‘Editorial Meditations’ – an apt write-up (Issue 101: Jan-Feb 2022)

An apt and excellent piece of write-up is the ‘Editorial Meditations’ delivering a perfectly synergized, multi-pronged, and diverse process of true Bhakti at a time when divine devotion has got into a degenerated phase in the hands of poachers. Kudos to Atreya Sarma, Editor of the Feature.

Varchaswi L Putcha , Hyderabad   varchaswi4u@gmail.com    Jun 23,2022

Excellent Bhakti Feature, awesome, ‘Editorial Meditations’, Translations (Issue 101: Jan-Feb 2022)

Congratulations on this issue on Bhakti literature! It's a collector's number. 

Atreya Sarma’s editorial “Meditations” (NOT musings!) for this special issue is awesome and very grounded. It's excellent, especially the way Atreya has kept the contemporary reader at the back of his mind. Sample this brilliant line: ‘Bhakti is an ideal blend of positive belief, basic rationalism and quintessential wisdom.’ Albert Einstein is a very good example of a scientist who is also a mystic. Just look at his eyes! They're so spiritual. I liked the quote Atreya has chosen for Einstein, ‘Science without religion is lame.’ I’m glad the Editor hasn’t shied away from enumerating the details on the flip side – such as vested interests, political polarization, and political temple appointments. They deliberately turn a blind eye to the commonalities in different religions, how at times they marvellously converge on some points enough to make the divisions melt.

I’ve loved the informal tone of Atreya Sarma’s translation of Kancharla Gopanna ‘Ramadasu’, even if it’s one of the Classical Lyrics.  There’s intimacy, especially in the concluding four lines. Again, Atreya’s tone for Tanikella Bharani’s “Hats off to you, hey Shankara” (Folksy Lyrics) may touch a chord in contemporary readers. 

Lakshmi Kannan, New Delhi   lakshmi.kaaveri.kannan@gmail.com    Jun 23,2022

Liked Sudha Rai’s review of Wooden Cow (Issue 99: Sep-Oct 2021)

I have liked Sudha Rai’s review of Wooden Cow, a translation by Lakshmi Kannan of the original Tamil novel Marappasu by T Janakiraman (Thija). To my relief, Sudha Rai’s understanding of the novel’s ending is fresh. At least it doesn’t see the ending as a return to a conventional monogamous family life. It shows Ammani as a lover of freedom living her life on her own terms, as capable of “choosing and willing to redesign afresh her own life.” Thija had received a lot of flak for this novel.  The traditionalists accused him of elevating prostitution as a noble thing; the feminists accused him of making the woman return to a conventional monogamous family life. But in all his works he talked about the woman's freedom to choose and make her own decisions, in whatever situation she is in – whether she is young or old, poor or rich, educated or not, single or married, widowed or with a husband, etc. 

Uma Shankari Naren, Hyderabad   umanarendranath@gmail.com    Nov 18,2021

Amlan Mukherjee, Uttarpara,Hooghly, W.Bengal   amlandoc@rediffmail.com    Nov 15,2021

Sambhu Nath Banerjee, Bally, Howrah. WB   sambhunb@rediffmail.com    Nov 15,2021

Roma Banerjee, Kolkata   roma.bhattacharjee@hotmail.com    Nov 14,2021

Autumn Issue (99: Sep-Oct 2021) is simply superb!

Congratulations to the Feature editor Sai Brahmanandam Gorti and the rest of the Editorial board on bringing out such a wonderful edition. Enjoyed reading the whole issue. Especially the selection of short fiction is remarkable.

Rachita Reddy, Virginia   rrachita@gmail.com    Nov 14,2021

A suggestion for comments

A nice mag. However, there is a small suggestion. It would be nice if a comment section appears right beneath the article, story, poem, editorial, or any other content rather than hunt the site to leave a feedback. 

Anila Shastri, San Jose, California   fa7efd80@opayq.com    Nov 14,2021

Shernaz Wadia’s poems a sumptuous and scrumptious fare! (Issue 99)

The three poems by Shernaz Wadia in Issue No. 99 (Sep-Oct 2021), are indeed a sumptuous and scrumptious fare! Her first poem – Dismantle yourself – reflects her abiding belief in afterlife and describes death in an evening metaphor.  Expressions like ‘Atoms of life have still have their Karma to fulfill’; ‘motes of truth’; and ‘you see a stranger in the shards of they hold up’ amply reflect her conviction. She ends it with hopeful note that there are many sunrises to bask in. The second one ‘It is not the Same’ looks inwards, at ‘the less fulfilling conversations’; ‘slumbering bottled emotions’; the ‘mundane fare that leaves one un-satiated’; ‘the silences each of us sit with to engage with’ our private pastimes but fail to do, because things are not the same, particularly after the pandemic. While the first two are a kind of looking within, the third poem ‘I wonder’ attempts to look without, through the ‘lights trickling through the chinks under the doors and curtained windows,’ concerned and contemplating about ‘the paradoxical enigmas of human condition lying behind them.’ What lies ‘secreted under the penumbra of oil lamps in huts’; ‘silence of sorrow in the abyss of a widow’s hollow eyes’; ‘flailing fantasies of a repressed child’; and ‘mournful echoes of a heart bookended by emptiness’ ... walk us through her wonderful expressions. They are so picturesque. Thanks to the poetry editor. And congrats to Shernaz.

NS Murty, Bengaluru   nsmurty4350@gmail.com    Nov 11,2021

Muse India, an unadulterated literary magazine

This is my first encounter with Muse India. Absolutely delighted to connect with this unadulterated literary magazine. Poetry, Fiction, Art Gallery – ample variety, in Issue 97 (May-Jun 2021).

Book Reviews are really a worthy source of information. An expert opinion guides one to pick the right book. Painting in the Kangra Valley by Vijay Sharma reviewed by GSP Rao caught my attention, an insightful read.

The Feature of Indian English Writing with its theme ‘Memory, Ancestry, Legend’ curated by Dr Charanjeet Kaur is a feast. In the Feature – ‘Taseer Gujral in conversation with Sakoon Singh’; Annapurna Sharma’s article ‘My Powerhouse’; Gurudarshan Singh’s article ‘Of books within books’; Kavita Ezekiel Mendonca’s ‘Jewish Legends’ were the main course – while the dessert undoubtedly is Atreya Sarma’s memoir ‘Oh, Grandpa! Bless us from the Heavens!’ This heart-warming biography took me to my Grandpa’s home in Mangalore. Some relations are universal. Touched my heart. Thank you, Atreya ji. Thank you, team Muse.

Geeta Shetty, Vashi, Navi Mumbai   shettygeeta137@gmail.com    Jul 14,2021

Memory, Ancestry, Legend – A delectable theme (Issue 97: May-Jun 2021)

Congratulations on the release of issue 97 of Muse India. In this edition of Muse India, the spread with the theme Memory, Ancestry, Legend curated so well by Dr Charanjeet Kaur in her Feature Indian English Writing is worth mentioning. Her Editorial Reflection is a pithy note on the Subject of Memory that is to be experienced across various genres of Fiction, Poetry, and Book Reviews. The choice of the theme Memory itself shows the empathetic response to the grim realities we are undergoing in these Pandemic times. The quotes capturing the rather difficult concept of Memory in the Editorial Reflection, resonate so very well as we relish the delectable genres of work published in the Magazine. Thank you for such a good issue.

