Asian Literary Society

  PRESS RELEASE The Asian Literary Society organized its 3rd ALS LIT FEST on 20th and 21s February 2021.   The celebration started with a welcome address by Mr. Manoj Krishnan (Founder, ALS).  Guests of Honour, Ms. Meenakshi Natarajan (Eminent Author & Former Member of Parliament) and Dr. Pariksith Singh (Eminent Author & CEO, Access Health Care Physicians, Florida) graced the occasion with their august presence. Padma Shri Malti Joshi (Eminent Author) and Dr. Sarojni Tanha (Eminent Poet) shared their views about women in modern literature. Dr. Amarendra Khatua (Former Secretary, MEA) and Prof. Nandini Sahu (Director, School of Foreign Languages, IGNOU) discussed the decolonization of English literature. Mr. Amit Dasgupta (Former Indian Diplomat& Author), Mr. Sridhar Balan (Literary Columnist & Author), Mr. Vasudev Murti (Managing Partner, Focal Concepts&Author), and Mr. Prakash Iyer (Founder-CEO, Leadership Works&Author) spoke about realism over i...

  The carefree world has now changed, The daily lives and activities all arranged. We can't afford to be carefree and careless, We're extra careful, for we fear being lifeless. A single pint of carelessness can fame us, As victims in this era of turmoil and fuss. We must be watchful of every step we take, For the safety of us and for other's sake. Outdoor is a forbidden risky rendezvous, If you must, your facemask must continue. Pockets mustn't be free of hand sanitizers, It's mandatory and life needs appetizers. Social distancing is highly appreciated, It's not that human's values are depreciated. The situation demands and seeks it, If you want to live happy, fine and fit. The pandemic has sown the seeds of fear, You can't hug and kiss the dear and near. The invisible enemy is risky and abnormal, To fight it, respect and accept the new normal.

The first snow drizzled on the roof top Making me nostalgic, refreshing that day, Together we had promised to be entwined forever The wishes would come true, we trusted the belief Alas! You’re now not here, leaving me alone in this chill. True love, indeed, had blossomed, betwixt us I’ve been blessed with such an endearing partner like you, Relishing the changing seasons and their colors We’ve lived together for nearly semicentennial The happiness bubble burst due to the invading frost. Your amorevolous nature had given me warmth The biting cold became an unforgettable spectacle Hand-in-hand, peppered with banters and arguments, Our paths had crossed, interwoven into one, Now, the irreparable loss has made me stoic. Yet, there’s the hope of reuniting with you Your turn is over, and I eagerly wait for mine, As I reach heaven’s gate, stay there to greet me As I live you’ll be living too, in my every breath, And, this gives me hope and uplifts me through this crisis.  

  One of my cousins decided, to tie the nuptial knot; Wedding bells would chime so differently, who could have thought! Though the guidelines have loosened, and rules aren't too strict; But the apprehensions still scare, when the outcomes, we depict. Our house was the venue, love was the only rent; Instead of spending lakhs, on the resplendent heritage tent. Dress-codes were decided, and dances were prepared; Links for the zoom meet were happily shared. The 'four neighbours', who poke there nose in every affair; Were kept at an arm, 'sorry! only 50 can be there'. The sangeet was held online, for the hoary and the small; The wedding melodies were sung by Grannies, and repeated by all. Memories discussed and games played, in a group on whatsapp; Prezzies and sweets were parceled in a sanitized gift-wrap. Dressed in our elegant attire, with color coordinated mask tied; Fifty of us were welcomed by less-worried-father of the bride. Resources weren't wasted, grandeur...

  It has been a few days Since I saw the squirrel run, Who mocked my cautious ways, Of a hibernation that had begun  Way back in summer. Serves you right, you sprightly rodent, For teasing me all this time. Scampering about, a tad too impudent, It is now your turn to quarantine Into months of forced slumber. Locked-down, snowed-in, we wait, And watch the streets transform Into heavenly white landscapes  Through fogged windows of our dorms, A glistening stunner. Yet, through months of confinement, I find my heavy heart lighten, At unchanged greetings of the climate, As my window sills brighten.

