Updates on books, reviews and events will now be available at:
https:///www.nanditadacunha.com
Check it out and let me know what you think!
Sunday, September 05, 2021
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Announcing the launch of "The Magic in My Fingers"
Am thrilled to share that my latest picture book, titled "The Magic in My Fingers" has just been released by Karadi Tales.
t's a picture book for children that celebrates little girls and the magic of MUSIC. The story is loosely inspired by a childhood incident in the life of sitar and surbahar maestro Annapurna Devi.
For more on the book, check out the promo video at https://youtu.be/rwTOKdrjAWw
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Selected for the Parag Honour List 2021!
'The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street' is on the Parag Honour List (2021) - so thrilled! Parag describes the list as ‘a curated collection of outstanding books in English and Hindi for children and young adults.'
A big shout out to my amazing editors at Kalpavriksh, Sujatha Padmanabhan and
Tanya Majmudar
. And to Priya Kuriyan
for those magical illustrations that made the book come alive. Congratulations to all the wonderful books on the list...
Review in the 'Teachers Plus' Magazine
This one’s special. From the Feb issue of Teachers Plus, the magazine for teachers. (Review by Geeta Iyer.)
To read the entire article pls click here: Children's Book Review
'Just like Papa' is a KSP Book Club Pick!
Kids Stop Press recommends 'Just like Papa' to their Book Club.
“..this book tells the little ones to follow their heart- do what they like and teaches them about being passionate.”
Here's the full review:
https://kidsstoppress.com/details/ksp-book-club-papa
Book session at Bombay International School.
Jan ended on a high note. I had such a fabulous time, sharing 'The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street' with the Grade 3 students of Bombay International School. The energy and ideas of the children were so heartwarming... Thank you, BIS!
Here are some glimpses from the session; including some heartwarming feedback I received.
Monday, January 18, 2021
Friday, December 11, 2020
'Top Reads of 2020' from the December issue of the Robin Age (newspaper for children)
'The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street' in some lovely company of books published this year!
MumsandStories reviews 'Just like Papa'
Excerpts from the review:
"Just like Papa is a heart warming tale for kids. The child at home immediately picked up to read it at once looking at the title."
"The book beautifully explains what one can do with perseverance or what it means to ‘follow your heart’. Imagination and even the mind block is discussed in a way that is understandable for kids."
Full review at the link below:
A special storytelling session
Stories with Seema shared this lovely update after a session with The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street
"The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street, written by Nandita da Cunha, illustrated by Priya Kuriyan and published by Kalpavriksh is one of those rare gems that just has to be shared.
A delightful book of a young girl who sits alone every evening, in a dump yard on Sunderbaag Street until one day her old eccentric craft teacher disturbs her solitude but ends up planting an amazing idea!!
This sets them off on a mission that changes her life… and the lives of many who live on Sunderbaag Street.
A beautiful story that delves on loss, sadness, recycling, trash to treasure environment, community and much much more.....
Needless to say, the kids loved the story and it's characters like Zara, the little girl, the uber cool 😎 Tod Phod Gang and of course could not help gushing at the adorable Mrs. Gappi🥰
A day well spent sharing stories, art work especially those from trash. (More of that in the next post😁)"
https://www.facebook.com/StorieswithSeema/posts/795771451152607
"Just like Papa" reviewed on Bookedforlife
"It is natural for young children to idolise parents. They may even dream of being just like them! But, every child also goes through the journey of discovering who they are. Their intrinsic qualities, like and dislikes are unique to them. How can parents gently lead their kids to discover themselves? This is the poignant theme that runs through this apparently simple book, titled Just Like Papa (Tota Books)"
"A good addition to your picture book collection!"
Full review at Just like Papa by Nandita da Cunha
Monday, November 09, 2020
Heartwarming review for 'The miracle on Sunderbaag Street' by Myth Aunty
THE MIRACLE AT SUNDERBAAG STREET Author: Nandita da Cunha Illustrator: Priya Kuriyan When I first heard about this book...