Sujata Tandel, Goregaon East, Mumbai   sujatadtandel@gmail.com    Jul 14,2021

A good account of a deserving character (Issue 97: Feature)

Congratulations on the release of Issue 97. The article “Oh, Grandpa! Bless us from the Heavens!” by Atreya Sarma in the Feature is full of nostalgia about his grandfather. It is a very good account of a deserving character who changed the world for the better. Atreya Sarma can be proud of being his grandson.

Elizabeth Kurian ‘Mona’, Hyderabad   monaliza.hyd@gmail.com    Jul 09,2021

A fabulous painting, well-articulated (Issue 97: Feature)

Atreya Sarma’s memories of his grandparents (“Oh, Grandpa! Bless us from the Heavens!”) coupled with the homey places of the village, his childhood plays etc are a fabulous painting, in articulated prose. I am thrilled by the descriptive delight and visualizing expressions, and would preserve the piece forever for learning of apt vocabulary.

MS Rao, Hyderabad   raomocherla@gmail.com    Jul 09,2021

A well-crafted tale by Atreya Sarma (Issue 97: Feature)

Even as Atreya Sarma’s well-crafted grandpa's tale turns the old-timers village-nostalgic, it enables the younger generations to have their ancestral picture perfect.

Bulusu S Murthy, Hyderabad   bsmurthy@hotmail.com    Jul 09,2021

An idyllic narration (Issue 97: Feature)

The nostalgic piece by Atreya Sarma is such a touching tribute to his Grandpa and Grandma. I loved reading it because I'm also very fond of my grandfather. The way Atreya describes the place in which he grew up, with a rivulet beside his grandparents’ house is idyllic!

Lakshmi Kannan , New Delhi   lakshmi.kaaveri.kannan@gmail.com    Jul 09,2021

A very moving biography (Issue 97: Feature)

That is a very moving biography by Atreya Sarma. What a rich, generous, kind, giving, caring wonderful legacy Atreya’s Grandpa left behind! Wanting no accolades makes his kindness increase a thousandfold. It is no wonder his family have become worthy citizens not only by their academic achievements but by the very way in which they respect and follow the teachings of a very wise Grandpa. The images in this biography touch the heart; such a blessing to have a wonderful man like that at the centre of a family. He deserves a statue in his honour but it would fade into obscurity compared to the memories and guidance and worthy lessons he handed down to his loved ones. Nevertheless, this is a story that needs to be told; I will carry it in my heart for a very long time. God bless Atreya for writing it.

Betty Oldmeadow, Isle of Sheppey, UK   onthehill54@outlook.com    Jul 09,2021

An enjoyable read – Issue 96: Mar-Apr 2021

I have enjoyed reading the latest issue of Muse India.

Sudeshna Kar Barua, Kolkata   sudeshna.karbarua@rediffmail.com    May 17,2021

Delightful Poetry section (Mar-Apr 2021), but Membership issue...

The poetry section of your Mar-April 2021 issue is delightful.

Anyway, the membership feature of your website is not working; error 500 (internal server error) is being shown by the server. Please get your membership feature well so that people like me can take the membership.

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Response by Muse India: Thank you, Parnil. Yes, sometimes there are some technical glitches. In such cases, our Managing Editor GSP Rao may be contacted at: gsprao2003@gmail.com

Atreya Sarma U, Chief Editor

Parnil, Delhi   parnildh4@gmail.com    May 17,2021

Marvellous Kannada Feature (Issue 96: Mar-Apr 2021)

I've been reading with much pleasure the special feature on Kannada Literature curated by Dr Mamta Sagar. She has done a marvellous job and I congratulate her. Vanamala Vishwanatha’s article, in the Feature grabbed my eyeballs. Her article is just brilliant!  My congratulations to her as well. There are many gems in this issue and I greatly look forward to reading the contributions at leisure. Altogether, it’s an exciting issue. I see the hard and diligent work on the part of the editorial team behind every detail.

Lakshmi Kannan, New Delhi   lakshmi.kaaveri.kannan@gmail.com    May 01,2021

An incredible job by Mamta Sagar (Issue 96: Mar-Apr 2021)

I have now finished reading the entire curation of “Kannada Literature – Experienced through Translation,” edited by Mamta Sagar, listened to all the music and watched all the films. What an incredible job she has done! This must have been so much work, and I can only say that it has all been worthwhile! And she must be so well-connected to have embraced and arranged so many excellent writers and poets. I love how translation itself becomes foregrounded in an issue of translations and I am very curious if she has any plans to publish the issue as a hard copy. I think it would make a really wonderful book. Congratulations.

Aryan Kaganof, Cape Town, South Africa   kaganof@mweb.co.za    Apr 30,2021

The Art of Livia Stein (Art Gallery, Issue 96: Mar-Apr 2021)

My thanks to Priyadarshi and Pinaki for the outstanding interview and Gallery of my Paintings featured in the Mar-Apr 2021 issue of Muse India. It was a thorough pleasure to do this interview, and I enjoyed it immensely.  As usual with these interactions, I discover a great deal more about myself and my work. 

Thank you for the wonderful online magazine against very difficult circumstances lately.  I wish you and your colleagues all the best during this most devastating period of our history.

Livia Stein, Oakland, California (USA)   liviastein@mac.com    Apr 28,2021

Editorial by Atreya Sarma (Issue 96: Mar-Apr 2021)

The concerns raised by Atreya Sarma, Chief Editor, in his Editorial on issues like farmers’ agitation, the crowded election campaigns during the pandemic times, the cancellation/ postponement of the CBSE final exams, and the demands by the union leaders of the banking sector are pertinent. And I endorse his views.

Dr S Pratap Reddy, Hyderabad   drspratapreddy@gmail.com    Apr 28,2021

Lipsa Mohapatra, Cuttack, Odisha    lipsamtex@gmail.com    Apr 24,2021

Issue 95 (Jan-Feb 2021) is superb

Though a bit delayed, the Jan-Feb 2021 issue of Muse India is superb in quality. It’s a sumptuous stock of food for a month. Very good poems, good stories. Annapurna’s article “I’ll start over again tomorrow” in her ‘Life & Literature’ column; the Editorial by Atreya Sarma, Chief Editor, et al are all nice. The poem “Paradoxica epidemica" by Ananya Dutta Gupta is a gem.

R R Gandikota, Kakinada   rrgandikota@gmail.com    Feb 18,2021

Cherime Sangma, Williamnagar   cherimesangma@gmail.com    Feb 18,2021

Kashiana Singh, Chicago, USA   kashiana.singh@gmail.com    Feb 18,2021

Feature: Love in the Pandemic (Nov-Dec 2020)
 

I've been reading through the Feature — Love in the Pandemic, ever since its release. Its editor Annaurna Sharma has done a great job! The sheer variety of voices she has been able to put together in this issue is so commendable. It is also an honour to find my story among those of more established authors. Hearty congratulations, and best wishes for all her future endeavours.

