Smoth... A Nimbus Cloud of Unknowing  (English, Paperback, Badal Verma)

Smoth… A Nimbus Cloud of Unknowing is a collection of interrelated short stories. They are focused on the stories of women, who make our lives beautiful and so often leave us in the end to change the entire paradigm of those very lives which they had once decorated. The narrative is an insightful interplay of thoughts and complex emotions between the protagonist and three imaginary young women who are the subtle characters of his Atarangee Antarman, namely – Awargi, the happiness of his inner universe; Ehad, the time; and Sajda, the prayer, who help him manage his complex emotions for a beautiful woman who loves him. The spectrum of interplay is vast and includes a journey to his past and future. It is divine injustice and reiteration of the frailty of life that this fascinating work of fiction ends in a real-life tragic love story that leaves a lump in the throat. And, this was never part of the original script. Tragic as it is, it lends substance to the insightful dialogues that take place throughout the book. An intense read in parts, the book urges one to reflect on the thoughts and emotions that are lying dormant somewhere in the subconsciousness of every human being. In the end, it leaves a lingering impact on the reader’s mind. - Major General Anil Sengar