Hi Valiamma,
As discussed with you earlier, am forwarding Asvin's
mail. He along with a friend of his is looking to
publish his novel (sample of which is attached
herewith). Please provide him guidance on how he could
get his novel published.
Thank you,
Rajesh
Saturday, December 8, 2007
From a friend of mine
Dear all,
This is to announce a proud moment in our family. My Aunt (mom's eldest
sister) Dr Shakuntala Rajagopal has published her first novel named -
RADHA. This is a first in our family(from what I know) & we are all
very happy for her. Valliamma, as I call her, is not only passionate
about writing, but is also a very good painter. The artwork on the cover of
the book is one of her very own paintings.
If anyone is into reading of novels, here are the links where you can
get this novel -
http://virtualbookworm.com/store/product.php?productid=17068&cat=0&page=1
and on Amazon here:
http://www.amazon.com/Radha-Shakuntala-Rajagopal/dp/1602640939/ref=sr_11_1/002-7066620-1052013?ie=UTF8&qid=1194281891&sr=11-1
Happy Reading!
Regards,
Rajesh
This is to announce a proud moment in our family. My Aunt (mom's eldest
sister) Dr Shakuntala Rajagopal has published her first novel named -
RADHA. This is a first in our family(from what I know) & we are all
very happy for her. Valliamma, as I call her, is not only passionate
about writing, but is also a very good painter. The artwork on the cover of
the book is one of her very own paintings.
If anyone is into reading of novels, here are the links where you can
get this novel -
http://virtualbookworm.com/store/product.php?productid=17068&cat=0&page=1
and on Amazon here:
http://www.amazon.com/Radha-Shakuntala-Rajagopal/dp/1602640939/ref=sr_11_1/002-7066620-1052013?ie=UTF8&qid=1194281891&sr=11-1
Happy Reading!
Regards,
Rajesh
Friday, September 14, 2007
revised chapters
Prologue
The lion cub strode back to take a better look at the statue. The marble eyes of the great lion returned his gaze. Some illusion of the falling snow on the cold marble caused the statue’s eyes to crinkle in kind amusement and the mouth to smile in benevolence. Just by gazing at this stone representation of their great leader could the citizens of Arthika fill their hearts with peace and contentment, and the cub felt no less joyful. He tried to copy the statue’s expression, crinkling his own eyes and stretching his mouth in an exaggerated smile. His fur stood on end from the strain.
He turned to his playmates sporting on the snow; they had built a snow fort and were involved in pelting one another with hastily rolled snowballs from both sides of its low walls. Still smiling, the cub turned its attention to the old fox on the granite steps of the pedestal. That wrinkled citizen was knitting a woolen cloak for himself, humming a century-old song. Behind and above him were praises carved in honor of the greatest lion of all time.
“Sir?”
“I have forgiven you, my son, if there’s anything to forgive.” It was the old fox’s turn to present a smile, and he did that, a toothless copy of the cub’s.
“I, too, have thrown snowballs at the old when I was a cub like you, and not by mistake, unlike you,” the fox cackled merrily.
“How old are you, Sir?”
“Old? I am ancient, hee, hee, hee! I was a young fox when the great Bherek was a cub like you.”
“Bherek?” The cub glanced at the statue, “Tell me what you know of him, Sir, please.”
By this time, the cub’s companions had begun to arrive at the foot of the statue, drawn by the promise of a story.
“It was in the second millennium AM, according to the calendar we had in those days,” began the fox, throwing his knitting aside.
“AM? What AM?” whispered a bear cub to his friend.
“Something like our RBW, ‘in the Reign of Bherek White,’I guess.”
“AM is After Man,” said one big bear, who had just come up, “There was a race called humans thousands of years ago. At least, that’s what they say. And nobody knows what they looked like.”
Many adults had joined the gathering by now, and the storyteller, delighted with his large audience, stood up, the better to tell his dramatic story.
“Arthika didn’t know Bherek White then. He was just an orphan boy come to stay with his uncle at the city. The city was not as it is now; it was a time of hatred and unrest, a time of jealousy and greed, a time of all bad things. When Accerbus the Luce, with his evil designs, wanted to make the whole of Arthika his kingdom.
But the gods decided to send one of their own to us, as an old saying goes, “When beasts descend to the level of men, the gods descend to the level of beasts.”
The old fox continued, completely capturing the minds of his audience.
A figure slipped away from the gathering, an old lion wrapped up in a dark red cloak, and walked off the gardens into the woods beyond. Being with his happy people always made the old lion happy, but today the old fox had brought back memories. Memories of those innocent years when he had not known his destiny, or done anything to change the destiny of the world. When he had been just a simple village boy…
1. A Shrunken Kingdom
“Bumpkin!”
The taunt bounced off the twelve-year old snow lion like an arrow shot at a rock. Bherek White smiled. He tossed his golden mane back, and stood with his feet wide apart on the pebble-paved alley. He was in his ‘bumpkin’ clothes, a single piece of ragged, yellow cloth wrapped around him, a red sash to hold it in place, and sandals of unfashionable cut and leather. He had no illusion about his looks. He had prepared himself for jeers and insults from the boys of the city, and he had told himself that he would not be provoked. His younger brothers, standing behind him with his friend, Zanny Vastt, were not as comfortable as he was.
Iovire and Staur held on to their brother’s arms with shaking paws. Having decided to explore the city, they had been having fun since the morning, gawking at the colorful clothes of the people, the carts selling strange and useless items, the noisy crowds and the tall buildings. Now they found themselves in a disused alley, in a deserted part of the city. Trouble!
Zanny, who looked like a tall crag of ice but moved like a forest fire, was raring to pick up a fight. Any fight. And this looked like an admirable opportunity to show off his wrestling skills.
“And just look at that stupid urchin,” continued the street-stained leader of the taunting pack, a spotted lion, or spotard, pointing at Bherek’s youngest brother, Staur.
“Yes, he’s four-handed!” laughed a sidekick, another spotard, “Hey, little monster, why don’t you help my poor mother in the kitchen? She always says she needs four hands!” The leader and the remaining two found this very funny and laughed, too.
Bherek’s smile faded to a stern tightening of his lips. He considered Staur’s four arms to be a special gift from the gods, not an ugly handicap.
“No, Zanny, wait!” he yelled, too late. The white lion had already dashed towards the four spotards. The leader, unprepared for an attack, froze for a moment. Then he went for Zanny’s head with his wooden stick.
But Zanny’s head was not there for the club. It dipped, and rammed the spotard in the belly, hurling him off his feet. The stick rattled on the pebbled street, a few feet away. Zanny placed a heavy foot on the chest of his fallen opponent.
The dazed spotard blinked; then opened his eyes. His stick was out of reach.
“Stinking spotards!” hissed Zanny, “Cowards to the core! Where are your brave friends now, Spotty?” The three had disappeared when their leader had gone down.
“Enough, Zanny!” Bherek strode over.
“Spotards don’t stink! They are only colored different,” he said sternly. He heaved his big friend off the spotard, who tried to sit up. Bherek grasped the city cub’s arm and pulled him to his feet.
“Let’s go,” Bherek said and herded his group away, towards the more populated street. Without turning, he added, “And villagers don’t stink, either!”
That was for the benefit of the spotted cub, standing there with hanging head and hunched shoulders. His dirty yellow mane, cut medium as per the latest trend, fell in a disheveled fringe, hiding his forehead, but not the shame in his eyes.
Later that evening, the boys had dinner with their uncle, Titon Rok, who had just returned from guard duty at the palace. Rok was a heryante, in charge of a hundred guards. He had no cubs of his own, and after the recent death of Bherek’s parents, Titon had brought the orphaned cubs to their home in the city of Auris.
Prava, Titon’s wife, was a wonderful cook, who believed in stuffing the children up with a variety of meats and sweets, almost all the time.
Bherek was served from a separate vessel, as he was a vegetarian. That was highly unusual for a lion, but his aunt cheerfully cooked him delicious dishes from all the vegetables, nuts and fruits she managed to grow in her garden. Anyway, Ohom-nia, the mother goddess who was their family deity, loved vegetarians best. She watched him affectionately as he riddled her husband with questions in between mouthfuls.
Bherek never tired of asking Rok about the city and its history, and Titon cheerfully supplied information and stories.
“Well, Auris has lost its past glory,” Titon said, stroking his bushy white beard, “Twenty years ago, it was the prosperous capital of the empire of the Aurian dynasty. The empire then encompassed almost all the present small kingdoms of Central Arthika.
Family feuds, and revolts fuelled by avaricious neighbors, caused the kingdom to break up into fragments and finally shrink to the size of a single city: the capital, Auris. The last of the Aurians, our king, has no issue, and honest citizens are worried about the fate of the country.”
He took a big swig from the jar of wine beside him.
“What is sad is the lack of unity in the city. And beyond. Nobody trusts anybody, the greatest wealth being a good sword, and if you are very lucky, you have friends. Each citizen trusts the other only a sword’s length away. That should change with the coming of the great lion.”
“Great lion?”
“A soothsayer’s tale. You will find them at temples and sometimes at the market place. They have foreseen the coming of a great lion who would unite all of Arthika, and eventually the world. He would be sent by the gods to bring about one world. One world of peace and prosperity.”
