Guest Post - Music was my first love by Biddu

Music was my first love

Music was my first love….Then came girls. Okay, seriously, I got into music as a kid aged 13, when most parent wanted their children to study and become engineers, doctors, a salaried job in the government with a pension on retirement or whatever. I was lucky. My mother was cool and broadminded. I was into music professionally from the age of 15. Remember this was the 60’s. I mean 1960, when India was only known for its poverty and annual famine. Today things are a bit different. It’s now known for its poverty and corrupt politicians !!! Okay I digress a bit… So sue me!

What I’m saying is I took up music as a career when it was so left field, it was off the pitch. Nobody in their right mind would allow their son or daughter to become singers. It was considered a lowly trade. Even a funeral director received more respect. But you cannot live your life by the whims of  others or society in general. As Bob Dylan sang ‘The times they are a changin’. At that time India was a very conservative country. (In many ways it still is with its religious straight jacket, but in music and films the progress has been phenomenal.) So by taking up music as a career I was going against the norm, like a salmon I was swimming upstream. Following a dream. What good is a dream if you can’t make it come true? It’s just wishful thinking. 

But following one’s dream is fine, if you have the talent and by that I mean truck loads plus some luck to go with the talent. Now your favourite uncle or aunty saying you have a lovely voice doesn’t mean you decide to throw away the degree you’re studying and resolve hell bent it’s music or death! Also, just because you wrote a nice ‘thank you’ letter to grandma for her present and she said ‘you write so beautiful beta’, doesn’t you’re going to be the next JK Rowling. In the world of music, less than five percent make a living from it and if you want to be an author because of what granny said the chances are even less. So ask yourself truly, can you make the sacrifice? Do you have the talent? Are you going to swim in the pool of the 5percent or drown in the ocean of 95 percent?  The choice my friend… is yours.

About the Book

As a child, Biddu dreamt of going west and making it big as a composer. At the age of sixteen, he formed a band and started playing in a cafe in Bangalore, his home town, At eighteen, he was part of a popular act at Trinca's, a nightclub in Calcutta devoted to food, wine and music, At nineteen, he had college students in Bombay dancing to his music.

In his early twenties, he left the country and ended up hitchhiking across the Middle East before arriving in London with only the clothes on his back and his trusty guitar. What followed were years of hardship and struggle but also great music and gathering fame. From the nine million selling "Kung Fu Fighting" to the iconic youth anthem of "Made in India" and the numerous hits in between. Biddu's music made him a household name in India and elsewhere.
In this first public account of all that came his way: the people, the events, the music tours and companies Biddu writes with a gripping sense of humor about his remarkable journey with its fairy tale ending. Charming, witty, and entirely likable, Biddu is a man you are going to enjoy getting to know.

Book Links

Goodreads I Amazon I Flipkart

An Excerpt from Made In India

I was greeted by an army in White: almost 400 men draped in white robes and with shaven heads; some had beads in their hands, mouthing silent prayers, parading on the deck like holy warriors awaiting god or his nemesis. They were pilgrims on their way to Hajj. I looked at them, stunned into a momentary silence. The visual was dramatic and surreal, like egg-white stalagmites against an endless blue sky on a bobbing ocean. They, in return, observed me with subtle confusion. A cowboy hat, boots, a guitar and hair like a woman’s. What kind of apparition was this? The devil incarnate? I felt as welcome as swine flu.

I walked nervously through the multitude as they peacefully parted to receive this newcomer, and made my way to the sleeping quarters below deck. I thought it best to pick out my cabin and unpack my meagre belongings and set my territory; hang up my guitar and hat on a hook, close the door behind me, kick off my boots and relax. I walked down the stairs and came across a miniature stadium of row upon row of wooden slatted slabs. Most of them had bedrolls unfurled over them. I looked around. There were no cabins in sight. It dawned on me these were my sleeping quarters. It was another jaw-dropping moment.

‘Okay,’ I thought, ‘I can handle this. But first, the bathrooms.’

