books
The Author and the Emperor
In ancient India, peace and prosperity reigned for decades under the wise rule of Emperor Kanishka. As he fearlessly expands his kingdom...jealousy rears its ugly head...
After nightfall, when black cats carry out their adventure without censorship and recrimination, Senapati Vijay Kriti was ushered into Queen Nanai's chamber.
Bellowing fumes, Huvishka's brown horse bolted through the camp, chased by a thousand crows flying through dark skies and a thousand hounds bursting forth from hell below...
"Your father named you after this king!" My teacher pointed his dagger-like index finger at me.
"Kanishka", I blurted out. Instantly, the headless king became my dream, my hero, and my alter ego...
"No woman should marry a penniless writer." (Shanti)
One of the primary ‘attributes’ is the book’s unique intellectual and historical perspective. The way it blends thoughtful philosophical reflection with historical insight gives it a distinctive voice that stands out in literary competitions where originality and depth are highly valued. Another factor is the book’s strong cross-cultural and global appeal. The themes explored in the work resonate beyond a single region or audience, making it relevant to readers internationally—something the Pacific Book Awards often consider when recognizing outstanding titles. Lastly, your scholarly background and the intellectual depth reflected throughout the book add significant credibility to the work.
The organizers believe the book would be a very strong fit for this year’s competition. ( Rebecca Alvarez, Distributions Manager, Author's Tranquility Press)
Murder at the Fountain of Remembrance and other Crimes
Anchored by Murder at the Fountain of Remembrance, the 'who-done-it' collection of seven tales of crime introduces detectives Agie Darwin and Bo Anzo.
"Medicine is my lawful wife, and literature is my mistress." (Anton Chekhov)
Augustus Darwin peered down at the body lying at the base of the birdfeed fountain.
"I am a friend of Bob...What's my crime? Am I a suspect? Is this a joke?"
"Not a joke, Mr. Henry. Not a joke," Bo emphasized.
The Raven's Nest and Other Plays
Raven's Nest depicts the formative years of Maryland Colony. Historical figures occupy center stage while pages at corner front of stage provide humor and sarcasm. Designed to be staged in a den, included are several one-act-plays that address the discontent and ecstasy of our increasingly complex society.
Fr. White: Water, pure as rain falling from heaven, flows in the river. The sky is filled with ducks and geese...
Skeptic: There I go again. You know what I said about puritans. They have this 'haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy'.
From Id, Ego, and Ten-C: I like his hip, I like his hip,
I miss his kissing lip.
Satiric Verses
A poetic collage of the state of America today...
God created men and women¾
I created sin. Blame not my Senator!
The rigged phone rings.
"This conversation may be recorded!"
I will carry my tired legs across the finish line.
I am America. I will rise and walk tall.
August 29: How Kabir H. Jain Became a Diety
One man's courageous mission to close the philosophical divide that affects the world culminates in the skies over a Delhi mosque on the last day of Ramadan.
It was a day to remember, a day to forget: a day when life struggled to breathe through death's chokehold and survived...
Milli stood behind me, her hand resting gently on my shoulder. The view of the mosque from our living room window kept alive the recollection of that day distinct as the creases on my palm.
"What Gandharva raja has written is an outline of the history of social psychology and the anthropology of religion. It is simply brilliant." (Donald B. Gibson, Professor Emeritus, Department of English, Rutgers University)
Gandharva raja was interviewed in 2024 by Aaron Henkin on WYPR: Who is this man? Where has he come from? What will his message be? This is the scene that opens Gandharva raja’s novel, August 29: How Kabir H Jain Became a Deity...
Nisha Trilogy
This three-part novel is about separation (Abhi and Nisha), about the pitfalls of arranged marriage, and the dangers inherent to jealousy and greed. When Nisha's husband is murdered, it is the task of detective AA D'Souza to solve the crime. The trilogy is ultimately a love story.
A desirable woman behind the closed door invoked thoughts of Arabian nights. Whatever doubt lingered in Abhi's mind, the fragrance of the sheulee bush blew it away.
Was the murderer still in the house? A disgruntled client, a lender, a borrower, the ex-wife, a lover? One can make many enemies in a lifetime.
In 2017, The Nisha Trilogy was filmed as Tadanto, a Bengali movie, in Tollywood, Kolkata.
Epic Mahabharata: A Twenty-first Century Retelling
Mahabharata is the heroic tale of ancient India, written by the sage Vyasa between 500 BCE and 200 AD about the dynastic war fought three millennia ago. Gandharva raja summarizes the original 88,000 verses and introduces the centuries old epic in triplets while maintaining the inner core of the original story. Portions of the Bhagavat Gita is presented in quartets.
Before all is said,
your heart¾erratic-aroused¾will tremble
in the avalanche that descended the Himalayas
to the battlefield of Kurukhetra¾
Renunciation is not detached from karma, Arjuna.
There is action in renunciation.
Easier it is for the man of action to be detached¾
only the unwise split the path.
Received one 5 Star review on Amazon Books
Hoofbeats: Song of You, A poetic History of the United States
Hoofbeats captures the birth and adolescence of our country in delightful poetry. The poems emphasize our nation's struggle to offer the world a new way of living and being. With credible and powerful tapestry Hoofbeats reflects on, and probes historical events and figures. (Elmira Wilkey, Studio Sans Serif)
Upon a cradle of promise,
rocked and washed in the waters
of two oceans - a child is born -
freedom's child, liberty's chrysalis.
I am the lover who stayed the night,
in love with your blondness
and the darkness of your breast,
the hazel of your eye
and the curl in your hair...
"Local physician finds release through poems..."(Kankakee Daily Journal, 2001)
Dr. Tapendu Basu
Lutherville Timonium, Maryland 21093, USA
tkbasu@verizon.net
410.746.9800