End Game – A flash sci-fi by Sambit Daspatnaik

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I kept staring at the huge flying ship hovering in the dark twilight sky. The ship appeared to be of a vintage design, but extremely hi-tech compared to the most advanced spaceships on Earth. It shone magnificently with lights emanating from its rim clearly defining its perimeter amidst the dark night. But what it did to all the residents of my town was far more appalling than its magnificent appearance….

What happens next?

Read on to know more and many such wonderful articles by esteemed authors in the magazine. The magazine is free for all those who subscribe to it.

Link: Authoropod-Magazine/Podcast

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Behind the Closed Door – A Sincere Love Story by Shalini Ranjan

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The book ‘Behind the Closed Door’ is a short love story written by Shalini Ranjan, author of the best seller ‘If I Hadn’t Met You’.

A short love story that is as intense and pragmatic as it could be. A story that has different emotions with every turning page.

How often does it happen that two individuals who tie the nuptial cord end up with misunderstandings, false prejudices and lots more. The author has beautifully etched the characters with their myriad emotions and insecurity. In the midst of all the love, emotions and trauma, Shalini has successfully created a twist at the end, which I feel is her signature style and makes her stories so interesting and a page turner.

The writing style is lucid, fast paced and effective. For its not easy to pen the fluctuating emotions humans can go through in a relationship. One observation I had from this book and all previous stories of Shalini is that, she is not gender biased in her romantic story writing. She successfully sketches the characters of both her male and female protagonists in the right perspective.

For all those looking for drama, emotions and a twist in romantic fictions in a Netflix series kind of genre should definitely read this.

The book is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.in/Behind-closed-door-unconventional-Valentine-ebook/dp/B09SB7MJ6J/

Currently there is a special promotion going on. The book is available for free on 5th and 6th March 2022.

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Was the ‘Cask of Amantillado’ inspired by the Castle Island in South Boston?

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Nearly 5 years back, during my trip to the historical city of Boston, Massachusetts in the US, I got a chance to visit the tourist sites in this city. One of the tourist attraction was the cruise that took us on a ride on the Boston port that oversees the Massachusetts bay.

As one cruises along the Boston coastline, one gets the majestic view of the famous Castle Island, which is believed to be the source of inspiration for Edgar Allan Poe’s famous short story, ‘The Cask of Amantillado’ when he was a private stationed at Fort Independence on this very island in 1827.

Edgar Allan Poe was a 19th century American writer and poet. Across the world, he is best known for his short stories, particularly in the genre of mystery and horror.

So, the legend holds that the inspiration for ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ seems to have come from an allegedly true story that he himself had heard at Castle Island. According to this legend, Lieutenant Robert Massie was killed in a sword duel in 1817 by Lieutenant Gustavus Drane, following a dispute during a mere card game. The legend also mentions that the other soldiers took revenge on Drane by getting him drunk, luring him into the dungeon, chaining him to a wall, and sealing him in a vault. The historical records however prove otherwise, where Drane was acquitted of the charges and lived longer. Later, a skeleton was discovered on the island, which might have been been a source of inspiration for Poe.

‘The Cask of Amontillado’ is a tragic and haunting story that deals with the protagonist’s enemy being lured into a hidden chamber inside a fort after making him heavily drunk. The story at the end, gives a detailed description of the placement of the bricks, the motive of revenge, and the victim’s agonized moaning.

The Cask of Amontillado’ is one such story whose source of inspiration is still speculated until now.

Image source: Photograph by Sambit Daspatnaik. Copyright ©️ Sambit Daspatnaik. All Rights Reserved.

‘Beyond The Grey Line’ by Niladri Shekhar Mitra

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Long time back, I had read a book that had a collection of horror stories written by Edgar Allan Poe. I could not find any other book with such a collection, until I picked up the book ‘Beyond The Grey Line’ written by Niladri Shekhar Mitra.

