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Sunday, June 28, 2015

Book Review: Mistress Of Honour by Bhaavna Arora

About the Author: Bhaavna Arora is a double MBA in Human Recourses and Marketing by academics and a writer and reader by heart.
Her debut book - The Deliberate Sinner was the best seller and she is back with her next writing. Explore more about her at her official website - http://www.bhaavna.com/

About the Book:

The blurb says:When Potnis a captain in the Indian Army meets Pansy during the Operation Blue Star he knows he has found the love of his life. Their passionate romance leads them to the altar and blossoms into a beautiful child, Rihana. History repeats itself when Advik, a wayward boy from a broken family, catapults into Rihana’s heart, as smoothly as he conquers the skies as an Air Force pilot. What follows is a night of unabashed love, transporting the couple to heavenly bliss. Where will their unbridled love lead them? Will Rihanna remain a mistress to Advik, for whom the love for his country comes first, or will she be able to make a place in his heart that is second to none? This heartbreaking saga of love, courage and sacrifice will leave you asking for more.

Cover: I found the cover interesting enough to be picked up from book shelves and at the same time, it does not reveal the story line.

What I Felt About The Book:
I was hooked on to this book as soon as I opened it. The story line is full of passion for all - dreams, love and country. The elements of drama, honour, passion, patriotism, love, sacrifice, friendship and trust (the list are interestingly put together under one roof. The author takes the reader to a roller coaster ride of a soldier’s life.
I think that Bhaavna has a soft corner for female characters (and I love that) as very similar to her earlier book, despite of strong male characters, Pansy and Rihana's personality stood out  above all. Advik has been wonderfully portrayed as the forbidden fruit which eve just cannot resist to possess. Potnis stood out to be the perfect man any girl would die for. His affection for his daughter and attempts to keep her away from a man for very obvious reasons were very cute. I also liked the friendship and bond between Shamsher and Potnis.

What I Liked About The Book:
1. Right Mix of All Elements - as I have already stated, different emotions are beautifully put together.
2. Good use of resources - Bhavvna has used her father's and uncles' knowledge and experience of army to perfect use. The experiences and emotions of a soldier along with his family are beautifully written. The helplessness of family on saying goodbyes, hardships of training, love for country, letters from loved ones, everything is in right place.
3. Letters - Big or small, my heart always goes out for letters. The book has some of them. Though they are note that romantic I have read before, but we're pretty decent enough.

What I Did not Like About The Book:
Predictability - The events were easily predictable at two or three points.

Below are some lines which took my heart and forced me to pen them down:

If you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything.

Miracles are hard to believe, but they happen anyway.

Destruction of love is tougher is destruction of ambition.

Love is the most natural attribute a man is born with, and lust is definitely a part of it.

No religion is sacred than your duty.

Don't shoot out without knowing who your enemy is.

Potnis, who had fallen prey to her irresistible charm, sat beside her like a bird wooing its companion.

Potnis expression of love amid tense situation around the town was just perfect.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the "Mistress of Honour". Would I recommend it to someone? “- Absolutely if anyone is looking for a light and different read".

PS: A big thank to Bhaavna Arora's team for sending over this good book to be added to my bookshelf.
Title: Mistress of Honour
Author: Bhaavna Arora
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd (24 June 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0143425285
ISBN-13: 978-0143425281

Book review for Bhaavna Arora’s debut book – The Deliberate Sinner

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Jaccha - local Haryanvi Song For New Mothers - Part 2

I introduced "Jaccha" is my last post. Here is next one in the series.


Chandan choti chandani,
Jaccha chamakti dole.
Chandan choti chandani,
Jaccha chamakti dole.

Wa sasu te bhi bole,
Apne sasure te bhi bole.
Wa sasu te bhi bole,
Apne sasure te bhi bole.
Apne raja te na bole,
Raja thain thathola dole.
Wa sasu te bhi bole,
Apne sasure te bhi bole.
Apne raja te na bole,
Raja thain thathola dole.
Chandan choti chandani,
Jaccha chamakti dole.
Chandan choti chandani,
Jaccha chamakti dole.

Jetha te bhi bole,
Jethani te bhi bole,
Wa Jetha te bhi bole,
Jethani te bhi bole.
Apne raja te na bole,
Raja thain thathola dole.
Jetha te bhi bole,
Jethani te bhi bole,
Apne raja te na bole,
Raja thain thathola dole.
Chandan choti chandani,
Jaccha chamakti dole.
Chandan choti chandani,
Jaccha chamakti dole.

Dever te bhi bole,
Dorani te bhi bole,
Wa dever Ja te bhi bole,
Dorani te bhi bole.
Apne raja te na bole,
Raja thain thathola dole.
Dever te bhi bole,
Dorani te bhi bole,
Apne raja te na bole,
Raja thain thathola dole.
Chandan choti chandani,
Jaccha chamakti dole.
Chandan choti chandani,
Jaccha chamakti dole.



Those who can read Hindi and understand Haryanvi, here is the translation...

चांदन छोटी चाँदनी,
जचा चमकती डौलै।
चांदन छोटी चाँदनी,
जचा चमकती डौलै।

वा सासु तै भी बौलै,
अपने सुसरै तै भी बौलै।
वा सासु तै भी बौलै,
सुसरै तै भी बौलै।
अपने राजा तै ना बौलै,
राजा ठॉए ठठोला डौलै।
वा सासु तै भी बौलै,
अपने सुसरै तै भी बौलै।
अपने राजा तै ना बौलै,
राजा ठॉए ठठोला डौलै।
चांदन छोटी चाँदनी,
जचा चमकती डौलै।
चांदन छोटी चाँदनी,
जचा चमकती डौलै।

जेठा तै भी बौलै,
जेठाणी तै भी बौलै।
वा जेठा तै भी बौलै,
जेठाणी तै भी बौलै।
अपने राजा तै ना बौलै,
राजा ठॉए ठठोला डौलै।
वा जेठा तै भी बौलै,
जेठाणी तै भी बौलै।
अपने राजा तै ना बौलै,
राजा ठॉए ठठोला डौलै।
चांदन छोटी चाँदनी,
जचा चमकती डौलै।
चांदन छोटी चाँदनी,
जचा चमकती डौलै।

देवर तै भी बौलै,
दौराणी तै भी बौलै।
वा देवर तै भी बौलै,
दौराणी तै भी बौलै।
अपने राजा तै ना बौलै,
राजा ठॉए ठठोला डौलै।
वा देवर तै भी बौलै,
दौराणी तै भी बौलै।
अपने राजा तै ना बौलै,
राजा ठॉए ठठोला डौलै।
चांदन छोटी चाँदनी,
जचा चमकती डौलै।
चांदन छोटी चाँदनी,
जचा चमकती डौलै।

For the benefit of others, here is the summary...

It's small moon light
New mother is roaming all glowing.

She speaks to her mother in law,
She speaks to her father in law.
She is not speaking to her husband (raja),
Her husband is roaming like a poor guy.
It's small moon light
New mother is roaming all glowing.

She speaks to her big brother in law,
She speaks to her big sister in law.
She is not speaking to her husband (raja),
Her husband is roaming like a poor guy.
It's small moon light
New mother is roaming all glowing.

She speaks to her small brother in law,
She speaks to her small sister in law.
She is not speaking to her husband (raja),
Her husband is roaming like a poor guy.
It's small moon light
New mother is roaming all glowing.
It's small moon light
New mother is roaming all glowing.


There are more coming up. Keep a watch on this space... ;)
Read more:
Promises are meant to be broken