Happy to inform that my book Two and a Half Rainbows has completed 2 years! The experience of travelling with my first book, as it journeyed through clouds of uncertainty, to make a name for itself, was humbling and enlightening. Let me not mince words here; it is a very lonely process. While you write to tell a story that you are dying to tell, a finished book at the end of the day is meant for its readers. It must find miraculous ways to reach them. And on rare days, when it receives the appreciation of a book lover, all the effort that was put into nurturing ideas and transforming them into words feels worth it.
So, to all who have supported me in this journey, and sent in a kind word of encouragement; thank you for believing in me! And to all who have read and reviewed my book; I can’t thank you enough!
Two and a Half Rainbows is available on Amazon, Flipkart and Google Books. (link below) https://amzn.to/3dC7aqd
The above video is a reading of an extract from the short story “Meeting Rosanna” from my book “Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories”. The story is about two septuagenarians who meet unexpectedly after 40 long years. The inspiration for the story came from observing my parents. I have often wondered, what it would be like, for them, to meet an old and dear friend in a serendipitous encounter. What would be their reaction? What would they be reliving?
The extract has been read by my sister-in-law, Garima Joshi Tewari, who was kind enough to lend her mellifluous voice to my story. She is a former radio jockey with FM Rainbow (All India Radio) and I believe she has done a fabulous job of helping the reader visualize the scenes unfolding in this short extract from the story. Hope you all like it!
This will be the first among a series of story reading videos which will be uploaded in the coming weeks. So do watch out for this space and do like, share and subscribe to my channel if you have liked what you have seen!
You can grab a copy of my book from the links below:
This is a question that was asked quite often in the last 4 months, either by people who have read the book or those who have contemplated reading it. I thought that this is the right time to answer. Do watch the video and let me know your thoughts.
Grab your copy of ‘Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories’ from the link below (Available in Paperback and Kindle): https://amzn.to/2Lx00sU
Also available @ Flipkart & Notion Press store. ebook available @ Google books, iBooks and Kobo.com
Ruskin Bond with my book ‘Two and a Half Rainbows’ at his home in Landour, Mussoorie
13th of Oct was probably one of the best days of my life! My book ‘Two and a Half Rainbows’ reached the hands of the legendary ‘writer on the hill’ – Mr. Ruskin Bond. ‘The lone fox who dances in the morning dew’ and whose stories inspired me to become a writer.
I had been pursuing getting the book out to him for long and to finally realize this dream was surreal. Mr. Ruskin Bond is a prolific Indian writer of British descent and his short stories were part of our school curriculum. I have grown up reading his work and have learnt a lot from him, especially about the subtle art of short story writing.
‘The Writer on the Hill’ published by Rupa publications
Here are a few lines of the great writer –
“As I walked home last night
I saw a lone fox dancing
In the cold moonlight.
I stood and watched. Then
Took the low road, knowing
The night was his by right.
Sometimes, when words ring true,
I’m like a lone fox dancing
In the morning dew.”
― Ruskin Bond, A Book of Simple Living
You can grab a copy of ‘Two and a Half Rainbows’ (available in Paperback and Kindle) at the below links:
Please note:The following review was originally posted by Pankaj Giri (author of the ‘Amazon Best Reads’ – The Fragile Thread of Hope) on his FB Page and on the ‘Two and a Half Rainbows‘ FB page. It is being shared on this website with his due approval.
A Thought Provoking, Masterful Collection of Short Stories!
I met Siddhartha on Facebook, where he introduced his book to me. The blurb was well-written and intriguing, so I decided to give it a go.
I am constantly on the lookout for good contemporary fiction by Indian writers. However, most of the time, I am left disappointed. Either the language is laden with grammatical errors or the narration leaves a lot to be desired. Only rarely do I come across a literary gem with polished language and good narration that gives an overly satisfying experience. I’m glad to inform you that ‘Two and a Half Rainbows’ by Siddhartha easily falls into the latter category.
The book is a collection of short stories exploring the themes of familial relationships, life’s bittersweet memories, mystery, love, friendship, and even horror. Some stories also give life lessons in a subtle, non-preachy way. I also loved how some of the longer stories have been divided into parts. It’s a unique technique, and I think it is certainly effective in this book.
