Expression of Pearls is my creative outlet featuring an eclectic mix of short fiction, book reviews, poems, limericks and updates about "My Friendship with Yoga." "Chirminey" is a rare term of endearment that appealed to me.
Monday, February 27, 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017
Signed Copy of "My Friendship with Yoga" for my Readers :)
Excited to promote my book "My Friendship with Yoga" at Odyssey, a popular book store located in South India 👍📚👍
My, Myself and My Friendship with Yoga for all the Readers !!!
Check out my book and feel inspired to make Yoga part of your life 😊
My book is available on
www.amazon.in & www.flipkart.com for the India market
www.dkagencies.com for rest of the world
#expressionofpearls #lifipublications #ndwbf #newdelhibookfair #iloveyoga #stayconnected #chirminey #revathirajiyer #myfriendshipwithyoga #thankyouall #flowhotyoga #sivanandashram #iyengaryoga
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Book Review of "My Friendship with Yoga
I enjoyed reading this review of my book "My Friendship with Yoga" 👍
Visit http://bit.ly/2lU4Gqp to read full review by Ms Mridula Sharma
Check out "My Friendship with Yoga" on
www.amazon.in & www.flipkart.com for the India market &
www.dkagencies.com for rest of the world
#lifipublications #thankyou #bookreview #laddersbookclub#Sivanandashram #ndwbf #newdelhibookfair #revathirajiyer
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
My Friendship with Yoga - for all age groups
"My Friendship with Yoga" is gaining popularity among all age groups. My book is available on
www.amazon.in & www.flipkart.com for the Indian market & on
www.dkagencies.com for rest of the world
Happy Reading 😊
#newdelhiworldbookfair #yogabooks #ndwbf #chirminey #lifipublications#revathirajiyer #iyengaryoga #flowhotyoga #yin-yoga #expressionofpearls
Friday, February 17, 2017
Touching the lives of many....
"My Friendship with Yoga" has already started touching the lives of many :)
Thank you readers and Lifi Publications for introducing my book in the most befitting manner at the New Delhi World Book Fair, 2017
#yoga #health #wellness #fitness #ndwbf #2017release #lifipublications#revathirajiyer #chirminey #expressionofpearls #museindia#myfriendshipwithyoga #sivanandashram
#yoga #health #wellness #fitness #ndwbf #2017release #lifipublications#revathirajiyer #chirminey #expressionofpearls #museindia#myfriendshipwithyoga #sivanandashram
Monday, February 13, 2017
Happy Valentine's Day
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
Here's to wellness and a holistic lifestyle! A great gift to bring out that burst of energy. Happy Valentine's Day 💗💖Check out "My friendship with Yoga", a perfect gift for your Valentine. Available now on
Introducing My Friendship with Yoga
I am delighted to INTRODUCE my first book "My Friendship with Yoga," published by Lifi and released at the New Delhi World Book Fair last month :)
Please click on the following link or copy paste the link on your browser, to read a synopsis of my book
http://museindia.com/newsview.asp?id=183
Check it out on the following links below! Look forward to your support and happy reading!
1) http://www.amazon.in/
2) https://www.flipkart.com/
3) http://www.dkagencies.com/
#myfriendshipwithyoga #yogabook #revathirajiyer #yoga #health #fitness #wellness #lifipublications #newdelhibookfair #newdelhiworldbookfair #ndwbf #expressionofpearls
My Friendship with Yoga - Book Launch
Pic (L-R): Revathi Raj Iyer (Author); Dr S N Pandey (VC, Indira Gandhi Technological & Medical Sciences University, Arunachal Pradesh); Prof Sumanyu Satpathy (Former HoD- English, University of Delhi); Dr Chandra Mohan (Advisor, International Higher Education, Central University, Gujarat)
………
“My Friendship with Yoga” by Revathi Raj Iyer, published by Lifi, was launched at the New Delhi World Book Fair on Jan 10, 2017 amidst the presence of distinguished guests from academia and yoga practitioners earlier associated with AYUSH.
