Book Review: RUKHSAAR - The Woman of Substance

Genre: Fiction
Pages: 121

The story revolves around an Indian woman named Rukhsaar, born in affluent Islamic family, who falls in love with middle class but ambitious guy Sameer Khan who cracks IAS. Despite being raised in traditional Islamic families the duo manage to convince their parents for Nikaah. Soon, they give birth to a beautiful girl “Crystal” and handsome boy “Aryan”. The love-birds follow their passion for music and make a huge name in the field. The nadir hits hard and their lives are turned upside down by the series of unexpected traumatic events.
The plot is very realistic and the novella shows the true facets of Indian society. The author has kept the language in novella as simple as possible which makes it easy to understand even for younger generation. The story reveals the hardships faced by an honest civil servant, and the pain and emotional destitution of a widow. This is not just another love story but the story of love, ambition and suffering. The plot and storyline are good but there is scope for improvement. It could have been much better if author would have spent little more time on refining it.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Quotation Anthology

Read my quotes in QUOTATION ANTHOLOGY which is world's first collection of quotations by 40 Indian authors across the globe. There is a hidden visionary within all of us. Not necessarily a celebrated philosopher should only be looked upon for his quotations. No doubt their sayings are highly valuable, but can someone from us also think as far as a great man? That was the inspiration towards publishing this book. It is now available in Kindle and Paperback worldwide. Order your copies now from any of below channels.

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The girl with the yellow scarf

And I looked back again. She was there, standing right beside that tree with the yellow flowers. That little girl with yellow scarf reminded of my childhood. I was grown watching that tree blossoming every winter. I don’t know the name of that tree, neither have I ever tried to find out. All I ever cared about was to collect its beautiful bell shaped yellow flowers. As a child, every morning I used to collect those flowers and show them to my friends. As kids everything around us is exciting, we would try to dissect the flower to find out how a flower is molded in bell shape by nature. How did it happen that a single tree can blossom so many flowers? Alas all was in vain!!! the question remained struck in our mind.
The girl was still there playing with the flowers as we used to do in our past. Now, I am grown up, started up my own venture after working in MNC for a while. Sometimes all we need is little insight of out past just to remind ourselves how lucky we are. Sometimes we wish, it might have been better if there was some another way out of the the mess we all are in. No wonder, I had strong urge to play with that little girl.
I said, “helloww. Whats your name?”
“Hi. I am Anjali”, She responded in beautiful voice.
Her voice was so melodious and amiable. I put my hands forwards and she shook it gently.
“friends”, I said
“friends”, a gentle voice came out of her mouth.
That beautiful young lady said, “sorry, I have go inside else my mom gonna scold me.”
“its fine. Go and play inside.” I replied
From that day onwards it became my daily routine to play with that girl in morning. One day I was late for office, and didn’t stopped even to say hi. The next day was like Armageddon, she scolded me really hard and didn’t talked for next few days. Damn, kids can be harsh. To get her by side, I have to buy her a Cinderella figure and a pack of Dairy Milk chocolates.
Every day was different, every day we had our little chit-chats. She asked me her little silly question that I had to answer. But one thing was common about that girl. She always wore a yellow scarf.
And like all other days, this was just another day. I walked toward that tree but girl was nowhere so I waited for a while. No sign of her. It was her birthday I have bought some gifts for her. After a while I left for my office with those gifts in my hands. Another day passed. I inquired about her from the nearby house where she used to live. And I was surprised by fact that she had moved to another city with her family. She never mentioned about this to me ever. I could sense my pensive feelings that were trying to come out of my heart. I looked at the tree, and its yellow flowers that have met their fate, detached from the tree. I took one flower, and placed it in my pocket, and moved on. After all it was just another day. Sometimes I think about that little friend of mine, “The girl in yellow scarf” whether I am gonna see her again or not. Will she remember me even after 10 years!!! Everything fades with time, but one thing that will always reside in my thoughts is time spend with that wonderful young girl.

An interview with Mr. Devi Raghuvanshi

Mr. Devi Raghuvashi was born in Mathura, India, the birth place of Lord Krishna and completed his Engineering Degree(B.E.) in Electrical Engineering. After working with big companies for 40 years, he ventured on a writing career. Love on Ventilator is his first book—an odd love story. So far he has authored 10 books.  His latest and eleventh book "The Woman of Substance RUKSAAR" is going to be published by Literoma Publishing Services in the month of March, 2019. 

 
The Serene Wordsmith(TSW): When did you first think about venturing into writing? How difficult was your transition period?
Mr. Raghuvashi: The day, I bade goodbye to my 40 year's of active Engineering assignment, there were few options to avoid vacuum of life, writing was first one of them which I religiously followed. The transition was very easy as the purpose was to write out of passion and not for a monetary gains.

TSW: So far you have authored ten books. How do you get ideas for your books?
Mr. Raghuvashi: Yes, my ten books are published. I am by nature a keen observer of things around. If i notice anything or anybody doing something out of box, I plan to put it on paper. Trust me, most of my books either have me somewhere as one of the characters or if someone's character impresses me, I write. Not necessary the plot remains same till end . It changes during the course of  writing but basic character content remains in the book. 

