Himanshu's Updates en-US Mon, 09 Jun 2025 09:36:15 -0700 60 Himanshu's Updates 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Review7493574377 Mon, 09 Jun 2025 09:36:15 -0700 <![CDATA[Himanshu added 'Mera Dagistan']]> /review/show/7493574377 Mera Dagistan by Rasul Gamzatov Himanshu gave 5 stars to Mera Dagistan (Paperback) by Rasul Gamzatov
Rasul Gamzatov was a celebrated Soviet and Russian poet who wrote in the Avar language. Born in the mountain village of Tsada, he was the son of Gamzat Tsadasy, a renowned folk poet. Gamzatov’s literary voice reflects a deep connection to his roots, and his writings offer profound insights into the history, traditions, and people of Dagestan. The book draws from four major sources of wisdom:

Ahmed Khan Abu-Bakar � a prominent Soviet writer of the Dargin people, Gamzat Tsadasy � his father and a well-known folk poet, Abu Talib Gafurov � a Lakian poet of Dagestan, Imam Shamil and Hadji Murad� legendary Avar leaders who symbolize the spiritual and military resistance of the North Caucasus.

Gamzatov’s narrative style is generous and warm. He took care to introduce the names and stories of Dagestani people, ensuring they were remembered. Through anecdotes, jokes, and verses, he painted vivid pictures of Dagestan’s natural beauty and cultural richness. His book is a unique literary work that blends poetry and prose, oral traditions, folklore and criticism, and gossip while functioning as both a cultural history of Dagestani poetry and a personal philosophical testament. A key aspect of his work is the reflection of Dagestan’s cultural hybridity—where Soviet ideals, pre-Islamic (pagan) traditions, and Islamic values intersect and merge, creating a unique and layered cultural identity. In this book, Gamzatov demonstrated remarkable knowledge not only of Dagestani literature, but also of Soviet & North Caucasian literary traditions and personalities.

For readers seeking a poetic journey through history, poetry, and human connection of a distantland, this book is an unforgettable experience. Rasul Gamzatov doesn’t just tell the story of Dagestan � he makes you feel like a part of it. ]]> UserStatus1076470376 Sun, 08 Jun 2025 06:58:39 -0700 <![CDATA[ Himanshu is on page 317 of Mera Dagistan ]]> Mera Dagistan by Rasul Gamzatov Himanshu Rai is on page 317 of <a href="/book/show/38207785-mera-dagistan">Mera Dagistan</a>.
Himanshu wrote: The book is Dagestan and Dagestan is in the book.... ]]> ReadStatus9494152028 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 04:29:12 -0700 <![CDATA[Himanshu started reading 'The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World']]> /review/show/7317424815 The Golden Road by William Dalrymple Himanshu started reading The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World by William Dalrymple
]]> ReadStatus9493768767 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 01:01:43 -0700 <![CDATA[Himanshu wants to read 'मार्फ़� दिल्ली']]> /review/show/7617195463 मार्फ़त दिल्ली by Krishna Sobti Himanshu wants to read मार्फ़� दिल्ली by Krishna Sobti
]]> Review7592659419 Sat, 24 May 2025 07:04:20 -0700 <![CDATA[Himanshu added 'Tara the Cocktail Tigress']]> /review/show/7592659419 Tara the Cocktail Tigress by R. Singh Himanshu gave 3 stars to Tara the Cocktail Tigress (Hardcover) by R. Singh
]]> Review7595318239 Sat, 24 May 2025 07:02:21 -0700 <![CDATA[Himanshu added 'My Mum is Magnificent']]> /review/show/7595318239 My Mum is Magnificent by Roald Dahl Himanshu gave 3 stars to My Mum is Magnificent (Board Book) by Roald Dahl
]]> Review7592659419 Fri, 23 May 2025 05:09:52 -0700 <![CDATA[Himanshu added 'Tara the Cocktail Tigress']]> /review/show/7592659419 Tara the Cocktail Tigress by R. Singh Himanshu gave 3 stars to Tara the Cocktail Tigress (Hardcover) by R. Singh
]]> Rating856878806 Mon, 12 May 2025 19:32:48 -0700 <![CDATA[Himanshu Rai liked a review]]> /
Himanshu Rai liked Rural Soul's review of My Father's Rifle: A Childhood in Kurdistan:
My Father's Rifle by Hiner Saleem
"I was watching 's IMDB profile when I saw a Kurdish film, on her credit. It was directed by Hiner Saleem. I loved the movie though it won't be very impressive for most of audience. I saw Kurdish life and I discovered this memoir by Hiner Saleem.
Though it seems fictionalised account of Saleem's life but trust me I can feel, it's real. Just some names would have been changed.

Hiner Saleem born in a small town of Aqrah, fought the war since his childhood. War for freedom and identity. Saw many of His loved ones getting killed and disappeared. Saw his family migrating again and again. Most importantly in that life of bloodspill and hate, He kept his feelings for art and literature. Swore to himself that He would fight a different war for His Kurd Nation. He would bring His Kurdish language to the world audience.
He escaped Kurdisstan when He was 17 and later settled in France.
I loved His spot on narration. I loved the intensity of love, He has for His heritage and language.
"
]]> ReadStatus9418447534 Mon, 12 May 2025 19:32:11 -0700 <![CDATA[Himanshu wants to read 'My Father's Rifle: A Childhood in Kurdistan']]> /review/show/7564640508 My Father's Rifle by Hiner Saleem Himanshu wants to read My Father's Rifle: A Childhood in Kurdistan by Hiner Saleem
]]> Review7562968936 Mon, 12 May 2025 08:01:36 -0700 <![CDATA[Himanshu added 'Under the Eye of the Big Bird']]> /review/show/7562968936 Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami Himanshu gave 5 stars to Under the Eye of the Big Bird (Hardcover) by Hiromi Kawakami
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