I must tell you I have a thing about bathrooms. Call it a fetish, but they must be pristine, clean and modern. So I strolled towards the toilet zone and peeked through the swing doors. There were six Indian-style squat-on-your-haunches-type toilets. I shuddered at the sight of these unseemly hole-in-the-ground jobs. I noticed six sinks for washing and shaving. Four hundred of us were to share these facilities. My heart sank into my ankles. I would fight them in the trenches, I would fight them on the shore, but I could not fight them in the rush to an Indian-style kazi.

I sat on a wooden slab for a while, thinking up Plan B. Suddenly I felt a jolt as the boat came to life. I could hear the drone of an engine and the ungainly movement as the vessel lurched forward clumsily and we were on our way. This I could not miss. So I scrambled back up, onto the deck and looked at the city I was leaving behind. It was nearing sunset and against a blood-red sky, the Gateway of India and the Taj Mahal Hotel steadily decreased in size as our boat cut through the frothy dark-emerald waters of the open sea. I stood there clutching my rucksack, that little suitcase full of dreams, till the shoreline disappeared.

About the Author

Biddu was born in India, where he started his career playing in a pop band whose influences lay in the classic repertoire of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Following his early success, he decided to hear West and move into the international music arena. He struck gold, signing the unknown Carl Douglas and producing "Kung Fu Fighting?" which went on to become a hit all over the world. He also wrote and produced hits for Tina Charles and soul legend Jimmy James.

Around this time, Biddu became involved in Indian music: he composed the cult "Aap Jaise Koi" for the film Qurbani which set a new landmark for sales in India He followed this up with a pop album, Disco Deewane, with Nazia Hassan, which became the largest selling pop album in Asian history, and was the first Indian album to hit the charts in fourteen countries. In 1995, Biddu wrote and produced the three-million-selling album Made in India with the singer Alisha Chinai. To date, Biddu has sold over thirty-eight million records worldwide.

For more details on Biddu, Visit the Wikipedia Page 

Tour Stops So Far

15th September - Spotlight @ All Bookish Things
                             - Spotlight @ Crazy Bibliophile

16th September - Spotlight @ Fantastic Feathers
                             - Review @ The Tales Pensieve

17th September - Spotlight @ Butterfly on a Broomstick

18th September - Spotlight @ Love Bites & Silk

21st September - Interview @ Eclectic Moods

22nd September - Review @ I am Stri

28th September - Review @ Scattered Thoughts

29th September - Author Interview @ Metro Reader

30th September - Review @ So Many Books, So Little Time
                             - Spotlight @ My Writing Workshop

1st October - Review @ W.R. Watkins
                   - Interview @ Random Musings of a Constant Quiller

2nd October - Review @ Bibliotheque
                    - Interview @ Privy Trifles

5th October - Spotlight @ The Readdicts

7th October - Interview @ Klishmaklaver
                   - Review @ Passey.info

8th October - Review @ I Luv Fiction

9th October - Spotlight @ Reading... Dreaming...

10th October - Spotlight @ Andrea Buginsky

15th October - Review @ Words' Worth
                     - Review @ Just Another Bookaholic

17th October - Review @ Fabric of Life

18th October - Review @ Errors & Kaushal

19th October - Interview @ Rachelle's Window

Stay updated on the book tour by visiting the BOOK TOUR PAGE

Normal Days #61

All I Want

No, this isn't a wish list. This is a song title from a band Kodaline, and if you've not seen the video, pls do. Till date I've dedicated songs for all of my post, but this time this post is about the song. It made me think. It made me wish, it made me to long for you, to dream you and to wish if things were different.

If there was a way to reach out to you and to make you dream with me, trust me I would. I would come and trace you like I do when I whisper your name to universe. There are so many emotions this video brought up. It made me think do ppl actually love unconditionally? Is there in reality the kind of love which is surfaces beyond the physical aspects of a person? I know, I know, you'd say that YES! Definitely and give me examples how you loved someone who was not perfect and all that stuff. But by this point if you've seen the video you'd understand what I mean by this.

But that doesn't matter or does it? Can you be comfortable in a social event where everyone would look at you and whisper? Can you stand that? If yes, then till when? Will there be a time when you'd wish if things were different? I know this coz I've been asked this question. The answer given to me was this,

"OK, you won't show the discomfort. But when you'd see your friends and their wives, you'd feel wistful. May be you won't show resentment but you'll not be comfortable either. You'll always feel like you've done some great sacrifice and would want ppl to acknowledge that how selfless you're, how bigger of a person you're. You'd start taking advantage of that situation, emotionally too. And there will come a time when you'll start resenting your choice."

