The Secret: The Power Review by Vanga Srikanth

About the Author

Rhonda Byrne began her journey with The Secret film, viewed by millions across the planet. She followed with The Secret book, a global bestseller, available in 50 languages and with over 25 million copies in print worldwide.

The Secret has remained on the New York Times bestseller list for over 200 weeks and counting, and was named by USA Today as one of the top 20 bestselling books of the past 15 years.

She continued her groundbreaking work with The Power in 2010 and The Magic in 2012, also New York Times bestsellers.

Look for Hero, Rhonda Byrne's new book, coming November 2013

The Secret: The Power Review by Vanga Sriakanth

The Secret revealed the law of attraction. Now Rhonda Byrne reveals the greatest power in the universe -- the power to have anything you want.
In this book you will come to understand that all it takes is just one thing to change your relationships, money, health, happiness, career, and your entire life.
Every discovery, invention, and human creation comes from The Power. Perfect health, incredible relationships, a career you love, a life filled with happiness, and the money you need to be, do, and have everything you want, all come from The Power. The life of your dreams has always been closer to you than you realized, because The Power -- to have everything good in your life -- is inside you.
To create anything, to change anything, all it takes is just one thing…The Power.

"The Power", by Rhonda Byrle, is a book about the power of love. The author wrote "The Secret" in 2006 and it became a world-wide bestseller. The author promises that this book will add immeasurable to what you learned in "The Secret".

My father suffered a heart attack and I was spending endless hours at the hospital. One evening, I went to Walmart and I noticed this book on the shelf. I was instantly drawn to it. I spent the next couple of days reading this book as I sat in the hospital. It was a very anxious time but this book helped me gain a different perspective. The "power" in this book is the power of love. Your life is made up of only two kinds of things...positive things and negative things. This book explains how your attitude and way of thinking can make bad things seem better.

Most of the information in this book comes from the New Thought Movement of the early 1900s. These authors taught the principles of positive thinking and the law of attraction. Ms. Byrne quotes many of these authors in this book but she also describes how these principles can be used in everyday life to produce positive results in your life.

My favorite chapter in the book is "Keys To Power". One of the topics in this chapter is the "key of gratitude." Every time I start feeling down, I think of things that I am thankful for. I am soon feeling much better. Ms. Byrne says, "No matter what negative situation you may find yourself in, you can always find something to be grateful for, and as you do, you harness the force of love that eliminates negativity."

Positive thinking does not always come easy to me. I remember my mom telling me when I was a child, "All you ever do is grumble, gripe and complain." Children tend to live up to spoken expectations so I tend to see the cup as half empty instead of half full. I like this book because it reminds me that changing your mind can change your life. I have a decision to make.

Regards
Vanga.Srikanth

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It Only Takes a Minute to Change Your Life Review by Vanga Srikanth

 
 It Only Takes a Minute to Change Your Life Review by Vanga Srikanth

I have a few concerns with the words Willie Jolley writes and speaks.

Never quote the bible then talk about going out and doing all you can to make more money. Do you really believe Jesus condones the desire to gain "worldly" things Willie? You talked the entire time about your riches and have the nerve to quote proverbs...

I have a little tip for you Willie, when you write or speak, don't use Microsoft / Bill Gates as examples of success. You do know that they were found guilty in a court of law numerous times of illegal practices to get where they are right? They lie, steal, and cheat to get ahead. Will you be endorsing Martha Stewart and Enron next? Maybe use Tyco or Halliburton as an example of how to succeed and make loads of money.

I have a little tip for you too Willie, maybe a little something you can throw in your speeches or possibly your next book: Tell the people you talk to, that no matter how much money they get, that in life, happiness is what really counts. Just, do something everyday that makes you smile. You don't have to brainwash yourself by repeating affirmations of "I am happy" 800 times a day. You don't have to force yourself to be a type-a personality. You don't have to climb the corporate ladder of achievement to have a wonderful fulfilling life. No Willie, all you need is to accept you for who you are, and strive to be happy. I smile everyday. I don't have to brainwash myself to get there.

You're either the bee or the windshield? Too bad life isn't so black and white as to only be reduced to such.

I say, seek out the fields of flowers and avoid the highway altogether. 

Regards
Vanga Srikanth

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The Magic of Thinking Big Review by Vanga Srikanth

About the Author:

Dr. David J. Schwartz was a professor at Georgia State University in Atlanta and the president of Creative Educational Services, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in leadership development.  

 The Magic of Thinking Big Review by Vanga Srikanth

Success means many wonderful, positive things. Success means personal prosperity: a fine home, vacations, travel, new things, financial security, giving your children maximum advantages. Success means winning admiration, leadership, being looked up to by people in your business and social life. Success means freedom: freedom from worries, fears, frustrations, and failure. Success means self-respect, continually finding more real happiness and satisfaction from life, being able to do more for those who depend on you.

Success means winning.

Success -- achievement -- is the goal of life!

Simple actionable advice for self-improvement. Basically, we are what we think, so think big.

Chapters:

1) Build confidence in yourself. Action reduces fear, so act.

Take small steps at first: Sit in the front everywhere you go, practice eye contact, walk 25% faster, practice speaking up, smile big, use positve words. 

2) Think and dream creatively. Believe that it can be done and then the mind finds a way to get it done. Be open to new ideas and be progressive. Stimulate yourself with diverse ideas from diverse people. Capacity is a state of mind. 

3) You are what you think. "The price tag you put on yourself, is probably the same price tag that the world will put on you." (pg 75) Dress up. Think your work is important. Think enthusiastically. Ask yourself if you are the type of manager that a subordinate would respect and follow?