The book is about the author’s progression from learning under an instructor to achieving confidence in self-practice and sharing this experience with the readers. When asked as to what inspired the author to write this book, she said:
“The general awareness of yoga is tremendous all over the world. It is important to stay committed and maintain a consistent practice in order to reap the benefits of this tradition. Many of us may acknowledge this fact, but are not able to devote time and make an effort towards a dedicated yoga practice, for various reasons. I learnt this from my fellow students which triggered in me the desire to start writing ‘My friendship with yoga,’ from a seeker’s perspective. I also believe that yoga is not only about asana (postures), but also about a spiritual path towards self-discovery and awareness of oneself. In this context I have drawn inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita as this ancient epic brings out the nuances of ‘Yoga Saastra’ which are the Scriptures on yoga, to develop a receptive, calm and open mind that wishes to learn and evolve.”
“My friendship with yoga” is well-structured and unique in the sense that it comprises three parts.
The 1st Part is the Narrative which combines the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga, wherein a selection of topics along with interesting anecdotes have been covered.
The 2nd Part has more than 80 postures with steps to attain these, guidelines, tips, techniques and benefits; keeping in mind yoga enthusiasts, beginners as well as those who have been practising yoga.
The 3rd Part consists of the much desired weekly practice schedule. This has been written sequentially with clear instructions to enhance one’s practice.
In the Foreword, Swami Vimalanandaji Maharaj, President of the Divine Life Society, Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh mentions:
“This book contains practical hints on yoga and has been written in such simple and lucid language that everyone can easily understand and apply the principles in their day to day life.”
Prashant Iyengar from the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune, describes:
“This book is a significant contribution to modern literature in Yoga. It is indeed a commendable effort to cater millions of Yoga aspirants of all ages and skill levels. The author has shared her thoughts and experiences from her Yoga practices and has adopted a very lucid style which is praise worthy.”
The author, Revathi Raj Iyer, is a freelance writer, book reviewer, company director, service volunteer and yoga/fitness enthusiast. A long stint in Fiji Islands is where she began to learn yoga, pursued the training in New Zealand and continues her passion after moving back to India. She lives in Ahmedabad and is working on her second book.
www.amazon.in, www.flipkart.com, www.dkagencies.com Report by: U Atreya Sarma, Editor (News & Events) based on inputs received - Published in Muse India - 2nd February, 2017 #museindia #newdelhiworldbookfair #ndwbf #newdelhibookfair #lifipublications #chirminey #revathirajiyer #expressionofpearls #yoga #rimyi #sivanandashram #rishikesh #himalayas |
Copyright ©2017 Muse India
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Thursday, February 2, 2017
Book Review - I won't give you a leg up, Mr Death
An engaging and powerful tale of the harsh reality of life with a brilliant portrayal of characters and mesmerising backdrop
It may not be far from truth that each one of us may have a family member, friend or an acquaintance who has either succumbed to the unfathomable malady of cancer or lucky enough to have emerged a survivor. The author, Arunabha Sengupta, has deftly interwoven his practical expertise and imagination in his debut novel I won’t give you a leg up, Mr Death, a fiction with an incredible touch of realism that adds authenticity to the characters and their emotions. I reckon that the realism of this fictional piece is also owing to the fact that a few of the characters are based on the author’s personal encounters and the backdrop of the story is based on real life, masked a bit, so as to not resemble a memoir; as acknowledged by the author. The book couldn’t have had a better title to show the optimism and fight put up by the protagonist against all odds and his approach to living life when death looms large, not knowing when it would show up.
The author Arunabha Sengupta, is a cancer surgeon from Kolkata and a consultant to cancer hospitals of repute. He is also associated with social service organisations and has brought out in writing as well as his lectures, societal issues related to cancer. Hence equipped with more than adequate knowledge, expertise and experience – the author has been able to do justice to the details demanded by this grave issue and narrated the incidents with sensitivity that one can empathise with; all of which makes the book enthralling from start to finish.
