Seasons Greetings

If you are reading this i know you are waiting for my literary updates. Hmmm Yes will update soon... By the time you enjoy your Christmas with your dear and near ones.

(click on the image for wallpaper download)

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Shaiju Mathew : A feature

 Shaiju Mathew is the author of the most anticipated novel of the year, ‘Knocked Up.’ Most anticipated because no other book in the recent history has created such curiosity and interest in the minds of the readers. People who got a glimpse of the same on Facebook says its an ultimate story about friendship, love and fulfilling dreams told in a very simple and hillarious way.  He has a huge fan following over the social networking site 'Facebook'. 

'Knocked Up' was released in UAE by Richbull Marketing in a limited authored signed edition of 500 copies to raise funds for a charity and the good news is that the entire lot of 500 was exhausted in 7 days flat and still there are more demands for the book by prospective readers due to word of mouth publicity.

On asking him how does it feel after releasing Knocked Up to such a thunderous response he says, “I am feeling great and honoured that my work has been liked by so many people and we are also able to raise funds for the charity that my mother believes in” with a satisfied smile on his face.

However, the journey of a simple boy from Pune to the most promising author of his generation was not a very easy task for Shaiju. He says about his journey as “the most exciting time of his life.” Shaiju had to face many hurdles before he decided to publish his own work so that he could do maximum justice to the book and also bring about awareness among the general public about his book via extensive promotions for which he chose the social networking site ‘Facebook’. “When I started out promoting my work, I got tremendous response from many people who liked my synopsis and the sample chapters that I circulated to gauge the pulse of the reading crowd” he says with a smile.

Shaiju Mathew says he is a true blue Pune boy who loves Pune and the people out here. He was born and brought up in Pune. He studied in St. Joseph’s Boys High School, Khadki and also did his MBA in HR from the acclaimed Pune University. “Pune is the best place in this world as I have so many beautiful memories of my childhood and growing up years here” he reminisces about his childhood days and also confirms his liking for Pune. He further adds “Pune is the base of my story and all the events that take place in my book are situated in Pune. Pune is the cultural capital of Maharashtra and has its own unique place in the history books too.”

Shaiju although a Malayali likes to be known as a Punekar and prefers Maharashtrian dishes over South Indian fare he says “Although I respect my own culture I somewhere feel that I am a true Maratha from my heart and soul. My favourite dish is saadi varan and amti bhaath, I even love Puran Poli and my weakness is Shrikhand Puri and Sabudana Wada.”

On asking what he misses the most about Pune as he is based in Bangalore now, he says "I miss Ganesh Chaturthi and all the festivals celebrated  here as I have so many memories of these festivals. I still remember that during Ganesh Chaturthi I and my friend Praveen used to decorate the space where we used to keep the idol in his house and also prepare for the puja. I was well versed with all the Ganesh Aarti’s and used to sing them. During Diwali apart from bursting crackers I alongwith my group of friends used to build ‘Killa’ with clay and bricks and decorate it with small idols of Shivaji Maharaj and his soldiers... Oh those were the days” he remembers.

Being an accomplished singer he tried to make his career in singing which took him to the south as there were more opportunities, however, he couldn’t make it big there due to heavy competition and due to a throat injury. However his other passion that was for writing still stuck to him which helped him explore totally another creative field. He says, “ I have no regrets about my failed singing career because I will make a comeback soon and pursue singing with full dedication. However, writing was always there in me as I used to write diaries when I was a kid and also wrote short stories and poems which were my base for writing novels.”

Shaiju has also been writing articles for few magazines and entertainment portals as a freelancer. He also has his own blog where he pens his thoughts and there are many people who like what he writes. “Blogging was something I started and then stopped in the middle but I resumed it again after my friends coerced me to do so. Even my first book was published because of my friend Praveen who encouraged me and forced me to finish the book and get it printed” he laughs loud and continues “I got so many good people who guided me and helped me in accomplishing my dream especially Mr. Aditya Kripalani – author of Backseat and Mr. Vasant Kamat – CEO of Dolphin Publications and also my creative team which comprises of Jasmin, Sakhi, Vikram, Shrijit and Mohit.”