Posted by Myth Aunty on Sunday, November 8, 2020
Just like Papa: Reviewed at TokaBox
US Based Tokabox has published a wonderful review of Just like Papa. Equally excitingly, they will now make it a part of their store. (They deliver across 22 countries)
From their review:
"This is a beautiful book about encouraging our children to find their hidden potential and to cherish their individuality. I also love the symbolism of the 'hands' that Gee's father paints. Shreya Sen's stunning illustrations add so many layers to the story and really make the symbolism come alive for the child who is reading the book."
Review at 'Grey Matters'
And here’s yet another review for “The miracle on Sunderbaag Street”...A fabulously insightful review from Grey Matters... that's gone gone straight to the heart of the book.
"It is a vital reminder that a small group of people, inspired by a need to bring a change, is the only prerequisite to save the planet - indeed a poignant reminder that "We are the change we are waiting for."
Check out the full review at https://www.facebook.com/greymatterdiscussions/posts/196742838746812
Fun session with third graders at Akshara high School, Mumbai (Oct 27th)
Students of Std 3 were lucky to meet Nandita Da Cunha today with her latest title 'The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street'....
Posted by Akshara High School on Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Monday, October 26, 2020
October Events - book sessions go online!
Just Like Papa - was shared with close to a hundred third graders from Pathways, Noida...sharing stories of successes, 'failures,' snippets of a fun quiz...and of course... the story of Gia in 'Just like Papa'
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Friday, October 16, 2020
'Just like Papa" gets its first fabulous review
Wow. 'Just like Papa' received this wonderfully insightful review at Grey Matters!!
Love how the review is full of ideas of how parents and educators can share the book with children
Especially for children facing failure for the first time; or those with a tendency to compare (or get compared) and let it affect them... check out how this story can start some all-important conversations...
Of kids' dreams and struggles and a brush with failure... Just like Papa is a beautiful picture book by Nandita da Cunha...
Posted by Grey Matters on Monday, October 12, 2020
Sunderbaag ready to travel overseas! Plus this great review on Toka Box
The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street got a lovely review from Toka Box!
"...such a wonderful and heart warming story". The complete review is at this link.
And the news gets better - the Seattle based Toka Box team will be stocking the book as a part of their curated library of children's books - and they ship to 22 countries around the world. For all those outside India waiting to get their copies - here's the link to pre-order.
Tuesday, October 06, 2020
A fantabulous launch for Sunderbaag
What a blast I had this Sunday! Over 70 minutes of games, book reading, art activity and fun interaction ... over 70 children ... and their energy and enthusiasm made my day
Thanks so much
Katha Mehfil
and Kalpavriksh
... couldn’t have asked for a better launch for “The Miracle on Sunderbaag street”. Thank you Dream Grove team for your special appearance and lovely share out. And thanks to all the lovely children who made this such a memorable and fun book event
Yay! Such a lovely Sunday surprise - came across this recommendation from Funky Rainbows Book Buzzar
"A wonderful addition to any child's bookshelf - especially those children who say.. 'what can I do to make our planet a more beautiful place?'..." So touched with that review, Vidya Mani
Here's the link to the video - a great compilation of books on nature, with a special discussion with the one and only Zai Whittaker. Sunderbaag comes in at around 25 min
Happy wildlife week, folks!
Thursday, October 01, 2020
Monday, September 28, 2020
Introducing.. 'Just like Papa'
My second Picture Book has also just released!
'Just Like Papa' has been published by Tota Books (Full Circle Publishing), with whimsical, watercolour illustrations by Shreya Sen.
Set in Goa... this is a story about dealing with failure and about following your heart...
Young Gia wants to become an artist, just like her father, a famous Goan artist. But when she lifts a brush, her mind
goes blank. Does this mean she can never be... Just Like Papa?
Available on Amazon and on the publisher's website
https://fullcirclebooks.in/product/just-like-papa/
More soon...
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Here are the details! 'The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street' is a picture book for children (6-8 years)
It was inspired by a beautiful patch of green revived by a bunch of wonderful people at Bandra’s Dreamgrove (D’Monte Park road.)
You can order copies at kalpavriksh.org/our-store/the-miracle-on-sunderbaag-street/ Or email the publishers at kvbooks@gmail.com for your copy.
SO excited...
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Sunday, December 09, 2018
A long overdue post..
