The book store I endorse… ;)

My love for reading evidently supersedes my love for writing, which naturally makes me search for a good book store in the city/area where I live. I have been pretty lucky on this mission, but this time I think I hit a jack pot.

I was taken to Ashok Shukla’s second hand store by one of my close friends on a Sunday evening, and I was not completely convinced about this one, to be frank. As we reached Gokuldham (Goregaon East , Mumbai) Café Coffee day, I grew a little impatient. Just then in front me of me I saw a man in his late forties, thin and frail, moving around amongst books just piled up on the floor. So this is the book store? Mind you. It is and a really good one sans the roof over your head, air conditioner in full blast, swanky stools to sit and read the books, book shelves and stands. Ashok Shukla’s bookstore is just his books which are stacked up in various rows. Most importantly, his books are in good condition and he gives them to you at such a bloody good deal. The costs are negligible compared to any other book store I have been to, including Blossoms and Bookworm (two other very good second hand book stores) in Bangalore.

Either you read or borrow them, he is the happiest when you say “wow uncle.. you have this book!! I have been hunting for the same since such a long time” He also has a small notebook where you can make an entry of the books that you want to read and he makes an honest effort to source the same at the earliest. I was touched.

Ashok uncle is also accompanied by his son, a teenager who doesn’t seem to be as interested in books as he should be, but very happy to watch all the book lovers who come by. Together, the father and son have managed to build up a good collection and kudos to them for that.

Maybe if they also served dosas with chai as well on the side, I would be the happiest. :D

What about you?

Welcome to Mumbai

So much has happened in so little time. As clichéd as it sounds, within my last post and this one, I must confess I have become a lot lazier and procrastination seems to be the favorite word.

Ok. So I changed cities. Mumbai is where I live now. Yes, the city of dreams, the city that never sleeps, the safest city for women, the city of vada paavs, the city that has something for everybody. Call it what you want.

Above is the description that I have heard and read many a time. Three weeks into the city and I have in fact started enjoying the train rides (NO kidding!) and I have started observing more than day dreaming for a change! The vendors selling multi colored hair clips to the fellow passengers who believe that nothing is more important than the book that they are reading, not to mention the men and women who push to get to the sky walk and the over bridge a tad quicker than lesser mortals such as me, and of course some men who insist on hanging out from the door to feel the polluted air on their face, no matter how much space is available inside the compartment. Each journey is distinctive, no complaints.
Having said that, you may have noticed that I am yet to explore the famous book stores, malls, the beaches and other corners of this fascinating city. Any suggestion is most welcome.

And Yes, I did visit Marine Drive and the famous Bandra – Worli sea link. Thanks to my fiancé and friends. You guys are the best.

So here is to a great beginning in a vibrant city, fresh faces and some really interesting times ahead.

Welcome to MUMBAI.

The Immortals of Meluha

The story of Lord Shiva it says, one that is finely crafted and would make a very good movie. :-)

This book was recommended to me by A and I must say it’s a fast read with interesting revelations and facts. The story dates back to 1900 BC where Shiva was just a leader of a tribe, to be later declared as the Savior of an entire kingdom – The Suryavanshis. He is said to be THE NEELKANTH who is extraordinary due to his blue throat. He is passionate and fearless and loves his people, especially his lady love – Sati.

The language is simple and can be easily understood even by a 12 year old. There are no long and complicated sentences, no twists and turns, only straight forward narration. My praise for the author is not just for choosing a protagonist – The God Almighty but also for all the research that has gone into writing this book. It takes immense amount of gut to craft a story such as this as well! I wonder whether Bal Thackery would initiate a ban of this book as it does talk about Lord Shiva being a marijuana addict!! The Immortals of Meluha is the first one in the Shiva Trilogy Series. The second one would be out in mid 2011.

I have always been a sucker for most books based on mythology and ancient kings and queens. My other favorites include the story of Ramses – The Egyptian Mythology series and the story of Panchali - The Palace of Illusions. If any of you know of other interesting reads in this genre, please do write to me. I would love to read them as well.

I believe in MIRACLES!!

And not just Miracles,the fact that some very good people exist in this world,.. and maybe a few blocks away from mine!