I'm not sure what I'd do. I've always said that love is love for me. The skin, the age, the face is all superficial. Till the time I'm questioned let me wear this veil of being a great person. Let the curtain not rise.

What will you do?

(To be Contd..)

Cover Reveal - Seeking Redemption by Madhu Vajpayee

Book Blurb:

Story of a girl Meera, who is unwittingly drawn into a conflict from where she finds it difficult to emerge unscathed. It's her journey from being a simple, medical graduate belonging to a middle class family to the uncharted territories of corruption and caste based politics. Her path is crossed by the two men, both compelling yet completely contrasting characters, who are forever going to change her life. If it is Aman who can challenge her ideals and defy her resolves, and makes her the person she finally becomes, it is Abhay's sublime love which enables her to go through the vicissitudes of life. It's also the story of her loss as well as triumph against her own demons to find her true self.

Pre-order from Amazon

About the Author:

Dr.Madhu Vajpayee- the writer was born somewhere in those hospital corridors where she has spent the last two decades of her life. Witnessing life at such close quarters pushed her to capture its enigma in her words and slowly it became her passion. After writing several scientific papers and chapters in books, this book is her first step in literary world.  

Having done her graduation, MBBS from King Georges Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow she went ahead to pursue her post-graduation, MD from AIIMS, New Delhi. She was a consultant at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi having been associated with management of patients living with HIV/AIDS. She is now settled in Melbourne, Australia with her family, where she is devoting most of her time to writing, the passion that she couldn’t pursue earlier because of the demands of medical profession and commitment it requires.

When not creating stories, Madhu enjoys reading and travelling.

Contact the Author:

Blog * Facebook Page * Twitter * Goodreads 

Release Day Blitz - Coke by Barun Chanda

About the Book:

“Can you help me, please?”

Pradipta wheeled around.

Standing behind was an unusually attractive lady. She wore a dark blue, chiffon saree which set off her fair complexion even more. Other than a thin gold chain with a tear-drop pearl pendant on her neck, she wore no jewelery. Her lips were pale pink, with no lipstick. Only the dark make-up on her eyes made her look even more unfathomable.

 “You’re talking to me?”

Thus begins Coke, with this chance encounter at Kathmandu airport. But the plot thickens when the lady requests him to include her suitcase as part of his checked in baggage and then does a vanishing act, once the aircraft lands in Calcutta. What follows is a riveting page-turner, replete with unexpected twists as you encounter gangs warring over narcotics, policemen, functionaries, and a sinister master-mind who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. The furiously paced narrative takes you from the sleepy airport of Kathmandu to the packed streets of Calcutta, a mysterious mansion on the outskirts of town and an unforgettable chase-sequence through New Market.

From the author of the acclaimed Bengali novels ‘Kidnap’, ‘Shaaper Jhaanpi’ and ‘Robibar’ comes a high-octane thriller that’s seriously addictive and keeps you hooked till the end.

Read an Excerpt:


At the first ring, Rustam picked up his mobile. It showed Bob’s number on the screen. He put the mobile to his ear and listened.

“I’m speaking from the loo…there’s news for you.”

“Why from the toilet?”

“Because no other place in the house is safe to talk to you,” Bob whispered back.

“When can we meet, then?”

“In the evening, after my duty’s over.”

“Didn’t you say you have day-night duties from now on?”

“They are letting me go for now in the evenings. But not at your place. It’s too risky.”

“Okay. So, where and when?”

“Hello, someone seems to be knocking at the door.”

The phone call ended with the roar of the flushing toilet.


At eight-thirty sharp, Rustam met Bob at Girish Park.

“Why didn’t you get in touch with me the last three days?”

Rustam looked sharply at Bob.

“There were problems.” Bob let out a thick cloud of cigarette smoke.

“It’s getting increasingly risky to come out and meet you like this.”

Though they stood in close proximity, their faces looked away in diametrically opposite directions. Unless you looked carefully, it was difficult to make out they were actually talking to each other.

Rustam idly looked at the snarling evening traffic, his hands on the railing of the park.