Shaiju’s debut work ‘Knocked Up’ is a simple story of three best friends Sid, Ron and Prateik who are teenagers living in Pune. They are directionless in their life and are trying to find a meaning to their existence. The story is very simple and humorous. The comedy is not forced but situational. Shaiju describes this coming up of age story as a modern version of R.K. Narayan’s ‘Swami and Friends.’ “Anyone and everyone who got a chance to read my book even before its official release in India has compared the book to ‘Malgudi Days’, ‘Swami and Friends,’ ‘3 Idiots’ and Sue Townsends ‘Adrian Mole’ series. There has also been a section of readers who compared it to Chetan Bhagat’s style of writing. All these feedbacks have made me feel proud of my book and I am sure everyone would definitely like it.”

Shaiju has also started his own Publication “Magic Moments” which will promote not only new and old authors but also other creative people who are involved in the process of making a book. He says, “A novel is a team effort. Every book you pick up in the market, will give you information about the author and the publication house but no one knows who edited the book, who designed the cover, who compiled the book etc etc... Magic Moments believes in giving credit to each and every person who has contributed towards the book and we will give equal opportunities to every creative person who wants to work with us.” He is also working on a unique model of business partnership through which more and more authors and creative people will benefit from their work.

“Writers / Authors are the worst paid and the most neglected lot in India. So I want to do something for the benefit of my community in general and gather more recognition for my fellow members. Moreover, publication business has more potential in India as we have the high number of book reading public in the world”, he further emphasizes.

When asked about his future projects he says that he is currently working on few movie scripts and also involved in building the credibility of his publication house in the market. There are few manuscripts he is short listing to be published under his publication.

Shaiju Mathew’s message to the aspiring authors in the country is “Pursue your dreams and do not let it die as dreams do come true” and he points at himself as an example.

Guyz who are not able to go to a store and purchase a copy of KNOCKED Up pls go and order the book from the following link http://www.flipkart.com/knocked-up-shaiju-mathew-book-8191044706 at a 30% discount.

 His personal site : www.shaijumathew.com 
                  Blog : www.shaiju-mathew.blogspot.com

Interview with Shaiju Mathew

Hi guys this is an exclusive interview on the upcoming writer, my friend, my well wisher, more.... read it 1st here. His book is expected to release this September. Hope you all support him!!!

-DuDo

Shaiju Mathew- Facebook Account

How old were you when you started writing?

I started penning poems and short stories from my schooldays. Hmm maybe I was around 12 – 13 years old.

Why did you choose writing as a career?

I started writing poems and stories when I was a kid but I didn't pursue writing as a career. I started writing articles for few entertainment related magazines and websites as I love our Hindi Film Industry and I used to do that as a hobby. I used to maintain a diary and one day a friend of mine chanced to read one of my old diaries and he said that the situations are so funny and real why dont I share it with the world in the form of a book and thus 'KNOCKED UP' was born. Basically I love weaving stories and I think I am a better story teller now.


What was the inspiration behind your first novel, Knocked Up?

My childhood experiences and the days spent with my friends.


Are the characters in the books based on someone you know or its a fiction?

Its based on the situations that I along with my best friends faced during our growing up days. Few are facts and lots are fiction. On a lighter note I dont want to invite any controversy here (laughs) so I plan to put a disclaimer on the book.


What was the hardest part about writing, Knocked Up?

Nothing. The story was already there in my head when I started writing it just flowed out and in 20 days flat I was ready with the first draft.


Can you describe your entire book in one word, and tell us why did u choose it?

Its difficult to describe the entire book in one word... Let me try... HILLARIOUS or just plain KNOCKEDUP but that's two words... lets remove the space in between to make it one word. Childhood is something which we are blessed with only once and I wanted to relive my childhood days once again and that's why KNOCKED UP took shape. Some people write diaries and some keep scrapbook as memories but I wrote this book so that whenever I feel nostalgic I can read my book.

Tell us something about the book?

KNOCKED UP is a light hearted situational comedy or should I say a entertainer which has every emotion in right doses. It is a feel good story and most of us will definitely identify with the story and situations as most of us would have encountered the same in our life. KNOCKED UP will definitely put a smile on your face and there is no tension or thought provoking message in it. The only message I want to give my readers is 'FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS' and never kill the child in you.

Tell us about the novel's main character ?