Anuradha Mazumder, Calcutta   mazumder.anu@gmail.com    Dec 14,2020

Feature: Love in the Pandemic (Nov-Dec 2020)
 

Associating my creative energy with Muse India has always been an extremely rewarding experience. During the Pandemic times while as a writer I got to introspect in a different way, the Feature: Love in the Pandemic (Nov-Dec 2020) offered that opportunity to showcase what as a sensitive human being I was feeling. Thank you for incorporating my contribution in the issue and for your kind words of encouragement and appreciation.

I have gone through the feature and also read the editorial to it. The small anecdotes that have been clubbed together give the feel of the pandemic times and the times that were so complacently taken for granted by us.

I loved the way Annapurna Sharma has rendered the effect of the present times of pandemic on us. Congratulations for the success of the issue and I thank her for letting me be a part of this history of Muse India.

Dr. Shweta Mishra, Aashiyana, Lucknow   drshweta1578@gmail.com    Dec 14,2020

The 'Mea Culpa' story (Feature: Love in the Pandemic)
 

I browsed through the Feature: Love in the Pandemic (Nov-Dec 2020) and was delighted to see the variety of authors and writings. Will be reading them individually soon. I enjoyed reading the story 'Mea Culpa' with my morning tea. The end was quite moving for me :) 

Chirantana Mathkari, University of Maryland, College Park   chirantanamathkari@yahoo.com    Dec 14,2020

Feature: Love in the Pandemic (Nov-Dec 2020)
 

The feature: Love in the Pandemic -- I really loved it. I haven't read all the stories yet, but the variety of the stories really touched me. It feels like the editor, Annapurna Sharma, organised them really well, in terms of how the lockdown began, and then onwards and onwards. I think it was really good of her to pick so many - since the experience of love in the pandemic has varied so much across different people. 

Tanvi Chowdhary, Varanasi   chow.tanvi@gmail.com    Dec 14,2020

Life & Literature (Nov-Dec 2020): Yellow frogs and a Bulging door
 

The piece 'Yellow frogs and a Bulging door' in the column Life & Literature (Nov-Dec 2020) by Annapurna Sharma, Dy. Chief Editor, is really a prose poem. She uses anthropomorphism and personification with great facility. A good example of anthropomorphism can be read  in the following extract: "I am talking about doors, doors that are vulnerable to weather conditions, doors that are immature and naïve, doors that are not consistent, doors that lack compassion, the doors which humans use to enter and retreat…doors that expand and shrink, doors of the inside.” An how she humanizes them? By sentences such as this one: “I wasn’t aware of how smoothly he could cut through soft, damp flesh;” and “The carpenter arrived to saw a part of the soft heart.”

Annapurna's use of personification is equally deft. To give one example: “The sun rushed out of its closet.” Personification gives human characteristics with the object of creating imagery.
 

Just to mention how the human mind works, this sentence “I never knew that frogs could change color, all to attract attention, the louder their croaks the better their chances of mating” reminded of a poem by Ted Hughes. I think the title of the poem was “The Jaguar.”
 

I was impressed by the fact that Annapurna brought alive a personality with a few quick strokes: “a grizzly, unshaven jaw, few white strands and well-built legs.”
 

I like her metaphors too, such as this one: “cared for like a baby just out of the womb.”
 

Towards the end it becomes clear why Annapurna is using these literary devices: to suggest the Oneness of existence, “Nature's inimitable style,” where everything is subtly orchestrated, like  the sound of rain with the croaks of frogs.

Murli Melwani, Foster City, CA, USA   murli@unigain.net    Dec 14,2020

Editorial for the Feature: Love in the Pandemic (Nov-Dec 2020)
 

I have read Annapurna Sharma's editorial for the Feature: Love in the Pandemic. She is so right; at some deep level we've all been infected by the virus....even without manifesting it outwardly as symptoms of the illness. I liked her domestic help's insistence on not disrupting her work schedule! Probably it also kept her sane, the way our daily routines do.

Nighat Gandhi, Prayagraj   nighat.gandhi@gmail.com    Dec 14,2020

Nighat Gandhi, Prayagraj   nighat.gandhi@gmail.com    Dec 17,2020

Feature: Love in the Pandemic (Nov-Dec 2020)
 

So delighted to see the Muse India Issue 94. Words fail me to express my gratitude for shepherding an enormous undertaking wherein 50 plus writers have contributed to the Feature. Annapurna's Editorial Reflections makes an incredible reading, reminding me of my own train journeys starting with a Rupee or two. Her quotes from Dalai Lama and Henry David Thoreau are beautifully embedded. I feel inspired and empowered.

Sat Paul Goyal, Ann Arbor, USA   paulgoyal@yahoo.com    Dec 14,2020

Kudos to Muse India for the Feature on Children’s Literature in Telugu (Issue 91: May-Jun 2020)

Childhood is a luminous halt in one’s life journey. The literary creations being made by writers of children’s literature, by appreciating this importance, is not evoking due recognition, and much less in the case of Telugu writers. It’s in this background that the initiative taken by the internationally recognised Muse India online English journal to present a special feature on Children’s Literature in Telugu Land, giving space not only to well-known adult writers of children’s literature but also to promising child writers is highly admirable. More importantly, besides selecting some of the best works and effectively organising their translation by competent translators, Chief Editor U Atreya Sarma has himself, very elegantly, translated a substantial section of them. And there are insightful articles on various aspects of children’s literature in the Feature. This Feature certainly facilitates the non-Telugu readers to have a broad idea of children’s literature and its trends in the field of Telugu literature. Kudos to Muse India.

Dr Pathipaka Mohan, Asst. Editor (Telugu), National Book Trust of India, Hyderabad   mohannbtindia@gmail.com    Nov 26,2020

Betty Oldmeadow, England4J   onthehill54@outlook.com    Nov 26,2020

Samya Senaratne, Colombo, Sri Lanka   samya4994@gmail.com    Nov 26,2020

Muse India, a highly recommended journal

So pleased to have played a part in the Feature: Love in the Pandemic. Very important to record the experiences and emotions people are going through during this difficult time. The voices of the people will play a part in laying down historical archives for future generations. Muse India e-journal always contains a treasure trove of fascinating and interesting narratives and poetry on an endless variety of subjects. It is highly recommended! Since I began contributing to it a few years ago, it has brought me a great deal of pleasure. It is one of the best mentors available; a platform to share your writing and all for free. If you enjoy writing as a hobby, or reading, do take a look!

Betty Oldmeadow, Isle of Sheppey (Kent, England)   onthehill54@outlook.com    Nov 24,2020

Urdu Ramayan enhances the value of Muse India

The feature Urdu Ramayan (Issue 93: Sep-Oct 2020) is wonderful. I have no doubt that the value of the journal has enhanced manifold with this. Congrats to the feature editor Sukrita Paul Kumar, to contributors Syed M Shahed and Mukul Chaturvedi, as also to GSP Rao, Managing Editor and U Atreya Sarma, Chief Editor.