4) Manage your environment because it is food for your mind.
People who tell you that it cannot be done are usually unsuccessful people. 

5) Make your attitudes your allies. Live it up. Broadcast good news. Do better work that others expect. Remember people's names. Take initiative to build friendships. Talk less. Listen. 

6) Get the action habit. Nothing happens just by thinking. Do not worry about problems. You can handle them as they come. Successful people handle problems as they arise. You cannot buy insurance on all problems. Start now. 

7) Turn defeat into victory. Defeat is a state of mind. Be constructively self-critical; do not just look for another reason that you are a loser. Think that there IS A WAY. If it does not work, then back off and start afresh. Get mentally refreshed. 

8) Use goals to help you grow. Goal is a dream acted upon. "The important thing is not where you were or where you are but where you want to get." (pg 195) Know where you want to go. Visualize your future. 

9) How to think like a leader. Achieving success requires the help of others. Trade minds with the people you want to influence. "What would I think if I were that person?" Be human, and put people first. 

The last words of the book, sum up its meaning:

"A wise man will be master of His Mind. A Fool will be Its Slave." 

Regards
Vanga Srikanth

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How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing with People Review by Vanga Srikanth

About the Author

Vanga srikanth

One of the pioneers of the personal development industry, Les Giblin was born in 1912 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After serving in the military, Giblin began a sales job with the Sheaffer Pen Company in 1946. His successful career in door-to-door sales allowed him to become an ardent observer of human nature and eventually earned him two titles as national Salesman of the Year. Talking lessons from his sales career, Giblin penned his classic Skill With People in 1968 and began conducting thousands of seminars for companies and associations including Mobil, General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Caterpillar, etc.

Transcending generations, Les Giblin's timeless message of making skill with people the essential ability in your life takes on new meaning in today's world of impersonal communication.

Make the most of your personal connections as taught by the master of people and sales skills.  

How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing with People Review by Vanga Srikanth:

Great book!

I am a shy person naturally, so this book really helped me. It is a timeless classic that helps you relate to other people in a variety of settings and cultivate friendships. It also talks about how to influence people, which is good if you are in sales or simply trying to get your way with something important to you.

If you have trouble handling people, this is the book for you. Sure, it was written in the 1950s, but it does NOT need to be updated. Everything the author says is true; and he explains it all in an easy, understandable, and thoughtful way. One of my favorite parts is when Les Giblin tells a story about one of his friends who walked up to total strangers and chatted with them as if they were old friends. ("No one ever called him fresh or rude.") Giblin asked his friend what his secret was. His friend's secret is revealed; Buy this book, b/c it's worth it!  

Chapters: 

Ch1. Your key to success and happiness

Ch2. How to use the basic secret for inluencing others

Ch3. How to cash in on your hidden assets

Ch4. How to control the actions and attitudes of others

Ch5. How you can create a good impression on others

Ch6. How to use three big secrets for attracting people

Ch7. How to make the other person feel friendly

Ch8. How you can develop skill in using words

Ch9. How to use the technique that a supreme court justice called "White Magic"

Ch10. How to get others to see things your way quickly

Ch11. How to get 100% cooperation and increae your brain power

Ch12. How to use your miracle power in human relations

Ch13. How to criticize others without offending them

Ch14. A simple, effective plan of action that will bring you success and happiness

Certainly the chapters above seem common in many interpersonal relationship books. However, I am obliged to praise the author for his outstanding writing skill, clever use of short stories to elaborate the rationale behind his many useful tactics, and those helpful summaries in the end of each chapter. Even if you are a frequent self help book reader, it will still satisfy you well with the no nonsense points. In short, highly recommended!

p.s. Below please some of my favorite passages for your reference.

J.C. Staehle, after analyzing many surveye, found that the prinicpal causes of unrest among workers were the following, listed in the order of their importance:-

1. Failure to give credit for suggestions

2. Failure to correct grievances

3. Failure to encourage

4. Criticizing employees in front of other people

5. Failure to ask employees of their opinion

6. Failure to inform employees of their progress

7. Favoritism pg 24

Remember, human beings are innately selfish beings. They are first, last and always interested in themselves, in their job, their family, their home town, their ideas. Even a question like, "Where are you from?" shos that you are interested in the other person, and consequently gets him interested in you. pg 89

Use "Happy Talk" as much as possible. Nobody likes a Gloomy Gus. Nobody likes to sit and listen to a prophet of doom. People dont like to hear bad news. pg 91

When a would be policitician asked Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes for advice on how to get elected to office, Justice Holmes wrote him: To be able to listen to others in a sympathetic and understanding manner is perhaps the most effective mechanism in the world for getting along with people and tying up their friendship for good. Too few people practice the "white magic" of being good listeners. pg 94

Most of us want the other fellow to think we are clever, intelligent, "smart". But the person who goes around always making "smart remarks", always knocking himself out to be "clever," is not voted in by the other fellow as a "clever person". Instead he gets elected to the classification of "smart-aleck," "blow-hard", or "egotist." pg 95

These three Yale psychologists found the best way to get ideas accepted is to use a low-pressure technique, one of calmly presenting facts, and leaving out threats or attempts at using force. pg 106

Two rules for administering praise. 1. It must be sincere. 2. Praise the act or the attribute, rather than the person. pg 135

Knowledge + Application = Success pg 147

Regards

Vanga.Srikanth

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Goals!: How to Get Everything You Want -- Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible Review by Vanga Srikanth

About the Author

Brian Tracy is Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International, a company specializing in the training and development of individuals and organizations. He has consulted for more than 1,000 companies and addressed more than 4,000,000 people in 4,000 talks and seminars throughout the US, Canada and 40 other countries worldwide. As a Keynote speaker and seminar leader, he addresses more than 250,000 people each year.