After reading the first few pages itself I knew that I had not made a mistake by choosing this book. The language is lucid and descriptive and free from grammatical and punctuation errors. Even the punctuation in dialogues—where young writers invariably falter—is flawless.
The book is sprinkled with unique metaphors and similes here and there, enriching the already brilliant writing. The paragraphs are short and there is a perfect mixture of long and short sentences, which makes for a wonderful reading experience.
The descriptions are vivid and the reader can imagine everything as if they are right there in the scene. There is an artistry in the narration as well, keeping the mystery alive right till the very end. I was awed by the endings of almost all stories. The characters are also well-sketched and I could relate to most of them.
The best part about the writing in this book is its intelligence. The narration is layered, and the conclusions of the stories are not spoon-fed to the reader. It makes them think, which is the hallmark of clever writing.
This is a one-of-a-kind book that deserves to be read by readers and non-readers alike. It is entertaining, clever, and extremely well-written. It is rare to find a flawless book like this, especially among the self-published ones. In fact, this book deserves to be traditionally published and reach bookstores across the country. I asked the author about it, and he said he didn’t even try to approach publishers, which is unfortunate.
Nevertheless, I urge anyone who is reading this review to try this book out. Brilliant writers like Siddhartha Krishnan need to be encouraged.
4.7 out of 5 stars to this masterpiece.
You can get a copy of Two and a Half Rainbows (available in Paperback and Kindle) at the below links:
The trailer of my book “Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories” is finally out. For those who have read the book these characters will be familiar and for those who are contemplating doing so, this is a sneak peek. Do let me know your thoughts …
I have been away from Kolkata for 14 years. However, I have often wondered why the city is still a part of me and despite not being Bengali, why do I yearn for so many things that are Bengali? So when I received an invitation to do an FB live session on my experiences in Kolkata from the FB group—Purono Kolkatar Golpo (a group comprising of Kolkatans from across the world), I was thrilled, as it gave me a chance to introspect and relive some important moments of my life (YouTube video of the FB live session below. Please skip to 4:40 mins since the talk only starts then).
Most of my memories of the 22 years that I had spent in Kolkata are centered around one place—7A Gokhale Road. They say “Nostalgia is a dirty liar which insists things were better than they seemed.” I agree because I am often guilty of remembering my past with the kind of fondness which I did not exhibit while experiencing them. Picture this—I used to live in a small two room apartment in a 100-year-old building in Kolkata and so, with it came the challenges—space constraints, water supply issues, maintenance problems and every now and then, whenever it rained in Kolkata (in the 90s), the streets were flooded with knee-deep water.
A Pic of Gokhale Road from my last visit in 2018
Thus, I was often found cribbing about my circumstances. However, now when I go to Kolkata and engage in a bit of “Adda” (informal/idle talk) with old friends, I am guilty of saying “Shei Ki Din Chilo! Ekhon aar koi?” (those were the days). What’s more my younger brother’s apartment at Rajarhat, blessed with all creature comforts, does not feel like Kolkata anymore. That to me feels like Whitefield or Electronic city in Bangalore—mundane, boring and lacking “the cultural heritage”. How strange is that? Well, I guess this kind of hypocrisy is intrinsic to human nature.
Nandan Cinema close to Gokhale Road
Since, Gokhale Road is such an integral part of my story in Kolkata, let me help you locate and visualize the place, although I know most Kolkatans would know of it.
So Gokhale Road is a quiet little street located in the heart of Kolkata between Sambhunath Pandit Street and A.J.C Bose Road with the Gol Mandir at one end and the Calcutta Club at the other. On this road the other big landmarks are the Institute of Engineers and the Army’s Recruitment Centre. In the vicinity we have some of the city’s iconic cultural landmarks like the Victoria Memorial, Nandan Cinema, St.Paul’s Cathedraland Netaji Bhawan. These were all within half a kilometer from my house.