NS Murty, Bengaluru   nsmurty4350@gmail.com    Oct 26,2020

Urdu Ramayan, a thrilling Feature (Issue: 93 – Sep-Oct 2020)

I am absolutely thrilled to see the special feature on Urdu translations of the Ramayan. Long live cultural and linguistic diversity of the subcontinent! And congratulations to Mr Syed Shahed for his dedication to Urdu poetry and his excellent site urdushahkar.

Nighat Gandhi, Prayagraj   nighat.gandhi@gmail.com    Sep 30,2020

Lipsa Mohapatra, Cuttack   lipsamtex@gmail.com    Sep 23,2020

Mir Murtuza Ali, Mississauga, Canada   alimir4858@gmail.com    Sep 07,2020

Odia Feature – Commendable in range and variety (MI 92)

My profound thanks to Muse India for the extremely valuable Feature: Tradition and Modernity in Odia Literature, in Issue 92 (Jul-Aug 2020).  The planning of the Feature is careful and it meaningfully includes the cultural aspects as well. As a result, the contributions cover a commendable range and variety, and the content is uniformly rich. It is a collection we, who are working on Odia literature and culture, will cherish and consult for many years. I liked the editorial by Prof Sachidananda Mohanty very much which is scholarly and written from an interesting perspective.

BN Patnaik, Retd. Professor of English & Linguistics (IIT Kanpur), Bengaluru   bn.patnaik@gmail.com    Aug 29,2020

Sachi Mohanty as Advisor is an excellent choice
 

I received a whatsapp message from Sachi Mohanty about his joining Muse India as Advisor. This is an excellent choice. Sachi has wide experience in both academic and creative fields and is a distinguished scholar. 

Congratulations for all the good work you have done already, in providing such a wonderful platform to Indian literature. Looking forward to further achievements.

Sanjukta Dasgupta, Kolkata   dasgupta.sanjukta@gmail.com    Jul 09,2020

Congrats on Muse India issue 92 (Jul-Aug 2020)

Congratulations to GSP Rao, Atreya Sarma, Annapurna Sharma and the entire Muse India team on releasing the new issue of Muse India! It’s your combined tenacity and the sheer will to go ahead with work that translates into the journal.

All the best for the Muse India’s e-book Beyond Corona: The Silver Lining!

And a huge welcome to Prof Sachidananda Mohanty as your Advisor. He carries his immense knowledge lightly and has always been a very friendly person. I greatly look forward to reading this special issue on Odia literature, as also the regular sections.

Lakshmi Kannan, New Delhi   lakshmi.kaaveri.kannan@gmail.com    Jul 07,2020

Sreelaxmi , Mumbai    sreelaxmimadhusudan@gmail.com    Jun 27,2020

Thanks a lot for translating & publishing 23 lyrics from my books

Pendota Venkateshwarlu (Poet & Writer), Siddipet   pendotasdpt03@gmail.com    Jun 03,2020

Beautiful translation: Children’s Literature in Telugu Land (Issue 91)

Varukolu Lakshmaiah, Gatla Malyala (Siddipet Dist.)   laxmaiahvarukolu1995@gmail.com    Jun 03,2020

Children’s Literature in Telugu Land (Issue 91) – Translation a tight-rope walk

Annavelli Rajamouli, Siddipet   annavellirajamouli1953@gmail.com    Jun 03,2020

A wonderful Feature with a beautiful mix of writings 

Ch Chandrashekar, Hyderabad   shekarchidurala@gmail.com    Jun 01,2020

Review of Balageyalu is superb

Dr Pathipaka Mohan , Hyderabad   mohannbtindia@gmail.com    Jun 01,2020

A comprehensive Feature with beautiful translations

The Feature on Children’s Literature in Telugu Land (Issue 91: May-Jun 2020) is comprehensive touching upon various things related to the theme. The translations are beautiful. It felt good to see the writings of as many as 22 children.  My hearty congrats and gratefulness to Muse India. And I am sharing the news about Muse India in general and this Feature in particular on social networking groups I am associated with.

Dr A Harinatha Reddy, Anantapur   a.harireddy@gmail.com    Jun 01,2020

Delighted with the Children’s Feature (Issue 91)

Itha Chandraiah, Siddipet   itha.chandraiah@gmail.com    Jun 01,2020

Review of my Balageyalu (Issue 91)

Dr Koduru Prabhakara Reddy, Proddatur   koduruprabhakarreddy@gmail.com    Jun 03,2020

A journal of varied voices and sections

Thank you for keeping Muse India going! Referring to Issue 91 (May-Jun 2020), especially in these troubled times, it is never easy to put together a journal with such varied voices and sections. This is just to congratulate you all on your wonderful spirit, your commitment and love for literature which keep us all going in these fearful times.

Anupama Raju, Thiruvananthapuram   raju.anupama@gmail.com    Jun 01,2020

An absolutely refreshing section – Children’s Literature in Telugu Land (Issue 91: May-Jun 2020)

Kudos to Muse India and to Atreya Sarma for the Feature on Children’s Literature in Telugu Land in the latest issue of Muse India! It’s not only a treasure trove, there’s something so ‘complete’ about it that one may be tempted to include it as a section in a book of Children’s Literature.

Atreya Sarma, as the Feature’s editor, couldn’t have done this section if he hadn’t enjoy his own childhood, or the company of children. Like he begins in his Editor’s Doodle by saying ‘Childhood is the sweetest phase of human life.’ He also says we can bring up a child to be sound in body and mind only when we realize that ‘there is a child within every adult.’ Sadly, some adults kill this child within them. They invariably come across as ‘dry.’

It’s a great idea to focus on Telugu. Childhood is a phase when we’re closest to our mother tongue, and it lives within us right through our later years. I recall the delightful songs, lyrics and funny rhymes in Tamil (and Kannada). Another thing that vastly amuses my children is, till date I can do arithmetic tables rapidly ONLY in Tamil, and not in English!

That said, I can see that the section meant a lot of work for Atreya Sarma, translating most of the contributions, and roping in Shri Harsha Uppaluri to pitch in with his translations. So also Ambika Ananth and Annapurna Sharma. The translations are so lucid.

The pictures going with the writings are charming. While there are quite a few authors who write for children, Atreya Sarma has so thoughtfully included stories and poems written by children themselves. Pulla Murali Akash has an astonishing talent. The high point of Akash’s touching story ‘The Grateful Pupils’ is the denominations of the cash collected by the pupils – all in 25 paise, 50 paise, and rupee notes. How very convincing! That’s how we collected our small pocket money as children, stashing them away in our Piggy Bank. 

The lyric ‘Mother Tongue’ by G Arun Kumar in the section ‘Melodies by Children’ has a picture of Nannaya, one of the greatest and earliest Telugu poets. Some of us in Delhi got to hear eloquent talks about Nannaya through a former Director of Jnanpith, I think three decades back. He was a sound Telugu scholar and we loved to hear him talk in English about Nannaya.

The film melody ‘On the Birthday of Our Cute Tiny Tot’ (translated by Atreya Sarma) with the game of ‘blind man’s bluff’ in it slides in a gentle irony ‘Some people can’t see things, eyes though they have.’ How true!

