Canvas of a Mind : Kalimpong Diaries #2

In my latest novel, "Canvas of a Mind", the backdrop plays a very crucial role. The psychological mystery novel is set against the backdrop of Kalimpong, a remote hill station in West Bengal. It traces the lives of two sisters, Akashi and Ipsha and how their lives change when a stranger mysteriously appears in the town and starts stalking the younger sister desperately.

In Canvas of a Mind: Kalimpong Diaries #1, I shared about the beautiful Kalimpong golf course where one of the most important scenes of the novel takes place. In this post, I am going to talk about another beautiful place of Kalimpong, the Deolo Hill which I have captured in the novel. 

Kalimpong is situated on a ridge that connects the two hills, Deolo and Durpin. Deolo is the highest point of Kalimpong town that attracts plenty of tourists. It is also renowned for paragliding. 

I went to Kalimpong in 2015 with the rough idea of "Canvas of a Mind". Spending half a day in Deolo helped me visualize my characters there. 

The turning point of Canvas of a mind takes place here in the form of a catastrophe, which changes the lives of Ipsha and Akashi. When you will read the novel, you can surely relate. 

When I was writing the scene, I could easily visualize my characters in this beautiful place. Since childhood, I had read so many mysteries and thrillers of Satyajit Ray and Ruskin Bond, set against the backdrop of hills. I have noticed that hills beautify and intensify mysteries in such a beautiful manner.

When I was trying to do the same with Canvas of a Mind, I absolutely enjoyed the process. It was wonderful observing how the hills of Kalimpong helped me develop the story. 

If you want to read my novel, here's your chance to win a signed copy. All you need to do is click on the following link and participate in the rafflecopter giveaway, in association with Writer's Ezine. 

http://www.writersezine.com/p/giveaway-of-canvas-of-mind-by-purba.html

Canvas of a Mind: Kalimpong Diaries #1

In my last post, I unveiled the cover of my upcoming novel "Canvas of a Mind" and promised that I will be sharing many interesting things about the book. 

The backdrop of this novel is Kalimpong, a remote hill station in West Bengal. I went to this beautiful place in the year 2015 and that is where the plot of this psychological mystery novel took shape in my mind. 

Kalimpong is not just a mere, beautiful backdrop of the novel. It has played a huge part in the book, especially in the scenes when Ipsha, one of the characters in the book gets stalked by a creepy stranger who tries to lure her by playing a haunting tune in the harmonica and by sending her anonymous love notes without showing his face.

In the first post of Kalimpong diaries, I am introducing you all to the Kalimpong Golf course. This place is known as the Watershed View Point that gives tourists the view of the most scenic golf course in the country. 

I remember spending about three hours in this beautiful place, looking at the clouds playing an enchanting game with the hills. I enjoyed the transition of weather from cloudy to sunny with a cup of tea. 

The characters of the novel were screaming in my mind throughout. They nudged me to give them a voice and therefore, I started writing as soon as I reached my guest house. 

An important scene of "Canvas of a Mind" is set in this place, that brings a fearful storm in the life of Ipsha and Akashi. Therefore, this place is extremely special for me and the novel. 

I will be sharing many more places in Kalimpong, which I visited and captured in my novel. "Canvas of a Mind" wouldn't have been possible if I had not visited this quaint, little, beautiful hill station. 

Buy the book here!

Paragliding in Kalimpong!

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all" ~ Helen Killer

I went to Kalimpong last year summer with the motive to tick some of the items in my bucket list. I wanted to try adventure sports such as Paragliding and river rafting. Though I couldn't do the latter due to bad weather conditions, I was successful in living one of the best days of my life on the day I flew in the sky for about ten minutes.

We reached the Kalimpong Paragliding society. I could see many paragliders in the sky and I was determined that I am going to do it. To be honest, there was a little lingering fear in my mind, but I was extremely determined to overcome my fear and experience the oneness with the sky. The excitement was much more than the nervousness. 

There were two kinds of flight, medium flight of 10 minutes and long flight of 20 minutes. As it was my first time, I decided to sign up for the medium flight that was priced at 3000 INR. 

I got introduced to my pilot who was a very friendly guy. He assured me that there was nothing to worry and that it will be a life-changing experience. He told me to not move when we are flying and to carry the selfie stick. 

We climbed up the hill and got ready for the take off. My Dad accompanied me in climbing up the hill and motivated me to enjoy to the fullest, without letting any fearful thoughts enter my mind. I was extremely motivated by Dad's words and told him to click pictures with my camera. 

During the take off, my pilot was running towards the edge of the cliff. As the cliff neared, I closed my eyes for a few seconds. When I opened my eyes, I was in the midst of the sky. 

I uttered a loud "Wow!" I was overwhelmed with reverence and amazement. I looked around with the eyes of a child. I couldn't stop reveling as I gazed at the lush green carpet, the hills, the tiny roads, the cars and people that looked like toys. It was as if I was seeing the world for the very first time. The heavenly beauty and the delicious tranquility were injecting my soul with an abundance of joy and fulfillment. 

It took a few minutes for the feeling to settle under my skin that I was actually amidst the sky. The wind was kissing my face with a secret welcome message and the sky was embracing me in its tender bosom. 

The view changed as we flew from one corner of the sky to another. As we were flying, my eyes fell on a blue bird that was flying a few hand distance from us. I kept looking at the bird with eager eyes and assumed that the bird was also looking at me, wondering, "What are these humans doing in my territory?"

Those ten minutes of Paragliding were the closest I have ever felt to Nature, to my soul and to God. I was flying in those ten minutes, dropping every single baggage that I had. 

I was one with the Nature and in complete harmony with my soul. I could feel every single heart beat of mine. I felt so alive, young, jubilant and full of positive energy. All the toxic thoughts that were there at some corner in my mind got cleansed by Nature. 

I was reborn again. I fell in love with life again. Finally, it was time to land. I could see my Dad waving his hand at me as we were landing. I felt so happy to see him. Those ten minutes felt like a really long time as it had a such a huge impact on me.

After landing down, I hugged my Dad. I couldn't say a word as I was still lost in the euphoric feeling. It was definitely one of the best days of my life and I felt so good to relive those moments as I was writing this post after almost a year.

You can read my post Dear Kalimpong, I heart you to know more about the beautiful place.

"Nothing is permanently perfect. But there are perfect moments and the will to choose what will bring about more perfect moments." ~ Mary Balogh