The wonderful time of the my life that was... 'Writers' Bloc 4.' India's premier playwrights' program, organized by Rage Productions and the British Council.
An honor to be selected from 200 entries across India to join the final bunch of 14 playwrights. 2 years of workshops, our wonderful wonderful mentors from the Royal Court Theatre, UK, incredible learning, new friends, never ending discussions on theatre, writing and life...which culminated in a festival of plays and performances.
A staged reading of my play 'The Side Effects' (later titled 'The Pacman Pill') was held at Prithvi House, Juhu, in May 2016. Directed by Trishala Patel and featuring Shernaz Patel, Sohrab Ardeshir, and Devika Shahani...it was a tremendous leaning experience to see the play come alive - from script to stage!
https://www.mumbaitheatreguide.com/dramas/english/side-effects-english-staged-reading.asp#
SIDE EFFECTS by Nandita da Cunha
Meet Kavya. Single mother. Hotshot financial consultant. She's taken on the top dogs in her world of big pharma.
But when she stumbles upon a dark secret - will she choose to do the right thing by her daughter... or to do the right thing?
With a special mention of the play by Quasar Padamsee in his article below:
http://www.asianage.com/arts/reading-right-thing-167
"Nandita da Cunha’s The Pacman Pill directed by Trishla Patel was an exercise in airing out a new play to an audience, and then asking those present for comments and feedback. The play, created out of the Writers’ Bloc workshops, was steeped in medical and pharmaceutical jargon and took us to a new world. The stage directions, simply read, told us where we were and our imagination did the rest. The 75-minute performance in the tiny Prithvi House, kept us engaged and absorbed. It was a special treat to have a conversation with the writer about her influences. As an audience we felt we were part of the journey of this text becoming a proper play."
The wonderful time of the my life that was... 'Writers' Bloc 4.' India's premier playwrights' program, organized by Rage Productions and the British Council.
An honor to be selected from 200 entries across India to join the final bunch of 14 playwrights. 2 years of workshops, our wonderful wonderful mentors from the Royal Court Theatre, UK, incredible learning, new friends, never ending discussions on theatre, writing and life...which culminated in a festival of plays and performances.
A staged reading of my play 'The Side Effects' (later titled 'The Pacman Pill') was held at Prithvi House, Juhu, in May 2016. Directed by Trishala Patel and featuring Shernaz Patel, Sohrab Ardeshir, and Devika Shahani...it was a tremendous leaning experience to see the play come alive - from script to stage!
https://www.mumbaitheatreguide.com/dramas/english/side-effects-english-staged-reading.asp#
SIDE EFFECTS by Nandita da Cunha
Meet Kavya. Single mother. Hotshot financial consultant. She's taken on the top dogs in her world of big pharma.
But when she stumbles upon a dark secret - will she choose to do the right thing by her daughter... or to do the right thing?
With a special mention of the play by Quasar Padamsee in his article below:
http://www.asianage.com/arts/reading-right-thing-167
"Nandita da Cunha’s The Pacman Pill directed by Trishla Patel was an exercise in airing out a new play to an audience, and then asking those present for comments and feedback. The play, created out of the Writers’ Bloc workshops, was steeped in medical and pharmaceutical jargon and took us to a new world. The stage directions, simply read, told us where we were and our imagination did the rest. The 75-minute performance in the tiny Prithvi House, kept us engaged and absorbed. It was a special treat to have a conversation with the writer about her influences. As an audience we felt we were part of the journey of this text becoming a proper play."
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Quoted in the Hindu 'Business Line'
(Extract from Business Line article) Monday, Apr 23, 2007
Great to have a day dedicated to `celebrating reading'
To mark the occasion of World Book Day, Business Line sought to obtain the views of a few authors on what the day means to them.
Come electronic communication come Internet, books will go on forever. They are the lifeblood of a country's culture.
M. V. Kamath
To me, books are the next closest to living beings.
They speak to you, commiserate, understand... and so long as you respect them, they will stick by you.
They almost have a mind of their own!
Derek Bose
The day means one must finish reading all those books one always meant to read like classics by Leo Tolstoy and the third Harry Potter or throw them out of the house and admit once and for all that you will never get around to reading them EVER. The day also means quoting from Pierre Bayard's bestseller How to Talk About Books That You Haven't Read.