“So, what’s the news?”

On a bench inside the park, a young couple took advantage of the darkness to get cozy with each other. Bob simply couldn’t take his eyes off them.

“The red suitcase…” 

Bob’s voice trailed off as his eyes were riveted on the frenetic activities of the couple on the bench, their bodies wrapped under a shawl. 

“Yes, what about the red suitcase?”

Rustam cast one sharp glance at Bob, before looking away.

“I know where it is.”

Bob’s face got hidden in a cloud of smoke.

“Good.” Rustam’s voice sounded relieved. “In which room?”

“Upstairs, in boss’s bed room.”

“What makes you so sure?” Rustam’s eyes narrowed as he watched Bob’s face intently. For some inexplicable reason, he had never been able to fully trust Bob right from the beginning.

“One of the middle rooms on the first floor…was kept under lock and key all this while.”

Bob’s eyes were still very much on the couple on the bench.

“Bob…why aren’t you saying anything?”

Rustam’s voice sounded impatient.

The couple’s bodies were locked in a tight clinch under the shawl.

“Bob?”

“I saw one of the sentries take the suitcase away from the middle room to boss’s bedroom.”

Rustam kept his eyes on the Central Avenue. A traffic jam was forming near the crossing, adjacent to the park. An eccentric man, with a wooden stick in his hand, was trying to regulate the traffic, in the process, making things much worse for everyone.

“Did you get to see where he hid it inside the bed room?”

“No.”

Bob watched fascinated what the couple was doing on the bench, underneath the shawl.

“Niyogi shut the door after entering boss’s bed room.”

For a while both stood facing away from each other, in silence.

At long last, a cop appeared on the road and was seen trying to control the traffic. Inside the park, the couple was still locked in a tight embrace. Bob puffed at his cigarette and blew another cloud of smoke from his mouth. Rustam fanned with his hand irritably, trying hard to keep the smoke away from his face.

“Anything else?”

“Yes, there is.”

Bob looked directly at Rustam for the first time in the evening.

“I think Harry is going out of town very shortly.”

“Outside Calcutta, or outside India?”

“How should I know that?” Bob answered irritably.

“Somebody came from a travel agency with a sealed envelope. I signed and received it.”

The traffic at the crossing had eased by now. The couple on the bench sat still, exhausted.

Rustam noticed Bob smiling at them. 

“What are you smiling at?”

“Nothing.”

 Bob took one last puff from the cigarette, flicked the butt end casually towards the footpath and walked away. After a while Rustam came and sat at the bench in the park.   The couple got up from the bench and walked away, each in a different direction. Rustam watched them leave, took out the mobile from his pocket and started speaking into it in a low voice.

About the Author:

In so far as the pursuit of any true vocation is a life in itself, Barun Chanda – advertising guru, actor and writer, may be said to have had three. Born in Dhaka, he did his Masters in English at Jadavpur University. Following a brief stint as a lecturer in English, he embarked upon a career in the creative department of advertising that spanned more than 30 years, won him numerous awards and culminated in his tenure as Creative Director at Clarion McCann.

Acting occupies the second of his three worlds. In 1971, he scorched the big screen as a high-flying executive, playing the protagonist in Satyajit Ray’s ‘Seemabaddha’, and winning a special President of India Award for his performance. After a hiatus that lasted over two decades, he returned to the screen during the 90’s, and has since then acted in numerous TV series and more than 35 movies. Tackling Bollywood and Tollywood roles with equal aplomb, he has distinguished himself in films such as Lootera, Roy, Chotushkone, Aborto, MIshor Rohoshyo, Nayanchampa-r Dinraatri , Bela Sheshe and Jogajog. Chorabaali, where where once again he plays the protagonist, is his latest venture.

Barun’s third passion is writing. A regular film reviewer and contributor of articles to major dailies, in the last eight years he has published four highly acclaimed and successful novels in Bengali. His work has played a major role in establishing the adult thriller genre in Bengali literature.

Coke is his first novel in English.

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Normal Days #60

A Brand New World

Did you get it?! Pls tell me you did. Pls tell me you get from the song dedicated for this post what it will be about. And yes it is for that damned person you are thinking about. Are you smiling? Are you thinking about the time we discussed about him and how you were not so enthusiastic about his discovery of "New World?"