The incessant pounding of her heart echoed her ears A cloud of darkness drew curtains across her eyes; A cold chill played roller-coaster on her spine, Yet her palms were dripping in sweat The earth beneath seemed to be caving in As she stood to face the crowded hall, Filled with enthused ears and notes to pen Her Untold Story, to the world to be revealed. The dark secret that was dug and buried, Deep down in her heart never ever to be unveiled But today she felt she owed it to the little souls, To let them know her Untold Story, her life’s dark secret For she knew her revelation could invigorate many lives, Diffident and frightened to identify; those demons, those monsters Overpowered by lust; preying on the weak, defenseless young And displaying a façade of humility Determined she was to take the courageous move To unfold many stories that stay Untold!!

  बीते पलों में कोयल की कूक, कपोत की गुटर गूँ भी थी कौओं की कांव-कांव के बीच चिड़ियाँओं की चूँ चूँ भी थी सुख और दुख दोनों ही थे दिल को चहुं ओर से घेरे हुए मरने के हालात भी थे और जीने की जुस्तजू भी थी   खोये हुए हैं वृद्ध अतीत में युवा देख रहे भविष्य का सपना संसारी उलझे संसार में ज्ञानी कहते हैं कोई नहीं अपना कर्म और भावना दोनों को साध सार्थकता ला जीवन में भविष्य सँवरेगा पूर्ण होंगें सपने साथ देगी तेरी कल्पना   बीते पल से निकल, उड़ान भर, देख सिर पर खुला आसमान प्रयत्नों से ही पूर्ण होंगे एक न एक दिन तेरे ये सारे अरमान असशक्त भले ही हों तेरे छोटे कदम पर पाना है मंजिल को बार-बार कहता हूँ तुझसे नींद से जाग और हो जा सावधान   अतीत की धरोहार हो गये हैं बीते पल और बीती बातें मत कर कोशिश उनको जिंदा करने की निरर्थक होंगी फ़रियादें बीते कल से जो चिपके, काँटों में उलझे और समय गंवाया इमारत वही होती है सुदृढ़ जिसकी सशक्त हैं बुनियादें   बीते पलों के अनुभवों से प्यारे संवार दिन आज का प्राचीन यंत्रों में मत उलझ छेड़ नया गीत नये साज का सूर्योदय होते ही रात का अस्तित्व समाप्त हो जाना...

Beneath the layers of a smile, weak and tremulous, Something was hidden, not a trace of its presence. Covered in tears and trauma, was a story Tucked away in the shrouds of past deep in the quarry.   Its bruises were covered artistically, Veiled from the rest of the world, held inside tightly. What everybody liked to see was being shown, In the limelight of life's stage, the show must go on.   She closed her eyes to avoid the pain, Betrayal had knocked on her door and entered seamlessly. Yes, the door was opened by none other but her husband, How an intruder became part of their married life? She wondered   Honesty and integrity seemed like empty words from books, She didn't dare to break her home, how could she choose. Playing ignorant was what, she opted for Whenever the grief returned, it was muted for sure.   Through her eyes, though it rolled down often. But it refused to wear the attire of spoken locution. The story of this suffering, she told herself every day...

वो बीता पल जो मेरे मन से फिर कभी गया ही नहीं कही। बाहर। जो अनुपस्थित, भीतर वही उपस्थित था कही। मन का सांकल खटखटाती धीमी आहट से चौंकाता सा कहीं। वो बीता पल सदियों की धुंध के गुबार में पुरवा के झोंके सा कही। विस्मृति की लहर में डूबते  उतराते ठहरते हुए। कहीं। फिर कभी गया ही नहीं कही।। मनमंथन प्राप्ये कभी अमृत कभी विष का पान कराते हुए कहीं। लंबे काल खंड के पार पृथक सा, तो कभी जुडा सा कहीं। एक अंतराल के बीच परिचय की क्षणिक झलक सा कहीं। बीता पल जो मेरे मन से फिर कहीं गया ही नहीं कहीं।। स्मृतियों की मंजूषा में मणि मुक्ता जो परत दर छिपा सा कहीं। झुर्रियों से भरे जर्जर खंडहर में उधघाटित मृदु उजाले सा कहीं। रिक्त पृष्ठ पर  जो बहुत कुछ अनपढ़ा रह गया है कहीं। निर्विकार मरू मन पर शीतल फुहार सा कही। वो बीता पल ,जो अंतरमन में अमिट लिपि में अंकित हैं कहीं। कथा सी मेरी जिन्दगी का सूत्रधार है कहीं। जो मन से फिर गया ही नहीं कहीं।।