Shinie Antony
It's great to have a day dedicated to `celebrating reading'. When we are living in the times of 300-plus TV Channels, DVDs, gaming and endless distractions, this can especially play a role in bringing back to children the importance of the written word. I can recall how the wonderful world of fantasy definitely enriched my own childhood!"
Nandita da Cunha
Great to have a day dedicated to `celebrating reading'
To mark the occasion of World Book Day, Business Line sought to obtain the views of a few authors on what the day means to them.
Come electronic communication come Internet, books will go on forever. They are the lifeblood of a country's culture.
M. V. Kamath
To me, books are the next closest to living beings.
They speak to you, commiserate, understand... and so long as you respect them, they will stick by you.
They almost have a mind of their own!
Derek Bose
The day means one must finish reading all those books one always meant to read like classics by Leo Tolstoy and the third Harry Potter or throw them out of the house and admit once and for all that you will never get around to reading them EVER. The day also means quoting from Pierre Bayard's bestseller How to Talk About Books That You Haven't Read.
Shinie Antony
It's great to have a day dedicated to `celebrating reading'. When we are living in the times of 300-plus TV Channels, DVDs, gaming and endless distractions, this can especially play a role in bringing back to children the importance of the written word. I can recall how the wonderful world of fantasy definitely enriched my own childhood!"
Nandita da Cunha
'The Magic of Maya' - Book Review by Usha K R in SAWNET
Extract from SAWNET (The South Asian Women's NETwork Forum) review by Usha KR. Usha is the author of Sojourn (Manas, 1998) and The Chosen (Penguin India, 2003). Her next novel, A Girl and a River (Penguin India) is to be released in May.
"by page 35 of this 260 page book, we have a good idea of Da Cunha’s inventiveness, her eye for description, her musical ear and her playful turn of phrase. Here, for instance is her description of the Flatte Chief --
‘He had thin and wispy bright yellow hair that fell to his knees, which colour seemed to leak all over him, right down to his yellow veined flat feet. Strangest of all, he had piercing yellow double-rimmed eyes, with which he looked her up and down. What with that and his doleful expression, he reminded her of a slice of lemon gone sour!’
Each place that Tara journeys through is attractively described. Flatte land is a beautiful sunshine filled land, full of the chimes of golden bells, where the inhabitants live on gold leaf trees, on which golden apples grow. Sharpes live on the stems of Moneytrees and their streets are paved with diamonds. Maya is ruled by Illusory Laws – everyone hears what they want to hear, so Melan Kohli always hears the blues and Tara, happy melodies.
Or take the names of her characters, which would charm children and adults alike – the musical clutch of Queen Rana Aria, Herr Moan Niem, the seer, Seetar and Geetar, the wise sisters, the rejuvenating tonic, Harmonica, Prince Ta-din-ak-din; we have the sad Chief Melan Kohli, Caliph Sojah, Khem Mystry, adept at black magic, Maneck Tarantella, the crazy old Flying Spider, Biswacks the candlemaker, and even Jatack-in-the-box.
Da Cunha uses her talents to make good (and original) use of all that the literary and cinematic palette has to offer, the staples that engross children – fantasy, both of the Lewis Carollian and the newer Rowlingian variety, the magic spells and mystery of Tolkein as well as Snow White, the dark forces that are for ever trying to take over the world and the array of supermen who have arisen from time to time to fight them; she also understands the unshakeable appeal of the clash between Good and Evil, of pitting brother against brother, of turning the most trusted one into the betrayer"
"by page 35 of this 260 page book, we have a good idea of Da Cunha’s inventiveness, her eye for description, her musical ear and her playful turn of phrase. Here, for instance is her description of the Flatte Chief --
‘He had thin and wispy bright yellow hair that fell to his knees, which colour seemed to leak all over him, right down to his yellow veined flat feet. Strangest of all, he had piercing yellow double-rimmed eyes, with which he looked her up and down. What with that and his doleful expression, he reminded her of a slice of lemon gone sour!’