Tracy speaks to corporate and public audiences on the subjects of Personal and Professional Development, including the executives and staff of many of America's largest corporations. His exciting talks and seminars on Leadership, Selling, Self-Esteem, Goals, Strategy, Creativity and Success Psychology bring about immediate changes and long-term results.

Prior to founding his company, Brian Tracy International, Brian was the Chief Operating Officer of a $265 million dollar development company.

Goals!: How to Get Everything You Want -- Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible Review by Vanga Srikanth

Over his stellar career, Brian Tracy has authored over 50 books. This one, GOALS!, was first published in 2003. I've read probably half of Tracy's books over the years and have long had this on my short list to read but for one reason or another, it never did seem to make it to the top of my reading list. What a colossal mistake that has been on my part. I won't go so far as to say this has been my favorite Brian Tracy book, but it would certainly rate in the top five. As I read this book, a recurring thought that kept running through my mind was, "Man, I wish I had read this nine years ago!"

One of the reasons this book never made it to the top of my reading list is that a few years ago I purchased Tracy's audio download, How To Set and Achieve Goals, which I have listened to many times over. I thought this book would be much of the same material, but there is so much more contained hear that you simply must read to benefit from.

Goal achievers know the first step in achieving goals is a line from the old Cool Hand Luke movie, "You've got to get your mind right!" That's what Tracy does here. Much of the book focuses on how to prepare mentally and avoid the mental sabotage that makes so many goals in life but a distant fantasy. There is a great deal of powerful information here on making your mind work for you, not against you as is often the case. Once you've got your mind in the right place, the rest becomes much more achievable.

Each chapter is broken into bite sized pieces that really allows the reader a chance to contemplate, absorb and reflect on what you have just read. In fact, this book reads much slower than most books because you will (or at least I did) spend a great deal of time reflecting. Each chapter concludes with a brief point summary of putting to work for you the material just covered. Again, this creates another opportunity for the reader to contemplate an action plan without becoming too overwhelmed with information.

Often when setting goals, obstacles get in the way that we might not even consider as having anything to do with why we might have fallen short of a goal. Tracy leaves no stone unturned here and provides valuable insight on each of these roadblocks such as time management, measuring your progress and associating with the right people to help you become successful. Along the way, the book is filled with quotes and quips that you will surely want to highlight and use on your life journey.

Learn from my mistake. If you have this book on your radar but have kept putting it off to read something else, move this book immediately to the top of your reading list. You can thank me later.

In the market of Personal Development and Self Help there are hundreds of books, hundreds of DVDs, Hundreds of CDs and dozens of programs that are designed to help you succeed.
Some are better, others worse.

Goals!

It is for all intents and purposes a complete guide to setting goals.
He leads you step by step through the process of sitting down and setting your goals and all the way to what you need to do to accomplish your goals.

If You Have Read One You Hvae Read Them All!
The problem with books by Brian Tracy is that they are all very much alike.
This was no exception.

Many books in the industry say about the same things, just in different words, Goals felt as though it was using the same words. I didn't like feeling like I had read it before.

Most of the advice can be found in other books.

Who can it help?
 
The guide itself was very good and if you haven't set your goals this book or read other books about personal development then this book will make a big difference in your life.

The act of setting goals and making plans for their accomplishment is the one action that will make the biggest difference in your life.

By setting your goals you are going to start pulling events into your life and make you move faster and faster towards your goals.

Easy to follow steps:

What I did like about this book, and most Brian Tracy books, is how easy his advice is to follow.
This book is a 350 page guide going from step 1 to step 2 and so on.
If you haven't read these types of books before you could really use this book as a manual and just follow the steps one after the other until you are finished.

My Recommendation:
 
If you are new to self help and personal development books I think this book could really make a lasting impact on your life. If you haven't set your goals and started working towards them in a structured manner, Brian can really give you some good advice.

On the other hand, if you have read other books in the industry and have taken these first steps I think this book would be a waste of your time, you have already read the advice and your time would probably be used better by reading other books.

Regards
Vanga Srikanth

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Dale Carnegie's How to Stop Worrying and Start Living Book Review by Vanga Srikanth

About the Author

Dale Carnegie (1888-1955) described himself as a "simple country boy" from Missouri but was also a pioneer of the self-improvement genre. Since the 1936 publication of his first book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, he has touched millions of readers and his classic works continue to impact lives to this day. 

Biography

Dale Breckenridge Carnegie (originally Carnagey until 1922 and possibly somewhat later) (November 24, 1888 ??? November 1, 1955) was an American writer and lecturer and the developer of famous courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking and interpersonal skills. Born in poverty on a farm in Missouri, he was the author of How to Win Friends and Influence People, first published in 1936, a massive bestseller that remains popular today. He also wrote a biography of Abraham Lincoln, titled Lincoln the Unknown, as well as several other books.

Carnegie was an early proponent of what is now called responsibility assumption, although this only appears minutely in his written work.[citation needed] One of the core ideas in his books is that it is possible to change other people's behavior by changing one's reaction to them.

Book Review by Vanga Srikanth 

If "How to Win Friends..." was about interpersonal skills, this book is about intrapersonal skills. People have criticized Dale for stating the obvious, but hey, as my mother says, "common sense isn't common." Most of these ideas run counter to human nature's way of responding to conflict and criticism (defensiveness, blame, guilt, self-righteousness, etc). Instead, we are invited to replace these typical responses with non-threatening admissions of having been in the wrong if indeed we were in the wrong or water-off-a-duck's back/unshaken poise if the criticism was unjust, unwarranted, and unreasonable. To be honest, I often haven't thought about things the way Dale states them much less practiced his principles with consistency. Self-improvement in terms of handling my feelings is still a long-term goal of mine. I've made good progress, but I have a ways to go.

