Author: Adi Sathe

  • What’s for BlogchatterA2Z? – Theme Reveal Post

    What’s for BlogchatterA2Z? – Theme Reveal Post

    April is that time of the year when your skill of consistent writing is put to the test. It’s time for the April A2Z campaign hosted by Blogchatter. 2022 is my fourth year after my successful stint in April 2021. Last year’s campaign was a boon for me. It gave me my first eBook Incredible India Bucket List, which is available on Blogchatter bookshelf for you all to read. This post is to tell you the theme I chose for the campaign of 2022.

    Marrying passion with profession for theme for 2022

    I have been working at the Centre for Development Studies and Activities, Pune for the past 7 and half years. We work in the development planning sector with sustainability as our core value. I work as a mapmaker in our institute. I enjoy every bit of my work as a map maker. We have prepared some interesting maps working with the urban data in the past 3-4 years of our Quantified Cities Movement. Through year’s theme, I am trying to create a “Pocketbook for Map-reader” during Blogchatter A2Z. Hope you will enjoy reading the maps by the end of April 2022 and who knows, start using some in your own work.

    Adi’s Journal A2Z theme

    Pocketbook of Map-reader

    I will take you all on a journey of map-reading. I will explain the basics of map reading, talk about various types of map we make. How the maps evolved over the time with some fun facts about map making. Rest assure, A2Z posts are going to be a fun read. I won’t bore you with technical details!

    I wish you all a great month of blogging ahead. Also, I am excited to read what you guys will be creating. Hope you will enjoy this series and shower your love on this too, just like the last year.

    Blogchatter A2Z Calendar

    I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z.

  • Poetry: a beautiful creative craft

    Poetry: a beautiful creative craft

    Every poet, writer or storyteller has been asked some typical questions. In my last article, I tried to give my answer for one of them; “Why” of the writing. But for the past week, I have been thinking about a particular duality in the literary realm. Creativity and crafting. It’s another form of a classic dilemma just like “Chicken or the Egg”. The only difference here is that creativity and crafting are not struggling for who came first. They are struggling to maintain their importance or righteousness in poetry.

    Let’s begin at the beginning

    Creativity and crafting have been two loyal hands for her majesty, the queen Poetry ruling my mind. But her realm is facing an internal turmoil. These two counsel are trying to one up each other. This was triggered during a discussion at an event. Recently at an event of our regular literary meetup called साहित्यकट्टा, we celebrated a fantastic poet Shekhar Damodare from our group and Prose Publications published his poetry collection अक्षरांचे शब्द होता as a surprise to him. During this event, this debate of whether poetry written with pure creativity is the best or the crafting makes it better.

    Publication of अक्षरांचे शब्द होता by Shekhar Damodare

    Incidentally, yesterday I got a chance to ask this same question to another accomplished and prolific poetess Sampurna Chattergy during an exclusive author session “Getting Started with Poetry” of BlogchatterWritFest. Her reply on the issue kept the debate going in my mind. 

    Who’s the champion of the duel?

    So, this is how I witnessed this duel. There are purists in poetry too just like every other field. They look highly to a poem born out of the spontaneous bursts of creativity. I have no problem considering so highly of these poems. However the way they look down upon poems which have been edited, rewritten, crafted after the initial creative spontaneity. 

    On the contrary, there’s one more side on the other end of the extreme. They believe anyone can write a poem, they can teach poetry writing. These people are ignoring the fact that poetry is not just an arrangement of words in a particular order or set pattern. It has to originate from deep within. Poet has to see that poem within his or her mind. It takes some form and comes out on paper. If you ignore this part, all it remains is a mechanical robotic arrangement of words in some order which doesn’t have a soul.

    Non-duality of poetry

    What I personally believe is the realm of poetry is a true example of non-duality. It has to have both creativity and crafting. You can not craft if there’s no creative basis to polish upon. And you cannot write a complete, structured masterpiece poem purely on creativity (Excluding some exceptions). Meters, formats and forms of poetry demands that poet follow the precise words, syllable counts, and other grammar rules. These forms demand the use of crafting, editing and rewriting. 

