Spotlight n Review of Half Pants, Full Pants Real Life Tales from Shimoga by Anand Suspi

HALF PANTS, FULL PANTS

REAL LIFE TALES FROM SHIMOGA

by

Anand Suspi

Blurb

Half Pants Full Pants is a sort of childhood autobiography set in Shimoga of the 70s and 80s. Given the era and milieu that he grew up in, it carries a flavor similar to that of Malgudi Days. All the characters in the book are real and most of them are still in Shimoga, of course now in their mid-40s. Quite a few are from prominent families and are now active and important members of Shimoga. The book vividly captures the real childhood adventures of this generation of people in Shimoga. It’s a glorious reminiscence as well as a tribute to this wonderful town.

R. Balki says: 

“After Malgudi Days, I could never imagine that someone could create a childhood classic for adults to regain their innocence even for a few hours. Suspi’s tales would have made R K Narayan smile. Oh! That beautiful Kannadiga gene!”

My Review

For starters, I was fascinated by the title, and that made me sign up for this blog tour to read/review this book. 

Conclusion: I had no regrets! 

Half Pants, Full Pants (HPFP) has stories that will tickle your heart if you are from the era of 70's and 80's when life was simpler and well-defined. The author has done justice to the art of storytelling via the many incidents that he has experienced in his childhood. 

The writing style is clear, concise and easy to read as the author tries to relive his past while planning for his future. The stories are subtle, simple and sweet with not much twists, and for the most part, if you grew up in the era of the 80's you will be able to connect with the drama that unfolded in the author's life. 

Although I wish the font were bigger since had to squint quite a bit to read. Also, the dialogues in native language could have been omitted since it tends to hinder the progress of reading. 

The author has written quite a few delightful stories, however; there are certain stories that refused to leave my heart and mind are: "Why! Unnecessary!", "28 Monkeys", "Religious Stampede," "Banana to Babylon," "The Greatest Exchange." 

Read it, and take your pick :) 

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About the author

An advertising writer for over 20 years, he started with Mudra, Mumbai in 1995 and subsequently spent a large part of his career in Lowe Lintas working under Balki. He was the Creative Head of Lowe Delhi between 2007 and 2010. Currently, he lives in Gurgaon and is the co-founder of an ad agency called AndAnd Brand Partners.

Half Pants Full Pants is his first book, a sort of childhood autobiography set in Shimoga of the 70s and 80s. Given the era and milieu that he grew up in, it carries a flavor similar to that of Malgudi Days. The notable difference would be that every story is real and the characters are all in their mid-40s now, often reminiscing about the gloriousness of their growing up years.

Featured in New Indian Express

The Hindu

Times of India

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Like Mother-Like Daughter

"Twist your waist along the loop," she commanded from her balcony on the fourth floor.

"You silly girl!" she screamed when her daughter's hula hoop came sliding down, "You ought to move your waist all the way!"

"Mom!" she cried out, "Chill!"

Sara's friends tee-heed while the embarrassed mom stepped away.

There was a pause, and the daughter clarified with perched eyebrows as she adjusted her plaid skirt and put her loose strands of hair behind her ear, "My mom is the best, and she wants me to be the best too! What can I say!"

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that involves playing an outdoor game.  Join in the fun at CarrotRanch. 

Clap your Hands!

The learned have taught us and shall continue to preach, "Happiness is a state of mind!" 

I am happy when things go my way, however; the situations are usually never in our hand. 

Man proposes God disposes. 

We want to turn left at a certain junction, but life throws lemons, apples, and oranges at us. 

We pause. 

We are dejected, and we turn right instead. 

No doubt that path is so gloomy since it was not our decision. But, to embrace the situation is considered wise.

So be it! 

We stretch those muscles around our lips and force a smile. The society terms it happiness! 

A smile is happiness you'll find right under your nose. Tom Wilson

The peer pressure is such that we live under makes us embrace what the society tags us as. Some cases it is in our favor, however; most of the cases it is not. After a couple of chokes, we ingest the problem and try to carry on. Alas! the situation has still got us constipated. 

But, man is so resilient that he continues to row his boat even though the muscles ache, the oars have cracked up. 

'Giving up' should never be in thy dictionary since each breath is precious.  To be gifted a human machine is an out-of-the-world experience, being mindful of what comes our way allows us to use the intellect. 

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” 

― Mahatma Gandhi

This intelligence if used can help us cement the cracks that have developed due to some failures, ruptures or inadequacies. 

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. T. S. Eliot

To learn to take a U-turn or pause at any junction just shows how adequate you are to bear upon the challenges. No doubt when that event turns in your favor..happiness becomes unlimited. 

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” 

― Dalai Lama XIV

 It's the feeling like touching the Mars and coming back without paying a single dollar from your hard earned money.

“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” 

― Abraham Lincoln

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‘This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.’ 

Spotlight: Ponni’s Beloved by Sumeetha Manikandan

Blurb

 

Kalki Krishnamurthy’s Ponniyin Selvan is a masterpiece that has enthralled generations of Tamil readers. Many authors have written phenomenal books in Tamil literature after Kalki Krishnamurthy, but Ponniyin Selvan remains the most popular, widely-read novel. It has just the right mixture of all things that makes an epic – political intrigue, conspiracy, betrayal, huge dollops of romance, infidelity, seduction, passion, alluring women, unrequited love, sacrifice and pure love.

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Excerpt

“I have brought important information for all of you. That’s why I asked the noble Sambuverayar to invite us all here. Maharaja Sundara Chola’s health has been steadily deteriorating. I secretly asked our royal physician, and he says that there is absolutely no chance of his health improving. His days are numbered. And it is up to us, to think about the future of the royal throne.”

 

“What do the astrologers say?” asked one of the noble men.

 

“Why ask the astrologers? Haven’t you seen the comet that has been appearing in the sky, for the past few weeks? They say whenever a comet appears, there will be death in the royal family,” said another.

 

“I have asked the astrologers as well, and they say that the king might live for some more time. Anyway, we will have to decide who should ascend the throne next,” said Pazhuvetarayar.

 

“What is the use of discussing that now? Aditya Karikalan was made the Crown Prince two years ago,” said one of the noblemen.

 

“True. But before he took that decision, did Sundara Chola consult any of us? We all have stood by the Chola Kingdom with loyalty and have sacrificed our sons and grandsons in the battlefield. Even now warriors from each of our clans have gone to Elangai to fight for the Chola Kingdom. Don’t you think we deserve the right to be consulted about who should be the next heir to the throne? Even King Dasaratha asked his council of ministers, before deciding to crown Rama. But our Sundara Chola didn’t think it necessary to consult anyone…”

About the author

 

 

“Sumeetha Manikandan is a top bestselling romance author whose novellas ‘Perfect Groom’ and ‘These Lines of Mehendi’ (which was published as a paperback novel called ‘Love Again’) have been on the top of Amazon India charts ever since its publication. A bookaholic, thinker, feminist and a daydreamer, she reads across genres and is a crazy fan of history, romance and science fiction novels.

An avid reader of historical novels, she has been translating Kalki Krishnamurthy’s classic Tamil novel Ponniyin Selvan for the past ten years and hopes to translate more of his novels to English.

Sumeetha is married to filmmaker K.S. Manikandan and lives with her nine-year-old daughter in Chennai.”

 

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