Atreya Sarma’s review of Balageyalu urges one to read the book. The author Dr Koduru Prabhakara Reddy must be a hot favourite with children, as a doctor! That he has chosen to be a paediatrician must’ve come to him as another calling!  

My thanks to Atreya for an absolutely refreshing section. Just loved it!

Lakshmi Kannan, New Delhi   lakshmi.kaaveri.kannan@gmail.com    Jun 01,2020

Search function for books reviewed

There should be a search function on the website where one can also find name of books that have or have not been reviewed.

Sakshi, Delhi   sakshisundaram09@gmail.com    Jun 01,2020

Congrats for the Children’s Feature (Issue 89)! Thank you! And blessings to Lakshya and Deeksha!

Congratulations on bringing out a beautiful feature on Children’s Literature (Issue 89, Jan-Feb 2020). And thank you very much for including in it my articles “Aesop’s Fables and Panchatantra” and “Children’s Education vis-à-vis Sataka Sahitya.” The poem “A petting tale” by Lakshya Vissapragada and the letter “To my Dad” by Deeksha Vissapragada are very sweet. Mother’s Blessings to them.

R R Gandikota, Kakinada   rrgandikota@gmail.com    Jan 30,2020

“Songs sculptural” – Issue 87 (Sep-Oct 2019)

Atreya Sarma’s translation of three great Telugu song-writers reflects and brings forth honestly the essence of the original writers’ appreciation of the sculptural magnificence of Andhra rulers.

MSR Seshu, Hyderabad   ramaseshu.maringanti@gmail.com    Nov 03,2019

“Adivi Bapiraju and Sculpture” – Issue 87 (Sep-Oct 2019)

Dittakavi Syamala Devi does full justice to her article “Adivi Bapiraju and Sculpture” (Feature: Writing on Art) and Atreya Sarma’s translation, as always, does not read like a translation.

Subhash Chandra, Delhi   subh_chandra@rediffmail.com    Nov 03,2019

Mir M. Ali, Mississauga, Canada   alimir4858@gmail.com    Sep 25,2019

Betty Oldmeadow, England   onthehill54@outlook.com    Aug 07,2019

Atreya Sarma’s wonderful note/remarks on Girish Karnad (MI 85)

I just read Atreya Sarma’s wonderful note/remarks on Girish Karnad and was very sad to read about his passing. Though I never met him in person I read his plays, and though I won’t be able to revisit India again due to my poor health (at the age of almost 84), I miss him as I am missing so many writers and literary critics of my generation and even the previous one like Mulk Raj Anand, Raja Rao and P. Lal.

I always look forward to receiving Muse India and go through virtually all its articles. Perhaps I find the strength to again contribute a small piece to this excellent outlet of information and critical exchange of Indian literature(s).

Jörg-Dieter Riemenschneider, Kronberg im Taunus, Germany   kaitui80@gmail.com    Jul 20,2019

Kainat Azhar, Pakistan   kainatazhar06@gmail.com    Jun 09,2019

AVTAR SINGH BILLING, KENT WA USA   avtarsinghbilling@gmail.com    Jun 09,2019

Hearty congrats to Kainat Azhar, the PSP recruit

Muse India is glad to share the happy tidings that Ms Kainat Azhar, a Pakistani writer and Guest Editor of the “Feature: Mental Health” in Muse India (Issue 81: Sep-Oct 2018) has been selected for the PSP (Police Service of Pakistan), equivalent of our IPS (Indian Police Service). She had also contributed a poem ‘Comatose’ to the “Feature: Sufism & Sufi Literature” in Muse India (Issue 73: May-Jun 2017). She was also featured with her poem ‘Pukaar’ (Calling out aloud) by Muse India’s Chief Editor U Atreya Sarma in his Sunday poetry column “Wordsmith” in The Hans India daily (17 Sep 2017). We wish Kainat a glorious career.

U Atreya Sarma, Bengaluru   atreyasarma@gmail.com    Jun 04,2019

Thanks for review of my book ‘The Legend of Krishna – In Wall Paintings of Gujarat and Rajasthan’

I thank GSP Rao, Managing Editor for his nice review of my book ‘The Legend of Krishna – In Wall Paintings of Gujarat and Rajasthan,’ along with an interview of me as part of the review, in Issue 84 (Mar-Apr 2019). Such encouraging words give me strength for my next endeavour.

Pradip Zaveri, Vadodara   pradipz.zaveri@gmail.com    May 31,2019

Selfless commitment & promotion of literature

Warm congratulations to you, Atreya... Your selfless commitment to and promotion of literature is rare and matchless!

Subhash Chandra   Delhi     chandra.subhash24@gmail.com    Apr 03, 2019

Subhash Chandra  , Delhi     chandra.subhash24@gmail.com    Apr 03,2019

My thanks to Muse India

Thank you dear Atreya! Muse India and its editors respected Surya Rao, Ambika Ananth and you Atreya Sarma Uppaluri, have all played a great role in shaping and honing my poetry writing skills! I can never thank Muse India enough for the platform they provided new writers like me! Ever grateful to the GREAT THREE of Muse India!

Padmaja Iyengar     Hyderabad   padmaja_iyengar@yahoo.co.in    Apr 03, 2019

Padmaja Iyengar     , Hyderabad   padmaja_iyengar@yahoo.co.in    Apr 03,2019

Wonderful line-up

How fantastic Sir! Wonderful line-up, once again. Congratulations and a HUGE thank you to you; and to Charanjeet Kaur ma’am for presenting such a memorable Feature on Indian English Writing.

Kalyanee Rajan   Delhi     kkrajan15@gmail.com    Apr 03, 2019

Kalyanee Rajan , Delhi     kkrajan15@gmail.com    Apr 03,2019

Congrats Atreya ji

Congrats Atreya ji. I would love to go through the writings in Issue 83 and try to make it in future.

KS Mani   Chennai   subbumani2001@yahoo.com    Apr 03, 2019

KS Mani , Chennai   subbumani2001@yahoo.com    Apr 03,2019

Congrats!

Congratulations to all who got published in Issue 83. Happy reading.

Sushant Dhar   Anantnag, J & K   dharsushants@gmail.com    Apr 03,2019

Sushant Dhar   , Anantnag, J & K   dharsushants@gmail.com    Apr 03,2019

So quick and magical!

Congratulations and thanks to the Muse India team. I am extremely glad to see my work in Issue 83 of Muse India... And, wow, thanks a lot to Atreya Sir for so promptly updating my profile! So quick and magical!

Rachana Pandey , Varanasi   meetrp.bhu@gmail.com    Apr 03, 2019

Rachana Pandey , Varanasi   meetrp.bhu@gmail.com    Apr 03,2019

Thrilled...

Thank you so much. So happy to see the Jan-Feb issue of MI has come out. Thrilled that it has carried my short story (‘Twilight House’) and book review (‘Heightened Senses’).