“What does prospity mean, Uncle?” asked Staur, and everybody laughed as Rok explained the word to the little cub.
“That would be wonderful, Uncle,” said Bherek, “One world of peace and prosperity. That should be everybody’s aim. I would do everything I can to help such a hero!”
Everybody smiled at that, in empathy, not mockery. Bherek always meant what he said.
The family had their dinner as Titon spoke of another danger.
“Auris also has a sword hanging over its head; the threat of an attack by the Luce.”
“Luce?”
“Accerbus, the evil ruler of the dark lions of the South. He has left a path of blood over the pages of history and most of the globe. He plots and kills for the supreme rulership of Arthika.”
That night, after everybody had gone to bed, Bherek gazed upon his reflection in a mirror that stood near the cubs’ bed. He had much to brood upon and dream. A young cub could do only that. For now.
2. An Ambitious Minister
Atop the tallest tower of the palace, another feline had a lot to brood upon, too. Gadhya Kraft, a thin and long firecat, the minister closest to the king, looked down upon the city and the wooded hills beyond, with unseeing eyes. Her robes were green, and her cloak purple. The woods were cleft in two by the river Swarole, a gleaming sword, its blade red in the twilight, reflecting dark trees and distant hills. Brightflies, butterflies that glow in the dark, thronged the window, a flickering curtain of little stars. The beauty of the scene made no impression on her; she was deep in her own dreams and plans.
“Your Excellency!”
“Shakun! You startled me!”
The cat who entered looked more a fox than a lion. Sneaking in as usual, with minimum noise, Shakun had chosen for himself the darkest corner of the room, next to the niche with the idol of Invinsa, the goddess of victory. The flickering flame of the lamp in the niche barely revealed his hooded form in the shadows. He always dressed in black, and that contributed to make him part of the darkness he hid in.
“Your Excellency waits impatiently for the time when you would be Your Majesty?”
Gadhya’s laugh echoed eerily on the stones. Disturbed bats flapped around the small room in all directions.
“Clever!” she said, “Very clever. I hope nobody else senses my secret ambition. Now tell me, you cunning rascal, what should I do to speed up things? What do you propose?”
Shakun bowed. “Have him disposed off, Your Excellency.”
The firecat froze. The fading twilight had, by now, painted the sky red and the shadows purple. A bat brushed her cheek as it flapped out of the window, tearing a hole in the brightfly curtain. She shuddered.
“No, Shakun,” she said, “No! There’s no need for blood. Yet. He has but a few weak drops left in his aging body. The king will die any day. Issueless.” She turned to stare at Shakun, but he just stood there, silent.
“Issueless,” she continued, looking out of the window, “and I have been with him, all these years, aiding him in keeping his precious city intact, with minimal battles and numerous intrigues.” She clutched the sides of the window with drawn claws.
“I am as a daughter to him!” She turned on her heel and shook her fists at the idol.
“A daughter, O Goddess! But why doesn’t he see that? Why doesn’t the old fool make me the heir?” Her cry echoed off the stones but drew no reply from Invinsa. Or from Shakun. He had slipped out as noiselessly as the bats.
“He gives me power,” she said to the walls, “but he doesn’t grant me heirdom.”
“Heirdom,” echoed the stones, “heirdom!”
3. A New Friend
“My name’s Vivus Fastus.”
The spotard, the one who had taunted them the day before, held out his paw. Gingerly. He had come alone, with humility, without a sidekick. And in cleaner clothes. Zanny looked down at the spotard with narrowed eyes.
Bherek and Zanny had come out for a morning walk, the day being fine. Sonnarus, the sun god, had cast away his cloudy clothes and allowed his glowing whiskers to warm up the city. The friends wanted to explore other parts of the capital, especially the streets around the palace. And enter the palace, if permitted. Uncle Rok had told them to ask for him at the gates.
Vivus Fastus, freshly scrubbed, and shiny clean now, had followed them for some time, and finally managed to speak to them near the gates of the palace.
“Don’t trust him a paw’s width, Bherek,” Vastt hissed, showing his fangs. Bherek hesitated, and then took the proffered paw. And smiled.
“Let’s give trust first,” he said as he clasped hands with the spotted cat, “We can give up trust after we grow old and bitter, Zanny. I’m Bherek White.”
“Your friends are loyal, Bherek,” said Vivus, “Not like mine. They were as false as a weak sword.”
“False friends are never friends, Vivus,” replied Bherek and frowned at Zanny, who was gazing pointedly at the pebbled road. With stern eyes and folded hands.
“Your friend hasn’t forgotten yesterday’s fight,” said Vivus.
“Or forgiven,” muttered Zanny, walking away.
“Oh, ignore him,” said Bherek, taking his new friend’s arm, “Let’s see if we can get into the palace.” Bherek was looking different that day. Prava had sewed him a flowing tunic of red, the cut of which was in keeping with the latest fashion of Auris. He also wore a head-band of silk, to keep his mane back neatly. Vivus noted that Bherek no longer looked a ‘bumpkin.’
On their way to the palace, the group was distracted by the laughs and shouts of a crowd at a street corner. A gathering of lions, foxes, bears and many cubs around an old fox who sat on the steps of a disfigured statue.
“It’s that mad old fox of the temple of the moon!” said Vivus.
“A soothsayer?” asked Bherek but Vivus shook his head and made a path for his friends through the crowd, till they emerged right in front of the fox.
“Nobody believes him. He has started saying that the great lion has finally come!”
The soothsayer caught sight of the cubs and sprang to his feet.
“The Great Lion has come to see me!” he cried, and started dancing. To Bherek’s embarrassment, the fox bowed before him as low as his old frame permitted.
“Hail, O Emperor White!” he said, and clutched at the embarrassed cub’s arm before Bherek could escape. The fox brought forth a piece of dirty black metal from the recesses of his layers of rags and pushed it into Bherek’s paw. Nobody in the gathering noticed this; everybody laughed to see a cub being addressed as emperor.
4. Rebellion in the Ranks
“Uncle, may we be allowed to meet Heryante Rok?”
The burly lion, dressed in the smart red and white uniform of the royal guards, smiled down at the brave youngster. He was secretly pleased with the ‘uncle.’ Setting his face into a professional frown, he replied, “And may I ask, what do you little cubs want with our big chief?”
Bherek was the only one of the three who was not awed by the grand guards of the palace. Even brave Zanny pulled back, acting bodyguard to Bherek. And poor Vivus was extremely conscious of his shabby clothes.
“I am his nephew, Uncle, and my name’s Bherek White,” Bherek replied.
The guard sent another one to pass this message to Rok, and asked the boys to wait.
“Now, how did that old fox at the market know you were White?” asked Zanny.
Bherek did not or could not answer.
“Maybe you are the emperor foretold by all these fellows?” said Vivus.
“Forget that you heard this,” said Bherek, blushing a bit. He became suddenly interested in the towers of the palace. Five in all, four at four corners and the fifth, built right in the center of the castle, rose taller than the others. Atop this the red flag, with the white insignia of the king, danced in the wind.
“That’s to keep a lookout and spot enemies approaching as early as possible,” said the guard, Jamus Fierhart, to Bherek. This reply encouraged Bherek to ask many more questions, and by the time the messenger returned with Titon Rok’s permission, the young lion and Fierhart had become great friends.
“Call me Uncle Jamus,” he said, waving them into the palace.
Titon Rok was delighted to see them.
“Welcome to the palace, boys!” he boomed, “Vastt I know. And this is…?” He smiled at Vivus.
“Fastus, Sir. Vivus Fastus,” answered Bherek’s new friend.
“Great! Now, come with me,” Rok said and strode out of his chamber, followed by the cubs.
He took them up to the battlements from where they could watch the city below, to the court hall where kings used to give audience to the citizens, (though not any more,) the center square where the royal family used to dine in the open, and the kitchen, full of serving people, cooks and a rich mixture of smells.
“Hey, look at that slurpy joint of meat!” exclaimed Vivus when he saw a whole bison being turned over in a roasting spit. He licked his lips. Zanny was impressed by the number being put to work, while Bherek noticed that nobody seemed to be happy about what he or she was doing. No merry shouts, no singing at work, as was the case in his native village when a group of villagers joined together to tackle any task.
As they emerged from the kitchen area, a fox dashed up to Rok and stood to attention, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.
“Rebellion in the ranks, Sir!” he announced.
Titon Rok swore, asked the panting soldier to take the children back into the kitchen and dashed out, drawing his sword as he ran.
“Wish I was old enough to join him,” muttered Zanny.
5. Vivus in Danger
The soldier, beckoning Bherek and his friends to follow him, entered the kitchen. The cubs took a few steps but jumped back when the soldier staggered and fell, an arrow in his chest.
“Help!” screamed somebody. A group of rebels, probably aided by disloyal servants of the palace, had come in through the back. They stood in a circle in the center of the room now, letting fly arrows and spears. A cook brushed past Bherek, pushing him over two empty vats near the door. Bherek and vats rolled a few yards before Zanny helped Bherek to his feet.
“Hide in there!” said Bherek, pushing Vivus into one of the fallen vats. Bherek pulled it upright, while Zanny climbed into another. Bherek dived behind the tall vessels. Just in time. A brawny black bear, who appeared to be the leader of that gang, leaned on Fastus’ vat as he surveyed the proceedings.
