WHEN YOU HAVE TO PAY PRICE FOR WRITING A DARING NOVEL

    

Public statement of the author

     “Telling the truth is a revolutionary act which often demands a price.”- George Orwell. We live in a democratic and liberal country but freedom of speech often trampled in the name of protecting religious sensibilities. Public life for artists in India is tied up with so many harass consequences and sometimes it demands a heavy price.Books are the source of enlightenment, guidance, knowledge, entertainment and entering into new lives. But writing a daring and very bold book always has hidden consequences. This is what happened with Satyapal Chandra’s recent novel WHEN HEAVEN FALLS DOWN. 

           Few fundamentalists have protested against him, demand a ban on his book and put a price on his head. And then recently his house was attacked at midnight, and vulgar posters were affixed all threatening him to kill very soon. And for his safety he needed to go around to police for protection.As I finished reading his novel When Heaven Falls Down, I was spellbound by the quality of content which were so powerful, excoriating and exhaustive in nature. I was in love with the unique and innovative narration of the story. It was a deep and rational comment on Indian health care system, medical negligence, Religious conflagrations, prostitution, corruption in education and degrading situation of women and many other aspects. It was an emotional read which taught me about the hidden secrets of society.The protest and attack is so painful to bear. 

   

FIR lodged in the name of author

        The Constitution of India under Article 19(1) (a) gives the fundamental right to Freedom of Speech and Expression that you can openly share what you feel. It is not against the real culprits but the one who flashed light on their deeds. His only fault is he is transparent enough with his words to let us see the reality from his eyes? Who are they to give death threats to someone? Just because he, in harsh but true way, showed what happens in communal riots? Just because he made us realize that naked world of religious leader where many like of Asharam, Nityanad and countless Maulvi repeatedly rape and harass woman in the name of god. Just because he made us guilty of judging the prostitutes without knowing their real mental trauma which usually the go through. Just because he tore the covers of Indian health care system to show us what happens inside? Or just because he showed what true love is, irrespective of caste, creed and religion and how the concocted term like Love-Jihad is getting used for political benefit?

             Neither any movie nor any novel ever want to be anti religious rather they aim to expose the wrong doings. In 21st century we need to broaden our mind and outlook and decide what is right and what is wrong. Its high time if we want change and do some thing good rather than protesting or burning effigy. We should oppose to those people who are the real cause of any misdeed. Not only this but I have a set of questions for you people too! How long will we tolerate tortures on artists like him? Are we so weak to accept the reality?

 Think about it.

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

Maulvis in Gaya protest against Satyapal Chandra's "When Heaven Falls Down"

       

     Satyapal Chandra is an author who is well-known for his records in writing books with the speed at which many of us would fail. He had 9 books in his name until last year. He released his 10th book and his most ambitious project just recently under Mahaveer Publications. He has been working upon it after sacrificing a lot many personal feats which he could have achieved easily. He comes from a place where there's not even proper electricity. Managing to make his name nationally is a very proud moment for him and the place he comes from. I am currently reading his 10th book which he claims is better than many best selling novels in India. I am done with 100 pages out of 400. I was very excited to write its review as early as possible but I read a news regarding a controversy that have taken place because of the aggressive contents written in this book. 

          Well, its one of the parts in the first 100 pages itself and while reading it, I was very much sure that if this novel turns out to be a bestseller or even moves towards becoming one, author can not get away without any remarks over this. This content speaks the harsh reality of India today where Hindus and Muslims keep arguing and fighting against each other to prove whose religion is better. Similarly, in this book, there's a section where the people of two communities are abusing each others' religion and thus, few offensive words are used which have brought the author into trouble. A Maulvi and a Muslim group in Gaya have protested against the author and have asked the book to be banned. They say if they find the author, they will kill them on the spot. It has also been heard that they have issued a price money of Rs. 2,00,000 if someone gets him killed. 

     

     In the democracy, it's very sad to hear something of this kind happening to an author who was trying to show only the truth of our society. He may have written something which was never written by anyone in such a transparent manner but that does not mean he should be banned and scared in this way. Satyapal Chandra says that he didn't have any intention to hurt the Maulvis but it happened to be a Maulvi in his story who raped a girl and he didn't want to project any generalization towards the whole religion through it. The novel has just released and it seems to be the first controversy in the series to come. He is also been called next Salman Rushdie of India. I hope that Satyapal Chandra has pulled his socks to take all the criticisms that are about to come his way. 

