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Hot Tea Across India by Rishad Saam Mehta

Non-fiction

by  |  on March 1st, 2012  |  5 comments

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Title: Hot Tea Across India
Author: Rishad Saam Mehta
Publisher: Tranquebar
Pages: 191
Price: Rs 195
Genre: Non Fiction / Travel
Rating: 7.5/10
Source: Review Copy (from Publisher)
‘Hot Tea Across India’ is a collection of experiences put together by travel writer Rishad Saam Mehta, from his many road trips across India. The stories are not in any particular order or about any one particular journey. The chapters – some really entertaining, some interesting while a few inconsequential – are independent of each other. ‘Tea’ acts as the common element in all these stories, as the writer reminisces about various cups of tea he had – of all tastes and compositions!
I have a thing for travel stories from India. I am particularly fond of stories from road trips or small, little known places; which provide opportunities to discover many more facets of India that I am oblivious of and also to smile fondly at Indian idiosyncrasies and stereotypes. I believe India is a dream for any traveler, in terms of what she has to offer. Go to any place; its flavour, its culture and its people are unique.
I am particularly fascinated by forts and palaces. It is exciting to walk on the same path which had been frequented by completely different kind of people, centuries ago. The author also puts it across very well when he says: “….I consider any ancient monument a time cell, a little module that has frozen an era within its walls for eternity. Life may go on at frenzied pace all around its periphery, but within its ramparts or its carved walls, history looks you in the face as you stare at a legacy of talent, art and architectural science left behind from centuries ago.”
When I saw ‘Hot Tea Across India’, it offered 2 things I love – Indian travel stories and tea. I am addicted to Tea.
The title of the book is interesting and very catchy but the focus on ‘tea’ in the title could be misleading because the book is less about tea and more about experiences. The cover page is quite apt and fetching. It beautifully captures the essence of various stories narrated by the author. I did not like the font used on the back cover though. It was difficult to decipher.
Author Rishad Saam Mehta is among those lucky few who have converted their passion into profession. He is passionate about traveling and has been writing travel features for several publications. His travel stories in this book are diverse – from hitching a ride on a truck from Mumbai to Delhi, to almost losing his beloved bike in Kargil, from negotiating his way alone through some of the most dangerous terrains to experiencing unexpected kindness of government officials in getting back his misplaced bike. Unexpected turn of events and interesting people, are the two things which make every travel story interesting, and the author has packed in enough of those in this book.
‘Hot Tea Across India’ is an easy read. I was particularly impressed by the author’s effortless writing style – witty and articulate. Sample these:
 “… They were three foreign tourists riding hired Enfield Bullets: one of them was shirtless, another was shoeless, all three seemed clueless about the consternation they had caused by jumping barriers. They rode towards the policemen exuberantly calling out, ‘ Juley, juley’ – Ladakh’s happy word for hello – not realising that Ladakh was a few hundred kilometres behind and a very sticky situation lay ahead.”
“…He, of course, thought his voice was as smooth as silk and could carry the same strain of sorrow that Mukesh was so good at – when in fact it had the abrasiveness of heavy-duty factory grade sand paper.”
 “…Zubair, unaccustomed to transportation that moved so fast and turned so rapidly within such a small radius, was fighting to keep his morning tea within the confines of his stomach and was going green in the process.”
The piece where he recounts his Maruti Van’s story in its voice (chapter ‘Automotive Love’) is quite funny, while the chapter ‘Unbiased Bullet’ was another laugh-out-loud part of this book.
This book is not so much about information about places mentioned but interesting experiences of a traveler. Over all, the book will appeal to anyone who loves reading travel stories or travelogues. The only thing which I felt missing was a few pictures, perhaps!   

Image source: http://www.westlandbooks.in 

By Reema Sahay
I also write about books at Recommend Books
admin (476 Posts)


 
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Comments (5)

  1. Anglers Rest Thursday - 01 / 03 / 2012 Reply
    >A great review. Book title noted for my next Amazon order. Contemplations that perhaps a visit to India and to follow in the footsteps of my ancestors who spent time there as part of the Honourable East India Company is in order. Perhaps contemplations for another day, nearer retirement. Meanwhile, I am off for a cup of tea!
  2. Reema Sahay Friday - 02 / 03 / 2012 Reply
    >@Anglers Rest - I'm glad that you liked the review. It sure is an interesting book, more so for somebody with a keen interest in India. Hope you would like it.
  3. AudioBooksVilla.com Monday - 05 / 03 / 2012 Reply
    >Blogs indeed are useful in gathering knowledge spread over internet from multiple authors.But when it comes over precise topic or a novel , I feel Audio books are the best way to do it.I recently started using them and i feel they are the best medium to learn things.I had bought 7 ways to happiness last week from Mallxs.com site and i am loving it
  4. Divenita Friday - 09 / 03 / 2012 Reply
    >:) I am happy you liked this book.
    I thought he would mention more about different types of Tea :(! But he did not, slightly dissapointed. Have read his columns--they were better
  5. Reema Sahay Friday - 09 / 03 / 2012 Reply
    >@Divenita: I agree about the tea part. Since I love tea so much, I thought tea would play crucial part in his journeys. But that apart, the book was fine to some extent :-)

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