On The Wings of Fantasy, the mind becomes a Globetrotter,  Instant, inexpensive, the exploration full of adventure.  Fantasy, the base for the Fairytales and The Arabian Nights, Two necessary media, for tender minds to take a flight. Fantasy, makes a slave enjoy freedom from the master,  The Blind draws sunrise, the Deaf joins fun and laughter.  The odd friends Tom and Jerry, the beautiful, lavish Titanic,  The howling Tyrannosaurus, the welcome guest ET, are Fantasies fantastic.  My Fantasy has propelled wings to reach the Moon immediately, The Seven Seas and the numerous Mountains become thoroughfare easily. Spreading the Wings of Fantasy, I feel like a bird,  Gliding above the Rainforests, or the Prairies onward,  Repairing the Colosseum , I salute The Statue of Liberty.  The rich wildlife of Savannah or the Saharan Bedouin Society,  Danube, Thames, Nile or Mississippi, surfacing with pure beauty,  Time and again, I enjoy the sig...

Hey, you! Yes, you who broke my heart, I was stabbed by the Cupid's dart.  Tattered clothes but had a large heart with crevices filled with love, I believed we were two souls blessed from above. But Alas! My dreams slithered down the dusty lanes, Tethered to the creeping walls, washed by the rains, Nowadays, I fold my broken hearts into a paper boat, When tears engulf me, I cloak it with a trench coat! Hey! You trampled on my wishes with your devilish grin, As if I am the culprit tinged with a shade of grey, committed a sin, Yeah, If loving you was a sin, it cost me a broken heart, I would travel miles to meet you only to part! Never love a person so deep lest you feel hurt,  No matter how much you feel like blasting but you need to be curt,  O' love, why do you bring so much pain and heartbreak? Oh! Can you not shower cosmic dust of serenity for my sake! In between love and heartbreak in a cyclical loop, You played with my feelings in a hula hoop, Oh! My love, I know it'...

How beautifully I roll in the splendorous arms of ecstasy, The delirious winds create a drop of fallacy. I ride on the galloping chariot of desire, Where my heart's wishes peel layer by layer. Fairies and angels sprinkle pixie dust,  Sublime caress of ebullient stars wreathed with evanescent crust,  Dreams interwoven intricately on the bed of moonbeams,  In the inky darkness, clouds collide with thunderous screams. Oh! Sometimes I tread the unknown territory of goblins,  Elves take me to the whimsical jungle amidst the robins, Like a fool, dancing on the tunes of Pied Piper, Sometimes, like the Highwayman pining for my lover! I fly to the fairyland and meet Alice in wonderland, Snow White with seven dwarfs tiptoes into my imagination band,  While swimming, I travel nautical miles under the sea, The Little Mermaid Ariel brings me back to the lea!  I pirouette around like a Rapunzel with my long tresses,  Wearing a frilly attire with jewels, the  pr...

We have taken life for granted all this while With our needs we weren’t ready to compromise To our lives when the pandemic became a fatal threat Adapting to drastic changes was the only option left During prolonged lockdowns “ Work from home”became the new norm In distancing ourselves from loved ones we had serious qualms Education worldwide was promoted through distance learning Amidst chaos ,within us remained a deep sense of yearning Masked faces everywhere was what we encountered Strict actions were taken to ensure rules were not floundered Six feet distances was at all times to be maintained Washing hands for twenty seconds was a habit that remained No warm hugs and none of those frequent social meets All celebrations and festivities have turned to visual treats No more travel plans to foreign locales in our bucket list We were perplexed as life took an unexpected twist “ Online shopping” has now become the latest fad Sanitization at regular intervals is the only way to combat Th...