TSW: Tell us something about your upcoming book "The Woman of Substance RUKSAAR".
Mr. Raghuvashi: Rukhsaar is an incredible woman from a very affluent family background, married to a commoner who also rose to become a judge, became physically handicapped. Rukhsaar pushed his wheel chair everywhere whether a music concert or a marriage party. For her, Humanity was the biggest religion. She established one of the best music academy and event management company. She was a self contained woman far away from the feelings of sufferings and jot. 

TSW:  What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
Mr. Raghuvashi: Control of words during intimacy scenes,  give me a good food of thought.

TSW: On an average how long does it takes you to write a book? Mr. Raghuvashi: It takes me roughly two and half months to complete the book of app 125 to 140 pages stopped.

TSW: Who is your favorite character from "The woman of Substance RUKSAAR"?
Mr. Raghuvashi: It's like asking a father who is his favourite kid but yes even he has some soft corner to some. In Rukhsaar  The Woman Of Substance, Rukhsaar is my favoured character as she has gone under so many difficult phases of life and she has practically forgotten the difference between sufferings and  joy.

TSW: Of all the books you have penned which is your favourite and why?
Mr. Raghuvashi: It's again a difficult question like asking a father his favourite kid. Mohini The Tigress has been my best book as a revenge story with a message that women have to defend them  themselves against oppression and they have to become independent and strong. Rukhsaar might take over. 

TSW: What is the most challenging part while you are writing a draft? How do you overcome it? 
Mr. Raghuvashi: The start and the end of my books are the biggest challenges and i devote my full might and time to make it worth reading. 

TSW: How often do you read book reviews?  How do you deal with negetive reviews?
Mr. Raghuvashi: Reviews reading is my habit.Negative reviews give me strength to rectify the reason for reader's disappointment. It's their prerogative to write. I am happy that they read at least. 

TSW: Who's the one author(dead or alive) with whom you would like to have dinner with?
Mr. Raghuvashi: I would love to have a dinner date with Amish to learn and understand how he made SHIVA a tribal leader a MAHADEV and also how did he digest a discussion between RAM and his brother feeling happy about a non-vegetarian feast when they were chasing a deer.

An interview with Dr. Manisha

Dr. Manisha is a poetess hailing from the state of UP from Northern India. Doctor by profession and a poetess by choice. She has penned two books "Dariya-e-Ehsas" which is combination of Hindi poetry and shayaris, and "Mere Khayal" which is poetry only. I am glad that I got chance to interview enchanting personality like her. I thank Dr. Manisha for sharing her prized time with us. 

The Serene Wordsmith(TSW): How did your journey as a poetess/shayara begin? 
Dr. Manisha: I have been writing since my teenage, then I don’t know why I stopped. Around 4 years ago I again got the strength to pen what I feel and now I make sure the writing something every day.

TSW: How does it feel to be a poetess in a patriarchal society? What was the reaction of your family when you decided to get your poems and shayaris published? 
Dr. Manisha: As a poetess I am earning lot of respect. They are happy to hear that it’s obvious that with out there support I will not be able to publish two books. I have got full support of my kids. 

TSW: What is your thought process behind the books "Dariya-e-ehsas" and "Mere Khayal"?

Dr. Manisha: I am a very emotional person whenever I see or feel anything emotional I pen down my thoughts and feelings that’s why I named my books “Driya-E-Ehsaas" and “Mere Khayal” the literary meaning of both the books are associated with thoughts and emotions.

TSW:  Is there a particular reason why you chose to write in Hindi/Urdu? 

Dr. Manisha: I am a Hindi medium student so itʼs easy for me to express myself in my mother tongue and as Urdu is our second regional language of UP so itʼs easy to express myself in these two languages. 

 TSW: What's the source of your inspiration? 

Dr. Manisha: My kids, my guru and life is a source of my inspiration.

TSW: Which hindi/urdu poet do you admire most? 
Dr. Manisha: there are many poets whom I admire a lot but Gopal Das Neeraj and Atal Bihari Vajpayee are my most favourite.

TSW: What is it like to be Dr. Manisha in daily life? 
Dr. Manisha: I am like everyone else, I laugh I cry, I’m energetic I’m lazy. Itʼs just that I try to express everything through my writing too. 

TSW: Besides writing what other activities do you enjoy most?

Dr. Manisha: I love dancing, painting and singing in my very bad voice. I love to meet new people and travel a lot. 

TSW: Would you like to share with us about your future endeavours? 
Dr. Manisha: I will describe my future endeavours by two of my own shayri
"वक़्त की रंजिशों से परे जाकर
खुद का मकाम बनाना है
हर दिल में अपने लिए
प्यार का अरमान जगाना है|

कुछ इस तरह से जियूं
ऐ खुदा मैं अपनी ज़िंदगी,
के मेरे जनाज़े पर
हर आँख में आंसूं हो,
और जब भी ज़िक्र आये मेरा,
तो अपने लबों पे न काबू हो|"

TSW: Which social media platform do you use most and why? 

Dr. Manisha: I use each and every social media platform because job is to reach as many as readers as possible.

 

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A morning in Hyderababad

Morning ride