Leadstart Publishing launches “When Life Turns Turtle” Book released by Ashutosh Gowariker Kay Kay Menon and Makarand Deshpande

by Shrutee K/DNS

Mumbai : Leadstart Publishing played host to the launch of “When Life Turns Turtle : Journey of a Bollywood Tramp” by Raj Supe.  The book serves up a rich repast from which no reader can depart unfulfilled. Author Raj Supe’s close friends Ashutosh Gowariker, Kay Kay Menon and Makarand Deshpande launched the book. Author Raj Supe read excerpts from the book and also shared his spiritual journey that lead to him writing this book. Ashutosh Gowariker, Kay Kay Menon, Makarand Despande who were present for the launch complemented Raj Supe on the spiritual life that he leads and were eager to read his book.

Swarup Nanda, CEO, Leadstart Publishing said, “The world that Raj Supe creates is vividly described with a true artiste’s eye for detail. Set in the ‘belief land of Rishikesh’ on the banks of Ganga ‘perennial river of India’s mystical past’ – his story leads the reader through light and shadow to the goal Indraneel, the protagonist, has set himself – a life of spiritual bliss. Am sure our readers will love this book. “ Author Raj Supe shared, “My publisher Platinum Press an imprint of Leadstart Publishing, Mumbai were happy to create a genre for my book When Life Turns Turtle: Spirituality-based fiction.Like Somerset Maugham’s Razor’s Edge and Herman Hesses’s Siddharth that have something to do with India, I wanted to attempt a work of serious fiction investing remotely or directly, in the deepest Indian tradition of soul search. I’d like to believe my novel has a strong message from Indian Spirituality. India’s story is the story of “Self-seeking”— ours is the land of spirituality and yet, in Indian literature in English, this has scarcely found a voice. When Life Turns Turtle is that story.I would like to borrow the title of one of Carl Jung’s books to describe my novel: Modern Man in Search of a Soul.”

Artist Kay Kay Menon who was present for the book launch said, “I have known Raj Supe for thirty years, he is a consummate writer and this is his best book. Raj’s pen promotes the bona fide art from this land. I found this book very fulfilling. It’s a classic from the land of Ganga and Himalaya; I think it will be widely read and make a lasting contribution to English literature flowing from India.”

Artist Makarand Despande shared, “ Raj Supe writes from his heart. Toofaan! He is deep and profound. I have been a witness to his life’s journey that has only become more and more deeper and I am happy the artist in him has blossomed once again and he has given us this fantastic book tackling the greatest subject.”

Profile of the book: When Life Turns Turtle” : Journey of a Bollywood Tramp by Raj Supe

Indraneel is a young and successful film-maker, an alumnus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In an intoxicating relationship with a young and beautiful aspiring actress, his next film is being hailed as a blockbuster. Things couldn’t be going any better. Suddenly, without warning, Indraneel’s life overturns. Hurt floods his heart and soul, seemingly beyond redemption… He arrives in Rishikesh, a mountain town by the river. The artist within him, as well as the bruised individual, senses the timeless love and solace emanating from the Ganga and the Himalayas, but innumerable whys continue to invade his thoughts. Introduced to Shaman, a bookseller with a difference and a ‘closet guru’, the deeply sceptical Indraneel is introduced to a bewilderingly new, yet strangely magnetic world of spiritual seeking. As the seasons pass, as pass they will... Indraneel gradually opens his mind to what he finds around him, delving step by step into the truth about spirituality and human existence. A measure of peace finally descends on his tormented mind. 

But the world beckons yet again and Indraneel stands at a crossroads once more. He is asked to make a difficult choice. Will he submit to the strong current of spirituality now flowing within him? Does a spiritual life mean giving up everything else? Can he ever go back to the world? Will he find the happiness he so desperately seeks? The world that Raj Supe creates is vividly described with a true artiste’s eye for detail.

About Leadstart Publishing: Leadstart Publishing is a leading publishing house from India.  Their authors, editorial teams, and books, have won accolades and critical praise for their work at both national and international levels. Several Leadstart authors have won major literary prizes such as the Sahitya Akademi Award, Vodafone Crossword Awards,   various State literary awards and the Jnanpith Award, as well as regularly being longlisted for other awards including the Man Asian Literary Prize. Leadstart Publishing has been termed ‘the fastest-growing book publishing company in India today,’ by The Week magazine. Leadstart Publishing has 9 imprints and publishes over 200 titles a year in all major book categories. Leadstart also has India’s largest book distribution network, with a retail distribution spread of over 100 cities, almost four times the size of its closest competitor. Leadstart Publishing is known for its strong fiction and non-fiction titles. They publish books for almost all segments, which include health, biography, travel, religion, history, business, health & fitness, lifestyle, politics, and children’s books.

About the Author : Raj Supe (aka Kinkar Vishwashreyananda), is a poet, storyteller and novelist. An MBA, he has had a career in advertising, research and creative consulting, before turning to literary and spiritual pursuits. Some of his literary works include the spiritual memoir, Pilgrim of the Sky; The anthology 'Hundreds of Shells' and translations such as 'Cloud Burst of A Thousand Suns' and the 'Sahitya Akademi' awarded 'Rainbow at Noon'. He has also worked on film scripts and plays. His writings convey the passionate intensity of a seeker and the sincerity of one who hopes for an ideal mix of traditional mythic imagery and the urgencies of modern life. In the words of a leading poet, ‘he has the anonymity of the saint-poet on the one hand and the self-expression of the modern writer on the other’. Raj is Editor of the spirituality e-magazine, The Mother, as well as the co-founder of 'Foundation for Contemplation of Nature'.Raj was initiated into the order founded by Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnath and met his Guru in the person of Kinkar Vitthal Ramanuja. He now leads a simple life on the banks of the Ganges.