Each place that Tara journeys through is attractively described. Flatte land is a beautiful sunshine filled land, full of the chimes of golden bells, where the inhabitants live on gold leaf trees, on which golden apples grow. Sharpes live on the stems of Moneytrees and their streets are paved with diamonds. Maya is ruled by Illusory Laws – everyone hears what they want to hear, so Melan Kohli always hears the blues and Tara, happy melodies.
Or take the names of her characters, which would charm children and adults alike – the musical clutch of Queen Rana Aria, Herr Moan Niem, the seer, Seetar and Geetar, the wise sisters, the rejuvenating tonic, Harmonica, Prince Ta-din-ak-din; we have the sad Chief Melan Kohli, Caliph Sojah, Khem Mystry, adept at black magic, Maneck Tarantella, the crazy old Flying Spider, Biswacks the candlemaker, and even Jatack-in-the-box.
Da Cunha uses her talents to make good (and original) use of all that the literary and cinematic palette has to offer, the staples that engross children – fantasy, both of the Lewis Carollian and the newer Rowlingian variety, the magic spells and mystery of Tolkein as well as Snow White, the dark forces that are for ever trying to take over the world and the array of supermen who have arisen from time to time to fight them; she also understands the unshakeable appeal of the clash between Good and Evil, of pitting brother against brother, of turning the most trusted one into the betrayer"
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Review in the Times of India, Westside Plus
24th March, 2007
Westside Plus, Times of India
Magic of Maya by Nandita Da Cunha
Fantasy never ceases to amaze. Whether you are 8 or 80, the innate desire for escapist fantasies forms the crux of human emotions. Magic of Maya strikes that very chord in every individual, thus ensuring a diligent interest from every reader, old and young.
Magic of Maya is the story of 10 year old Tara, a spunky & unusually strong headed girl in a quiescent village. It illustrates the travails & adventures the young lady faces in a quest to save her world from falling prey to certain destruction. But what set this novel apart from so many other fantasy novels is its simplicity and its extremely simple narrative style which brings to life the various curious creatures in the land of Maya. The various tongue in cheek names & references elicit a chuckle as soon as you realize where the author is going. Mr. Kolorov Muzik (Color of Music) is who else but a great musician handed the job of bringing Tara to the musically enchanted land of Maya. Dholakia is a well rounded individual not so representative of his race in generic terms. The Flattes and Sharpes are a particularly funny take on the truly diverse nature of the two genders.
The author, Nandita Da Cunha, rarely shows signs of first time jitters. She manages dry humor as well as macabre characters with fluid grace and effortless ease. The novel has its fair share of tumultuous twists & astonishing turns. The chapter where the identity of Tara’s father is revealed leads to a whirlwind of activity which further draws the reader into a thrilling vortex of perfidy and the clichéd triumph of good over evil. Magic of Maya is one of those novels which seem disenchanted with the purblind leadership & shallow outlook of people in today’s world. A fantastic La-La Land where music permeates the air through pipes and houses change color depending on the mood of the occupant offers the reader a brilliant ethereal land where he identifies with his innermost concupiscence.
There are a few penumbral sections in the novel but these are few & far between. Comparisons with the Lewis Carroll novel ‘Alice in Wonderland’ are not unwarranted but to deem this novel as a rip off would be an unfair judgement. Overall, the novel is an honest and stimulating work of art. The novel might not be an epoch defining moment in literature but it is definitely an indication that honest first timers can churn out works which are original, entertaining & full of the chutzpah expected out of a good work of fiction.
By Robin Singhvi
http://www.westsideplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=WP11ART000324200771017
Westside Plus, Times of India
Magic of Maya by Nandita Da Cunha
Fantasy never ceases to amaze. Whether you are 8 or 80, the innate desire for escapist fantasies forms the crux of human emotions. Magic of Maya strikes that very chord in every individual, thus ensuring a diligent interest from every reader, old and young.
