My latest book is The One Who Swam With The Fishes.

"A mesmerizing account of the well-known story of Matsyagandha ... and her transformation from fisherman’s daughter to Satyavati, Santanu’s royal consort and the Mother/Progenitor of the Kuru clan." - Hindustan Times

"Themes of fate, morality and power overlay a subtle and essential feminism to make this lyrical book a must-read. If this is Madhavan’s first book in the Girls from the Mahabharata series, there is much to look forward to in the months to come." - Open Magazine

"A gleeful dollop of Blytonian magic ... Reddy Madhavan is also able to tackle some fairly sensitive subjects such as identity, the love of and karmic ties with parents, adoption, the first sexual encounter, loneliness, and my favourite, feminist rage." - Scroll



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25 December 2007

The Stars Are Brightly Shiiii-NING!

La la laaaaaaaaaaaaa.

I'm just back from Delhi abrim with holiday spirit. I go off to Goa in five days, and yes, I know, Goa during New Year's is like a mela or something, but we have cottages! And we're driving down and you know I heart road trips. Even the fact that Airtel and Vodafone and every other service provider seems to have only one thing on their agenda: Make eM as miserable as possible; isn't a dampener.

Plus, I will be whirling with social activities even before I leave. My plan was originally to get some work done on the book--edits are happening and I'm wading through each chapter, tweaking and fixing--but that's all going to have to happen in the daytime. I like writing at nights, nighttime is when I am awake and alive and alert. In fact, the book got written mostly during the hours between 1 am and 3 am, back in my house in Delhi. I don't know whether it shows in the writing. I hope so. I want it to be a late night book. A vodka book. I can't wait for it to be out already. (April, by the way, dahlinks, as far as I know)

Speaking of books, my supremely talented friend Samit has his third book out. If you're a fan, you already know this. If you're not a fan, you should be, because his books are awesome. I've been all literary this weekend, and even met with Advaita Kala, author of Almost Single, a book I enjoyed hugely. We met right before my flight had to leave, so hurriedly at the IIC, over chutney sandwiches and coffee we discussed Indian Chick Lit and What It Means and Dodging Labels.

This time in Delhi I even took a break from 4S (which was packed on a Saturday night! Whatever is the world coming to when beloved dives are being taken over?) and went to the very posh Smokehouse Grill in GK II. Run by the same guy who owns Mocha, I believe, it's a lovely place, even if it IS super expensive. Very nice music, decent crowd, a little small by Delhi standards but hey, I live in Bombay, I can't complain. And it was nice going somewhere that wasn't the same ol', same ol', you know? I went with Surly Girl, back from Australia for a holiday (and who has totally inspired me to go to Sydney next year. I'm putting coins in my piggy bank already!) and Mr Crowley and many other non-blogging friends, coz I have some of those too. My energy levels run lower in Delhi, plus living with the mater meant I got calls asking, "Where are you? What time are you coming home? Who's dropping you?" which, shall we say, dampened my all-night-long enthusiasm. (Plus, we all ran out of money).

The weather in Delhi was brilliant, at least the weekend I was there. It was like the city was welcoming me back with open arms. Patches of winter sunshine, even disembarking from the flight to be told it was five degrees celcius outside wasn't so bad. And Sunday, when I left, it was gloomy again. Awwwwwwwww. Delhi, I love you too.

And I forgot to mention the man I met on the plane. (An OLD man, so no plane romance) There was lots of turbulence, and I couldn't read, so I grasped the side of my seat and tried not to squeal, which is when we made eye contact and he told me all about his life. He's writing a book, works in sales, has consequently no time for writing. "I bought a separate laptop for my novel," he said mournfully, "But I have no time." His wife has an MA in Economics, and so doesn't appreciate creativity. (This is point where I began to edge away and fiddle nervously with my headset) His daughter is 23, lives in Delhi and is married and the COO of her company. She's uber creative. He told me all about his novel as well, but because idea plagiarism is rampant, I'm not going to post it. And he has a son. We didn't talk much about his son, only his daughter and his mother, until I said "Excuse me" and watched Heroes for the rest of the flight.

My outgoing calls aren't happening, because Airtel stopped by on a "surprise verification visit" and I wasn't home and tomorrow is a bank holiday sooooooooo, Merry Christmas. Happy belated Eid and if I don't get a chance to blog before Goa, an excellent New Year.

11 comments:

  1. aha!! now dat snds nice.. ws planning to go down to goa this weekend.. but then our guest of honour this time spoilt it all by putting her foot down adn insisiting on spending it in Pune.. ah well.. you win some, you lose some..
    anywyz, that ws a pretty intersting flight... and i've made note of teh spotrs u mention.. next time i'm in delhi (in abt 3 months time i think..) i think i'll drop by there.. anything dat i need to knw or take care before i go der???

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  2. for the very first time after being ur regular reader (which was over two years back), i am jealous!

    hmpff!

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  3. hehehe....still remember that weirdo ice-princess who was staring at you in Smokehouse ;D

    Fun times

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  4. I don't see much difference between the 'new' 4S and the old 4S. We too packed it in last weekend in favour of Blues and some place called Indochine, which had free entry and posh people. There was a real Ferrari parked outside, next to a Porsche.

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  5. @ Perakth: come to Blues, come to Blues...it has great music as long as the damn owner isn't around

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  6. Hey Confessor,
    glad to know of your book, will love to read it.
    I also love advaita kala for her geat sense of humour and detailing. I landed on your blog in the same spirit.
    Merry xmas and wishes for a great new year!!

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  7. There is something about ppl you meet on flights, there are never any who want to just be all nice and quiet and enjoy the flight!
    I remember really looking forward to going to Smokehouse Grill. I think the prices shocked me to go back very soon...

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  8. haha.... i ate at smokehouse grill for FREE!!... had gone there to interview Riyaaz (mocha guy) for a project on entrepreneurship I was working on.
    Why Goa on new years? do you like the insane crowds and lack of privacy and all of bombay and bangalore and delhi and pune being where you are?
    ohh... and are you going for sunburn?

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  9. am waiting for your book....when it is out..please have a book reading session in Bangalore....

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  10. Your posts are boring these days, must be tuff ...

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  11. Nice blog. I will keep reading. Please take the time to visit my blog about Bass Guitar Lesson

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