“Stop!” he yelled, after a few minutes. His band of six approached him. He waved his sword in a dramatic flourish and sheathed it. They raised their paws in salute.
“Killed anyone?” he asked with a smirk.
“Not many, chief,” said one of the band, “Only this fox. The rest escaped.”
“We wait here till our friends…. What’s this?”
He had spotted Vivus in the vat. He dragged the struggling spotard out with one strong hand and dropped him on the floor in front of the band. They grinned and closed in.
Bherek peeped out from behind the vat. He whispered, “Zanny, in readiness.”
“We will make an example of this young spotard!” said the rebel chief. He drew his sword, while two of the gang held Vivus to the floor. Vivus screamed as he had ever screamed in his life.
With a sudden push to Zanny’s tub, Bherek sent it rolling towards the chief. Before the rebels knew what had happened, their chief tumbled head over heels into a heap of unwashed plates and bowls. Leaping out of the vat, Zanny fell upon two felines holding Vivus in position. Bherek snatched the fallen leader’s sword, and stood over that unfortunate fellow. Finding the familiar blade at his throat, the bear did not move a paw.
“Move, and your leader dies by his own sword!” cried Bherek.
The miserable rebels were relieved of their weapons by Bherek’s friends and tied to convenient pillars.
“By the whiskers of the sun!”
Titon Rok, who had come in with Jamus Fierhart and a band of soldiers, could not believe his eyes.
6. An Unpopular Minister
After being patted on their backs by Bherek’s uncle and Fierhart, the cubs emerged from the palace. By then, Sonnarus had journeyed three-fourths of the horizon. Vivus danced on the road outside the gates, and cheered, “Bravo, Bherek! Bravo, Zanny!” ignoring the amused looks of the passers-by.
“Enough, Vivus,” said Bherek.
“But that was quite an adventure, Bherek!” said Zanny, supporting Vivus for a change.
“That’s over, now and…what’s happening over there?”
The streets were strangely crowded, the throng being thickest near the main road. The friends ran over to find out.
“Here!” said Zanny as he hoisted himself up the steps of a disused building. “We can see better from here,” he said extending a paw to Bherek. After Bherek was helped up, Zanny hesitated, offered a paw to Vivus, who, with the help of that strong grip, clambered up, with a grin of gratitude.
A procession of guards marched past.
“She does nothing for the kingdom, but never fails to make her monthly appearance!” grumbled a fox below them.
“And pretends that she is already the queen!” said his friend, another vulpine.
“Whom are they complaining of?” asked Bherek.
“Gadhya Kraft, friend. A firecat. Only a minister, but looks like she’s going to be the next ruler, as the king has no issues,” replied Vivus, “Look, there she is!”
A chariot driven by four trequines came into view. Bherek had seen trequines in his village, but they were clumsy looking dirty beasts compared to these royal beauties, with silken mane and long tails, groomed to a perfect shine. As the golden chariot passed the crowds, the minister waved her bejeweled paws in the attitude of a queen.
“She’s the cause of most of these rebellions!” grumbled the fox again.
The lion cub strode back to take a better look at the statue. The marble eyes of the great lion returned his gaze. Some illusion of the falling snow on the cold marble caused the statue’s eyes to crinkle in kind amusement and the mouth to smile in benevolence. Just by gazing at this stone representation of their great leader could the citizens of Arthika fill their hearts with peace and contentment, and the cub felt no less joyful. He tried to copy the statue’s expression, crinkling his own eyes and stretching his mouth in an exaggerated smile. His fur stood on end from the strain.
He turned to his playmates sporting on the snow; they had built a snow fort and were involved in pelting one another with hastily rolled snowballs from both sides of its low walls. Still smiling, the cub turned its attention to the old fox on the granite steps of the pedestal. That wrinkled citizen was knitting a woolen cloak for himself, humming a century-old song. Behind and above him were praises carved in honor of the greatest lion of all time.
“Sir?”
“I have forgiven you, my son, if there’s anything to forgive.” It was the old fox’s turn to present a smile, and he did that, a toothless copy of the cub’s.
“I, too, have thrown snowballs at the old when I was a cub like you, and not by mistake, unlike you,” the fox cackled merrily.
“How old are you, Sir?”
“Old? I am ancient, hee, hee, hee! I was a young fox when the great Bherek was a cub like you.”
“Bherek?” The cub glanced at the statue, “Tell me what you know of him, Sir, please.”
By this time, the cub’s companions had begun to arrive at the foot of the statue, drawn by the promise of a story.
“It was in the second millennium AM, according to the calendar we had in those days,” began the fox, throwing his knitting aside.
“AM? What AM?” whispered a bear cub to his friend.
“Something like our RBW, ‘in the Reign of Bherek White,’I guess.”
“AM is After Man,” said one big bear, who had just come up, “There was a race called humans thousands of years ago. At least, that’s what they say. And nobody knows what they looked like.”
Many adults had joined the gathering by now, and the storyteller, delighted with his large audience, stood up, the better to tell his dramatic story.
“Arthika didn’t know Bherek White then. He was just an orphan boy come to stay with his uncle at the city. The city was not as it is now; it was a time of hatred and unrest, a time of jealousy and greed, a time of all bad things. When Accerbus the Luce, with his evil designs, wanted to make the whole of Arthika his kingdom.
But the gods decided to send one of their own to us, as an old saying goes, “When beasts descend to the level of men, the gods descend to the level of beasts.”
The old fox continued, completely capturing the minds of his audience.
A figure slipped away from the gathering, an old lion wrapped up in a dark red cloak, and walked off the gardens into the woods beyond. Being with his happy people always made the old lion happy, but today the old fox had brought back memories. Memories of those innocent years when he had not known his destiny, or done anything to change the destiny of the world. When he had been just a simple village boy…
1. A Shrunken Kingdom
“Bumpkin!”
The taunt bounced off the twelve-year old snow lion like an arrow shot at a rock. Bherek White smiled. He tossed his golden mane back, and stood with his feet wide apart on the pebble-paved alley. He was in his ‘bumpkin’ clothes, a single piece of ragged, yellow cloth wrapped around him, a red sash to hold it in place, and sandals of unfashionable cut and leather. He had no illusion about his looks. He had prepared himself for jeers and insults from the boys of the city, and he had told himself that he would not be provoked. His younger brothers, standing behind him with his friend, Zanny Vastt, were not as comfortable as he was.
Iovire and Staur held on to their brother’s arms with shaking paws. Having decided to explore the city, they had been having fun since the morning, gawking at the colorful clothes of the people, the carts selling strange and useless items, the noisy crowds and the tall buildings. Now they found themselves in a disused alley, in a deserted part of the city. Trouble!
Zanny, who looked like a tall crag of ice but moved like a forest fire, was raring to pick up a fight. Any fight. And this looked like an admirable opportunity to show off his wrestling skills.
“And just look at that stupid urchin,” continued the street-stained leader of the taunting pack, a spotted lion, or spotard, pointing at Bherek’s youngest brother, Staur.
“Yes, he’s four-handed!” laughed a sidekick, another spotard, “Hey, little monster, why don’t you help my poor mother in the kitchen? She always says she needs four hands!” The leader and the remaining two found this very funny and laughed, too.
Bherek’s smile faded to a stern tightening of his lips. He considered Staur’s four arms to be a special gift from the gods, not an ugly handicap.
“No, Zanny, wait!” he yelled, too late. The white lion had already dashed towards the four spotards. The leader, unprepared for an attack, froze for a moment. Then he went for Zanny’s head with his wooden stick.
But Zanny’s head was not there for the club. It dipped, and rammed the spotard in the belly, hurling him off his feet. The stick rattled on the pebbled street, a few feet away. Zanny placed a heavy foot on the chest of his fallen opponent.
The dazed spotard blinked; then opened his eyes. His stick was out of reach.
“Stinking spotards!” hissed Zanny, “Cowards to the core! Where are your brave friends now, Spotty?” The three had disappeared when their leader had gone down.
“Enough, Zanny!” Bherek strode over.
“Spotards don’t stink! They are only colored different,” he said sternly. He heaved his big friend off the spotard, who tried to sit up. Bherek grasped the city cub’s arm and pulled him to his feet.
“Let’s go,” Bherek said and herded his group away, towards the more populated street. Without turning, he added, “And villagers don’t stink, either!”
That was for the benefit of the spotted cub, standing there with hanging head and hunched shoulders. His dirty yellow mane, cut medium as per the latest trend, fell in a disheveled fringe, hiding his forehead, but not the shame in his eyes.
Later that evening, the boys had dinner with their uncle, Titon Rok, who had just returned from guard duty at the palace. Rok was a heryante, in charge of a hundred guards. He had no cubs of his own, and after the recent death of Bherek’s parents, Titon had brought the orphaned cubs to their home in the city of Auris.
Prava, Titon’s wife, was a wonderful cook, who believed in stuffing the children up with a variety of meats and sweets, almost all the time.
Bherek was served from a separate vessel, as he was a vegetarian. That was highly unusual for a lion, but his aunt cheerfully cooked him delicious dishes from all the vegetables, nuts and fruits she managed to grow in her garden. Anyway, Ohom-nia, the mother goddess who was their family deity, loved vegetarians best. She watched him affectionately as he riddled her husband with questions in between mouthfuls.