Malsawmi Jacob, Bengaluru   mesjay@gmail.com    Apr 03, 2019

Malsawmi Jacob, Bengaluru   mesjay@gmail.com    Apr 03,2019

MI 83: A heavy dose

The present issue is a heavy dose. Gone through some poems, U Atreya Sarma’s book review (‘A Basketful of Lies’) and of GSP Rao’s review (‘The History of India for Children’). Very good.

Ramakrishna Rao Gandikota, Kakinada   rrgandikota@gmail.com    Apr 03, 2019

Ramakrishna Rao Gandikota, Kakinada   rrgandikota@gmail.com    Apr 03,2019

MI 83 (Jan-Feb 2019) – Hearty congrats to the MI team

Hearty congratulations to the team of Muse India.

Swapna Behera, Bhubaneswar   swapna.behera@gmail.com    Apr 03, 2019

Swapna Behera, Bhubaneswar   swapna.behera@gmail.com    Apr 03,2019

Thank you, friends, for blessing Harsha & Katyayani

I thank all the following literary friends for their kind blessings to the MI 83 sponsor Harsha & his bride Katyayani. [By the way, Harsha is my son.]

Swapna Behera (Bhubaneswar): “All my blessings to Dear Katyayani and Dr Sri Harsha.”

Ramakrishna Rao Gandikota (Kakinada): “Mother's blessings to the newly wed Shri Harsha & Katyayani.”

Kalyanee Rajan (Delhi): “Himalayan best wishes to Shri Harsha and Katyayani for a wonderful journey ahead! Congratulations to you too on this count. Happiness galore! Touchwood!”

Padmaja Iyengar (Hyderabad): “A big Godbless to Harsha and Katyayani for a wonderful married life ahead! Great news this is!”

Dr Subhash Chandra (Delhi): “Warm congratulations to you, Atreya and your illustrious son, Dr Harsha Uppaluri. And blessings to the newlyweds.”

Dr Sapna Dogra (Delhi): “Heartiest congratulations to your son and Katyayani ji. May God bless them with happy life together.”

Dr Lakshmi Kannan (Delhi): “... your son's wedding. How did it go? Very well, I bet, with the blessings of your Pujya father. My Namaskaram to him! | You were so worried at that point, like anyone would be, considering his age. But isn’t it marvellous how the elders can prove us wrong! | I prayed a lot to Lord Balaji that your son's wedding should be a grand success and that your Pujya father should enjoy every minute of his dear grandson's wedding. I believe in my prayers, even if no one else does!

“My best wishes for the newlyweds. I wish them a long, happy, fulfilling life together, and packed with good work. 

“I’ll share with you how my mother, frail and very ill during my second son Sridhar’s engagement, gave us the surprise of our lives. We made all arrangements for her comfort, she had a para-medic attendant to look after her. Sridhar quietly stole into her room just to do a silent Namaskaram and take her blessings. And what did he see? A grandmother fully dressed in her best Kanjeevaram, jewellery in place, with a nice handbag, all ready to leave for the venue. Atreya, I can't describe how happy everyone was! She insisted on attending the engagement.” 

U Atreya Sarma, Hyderabad   atreyasarma@gmail.com    Apr 03, 2019

U Atreya Sarma, Hyderabad   atreyasarma@gmail.com    Apr 03,2019

Robert Harle, Australia   harle@robharle.com    Jan 02,2019

Robert Harle, Australia   harle@robharle.com    Mar 27,2019

Sunil Sharma, Mumbai   drsharma.sunil@gmail.com    Jan 01,2019

Sunil Sharma, Mumbai   drsharma.sunil@gmail.com    Mar 27,2019

Sudha, Salem,TN   sudhaps@gmail.com    Jan 01,2019

Sudha, Salem,TN   sudhaps@gmail.com    Mar 27,2019

Dr KV Ramakrishnamacharya & his daughter Dr Kadambini get President of India’s recognition

Dear readers, you may have seen the interview of Dr KV Ramakrishnamacharya in the Feature on Sanskrit Literature (MI 80, Jul-Aug 2018). We are glad to share the happy tidings that he gets the prestigious President of India’s Certificate of Honour (2017) for his contribution to the field of Sanskrit. The announcement by Ministry of HRD, Government of India on 15 Aug 2018 says: “The distinction is conferred once a year on the Independence Day in recognition of substantial contribution in the field of Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, Pali, Prakrit, Classical Oriya, Classical Kannada, Classical Telugu and Classical Malayalam.” Dr KV Ramakrishnamacharya is among the 26 awardees for the year 2017. A former VC of JRR Sanskrit University, Jaipur and former senior Professor at Rashtriya Sanskrita Vidyapeetha, Tirupati, he is presently Chief Advisor to the Research Group of Samskrita Bharati, Bengaluru.

And Dr Ramakrishnamacharya has reason to be doubly happy because his daughter too has received the President of India’s Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman for 2017 for her contribution to the field of Sanskrit. She is Dr K Kadambini, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Education, Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupati. Her doctoral thesis was “Building Anusaraka (a machine translation system) from English to Sanskrit – A Study.”

The awards will be given away in a special function to be got up in New Delhi in a few months’ time.

For further details visit: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=181914

U Atreya Sarma, Bengaluru   atreyasarma@gmail.com    Aug 22,2018

[Dr Sarangi’s response: “Translation is always a matter of fuzzy possibilities. All suggestions are welcome!”

Normally, we don't edit translations of regional works, particularly submitted by senior writers and translators, not knowing the context of the original.    - Managing Editor]

GSP Rao, Managing Editor, Hyderabad   gsprao2003@gmail.com    Aug 02,2018

S Abburi, Bangalore   asethu@hotmail.com    Jul 13,2018

It’s a pleasure dealing with the Editors
 

Dear Surya Saab, Thank you for your email. It is always nice to connect with you, Ambika ji, Atreya Saab and contribute to the journal. Prof. Prasad is a sensitive editor and it is a pleasure to deal with him.
 

More power to you and Team-Muse India.

Sanjeev Sethi, Mumbai   sanjeevsethi3@yahoo.co.uk    Jun 03,2018

Muse India Issue 79 has a class of its own!
 

Dear Surya Rao Ji, it gives me a lot of pleasure to see Muse India Journal continuously and regularly coming out with its prestigious issues. Each issue offers to the literary minds a variety of literary tastes of poetry, fiction and other brilliant allegorical narratives. The latest 79th Issue of the journal has a class of its own in terms of the quality of the content and presentation.
 

I extend my heartiest congrats to each member of the editorial team whose tireless efforts in meticulously editing and publishing the work of all writers in this Issue are greatly valued.
 

I ardently hope that MI Journal will continue its journey on the path of excellence in all future Issues, and we, authors, promise we will also contribute our "labour of love" regularly to make its mark as a unique journal among literary periodicals of India and beyond. 

M J Aslam, Srinagar   mjaslam09@gmail.com    Jun 03,2018

Muse India creating ripples
 

Dear Sir, Muse India has been creating a ripple effect in the literary domain within and beyond the borders of our country. Thank you for being instrumental in shaping a literary platform of this kind. You deserve a lot for this. I also thank you for picking up my short fiction for this issue, it's indeed awesome.