But when I learnt y'day that today is one who will not be named day I smiled and thought of you. I thought how we talked and you laughed and how I loved the sound of your laugh. I still listen to it, you know. I mean your laugh not the songs about him by which they torture the poor kids.

I do pity 'em. Poor kids. What about the future of nation? No one cares about that the day which should be a normal day they turned it into a holiday. Damned government.

And you know we have our own brand new universe, our own galaxy, our own world, which we've to populate. So you see, we have lots and lots of work to do. Just arriving at some place stupidly and naming it on our own isn't enough. We won't make the same mistake what one who will not be named did.

Though we've already named our galaxy, like I said, there is still a lot which needs to be done. We still need to dream, we still need to believe, we still need to hope and may be one day they will come true. May be one day we will succeed in pursuit of our dreams, may be we won't but all I know is I won't give upon what we can have or what we can dream we can have. Dreams are always better than reality and when there is no fear of 'em breaking we should dream big and bigger. I hope you're dreaming now, all the smile and happiness. Coz tonight I'll dream of sailing toy our land and name you me.

Damn you the one who will not be named!

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #59

It Must Have Been Love

For a heartbreak kid like me, this should be an anthem. I love Roxette. They have this soulful music. The other band which soothes me like they do is Radiohead.

Be warned today the self depreciating humor and self loathing is right there, where I feel this hole in my chest, letting the fear cloud my senses. The fear of beginning of an end, fear of never be able to have love. Trust me , after scrutinizing myself through the lowest of standards has made me realize that there is no one to blame but me. I'm selfish, hypocrite, self-righteous asshole who always had his head up his ass. I could've done that without profanities but then it is for me. To come back here to read the declaration of my foolishness for my older self. I had been shown mirror a plenty of times. I've been ashamed, disgusted, horrified because of all my actions. I know I do this after every 1 or 2 posts, acting like I'm the sorriest person alive on this earth and pls go ahead judge me. I want you to coz I've come to realize that I deserve that.

One of the reason I'm like this, I was just told a couple of days ago. I'm like the way I'm coz I'd no family of my own. I don't understand the value of family. I've always been alone and I'll always be alone. There will be no one with me coz I do not want reality. I want to live in the world of lies, deceits, a world where there is nothing but the mirage of love. I'm forsaking the real love for imaginary one. I want and want but I never give anything in return. I've expectations but when it is my turn I've every lame excuse in the book. Life has so much to give to me and yet there is such hollowness in me.

 I want you to consume me, devour me so that there is nothing left, no doubt, no hurt, no fear. I'm scared. I'm scared that whatever we had is just withering away, we are losing each other or may be one day we'd be strangers under the skies. Love me, no matter what. I'll be whispering your name to skies. Save me.

Love Me Like You Do

(To be Contd..)

Cover Reveal - Coke by Barun Chanda

“Can you help me, please?”

Pradipta wheeled around.

Standing behind was an unusually attractive lady. She wore a dark blue, chiffon saree which set off her fair complexion even more. Other than a thin gold chain with a tear-drop pearl pendant on her neck, she wore no jewelery. Her lips were pale pink, with no lipstick. Only the dark make-up on her eyes made her look even more unfathomable.

 “You’re talking to me?”

Thus begins Coke, with this chance encounter at Kathmandu airport. But the plot thickens when the lady requests him to include her suitcase as part of his checked in baggage and then does a vanishing act, once the aircraft lands in Calcutta. What follows is a riveting page-turner, replete with unexpected twists as you encounter gangs warring over narcotics, policemen, functionaries, and a sinister master-mind who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. The furiously paced narrative takes you from the sleepy airport of Kathmandu to the packed streets of Calcutta, a mysterious mansion on the outskirts of town and an unforgettable chase-sequence through New Market.

From the author of the acclaimed Bengali novels ‘Kidnap’, ‘Shaaper Jhaanpi’ and ‘Robibar’ comes a high-octane thriller that’s seriously addictive and keeps you hooked till the end.

About the Author:

In so far as the pursuit of any true vocation is a life in itself, Barun Chanda – advertising guru, actor and writer, may be said to have had three. Born in Dhaka, he did his Masters in English at Jadavpur University. Following a brief stint as a lecturer in English, he embarked upon a career in the creative department of advertising that spanned more than 30 years, won him numerous awards and culminated in his tenure as Creative Director at Clarion McCann.