Bherek never tired of asking Rok about the city and its history, and Titon cheerfully supplied information and stories.
“Well, Auris has lost its past glory,” Titon said, stroking his bushy white beard, “Twenty years ago, it was the prosperous capital of the empire of the Aurian dynasty. The empire then encompassed almost all the present small kingdoms of Central Arthika.
Family feuds, and revolts fuelled by avaricious neighbors, caused the kingdom to break up into fragments and finally shrink to the size of a single city: the capital, Auris. The last of the Aurians, our king, has no issue, and honest citizens are worried about the fate of the country.”
He took a big swig from the jar of wine beside him.
“What is sad is the lack of unity in the city. And beyond. Nobody trusts anybody, the greatest wealth being a good sword, and if you are very lucky, you have friends. Each citizen trusts the other only a sword’s length away. That should change with the coming of the great lion.”
“Great lion?”
“A soothsayer’s tale. You will find them at temples and sometimes at the market place. They have foreseen the coming of a great lion who would unite all of Arthika, and eventually the world. He would be sent by the gods to bring about one world. One world of peace and prosperity.”
“What does prospity mean, Uncle?” asked Staur, and everybody laughed as Rok explained the word to the little cub.
“That would be wonderful, Uncle,” said Bherek, “One world of peace and prosperity. That should be everybody’s aim. I would do everything I can to help such a hero!”
Everybody smiled at that, in empathy, not mockery. Bherek always meant what he said.
The family had their dinner as Titon spoke of another danger.
“Auris also has a sword hanging over its head; the threat of an attack by the Luce.”
“Luce?”
“Accerbus, the evil ruler of the dark lions of the South. He has left a path of blood over the pages of history and most of the globe. He plots and kills for the supreme rulership of Arthika.”
That night, after everybody had gone to bed, Bherek gazed upon his reflection in a mirror that stood near the cubs’ bed. He had much to brood upon and dream. A young cub could do only that. For now.
2. An Ambitious Minister
Atop the tallest tower of the palace, another feline had a lot to brood upon, too. Gadhya Kraft, a thin and long firecat, the minister closest to the king, looked down upon the city and the wooded hills beyond, with unseeing eyes. Her robes were green, and her cloak purple. The woods were cleft in two by the river Swarole, a gleaming sword, its blade red in the twilight, reflecting dark trees and distant hills. Brightflies, butterflies that glow in the dark, thronged the window, a flickering curtain of little stars. The beauty of the scene made no impression on her; she was deep in her own dreams and plans.
“Your Excellency!”
“Shakun! You startled me!”
The cat who entered looked more a fox than a lion. Sneaking in as usual, with minimum noise, Shakun had chosen for himself the darkest corner of the room, next to the niche with the idol of Invinsa, the goddess of victory. The flickering flame of the lamp in the niche barely revealed his hooded form in the shadows. He always dressed in black, and that contributed to make him part of the darkness he hid in.
“Your Excellency waits impatiently for the time when you would be Your Majesty?”
Gadhya’s laugh echoed eerily on the stones. Disturbed bats flapped around the small room in all directions.
“Clever!” she said, “Very clever. I hope nobody else senses my secret ambition. Now tell me, you cunning rascal, what should I do to speed up things? What do you propose?”
Shakun bowed. “Have him disposed off, Your Excellency.”
The firecat froze. The fading twilight had, by now, painted the sky red and the shadows purple. A bat brushed her cheek as it flapped out of the window, tearing a hole in the brightfly curtain. She shuddered.
“No, Shakun,” she said, “No! There’s no need for blood. Yet. He has but a few weak drops left in his aging body. The king will die any day. Issueless.” She turned to stare at Shakun, but he just stood there, silent.
“Issueless,” she continued, looking out of the window, “and I have been with him, all these years, aiding him in keeping his precious city intact, with minimal battles and numerous intrigues.” She clutched the sides of the window with drawn claws.
“I am as a daughter to him!” She turned on her heel and shook her fists at the idol.
“A daughter, O Goddess! But why doesn’t he see that? Why doesn’t the old fool make me the heir?” Her cry echoed off the stones but drew no reply from Invinsa. Or from Shakun. He had slipped out as noiselessly as the bats.
“He gives me power,” she said to the walls, “but he doesn’t grant me heirdom.”
“Heirdom,” echoed the stones, “heirdom!”
3. A New Friend
“My name’s Vivus Fastus.”
The spotard, the one who had taunted them the day before, held out his paw. Gingerly. He had come alone, with humility, without a sidekick. And in cleaner clothes. Zanny looked down at the spotard with narrowed eyes.
Bherek and Zanny had come out for a morning walk, the day being fine. Sonnarus, the sun god, had cast away his cloudy clothes and allowed his glowing whiskers to warm up the city. The friends wanted to explore other parts of the capital, especially the streets around the palace. And enter the palace, if permitted. Uncle Rok had told them to ask for him at the gates.
Vivus Fastus, freshly scrubbed, and shiny clean now, had followed them for some time, and finally managed to speak to them near the gates of the palace.
“Don’t trust him a paw’s width, Bherek,” Vastt hissed, showing his fangs. Bherek hesitated, and then took the proffered paw. And smiled.
“Let’s give trust first,” he said as he clasped hands with the spotted cat, “We can give up trust after we grow old and bitter, Zanny. I’m Bherek White.”
“Your friends are loyal, Bherek,” said Vivus, “Not like mine. They were as false as a weak sword.”
“False friends are never friends, Vivus,” replied Bherek and frowned at Zanny, who was gazing pointedly at the pebbled road. With stern eyes and folded hands.
“Your friend hasn’t forgotten yesterday’s fight,” said Vivus.
“Or forgiven,” muttered Zanny, walking away.
“Oh, ignore him,” said Bherek, taking his new friend’s arm, “Let’s see if we can get into the palace.” Bherek was looking different that day. Prava had sewed him a flowing tunic of red, the cut of which was in keeping with the latest fashion of Auris. He also wore a head-band of silk, to keep his mane back neatly. Vivus noted that Bherek no longer looked a ‘bumpkin.’
On their way to the palace, the group was distracted by the laughs and shouts of a crowd at a street corner. A gathering of lions, foxes, bears and many cubs around an old fox who sat on the steps of a disfigured statue.
“It’s that mad old fox of the temple of the moon!” said Vivus.
“A soothsayer?” asked Bherek but Vivus shook his head and made a path for his friends through the crowd, till they emerged right in front of the fox.
“Nobody believes him. He has started saying that the great lion has finally come!”
The soothsayer caught sight of the cubs and sprang to his feet.
“The Great Lion has come to see me!” he cried, and started dancing. To Bherek’s embarrassment, the fox bowed before him as low as his old frame permitted.
“Hail, O Emperor White!” he said, and clutched at the embarrassed cub’s arm before Bherek could escape. The fox brought forth a piece of dirty black metal from the recesses of his layers of rags and pushed it into Bherek’s paw. Nobody in the gathering noticed this; everybody laughed to see a cub being addressed as emperor.
4. Rebellion in the Ranks
“Uncle, may we be allowed to meet Heryante Rok?”
The burly lion, dressed in the smart red and white uniform of the royal guards, smiled down at the brave youngster. He was secretly pleased with the ‘uncle.’ Setting his face into a professional frown, he replied, “And may I ask, what do you little cubs want with our big chief?”
Bherek was the only one of the three who was not awed by the grand guards of the palace. Even brave Zanny pulled back, acting bodyguard to Bherek. And poor Vivus was extremely conscious of his shabby clothes.
“I am his nephew, Uncle, and my name’s Bherek White,” Bherek replied.
The guard sent another one to pass this message to Rok, and asked the boys to wait.
“Now, how did that old fox at the market know you were White?” asked Zanny.
Bherek did not or could not answer.
“Maybe you are the emperor foretold by all these fellows?” said Vivus.
“Forget that you heard this,” said Bherek, blushing a bit. He became suddenly interested in the towers of the palace. Five in all, four at four corners and the fifth, built right in the center of the castle, rose taller than the others. Atop this the red flag, with the white insignia of the king, danced in the wind.
“That’s to keep a lookout and spot enemies approaching as early as possible,” said the guard, Jamus Fierhart, to Bherek. This reply encouraged Bherek to ask many more questions, and by the time the messenger returned with Titon Rok’s permission, the young lion and Fierhart had become great friends.
“Call me Uncle Jamus,” he said, waving them into the palace.
Titon Rok was delighted to see them.
“Welcome to the palace, boys!” he boomed, “Vastt I know. And this is…?” He smiled at Vivus.
“Fastus, Sir. Vivus Fastus,” answered Bherek’s new friend.
“Great! Now, come with me,” Rok said and strode out of his chamber, followed by the cubs.
He took them up to the battlements from where they could watch the city below, to the court hall where kings used to give audience to the citizens, (though not any more,) the center square where the royal family used to dine in the open, and the kitchen, full of serving people, cooks and a rich mixture of smells.
“Hey, look at that slurpy joint of meat!” exclaimed Vivus when he saw a whole bison being turned over in a roasting spit. He licked his lips. Zanny was impressed by the number being put to work, while Bherek noticed that nobody seemed to be happy about what he or she was doing. No merry shouts, no singing at work, as was the case in his native village when a group of villagers joined together to tackle any task.
