Chava

 Chava 

This book is written by Shivaji Sawant. It is based on the life jourmey of the Great Sambhaji Maharaj, Who was the son of Chatrapati Shivaji Mahraraj and Maharani Saibai

This book tells us about the difficulties that Sambhaji Maharaj faced during his childhood and throughout his life. In his childhood his step mother Maharani Putlabai took care of him, but Maharani Soyrabai acted as a real step mother towardds him.

When he grew up, he also after his father's death took the oath and path for SWARAJ,  He got caught in the fort of Sangameshwar by the ministers of Auranzeb with the help of Sambhaji Maharaj trusted ministers.

The mavlas fought for Sambhaji Maharaj's rescue but they could not win. In this battle Maharaj's best friend and advisor Kavi Kalash was also caught.  They both were brought in front of Auranzeb who promised to leave them if they accept Islam and become Muslims, and also hand-over all the forts to Auranzeb that were under Sambhaji  Maharaj, but he did not listen.

Auranzeb ordered his soldiers to kill them and cut their boy into pieces and throw in river,

They both had a tragic death, but the author has penned it so beautifully that we feel we are right there watching all these events .  

The Namesake

 

       The Namesake is a book written by Jhumpa Lahiri. It revolves around the life of 'Gogol', the son of a Bengali couple who migrated to the USA. He had been named after his father's favourite author, Nikolai Gogol. But he did not accept it and disliked it. On attaining adulthood, he changes it to 'Nikhil'. He pursues a course in architecture, in which he is deeply interested. He marries a young Bengali woman (who is also an immigrant), but is soon divorced at the age of 32. His family members travel all over the world. Finally, he sets up his own architecture firm.

    Though this is a novel about an ordinary Indian family in America, yet it is heartwarming. It sets an example for a wife and husband through Gogol's parents, while Gogol himself portrays a son who wants to be independent. He strives to be different from his parents and adopts the American culture, but later realises their importance and sacrifices made by them. It teaches us that a name has no impact on one's identity and destiny.

Life of Pi

     Life of Pi is a novel written by Yann Martel. It is based on the life of a sixteen-year-old boy named Piscine Patel or Pi for short. His father is a zookeeper, who decides to move to Canada with all his animals. But their cargo ship sinks in a great storm, leaving only Pi in a lifeboat. Soon he is joined by a hyena, an orangutan, a zebra and royal Bengal tiger. Later he is left in the company of only the tiger, name Richard Parker. This story is about the long voyage the boy and the tiger make across the entire Pacific Ocean on a lifeboat with minimal resources.

    This a famous novel about survival. With only few food cans and limited freshwater, they survive for many days. By the end, when all their resources run out, Pi, who is very religious, prays to God to save them. At the very end, they reach the shores of Mexico, where Richard Parker leaves Pi without even saying goodbye. But throughout this voyage, the boy and the tiger develop a very close bond.

Sita

     Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayan has been written by Devdutt Pattanaik, a well-read mythologist. It tells the Ancient story of Ramayana, the Hindu Epic, but from Sita's perspective. We get to know about the life of Sita, from her birth and childhood to marriage, exile, abduction and rescue. Various tales surrounding these phases of her life have been told. In the end, he explores the idea that Sita was abandoned by Ram to save his family reputation.

    In this book, Pattanaik has cited various reference from the Vedas and the Puranas at the end of each chapter.  He has also shown how this epic story has evolved over thousands of years. He has emphasized on not only the story but also the moral values that have to be taken from it. The ideals that the Gods depicted are also very important. 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

    Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a true classic novel written by Roald Dahl. It follows the adventures of Charlie Bucket, a boy from poor family, who receives a golden opportunity to visit Mr. Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Mr. Wonka's father had been a dentist who had never let him have sweets or candies of any kinds. Hence, he became an excellent inventor and made a wide variety for children. This was the largest and most technologically advanced factory of that age, but had never been opened to the common people. Other than Charlie, four other children also obtain a Golden Ticket, an entry ticket for this factory, hidden in chocolate bars. But this exciting trip turns into a challenging competition when Mr. Wonka announces that one the five children will inherit his factory!

    Though this book was published in 1964, it continues to be a favourite of children all over the world. The various characters created by Dahl are each unique and have their own personality. He has portrayed the prevailing bad qualities of not only the children of but also the parents of that age. He indirectly blames the parents for spoiling their kids and their future. Here Charlie has been portrayed as an ideal child who always follows the rules and respects his parents and grandparents.