I have quite a reputation for being absent minded and careless and this one just takes my "absent mindedness" to a totally different level. So the other day I am walking back from the bustop to my flat and I stop by an ATM to withdraw money. I withdraw enough money to cover my rent and some other bills which I had to pay. The point to note here is that I am not referring to a few hundreds but ONLY thousands. While I am walking back from the ATM, I get a call from my cousin with whom I have not spoken in ages. I pick up the call and chatter incessantly sitting on a bench on the way. ok, so to give you a picture, I stay in a gated community which has its own ATM, parks, eatouts and the works and the footpaths here are lined with benches to give fitness freaks and maybe the lazy bums, a "break" in between their rigorous walks or day dreams. So coming back to my phone call, I am completely in awe of my cousin's last business trip to Dubai and the details pour in from his end. I get up from the bench, still talking, and walk back home, lugging my laptop bag as well. I reach home and after the much interesting phone conversation of 45 minutes, I settle down in my room. The cook comes in.
"Dekhiye, aaapka salary aaj hi deti hoon"
Shukriya Madam"
THEN. Where is my wallet!!!!??!

What happens in the next twenty minutes is anybody's guess. I search my bag, my cupboard, I rush out of my flat to the bench, I take the flashlight, search under the seat, go back to the ATM, .... the wallet is nowhere in sight.
"Obviously, who will NOT take a wallet with so much money in it"
"Hmmm, I agree. Are you sure you dont remember what happened after you stepped out of the ATM?" says my roommate.
"I dont........!" I am blank. I do remember the some of the best places to shop in Dubai though.

That night I can barely sleep. I tell A & my mom. A is ofcourse very sweet and offers to lend me money. The point is I am not angry because I am broke. I am not broke.I am so BLOODY careless!! Unlike A, my mom does not have any sympathy for me. She is very clear "You have no value for money, it just shows everytime!" SIGH!

I reach office the following day, still not out of the shock completely. I have no mind to even start my laptop.

and THEN, I get the call. An elderly voice, says his name is Mr Satyamurthy.
" Are you Priya Jayarajan"
"Yes" So maybe its Piya, but nevermind. I do not have anything to do with any Satyamurthy anyway.
"I found a purse on one of the park benches yesterday. It has lots of money in it. (He says the amount)I think it belongs to you"
".....!SIR, Yes! That is mine" I cannot believe my ears.
" Yes child, I thought as much...You must always keep your contact details in your purse, if something happens, someone should be able to trace you"
" I know SIR, Its my fault completely"
" You must be careful of your belongings. Yesterday myself and my wife were out for a walk and we found this on one of the park benches. We took it thinking we must give it to the owner or some passerby would definitely misuse it. We had only your ATM card with your name. We called your bank, they gave us your office number. When I called your office, one Mr Prashant picked up and said wrong number. Then I tried again and explained the situation to him, he said that you used to sit in that cubicle and he gave me your mobile number"
"Thank you so so much. You have no idea how grateful I am SIR. I will come and collect it anytime you are free"
" Yes, Here is my addrees, please take it down..."

And so I went on the same day with a box of sweets to his house to meet him and his family. I collected my wallet, not a rupee was moved. Satyamurthy had initially called up some random people whose business cards I had in my wallet. I had not even thrown them out even after I shifted jobs. Those people obviously did not remember me. Then the bank and my colleague Prashant helped him reach me. Prashant also called me the other day telling me how the old man had called him multiple times to get my mobile number.

I may be one of the lucky ones, but I truly believe that goodness is just around the corner.

All hype and no.....???

Looks like this movie has been in the news even before maybe the actors were signed on.. ?? Atleast when the shooting started, I remember seeing clippings in newspapers and magazines and the rave write ups about the case, the locales, the cinematography.. and what not.

Of course, I am definitely talking about RaaVan.

I saw it a week back and its definitely NOT a bad movie. But i strongly feel the movie was overly hyped and maybe thats why when it finally released, it got a lot of mixed reviews. When you plant a lot of expecations in the viewers mind, then it is impossible to live up to every single one of them.

I absolutely loved the cinematography. The movie was so pleasing to the eye. Aishwarya, as usual, looks beautiful even when she is bruised, starved and dejected. The supporting actors have showcased some brilliant performances. Vikram's performance is decent. What disappointed me most was Jr Bachchan. I really like the actor and I feel he has tried his level best. But to me he is "too polished and nice looking" for an asura king such as Raavan? This i purely my view and if there is any inconsistency, I would put the blame on Amar Chitra Katha :)

Jokes apart, I think the movie is a good one time watch, atleast for the visuals and the music. But yeah.. whats was with the hype?!

" Many a time, trailers are far better than the movie" says the wise one. :)