As they emerged from the kitchen area, a fox dashed up to Rok and stood to attention, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.
“Rebellion in the ranks, Sir!” he announced.
Titon Rok swore, asked the panting soldier to take the children back into the kitchen and dashed out, drawing his sword as he ran.
“Wish I was old enough to join him,” muttered Zanny.
5. Vivus in Danger
The soldier, beckoning Bherek and his friends to follow him, entered the kitchen. The cubs took a few steps but jumped back when the soldier staggered and fell, an arrow in his chest.
“Help!” screamed somebody. A group of rebels, probably aided by disloyal servants of the palace, had come in through the back. They stood in a circle in the center of the room now, letting fly arrows and spears. A cook brushed past Bherek, pushing him over two empty vats near the door. Bherek and vats rolled a few yards before Zanny helped Bherek to his feet.
“Hide in there!” said Bherek, pushing Vivus into one of the fallen vats. Bherek pulled it upright, while Zanny climbed into another. Bherek dived behind the tall vessels. Just in time. A brawny black bear, who appeared to be the leader of that gang, leaned on Fastus’ vat as he surveyed the proceedings.
“Stop!” he yelled, after a few minutes. His band of six approached him. He waved his sword in a dramatic flourish and sheathed it. They raised their paws in salute.
“Killed anyone?” he asked with a smirk.
“Not many, chief,” said one of the band, “Only this fox. The rest escaped.”
“We wait here till our friends…. What’s this?”
He had spotted Vivus in the vat. He dragged the struggling spotard out with one strong hand and dropped him on the floor in front of the band. They grinned and closed in.
Bherek peeped out from behind the vat. He whispered, “Zanny, in readiness.”
“We will make an example of this young spotard!” said the rebel chief. He drew his sword, while two of the gang held Vivus to the floor. Vivus screamed as he had ever screamed in his life.
With a sudden push to Zanny’s tub, Bherek sent it rolling towards the chief. Before the rebels knew what had happened, their chief tumbled head over heels into a heap of unwashed plates and bowls. Leaping out of the vat, Zanny fell upon two felines holding Vivus in position. Bherek snatched the fallen leader’s sword, and stood over that unfortunate fellow. Finding the familiar blade at his throat, the bear did not move a paw.
“Move, and your leader dies by his own sword!” cried Bherek.
The miserable rebels were relieved of their weapons by Bherek’s friends and tied to convenient pillars.
“By the whiskers of the sun!”
Titon Rok, who had come in with Jamus Fierhart and a band of soldiers, could not believe his eyes.
6. An Unpopular Minister
After being patted on their backs by Bherek’s uncle and Fierhart, the cubs emerged from the palace. By then, Sonnarus had journeyed three-fourths of the horizon. Vivus danced on the road outside the gates, and cheered, “Bravo, Bherek! Bravo, Zanny!” ignoring the amused looks of the passers-by.
“Enough, Vivus,” said Bherek.
“But that was quite an adventure, Bherek!” said Zanny, supporting Vivus for a change.
“That’s over, now and…what’s happening over there?”
The streets were strangely crowded, the throng being thickest near the main road. The friends ran over to find out.
“Here!” said Zanny as he hoisted himself up the steps of a disused building. “We can see better from here,” he said extending a paw to Bherek. After Bherek was helped up, Zanny hesitated, offered a paw to Vivus, who, with the help of that strong grip, clambered up, with a grin of gratitude.
A procession of guards marched past.
“She does nothing for the kingdom, but never fails to make her monthly appearance!” grumbled a fox below them.
“And pretends that she is already the queen!” said his friend, another vulpine.
“Whom are they complaining of?” asked Bherek.
“Gadhya Kraft, friend. A firecat. Only a minister, but looks like she’s going to be the next ruler, as the king has no issues,” replied Vivus, “Look, there she is!”
A chariot driven by four trequines came into view. Bherek had seen trequines in his village, but they were clumsy looking dirty beasts compared to these royal beauties, with silken mane and long tails, groomed to a perfect shine. As the golden chariot passed the crowds, the minister waved her bejeweled paws in the attitude of a queen.
“She’s the cause of most of these rebellions!” grumbled the fox again.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Copy rights
Today I got mail from the Copyrights office (http://www.copyright.gov/).
It was a certificate. Yes, we got the Dynast Copy righted. Its an unique alpha numeric code. Kudos to us! J
It was a certificate. Yes, we got the Dynast Copy righted. Its an unique alpha numeric code. Kudos to us! J
Friday, August 17, 2007
Publisher Needed!
I am looking for a publisher or an agent to get my novel published.
It’s called 'Dynast'. A trilogy, for now, withexpansion possibilities, and 'Dynast I: The Rise of Bherek White' is the first book of the series. It is approximately 70,000 words in length.
Length: 70,000 words approximately
Market/Demographic Focus: Genre: Fiction. Fantasy/adventure
Target: young adults and above
About the author: Asvin Srivatsangam is the creator of the Dynast series of books. His early childhood was much enriched by cartoons, then by Indian mythological stories, and as he became older, he developed a liking for animals especially the big cats, still later geography and history. All those influences resulted in Dynast, this labor of love and delight. The story happens against the background of a new culture and tradition, an interesting mix of ancient mythology and advanced science. In short, fiction that he would love to read and reread.The basic theme of this story is that 'hard work really pays off' and 'good prevails over the evil'.Trite, but true for him.
Currently, Asvin works as a graphic designer for hisliving, but his dream is to see Dynast make it big,and delight to millions worldwide.
Will send the synopsis and sample chapters on request.
It’s called 'Dynast'. A trilogy, for now, withexpansion possibilities, and 'Dynast I: The Rise of Bherek White' is the first book of the series. It is approximately 70,000 words in length.
Length: 70,000 words approximately
Market/Demographic Focus: Genre: Fiction. Fantasy/adventure
Target: young adults and above
About the author: Asvin Srivatsangam is the creator of the Dynast series of books. His early childhood was much enriched by cartoons, then by Indian mythological stories, and as he became older, he developed a liking for animals especially the big cats, still later geography and history. All those influences resulted in Dynast, this labor of love and delight. The story happens against the background of a new culture and tradition, an interesting mix of ancient mythology and advanced science. In short, fiction that he would love to read and reread.The basic theme of this story is that 'hard work really pays off' and 'good prevails over the evil'.Trite, but true for him.
Currently, Asvin works as a graphic designer for hisliving, but his dream is to see Dynast make it big,and delight to millions worldwide.
Will send the synopsis and sample chapters on request.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Virgin Comics
Hi Asvin,
Attached is the Idea Submission Form which you will need to sign and send back to us before we can review any material. Please sign the attached and send it to us and we’ll proceed from there.
Best,
Michelle Gomes
Virgin Comics
594 Broadway
Fourth Floor
New York, NY 10012
Attached is the Idea Submission Form which you will need to sign and send back to us before we can review any material. Please sign the attached and send it to us and we’ll proceed from there.
Best,
Michelle Gomes
Virgin Comics
594 Broadway
Fourth Floor
New York, NY 10012
Monday, July 9, 2007
Some magic, Asvin!
Some magic, Asvin!
I was just reading about him and his movie, 'the four feathers' today! When you email, tell him that you are sending him the novel, and if they are interested, you can send himthe comic adaptation, in industry format.
I have recently learned how to write comic scripts in properformat.Pl find attached the screenshot for the submission guidelines.
Love,
Ashok
I was just reading about him and his movie, 'the four feathers' today! When you email, tell him that you are sending him the novel, and if they are interested, you can send himthe comic adaptation, in industry format.
I have recently learned how to write comic scripts in properformat.Pl find attached the screenshot for the submission guidelines.
Love,
Ashok
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Shekar Kapoor
Today I met Shekar Kapur at ICC ( Indian Community Center), Milpitas, CA.
I was at ICC with my wife and friends ( Rajesh and Chitra) at ICC. Aparna had an interview there. She had applied for a post at ICC. When we were waiting for Aparna, that is when I saw Shekar Kapur. He had his trademark beard. I wanted to say hello to him, but he was surrounded by people, I couldnt just barge in.
I also wanted to tell him about my script, as I knew he was involved in Virgin Comics.
After some wait, I finally got a chance to say hello to him, and shake hands with him.
Our meeting was brief. I told him that I have a script for animation/comic book. Asked him if I can geta reading on it. He asked me to send a mail to Virgin Comics, and asked me to make a mention about the meet.
I would be emailing Virgin Comics soon.
- Asvin
I was at ICC with my wife and friends ( Rajesh and Chitra) at ICC. Aparna had an interview there. She had applied for a post at ICC. When we were waiting for Aparna, that is when I saw Shekar Kapur. He had his trademark beard. I wanted to say hello to him, but he was surrounded by people, I couldnt just barge in.
I also wanted to tell him about my script, as I knew he was involved in Virgin Comics.
After some wait, I finally got a chance to say hello to him, and shake hands with him.
Our meeting was brief. I told him that I have a script for animation/comic book. Asked him if I can geta reading on it. He asked me to send a mail to Virgin Comics, and asked me to make a mention about the meet.
I would be emailing Virgin Comics soon.
- Asvin
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
On the Hero Cycle
Ashok, do you any stories or movies which have become hit sans the hero cycle?
Bherek White - does he have a call for an adventure? Not exactly right.