They have silenced your muffled cry yet again Ma And your womb has been exploited to bear them a son I know it was not your fault when they took me away This was my destiny, for them I was just another one Domination is at its prime in this patriarchal society Where women have been victimized for many generations I know you are not to be blamed for this felony Ma You just crumbled under pressure and expectations I know you must have mourned silently and cried bitter tears When you felt me die in your womb before I witnessed the world You must have been angered as a part of you went with me And for life you were left emotionally crippled Don’t  blame yourself Ma and agonise over the guilt It’s difficult for me to see you suffer in this consuming pain I wish I could wipe away your perennial tears and whisper softly “Ma  don’t cry, I shall be born to you again.” They have abandoned me in a bottomless abyss But for you I shall remain an inseparable part of your soul All my desires...

गुज़रती   हूँ   जब   भी   मैं   यादों   की   वादी   से   झरने   लगते   हैं   कुछ   बीते   पल   यादों   की   दरख़्त   से   । एक   नरम   मखमली   कालीन   बन   लिपट   जा तें   हैं   मेरे   क़दमों   से   और   ख़ुशबू   की   चादर   बन   मुझे   समेट   लेते   हैं   अपने   दामन   में   बेशुमार   पल   ज़िंदगी   के , मोतियों   की   माला   से   चमकने   लगते   हैं   । अपनी   परछाईं   को   पकड़ने   की   ज़िद् द   करता   बचपन , तितली   बन   इंद्रधनुष   छूने   की   हठ   करता   बचपन   । वो   साहिल   पर   सोने   सी   चमकती   रेत   -  मिले   थे   हम   तुम   जहाँ   और  , हुआ   एक   ख़ूबसूरत   सि...

  Falling from the blue-tinted expanse are the icy flurries, Sheathing the ground converting it into a wonderland, Glistening under the moonlight as the blizzards blow, Lays strewn shrouding the dome of every single home. Heralding the necessity to adorn layers of clothes, The flakes harbinger the advent of the harsh winter, Ready to get molded by the cute little humans, The first snow is here to transform into a lovely white snowman. Kissing thousands of cheeks while approaching in a blink, Sets the stage ready for skaters to go down the rink, Suspended from the branches of the denuded trees like arabesque, Changes the entire landscape into a monochrome picturesque. The windshields seem to have become extremely busy, Trying their best to wipe the car-free from the wispy imprints, Here comes the pristine cottony tufts of ephemeral existence, Bringing delight on every onlooker’s countenance.

Flashes of flamboyance flow through my heart Flickering memories of freedom and non-Pandemic past But counting the blessings would make us happy As complaining all the time will make our life shabby Acceptance to the new normal is the need of the hour, Masks and gloves are the must things no matter who we are Queuing is now the new norm, Be visiting doctors, shop or even we roam Public transport looks different and balancing Commuters wearing gloves masks with social distancing No more packing in large crowds Goodbye to concerts 'n movies is the need, say it aloud! Social greetings have morphed no more handshakes, hugs, and cheek-kisses They have replaced by foot-shakes and hand waves Dining-out will have restrictions around on how many to dine-in Social-distancing be in place, shared plates may disappear for sometime We'll start to holiday more in our backyards Good things for local economies as they cope very hard We've been conditioned to hypervigilance It's good to ...

The clear wide sky was painted in bright orange, Arid air-filled the void; traces of rain were nowhere, But she was drowning in the dampness of her soul, The warm droplets slid down slowly without any pause.   Her patience refused to accompany her anymore, Emotions washed all the thoughts of patriotism. Serving the nation was the right thing to do, she knew, But the mother inside her dismissed all the reasons.   How this goodbye is different than the one she said years ago, She hugged her husband last time at the same station, never to let go. The whole country was proud of his bravery after his demise, Her battle began when his was over; life crawled through the tunnel of sacrifice.   Shadows of the departure were darker than any night, If only she could hold his hands little longer and tighter. The moment to bid farewell was here; time just went by, Sufferings inside her asked, why is it so difficult to say goodbye?   Her confusion vanished when her handsome son sm...