Amala Launches 'The Purple Lotus and other Stories' Book

Amala Launches 'The Purple Lotus and other Stories' Book by Ratna Rao Sekhar.
Published by Mapin Publishing.

Oxford Bookstore, Hyderabad and Mapin Publishing organized the book launch of `The Purple Lotus and Other Stories' penned by Mrs. Ratna Rao Shekar, a debutant writer and the Editor of House calls and Wow!, Hyderabad magazines. The book was released by Mrs. Amala Akkineni - an acclaimed actress and an animal welfare activist. It was a thought-provoking session as the author read out excerpts from her newly launched book followed by a book signing session.
The book `The Purple Lotus and Other Stories' is a refreshing collection of thirteen stories that are vignettes of life: of men and women who love, dream, and more importantly, who move with the natural ebb of life. The book provides answers to the varied questions related to life. It beautifully depicts the stories set in different cities, towns and across countries, which illustrate the journeys of relationships, migrations, and anticipation. With engaging moments drawn from memories and fantasies, the stories try to make sense of past and present i.e. of the cultural roots and the demands of modern life.
The author gives her rich, unbiased observations on things as they are on matters from loving and death to spirituality and materialism to the emptiness as well as fulfillment that fills most lives. How happy each is in their world and how uniquely unhappy others get.
The book eventually lets the reader connect with the multiple characters from the stories - of writers, spiritualists, dancers, engineers, artistes, doctors and others. The Purple Lotus and Other Stories is a prism through which the writer characterizes the players in a voice that's her own.

About the author:
Ratna Rao Shekar is the Editor of House calls and Wow Hyderabad magazines, both of which she helped found. Ratna has written for publications in India and abroad on subjects as varied as arc and heritage, and she has travelled extensively.

About the book:
`The Purple Lotus and Other Stories' deals with thirteen stories that are vignettes of life: of men and women who love, dream, and more importantly, who move with the natural ebb of life. The book provides answers to the varied questions related to life. It beautifully depicts the stories set in different cities, towns and across countries, which illustrate the journeys of relationships, migrations, and anticipation. With engaging moments drawn from memories and fantasies, the stories try to make sense of past and present i.e. of the cultural roots and the demands of modern life.

About Mapin Publishing:
Mapin Publishing is reputed for illustrated books on India's art and culture. Their publishing programme covers a broad spectrum: fine art, architecture, archaeology, crafts, design, exhibition catalogues, museum collections, performing arts, photography and more. We publish literature under our nascent literary imprint, Mapin Lit, and produce books for children that. bring Indian narratives and art-forms closer to young readers.

With a history of over 25 years since their first book was published in 1985, they now have more than 900 titles to their credit. They have done significant contribution towards promoting the understanding of Indian art and culture by producing outstanding publications. These include Foreword Book of the Year Awards (for Handmade in India and Sacred Spaces) British Art Historians Award (for Indian Painting), Textile Society of America Award (for Threads of Identity) and Shepherd Award (for Kashmir Shawl), to name a few.

About Oxford Bookstore:
Oxford Bookstore is India's leading bookstore chain. The 90 years old store on Park Street, Kolkata is a near iconic institution offering a contemporary, multidimensional interactive experience with a unique product mix of books, music, gifts; stationery items and CHA BAR. It is the only completely integrated online offline bookstore in the country with access to 6 million titles worldwide and is only one of its kind hosted out. of India and provides special online shopping benefits. At present, there are 26 stores in the country including metros Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, and Bangalore. First dedicated bookstore for children in India, Oxford Junior is located on Park Street, Kolkata.