Of course, don't spell a lot of beans here :)
Asvin
Bherek White - does he have a call for an adventure? Not exactly right.
Of course, don't spell a lot of beans here :)
Asvin
Sunday, May 6, 2007
The Hero Cycle in Dynast
When I wrote the story based on Asvin's data, I hadn't even known about the hero cycle of Campbell!
Now, after this knowledge, and hopefully, wisdom, I find that unknowingly the story follows some of the ideals of the monomyth concept. Maybe there always would be the hero cycle in every saga. Or there is magic in the air!
I can't reveal all the details here, or Asvin will throw a spear at me or something, but let me try to look at the 'hero cycle' influences.
There is a call to adventure, a mentor, an oracle, death of parents, trials, training, heralds, nemesis...
For example, in The Matrix, Starwars, Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, or The Godfather, the protagonist lives in an ordinary world; he is everyman. Or everywoman, as in the case of Alice or Dorothy. Then there's a call to adventure and he enters a new world, a world he will be the ultimate master of, one day. Bherek is an ordinary bumpkin, who has special virtues that will make him the master of the world of Arthika, and beyond.
The trilogy of books is a hero cycle by itself, though each book is a minicycle. In the first, Bherek becomes king; in the second he becomes an emperor; by the third, he is more than an emperor, and the dynast.
Now, after this knowledge, and hopefully, wisdom, I find that unknowingly the story follows some of the ideals of the monomyth concept. Maybe there always would be the hero cycle in every saga. Or there is magic in the air!
I can't reveal all the details here, or Asvin will throw a spear at me or something, but let me try to look at the 'hero cycle' influences.
There is a call to adventure, a mentor, an oracle, death of parents, trials, training, heralds, nemesis...
For example, in The Matrix, Starwars, Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, or The Godfather, the protagonist lives in an ordinary world; he is everyman. Or everywoman, as in the case of Alice or Dorothy. Then there's a call to adventure and he enters a new world, a world he will be the ultimate master of, one day. Bherek is an ordinary bumpkin, who has special virtues that will make him the master of the world of Arthika, and beyond.
The trilogy of books is a hero cycle by itself, though each book is a minicycle. In the first, Bherek becomes king; in the second he becomes an emperor; by the third, he is more than an emperor, and the dynast.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
On Ashok
I should thank Ashok for pushing the Dynast close to reality from a dream. It was on his advice, we started writing the book. Its more like Ashok writing it from the data I have provided him. Its a delight to be associated with Ashok. He has so far done a splendid job. Like Ashok, I too hope that the Book1 is finished by the end of June.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Thanks Ashok
Dear Ashok, Thanks for posting a note about me.
It was not many decades back :)
Yes, it was many years back, may be a decade.
best,
Asvin
It was not many decades back :)
Yes, it was many years back, may be a decade.
best,
Asvin
"When I first met Asvin" - Ashok Raj
He was an young adult or an early teen or something. I was an illustrator of children's books with a vague dream of being a writer one day. Asvin wanted to do his own comic book one day and showed me drawings he had done about a character he had created: Bherek White, Dynast. He had also drawn some of Bherek's family members. Most amazing, he had drawn a detailed map of the world they inhabited, with numerous cities, towns and regions marked! That was most impressive. I remember thinking that this is one hard worker...
Now, many decades later, we see the possibility of his creations becoming real in the world of books, television and movies. I never dreamt that I would be writing his stories! I'm delighted to be associated with this, and I enjoy writing dynast.
The book should be completed by June by us, and the gods willing, in the stands next year!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Icons for the future
We would like our characters as successful as the ones of the DC Comics, Marvel or even Virgin Comics
Anyone you interested in publishing the Dynast?
Anyone you interested in publishing the Dynast?
Dynast: The Rise of Bherek White
Creator: Asvin Srivatsangam
Writter: Ashok Rajagopalan
Prologue
The lion cub strode back to take a better look at the statue. The marble eyes of the great lion returned his gaze. Some illusion of the falling snow on the cold marble caused the statue’s eyes to crinkle in kind amusement and the mouth to smile in benevolence. Just by gazing at this stone representation of their great leader could the citizens of Arthika fill their hearts with peace and contentment, and the cub felt no less joyful. He tried to copy the statue’s expression, crinkling his own eyes and stretching his mouth in an exaggerated smile. His fur stood on end from the strain.
He turned to his playmates sporting on the snow; they had built a snow fort and were involved in pelting one another with hastily rolled snowballs from both sides of its low walls. Still smiling, the cub turned its attention to the old fox on the granite steps of the pedestal. That wrinkled citizen was knitting a woolen cloak for himself, humming a century-old song. Behind and above him were praises carved in honor of the greatest lion of all time.
“Sir?”
“I have forgiven you, my son, if there’s anything to forgive.” It was the old fox’s turn to present a smile, and he did that, a toothless copy of the cub’s.
“I, too, have thrown snowballs at the old when I was a cub like you, and not by mistake, unlike you,” the fox cackled merrily.
“How old are you, Sir?”
“Old? I am ancient, hee, hee, hee! I was a young fox when the great Bherek was a cub like you.”
“Bherek?” The cub glanced at the statue, “Tell me what you know of him, Sir, please.”
By this time, the cub’s companions had begun to arrive at the foot of the statue, drawn by the promise of a story.
“It was in the second millennium AM, according to the calendar we had in those days,” began the fox, throwing his knitting aside.
“AM? What AM?” whispered a bear cub to his friend.
“Something like our RBW, ‘in the Reign of Bherek White,’I guess.”
“AM is After Man,” said one big bear, who had just come up, “There was a race called humans thousands of years ago. At least, that’s what they say. And nobody knows what they looked like.”
Many adults had joined the gathering by now, and the storyteller, delighted with his large audience, stood up, the better to tell his dramatic story.
“Arthika didn’t know Bherek White then. He was just an orphan boy come to stay with his uncle at the city. The city was not as it is now; it was a time of hatred and unrest, a time of jealousy and greed, a time of all bad things. But the gods decided to send one of their own to us, as an old saying goes, “When beasts descend to the level of men, the gods descend to the level of beasts.”
The old fox continued, completely capturing the minds of his audience.
A figure slipped away from the gathering, an old lion wrapped up in a dark red cloak, and walked off the gardens into the woods beyond. Being with his happy people always made the old lion happy, but today the old fox had brought back memories. Memories of those years when he had not known his destiny, or done anything to change the destiny of the world. When he had been just a simple village boy…
The lion cub strode back to take a better look at the statue. The marble eyes of the great lion returned his gaze. Some illusion of the falling snow on the cold marble caused the statue’s eyes to crinkle in kind amusement and the mouth to smile in benevolence. Just by gazing at this stone representation of their great leader could the citizens of Arthika fill their hearts with peace and contentment, and the cub felt no less joyful. He tried to copy the statue’s expression, crinkling his own eyes and stretching his mouth in an exaggerated smile. His fur stood on end from the strain.
He turned to his playmates sporting on the snow; they had built a snow fort and were involved in pelting one another with hastily rolled snowballs from both sides of its low walls. Still smiling, the cub turned its attention to the old fox on the granite steps of the pedestal. That wrinkled citizen was knitting a woolen cloak for himself, humming a century-old song. Behind and above him were praises carved in honor of the greatest lion of all time.
“Sir?”
“I have forgiven you, my son, if there’s anything to forgive.” It was the old fox’s turn to present a smile, and he did that, a toothless copy of the cub’s.
“I, too, have thrown snowballs at the old when I was a cub like you, and not by mistake, unlike you,” the fox cackled merrily.
“How old are you, Sir?”
“Old? I am ancient, hee, hee, hee! I was a young fox when the great Bherek was a cub like you.”
“Bherek?” The cub glanced at the statue, “Tell me what you know of him, Sir, please.”
By this time, the cub’s companions had begun to arrive at the foot of the statue, drawn by the promise of a story.
“It was in the second millennium AM, according to the calendar we had in those days,” began the fox, throwing his knitting aside.
“AM? What AM?” whispered a bear cub to his friend.
“Something like our RBW, ‘in the Reign of Bherek White,’I guess.”
“AM is After Man,” said one big bear, who had just come up, “There was a race called humans thousands of years ago. At least, that’s what they say. And nobody knows what they looked like.”
Many adults had joined the gathering by now, and the storyteller, delighted with his large audience, stood up, the better to tell his dramatic story.
“Arthika didn’t know Bherek White then. He was just an orphan boy come to stay with his uncle at the city. The city was not as it is now; it was a time of hatred and unrest, a time of jealousy and greed, a time of all bad things. But the gods decided to send one of their own to us, as an old saying goes, “When beasts descend to the level of men, the gods descend to the level of beasts.”
The old fox continued, completely capturing the minds of his audience.
A figure slipped away from the gathering, an old lion wrapped up in a dark red cloak, and walked off the gardens into the woods beyond. Being with his happy people always made the old lion happy, but today the old fox had brought back memories. Memories of those years when he had not known his destiny, or done anything to change the destiny of the world. When he had been just a simple village boy…
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
The Protagonists
Bherek White
The man behind the creation of an empire. His fulgurous and charismatic nature goes well with his name 'Bherek' (which means bright) Audacious, perspicacious, hardworking, never-say-die, lionhearted, munificent, benevolent and in short the very hero of the story. He is a martinet. He brought discipline to his newly found empire, which is a revelation, and a kind never the people of this land have seen before. His ostensible purpose was discipline; his real purpose was to do good for his people. He is considered as a supreme martial artist, skilled in virtually all forms of physical combat.
