Nishi Chandermun's Blog
September 5, 2023
Unearthing Enchanted Guardians: The Living Lamassus
A civilisation long past, but never forgotten, the world of ancient Mesopotamia were filled with gods, goddesses, and living entities beyond our wildest imaginings.
Teaming with creatures ranging from the benevolent to the malevolent, this is a world where mythical beings stand guard, both in stone and flesh.
So, follow me as we go through this extraordinary realm, where today we shall focus on one of the most intriguing and mystical of the creatures—the Lamassu.
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Image credit: https://hive.blog/history/@crazysailor/lamassu-the-mythological-creature/
The Lamassu: Guardians and Enigmatic BeingsThe Lamassu were considered benevolent and protective beings, frequently depicted as having the body of a bull or lion, the wings of an eagle, and the head of a human. This complex form was meant to symbolize their dual nature as both earthly and divine creatures.
Their mighty wings were symbols to their strength, and their ability to soar above earthly troubles. Lamassu were often placed at the entrances of important buildings, for example, palaces and temples. Their main role was to serve as guardians, warding off evil spirits and possible threats. They were seen as symbols of strength, protection, and divine benevolence. While primarily associated to protection, the Lamassu were also linked to wisdom and magic.
One of the most fascinating traits of the Lamassu is the belief that they came to life under the cloak of darkness, when the moon cast its silvery light upon the world. Cities that were adorned with statues by day, were suddenly transformed by night, when these very statues came to life, patrolling the cobblestoned pathways they guarded. It goes without saying that the Lamassu were elements of awe and intrigue. One can only wonder what secrets they protected during those silent mysterious hours. What adventures did they undertake as they roamed the city?
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Young heroes and heroines…imagine living in these ancient times, and unveiling the secrets of the Lamassu. Imagine discovering their hidden, living aspects that only the fortunate few can uncover. How exciting it would be to form bonds with these ancient beings and embark on intriguing quests with them! How wonderful it would be to have these protective beings as guardians watching over you in the darkest of hours!As we draw the veil on our exploration of the living Lamassu, dear adventurers, I encourage you to follow the Sands of Time series, as it unfolds book by book. Together we’ll journey to unchartered realms, where the past and future entwine, and where the sands of time hold secrets that only you can unlock
Until next time, may your dreams be filled with enchanted guardians and tales yet to be told…
Happy reading, fellow fantasy adventurers…NishiThe post Unearthing Enchanted Guardians: The Living Lamassus appeared first on Nishi Chandermun.
August 24, 2023
Unveiling “The Sands of Time” series: The Ancient Mesopotamian Inspiration Behind “The Pearl of Immortality”
Unveiling “The Sands of Time” series:
The Ancient Mesopotamian Inspiration Behind “The Pearl of Immortality”Greetings, dear readers and fellow fantasy enthusiasts! Today, we embark on an exciting journey, exploring the rich tapestry of inspiration that lies at the heart of “The Pearl of Immortality”, the first book in my seven-book fantasy series, “The Sands of Time”. The source of my creative spark? The captivating and enigmatic world of ancient Sumerian and Mesopotamian mythology.
The Birth of a Mythical UniverseAncient Mesopotamia, often referred to as the “Cradle of Civilization”, was home to a complex and mesmerizing tapestry of gods, goddesses, and epic tales that continue to inspire storytellers, to this day. This unique civilization, is the foundation upon which, “The Pearl of Immortality” and the entire fantasy series is built.
In my quest to craft a world that would transport readers to a realm of magic, mystery, and adventure, I was drawn to the world of the ancient Sumerians and Mesopotamians. They served as a wellspring of inspiration, a source of awe and wonder that fueled my imagination.
In their quest for the Pearl of Immortality, my characters embark on a perilous journey filled with magic, monsters, and moral dilemmas, balancing the theme of Light versus Dark. As readers delve deeper into the fantasy series, they will encounter echoes of the ancient worlds, with the eternal and the unknown.
In ConclusionAs you immerse yourself in the pages of “The Pearl of Immortality” and the subsequent books in the series, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the incredible depth and richness of the world that I have created.
Thank you for embarking on this journey with me, and may your own quest for knowledge and adventure be as boundless as the sands of time, themselves.
Happy reading, fellow fantasy adventurers…
Nishi /*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 20-08-2023 */.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}.e-con{--container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(--container-widget-width,var(--spacer-size));--align-self:var(--container-widget-align-self,initial);--flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--container-widget-height,var(--spacer-size))}The post Unveiling “The Sands of Time” series: The Ancient Mesopotamian Inspiration Behind “The Pearl of Immortality” appeared first on Nishi Chandermun.
July 21, 2020
Durban-based Nishi Singh weaves fantasy in her debut novel
Atricle by Neeraja Murthy for TheHindu.com
The book ‘The Pearl of Immortality’ blends magic with adventure and is the first one in the seven-part series by Nishi ChandermunStrange worlds with ancient powers exist in Nishi Singh’s debut book The Pearl of Immortality. Known by her pen name Nishi Chandermun, the law graduate-turned writer sets a narrative involving magic and adventure and transporting readers into realms of fantasy. The book follows the story of Xerxes, a 15-year old boy from 18th century Persia, who gets magically teleported to the fictional planet Ishtar in the Alpha Centauri star system. “In a world so different from Earth, a world dominated by the light and dark forces of magic, Xerxes learns of his new identity as a Dragon Rider and gets catapulted into a succession of perilous magical ventures,” says Nishi, adding the book is the first of her ambitious seven-part The Sands of Time series.