Next to the Gurudwara (on Sambhunath Pandit Street) we have two of the most famous eateries of Kolkata – Balwant Singh’s Dhaba (known for its Dhoodh Cola) and Sharma Tea House (renowned for its small kachoris, jalebis and the heritage tea). Just across the road are the much-sought after Gujarati snack shops serving their delectable dhoklas, khandvis and mathris. So this gave an excuse to my father to never leave Gokhale Road and say— “When most people living in the city are dying to stay in this locality, why should I leave this place?”
An early morning pic of Victoria Memorial
Our 100-year-old building— “Krishnapriya Mansions” is in the middle of Gokhale Road. But the name on its façade has all but withered away over the years. However, I vividly remember that in the mid-nineties during a hartal(strike) while we were playing cricket on the street, a friend of mine had hit the ball toward the façade and that’s when I first realized that the building actually had a name! We had become accustomed to calling it the building opposite the police barracks.
Flat no: 24 in the A block of this building is the place is where I stayed. It is the place my grandfather after migrating from Palakkad (Kerala) some 2 years before the independence of India called home. That was a time when many Malayalis like him migrated to Kolkata in search of a better life. Kolkata was the city of opportunity in those days. So my grandfather periodically brought people from his hometown who were looking for a good education and were ambitious and hard-working. He was their support until they managed to settle down in the city. Flat no: 24, therefore, is the place my father, uncles and aunt were brought up and so my brother and I are the second generation in the family to have grown up there. Hence, we owe a lot to this place.
Much of what we are today is a direct result of the culture we have been brought up in. This culture manifests itself in the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the movies we watch and the books we read. And, like everyone else my first point of reference in these matters were my parents. My father who has spent all his life in Kolkata and despite having close ties with his native place in Kerala is more Bengali than many Bengalis I know today. On the other end of the spectrum is my mother, who is what I would call a “Pukka Malayali”. She married very young and came to Kolkata when she was around 20 years old. Hence, much of my childhood I have been witness to the dynamics of their relationship and the clash of cultures. My father at the time of his marriage knew very little Malayalam while my mother knew no other language other than Malayalam. As a result, I picked up the Bengali way of doing things from my father while clinging onto my roots in Kerala due to my mother. However, over the years I have seen my mother evolve and become more and more comfortable with the Bengali culture.
Authentic Bengali lunch at Kewpie’s Elgin Road
The manifestation of this clash was seen in all the things that we indulged in. Let me give you a few examples. The food on our plate was clearly an amalgamation of these cultures. It was not odd to find an “Aloo Posto” or “Aloo Chochodi” (typical veg dishes of Bengal) being served alongside “Sambar and Rice” (the quintessential South-Indian fare). Or for that matter a “Rui Macher Jhol” (much-loved fish curry of Bengal) served with a “Beans Thoran” (a humble beans dish eaten in South India). And, while packing a plate of kachoris from Sharma Tea House we would be mindful to pack a plate of “Vada” and Sambar from the Tamilian street food vendor next to the iconic eatery.
The iconic eatery Sharma Tea House
Such examples could also be found in the movies we watched. While I got a steady dose of the satirical Malayalam films of the 80s and 90s on Asianet, I did also get a generous dose of the movies of Ray. By the way closely observing my father explaining the subtle nuances of Ray’s movies while drawing references to English literature and parallels to Malayalam films are some of my fondest memories from childhood. But these discussions were limited to his friends while I remained a silent observer. However, I can safely say today that these experiences have left an indelible mark on my artistic leanings.
One more significant recollection from childhood is that of the “Shaka and Pola”. These beautiful coral and shell bangles from Bengal are now part of my family culture. Ever since my mother has been wearing them, all the women in our family have also been wearing them. They have found a way into the homes of people who have nothing to do with Bengal. This proves how subliminal culture can be.
How all of this has played out with me, shows in my habits. Although I have been away from Kolkata for so long, I do crave for my Kolkata Biriyani, Kathi Rolls, Macher Jhol and Bhoger Kichudi every now and then. But I do have a similar yearning for the quintessential Malayali dishes like Puttu, Aapam, Pazham Poori and Malabar fish curries. Twice a month I look forward to watching a Ray movie on YouTube while the same is true for a Sathyan Anthikad or Padmarajan film as well. And, “adda” with Bengali friends over the weekends is something I wait for eagerly. A call to their wives to prepare a Bengali dish specifically for me before these meetings is something I am not ashamed to admit. However, Bangalore being such a cosmopolitan city getting these things is not a difficult task.
