Tis the most wonderful time of the year…isn’t it? Despite the dreary weather December always bring a lot of cheer…there’s something magical about this time of the year…people are a lot kinder and more giving.

Whether you are religious or secular, this time of the year is festive.

We all know that Christmas is always on December 25th and is about the celebration of Jesus Christ.

The Jewish festival of lights is Hanukah which starts on December 18th this year…based on the lunar calendar, this eight-day festival differs each year.

In the next episode of the Stories Between the Lines podcast, I bring to you the story of Indian Jews. You will get a glimpse into the history and culture small but significant community in India that still exists.

May love and light fill your home and heart this holiday season.

“We didn’t get to choose the childhood we were given, but we can choose what to do with the stuff of our childhood memories.”

Every Thanksgiving, we have a tradition in our family to go around the table to mention one thing each of us is thankful for. And almost always, family is the #1 gratitude, followed by friends who are like family.  Now more than ever, we need this reflection because we live in such uncertain times.  The people in our lives who had a hand in shaping who we are and making us better people from the good and not-so-good experiences that hit us in this journey called life.

Don't you wish you could take a single childhood memory, blow it up into a bubble and live inside it forever?

This next episode of Stories Between the Lines Podcast may help you do just that with a compelling memoir – A Country Called Childhood, by Deepti Naval. Yes, she is the same Ms. Chamko from Chashme Baddoor, fame Hindi movie.  With a poignant narration, she walks you through the corridors of her childhood while making you reflect on yours. It is a homage to her wonderful parents who shaped her life and a love letter to the beautiful city of Amritsar back in the 60s and 70s.

This Thanksgiving Weekend is a perfect time to reflect on the scenes from our childhood - the most beautiful of all life's seasons.

Ponniyan Selvan – PS (Ponni’s Beloved) - the Indian version of Game of Thornes  
Fresh Flood | Whirlwind of emotions | Sword of Slaughter | Fight for the Crown | The Pinnacle of Sacrifice.

How many of you have read this literary masterpiece?
Does the thought of reading over 2,000 pages (5 volumes) feel daunting?

Then tune in to this episode of the Stories Between the Lines Podcast for a quick and easy version of this much-cherished novel to give you a glimpse into a story that glorifies a forgotten piece of Indian history – the Mighty Chola Dynasty.

The story is a perfect blend of valor, friendship, conspiracy, vengeance, sacrifice, and love.

The book will hold you captive in an era about a1000 years ago. The book is truly an Ode to Women with a progressive, no-nonsense attitude as envisioned in the 1950s by the prolific writer Kalki Krishnamurthy.
Eagerly awaiting the release of this magnum opus story on the big screen as a movie. 

#PonniyanSelvan #PS #Cholas