Presenting my first book - State of the Heart

Ramakrishnan Subramaniam, Head, Internal Systems, Syntel Inc calls it a wonderful collection of short stories covering so many beautiful facets of human relationships.

Anish Sarkar, Author, Benaami, says its a collection of heartwarming stories which makes you believe in the beauty of life. 

Need we say more?

Presenting the 'State of the Heart' - short stories on relationships, love and life. 
My book has been nothing short of a dream come true that has survived the test of time. After a year of writing the stories the following 6 months only saw constant rejections from publishers and delays – change of project, extended hours at office with no weekends and my father’s sudden illness. 


An outcome of my observation of the people around me, be it in the bus to work or on the street, my book has stories about real people -  the ones you didn't think were so interesting. In short, it could be a story about you or someone like you. My book may not be a great piece of literature but yes, behind every single word you shall find immense passion. 

It shall be available for purchase online (autographed and at a discount) from 31st August. In addition, a part of the proceeds of every book will go towards charity. 
Links and details to be shared soon on www.neltondsouza.com

You can also win 3 personally signed copies of my book. For details visit http://www.facebook.com/AuthorNeltonDSouza/posts/317077528437485

The Kala Ghoda festival - an extravaganza of art, culture and music

Kala Ghoda festival - an extravaganza of art culture, a celebration of art music and other art forms, platform where new ideas meet old thoughts and ways to create setups that can keep you under their spell for quite some time. A nine days long festival that showcases the cultural diversity of India is held every year Mumbai during the month of February and I felt quite lucky when I could witness this amazing display of talent and art.

What can you say when a huge a black horse made of wires, speaker woofers and tires greets you to a festival named after it? Kala Ghoda features installations varied from technological cars to environmental issues and social issues, pavement shows, exhibitions of paintings and sculptures, literary events, film screenings, music concerts, dance performances, theatre shows, workshops, heritage walks and food fiesta, and last year was no different. Stalls of artefact from all the states of India had its own charm and colourful appeal but most of all, them being set up in one lane made me proud of my country that celebrates unity with diversity. A sea of people, from every corner of India, rejoicing in the environment that respects their love for art and a food fiesta, savouring every delicacy of India just grips you tight. How often do you get to see and make clay pots, the potters’ way, in a huge city like Mumbai or policemen, who spend most of their life making you safe, displaying the magic of their hands through paintings and photography? Could you imagine a huge lantern made of Bisleri bottles or a levitating Buddha made of sand? Well Kala Ghoda had it all. Artists like Vishal-Shekhar duo, Sunidhi Chauhan and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy also made this sea of people ripple and wave to the rendition of their tracks and love for the festival.

 And that’s not it; there were street shows like walk a rope, lagzym, puppet shows, a number of folk dance performances and many more. And in the end, it gives you to gift yourself a souvenir of art – a portrait of yourself in pastels or paint with a promise taken that you will surely return. Truly speaking this versatile festival has a lot offer and a lot to share, and for art lovers like me well its nothing less than arty heaven on Earth that promises newer surprises to art and us every year.

So if you are in town this winter from 2nd to 10th feb do sing to the wind with the horse of the city. Be there and be a part of the KALA GHODA festival.

Some installations of last year that completely mesmerized me…

A Beetle car build completely out of e-waste- transistors, IC cassettes, keyboards, can and metal bottle caps and cherry on the cake – red mouse served as its head light.

 

Noise pollution- an ear meditating, radiating power of silence and an ear tortured by a couple of honks clearly depicting ill consequences of noise pollution.

                      

CRY’s spoon wind chime- Perhaps it was the cutest and most touching installation urging all to fight under nourishment little by little. Every sound of clink that the wind caused just spoke of innocence and of every name written on those spoons.

Cigarette stubs on a bloody ash tray made of human bones. What better 
way to convey the message ‘Smoking is injurious to Health.’

Cutting chai something so genuinely a part of a Mumbaikar was also highlighted by a huge pyramid made of the chai glasses.

-Vaisakhi Mishra
Photo Credits - vmpics

The pain and joy of writing

Writing is difficult, it surely is. Most of the times when you have the topic and the flow of thoughts to write a piece you are never in a perfect place or with a pen/paper or a computer around. When you have all the necessary equipment you are lost for words and topics to write on. In fact there is a term that has been coined for this state – A Writers Block.

Writing involves a lot. It’s much more than just penning down words. The words and thoughts have to be well-thought and arranged. It has to be well structured and proper restraint has to be exercised.  After all a write-up written with least effort is often least enjoyed. It’s only when you put in the effort to think, analyse, write your piece, structure it, edit it and review it well you will never be able to produce something that people will really enjoy and like.

If writing is so difficult then getting people to write is even worse. It’s like a wild goose chase. The moment u run after someone to write that person runs away. Even a mere ping just to ask one’s health and well-being is considered as a precursor to asking the “Have you managed to write anything?” question. The person totally flips out and goes offline that very instant. You can be rest assured that you will not hear anything from that person for some time (I’m trying to be nice here :)).

But there's something about writing that just sets it aside. It provides a vent to one’s feelings, calms your inner storms and is extremely good for the soul. I believe everyone should write because not only everybody has a story to tell but also when you write you feel alive. So just write, write about anything. You may not write a masterpiece but will definitely write your story. It’s your thoughts, your words and your space.  And what’s great is the more you write the better you get at it. So come, write on 3NLabs.com and Discover Writing!

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