Acting occupies the second of his three worlds. In 1971, he scorched the big screen as a high-flying executive, playing the protagonist in Satyajit Ray’s ‘Seemabaddha’, and winning a special President of India Award for his performance. After a hiatus that lasted over two decades, he returned to the screen during the 90’s, and has since then acted in numerous TV series and more than 35 movies. Tackling Bollywood and Tollywood roles with equal aplomb, he has distinguished himself in films such as Lootera, Roy, Chotushkone, Aborto, MIshor Rohoshyo, Nayanchampa-r Dinraatri , Bela Sheshe and Jogajog. Chorabaali, where where once again he plays the protagonist, is his latest venture.

Barun’s third passion is writing. A regular film reviewer and contributor of articles to major dailies, in the last eight years he has published four highly acclaimed and successful novels in Bengali. His work has played a major role in establishing the adult thriller genre in Bengali literature.

Coke is his first novel in English.

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Book Blitz - First Brush on the Canvas Edited by Priyanka Roy Banerjee

About the Book:

Graham, Daniel, their friendship, life and death.

Vampires, guardians' adventures at night. Coffee, love and a new couple. Imli and her mother in a complex web of darkness. A small town girl confused about virginity. Michael Jaikishen and his writing endeavours. Child adoption by a gay couple. Mahabharat - a modern tale in an epic form. The spine-chilling tale of Tina and Uncle Joe. A juicy love story by our guest author Sujata Parashar. These and many other unputdownable stories in this book.

First Brush on the Canvas is an anthology comprising selected stories from Melonade (2014), a nationwide writing marathon organized by Writersmelon.com.




Buy Links:
Goodreads * Amazon

Melonade Authors’ Intro:

Uttiya Roy – Nourished with Bangla literature, he aspires to change the world someday writing in English. His days pass blending Life Science textbooks with poetry. 

Upasana Bhattacharjee – We catch ‘em as young as they get! Our youngest writer is still a student, but that doesn’t reflect in the matured story she’s written dealing with inconclusive logics and paradoxes. 

Stuti Chandra – She writes because she’s alive. This lovely lady is from Patna and has dipped her nose in English Literature at Delhi. 

Shaily Bhargava – A photographer, a logophile and an Equity Technical Analyst – all in one. She reads and writes in Noida, accompanied by beautiful clicks through her lens and lots of Coffee. 

Arunav Chowdhury – Have you met this Proletariat Axomiya before? He’s a movie buff and a news junkie rolled into one, who writes wonderful modern takes on the age old Mahabharat. 

Rafaa Dalvi – A Mumbaikar, an engineer, a blogger and a prolific writer. He’s already made his presence in three anthologies and likes to experiment with different genre. 

Diptee Raut – A quilter, a blogger, a quirky mom, an amazing writer and our co-winner of Melonade’4. She’s one bundle of positive energy who can spin stories and weave quilts simultaneously. 

Abhishek Mukherjee – Have you read his blog posts yet? Though he likes to believe he’s only a Cricket Historian, you have to read his humorous takes on Mythology to believe he’s the best. 

Anwesha Ray – An amazingly sensitive writer, she lives and works in Bangalore with her family. 

Avishek Basu Mallick – He’s the winner of Melonade’4. If you wish to laud him for more, he’s an engineer and an MBA, working in Bangalore and a featured writer on Sportskeeda.

Arijit Ghose – Blend Carnatic music with exceptional satire and the result is Arijit Ghose. Cheeky, expressive and vocal – we hope he becomes a great writer someday. 

Amit Nangia – For those working in MNCs for years, he’s your inspiration. Amit’s first novel has just released after facing many rejections but that didn’t deter him from writing. Climbing the rocks, gliding in a parachute, bungee jumping or making cocktails; nothing could elevate his spirits as much as writing did.

Tnahsin Garg - Tnahsin often exercises his freedom by convincing other folks that ‘free will’ does not exist. His first novel ‘The Prophecy of Trivine’ is a science-fiction based in India.