Iovre White
an honest-brave warrior of his brother Bherek white. He is a die-hard follower of Bherek White; he thinks there is no one in compeer with his brother. His expedience in following Bherek's instructions is adrift. His knowledge and skill in judicial law and administration makes the undisputed choice of Prime Minister for Bherek’s huge kingdom. He is the fulcrum of Bherek’s brilliant administration.
Staur White
The youngest sibling of Bherek. He is an invincible bowman, aided by four hands. He is one among the 12 Legionant ( Legionant - The topmost position in UKA’s army)
Labhi Twilit later Labhi White
The supporting and caring wife of Bherek, and the empress to be of this epic. She was a daughter of a businessman. When Bherek was a young soldier (much before he became the Dynast), Labhi found Bherek wounded and unconscious, she treated him and rejuvenated him back to life.
Titan Rok
An uncle of Bherek, Iovire`and Staur, plays a great role in their formative years and even greater role towards the formation of the empire.
Zanny Vastt
A childhood friend of Bherek. He is a Snow lion by race, very strong, big and physically very powerful. He is a loyalist to Bherek. He also becomes Bherek's official body-gaurd.
The man behind the creation of an empire. His fulgurous and charismatic nature goes well with his name 'Bherek' (which means bright) Audacious, perspicacious, hardworking, never-say-die, lionhearted, munificent, benevolent and in short the very hero of the story. He is a martinet. He brought discipline to his newly found empire, which is a revelation, and a kind never the people of this land have seen before. His ostensible purpose was discipline; his real purpose was to do good for his people. He is considered as a supreme martial artist, skilled in virtually all forms of physical combat.
Iovre White
an honest-brave warrior of his brother Bherek white. He is a die-hard follower of Bherek White; he thinks there is no one in compeer with his brother. His expedience in following Bherek's instructions is adrift. His knowledge and skill in judicial law and administration makes the undisputed choice of Prime Minister for Bherek’s huge kingdom. He is the fulcrum of Bherek’s brilliant administration.
Staur White
The youngest sibling of Bherek. He is an invincible bowman, aided by four hands. He is one among the 12 Legionant ( Legionant - The topmost position in UKA’s army)
Labhi Twilit later Labhi White
The supporting and caring wife of Bherek, and the empress to be of this epic. She was a daughter of a businessman. When Bherek was a young soldier (much before he became the Dynast), Labhi found Bherek wounded and unconscious, she treated him and rejuvenated him back to life.
Titan Rok
An uncle of Bherek, Iovire`and Staur, plays a great role in their formative years and even greater role towards the formation of the empire.
Zanny Vastt
A childhood friend of Bherek. He is a Snow lion by race, very strong, big and physically very powerful. He is a loyalist to Bherek. He also becomes Bherek's official body-gaurd.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Synopsis
Dynast I: The Rise of Bherek White
The Current Synopsis of the Work:
The story is set in the future when felines rule the planet. The Arctic is a lush land, populated by intelligent lions, polar bears and other species. The continent of Arkthika stands at what was centuries ago the North Pole. Auris, a capital of a kingdom, which has seen better years, is now is ruled by a weak king and inhabited by a demoralized people. Their only hope is the great lion who, the soothsayers predict, would be sent by the gods to unite the world and bring in an age of peace and prosperity. But no one knew exactly when …
Bherek White is a newcomer to the capital. The twelve-year-old snow lion, with his two brothers, had come to stay with his uncle, Titon Rok, after the death of his parents. Ridiculing him for his ‘villager’ behaviour and attitude at first, other city boys become his friends after it’s proven that he is a brave and trusty lion. There’s some racism at work in the capital, as there’s a mix of many species of felines, bears and other races in Auris, the capital city of Arkthika.
Bherek makes friends with all, and acquires companions of various races, much to the initial dismay of his best friend Zanny Vastt, who is a snow lion like Bherek himself. Then Vastt tries for Bherek’s sake and overcomes his discriminatory attitude towards the new friends, important among them being Vivus Fastus and Brav Apogee. Fastus is from the Spotard race and Apogee is a polar bear.
Titon Rok works at the palace as the chief of the palace guards. When Bherek and his new friends visit him at the palace, Rok takes them around. During this visit, the palace is attacked by a gang of rebels. Bherek effectively defends himself and his friends when they are trapped in the royal kitchen. Much impressed by his nephew’s valour, Titon Rok tells everyone about it. The king asks Titon to find out if Bherek is interested in joining the army. Bherek agrees, and asks if his friends may join too. The four friends then join the army as trainees. Rok notices that they work very well as a team and Bherek as their leader.
Their strength lies in mutual trust, while all around treachery is the order of the moment. When citizens trust each other only a sword’s blade away…
It is therefore a time of political unrest, peace being the name given to the thick of winter when it is too cold to fight, and war is a way of life in Arkthika.
Auris had been the capital of the vast kingdom of Arkthika twenty years or so ago; now the entire kingdom is just the city and a few villages around it. And retaining even this domain is a difficult task for the demoralized soldiers. The king is issueless, and infirm, and relies heavily on his advisors to keep the city in a kind of order. One of the ministers, Gadhya Kraft, treated by the king as a daughter, expects to be crowned heir. As the king is not doing anything in this direction, she decides to take matters into her own wily hands and hasten her heirdom.
Bherek, who seems to have a natural aptitude for the martial arts, becomes very popular with the rest of the soldiers. He handles his sword with perfect ease and deadly control, just after a week’s practice. Those who first laughed at his inexperience, are now impressed. Bherek rises in rank, at unprecedented speed. He shows valour, speed, integrity — promise.
During the many battles he has taken part in, Bherek sees a lack of planning and strategy on the part of the demoralized officials. He contributes as much as he can, within the limits of his rank and capacity. Those who see sense in what he says, take heed of his counsel and sometimes promote him; lesser men. who are jealous, use his ideas and claim that they had those ideas without help. Bherek does not want acknowledgement; he’s just doing what comes naturally to him. But talent will show, be the owner however humble. Bherek’s rise in the ranks and his sterling qualities, comes to the attention of the king, who makes Bherek the commander in chief of the army. Bherek is now only 19.
The ailing king sees new hope for the kingdom in his commander. At this time, Auris is under threat of being attacked by the combined forces of rebels, and neighbouring kingdoms. The old king expresses a wish to give the crown to Bherek if he wins the current war as he himself is issueless. Bherek just interested in doing his duty and restoring the kingdom to its past glory, doesn’t desire the throne personally.
Another quality of Bherek comes to light in this war. He is not only brave, but a master strategist, too. Discovering the identity of spies in the court, Bherek decides to take advantage of this resource for misinformation.. He manages to send false information to his enemies, sowing discord and confusion in their ranks. Thus he defeats them in the first battle.
He also manages to convert one of the neighbouring kings to his cause. This king’s domain being one of the passages into Auris, which, if blocked, could repel invaders effectively, doesn’t escape Bherek’s notice. That advantage helps him win the second battle.
Now, all the defeated armies have no choice but to surrender their kingdoms and army to Bherek’s cause. The third battle is the most difficult one of all. Bherek’s army has to directly confront one that is three times in size. The unswerving loyalty of his men, even the ones absorbed from recently defeated opponents, plus his bravery, help. Bherek and the kingdom gain what had been thought of as a near-impossible victory. Bherek’s victory effectively returns to Auris the lands that were hers two decades ago.
The victorious hero is given a royal welcome back home. The citizens had had no cause for celebration for decades and this victory brings them out into the streets cheering and singing. The king, who appeared to have been holding on to his life just for this news, dies content. Just before his death, he had also asked his minister, Gadhya Kraft, to do what’s needed to crown Bherek king. Gadhya, who wanted the throne for herself dares not go ahead with her plans but goes into hiding, biding her time.
Bherek is crowned, and the citizens, having seen some of their hopes fulfilled, begin to dream of a glorious future.
The Current Synopsis of the Work:
The story is set in the future when felines rule the planet. The Arctic is a lush land, populated by intelligent lions, polar bears and other species. The continent of Arkthika stands at what was centuries ago the North Pole. Auris, a capital of a kingdom, which has seen better years, is now is ruled by a weak king and inhabited by a demoralized people. Their only hope is the great lion who, the soothsayers predict, would be sent by the gods to unite the world and bring in an age of peace and prosperity. But no one knew exactly when …
Bherek White is a newcomer to the capital. The twelve-year-old snow lion, with his two brothers, had come to stay with his uncle, Titon Rok, after the death of his parents. Ridiculing him for his ‘villager’ behaviour and attitude at first, other city boys become his friends after it’s proven that he is a brave and trusty lion. There’s some racism at work in the capital, as there’s a mix of many species of felines, bears and other races in Auris, the capital city of Arkthika.
Bherek makes friends with all, and acquires companions of various races, much to the initial dismay of his best friend Zanny Vastt, who is a snow lion like Bherek himself. Then Vastt tries for Bherek’s sake and overcomes his discriminatory attitude towards the new friends, important among them being Vivus Fastus and Brav Apogee. Fastus is from the Spotard race and Apogee is a polar bear.
