Padmavati, also known as Rani Padmini, was a legendary Rajput queen whose tales of valor and beauty have enamoured people and inspired paeans over the centuries. With the upcoming release (now indefinitely deferred) of Sanjay Leela Bansali’s ambitious cinematic project, also titled Padmavati, interest is at...

When I first started this blog, it was only a testing platform for me to gauge my writing skills. I also wanted to use it as a platform to showcase my write-ups as samples, while pitching to prospective clients. I hadn't ever expected the response it got. Neither had I expected the paths it would lead me on. The journey (2 years now) has been incredible and the experiences chronicled in detail. It opened some great avenues for me and has been the runway from where my writing took off. Obviously, I am humbled and thrilled every time I think about how far I have come.

What if you could see the future? What if you really could predict events and changed the course of destiny? Yes, I want you to imagine being that person and how it would change you or the people around you. Would you be able to handle the immense responsibility and power that came with this unique ability? What if the premonitions weren’t just an unshakeable, inexplicable feeling of dread that you couldn’t do anything about but instead a clear vision where you could see the future events unfold and then help prevent them? Can it be called the ‘future’ then, seeing as how you’ve already altered its course? How would it affect the people around you?

Anyone who has ever moved homes would know what a painful and yet fun-filled process it is. The process of shifting is as torturous as it can be and yet the adventure and experience of doing up a new home comes with its own share of exciting discoveries and disappointing compromises. Ever since the decision had been made to move to this new house, I had starting mentally decorating my room. 

Mahabharatha, the second most famous epic of Hindu mythology has entertained, enlightened, and been a source of much thought and discussion for as long as the text has existed. It has been adapted into uncountable films, books, and TV shows. I remember how back in late '80s the streets of the entire country would remain deserted on Sunday mornings because everyone was glued to their TV screens, watching B.R. Chopra's Mahabharatha. The title song still remains one of my all-time favourites.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18YrzTYrHZs Lately, mythological fiction has also been a source of not just entertainment but also a change in society. Narratives like Palace of Illusions and now, Yudhishthira - The Unfallen Pandava, shed light on alternate points of view and attempt to answer a pertinent question - What went on in the minds of these characters who transformed the course of History?  So when I got the opportunity to host an excerpt from Readomania's latest release I jumped at it. Written by Mallar Chatterjee and edited by my favourite Indrani Ganguly, Yudhisthira - The Unfallen Pandava is an ambitious imaginary narrative from Yudhisthira's perspective. And judging from the below excerpt, it promises to be one hell of a read.  

The best part about being in a community of active readers is that you keep getting introduced to new authors and books you didn't previously know about. Early last year, I attended a fun event organised by an innovative start-up, Let's Barter, where I met lots of new people, played some fun games, and exchanged books with fellow bibliophiles! I got quite a few great books, like Eat Pray Love, and some brand new releases from Harper Collins (they had sponsored a few books). I think around the same time I was battling with that Great Book Flood too. I am yet to get through my loot from such events and book sales but since I have lost the battle against these unseen (and very welcome) forces I have decided to give up the fight altogether. Which means the reformed reader in me is now hoarding books like never before!