I think this book is very good, but I think "How to Win Friends & Influence People" is the better of the two books. Also, Dale can come off as preachy at times. I think he was a wonderful, considerate person with the best of intentions, so I hesitate reproaching this "guru" of emotional intelligence.

I did enjoy listening to stories about personal transformation. People who had hit rock bottom were able to rebound from their falls. John D. Rockefeller turned his life around, much in the style of "Silas Marner," and no longer fretted about losing money. Thanks to his Rockefeller Foundation, countless good causes have had ample funding. I also like the story Dale shares about J. C. Penney. Penney felt that even his intimate loved ones believed the worst about him after he was implicated with the stock market crash of 1929. He became so worried that his health deteriorated. Then one day he stumbled into a chapel as the choir was singing, "God will take care of you." He recognized the truth of those words and within 20 minutes, snapped out of his despair.

Dale really revered Abraham Lincoln, and so do I, based on Dale's account of him. Abraham Lincoln would select men who disliked him if he thought those men were the best qualified for a given position. Someone asked Lincoln why he would consort with men who freely criticize him. Lincoln responded, "You have more of a feeling of personal resentment than I have. Perhaps I have too little of it. But I never thought it paid." He also said, "A man doesn't have the time to spend half his life in quarrels. If any man ceases to attack me, I never remember the past against him." Wow! Those are the words of an enlightened and secure human being.

I think that my problem has been that I took too personally the criticism of others (both just and unjust). I'm not a vindictive person; however, I hate feeling threatened, and my self-esteem--while it has improved, it is still vulnerable. It was the feeling of self-doubt that I hated--not really the person attacking me. I made the mistake of interchanging a person for his or her mistakes at my expense. If you no longer feel threatened by criticism and believe in yourself and your potential no matter what, then I think forgiveness is easy and natural. Dale warned that we pay too dearly for grudges with our lost peace of mind.

I like how this book among others can give us the tools to completely overhaul our unhelpful (or rather hurtful) ways of thinking about things. "How to Stop Worrying..." revisits platitudes and shows how they are less trite sayings than distilled truths. Turn lemons into lemonade. Count your blessings. Don't cry over spilled milk. He also talked about putting a "stop-loss order" on resentments, having our thoughts work for instead of against us, and how knowledge isn't power until it is applied. Forgive and forget our enemies. No person can humiliate or disturb us; a person really humiliates him/herself when s/he attempts to humiliate others. Or Eleanor Roosevelt's insight that no one can make us feel inferior without our permission. "If possible, no animosity should be felt for anyone." Edith Cabbal: "I realize now that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness toward anyone." "Everynight I forgive everything & everybody." "Forget yourself by becoming interested in others." "Serving others is a sure way to forget our own troubles." "We hurt ourselves with thoughts of revenge." "Sympathy and compassion are the best antidotes to enmity."

The helpful quotes go on and on, and any of the above could become a person's mantra, depending on what issues s/he is working on. Ben Franklin had the great idea of working on one of his eight severest character flaws every week. He would alternate what vice he was trying to eliminate or at least, ameliorate. He would self-reflect upon his improvement or lack thereof. I've decided to imitate good old Ben and try this for myself.

I am grateful for Dale Carnegie and other helpful emotional intelligence gurus (Wayne Dyer, Deepak Choprah, and David Burns come to mind) for spelling out tools for emotional health and personal transformation. We all have great potential. As Dale said, we all live well within our means in terms of intellectual and emotional intelligence. Financially, it's great advice to live within our means, but we pay dearly to do so intellectually or emotionally.

Regards
Vanga.Srikanth

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Writer Adivishnu Interview by Vanga Srikanth

 Writer Adivishnu Interview by Vanga Srikanth

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Rich Dad Poor Dad Book Review by Vanga Srikanth

Book Description

Personal finance author and lecturer Robert T. Kiyosaki developed his unique economic perspective from two very different influences - his two fathers. This text lays out Kiyosaki's philosophy and his relationship with money.

Book Review by Vanga Srikanth

The best thing about this book is that the central message is very clear. Rich people put their money into ASSETS (items which grow in value/ generate income - e.g. stocks, shares, real-estate), whereas worse-off people tend to spend money on LIABILITIES (things that either depreciate or cost money to maintain - e.g. cars, clothes.... and your own house). So far, so good. The non-rich also waste money by (a) unnecessarily paying too much tax and (b) running up debts on credit (he says its OK to buy the flashy car/ boat etc., but only AFTER you've made money from investing in assets).

However my problem is that the practical advice is very US-centred, in particular some of the tax-avoidance techniques he proposes which are simply NOT legal in the UK (e.g. putting your holiday down as a legitimate business expense if you own your own company... I wish!). I would welcome a UK version of the book. On balance the style is engaging if repetitive (as with many US self-help books). A useful way to start you thinking differently, but I would have liked some more specific recommendations on where to go/ what to do to get started with some of the investment ideas he suggests. 

Regards

Vanga Srikanth

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Vanga Srikanth Images

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Think and Grow Rich Review by Vanga Srikanth

Book Description

Here are money-making secets that can change your life. Inspired by Andrew Carnegie's magic formula for success, this book will teach you the secrets that will bring you a fortune. It will show you not only what to do but how to doit. Once you learn and apply the simple, basic techniques revealed here, you will have mastered the secret of true and lasting success. And you may have whatever you want in life.

