Over A Samosa - Simple Tales, Simple Pleasures! Nithya Rajagopal

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Nithya Rajagopal’s tales are as crunchy and as welcome as the samosa in the title of her book, short, crisp and palatable! They delight in their brevity, and yet, each tale leaves behind an emotion that is akin to a pleasant satiety.

What shines through in these tales is the fact that life is made up of simple joys, held together through stolen moments that make it perfect. Whether it is the strength of a baby girl who has withstood a storm, or the satisfaction on the smile on the face of a six-year-old girl; the camaraderie and banter between a well-adjusted couple or the travails of a mother trying to marry off her eligible son, all these thoughts blossom out through language that is spare, yet effective.

Sometimes, there is no looking back. Life moves on, despite personal tragedy, a love that repels or unfulfilled work issues, and in such cases, it is better to move on with it and find happiness in those flowers within reach. Besides, it is the quirky side that brings a smile, or allows a chill to travel down one’s spine. Who said that life had to be boring and mundane?

If I had to pick the tales that I enjoyed most, they would be ‘All Work and No Play’, ‘Chellayi’, ‘You and Me’ and ‘The Shelf’.

This is a book meant to drive the blues away; a delicious snack to be savoured along with a cup of steaming hot tea. Nithya Rajagopal could well be talking about her writing when she says, “When the roots are strong, the trees last for generations.”



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