Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Journey's just begun...



Today, when I look back at those bygone 38 years of my active life (still active, though), I wonder what extra-ordinary have I accomplished. Nothing. It surely was a life, which included a humble childhood, charming youth, & struggle filled years of working for different corporations, with more downs than ups. Although, I did taste success, but it was only at couple them. After working for 16 long years (still working), I realized, a principled life or specific working style has no or least value in the wildly dark corporate world.

Moving a bit away from jobs and corporate world; I never realized during these 38 years that I had a gift of writing poetry. Wonder, whether it was lost, hidden, suppressed, or never exposed. 

Maybe it was lack of time or time was waiting for the right opportunity.
Nevertheless, it was exactly 2 and half years ago; my hidden muse struck me right through my heart and I started scribbling. Initially with quotes, stories, and poems/poetry later.

It was only after writing around 250 poems and 30 odd short stories, I stepped out in the self publishing world with haiku/micro poetry books - “Maiden Musings Vol. 1 and 2”, Children's short story book – “Once upon a time...” and recently published “Wings of Freedom; published traditionally through good friend Brian Wrixon, Burlington, Canada and Blurb Inc., US. 

To reach out readers in India, I self-published “Wings of Freedom; through a POD in India – Pothi.com owned by Mudranik Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, India.

How can I forget crediting the unending support of readers, fellow writers, family members, and friends. They mean more to me than my writing. I am glad that I am in safe pair of hands and all the people, whom I have known – in-person and online are sent by The Lord above. I will cherish them beyond eternity.

I truly feel that the journey's just begun...

Am happy to share couple of my personal best poems for you to read.

1. If me being alive...

If me being alive
doesn’t uplift,
change and grow myself
in any form,
it should stop me
from glorifying,
the day I was born.

If me being alive
isn’t backing
and nurturing fellow beings
in any form,
it should stop me
from exulting on,
the day I was born.

If me being alive
doesn’t support
or stand for a social cause
of any form,
it should stop me
from observing,
the day I was born.

If me being alive
doesn’t help
and serve the nation
in any form,
it should stop me
from celebrating,
the day I was born.
If me being alive
doesn’t comfort
and console the troubled
in any form,
it should stop me
from jubilating,
the day I was born.

If me being alive
doesn’t aid
and assist the needy
in any form,
it should stop me
from enjoying,
the day I was born.

If me being alive
fails to realize,
the blessings of God
in every form,
it should stop me
from moving and,
leave me dead and torn.

2. Out of the woods...
 
I was loosely roaming
in those dim woods
of solitude...
I collected me, only –
when your gentle steps,
crushed those scattered
leaves of isolation...

I was alone lonely
in those dim woods
of seclusion...
I knew of love, only –
when your lips kissed
away my frozen
tears of dreariness...

I fell mildly asleep
in those dark woods
of loneliness...
I woke-up, only –
when the scent of your love,
vaporized that hovering stink of loneliness...

I went feebly dead
in those unlit woods
of isolation...
I came to life, only –
when your tender touch,
swept away that biting
hide of solitude...

We are livingly alive
in this, still dark woods
of haziness...
We can live, only –
because our hearts,
beat that mysterious
fog of haziness...

Pleased to share links to my poetry books. All these books have been added on Goodreads too.


I hope, you'll enjoy reading my works.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Be updated or be left out!


Keeping blog or blogs up-to-date is not only necessary, but mandatory, because anybody visiting the blog, would always like to have updated information about its author’s progress, instead of closing the page; just because it contains posts, which are couple months older.

I haven’t added anything new in the above paragraph, though, but in the virtual world its quite common; if you are not updated, very soon you will be out-dated.

I do not know if I have the right to say this; because its over 25 days, I added a new post to my blog. Those who have visited and regulary visit this page may have got or might get irate on reaching the same old page. My extended apologies to everyone.

After my last post on the first of this month, I got dead busy in getting my poetry book “Wings of Freedom” published here in India using a POD publishing website - Pothi.com, which is owned and managed by Mudranik Technologies Pvt. Ltd - a Bangalore based start-up in 2008. This poetry book was initially published in Canada through great friend Brian Wrixon and Blurb Inc. US. I got it published here too, so that family and friends residing in India can buy it in INR. It was this time, I realized how difficult self-publishing is. Especially, the cover art. All efforts paid off, the book’s been published and available by clicking these links http://pothi.com/pothi/book/aniruddha-sastikar-wings-freedom and http://www.blurb.com/b/4192156-wings-of-freedom.
If one wishes to become a good writer he/she has to read first; and thats what I got myself busy with. Within this 20-25 days, I managed to read “A Favorite Son” a wonderful book written by inspiring friend +Uvi Poznansky. 

I am in awe with her skill with words, brush, and chisel and hammer. Those looking to read strong family ties, I highly recommend “A Favorite Son” which is a modern day presentation of Biblical tale of of Jacob and Esau, their mother Rebecca, and Isaac, son of Abraham. Check out “A Favorite Son” through this link http://www.amazon.com/A-Favorite-Son-Uvi-Poznansky/dp/0984993258.

Coming back to blog updating, I noticed and read regular updates from lovely and close friends +Uvi Poznansky, +Cain Latrani, +Storm DeVille, and +Carla Sarett, which inspired me to get serious with my blog, if I wished to stay in the league.  

While I work on my next poetry book, I’ve made it a point to keep my blog updated, even if the post is just about 50 words.

I sincerely hope to keep my word.

Also hope you will like reading “Wings of Freedom” and “A Favorite Son”.

Wishing you all a happy weekend.

Monday, April 1, 2013

POD in India






After putting-in days together researching, I finally found a POD (Print-On-Demand) publisher in India. The site Pothi.com is owned and managed by Mudranik Technologies Pvt. Ltd - a Bangalore based start-up in 2008. The company's got positive reviews from third party analyzers, independent bloggers, & partner websites.

I am glad to release my first love story "Love Connection" using services of Pothi.com, which can be reached by clicking the following link...

http://pothi.com/pothi/book/aniruddha-sastikar-love-connection

This certainly doesn't mean I wouldn't use Amazon henceforth, of course I will, but to reach out my dear friends and family members residing in India, I would use Pothi.com


Thank You for checking this out in advance. I hope you'll love the offering.