Book Review by Vanga Srikanth 

-The most important book I've ever read

Vanga Srikanth

I first became aware of this book whilst listening to the audio-book of 'Millionaire Upgrade' by Richard Parkes Cordock. I was reluctant to purchase it however because of the poor reviews of the paperback version, which claimed that the text was of poor quality, amongst other things.

The first thing I will state is that this book is of the finest quality, you need not worry about its tangible condition, or indeed the quality of the information itself. The book contains an introduction by Tom Butler-Bowden (whose book 50 Self-Help Classics I intend to buy), which was very helpful, and it also contains the original text of 'Think And Grow Rich', which went out of copyright. It is pointed out that Napoleon Hill produced a revised, copyrighted edition, in 1960, however 'it is an abridgement which cuts out some of the interesting details in the original...'

As for the book itself and its content, I believe it to be the most important book I have ever read. I've read a few self-help books but none have touched me in the way that this has. As a Graduate, currently working in a minimum wage job, I feel like my life has lost its direction a bit and that I've been wandering aimlessly, but after reading the principles, in 'Think And Grow Rich', I believe that I can go now get my life back on track and I can make some positive plans for the future.

This won't happen overnight nor after reading the book only once, it will require daily application and persistence, and I suspect that my copy of 'Think And Grow Rich' will some become dog-eared from repetitive use! It's going to become my new handbook to living.

Having read other self-help books, I was already familiar with some of the principles, such as 'persistence' however there was quite alot of new material in 'Think And Grow Rich' which I was previously unfamiliar with. The Chapter on 'The Mystery of Sex Transmutation' was particularly interesting, as were the Chapters on 'Auto-Suggestion' and 'How to Outwit the Six Ghosts of Fear.'

The Author is clearly qualified having spent over 20 years of his life researching successful people and his work is endorsed by many distinguished figures such as Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison and many many others.

One thing I found particularly interesting about the book, is that it was written at a time or not longer after, the Great Depression caused by the Wall Street Crash of 1929. Considering the recession we currently face, the book provides a lot of hope: 'The "depression" was a blessing in disguise. It reduced the whole world to a new starting point that gives every one a new opportunity.'

It is cited as the Greatest Motivational Book of all time, on the back cover, and I would have to agree that it is certainly the most motivational I have ever read. The author's enthusiasm leaps out of the pages and you can't help but be inspired. The book requires alot of self-analysis and asks many probing questions, which really makes you think. I've read the book from cover to cover to get a feel for it but it's one I will be returning to again and again and studying in-depth.

I shall conclude my review as the Ralston Society conclude the book: 'No matter whether you are rich or poor-you have one asset as great as the richest man living-and that is time. But with each setting sun you become one day older; and have one day less in which to attain the success and wealth you desire....' Why wait any longer? The investment of money in this book is well worth it, but remember that you also have to invest much time and commitment, in applying the principles to your life as well.

 

Regards

Vanga.Srikanth

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Quotes by Vanga Srikanth

A Quote by Vanga Srikanth

 

Life has so many different chapters. One bad chapter does not mean it's the end of the book...

A Quote by Vanga Srikanth

Natural, reckless, correct skill;
Yesterday's clarity is today's stupidity
The universe has dark and light, entrust oneself to change
One time, shade the eyes and gaze afar at the road of heaven.

A Quote by Vanga Srikanth

One long pure beautiful road of pain
and the beauty of death and no pain

A Quote by Vanga Srikanth on Happiness

You do this, you do that
You argue left, you argue right
You come down, you go up
This person says no, you say yes
Back and forth
You are happy
You are really happy

A Quote by Vanga Srikanth

Break open A cherry tree And there are no flowers, But the spring breeze Brings forth myriad blossoms.

A Quote by Vanga Srikanth

No, not once ever seeing himself,
an eyeball speaks.

A Quote by Vanga Srikanth

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up" 

A Quote by Vanga Srikanth

"I asked God for strength, and God sent challenges my way, to make me strong." Adversities are usually blessings in disguises!

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Interview with Director Jandhyala by Vanga Srikanth

Interview with Director  Jandhyala by Vanga Srikanth

This is Jandhyala's last interview (also first and only web interview). I met him in January and spoke to him for more then hour. He was very humble and down to earth. I requested a photo along with him. He said he liked me a lot and want to meet him again. As I was busy shuttling between Mumbai/ Bangalore / Hyderabad that never happed. So I lost the opportunity of taking his photograph...

I called on Thursday morning for an interview with him. He said he is in some pooja that day and asked me to come on Friday morning 10.00. so I landed at his house five minutes to ten. Two cute babies I met at the door are sahiti and sampanda who are playing with their puppy. The front room was an ordinary upper middle class hall and there are many trophies in the shelf of his success stories. The room was half occupied with the yesterday�s pooja. (he informed me later that he is big believer of puttaparthi sai baba and on Thursday was his pooja.) After initial hello's we started our interview. And here are the experts for you...