‘Beyond The Grey Line’ is an amazing and interesting collection of scifi & horror stories. I loved each and every story penned by the author. Of which, I am calling out a few stories that really impressed me.

‘The hole in the wall’ is a story that leaves one fearing one’s very own neighbour. Infact, the story rendition reminds me of the level written by none other than Shri Satyajit Ray.

‘Crossroads’ is yet another amazing story that makes you think what if we had alien civilizations living amongst us but with different rules, time lapses and different worlds. The story brings out a very unique perspective on time relativity. Being a scifi author myself, I am a bit biased to call this out as the one that impressed me the most.

‘Maryam’ is yet another short story where the author creates enough curiosity in the minds of the readers. You may wonder if ghosts really exist. And well does it end with a twist? There’s a lot of questions the reader is left with at the end of this story.

‘Man in time’ is an amazing story with an altogether different approach to our possibility of travelling in time, while ‘Prisoner 969’ is a very well written psychotic story.

Reading ‘Blind Date’ made me wonder about the true characters of the main protagonists as they keep unfolding right till the end.

To what extent can a mother go to save her poor and hungry kids? The story ‘Mother’ is heart touching and yet can run a chill down your spine.

A strange interview that can make one go through life like a movie. This poignant story ‘The Interview’ shows how much the author has observed about life and beyond.

All the stories are beautifully narrated. I loved the narration which is fast paced, lucid and still gives enough detail about the story and the characters. The way the author starts the story, takes us through the plot line and leaves the readers at a specific point is really commendable. The stories are captivating, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats and a sure page turner. A must read for all scifi, thriller and fantasy seeking readers. And those who haven’t read such genres before, go ahead, you will definitely fall in love with the author’s work.

The kindle and paperback version is available and trending on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.in/Beyond-Grey-Niladri-Shekhar-Mitra/dp/9354902413/

Sankranti – A festival celebrated throughout the Indian subcontinent

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Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan or Maghi or simply Sankranti is celebrated across the Indian sub-continent on the 14th of January every year.

The term Uttarayan refers to the summer Solstice while Dakshinayan refers to the winter Solstice.

While the summer Solstice begins from mid Dec, Sankranti marks the entry of Sun into Capricorn (makar) zodiac, which happens around mid of January every year and hence the term Makar Sankranti.

The concept of Uttarayan and Dakshinayan is well explained in the ancient Vedic texts that give importance to the worship of the Sun God to provide good health, energy and vitality to all living beings on the planet Earth.

This festival also marks the early stages of agricultural in most parts of India.

The festivities associated with Makar Sankranti are known by various names such as Magh Bihu in Assam, Maghi in Punjab, Maghi Saaji in Himachal Pradesh, Maghi Sangrand or Uttarain in Jammu, Sakraat in Haryana, Sukarat in central India, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, Ghughuti in Uttarakhand, Dahi Chura in Bihar, Makara Sankranti in Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra & Goa. In West Bengal it is celebrated as Poush Sankranti. In Uttar Pradesh, it is called as Khichidi Sankranti. Uttarakhand celebrates it as ‘Uttrayni’, while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana celebrate it as Sankranthi.

In the Indian subcontinent, it is celebrated as Maghe Sankranti in Nepal, Songkran in Thailand, Thingyan in Myanmar, Mohan Songkran in Cambodia.

The reference of Makara Sankranti is also mentioned in the ancient Itihasa or epic, the Mahabharara, as Magha Mela.

The festival is celebrated amongst Hindus by making sticky bound sweets particularly from sesame (til) and a sugar base such as jaggery (gud, gur). This type of sweet is a symbolism for being together in peace and joyfulness, despite the uniqueness and differences between individuals. The sweet is usually called as Til gur. The celebration is associated with kite flying, savouries and praying to fire.

Makara Sankranti is an important pan-Indian solar festival, known by different names though observed on the same date, symbolizing and wishing good health, success and prosperity for the entire world.

Wishing you all a very happy Makara Sankranti.

Image source: internet and further animated.