Magic of Maya is the story of 10 year old Tara, a spunky & unusually strong headed girl in a quiescent village. It illustrates the travails & adventures the young lady faces in a quest to save her world from falling prey to certain destruction. But what set this novel apart from so many other fantasy novels is its simplicity and its extremely simple narrative style which brings to life the various curious creatures in the land of Maya. The various tongue in cheek names & references elicit a chuckle as soon as you realize where the author is going. Mr. Kolorov Muzik (Color of Music) is who else but a great musician handed the job of bringing Tara to the musically enchanted land of Maya. Dholakia is a well rounded individual not so representative of his race in generic terms. The Flattes and Sharpes are a particularly funny take on the truly diverse nature of the two genders.
The author, Nandita Da Cunha, rarely shows signs of first time jitters. She manages dry humor as well as macabre characters with fluid grace and effortless ease. The novel has its fair share of tumultuous twists & astonishing turns. The chapter where the identity of Tara’s father is revealed leads to a whirlwind of activity which further draws the reader into a thrilling vortex of perfidy and the clichéd triumph of good over evil. Magic of Maya is one of those novels which seem disenchanted with the purblind leadership & shallow outlook of people in today’s world. A fantastic La-La Land where music permeates the air through pipes and houses change color depending on the mood of the occupant offers the reader a brilliant ethereal land where he identifies with his innermost concupiscence.
There are a few penumbral sections in the novel but these are few & far between. Comparisons with the Lewis Carroll novel ‘Alice in Wonderland’ are not unwarranted but to deem this novel as a rip off would be an unfair judgement. Overall, the novel is an honest and stimulating work of art. The novel might not be an epoch defining moment in literature but it is definitely an indication that honest first timers can churn out works which are original, entertaining & full of the chutzpah expected out of a good work of fiction.
By Robin Singhvi
http://www.westsideplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=WP11ART000324200771017
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Interview-Feature in the Mid-Day Metro
Feature in the Mid-Day Metro on March 02, 2007
An Excerpt:
"Nandita da Cunha, resident of St Andrews Road, has always thought of herself as a "Bombay girl" And she certainly encompasses all the qualities of a true-blue Mumbaikar - dynamic, creative and ambitious. No wonder then, that being an MBA graduate, an adept pianist, and a full time consultant at KPMG Consulting, she also had the time and drive to write her first full length novel at 24. ...
According to her publishers Rupa, the book has done exceptionally well in the metros, especially in Mumbai where the first lot sold out in the first month itself."
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Review in the Deccan Herald
Extracts from the review in the Deccan Herald, (Sunday, Feb 25th, 2007)
Dream World
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb252007/books200522007224.asp
"It's as fantastic as fantasy can get. That is, The Magic of Maya by Nandita Da Cunha for you"
"And it is indeed this journey that fascinates, particularly the young reader. Here houses change colours according to moods, they move and open doors on their own. And the inhabitants, they are all the colour and stuff that strange dreams are made of. Da Cunha's imagination grows wings, as she describes the different states. There are golden apples, whispering woods, underground piping that produces music, flying spiders and dancing. So very full of sights and sounds."
Dream World
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb252007/books200522007224.asp
"It's as fantastic as fantasy can get. That is, The Magic of Maya by Nandita Da Cunha for you"
"And it is indeed this journey that fascinates, particularly the young reader. Here houses change colours according to moods, they move and open doors on their own. And the inhabitants, they are all the colour and stuff that strange dreams are made of. Da Cunha's imagination grows wings, as she describes the different states. There are golden apples, whispering woods, underground piping that produces music, flying spiders and dancing. So very full of sights and sounds."
Friday, February 16, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
NDTV Website Feature
Book summary and extract as featured on the NDTV website
http://www.ndtv.com/ent/booksmoreextracts.asp
Check it out
http://www.ndtv.com/ent/booksmoreextracts.asp
Check it out
Monday, December 18, 2006
On the cover of Time Out
Check out the latest cover of the Mumbai Time-Out - now that's one model with good taste in books!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Glimpses of the Launch
Some pics from the launch - ACE productions skit based on excerpts of the book, Nandita with Gerson da Cunha, Raell Padamsee, on the dais with Anil Dharker, and book signing - books sold out in 15 minutes!
Friday, December 08, 2006
Interview in the DNA (After Hrs)
Interview in the DNA (Dec 08, 2006)
You can also see the interview online at http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1068155
Some further coverage in the Times of India, Delhi on the same day, article titled "What's Hot":-
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Mumbai Launch Invitation
From www.crosswordbookstores.com
Join us for the launch and reading of
“The Magic of Maya”
by author
Nandita da Cunha
Eminent writer and editor Anil Dharker
will launch the book.
