kahiliginger

There was confusion in the eyes of the seven year old Surangi as they dipped mango leaves into the sandal-turmeric paste to anoint her. She did not know what marriage meant, she was just told that she would move into a new home in a village far away and Yashoda mami would be her mother-in-law. Fighting back tears she clutched her carved sandalwood doll, trying not to miss her mother Kaveri whose recent demise had prompted her father to agree to the alliance between Surangi and Madhav, the eleven year old son of Raghav, Kaveri's distant cousin. Shridhar knew he could not bring up his daughter alone. He was constantly under pressure to take a new bride to bear him the much desired son as his late wife had only left behind a daughter. He chose to marry little Surangi off in accordance with the custom of the day rather than leave her at the mercy of a step-mother.…

kahiliginger

Randhir was startled by the presence of the teenage Sanyukta desperately hanging off the mango tree just outside his bedroom balcony. "Who is it, son? It must be those infernal kids after the fruit in the garden!'' His mother Renuka called out to him. ''No mother, just some monkeys.'' He was unsure why he had lied. He could see she was trapped and uncertain about how to descend. ''Here, take my hand'' He whispered to her stretching across, as she looked at him petrified. Slowly, an inch at a time, she crawled toward him, trying not to look down, until she was near enough for him to grab her and pull her into his sinewy arms. Unconvinced that she had landed on safe ground she held him in a tight embrace till he could feel her heart beat wildly against his broad chest.…

kahiliginger

She grew up adoring him. Even after he drifted far due to circumstances the adulation continued. The fragrance of the night jasmine he planted to placate her left his mark. As she blossomed into a lissome maiden it filled her with a longing she could not bring herself to express- her feelings remained locked safe in the vault of her mind. Many tried to woo her but could never take his place, her heart belonged only to him! On the other hand he held vague memories of her, having left her far behind while she was still a child- his mother made sure no vestiges from the past would have any impact on his future, he had to live up to his influential pedigree. The elite boarding school, the internship abroad, the Ivy league education- a carefully charted path well-colluded to ensure that the Shekhawat fortunes would soar like a phoenix. There was too much at stake, she carefully groomed him to take over the business empire as he was their ultimate gilt-edged investment. She was a Sanyal before she became a Shekhawat-the daughter of a successful corporate Moghul, and soon realised that she must prevail before the clan had another opportunity to squander the ancestral wealth with their whims and a myopic vision. She vetted everything-who Randhir made friends with, whom he dated, who his business acquaintances were, what blue chip companies he put the money in- in the hope that he would never stray from the path to success, unlike his father before him. Little did Renuka Shekhawat know that destiny once writ is unlikely to unravel, you cannot always make the future your slave. What will happen when the two young people meet again, this time playing very different roles unlike those in their childhood?…

kahiliginger

Along with Kashibai Peshwe this story is dedicated to all women who remained gracious in the face of heartbreak!The Peshwa wife, who was destined to live in the shadow of her husband Bajirao's achievements and valour, remained a faithful and stoic consort. She had no choice but to remain confined to the domestic arena which was presided over by her mother-in-law Radhabai while her husband expanded the Maratha Empire. There was public outrage over the growing influence of Mastani on Peshwa Bajirao and his decision-making. Kashibai had to endure her husband's growing neglect due to his obsession for Mastani. While he indulged in hedonistic pleasure with his lover Kashibai was left to face the ire of his mother and the orthodox Brahmin society of the time. Historians and playwrights have sung hosannas to the tragic Bajirao-Mastani romance, depicting it in novels, plays and films. None of them bothered to do justice to the suffering of his wife Kashi, instead wrongly accusing her of having participated in the torment of the lovers. Even the recent Bollywood film on the subject failed to highlight how Kashi nurtured and raised her stepson Samsher Bahadur after the demise of Bajirao-Mastani. This piece of work is an endeavour to set the record straight and give Kashibai Peshwe her due.…

kahiliginger

She was travelling along with the traders' caravan unaware that her role was to sweeten the deal between her father and his associate, he was assigned to protect the caravan. He encountered betrayal and abducted her in retribution, thus beginning an unlikely feudal love story in the desert.....…

kahiliginger

Tiaré was the first born of the Chief of her island home by his principal consort. Having lived a secluded life, she was intended to be the virgin bride of a man equal to her in rank. Unfortunately her father was killed in a war with rival islanders and she became a plundered prize; to be given away to the highest ranking victor. But that was not meant to be, because another marauder staked his claim on her.He was a child of the ocean, and he knew no fear. He stole her away in the dark of the night. He was not named Kana'i for nothing. It meant the conqueror, and according to him she was destined to be his own looted treasure!…