To suit the present times, mythology has its own interpretations by
present generation writers. Read this unknown side of Shakuntala, a
little different from what the Mahabharata had to say. Also to read are
tales on the Allahabad of yore and of underage CEOs who are raising
their ideas into careers. Here's what we have for you on IANS bookshelf
for this weekend. Read on!
1. Book: Shakuntala: The Woman Wronged; Author: Utkarsh Patel; Publisher: Rupa; Pages: 273; Price: Rs. 295
This
is the story of Shakuntala, not as told by Vyasa, but by a corporate
professional turned mythologist and author for the present-day
generation. Everyone knows Shakuntala as the woman who met Dushyant,
their marriage and their separation due to a curse.
Shakuntala,
as the author says, was a very heroic single mother who brought her
child up to be a great conqueror - the mother of the man who gave this
land its name - Bharata. What the author also relates, from a feminist
perspective, is the unknown side of Shakuntala - that the one
immortalized by Kalidasa is very different from the that of the
Mahabharata - a strong, fiery woman who stood up for her rights when she
was spurned by her beloved. According to the author, Shakuntala is one
of the most powerful yet underrated female characters of the
Mahabharata.
2. Book: Allahabad Aria: Stories about Allahabad; Author: Neelum Saran Gour; Publisher: Rupa; Pages: 180; Price: Rs. 195
Who
doesn't like to reminisce of travels or of old cities one has lived in?
To rekindle such memories you may have, here's an interesting share of a
mischievous diarist's writings on crazy escapades of diplomats, jurists
and the leaders of the industry during their student days in Allahabad
city in Uttar Pradesh.
One can indulge, through this book, in a
modest jeweler experiencing the warmth of family bonding through
meetings of allies at the Kumbh Mela; or of a telegram that becomes the
last testament of love from a man who has lost his speech.
Here is a chance to relive the nostalgia surrounding this beautiful city's monuments, forts and river banks.
3.
Book: The Underage CEOs: Fascinating stories of young Indians who
became CEOs in their twenties; Author: Ganesh. V; Publisher: Collins
Business; Pages: 224; Price: Rs. 250
Coming from a marketing
professional and writer, the author, through this book relates some
inspiring stories of young Indians who flew out of the usual ways, to
own their companies in their twenties.
Featuring in this book
are the young fellowmen who have set up ways to transform lives of the
underprivileged children in Jharkhand, or protecting priceless online
data, and some showing the world ways to engage children in practical
education and farming in homes. Here are these inspiring young achievers
showing that age is just a number and that ideas can be pursued and be
made into careers.
4. Book: The Success Sutra: An Indian
Approach to Wealth; Author: Devdutt Pattanaik; Publisher: Aleph; Pages:
150; Price: Rs. 399
Here's a mythologist and leadership
consultant, who was also formerly the Chief Belief Officer of the Future
Group with ways to the success sutra. With people chasing Goddess
Lakshmi for success and wealth, here is the author with his insights on
business and creation of wealth and success.
Packed with
insights on how individuals can create success by taking the path of
strategic thinking and decision-making. This is the book after the
author's acclaimed bestseller Business Sutra, with many lessons on
creation of success.