    In a galaxy of Marathi literary legends, Keshavsut, is one name which you can’t miss. We consider him as the originator of modern marathi poetry. Tutari (तुतारी) is one of his most famous poems. He had written and rewritten it several times before it got published in 1893. When such legends are not shunning crafting away, who are we to look down upon? On the other hand, we also should not forget that only crafting will not create a masterpiece like Tutari. 

    Let’s make a truce between these two hands of the queen Poetry and enjoy the joys of her people. These poems are pure bliss in every form, format and language. 

    This was a very inspiring session personally for me and I am looking forward to upcoming sessions of BlogchatterWritFest. I have written this post as part of BlogchatterWritFest.

  • because I have to write it… – answering “why” of storytelling

    because I have to write it… – answering “why” of storytelling

    As a creative person, your mind is always receptive. It’s always looking out for inspiration. Sometimes, fellow creators inspire you, or sometimes a particular event triggers a chain reaction in your brain. But every story you tell, has that one seed from where it all began to take shape. Yesterday, 4th of March 2022 was one such inspirational day for me. Season 6 of BlogchatterWritFest hosted its session 1 where I listened to three amazing authors whom I admire. Meghana Pant, Kanchana Banerjee and Kiran Manral were fantastic as always. Even though I have only read Eye on You by Kanchana Banerjee till now, I have been following all of them on social media, tracking their books, etc.

    Story will choose its own place on the shelf; you just write it. 

    There are many points which were discussed during this session. However, the most important thing which resonates with me is the authenticity of the story which you want to tell to the world. I cannot agree more that the story you are writing has to be the one which you want to tell and not the one which the world wants to read or listen to. Trends and best seller genres should not guide the story you write. Recently I tried to take a dive in some storytelling. And it became a wonderful experience when I let the story tell itself through me instead of me dictating the story.

    We often hear this thought about poetry. It’s believed that good poetry manifests itself making poets a mere channel of narration. But the story isn’t any different either. Story chooses its own genre. If we sit to write with predetermined notions, the piece resulting after this will look patchy and pretentious instead of being a literature.

    Don’t rush to quit

    I also like the advice which they gave unanimously about taking writing as a full-time profession. One should not rush to quit the job in hand with a dream to become an author. Even in Marathi literature, all the stalwarts were doing something or the other to earn their living and writing on the side. Most of them were working as faculty at various colleges, some worked for films, etc. Incidentally, on the same day, I listened to one podcast where Dhaval Dange, author of Gandhar, and two other novels, mentioned the same point. Dhaval himself works professionally in the IT industry. And has published three books till now. So, just tell your story, don’t rush to quit what’s in your hand and work well for you!

    This was a very inspiring session personally for me and I am looking forward to upcoming sessions of BlogchatterWritFest. This post is written as part of BlogchatterWritFest.

  • Tongue of Slip- a subtle humor that life brings

    Tongue of Slip- a subtle humor that life brings

    When an Indian person comes across the name of Coorg, one can only think about beautiful weather, rolling hills and coffee plantations spread across vast lands. However, today I am introducing you to one gem of a person who has dipped his toes in many areas of life. He holds a masters degree in Chemical Engineering, manages his a coffee plantation. And has also written a few books on the history of the region. Meet, Mr. C. P. Belliappa. I recently came across his book called Tongue of Slip while browsing through kindle stores. This one is full of humor

    Humor is spread everywhere in our lives. This is the thing which makes our lives better and he has managed to bring it all in this book. It has a humor from his work, funny things happening around the game of golf. In addition, there is a whole section in book which accounts situations when one literally have experienced tongue of slip or teek in chongue.. (fumble intended)

    If you like to have a good laugh on subtle humor that life brings in. Tongue of slip is your book. I simply loved this good humors book written by C P Belliappa. The way he narrated various funny events, anecdotes and memories is incredible! You should not miss this one…

    Blurb

    In this collection of over fifty anecdotes, well-known humour writer C. P. Belliappa showcases, with his trademark wit, warmth and wisdom, the funny side of life. These slice-of-life stories, drawn from his personal experiences, cover topics such as the wonder years that is childhood and hilarious cultural bloopers, and are replete with pithy observations on everyday situations. From embarrassing diplomatic gaffes committed by State dignitaries to the authors language misadventures in Paris and China, from It Happens Only in India to other rip-roaring social blunders, this book has it all. Sit back and enjoy the eloquent wit and sublime humour contained in Tongue of the Slip this is Indian satire at its best.

