Words of a Storyteller

Words. The term that comes to mind as I write down my random thoughts today. Words flow. In fact, I’m surrounded by them at all times. Even in silence I hear and see them. And at times I even taste them. Don't believe me? Well let me show you with an example-

The spicy chicken stew smelt good. It was piping hot. Just the dish to warm up a frozen heart on a cold wintry evening. I knew what all had gone into it: Boiled potatoes, fresh boneless chicken chunks, a couple of carrots, some  celery sticks,broccoli flowers, baby mushrooms and paprika in milk and cream- based broth. I could even smell the spices used for seasoning and accentuating its flavour: cinnamon sticks, black pepper, chopped spring onions, garlic and ginger; sautéed in butter. And finally garnished with green dill and finely chopped fresh red chillies. It looked delectable. I was famished. I brought out my favourite Japanese wooden soup bowls and poured myself and my friend some with the wooden ladle.  Mmm... it sure tasted heavenly!

See what I mean? Of course, I've written or described the preparation of the dish in the simplest of manners. If I were to work on it a little more, many of you - foodies out there would head towards your kitchen. No?

Like the above, for everything I feel, think or see; my words convey it to me before I further proclaim it to the world.   At times, I've to struggle to deliver them exactly as they come to me. But I guess that's how it is with all of us! Sometimes we cannot say and at others we don't want to. The world may not accept these honest and simple - minded nude fellas as our hearts do. So we- humans have learned to dress them up. Give a superficial face - liftto most things that we want to speak about.  .


Anyway, for me when things are tough, some of these well - meaning companions heal me. They whisper in their simple language to not give up. They cajole and nudge me to keep walking. Make me forget the falls. Teach me new meanings. Over the years I’ve collected quite a few of them. They are a part of my treasury. My diamonds.  I show them off once in a while in my writings. At an appropriate instance. My constant engagement with them makes me what I am: An impressionist. Also an expressionist. But most of all they help me tell stories. Good ones – I believe.

Travel and Writing in 2015

Year 2015 has begun on a satisfactory and hopeful note. Many changes are expected this year. At the personal as well as professional front. The first half of the year involves a good deal of traveling. In fact, the travel schedule till March is already drawn out. It’s a mix of – literary pursuits, travel related to various social projects that I’m involved in and some personal trips. I'm not planning to bring out a book this year except probably the short - stories collection that I have been working on. If everything falls in place it should be released somewhere towards the end of the year. The book is another ambitious and heartfelt endeavour to tell stories about Indian women. In fact, it is an attempt to bring out different shades of the modern Indian woman in the form of 12 simple and yet engaging stories. The interesting part of the book is that the title of each story is also the name of the lead female protagonists of those stories The names also reflect the essence of the character of the heroines of each of these stories.  I better stop here before I reveal all about the book out of too much enthusiasm.                 

A good part of the year will be spent in writing/completing the other  writing projects. There’s the unfinished novel – long overdue; based on a woman who is brutally gang – raped and suffers further humiliation and loss at the hands of her tormentors before she decides to fight back and avenge her honour. Then there’s the non – fiction that is stuck for no good reason. I would like to get it out this year too. Fingers crossed! Other than that, I plan to continue contributing to some prestigious anthologies of both poetry and short - fiction.  I believe it’s a good way to experiment with writing genres and styles as well as stay – in – touch with the literary world. Of course, the focus will as much be on reading, which was much neglected in 2014, and attending a few relevant events/programmes that will help me enhance my creative  - writing abilities.

That's all from me for now!

Wish each one of you a very warm and fulfilling 2015!

Keep smiling!