Showing results by narrator "Ranjan Kamath" in All Categories

The rivalry between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, the royal cousins who fought for the throne at Hastinapura, ended in a great war. Was it the eldest Kaurava Duryodhana's resentment toward his cousins that sparked the flame? Or was it the eldest Pandava Yudhishtira's belief that he was the rightful heir to the throne? Or was it the force of elements beyond their control that nudged them toward a preordained path?

Ask him the trickiest question and he will have the answer. Who else could it be but Birbal, the wise vizier at Emperor Akbar's court? When it comes to Birbal, no problem is without a solution. Admired, loved, envied but always unbeaten, his wit leaves you wondering, "How does he do that?" Birbal has to play with words in order to please his host, the King of Persia. But on his return, he finds that Emperor Akbar is furious with him. How will Birbal make Akbar see the truth?

Veteran adman and author Ambi Parameswaran has relied on one process of learning above all others: powerful conversations with clients and customers. A challenging customer, in his view, goes from being someone who poses an obstacle to quality work to someone with eye-opening ideas and concepts. Approached as an exercise in listening and learning, these conversations can become long-term lessons.

For over 60 years, since his award-winning debut, The Room on the Roof, was published, Ruskin Bond has charmed and entertained us with characters ranging from the animal world to humans to ghostly spirits, and his magic touch has often presented to us a world unhurried, tucked away in hills and valleys. What does it mean to be an octogenarian loved by the young and old alike? To be synonymous with the smell of pinewood and rambling mountain paths? In short, what is it that makes him Bond?

Tara wants to go to an amusement park for her holidays. But her parents are being difficult. Will her deadly tantrum work, or will they drag her off on a wild vacation? Then Tara gets sent a mysterious box, and some unlikely - and unwelcome - guests show up! A lesson in wild manners? Or just a bad dream? Join Tara and her friends in this roller-coaster ride of a story....

The roll of the dice reverses the fortunes of the Pandavas. The peaceful years following the division of the kingdom of Bharata are soon to end because of Duryodhana's jealousy. Along with his uncle, Sakuni, he plots to secure the entire kingdom. The twisted path of simmering tension between the royal cousins culminates in an unfair game of dice.

Appu, the baby elephant is not like other baby animals. He is huge. And this is exactly what makes him fret and complain about the lack of friends. When he takes a walk in the forest to soothe his aching heart, an accident gets him what he always wished for.

Appu is all set to celebrate his birthday with his dear friends. But the stubborn child that he is, he refuses to invite his friend, Kaka the wise crow, to the party. He almost has his way until an unexpected event has him rethinking about his feelings.

Appu is suddenly overwhelmed by a feeling of inferiority and refuses to play with his friends. He is ashamed of his trunk and somehow gets the idea that if he gets rid of it he would get prettier. In the end it takes an act of sheer instinct to make him realise his own worth.

When Neha was born everyone seemed pleased because she was fair and round as the moon. But soon Neha's mother grew alarmed because her baby took longer to speak and walk like most human babies did. But that's not where Neha's peculiarities ended. The little girl seemed more comfortable with animals than with humans. Then one day Neha disappeared only to return with an odd story about healing a tiger.

Damu lived in a fantasy world where everything he did was transformed into an adventure in his head. The only problem was that it was difficult to get Damu to do much, not even buying oil from a shop. Naushad the old fisherman had watched Damu and remembers what it was to be young. He joins Damu with his father and uncle one fishing trip and shows everyone why it is sometimes important to remain a child.

A little swallow rests one night at the feet of the statue of the Happy Prince. A deep bond of friendship develops between them as they help the poor together. One of the most remarkable stories written by Oscar Wilde, The Happy Prince speaks about true love, compassion and friendship.

A tale of fantasy and intrigue, The Stone Flower is sure to grab the attention of the young reader. Ambitious young Danila's quest for finding the perfect stone, the strange events that follows and all the startling characters make this story a spellbinding one.

Panchatantra is a legendary compilation of simple stories from ancient India. These stories in which the main characters are animals were primarily written to implant ethical values in young princes. Panchatantra is one of India's most important contributions to the literary world.

The gods knew that the decisive moment that would end the royal rivalry had arrived. They watched in dismay as the inevitable end of a grand era fast approached, yet hopeful that in the end dharma would stand triumphant. Would the stalwarts Bhishma and Drona survive to see the end? And what of Karna? Where would his loyalties lie? With his savior Duryodhana or with his true brothers the Pandavas?

The Selfish Giant wouldn't share his garden with the neighbourhood children. That’s when Nature deserts him. Then slowly, the Giant realises that the children are the most beautiful flowers in his garden. Oscar Wilde’s "The Selfish Giant" is an endearing story of selfless love.

What is the best gift that you can give your best friend? Is it something that you were given free of cost or something that you earned by the sweat of your brow? Determined Appu is ready to overcome any obstacle to show his friend how much he cares.

All that playing in the rain finally has Appu sneezing his nose out. Mama Elephant insists that Appu should be taken to the doctor. The word "doctor" has Appu shaking with fear as his friends describe to him their horrible experiences during their visits.

Panchatantra is a legendary compilation of simple stories from ancient India. These stories, in which the main characters are animals, were primarily written to implant ethical values in young princes. Panchatantra is one of India's most important contributions to the literary world.

Ashoka, the greatest of Mauryan emperors, launched a fierce attack on the kingdom of Kalinga; his intention was to conquer this rich and fertile kingdom. And this he did but there was misery and trauma all around. As realisation came crashing down upon him, he moaned to himself, ‘I am the cause of it all!' From the ruthless conqueror of lands to the one who conquered millions with his doctrine of love and peace. This is the story of Ashoka.