Sujata Parashar – Author of the immensely popular ‘In Pursuit Of’ trilogy, and a wonderful poet. She contributes articles to various websites and magazines, and is a social activist. She’s a guest author in the book. 

Cover Reveal - Shanti and the Magic Mandala by F.T. Camargo

Shanti and the Magic Mandala is an adventure in which fantasy and reality are mingled. The book tells the story of six teenagers, from different religious and cultural origins and different parts of the world, who are mystically recruited to form two groups - one in the Northern Hemisphere, and one in the Southern. They eventually gather in Peru, and through a single alliance, begin a frantic chase for the sacred object that can stop the black magician's final plan.

Amazon.com I Amazon.in I Amazon.co.uk I Barnes & Noble I Google Play 

Awards & Recognition for the Book

- Winner of 2014 London Book Festival in the category “Young Adult”.
- 2014 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards: Bronze Medal at “Young Adult Fiction – Spirituality” category
- 2014 New England Book Festival in Boston:  Honorable Mention in the category “Young Adult”.
- Winner of 2015 Paris Book Festival in the category “Young Adult”.
- Winner of 2015 International Book Awards in the category “Fiction / Young Adult”.
- Winner of 2015 New York Book Festival in the category “Young Adult”.
- 2015 Los Angeles Book Festival – Runner-up in the category “Young Adult”.
- 2015 San Francisco Book Festival – Runner-up in the category “Young Adult”.
- 2015 DIY Book Festival in Los Angeles: Honorable Mention in the category “Young Adult”.

About the Author

F. T. Camargo is an Italian Brazilian living in Sao Paulo, Brazil. An award winning architect and author, he also studied Arts and Media and has a post degree in Economics and MBA in e-commerce. He is a vegetarian because of his love for all animals and has been deeply involved in causes for their protection and freedom. He is a world traveler adventurer, outdoor sports lover, speaks 4 languages and has published a travel book “Rio, Maravilha!”

For many years he has been practicing yoga and meditation and studying the Kabbalah. His exploration of spiritual teachings motivated a commitment to self-development which in turn created a new path and goal in life. Shanti and the Magic Mandala was born from his inner journey.

Contact the Author

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Normal Days #58

Be The Rain

I've been thinking to write this post since the time I was home. But coz of certain personal circumstances I couldn't. In this post you'll figure how random my thinking is, how I go from one topic to another completely unrelated topic in an instant, you'll also discover how lazy I'm and when I'm typing this I'm wondering if I can include some more derogatory terms about myself but then I'm not feeling the self loathing mode quite that high yet. But don't count that possibility out as I mentioned before I can switch to any topic at the snap of fingers ( did I say that right? In my defense I'm from third world country & a lil sleepy).

Did you see what I did up there? If not, well then, I really need to work on my language and sentence forming and grammar or I can just ignore everything.

To be honest this was about environment issues. Did that amaze you? Well, if you've talked to me or met me I might not look that kind of guy who is concerned with environment or planet earth but I do feel a lot about all these issues. I'm deep that way. Sometimes I wonder that my this deep connection to environment is coz I was cheetah in previous life. May be I was the one who was evolved and gave 'em the speed which they are blessed with now. I've a very soft spot for Cheetahs and God how I loathe hyenas. They never let those b'ful creatures rest. And sometimes when I'm lazing around my house I wonder if I was a crocodile. I love reptiles. I know loving a lizard isn't considered good by ppl standards but I can't help myself. Some ppl I know love dragons but I love lizards (though there is a lil difference), snakes, crocodiles. Penguins, I love those too.

Yes, this was about environment issues. I was riding my bike one day simply minding my business, watching the plethora of cars, trucks, buses passing by, thinking how no one gives a damn about what will happen, what we will leave for our future generations? But that was not the thought I should be entertaining while on the road, hence I rode back to my place, switched on the AC and thought about the problem some more.

But on a serious note, I do worry about animals. In fact more than I do about ppl. May be I'm one. I'm sure I'm one coz I want to fuck you that way most of the times. You know that, right?

What? You thought that it won't have this part? C'mon! You know me better than that, don't you?
Come let's save environment, make some love, all hot and sweaty and animalistic way. Mark me yours.

Be the rain, drench me in your love.

(To be Contd..)