“‘Those who are diseased and down, they are also fighting.’ A poet, himself a cancer patient, told me once. ‘It is also wrong to assume that the patients think of their diseases only. They think of many other things,’ he said. Many of them remain alive to their aspirations and dreams, respond to tenderness, fall in love; a few resolve not to allow the disease to dominate their lives.”
The above mentioned opening note by Arunabha Sengupta emphasises the spirit, mind-set and maturity with which this fiction has been written and this can be witnessed throughout the book. It is impressive as to how the author has not let the story flag at any point of time. This is largely because his portrayal of characters is very strong and convincing; and they come alive as one delves deeper into the book. The author is eloquent and has demonstrated his flair as a writer, whilst describing the places and incidents, and interspersed these appropriately to complement the story.
I particularly liked the breezy and cheerful style adopted by the author. This bears a reminder that one has to make the most of living but at the same time accept the fact we are all mortals and cancer is one such disease which comes with no warning signals. But that does not mean we take it all lying down. “I won’t give you a leg up, Mr Death” should be the spirit by putting as much distance as possible between the beginning and the end, by living it up.
Set in the late nineties, the story unfolds with the protagonist Kanu Chatterjee, an Amsterdam based ad-man and photographer, whose life is about to change. After the loss of his wife Ludwina under tragic circumstances and his son Nanu moving away to the States, Kanu shifts to a modest apartment and one day returns home after a biopsy hoping that the start of his ulcer might not turn out to be serious. Just as Kanu is gearing up to reluctantly plan for the future forced by circumstances, the truth hits him hard when he is diagnosed with cancer of the throat. He realises that his retirement from life is now a question of time. Plagued by the thought that he ought not to end up like his wife Ludwina and a secret stashed from his son Nanu, surrounding her end, Kanu prepares to rock his unsteady boat and changes course.
Fear of death in an adopted land and having lived away from India for four decades, Kanu displays the typical Indian diaspora trait and decides to return to his homeland, India. Nanu gives him the option of getting treated in New York and Kanu accedes to this but the desire to come back to his roots outweighs everything and he returns to Calcutta. However, facing some resistance and misunderstandings by his cousin and family, Kanu decides to seek asylum in Monabari, a small town blessed by nature’s beauty and here is when a new leaf turns as he begins to re-discover himself. Amidst the suffering of the people dying of cancer, he forms friendships and suffers losses too. The subtle bonding he develops with Kalyani portrays a compassion and love between the two. He gets the affection of the locals.
Monabari enchants him and his penchant for photography revives. Kanu looks at the brighter side and being one with nature helps his own journey of enjoying life, despite all odds and his impending death. His son Nanu visits him and initially feels that his father would have had a more comfortable life with him in the States. Slowly his perception changes and the story begins to take shape from the eyes of Nanu who is visiting India for the first time. He understands as to why his father chose to come here. The story gets exciting with unexpected happenings at Monabari which Kanu has not anticipated.
The conflict between giving peace to the body and soul by pulling the plug and the humane angle of mercy killing has been well articulated by the author. There are moments of sadness as one reads the plight of the patients. However this does not make the book depressing as the author puts things in perspective as part of life and human existence although it makes you wish that Pandora had not opened the box. It is quite likely that the author has drawn inspiration from Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal an insightful non-fiction about the inevitable aspect of growing old and grappling with infirmity. A quote from Gawande’s book describing cancer is noteworthy: “But the disease, while slowed, continues progressing, like a night brigade taking out perimeter defences.”
I won’t give you a leg up, Mr Death starts to grab attention in the first two chapters itself and gets intriguing as the story deepens. A good book to settle down with a hot cup of tea and accepting the harsh reality of life with a positive bent of mind.
{First published in Muse India - Jan/Feb issue}
#expressionofpearls #bookreviews #fiction #poems #limericks #anecdotes
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A Considerate Man This is my humble attempt to share my thoughts about my father-in-law whom we referred to as appa/dada. I have s...