- By SRI

Sri : Hello, sir! Thanks for giving your time. Can we know your full name please?
Jandhyala : (laughs) it is not that I don't want to tell my name or that it's a secret; it's too lengthy! So, from the day I started writing stories, I am known by my surname alone. All my bank accounts are in the same name too! I wonder if I really remember my full name!
When were you introduced to films?
I went to Madras in 1974, I guess, to play a drama, upon getting an invitation from Kalaasaagar. That's when I had the opportunity of meeting Sree B. N. Reddy who made the films like malleeSwari. He saw my work on dramas and offered me to work on the film based on puNyabhoomI! kaLLu teru novel by Beena Devi. But unfortunately he was hospitalized soon after that and passed away eventually. I thought of going back to Vijayawada, as that film was stopped. Then producers Anandamohan and Hanuman Prasad offered me to work for their films. So, I wrote both the films but dEvuDu chEsina peLLi was released first. Then came peLLi kaani peLLi. After that, Viswanath offered me sirisirimuvva. Then I got offers from Raghavendra Rao and others. I wrote stories for few movies, screenplay for few more, and dialogues for a few others. I wrote for 200 films in those five years. In 1981, I directed my first film mudda mandaaram. From '81 to now, I completed 42 films. After 1981, I wrote another 150 films.

Sri : How does the experience in dramas help in films?
Jandhyala : It helps a lot. Either in creative side or in acting side, it helps a lot. You get a basic knowledge of acting in drama. Practical is always better then theory. Dramas get instantaneous reaction from the audience, and the actors will know what is right and what is wrong immediately. Similarly, a writer gets the message as to which scene the spectators like and which they do not. This is of a lot of help while writing the script and dialogues. So the stage always helps actors and technicians to improve before coming to the film industry. But basically, the off-stage or off-screen working is same for both.

Sri : Did you write any plays after coming to the industry?
Jandhyala : Yeah, I wrote some plays that were enacted by film artistes. I was too busy between 1976 and 1981. I used to write for four to five films a day, and thus was unable to write during that time. I had to attend discussions for story and dialogues with the crew. For example, while I was working for sirisirimuvva and aDavi raamuDu simultaneously, I used to have story discussions with Vishwanath in the morning, and with Raghavendra Rao in the evening, and a few others approached me some time during the day. I used to be too busy with all that. After I became a director, I got some leisure and I again took up writing dramas. Even now, I like to write dramas. Recently, the Chief Minister was impressed to watch a comedy play of mine, that was enacted by Kota Sreenivasa Rao and others.

Sri : You probably lost a few films as a writer, when you turned to direction, though you were the highest-paid and most-wanted writer during 1976-'81
Jandhyala : Yeah, I missed some films because of this, but I used to get more job satisfaction. As a director, I feel the whole project to be mine, and that I am completely responsible for the movie. A writer is only a small part of the film, but as a director, I am the whole and sole. I get completely satisfied when I direct a film, as I can convey to the filmgoers what all I have on my mind; I cannot do that when I am just the writer. I completely agree that writing is feasible monetarily, but it cannot buy satisfaction.

Sri : You said you worked with directors like Viswanath in the morning and Raghavendra Rao in the evening. But both have different way of thoughts and presentation. How did you mould yourself to their line of thought so quickly?
Jandhyala : I think both have one thing in common. Vishwanath is aesthetic director with a commercial touch, and Raghavendra Rao is a commercial director with an aesthetic sense. Raghavendra Rao too hasn't worked out vulgar comedy or shown nudity to attract the spectators. Both of the directors work in their own ways, but never walk in the clouds. I am happy with both the directors, and I learnt a lot while I worked with them. That's when I learnt to write a screenplay or a story for a film. They are my gurus.

Sri : You worked with young actors for your first two films as a director. What made you bring the change, instead of working with senior artistes?
Jandhyala : Yeah, I worked with youngsters that were fresh faces to the screen. Before that, senior heroes like NTR, ANR, Sobhan Babu etc. used to play young roles, but it appeared funny when they say something like "Mummy, I just passed B.A". There were not so many heroes then, like we now have - Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, Nagarjuna, Pawan Kalyan, etc. I remember a movie in the late 1970's or 1980's where NTR says he just passed SSLC!! Then, the directors had no choice, and the artistes didn't have a choice too - they had to play all the roles! When I want to make a love story, I opted for young artistes to make it look suitable. These two films changed the trend. Both those films played well in the theaters and were commercial hits too.

Sri : I agree they were successful, but critics commented that you were spoiling the teenagers?
Jandhyala : When the film was made, Poornima was just 16, and I portrayed the same in the film. Why someone felt that way is because one was used to see Vani Sree or some other senior heroine doing the role. So, when the spectators suddenly saw someone who is actually 16, they could not digest the drastic change. It usually takes time for people to adjust to the reality. Even then, both the films were commercial hits that changed the trend, and immediately many love stories started with that wave. That all depends on the way the story is presented on the screen. In naalugu stambhaalaaTa, I tried to show how a young couple tried to solve their problem in their own way. It may not be a big deal now, but twenty years back, that was new to people.

Sri : naalugu stambhaalaaTa was somewhat a serious kind of movie. But later you changed your trend to the comedy films. Why is that?
Jandhyala : My first full-length comedy was Sreevaariki prEmalEkha. It became a huge hit without any element of seriousness in it. There is one particular trend in the industry. They brand people with certain image. If one wants to make a film on classical arts, one immediately thinks of Viswanath, and similarly, all offers I got after the success of Sreevaariki prEmalEkha were comedy films, and thus I ended up to be a comedy film director. If we do the same thing for long, the product will get stale, I knew it from the very beginning. Spectators need variety, and I thus knew that the comedy film trend would last only for some ten years, after which I need to come afresh with something else. So my trend of comedies continued with the films like renDu reLLu aaru and aha! naa peLLanTa etc. Relangi Narasimha Rao also came at the same period and he also did comedy films. Soon, the trend changed, and comedy had to be mixed with something else.