Followed by a dramatic reading by ACE productions
Date: Friday, 8th December 2006
Time: 7.00 pm
Venue: Crossword Kemps Corner
09/11, Mohammedbhai Mansion, NS Patkar Marg
Below Kemps Corner Flyover
Kemps Corner, Mumbai - 400026
RSVP
Ms Bakhtawar Bamboat – 23842001 / 9820776765
Join us for the launch and reading of
“The Magic of Maya”
by author
Nandita da Cunha
Eminent writer and editor Anil Dharker
will launch the book.
Followed by a dramatic reading by ACE productions
Date: Friday, 8th December 2006
Time: 7.00 pm
Venue: Crossword Kemps Corner
09/11, Mohammedbhai Mansion, NS Patkar Marg
Below Kemps Corner Flyover
Kemps Corner, Mumbai - 400026
RSVP
Ms Bakhtawar Bamboat – 23842001 / 9820776765
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
My first review - Yippee!! Book Review in The Pioneer
Tara in wonderlandSunday, November 05, 2006
Nandini Sircar
The Magic of Maya, Nandita Da Cunha; Rupa & Co, Rs 295
A modern day Alice in Wonderland, the book, The Magic of Maya, is an adaptation. This inevitably indicates at a certain rhythm that sets the tone of the book at the very outset. The sound of music is resonant throughout its 260 pages. A captivating fantasy, the book is a magical journey with "Seven Leaps Across Seven Skies".
Tara, the protagonist, is no more than 10 years old. Events weave around this little girl, who is caught in a surreal nightmare-like situation. She is transported into a musical wonderland by a magical scarf. Thus, the idea of travel is a recurring theme in the book. Uncontrolled change of everything around, constant disappearances and a total inability to gain any foundation in this new world is rampant throughout the novel.
Magic is used as a tool to charm and intrigue readers, as Tara leads them through melodious Maya - the wonderland of imagination crossing the paths of a colourful cast of characters. The plot not only moves through various places, it also attempts to write the familiar into the strange. The Magic of Maya is a novel where the narrative operates through various time and space in the form of memory and phantasmagoria
Travelling across Maya is experienced as entertainment and the uncanny land teases the mind of its readers with its unending quest and strange characters. Tara's efforts to collect ingredients for a spell that will save the musical pipes of Maya and her loved ones in Govan is candid and pictorial. She travels through Rizenglow - the cheerful state inhabited by singing flattes and sharpes, the home of the dancing Ritmos and the watery state populated by the sea sirens. The curiosity is further heightened by mysterious symbols throughout the book - like the Lighthouse in Govan and the odyssey through unresearched territories like the caves and tunnels
In having made Tara the central character, Nandita Da Cunha dexterously vests the child with a certain amount of agency, thus making the book an interesting read, especially for children, and a trip down the memory lane for adults.
Concurrently, the author de-stabilises and juggles with the commonly accepted notions of what is considered to be the normal and the imaginary. Here, Tara's village Govan (which is on earth) is called the underworld by the Mayans.
Once Tara is among the Mayans the adventure begins. Each incident occurring in the land of the Mayans is again surrounded by a certain kind of fantastical absurdity. Tara's attention wanders along a trail of events - each event as perplexing as the other, each identity concealed behind an apparent mask. However, the revelation towards the end makes for an interesting twist in the tale. The novel sails smoothly engaging its readers till the time the issues are finally resolved.
The book, The Magic of Maya, finally presents the tussle between the creator and the scheming destroyer, the good and the evil, the conflict and the resolution. The book delves into a broader debate of the universal cycle where the positive and the negative forces are constantly at loggerheads with each other. Maya is synonymous to an endless, inevitable cycle where the author reinstates that the world which we inhabit is nothing but a mere illusion.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/displayit1.asp?pathit=/archives2/nov1106/books/book2.txt
Nandini Sircar
The Magic of Maya, Nandita Da Cunha; Rupa & Co, Rs 295
A modern day Alice in Wonderland, the book, The Magic of Maya, is an adaptation. This inevitably indicates at a certain rhythm that sets the tone of the book at the very outset. The sound of music is resonant throughout its 260 pages. A captivating fantasy, the book is a magical journey with "Seven Leaps Across Seven Skies".
