Radha, an award-winning novel by Krishna Dharabasi, is a mythopoetic fiction that relies on a subject drawn from the epic Mahabharata with a special focus on the lives and relations between Krishna and Radha. Written from Radhas perspective, the novel excavates those subtle and discursive social constructs of that era that barred a woman from exercising her free will and licensed a man for following his unrestrained desires. The novel peels out those myth-making endeavors that gave Krishna an aura of a godlike personality and left Radha waiting on the fringe of the society to see his return and fulfillment of her desire.
The story of Radha and Krishna offers a kaleidoscopic view of lovefrom the sensual to the spiritual. From this rich matrix, not only have artists, poets, saints, and religious cults drawn sustenance, but it has nurtured the mind of an entire subcontinent. In a predominantly patriarchal society where moral codes are laid out in terms of family and social responsibilities, the love between Radha and Krishna offers a delightful counterview. Heres Radha, a married woman elder to Krishna, spellbound by his charms, running to the forest on a full moon autumnal night of Sharad Purnima. To make this even more scandalous, he is sporting with other Gopis, quenching the thirst of all like undiscriminating rain speeding across a vast landscape. Each Gopi has a Krishna for herself and Radha too holds on to her own in this giddy vortex of love and fulfillment. As Krishna leaves for Mathura never to return, Radha waits. Later he plays the role of the mediator in the great war of the Mahabharata, which constantly blurs the line between the right and the wrong in an exploration of the concept of Dharma. Radha remains steadfast in her own Swadharma, which is her longing for Krishna, and stands by the banks of her Yamuna even today. For me, Radha is someone who has snapped off the beginning and the end of a love story. She is the eternal flow, dhara (which curiously is formed when you invert the syllables of Radha). Here any love story would be a mere wave thrown up by this deep current. These poems explore Radhas mind where the past, present, and future are one, where the journey and the destination are one.
She is referred to as the mysterious Radha! Some people do not believe she ever existed. Others believe she was an adulteress. The truth is that Radha was a soul that lacked self-love. However, her love for Sri Krishna was boundless and unconditional. In this contemporary 21st century story about Radha’s reincarnation, you will learn how her consciousness contrived a plan to give Sri Krishna the Shakti he needed from her while simultaneously breaking her heart. She even chose for him to never speak to her until she had become enlightened herself. She thought nothing of her own self-preservation or the great suffering she would inevitably endure. The questions that remain to be answered are: Will Radha be able to heal from such a traumatic experience? Will she be able to forgive Sri Krishna for breaking her heart? And finally, will she eventually be able to merge with Krishna as they had originally planned? Read Radha’s story to find the answers disclosed within. -- “Written through the framework of choosing the journey of our lives on the path to enlightenment, the author forces us to consider what we have chosen to endure and why. Beautifully written through the eyes of a reincarnation story and the suffering of the soul on its way to salvation and becoming a goddess. This precious story of spiritual mates on their evolutionary journey reminds us of our mortality and declares that our life journey is a special, and personal, experience meant for spiritual growth. Inspired by traditional beliefs, we rediscover, or uncover for the first time, that we choose our suffering, which ultimately helps us advance as humans and have purpose during our cycles of life on Earth.” - Kat Lahr Writer, Researcher, Educator Southern New Hampshire University
It’s 1915 in New York City and an intrepid young journalist is about to get her biggest story yet... The Lusitania has just been sunk, and headlines about a shooting at J.P. Morgan’s mansion and the Great War are splashed across the front page of every newspaper. Capability “Kitty” Weeks would love nothing more than to report on the news of the day, but she’s stuck writing about fashion and society gossip over on the Ladies’ Page – until a man is murdered at a high society picnic on her beat. Determined to prove her worth as a journalist, Kitty finds herself plunged into the midst of a wartime conspiracy that threatens to derail the United States’ attempt to remain neutral – and to disrupt the privileged life she has always known. The first book in a highly anticipated mystery series featuring rising journalism star Kitty Weeks packed full of historical detail, A Front Page Affair is perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Jacqueline Winspear Praise for A Front Page Affair ‘A delightfully spunky heroine defies convention as an investigative reporter in this engaging historical mystery. The small factual details of New York life are gems’ Rhys Bowen ‘This lively and well-researched debut introduces a charming historical series and an appealing fish-out-of-water sleuth who seeks independence and a career in an age when most women are bent on getting married, particularly to titled Englishmen. Devotees of Rhys Bowen’s mysteries will enjoy making the acquaintance of Miss Weeks.’ Library Journal ‘The fascinating historical details add flair to this thoroughly engaging mystery starring an intelligent amateur sleuth reminiscent of Rhys Bowen’s Molly Murphy. Vatsal’s debut will leave readers eager for Kitty’s next adventure.’ Booklist ‘The mystery plot was enthralling in and of itself, but it was the portrait of Old New York that provided the wow factor - there are very few writers who can conjure up this kind of authenticity. A fun, fascinating, feminist read – especially if you love New York!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘It is very rare to find a debut novel so well written and so engrossing’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
To All the Boys I Loved Before meets World of Dance in this delectable love story that combines food, dance, and a hint of drama to cook up the perfect romance. Radha is on the verge of becoming one of the greatest kathak dancers in the world . . . until a family betrayal costs her the biggest competition of her life. Now she has left her Chicago home behind to follow her stage mom to New Jersey. At the Princeton Academy of the Arts, Radha is determined to leave performing in her past and reinvent herself from scratch. Jai is captain of the Bollywood Beats dance team, ranked first in his class, and is an overachiever with no college plans. Tight family funds means medical school is a pipe dream, which is why he wants to make the most out of high school. When Radha enters his life, he realizes she's the exact ingredient he needs for a show-stopping senior year. With careful choreography, both Radha and Jai will need to face their fears (and their families) if they want a taste of a happily ever after. "A tasty treat! Nisha Sharma always delights." --MEG CABOT, author of The Princess Diaries
A brand new city, a brand-new life. Little Radha was excited to start this new journey. But little did she know what magical adventures lay ahead of her. In their new Bungalow, Radha found a dusty old cycle, which she scrubbed and cleaned till it was gleaming brightly in the sun. This new treasure of hers was rainbow coloured and accompanied her everywhere every day. Along with her new friends, Radha used to go cycling and roamed around the little hamlet, helping those in need. She even made a bully have a change of heart. Her beloved town was being burglarised. Will Radha be able to save the town? Her new “magical friend” gave her surprises nearly every-day, but together they helped the town and its townsfolk many a times. Radha loves her new companion, and her companion loves her back and will stop at nothing to protect her. Let’s roam around the streets of Kamalapur with Radha and her rainbow cycle and indulge in this exciting story of friendship & family, loyalty and truthfulness.
To All the Boys I Loved Before meets World of Dance in this delectable love story that combines food, dance, and a hint of drama to cook up the perfect romance. Radha is on the verge of becoming one of the greatest kathak dancers in the world . . . until a family betrayal costs her the biggest competition of her life. Now she has left her Chicago home behind to follow her stage mom to New Jersey. At the Princeton Academy of the Arts, Radha is determined to leave performing in her past and reinvent herself from scratch. Jai is captain of the Bollywood Beats dance team, ranked first in his class, and is an overachiever with no college plans. Tight family funds means medical school is a pipe dream, which is why he wants to make the most out of high school. When Radha enters his life, he realizes she's the exact ingredient he needs for a show-stopping senior year. With careful choreography, both Radha and Jai will need to face their fears (and their families) if they want a taste of a happily ever after. "A tasty treat! Nisha Sharma always delights." --MEG CABOT, author of The Princess Diaries
