Rajdhani Ki Kahani

I could have said that I haven't travelled much by train, hence all the dramatic encounters, but I cannot use that excuse anymore, not since last December, not after travelling across the country for one whole month. I'm well acquainted to trains now so I'm to be blamed for everything that happened last week.

3 Iron

I am hardly short of words, but this movie with whatever few dialogues it had has made me search for words to articulate my thoughts about it. There was silence and I still hear it. There was love and I still feel it. There was madness: though subtle, it was beautiful and its effect on me was quite profound.

Crow Zero 1 & 2

It's a VERY dark movie. No, I'm not talking about the theme of the movie but the cinematography and the set. From the uniform of Suzuran All-Boys High School to the messy and dull classrooms to the terrace where Serizawa(the head of the school gangs) hangs out to Genji's (wannabe head) father's den - everything was gloomy.

Reading and all...

It has been nine months since my graduation day, but I still remember the university admission interview like yesterday. It was a stress interview and I was repeatedly asked about current affairs even after making it very clear (to the interviewer) that I don't have the habit of reading newspapers. I cracked it alright, but I am mentioning this now because I have started reading news. In fact I read it regularly and even try to remember things.

No, I am not preparing for UPSC exam, I just started working for MediaNama.com as a research associate. Though it's mostly technology based news that we work on, reading is part of the job now.

From FDI in eCommerce to Facebook buying whatsapp, now I've opinions on various subjects. I am realising how ignorant I have been all my life and how much I was missing out by not reading news. We don't have to reading everything, but reading definitely brings in new ideas and opportunities...it opens new doors.

Talking about reading, I haven't completed "The Game of Thrones" yet because I've been busy editing manuscripts and reading for the ongoing projects at Fablery.

Japan Habba 2014

If you have been reading my blog, you should know very well that I am a Japanophile (perhaps not BIG TIME still I like Japanese culture enough to write this post and attend Japan Habba). It started with Manga, Anime, Dramas & Movies in the year 2008, and it's still going strong.

By the way, my love for Japan and Japan related things is not restricted to the media. I studied LEAN OPERATIONS at college and also did a 3 months internship at Toyota Motors. If you know anything about LEAN then you will understand why I love the Japanese way of doing things so much.

Also, I am a HUGE fan of Jun Matsumoto.

Japan Habba 2014 was a tenth year anniversary - a festival to celebrate the presence of and enthusiasm for Japanese culture in Bangalore. Though I have been living in Bangalore all my life, this year's fest was my first time. I even coordinated one of the events/shows - Origami and Kirigami (Japanese paper art). All in all, it was a learning experience, even FUN.

And well...this year's theme was Daruma doll. 

As far as events are concerned, both Japanese and localites did put a good show for the audience assembled at Mt Carmel College. Japanese people recited chorus music, performed drums, danced to bollywood music, while Bangaloreans played many skits in Japanese and entertained us equally.

There were many stalls outside the auditorium where they sold used books, manga and magazines that was imported from Japan, and various other handmade Japanese accessories. They also taught few enthusiasts how to write (a few letters) both Kanji and Katakana. There was another stall where students could learn about university exchange programs and other courses that Japan offered to Indians.

At one corner of this exhibition, we could try Kimino and I did so.

I even got my name written in Japanese - both Kanji and Katakana. 

I also bought two Japanese novels. I cannot read yet, but I hope to learn this year (also Korean).

Here's my handmade Japanese purse.

A Japanese girl writing my name in Katakana.

There's another thing that should be definitely mentioned when we speak about Japan Habba and that is Bangalore Anime Club cosplaying characters from Naruto and Bleach.

If you missed it this year, just remember there's always a next time, and make sure you don't miss it again.

The Hunger Game

The 'survival of the fittest' way of living should have seized when men decided to live in colonies...when civilizations were formed...when people chose to survive by cooperating with one another, but it did not.

Sword Of The Stranger

Sword Of The Stranger

Do you think the world revolves around you? The Emperors of past surely thought so. They wouldn't be playing with people's lives, otherwise. They even wasted their lives chasing power, riches and women, when they were expected to commit themselves to the greater good of the world. And immortality - why the heck would someone want to live forever? What would they achieve living so long? At least, I would be bored to death. I know it.

Origin - Spirits of the Past

If you are wondering whether I am on an anime watching spree then you are right. You see, I met a bunch of anime lovers last month and copied as many anime movies and series as I could from them. And all that I do these days is watch them.

Avatar - The Last Airbender

The battle between good and bad is an overused concept. Be it movies or novels, we see and read how the so called guardian of the good takes on baddies single handed. Somehow we aren’t tired of this idea yet. I guess life is a constant battle between good and bad – sometimes against of inner selves and other times with people of this world – so we will never get bored of this theme.

Fablery 2013

DEADLINE: 30 June 2013

Fablery presents short story writing contests in association with Lifi Publications…

If you are a story writer who is looking for an opportunity to get published then Fablery.com is the right place for you. You could get published by just participating in genre-based short story writing contests that they hold every year.

ABOUT FABLERY:

Fablery provides aspiring writers with an opportunity to get published and reach out to the bigger audience. Fablery would conduct contests on different genres, every year, giving writers a chance to get published or win various prizes. However, the underlying idea is not just rewarding writers but creating a platform where writers could meet, showcase their talents and help one another by providing constructive feedback and encouragement. Fablery endeavors to contribute a little to the literary world by bringing out the best out of every writer who participates at contests at Fablery.

MORE ABOUT CONTESTS HELD AT FABLERY:

This contest’s main theme is ‘Historical’. There are eight different genres you have to blend with ‘historical’. To be precise, it’s a cross-genre contest.

LIST OF GENRES:

1.   Romance

2.   Suspense & Thriller

3.  Horror

4.   Paranormal

5.   Humor

6.   Action & Adventure

7.   Philosophical

8.   Occupational

all in Historical Context (Let's exclude 19th & 20th century when we say history)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

There's no restriction on age or nationality, unless the participants are not legally eligible to sign a contract with Fablery i.e. if they win the contest.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINE:

1.   The story must be in English; story written in other languages won’t be accepted. Submit only short stories; no poems.

2.   Each participant can submit only one story per genre.

3.   The number of words should not exceed 10,000 and it should not be less than 7,000. 

4.   Stories must fit the genre(s) announced.

5.   Only original work that is not published anywhere else will be entertained. On violation of copyright or related rights, only participants will be held responsible. Neither editor, nor publisher will be responsible for it.

6.   By participating in this contest, you are agreeing to handover the copyright of your story to the editor of Fablery. We will keep the exclusive rights to publish and market the work throughout the world in any media or medium now knowing or hereafter devised, directly or through affiliate companies at retail prices to be determined by the publisher, only if you win our contest. You are free to use your stories elsewhere if you don’t win.

7.   Originality, in idea, thought and concept will be given preference to clichéd work.

8.   The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

9.   Stories submitted must not contain explicit sex or hate-related content.

If you got anymore doubts about the contest then check the site for more details: http://fablery.com/faq 

We suggest that you check the terms & conditions before submitting your entry here: http://fablery.com/submit-story/

ENTRY FEE:

There's no participation fee.

RESULTS:

Winners' names will be announced after 45-60 days of last submission date.

JUDGES:

Ritu Lalit (author of “A Bowlful of Butterflies”) & Nethra A (Editor of Fablery

PUBLISHING PARTNER:

Lifi Publications (www.lifipublications.com) will make the winning stories into a (paperback) book.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: contact@fablery.com

For submissions: http://fablery.com/submit-story/

Website: http://fablery.com/