    About the book

    Title: Tongue of Slip

    Author: C. P. Belliappa

    Publisher: Rupa Publications India

    Pages: 182

    Where to buy

    You can read more of my reviews here. I am very happy to be a part of Blogchatter’s #TBRChallange.

  • Lahore – Poignant and rattling story of 1947 partition

    Lahore – Poignant and rattling story of 1947 partition

    The Partition of India is a saddest time in the whole Indian history. India was about to get her independence after paying a huge sacrifice of blood sweat and tears of her sons and daughters, many of whom remained unsung. And at the same time, Jinnah’s direct action plan was creating a mayhem in areas which were going to be East and West Pakistan. Stories around Lahore particularly were distressing. Jinnah’s plan disrupted life in the region. During this time, young ones lost their parents, youth lost their job and love interests. Many families left their home behind and took the leap of faith to reach safety from the massacres happening around. Undivided Punjab was a thing of past. Lahore, was on the other side of the border. Those were the dark days indeed with a tiniest silver lining of Indian independence.

    Magnificent characters from history and her mind

    Writing anything about this period needs to be researched with the highest possible depth. There are so many movers and shakers of the Indian subcontinent’s history involved.  Manreet Sodhi Someshwar had taken up that herculean task to enter into the labyrinth of historical events. And she emerged triumphant out of it. Her research about facts and stalwart figures like Sardar Vallabhbhai, Pandit Nehru, Jinnah, etc. is thorough. 

    But, this is not a history book. Lahor, Book 1 of the partition trilogy, is a novel. It’s a story of people whom Manreet has conjured. She had done such a wonderful job of making them equally real as these historical giants. Manreet is a master storyteller. Her story is engaging. It keeps you reading through its pages until you feel burdened by the emotions her characters are going through.

    Cover is so colourful – Just like Lahor

    I just loved the colourful cover of this book. Vibrant red with yellow flowers and the iconic building of Badshahi mosque on the cover catches your eye at a first glance. I have heard stories about how colourful and lively Lahor and other historical cities have been. This cover design has done justice to those glorious tales.

    If you like historical fiction, you should not miss this book. I am so much looking forward to Kashmir and Hyderabad, the next two books Manreet has planned for this partition trilogy.

    Blurb

    In the months leading up to Independence, in Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel are engaged in deliberations with British Viceroy Dickie Mountbatten over the fate of the country. In Lahore, Sepoy Malik returns home from the Great War hoping to win his sweetheart Tara’s hand in marriage, only to find divide-and-rule holding sway, and love, friendships, and familial bonds being tested.

    Set in parallel threads across these two cities, Lahore is a behind-the-scenes look into the negotiations and the political skulduggery that gave India its freedom, the price for which was batwara. As the men make the decisions and wield the swords, the women bear the brunt of the carnage that tears through India in the sticky hot months of its cruellest summer ever.

    Backed by astute research, The Partition Trilogy captures the frenzy of Indian independence, the Partition and the accession of the states, and takes readers back to a time of great upheaval and churn.

    About the book

    Title: Lahor

    Author: Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

    Publisher: Harper Collins

    Pages: 313

    Where to buy

    This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book Review Program. Also read more book reviews penned by me here.

  • एकटाच सागरतीरी: My experience of tranquility at the seashore

    एकटाच सागरतीरी: My experience of tranquility at the seashore

    हलकेच वाहतो वारा,
    त्या निरभ्र संध्याकाळी.
    मी निळाईत बघताना,
    खग माळ उडे अभाळी.

    माडाच्या आडोशाला,
    बसलो सागरतीरी.
    मौनास ऐकताना,
    मी एकटाच त्या वेळी.

    पायाशी येती लाटा,
    फेसळून त्या फुटती
    पण माघारी वळताना,
    नाजूक काढती नक्षी.

    In 2021, my good friend and Painter Snehal Ekbote and I decided to collaborate on her painting series which she had curated. We came up with an idea of desk calendar for the year 2022. It is available for sale for which you can contact me on my social media, or write to me at adisjournalpune@gmail.com.

    This poem is a part of that calendar where I have described how I experienced a tranquility at seashore in my recent visit in Konkan.

    This post is part of Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter. You can find my other entries to this campaign here.