Tara, the protagonist, is no more than 10 years old. Events weave around this little girl, who is caught in a surreal nightmare-like situation. She is transported into a musical wonderland by a magical scarf. Thus, the idea of travel is a recurring theme in the book. Uncontrolled change of everything around, constant disappearances and a total inability to gain any foundation in this new world is rampant throughout the novel.
Magic is used as a tool to charm and intrigue readers, as Tara leads them through melodious Maya - the wonderland of imagination crossing the paths of a colourful cast of characters. The plot not only moves through various places, it also attempts to write the familiar into the strange. The Magic of Maya is a novel where the narrative operates through various time and space in the form of memory and phantasmagoria
Travelling across Maya is experienced as entertainment and the uncanny land teases the mind of its readers with its unending quest and strange characters. Tara's efforts to collect ingredients for a spell that will save the musical pipes of Maya and her loved ones in Govan is candid and pictorial. She travels through Rizenglow - the cheerful state inhabited by singing flattes and sharpes, the home of the dancing Ritmos and the watery state populated by the sea sirens. The curiosity is further heightened by mysterious symbols throughout the book - like the Lighthouse in Govan and the odyssey through unresearched territories like the caves and tunnels
In having made Tara the central character, Nandita Da Cunha dexterously vests the child with a certain amount of agency, thus making the book an interesting read, especially for children, and a trip down the memory lane for adults.
Concurrently, the author de-stabilises and juggles with the commonly accepted notions of what is considered to be the normal and the imaginary. Here, Tara's village Govan (which is on earth) is called the underworld by the Mayans.
Once Tara is among the Mayans the adventure begins. Each incident occurring in the land of the Mayans is again surrounded by a certain kind of fantastical absurdity. Tara's attention wanders along a trail of events - each event as perplexing as the other, each identity concealed behind an apparent mask. However, the revelation towards the end makes for an interesting twist in the tale. The novel sails smoothly engaging its readers till the time the issues are finally resolved.
The book, The Magic of Maya, finally presents the tussle between the creator and the scheming destroyer, the good and the evil, the conflict and the resolution. The book delves into a broader debate of the universal cycle where the positive and the negative forces are constantly at loggerheads with each other. Maya is synonymous to an endless, inevitable cycle where the author reinstates that the world which we inhabit is nothing but a mere illusion.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/displayit1.asp?pathit=/archives2/nov1106/books/book2.txt
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Book Overview
A debut fantasy novel by Nandita da Cunha, publishers, Rupa & Co
One girl's journey into the world of Maya...
The book can be bought online at www.oxfordbookstore.com, www.fabmall.com, http://www.prakashbooks.com and www.ndtvshopping.com and internationally at www.indiaclub.com and www.amazon.com
It is available across bookstores in India
From the back cover:
A captivating fantasy, that will plunge you headlong into one girl’s adventures in the enchanting world of Maya. Seven leaps across seven skies later, how will Tara cope with the hypnotic Caliph Sojah, the mysterious Cicis, the lazy Flatte, Dholakia, and of course the omnipresent wicked Destroyer, who is set on taking over the musical pipes of Maya….
“The Magic of Maya took me back to my childhood and transported me to a world of fantasy, illusion, even dark, sinister forebodings.
Lucidly written, with a fine sense of rhythm, Nandita's debut sparkles like a well -cut gem.”
-- Shobhaa Dé, novelist and columnist
“A modern day Alice in Wonderland, with action -- fast and frenetic -- swirling between parallel worlds.... There's enough magic here, and wordplay, to keep the young reader engrossed and entertained. With "The Magic of Maya" in hand, who needs television or computer games?”
--- Anil Dharker, senior editor, writer and columnist
"Once opened, “The Magic of Maya” is a magical journey that entices you into a world of melodies and lets you escape into a fantastical world.
A must read for all young readers."
--- Raell Padamsee, theatre personality
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