Titon Rok works at the palace as the chief of the palace guards. When Bherek and his new friends visit him at the palace, Rok takes them around. During this visit, the palace is attacked by a gang of rebels. Bherek effectively defends himself and his friends when they are trapped in the royal kitchen. Much impressed by his nephew’s valour, Titon Rok tells everyone about it. The king asks Titon to find out if Bherek is interested in joining the army. Bherek agrees, and asks if his friends may join too. The four friends then join the army as trainees. Rok notices that they work very well as a team and Bherek as their leader.
Their strength lies in mutual trust, while all around treachery is the order of the moment. When citizens trust each other only a sword’s blade away…
It is therefore a time of political unrest, peace being the name given to the thick of winter when it is too cold to fight, and war is a way of life in Arkthika.
Auris had been the capital of the vast kingdom of Arkthika twenty years or so ago; now the entire kingdom is just the city and a few villages around it. And retaining even this domain is a difficult task for the demoralized soldiers. The king is issueless, and infirm, and relies heavily on his advisors to keep the city in a kind of order. One of the ministers, Gadhya Kraft, treated by the king as a daughter, expects to be crowned heir. As the king is not doing anything in this direction, she decides to take matters into her own wily hands and hasten her heirdom.
Bherek, who seems to have a natural aptitude for the martial arts, becomes very popular with the rest of the soldiers. He handles his sword with perfect ease and deadly control, just after a week’s practice. Those who first laughed at his inexperience, are now impressed. Bherek rises in rank, at unprecedented speed. He shows valour, speed, integrity — promise.
During the many battles he has taken part in, Bherek sees a lack of planning and strategy on the part of the demoralized officials. He contributes as much as he can, within the limits of his rank and capacity. Those who see sense in what he says, take heed of his counsel and sometimes promote him; lesser men. who are jealous, use his ideas and claim that they had those ideas without help. Bherek does not want acknowledgement; he’s just doing what comes naturally to him. But talent will show, be the owner however humble. Bherek’s rise in the ranks and his sterling qualities, comes to the attention of the king, who makes Bherek the commander in chief of the army. Bherek is now only 19.
The ailing king sees new hope for the kingdom in his commander. At this time, Auris is under threat of being attacked by the combined forces of rebels, and neighbouring kingdoms. The old king expresses a wish to give the crown to Bherek if he wins the current war as he himself is issueless. Bherek just interested in doing his duty and restoring the kingdom to its past glory, doesn’t desire the throne personally.
Another quality of Bherek comes to light in this war. He is not only brave, but a master strategist, too. Discovering the identity of spies in the court, Bherek decides to take advantage of this resource for misinformation.. He manages to send false information to his enemies, sowing discord and confusion in their ranks. Thus he defeats them in the first battle.
He also manages to convert one of the neighbouring kings to his cause. This king’s domain being one of the passages into Auris, which, if blocked, could repel invaders effectively, doesn’t escape Bherek’s notice. That advantage helps him win the second battle.
Now, all the defeated armies have no choice but to surrender their kingdoms and army to Bherek’s cause. The third battle is the most difficult one of all. Bherek’s army has to directly confront one that is three times in size. The unswerving loyalty of his men, even the ones absorbed from recently defeated opponents, plus his bravery, help. Bherek and the kingdom gain what had been thought of as a near-impossible victory. Bherek’s victory effectively returns to Auris the lands that were hers two decades ago.
The victorious hero is given a royal welcome back home. The citizens had had no cause for celebration for decades and this victory brings them out into the streets cheering and singing. The king, who appeared to have been holding on to his life just for this news, dies content. Just before his death, he had also asked his minister, Gadhya Kraft, to do what’s needed to crown Bherek king. Gadhya, who wanted the throne for herself dares not go ahead with her plans but goes into hiding, biding her time.
Bherek is crowned, and the citizens, having seen some of their hopes fulfilled, begin to dream of a glorious future.
About Dynast
The story begins long long after the present becomes the past, and future very different from this present and never seen before in the past. This story takes place many million years from now. This story happens after many eon years of the extinct the homo sapiens. Here the animals have evolved and they stand up right like the present homo sapiens, and even the sizes of their brain has evolved over the years, So as to make them as intelligent as the homo sapiens.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Interesting revelations
Ashok called me this evening and spoke to me about 'hero cycle' and 'mono myth'
http://www3.cerritos.edu/fquaas/resources/English102/hero.htm
http://www3.cerritos.edu/fquaas/resources/English102/hero.htm
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
The Dynast - Hotsheet
Title: Dynast 1: The Rise of The Bherek White
Creator: Asvin Srivatsangam
Grade or Focus: 9-12
Number. Of Words: 70,000
Keywords & Market Focus: Fantasy,adventure,future,swords,lions,king,epic,trilogy,dynasty,
unity,bravery,action,myth,races,arctic.
Market Focus:
snow,wars,battles,gods,fighting,older,children,young,adults.
Synopsis: In the distant future, the Arctic is a lush land, populated by intelligent lions, polar bears and other species. Dynast traces the story of Bherek White, the greatest lion of them all, sent by the gods to bring peace and unity to the world.
A newly orphaned twelve-year-old snow lion, Bherek White, comes to stay with his uncle Rok, the chief of the palace guards.
During Bherek’s visit, the palace is attacked by a pack of rebels but he not only saves his friends, but traps the rebels too! Much impressed, the king asks Titon to ask Bherek to join the army. Bherek rises in rank, at unprecedented speed. At 19, he is made the general!
Auris had been the capital of the vast kingdom of Arkthika decades ago; now the entire kingdom is just the city. The king is issueless, and infirm. He relies heavily on his advisors to govern the city. Gadhya Kraft, one of them, expects to be crowned heir. She sees Bherek as a threat and tries to have him killed. Many times!
When Auris is attacked by neighbouring kingdoms, the king expresses a wish to crown Bherek if he saves Auris. Bherek wins three battles, and restores the kingdom to its former glory. After the last, near-impossible victory, he returns home and is crowned king. The citizens, having seen some of their hopes fulfilled, begin to dream of a prosperous future.
Author Biography: Asvin Srivatsangam is the creator of the Dynast series of books. His early childhood was much enriched by cartoons, then by Indian mythological stories, and as he became older, he developed a liking for animals especially the big cats, still later geography and history. All those influences resulted in Dynast, this labor of love and delight. Currently, Asvin works as a graphic designer for his living, but his dream is to see Dynast make it big, and delight millions worldwide.
Creator: Asvin Srivatsangam
Grade or Focus: 9-12
Number. Of Words: 70,000
Keywords & Market Focus: Fantasy,adventure,future,swords,lions,king,epic,trilogy,dynasty,
unity,bravery,action,myth,races,arctic.
Market Focus:
snow,wars,battles,gods,fighting,older,children,young,adults.
Synopsis: In the distant future, the Arctic is a lush land, populated by intelligent lions, polar bears and other species. Dynast traces the story of Bherek White, the greatest lion of them all, sent by the gods to bring peace and unity to the world.
A newly orphaned twelve-year-old snow lion, Bherek White, comes to stay with his uncle Rok, the chief of the palace guards.
During Bherek’s visit, the palace is attacked by a pack of rebels but he not only saves his friends, but traps the rebels too! Much impressed, the king asks Titon to ask Bherek to join the army. Bherek rises in rank, at unprecedented speed. At 19, he is made the general!
Auris had been the capital of the vast kingdom of Arkthika decades ago; now the entire kingdom is just the city. The king is issueless, and infirm. He relies heavily on his advisors to govern the city. Gadhya Kraft, one of them, expects to be crowned heir. She sees Bherek as a threat and tries to have him killed. Many times!
When Auris is attacked by neighbouring kingdoms, the king expresses a wish to crown Bherek if he saves Auris. Bherek wins three battles, and restores the kingdom to its former glory. After the last, near-impossible victory, he returns home and is crowned king. The citizens, having seen some of their hopes fulfilled, begin to dream of a prosperous future.
Author Biography: Asvin Srivatsangam is the creator of the Dynast series of books. His early childhood was much enriched by cartoons, then by Indian mythological stories, and as he became older, he developed a liking for animals especially the big cats, still later geography and history. All those influences resulted in Dynast, this labor of love and delight. Currently, Asvin works as a graphic designer for his living, but his dream is to see Dynast make it big, and delight millions worldwide.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Jambav
Jambav is powered by a team of dedicated professionals, each of whom brings our passion for children as we work together to create a unique array of instructional, educational and entertainment software for children of all abilities. We are backed by the Chennai-based software powerhouse AdventNet Inc., a highly successful and profitable organization.
http://www.jambav.com/
I have a friend of mine working at Jambhav, Rajendran Dhandapani
http://www.jambav.com/
I have a friend of mine working at Jambhav, Rajendran Dhandapani
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Birth and growth
The genesis of Dynast Bherek White : the creator of Dynast Bherek White, Asvin , whose childhood avocation were cartoons, animals (to be precise the cat family), history, geography, mythology, has combined to put them together as one story. The very essence of this story is that 'hard work really pays off' and 'good prevails over the evil'. The creator designs a new culture and tradition with a suave ad mix of mythology and advanced science. All characters in this story are fiction.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)