Sri : When you were in the spree of making comedy films, you suddenly made a beautiful film based on classical dance - aanandabhairavi. Everyone wondered where you hid all that aesthetic nature in you all those days!
Jandhyala : I wanted to direct a film like that since long. I wrote for films like SankaraabharaNam, saptapadi, saagarasangamam etc., which are all based on classical art forms, and thus wanted to direct one all by myself. Luckily I saw Kondamudi Sreeramamurhty's novel and I was lucky to find a producer who came forward to make that film with me. B. A. V. Saandilya, unlike others who came to me, brought to me the venture aanandabhairavi. Gireesh Karnad played the lead role and I feel honored to work with him. It ran a good run at the box office despite the image of comedy film director I donned; it fetched me some awards too. But there is another film that I liked among the serious films I made - I liked nelavanka a lot but the film was a flop. It was supposed to win some national awards, but did not, because of cheap politics played by some person in the film industry, which I am not happy to discuss. The drawback of the film was that the movie-watchers rejected the casting. They could not convince themselves to see J. V. Somayaajulu as a muslim, while the Sankara Saastri image still didn't leave him. It won some awards though.

Sri : aanandabhairavi has good song numbers like koluvaitivaa rangaSaayi... and chaitramu kusumaanjali that were also beautifully picturized with symbolic shots.
Jandhayala : Veturi has given very good lyrics. chaitramu kusumaanjali can be compared to the traditional keertana-s of the Carnatic classical standards. They helped the movie to be a hit.

Sri : What happened to annamayya project. Why it was shelved?
Jandhyala : I think there is some curse on that subject. Only Raghavendra Rao could complete the project. Even before I did, people like Sree Pullayya and Sree C. S. Rao tried it but were not successful. Later, Aatreya tried to make the subject into a film. Raghavendra Rao adopted the same script with some minor changes. We recorded almost 50 songs under the music direction of Ramesh Naidu, with noted singers like Asha Bhonsle, Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, S.P.B, Janaki, etc.; these songs are now available as CDs and records in Tirupati. B.A.V. Saandilya, who was the producer for the proposed movie, passed away and the project was stalled. J. K. Bhaaravi, who was the scriptwriter for Raghavendra Rao's project, was Aatreya's assistant at that time.

Sri : You always have one complete song on love in every film, which you shot differently from the other directors! Any special reasons?
Jandhyala : I like to do some songs differently. But now, people want movement in all songs; they don't want that feel now. They need some twenty plus dancers for songs. Even for annamaachaarya keertana, they need fast movements. They want every thing like those songs in MTV. I was the choreographer for most of my films. It is very rare that I hired a choreographer, unless I needed some special movements for the songs. But now it's all changed, because of changes in people's minds.

Sri : Any idea why your commercial films were flops though they had notable commercial artists?
Jandhayala : That is because I was unable to adapt to the commercial trend. Only seetaaraama kalyaNam with Balakrishna had a good run. Baabaai-abbaai was at least an average movie, because it was a love story. Other films like amarajeevi and chanTabbaai were flops.

Sri : What went wrong with amarajeevi?
Jandhyala : The first half was good, but something went wrong in the second half, probably the presentation was not clear. Success of a film has hundred reasons, but the failure usually has just one reason - bad story and/or presentation.

Sri : What went wrong with chanTabbaai? Is it the change in the climax of the novel that flopped the film?
Jandhyala : May be yes, but what we thought is that the title should have the hero's character. There our judgment failed. That could be a reason too. We know only when the audience rejected it, but by then, it is too late. Chiranjeevi himself agrees that it is one of his best comedy films. Sometimes we miss the road and go the wrong way.

Sri : Why is it that most of your films are based on novels?
Jandhyala : I worked with novels mostly because there is one advantage in that - I already have a tested formula and I know half of the dialogues. I worked mostly with Malladi's and Yandamuri's novels. I worked on works of other writers too, say, Aadivishnu etc. Some changes were necessary to transform them into movies. But still audience change according to the trend, publicity and all other factors will add for the filmgoers.

Sri : You gave stories to a lot of commercial hits like vETagaaDu, gharaanaa donga etc. But why is that you never attempted such films as a director?
Jandhayala : When I started my first film, Sree NTR also asked me the same question. When I went to give him the invitation card for the clapping of the film mudda mandaram, he was surprised and said, "If you would have asked me, I would have given you the dates to make a commercial film!" He congratulated me, but he wanted me to try to get a commercial image. I informed him that I want to experiment with all new faces from stage. He wished me best of luck. I don't want to go into a commercial image. That time I was inspired by Sree Bharatiraaja who gave a new feel to Tamil cinema by bringing the films to villages and made good films with all new star cast. At that time, we had only those five big heroes and I tried to break that trend and make something different. As I was close to Viswanath, his impressions also inspired me to some extent. He also did the same thing - working with not-so-popular artistes, and then working with most popular artists.

Sri : Do you have any ghostwriter?
Jandhyala : I never had any ghostwriters. If I have taken the story from some other writer then I used to discuss that with him for improvement. But if the storyline is mine, I never discussed with any one and I used to develop the story myself. I feel that I am not doing justice to my profession if I have a ghostwriter. If I have taken a comedy track, I used to give credit to them. I am not saying that having a ghostwriter is wrong - the idea differs from person to person.