             I am sharing the content on which the Maulvis in Gaya are disturbed and wants the author to be banned: 

A-“Just come out. I want to deep my sword into your blood. We need to get rid of this cancer. Just come out you blind follower of so called holy Quran.”

B-“You all are the cruel monsters. You only want your Allah to be followed by everyone and you don’t even hesitate to kill others who don’t comply you.”

C-“You Muslims pigs, you have been slaughtering us, the Hindus for centuries. You are the real cancer of this country and we need to eliminate you. So long as you will be on the earth, we can’t take a breath in relax.”

D- “Islam and peace-this is the best joke you cunt. You religion is only meant to murder, rape and loot. We have always respected you all like our own brothers but in return what all you have done to us. Look in Kashmir what you all have been doing with our Hindu brothers. Wherever you are in majority, you all people don’t even hesitate to crush us. That’s the true colour of yours and your religion.

         

   There are many more contents which are mentioned by the accusers but our website does not allow us to post it. Let's see what more happens in the coming days with the book "When Heaven Falls Down" and its author, Satyapal Chandra. We will have his interview very soon. 

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

PDAF announces the Biggest Opportunity for the Emerging Artists of India

Mumbai: It’s good news for the innovative and experimental group of Indian talent, who are contributing their best in the fields of arts! The Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation (PDAF) has announced the ‘Emerging Artist Contest’, to encourage talented artists by recognizing their work with Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards in the disciplines of Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Print Making, Installations, and Photography. 

The awards are specific to each State and therefore 18 individuals will be awarded in each of India’s 30 States, amounting to a total of 540 awards. In addition, the Foundation will present 18 awards on an all-India basis; one of them being the coveted ‘Emerging Artist Award for 2015.’ The winner of this award will be felicitated and given the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition at a prominent art gallery in Mumbai, with all expenses paid for by the foundation. Furthermore, the winning artists will be showcased on the internet, in the ‘Directory of Emerging Artists’, that will be created by the Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation, along with a yearbook for the same.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Rs. 1 Crore Prizes for the Emerging Artists!

All India PDAF Prizes
Category		Category		Category
	Prize Rs.		Prize Rs.		Prize Rs.
Painting		Ceramics		Installation
Gold	40000	Gold	40000	Gold	40000
Silver	20000	Silver	20000	Silver	20000
Bronze	10000	Bronze	10000	Bronze	10000
Sculpture		Printmaking		Photography
Gold	40000	Gold	40000	Gold	40000
Silver	20000	Silver	20000	Silver	20000
Bronze	10000	Bronze	10000	Bronze	10000
Special All India Prizes
Dr. K. Anji Reddy Prize for best Installation All India of Rs. 2 lacs.
Bajaj Electricals Ltd. Prize for best Painting All India of Rs. 2 lacs
JehangirSabavala Prize for best Stylized Landscape Painting Rs. 25000
K H Ara Prize for best Still Life Painting Rs. 25000
M F Hussain Prize for best Stylized Figure Painting Rs. 25000
PrafullaDahanukar Prize for best Abstract Painting Rs. 25000
V A Mali Prize for best Portrait Painting  Rs. 25000
Ramesh Pateria Prize for best Marble Sculpture Rs. 25000
S M Dahanukar Prize for best Fine Art Wedding Photograph Rs. 25000

PDAF Prizes in the States of:
Central Zone		East Zone			West Zone
Chattisgarh		Bihar			Goa
Madhya Pradesh		Jharkhand			Gujarat
Rajasthan		Odisha			Maharashtra
Uttar Pradesh		Sikkim
		West Bengal
North Zone		North East Zone			South Zone
Chandigarh		Arunachal Pradesh			Andhra Pradesh
Delhi		Assam			Karnataka
Haryana		Manipur			Kerala
Himachal Pradesh		Meghalaya			Puducherry
Jammu & Kashmir		Mizoram			Tamil Nadu
Punjab		Nagaland			Telengana
Uttarkhand		Tripura
PDAF States Prizes
Category		Category			Category
	Prize Rs.			Prize Rs.		Prize Rs.
Painting		Ceramics			Installation
Gold	45000	Gold		20000	Gold	20000
Silver	10000	Silver		10000	Silver	10000
Bronze	5000	Bronze		5000	Bronze	5000
Sculpture		Printmaking			Photography
Gold	20000	Gold		20000	Gold	20000
Silver	10000	Silver		10000	Silver	10000
Bronze	5000	Bronze		5000	Bronze	5000
Metro Cities Prizes for Painting Category
Ahmedabad			Rs. 1,10,000
Bangaluru			Rs. 1,10,000
Chennai			Rs. 1,10,000
Delhi			Rs. 1,10,000
Hyderabad			Rs. 1,10,000
Indore			Rs. 1,10,000
Kolkata			Rs. 2,10,000
Mumbai			Rs. 1,10,000

