like nobody the beautiful young actress has ever met before. She is swept away to Sporty's kingdom in India just as the country is caught up in a tumultuous freedom struggle. And before she knows it, Nancy is entangled in a whirlwind of intrigue, espionage and attempted murder. Sporty comes under great pressure from his elegant and formidable mother, who believes his marriage to a foreigner will weaken the family's position with their people-and make them vulnerable to a government takeover. Amid growing opposition to the couple's union, the state's fabled Mughal Ruby disappears, and its curse will shadow them all. From the glitz of Hollywood to the lush chambers of Indian royalty, The Star of India weaves a spirited tale of a strong-willed woman whose fate was deeply entwined with the momentous birth of modern India.
Download or read book The Loom of Time written by Kalidasa and published by Penguin UK. This book was released on 2006-08-31 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Kalidasa is the major poet and dramatist of classical Sanskrit literature - a many-sided talent of extraordinary scope and exquisite language. His great poem, Meghadutam (The Cloud Messenger), tells of a divine being, punished for failing in his sacred duties with a years' separation from his beloved. A work of subtle emotional nuances, it is a haunting depiction of longing and separation. The play Sakuntala describes the troubled love between a Lady of Nature and King Duhsanta. This beautiful blend of romance and comedy, transports its audience into an enchanted world in which mortals mingle with gods. And Kalidasa's poem Rtusamharam (The Gathering of the Seasons) is an exuberant observation of the sheer variety of the natural world, as it teems with the energies of the great god Siva.
Download or read book AJAYA RISE OF KALI Book 2 written by Anand Neelakantan and published by One Point Six Technology Pvt Ltd. This book was released on 2015-08-27 with total page 480 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "THE MAHABHARATA ENDURES AS THE GREAT EPIC OF INDIA. While Jaya is the story of the Pandavas, told from the perspective of the victors of Kurukshetra, Ajaya is the tale of the Kauravas, who were decimated to the last man. From the pen of the author who gave voice to Ravana in the national bestseller, ASURA, comes the riveting narrative which compels us to question the truth behind the Mahabharata. THE DARK AGE OF KALI IS RISING and every man and woman must choose between duty and conscience, honour and shame, life and death… o The Pandavas, banished to the forest following the disastrous games of dice, return to Hastinapura. o Draupadi has vowed not to bind her hair till she washes it in the blood of the Kauravas. o Karna must choose between loyalty and gratitude, friend and Guru. o Aswathama undertakes a perilous mission to the mountains of Gandhara, in search of the Evil One. o Kunti must decide between her firstborn and her other sons. o Guru Drona has to stand with either his favourite disciple or his beloved son. o Balarama, having failed to convince his brother about the adharma of violence, walks the streets of Bharatavarsha, spreading the message of peace. o Ekalavya is called to make the ultimate sacrifice to uphold a woman’s honour. o Jara, the beggar, sings of Krishna’s love while his blind dog, Dharma, follows. o Shakuni can almost see the realization of his dream to destroy India. As the Pandavas stake their claim to the Hastinapura throne, the Kaurava Crown Prince, Suyodhana, rises to challenge Krishna. As great minds debate dharma and adharma, power hungry men prepare for an apocalyptic war. The women, highborn and humble, helplessly watch the unfolding disaster with deep foreboding. And greedy merchants and unscrupulous priests lie in wait like vultures. Both sides know that beyond the agony and carnage the winner will take all. But even as gods conspire and men’s destinies unfold, a far greater truth awaits. ***** One of the six most remarkable writers of India. DNA An Amazing read. The WEEK Unique voice of a rebellious author telling the story from the other side, a feat a few have dared or managed so well. Bihar Times"
Download or read book Thirukkural written by Dr.R.Krishnamurthi and published by Notion Press. This book was released on 2018-04-16 with total page 168 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A classic is a piece of work that stands the test of time. A classic is for all ages: past, present, and future. Thiruvalluvar’s Thirukkural is a classic. It is a highly resourceful management literature. I have been profusely using Kurals in my teaching, training, coaching and talks to drive home some of the best management concepts and practices. This book traces the modern management practices to the wisdom in Thirukkural. Do you want to appreciate Thirukkural’s contribution to management? Explore.
Download or read book Kalki written by Gowri Ramnarayan and published by Penguin UK. This book was released on 2000-10-14 with total page 239 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ‘Kalki’ R. Krishnamurthy, one of the pioneering giants of the Tamil press in the tumultuous times of the nationalist movement, was a versatile and prolific writer, inscribing the urgencies of his time in his fiction. This collection brings together the best of Kalki’s short stories, which contain some of his most colourful and enduring characters and themes of Tamil popular fiction of the nineteen thirties and forties. There is in these stories the heady urgency of the freedom struggle, the piquant humour of the parodied Tamil gothic and devastating social satire. In her sensitive translations, Gowri Ramnarayan has succeeded in capturing the nuances of the gently mordant wit that made Kalki’s stories the highlight of the magazines they were originally published in, creating for themselves a dedicated following that flourishes undiminished to this day. Coinciding with the centenary of Kalki’s birth, this volume is a well-deserved tribute to a writer whose breadth of vision and genius imagined and served a new India.