There are three main characters and they are as confused about their life as any teenager is and every adult feels that children dont have any tensions in life as they dont have to fend for themselves nor they have to think about anythingelse other than studies but thats not the case. Every teenager is bogged down with a lot of problems and tensions other than studies like love life, career to choose, living upto their parents expectations etc...

Do you have any other projects you're currently working on?

As I said I am a story teller and I have many stories lying in my pandora box (my brain) to be told to the world. I would be coming out with a sequel to KNOCKED UP called KNOCKED UP AGAIN and there are few more drafts lying with me which I would be developing very soon under my publication 'Magic Moments Publications'.

Why did you turn a self publisher? Is it because you didn't find any takers for the book?

No that's not the case. I approached a lot of publishers and I got a lot of positive response from them. I even signed a contract with one of the premier and prominent publication however I felt that they were not able to do justice to my book the way I wanted. Moreover my brother who already has an e-book publishing house was toying with the idea of launching hardbound books to the market. We formed 'Magic Moments' to bring out a series of books covering various genres and we wanted a bestseller to establish our publication in the market so we jointly decided to bring out 'KNOCKED UP' under the Magic Moments flagship to establish our publication as well as promote the book the way we wanted to.

Who are your favorite writers?

I love old English writers like Shakespeare, Jane Austin, William Thackeray, Charles Dickens etc and in Indian writers I love Munshi Premchand, Tagore and Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay. In the current lot I love Chetan Bhagat's work also Ruskin Bond (although he is not from the current lot however his stories are still young and fresh)

What advice would you give to budding writers today?

Follow your dreams there will be many obstacles but you need to stay determined and things will fall in place.


Do you have anything to say to all your readers?

Relive your teenage days through KNOCKED UP

Visit him at www.shaijumathew.com

Missing You All Guys

Itz been a week since i logged on to my blog or on to my FB account!!! Tonnes of mails :f  . Had 5 fun filled dayz. :party  Enjoying with the old friends and authentic Goan sea food :e .... It felt so nice to be with them after 9 looooong months i really miss :d them. Will catch on with all your lovely blogs. jus give me some time : )

I love this song "Eenie Meenie" - Sean Kingston Ft Justin Bieber

I'm in love with this song :) Really Cant get out of my mind!!! Song performed by Sean Kingston and Justin Bieber. Thanks guys for making such a good number. All the best.

Video Courtesy : Youtube and Google

Stop comparing!!!

I'm writing this based on the recent happenings with me. I'm not describing the incidents, but writing this in general

We live in a pathologically dissatisfied world and I'm going to tell you why because we love to compare. Go around the world and you will discover that people aren't happy with their bodies.

Indians want to be fair complexioned like westerners and so buy beauty enhancement stuffs, westerners want to own bronzed bodies like ours and so purchase tanning lotions.

Those with moles have them removed, while who don't surgically implant beauty spots. Some people want to shed some pounds ans some to put on some baby fat to look like a model.

When are we going to stop and simply be happy with how we look? I tell you, we live in a sick world. Yes that sickness is comparison. Take a look at wealth. when we drive our old car, it really suits us fine. In-fact are blessed when the rain pours outside. But the moment we see our own office mate or neighbors, drive his classy 4 wheel drive, we automatically feel like we are third class children of god. Next time we drive our noisy , rusted bumpy car, notice how the defects come out all of a sudden? We feel deprived, dishearten and dispossessed.

Listen carefully. Billgates total assets are worth billions of dollars. Thats more thab the GNP of somesome small countries. Amithabh and Sachin earns Lakhs n lakhs by simply smiling on the TV commercial and other stares just in thousands. MY POINT?

No matter how hard you work, there are people who will be richer than your are. And there will be some people who will be more beautiful, have more money and have more problems.

Try it for once, Stop looking around and don't compare.

Dont compare her nose with yours, don't compare his money with yours, Don't compare friens girlfriend or wife with yours. Stop comparing and start living and you will be happy with your life.

This is crucial, the most difficult thing in the world is to be who you are not. Pretending and trying to be some one else is the official passtime of the human race since history. I don't think dogs, cats and other animals have this problem and the easiest thing in this world to be YOU.
BE HAPPY

There must be a reason why god made you tall or short or thin or bumpy all over.

LOVE WHO YOU ARE!!!!

