t.co/T4vEcvQSPD

Six years ago, I sent hopeful emails into the void, dreaming of a world where Indian fantasy had its moment. Where a book like mine could spark the same Reddit threads I devoured for ASOIAF.

Today, that dream speaks. I'm doing an AMA on r/Fantasy now.

Mother of Manifestations! (Link below)

I can only hope I have been able to do justice to their art and dance in the book. If you would like to know more of their world through the medium of fiction, I hope you will give Dance of Shadows, a chance :)

-the power that temples held in society started to decline because of lack of patronage. This meant that devadasis now had restricted freedoms and their jobs weren't considered dignified. Yet, the true end of their livelihood came not with conquerors but with a company, the East India Company.

Only the priests had authority over them but since these women were considered incarnations of goddesses in the flesh and brought wealth, they weren't subjected to strict rules. They were trained in all 64 arts of the Nritya and were accomplished dancers and singers. But with Islamic invasions -

Devadasis were considered to be a mark of prosperity of a temple. They earned their living by performing in palaces for Maharajas and wealthy patrons. Independent in ways few women of their time could be, they had the agency to raise their children, living at the crossroads of power, art, and faith.

The “Dance” in DANCE OF SHADOWS is a tribute to the Devadasi protagonist in the book - Meenakshi.

But who were Devadasis?

Devadasis of Medieval India (Servant-Wives of Gods) is a lost legacy of temple dancers who were cast down into poverty and exploitation by colonial cruelty
#WomensHistoryMonth

IT'S MY BOOK BIRTHDAY TODAY... ARE YOU READY TO BREATHE BLOOD?

Just a dramatic way of saying my 🇮🇳 Wodehousian Epic Fantasy is making its way into the world along with my cursed children: the Librarian Princess, the Pirate Queen, the Knight & the Archer!

Hope they light lanterns along your spine

INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY!

I am celebrating Republic Day by giving away a signed hardback of my dark fantasy book — DANCE OF SHADOWS.

RULES
⚔️Follow and Repost on Bsky
🪷Comment what you're looking forward to most in the book: Heists, Plagues, Librarian Princess, Devadasis, Pirate Queen or Gladiators?

Putting your book on Netgalley is basically inviting Cannes Critics to judge your film before the curtains even rise.

Beyond grateful for the screaming ovation (so far).

The TBB Edition of Dance of Shadows blesses its edges with Nataraja (Shiva): the divine cosmic dancer of Hinduism whose dance, the tandava, seeks to release the souls of all men from illusion.

Limited signed copies at: t.co/4JfEIzoKcT

📸: @ranvirdeb.bsky.social
🖌️@thebrokenbinding.bsky.social

🌚 Tiktok used to be Musically for us.

Starting 2025 with my sketch of Vahura: the Librarian Princess from Dance of Shadows

A girl built from the wreckage of her heart, she is tasked to steal secrets from death witches and thieves' guilds to save the world from an ancient plague.

But there is no one to guide her, and it is dark again.