 

The Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation (PDAF) is a registered charity trust founded in memory of the award winning Indian painter and artist PrafullaDahanukar. The Foundation finds benefactors amongst the top artists of India and is effectively a fund for the artists, by the artists. “The purpose of the initiative is to create a strong network amongst the artists’ community, simultaneously recognizing and publicizing the works of talented & emerging artists from every part of India,”said Dilip Dahanukar, husband of the late Prafulla Dahanukar, and trustee, PDAF, while talking about this had this program.

Artists interested in applying for these awards can check the details on: www.prafullafoundation.com

Obsession leads to Destruction, really?

           There are many times when we get obsessed about someone. Either its our neighbour, college hottest boy/girl, someone working with us, sitting on the same bench etc. Obsession always leads to destruction. This is what people say and it is also seen in few examples. But sometimes it leads to a life long relationship or a lesson. But what if you get obsessed about someone you cannot achieve? Like many of us are obsessed by Deepika Padukone these days. Suppose this turns out to be something bigger than just obsession and we start showing madness for her. We crave to meet her some day and tell us how much we think and live about her. Isn't this a sort of destruction? 

          We read in newspapers many a times about the result where obsession takes us. But sometimes its a very sweet experience too. As Reenita Malhotra Hora tells in her book, Operation Mom, regarding the obsession for Ali Zafar that her main protagonist has. Mother keeps telling her daughter to stop this obsession otherwise she will face only sadness all her life. She never understands and thinks that because her mother is from previous generation, she is meaninglessly getting worried about her. Later on, a secret gets revealed and she comes to know that her mother had reached zenith in this game of obsession during her teenage days. And from here, the daughter starts an Operation MOM where she makes sure that she engages her mother with someone to bring life in her so-called life. 

         Though a pop fiction but if you want to know about obsession and how it changes your whole perspective and focus, try reading this beautiful novel which is written in a totally chick-lit essence. 

BLURB:- 

When you try to set your moms life right, be prepared to have your own life turned upside down Seventeen-year-old Ila Isham has a lot to worry about. Theres the angst of being an Ali Zafar groupie, for one. Then there are the extra layers of fat she has inherited from her part-Punjabi lineage. Add to this parents who have separated, an enthusiastic best friend, Deepali, whose idea of variety means dating three guys at the same time and Aunty Maleeka, her moms best friend, whose good intentions and savvy skills throw up more problems than solutions and Ilas cup of woes runneth over. Her life takes an exciting turn when she decides to hunt for the perfect partner for her mother. With a little help from Deepali, Aunty Maleeka and Dev of the inviting chocolate-pool eyes, Ila will have to brave it all - from Shaadi.com and Ok-cupid profiles to handlebar-moustache colonels and middle-aged psychos, if she wants to succeed in her quest.

TRAILER:- 

Your chance to get PUBLISHED in an UPCOMING NOVEL!!!

Your chance to get PUBLISH! This season of love… Poets, here is a golden opportunity for you to feature your poems in Piyush Naik's next novel "Bizarre Emotions". Published by Red Ink Publishers schedule to release in January,2015

The poems should be written on the following emotions. 1) Attraction (dilkashi) 2) Attachment ( uns) 3) Love (mohobbat) 4) Trust (akidat) 5) Worship (ibadat) 6) Madness (junoo) 7) Death (maut)
Mail us your poems to our mail id mailwordbite@gmail.com with subject ‘BEpoem’ Deadline- 15 November, 2014

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

Chetan Bhagat's 6th Fiction Book- "Half Girlfriend"! This October!