Save Tigers.... Campaign!!

Make A Difference Join: Save our Tigers

Watch The Video: Click here

JuSt 1411 Left... Do you want your kids and Grand-kids to just see pictures and hear stories about tigers??? Plz Support and save tigers... - DuDo a true nature lover!!!

Sorry guys 4 no update...

Well ye sorry for the long overdue blog posts, was busy, busy, busy, busy wid nothing... actually ye xams. will cme up wid more interestin posts... As i'm lazy as many of you know to update the posts here coz i need 2 sign in by typin in my long password. Anyway, wanted to let you all know I was still alive and kicking.

anyway thats it for now and hopefully i will get back into the swing of things.

well bye for now and thanks for reading (Hopefully u all are reading it...)

oh and there will be more updates coming soon....

Wish U all a Happy Diwali

Click on the card for its full view....

May this DIWALI lighten up your Lives with Happiness, Health and Prosperity....

HAPPY DIWALI

Avril B'day

Many Happy Returns of da day Black Star

Here is a set of 200 wallpapers of her... for all her fans!!!

http://depositfiles.com/files/4jnayed78
http://depositfiles.com/files/6mbtxy6hs

Ramadan Mubarak!!!

Ramadan Mubaarak to all my friends!!!

Onam Feast

A Feast at my house... all are invited!!!!!

Yes dere is payasam (Kheer) tooo....

Wï§h Ú & Úr £åmïl¥ å Håþþ¥ ñ £µñ£ïllêÐ õñÄM

Twitter Background

Jus Pimped my twitter background... http://twitter.com/Zapper86

Become a magician!!!!

My huge collection of Magic tricks revealed, David blaine tricks, Criss Angel, and other card tricks... feel free to download it...

62years of indpendence an Ultimate Video!!!!

As India celebrates its 62 years of Independence... i stumbled upon a gr8 video online which i would like to share. Its a gr8 question that Shiv Khera Asks "Do you want the next 50 years to be like the last 50 years?” in his documentary “Country First – Nation Above Everything” He reminds us to be a better citizen... to make a better India. Enjoy This Independence and prepare for a better tomorrow....

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!

Save Water!!!!

1. Water gives life to all creating beings.
2. Water always seeks its own course.
3. Water possesses both the active courage to overcome all obstacles
and the passive conformity to fit any container.
4. Water, clean in itself, cleanses filth and contains both pure and impure.
5. Water, expecting no repentance, grants strength and light and gives
the immeasurable access to fertility of life.
6. Water fills the oceans, and whithout losing its being, becomes steam,
cloud, rain, snow or fog.
To live with a mind like water grants the key to piece of mind, good health
and a long life.

Trusting you is all i ever had.......

Is this true? trust is all we do... but why we all end up with the same???

Basically a bad day!!!

I don't remember the last bad day I had, except that I frowned at it and shook
my finger, saying "BAD! Bad Day!"

That spate of strong language made the day cower in the corner and stay out of
my way. That angered me even more, since it had already ruined things. The
least it could have done would have been to continue wreaking havoc on my life
for the full length of the day. You know, sunrise to sunset.

I went along most cheerily for years until today when it came up at me with a
vengeful force that made me want to cower in the corner. This time, there was
no finger wagging -- I was in a mean enough mood to fight it to the bitter end.

Bloody-Memories

do i hav 2 say anything more????

Poverty and Reality Sells?

India the holy land, famous for its rich hospitality culture and customs... Is it what we show others?
Indian cinema & books the mirror and the real ambassadors to the outside world.... the two buzzwords in west these days... what do you think the reason is?

New movies portraying the reality? Poverty? The Oscar winning movie SDM and our reality directors hits like Page 3, Traffic Signal & Fashion. What do they have in common? What are they trying to show the westerners that we are poor helpless and cheats? are they eye openers for Indians or just a negative feel good Films?

Yes these directors have tried to show the best but it is not what India should be known for. This holy land has much more to offer as a part of entertainment.Not to forget about the Booker prize winning book "The white Tiger". I believe one criteria for winning is the sarcasm about
the Indian rural and city scenario and westerners like these kinda stuff...

No doubt Indians are Writing and directing all these stuffs and generating a good chunk of cash I'm proud of it too...

Is it that Poverty & reality the only things that sells now?