The famous kachoris of Sharma Tea House
But how can any nostalgic journey of Kolkata be complete without a mention of Durga Puja? Those four days of the Puja every year are my favorite memories of growing up in Kolkata. My father, a chartered accountant by profession and usually a very busy man would get these four days off (Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami). But on these days he would exude a child-like exuberance which was otherwise absent in him. His office car would be at our disposal for the first half of these days. A cut out from the Telegraph newspaper charting out the route of all the famous pandals across Kolkata would be at our disposal. Each day was dedicated to a certain part of the city and we would start early in the morning around 7 a.m. Day 1 would usually be North Kolkata, starting either at Bagbazar or Kumartuli and driving all the way back to Mohammad Ali Park, thereby pandal hopping all the iconic North Kolkata pandals. This would invariably mean that lunch would be at Park Street, hence, either Chinese delicacies at “Peiping” or Biriyani at “Shiraz”.
Day 2 would be South Kolkata starting at “Ekdalia Evergreen” and ending at “Maddox Square” closer home. This would mean that a Punjabi lunch was on offer at the “Ballygunge Dhaba”. The remaining days were left to explore the award winning pandals of yester years and thus we would venture to places like Bosepukur and Lebutala. The idea was always to outdo our performance of the previous year. If we had visited 100 pandals the previous year, this year the count has to be 101! The crowded evenings on these days were dedicated to pandals in our vicinity and “adda” with friends outside “Gokhale Sporting Club Pujo”, since my father was not much of a crowd person.
Ekdalia Evergreen Durga Puja Pandal of 2012
But perhaps the most resounding memory of Durga Puja is of the day of Dashami when the Goddess bid adieu to us mortals. The memory is of the vermillion game or what the Bengalis call “Sindoor Khela”. On this day married women would throw vermillion on each other and the picture of my mother letting go of all her inhibitions and smothering vermillion on the faces of the Bengali women of our locality with fervor is still fresh in my mind. In return for her favors she would be covered in red herself. But by doing so, for that moment, she had managed to merge with the crowd or should I say merge with that culture?
All the above recollections of Kolkata, however, would not be complete without a mention of my school friends at St. Xavier’s Collegiate Schooland my “adda buddies” of Bhowanipore and Gokhale Road. The “Shikanji” after a grueling cricket match at the Calcutta Maidan, the ice-candy in the afternoon heat at school and breakfast at “Arun Da’sCanteen” at St. Xavier’s College would not have tasted so good without them. So a big heartfelt thank you to them for making these experiences so memorable and being part of my story in the “City of Joy”.
Gol Mandir at Gokhale Road
I’d like to end by saying that my story may be something new for Bengalis but I am sure that it will strike a chord with so many Malayalis I know who had once or still call the city their home. Hence, I am thankful to the FaceBook group – Purono Kolkatar Golpo for having given me this opportunity to take the trip down memory lane with their FB live and for giving me the chance to explain why Kolkata is still a part of me.
The book just arrived last evening and the feeling is a bit surreal. It feels similar to when I first saw my son’s face; for what I am staring at is a part of me! I’ve been nurturing it for the last 2 years and have been imagining this day for the last 6 months. The last few weeks has been a mixed bag of emotions – anxiety, fear, joy and so on. But now like a good parent I have reconciled to the fact that my book has its own journey to undertake. So, I’ll just end by quoting from one of my all time favorite movies, The Pursuit of Happiness – “This part of my life … this little part … is called Happiness.”
I am super-excited to let you all know that my book – “Two and a Half Rainbows” – A Collection of Short Stories will finally be out for release this month end.
This has been a labor of love and I’ve been nurturing it for almost two years now ever since its seeds were first sown. I look forward to all your love and support when it finally gets launched on all major online retail platforms on the 28th of August (hoping that the pandemic doesn’t throw in more challenges and goes easy for a bit. Fingers crossed). Note – there is no pre-order option available for the book.
More details to be shared on the date of launch. So, save the date – 28th August 2020.
Very keen to read your first reactions to the book cover.
