FOREWORD

how many times have you at the end of reading a good book, wished it hadn't ended? Wished you could dive into those pages and live in the world created by the writer? How many times has a book changed your view of thinking? Changed the way you lived? A book is the only thing that makes all of this possible, and gives our minds the impetus to travel to unimaginable heights. In this issue, Jade celebrates the written word and brings you views of talented writers, who have either written books that have made you laugh at the idiosyncrasies of a community, professional and regional, showed you the way to happiness or sown ideas of empowerment.

Anita Nair, Indu Balachandran, Ravi Subramanium and Rekha Shetty. Meet them all here and see what you take away from their works. We asked the literati to name books that changed their lives and got an interesting perspective on how books influence lives. Every book has been a catalyst for change. Another example of the pen being mightier than the sword, are the works of veteran poet and activist Sugathakumari. The 77-year-old has used the might of her pen to set right many wrongs in Kerala. She protested against the setting up of the hydroelectric project in Silent Valley. It was a project that involved crores and of course influential people, yet she persisted with her crusade, garnering the support of the people and the power of our erstwhile prime minister, Indira Gandhi. It resulted in the Silent Valley being declared a National Park, one of the biggest and most significant victories of this indomitable woman. Allow us to introduce our cover girl, Poorna Jagannathan. Even if you haven't watched the film, Delhi Belly, reading about her in this issue might prompt a dekko. The epitome of spunkiness and intelligence, she's a refreshing change from the usual.

The rains show no sign of abating in many parts of the country, and what better to do on a rainy day than curl up with a steaming cup of chai, and thanks to our Chef's Special, recipes for tea-time treats! If your palate demands something fiery to beat the dampness, go for Chettinad cuisine. Hot and yummy, it's just what a south Indian orders for a rainy day. Get ready for a ride to the Rockies of Canada, stopping en route to take a few swigs of heady cocktails. Step into the colourful world of legendary painter Raja Ravi Varma?s grand-daughter Radhika Varma's fantastic paintings, celebrate women power through the victories of a social organization of Kerala or just congratulate an Indian magician for winning the equivalent of the Oscar award for magic.

Adios!

SUGATHA MENON

Executive Editor

sugatha.menon@jademagazine.in