Pitambar Naik, Hyderabad   pitambarnaikwriter@gmail.com    Jun 03,2018

Kudos for maintaining quality and regularity
 

Dear Mr Surya Rao, you and your team deserve kudos for maintaining the quality and regularity of the prestigious ejournal, MUSE INDIA. While you have been generous in giving a lot of credit to the contributors, I believe, together with many others, that Muse India is a wonderful platform that motivates writers like us to keep writing.
 

Mr Rao, we are aware that you and the others involved in publishing the journal do it for the love of the 'word,' and that is highly commendable.
 

Thank you for publishing my short story, "Good Morning Sir, Good Evening, Sir."

Subash Chandra, New Delhi   subh_chandra@rediffmail.com    Jun 03,2018

Veeraiyah Subbulakshmi, thanjavur/Kuala Lumpur 
Veeraiyahsubbulakshmi@gmail.com    May 30,2018

You don't have to login to submit your work or even access the e-journal. If you are planning to submit your work for posting in Your Space, click on the link 'Your Space' on the homepage and then proceed to 'Post Your Work'. If you want to submit an article /poem/short story for consideration of publication in the e-journal, please go through the link 'Submissions' at the base of homepage. 

GSP Rao, Managing Editor, Hyderabad   gsprao2003@gmail.com    May 31,2018

Anupam Patra, Bhubaneswar   anupampatra2017@gmail.com    May 03,2018

Anupam Patra, Bhubaneswar   anupampatra2017@gmail.com    May 04,2018

Ishmeet Kaur Chaudhry, Gandhinagar, Gujarat   ishmeetsaini@gmail.com    May 03,2018

Prabhu Guptara, UK,    prabhusguptara@gmail.com    Apr 30,2018

Prabhu Guptara,    prabhusguptara@gmail.com    Apr 30,2018

Muse India has fairly extensively covered the literature of the North-East, including Assam, in its Issues. You may visit the 'Archive' and see Issue Nos. 16 (2007), 17 and 20 (2008), 31 and 32 (2010), 47 and 48 (2013). Issue No. 20 had brought focus on Assamese literature of Insurgency.

GSP Rao, Managing Editor,    gsprao2003@gmail.com    Apr 30,2018

Sonal Sarda, Vizag   vjlfest@gmail.com    Apr 27,2018

Betty Oldmeadow, England   onthehill54@outlook.com    Mar 13,2018

Betty Oldmeadow, England   onthehill54@outlook.com    Mar 01,2018

Supratik Sen, Kolkata   supratiksen1@gmail.com    Mar 01,2018

"Manaku of Guler" (Jan-Feb 2018)

This is with regard to "Manaku of Guler" - the review of the book by Prof BN Goswami. The information shared was a treat to the art connoisseurs, specially the select gallery of portraits and their descriptions, which actually help in the understanding of the subtle nuances of paintings. The details of the mythological references are praiseworthy. The efforts undertaken during the researching of the material prove that the serious scholars need no guidelines from bureaucratic educationists of the country. The amount of energy and attention given to the subject became fruitful with the bringing to the light the lesser-known artist in the field of painting. In fact, there are innumerable number of artists working in absolute ignorance to their works by the critics and connoisseurs. The MI has not only contributed to bring such artists out of the obscurity but have made the readers richer in their appreciations and understanding of the arts. Thanks to team MI.

Hemant Gahlot, Ujjain MP India   gahloth@gmail.com    Feb 28,2018

On the review of ‘Manaku of Guler’
 

Dear Mr. Rao, Thank you for sharing the WIRE review of the Manaku book that you have done.
 

I am quite astonished not only by the length of the review but also by the amount of reading that you must have done and the range of perceptions that you share with the reader. My compliments of course. Needless to say I am deeply appreciative. All three sections - the review, the conversation, and the 'art gallery' - work remarkably well together.
 

Warm wishes,

Prof B N Goswamy, Kolkata   bngoswamy@gmail.com    Feb 24,2018

Sangeetha alwar, Mysore   sangeethaalwar@gmail.com    Feb 24,2018

Review of Sushmita’s It is Chemistry, In Life’s Laboratory

Happy to see that a review of Sushmita’s book – Why Happens, What Happens… It is Chemistry, In Life’s Laboratory – in Muse India, Issue 77 (Jan-Feb 2018). I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the review done by U Atreya Sarma. It’s quite detailed and very insightful too. I like the most of it, and especially the term “multi-dimensional self-help book,” as also John’s questions and reactions that have been aptly quoted from the book. It makes me more curious to read the whole book very very soon, though I had already got a copy quite some time back. My congratulations and best wishes to Sushmita.

Devashish Mittal, Managing Director, Good Times Books, New Delhi   devashish@goodtimesbooks.com    Feb 14,2018

Mrs B Oldmeadow, England   onthehill54@outlook.com    Feb 06,2018

Supratik Sen, Kolkata   supratiksen1@gmail.com    Feb 06,2018

[This is a good suggestion. I request Supratik Sen, Editor of YS, to consider this so as to include 'Fiction' in the drop-down of Type of Posting... U Atreya Sarma, Chief Editor.]

V Ramabrahmam, Bhimavaram   rbvaranasi@gmail.com    Feb 06,2018

MI 76 (Nov-Dec 2017) – An enjoyable read 

I am really enjoying Issue 76 of MI (Nov-Dec 2017), although haven't completed reading quite a number of captivating pieces that I want to read. I must say, this new interface is really engaging since the previous issue (Sep-Oct 2017).

Rajarshi Banerjee , Hyderabad   rishi.hcu@gmail.com    Jan 05,2018

Betty Oldmeadow, England   onthehill54@outlook.com    Jan 05,2018

(As and when we, the core editorial team of Muse India feel the need of making some changes/additions in its team we approach the writers who have already contributed to it and whose competence and commitment we are confident of... Chief Editor)

gunjan , faridabad   vashisht.gunjan@gmail.com    Jan 05,2018

J.Bhagyalakshmi, Madanapalle,Andhra Pradesh   jbhagyalakshmi43@yahoo.in    Oct 26,2017

Sujaya, Thrissur Kerala   sujayasati@gmail.com    Oct 19,2017

Anar Merali, Ottawa, Canada   canadaam@gmail.com    Oct 19,2017

A pleasurable new get-up and diverse fare

Such a pleasure browsing through the latest Muse India with its new get-up! Congratulations once again to Surya and his technical team for the visuals, the format and the reading pleasure they've brought about. 

I read Atreya’s editorial with much interest, especially the lines about collecting books by book addicts like us. I think I'll quote his line 'Reading and writing is like inhalation and exhalation' to my small family that frowns upon me and my young grandson (another avid reader!) for collecting books endlessly. At times, both of us wonder if we'll be thrown out of the house for lack of space! As for unread books that hang heavy on our conscience, now we'll remember Atreya’s quote from the ghost story by Algernon Blackwood.

It's such a good idea to include an interview with Ganga, Dr C Narayana Reddy's daughter. It gives a glimpse of his personal life, and is warm and intimate. 

I also read Atreya’s interesting article on Cinare titled "The Bard and his Birds" about a little-known aspect of this great writer (maybe little-known for non-Telugu readers like me). Like plants and flowers, birds also have a habitat, a regional context. Wish someone would do a Cyclopedia on this. 