         

Chetan Bhagat needs no introduction. Out of his first 5 fiction books, first 4 has already been adapted into movies while the 5th one is in process. His only one non-fiction book "What Young India Wants" remained at No.1 in Bestseller's list for almost an year. Now it's time to talk about his 6th fiction book that will be released in mid-October 2014. 

        Chetan Bhagat have revealed the name of the book- "HALF GIRLFRIEND". The plot says that a Bihari boy named Madhav falls in love with a girl. Madhav can't speak English properly while the girl is good at it. Madhav wants relationship but the girl doesn't. Girl wants to be just a friend with him but Madhav doesn't. At last, the girl compromises and agrees to be his half girlfriend. 

        By the plot, it's evident that story isn't something unique that we were expecting as Chetan is releasing a book after 3 years. But he can make it terrific with his funny one-liners and amazing observations about girls and boys. That's what his USP is. His last book Revolution 2020 wasn't liked much hence the hope with this one is too high. But still, on the first day itself, Revolution 2020 sold 5 lakh copies and by the 100th day of the release, it sold 1 million copies. FLipkart had to hire 700 boys to deliver the pre-order copies. Now that's the challenge Chetan will have to face. This is a big record to break and industry has changed a lot since then. People aren't much interested in such kind of books and even Chetan Bhagat has gained many haters. Let's see what happens.

           

While other authors catch bloggers like me to promote and market their books through reviews or advertisements, Chetan Bhagat releases the cover page of his new book by advertising on the first full page of The Times of India. Also, the pre-ordering of the book starts on Flipkart at Rs. 149 which is higher than prices of all his previous books. The ad also says that even after the book will officially release, it shall be available only on Flipkart for next 1 month. A big blow to bookstores. Chetan Bhagat is known for revolutionizing promotion and marketing of books through bookstores in every corner of India with his Five Point Someone. But after 10 years, it seems as if physical bookstores does not interests the author anymore. 

           Well, there is still 2.5 months left for the release of the book. Let's see what more tactics The Author plays to make this book a popular interest among youths and readers. He got along Vidya Balan for the launch of 2 States and Sonam Kapoor for Revolution 2020. Let's see which Bollywood actress he brings this time. My guess- Alia Bhatt or Jacqueline Fernandez it would be. :-) Let's wait and watch!

Pre-order the book here -->>

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

1st Anniversary Issue of BRANWYN Lit-Mag by Sneha Gupta!!!

            BRANWYN is a famous Indian literature magazine founded and edited by author, Sneha Gupta. The magazine claims to have almost 10,00,000 readers till date which is very high as it is published only on Online medium. This month, the magazine completes its first year and proudly publishes its Anniversary edition with lots of accolades from Shailesh Kumar, Dr. Meera Singh (Principal) and others. The Anniversary edition starts with sharing of all the Cover Pages of BRANWYN till date. It was an amazing nostalgic moment to revive the memories of each and every issue of the magazine. My hearty Congratulations goes to Miss Sneha Gupta for building such a nice platform for Indian authors and budding writers. It is one of the rare magazines which has come this far because in my personal knowledge, no other magazine has been read so widely and covering so much of talents in its single issue itself.

         The three questions' interview with Faraaz Kazi is wonderfully done. Faraaz has made no point left in just 2-3 liners answers by him. Rajeshwari Chauhan's new book- Daniel's Diary is widely featured in the book describing it the way I have never ever seen any other magazine/newspaper describing any novel. Colonel Mahip Chadha, author of "Grit Gut and Gallantry" is also featured in a page giving insights into his latest work. Lavkesh Singh writes a wonderful piece in the times of Ramayana. Nitin Singh also writes a contemporary tale which is quite emotional and realistic. Another amazing write-up, one of my favorites from this issue is written by Kaushik Gangopadhyay on his Golden Moments. 

          Another authors like Moeedul Hussain, Siddhartha Yadav, Udita Pal are also introduced. 100 Happy Lives is a sweet short post written by Mr. YouKnowMe. In the end, there are many poems published by the amateur authors. It's good to read short poems by them defining their emotions and observations. I wish all the success to Sneha Gupta for completing one year with this venture of her. I hope it continues for years and builds a great platform for budding writers. You can read the issue here- 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/209833255/Branwyn-Feb-2014-Anniversary-Edition

http://issuu.com/snehabranwyn/docs/branwyn_feb_2014 

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!