Sri : What are your favorite films among those you worked for?
Jandhayala : I am happy with all the movies. Every movie has everything, it all depends on the way one looks at it. Among classical films, you can see SankaraabharaNam, saptapadi, aanandabhairavi, nelavanka etc. vETagaaDu and aDavi raamuDu among commercial films, Sreevaariki prEmalEkha, aha! naa peLLanTa, etc. in the comedy genre. aha! naa peLLanTa worked in good in B-, C-centers. Every film has it own reasons to be good and I cannot list them all, it'd be too big a list. Some of the films just ran because of the good dialogues, viz., Sreevaariki prEmalEkha, vETagaaDu etc. My timing was good then, as there were not as many writers at that time as there are now. Thus, I got opportunity to work with all types of directors, which helped me a lot. They all are my inspiration to become a director. I never worked as an assistant to any director.

Sri : Can you please tell us details of your family?
Jandhyala : My wife is Annapoorna, and I have twin daughters named Saahiti and Sampada.

Sri : Any message for our readers?
Jandhayala : We have many sources, but we never got a national award. I just want to ask our people to make some very good movies to get national recognition. And I suggest all readers to invite healthy movies and reject others. It may need not be a blockbuster but it should at least be an average runner so that that director tries to make another good film. I need to see Telugu film directors like the Malayalam film director Sree Aravindan. People used to say lot of good things about our old-timer directors like Sree K. V. Reddy and Sree Pullayya. Now, there is no one here to boast of. Even Ramanand Sagar worked with Sree NTR while doing Ramayana for TV. We do have good directors, but they fear that they cannot attract the filmgoers. I want to see that day when we get a national award.

His real name is Jandhyala Veera Venakata Durga Siva Subramanya Sastry, but I got to know that only after he died. After the interview I spend more than hour with him talking many off the record things. He informed me that cinema artist Annapoorna was his heroine in his drama's, where he played hero and that time her name was Uma. And how the nelavanka film box was mis-placed so that it will not reach delhi on time. I feel so bad when I heard he died and felt guilty of not keeping his interview because of my laziness. I know it is not an excuse. I think God needs some healthy entertainment and called him so soon as he is a noble soul, who knowingly or unknowingly never harmed any one.

Acknowledgements: Sri Malladi without whom I might have not met Sri Jandhayala and Sri Nachaki without his help this article might have not come out. 


Regards
Vanga Srikanth

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The Race of My Life(Milkha Singh) Review by Vanga Srikanth

A HEART TOUCHING STORY DIRECT FROM A LIVING LEGEND...MUST READ!!! 

Milkha Singh has led a life dominated by running, running, running? From a boy who narrowly escaped death during Partition (most of his family was not so lucky), to a juvenile delinquent who stole and outran the police, to a young Army recruit who ran his very first race to win special privileges for himself (a daily glass of milk). After that first race, Milkha Singh became an athlete by default. And what followed was the stuff legends are made of. In this remarkably candid autobiography, Milkha Singh shares the amazing highs of winning Indias first ever gold in athletics at the Commonwealth Games, the unbridled joy of being hailed as the Flying Sikh in Pakistan, as well as the shattering low of failure at the Olympics. Simple, yet ambitious,famous, yet grounded,temptations all around him, yet remaining celibate so he could focus on racing,a rich and beautiful girl who was desperate for him, yet fighting the world to marry his lady love, Nimmi?even as the on-field drama found its way into his personal life, Milkha was a man who defined his own destiny. And yet, for a man whose life was dominated by sports, he continues to remain disillusioned with the way sports is run? Powerful and gripping, The Race of My Life documents the journey of an impoverished refugee who rose to become one of the most towering figures in Indian sports. 

 

Most fantastic autobiography I have read in my entire life. It has been written in very simple language but you will be able to connect to every word written in this book. The part of Milkha Singh we all saw in the film was just a summary of his life. Please read this book if you want a deep insight into his life. A very emotional and very motivating heart touching autobiography. Proud to be born in a country were legend Milkha Singh lives.

I preordered this book and want to thank Flipkart for delivering this book before expectation. 

Regards

Vanga Srikanth

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Unposted Letter by T. T. Rangarajan-English Review by Vanga Srikanth

Unposted Letter by T. T. Rangarajan-English Review by Vanga Srikanth

About the Author


T. T. Rangarajan (Rajan) is a New Age guru and spiritual expert. He is also involved in writing self-help books and is a personality development expert.
Rajan is the Editor of Frozen Thoughts. The magazine contains his teachings and messages, and is now read in several countries across the world. He helps people in their quest for self-realization, and preaches that every individual leaves his own imprint on the world, through his life experiences. Rangarajan founded Alma Mater, an organization that teaches holistic personality development techniques. It is not affiliated to any religion or any political organization. Its ideology is to work for the development of the individual and through that, the development of the society.



This book is a collection of a series of articles written by the editor of the magazine, Frozen Thoughts.
Unposted Letters is a collection of short articles published in different issues of the magazine, Frozen Thoughts, compiled by the editor. Each letter contains deep and profound reflections on many topics related to life, work, situations, and attitudes. Each page contains ideas and concepts that can change the readers’ view on many things and make their life richer and more enjoyable.
The book contains simple lessons and principles and practical ideas that, if implemented, can make life more fulfilling and adverse situations easier to face. Whatever the reader is looking for - a resolution to a conflict, a personal or professional dilemma, practical advice, dealing with the loss of material possessions - they will find something that is useful and practical.
Incorporating philosophy, concepts, ideas, and thoughts from various sources like the Bible and Bhagavad Gita and from great leaders and thinkers of the past and present, the book contains inspirational life lessons.
These writings were published in the magazine Frozen Thoughts. Frozen Thoughts is a self-development journal that focuses on self-awakening, spirituality, and relationships. The magazine also covers a wide variety of personality development related subjects like parenting, psychology, management, religion and science, and stress management.

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Trivikram Srinivas interview by Vanga srikanth

Regards
vanga srikanth

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