I look forward to reading the rest of the articles, poems and stories in this issue.

Lakshmi Kannan, Delhi   lakshmi.kaaveri.kannan@gmail.com    Oct 13,2017

Greetings from members as MI comes up with Issue 75

Varanasi Ramabrahmam, Bhimavaram:

I am very proud of and tankful to Muse India. It has nurtured me as a writer and poet. The platform it has provided is unique, has been so useful and unparalleled. It has also provided co-authors who are both erudite scholars and friendly critics. It has been like a family. I wish Muse India a hundred years of longevity. 

I am grateful to Surya, Managing Editor and the past and present editorial teams. MI covers almost all the languages and cultural diversity of India; and literary works of all hues are welcome here. The only important wing missing is drama. If small one act plays are also permitted it would further enrich MI. (This welcome suggestion is already under active consideration, as part of Fiction… Atreya Sarma, Chief Editor).

All the best and thanks to Surya and the entire editorial team. ‘Your Space’ section is so sweet and dear to me for posting and go through. I am particularly thankful to the present youthful editorial team of Your Space. The liveliness has been infectious.  

Shernaz Wadia, Pune:

Great new look of the journal! Liked it immensely. Congratulations! Surya’s love for literature and writing has taken it so far with exemplary team work! Kudos to all associated with MI. Best for the future.

Rajaram Ramachandran, Mumbai:

My hearty congratulation to Muse India. And I thank Surya for his tireless efforts in giving MI a good and timely facelift to create more interest among its members.  

Maria Zafar, New Delhi:

Heartiest congratulations on this marvellous achievement. Kudos. The new look is absolutely wonderful. Can't wait to read the issue. Wishing continued success in the years to come. 

Poumita Paul, Agartala:

Congratulations. Trust me, the worth of MI carries it a thousand years ahead with unparalleled success. I'm really proud to be associated with a part of this literary domain.

Gomathi Mohan, Delhi:

Congratulations on achieving this milestone! Looking forward to reading this issue. Great work done purely on honorary basis with good writing at heart. Kudos to such commendable service to Indian Literature.

GSP Rao, Hyderabad   gsprao2003@gmail.com    Oct 13,2017

Greetings from Contributing Editors/Editors as Muse India brings out its landmark 75th Issue

GJV Prasad:
Wishing us all many more milestones for Muse India.

Sukrita Paul Kumar:

What a long and wonderful journey thanks to Surya’s persuasive and warm efforts towards putting it all together! Congrats to his and the team. 

Sachidananda Mohanty:
Warmest congratulations. 

Uddipana Goswami:
Excellent! Hope to see Muse India cross many more milestones ahead.

Smita Vakkadavath:

I sincerely thank Surya sir and all the contributing editors here for this wonderful opportunity to be alongside all of you. A very special acknowledgment needs to be made in respect of the encouragement, learning & motivation from Atreya Sir constantly. He is that gentle, stern in discipline, loving parent who steers his ward towards the right path & motivates to do better with every step.

Mohammad Zahid:

Congratulations for this outstanding performance. It is heartening indeed to see Muse India in its new format. Its gradual evolution has always been a source of inspiration. I wish this journal keeps on achieving many milestones in its journey ahead. Best wishes and regards to every member of MI team.

Usha Kishore:

Huge Congratulations and Best Wishes. 

Kala Ramesh:

Absolutely lovely to hear this. 75 issues! Unimaginable. Wishing Surya and MI the very best.

Hemant Divate:

Great achievement, Congratulations. The site is looking nice and finely balanced. 

Tejwant Singh Gill:

So heartening to receive the 75th issue of Muse India. It seems to have improved in several respects. Now, being UGC sponsored, it will be welcome to a wider readership. My heartiest congratulations.

U Atreya Sarma:

A heartening landmark indeed. If a literary e-journal has survived this long and made many a stride, the credit goes to the vision and esprit de corps with which the founders, including Surya, conceived and set up Muse India, to the hard work put in by successive teams, to the valuable contributions by numerous writers, to the enthusiastic participation of members, and to the gestures of many a well-wisher. For me Muse India has served as a unique literary workshop, and thanks to that I am enjoying the best phase of my life in terms of spiritual satisfaction. Long live Muse India. 

GSP Rao, Hyderabad   gsprao2003@gmail.com    Oct 13,2017

MI 75: Sleek & modern; Poetry beautiful

I have loved the new design. It is sleek and modern.

The poetry section is beautiful. I have loved the poems by Faiz Ahmed; poetry by Betty Oldmeadow ("The Crab" is exquisite); "Why long for a change?" by Divya John is simple and thought provoking. "Paralysis" (by Debasis Tripathy) made me laugh out loud.

Kudos to the editors and all the poets :)

Sahar, Bengaluru   sfatima.3001@gmail.com    Oct 13,2017

Review of my Aliens in Delhi (MI 75)

This is such a lovely, thorough, and well-crafted review by U Atreya Sarma.

Sami Ahmad Khan, New Delhi   samiahmadkhan1@gmail.com    Oct 13,2017

MI 75 in its new design – A bunch of appreciations received

I reproduce hereunder a bunch of greetings received from the members/writers.

(1)

Congratulations for the 75th issue. At first glance, Muse India looks colourful and attractive. A painstaking effort, indeed. Thanks a lot for the meticulous care you are taking! Muse India is one of the best and most valued e-journals now, in future as well.

– K Damodar Rao, Warangal   damodarrao.k@gmail.com  Oct 10, 2017

(2)

The innovative design of Muse India is attractive. I am sure it must have been a great deal of work. Wishing it great success.

– H Kalpana, Puducherry   hkalp@yahoo.com  Oct 10, 2017

(3)

Exhilarated to view the much awaited issue of Muse India. I wholeheartedly congratulate the Muse India team for their painstaking effort in bringing it out.

– Elanaaga, Hyderabad   elanaaga@gmail.com  Oct 10, 2017

(4)

A wonderful issue – a feast both to the eyes and the brain.

– VVB Rama Rao, Solapur   vadapalli.ramarao@gmail.com  Oct 11, 2017

(5)

What a stunning 75th Issue! It was really so much worth the wait! I wish Muse many more lovely issues.

– Revathi Raj Iyer, Ahmedabad   chirminey@gmail.com  Oct 12, 2017

U Atreya Sarma, Bengaluru    atreyasarma@gmail.com    Oct 13,2017

Irina Talashi on Kashmiri Proverbs (Issue 74, Jul-Aug 2017)

Irina Talashi’s article about Kashmiri Proverbs in Issue 74, was very inspirational. It lead me to thinking about the wisdom attached to them. So I took a deeper look into English Proverbs which has been very interesting, if time consuming! This quote outlines the value of them perfectly: ‘Nothing defines a culture as distinctly as its language, and the element of language that best encapsulates a society’s values and beliefs is its proverbs.’ I thank Irina Talashi for sending me on a pleasant journey!

Betty Oldmeadow, Isle of Sheppey, Kent, England   onthehill54@outlook.com    Oct 13,2017