While the works of Enid Blyton shaped her world as a child, the Hardy Boys series evoked a passion for adventure. “It greatly plays out in my work,” she says, adding, “I quite favour the current Sword of Shannara series by Terry Brooks, which also blends adventure into fantasy, very much like my own work.”
Born and raised in Durban in South Africa, Nishi informs her paternal grandfather Mahadeo who hailed from Muhammadabad, Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh and his wife Gendia had come to Natal in South Africa in 1892, to work as indentured Indian labourers for a period of five years. She hopes to visit India sometime. “A trip to this wonderful land is definitely on my agenda. I consider it important for one to connect to one’s beginnings and I really look forward to connecting to the homeland of my great ancestors.” Over email, she shares the inspiration and challenges in writing The Pearl of Immortality.
What inspired you to write a fantasy novel?In seeking untapped waters as far as fantasy world-building is concerned, I chanced upon the mythology of Mesopotamia. Further research indicated that the deities of this era were in possession of super-extraordinary powers of magic, a fact that awed and lured me into this intriguing world. Merging traces of Hindu and other legends as well, I used my creative expertise and fashioned a home for The Sands of Time series.
Tell us about the research that went into it?The Mesopotamian mythology is an uncharted territory as far as world-building is concerned. Several years of arduous research have been expended for the purpose of my fantasy series. I equipped myself by immersing into literature, art, religious texts and myths of the time. I have also studied various academic texts on the language of this era, and inspired by such translations, have created a magical language for the Sands of Time series which I call the Supreme Words.
How did you develop ideas about characters, storyline and setting?My fantasy creations are super-beings of tremendous magical potential called the Elder Gods and the Aryans. The antagonist race are the Nagas, serpent-beings of equally great magical powers. I have created a range of magical creatures, all of which are wholly unique, born purely out of the figment of my imagination. My subconscious mind is the sole supplier of all my ideas for characters, storyline and characters.
What was the biggest challenge in writing the book?Being the first book of the series, there was enormous pressure to guarantee that I had effectively built a world to permit the remainder of the books to comfortably emerge. It was a task that demanded great dexterity, an undertaking that also required me to have sufficient foresight into the remainder of the books in my series and to ensure that there would be a logical flow from book one to seven. I am totally satisfied that I have adeptly engineered this project.
Tell us about your ambitious seven-book series The Sands of TimeWhilst book one (The Pearl of Immortality) focuses on regaining and restoring a rare and magical artefact — the Pearl of Immortality — to a mythical dragon, the overall quest of the series is to seek the Seven Sands of Time. The Sands are part of a magical structure that permits the free flow of Time on Ishtar and which were lost thousands of years ago, bringing the planet close to annihilation. It was necessary for me to divide the series into seven books, concentrating on one particular Sand per book.
Having studied psychology and law why did you still choose to make writing your career?I have written for as long as I can recall. From bits of fiction to poetry, pen and paper have always been my preferred tools. However, having a very strong academic mind as well, I embarked to university where I studied law and psychology under the notion that writing was a distant fancy. Nevertheless, the writer in me would not relent. Not finding solace within myself after many years, I knew it was time to surrender to the greatest passion within me. It was time to put pen to paper.
Published by Author’s Channel, ‘The Pearl of Immortality’ (2019, ₹299) is available at all book stores and onlineDurban-based Nishi Chandermun weaves fantasy in her debut novel
Atricle by Neeraja Murthy for TheHindu.com
The book ‘The Pearl of Immortality’ blends magic with adventure and is the first one in the seven-part series by Nishi Chandermun
Strange worlds with ancient powers exist in Nishi Singh’s debut book The Pearl of Immortality. Known by her pen name Nishi Chandermun, the law graduate-turned writer sets a narrative involving magic and adventure and transporting readers into realms of fantasy. The book follows the story of Xerxes, a 15-year old boy from 18th century Persia, who gets magically teleported to the fictional planet Ishtar in the Alpha Centauri star system. “In a world so different from Earth, a world dominated by the light and dark forces of magic, Xerxes learns of his new identity as a Dragon Rider and gets catapulted into a succession of perilous magical ventures,” says Nishi, adding the book is the first of her ambitious seven-part The Sands of Time series.
While the works of Enid Blyton shaped her world as a child, the Hardy Boys series evoked a passion for adventure. “It greatly plays out in my work,” she says, adding, “I quite favour the current Sword of Shannara series by Terry Brooks, which also blends adventure into fantasy, very much like my own work.”
Born and raised in Durban in South Africa, Nishi informs her paternal grandfather Mahadeo who hailed from Muhammadabad, Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh and his wife Gendia had come to Natal in South Africa in 1892, to work as indentured Indian labourers for a period of five years. She hopes to visit India sometime. “A trip to this wonderful land is definitely on my agenda. I consider it important for one to connect to one’s beginnings and I really look forward to connecting to the homeland of my great ancestors.” Over email, she shares the inspiration and challenges in writing The Pearl of Immortality.
What inspired you to write a fantasy novel?
In seeking untapped waters as far as fantasy world-building is concerned, I chanced upon the mythology of Mesopotamia. Further research indicated that the deities of this era were in possession of super-extraordinary powers of magic, a fact that awed and lured me into this intriguing world. Merging traces of Hindu and other legends as well, I used my creative expertise and fashioned a home for The Sands of Time series.
Tell us about the research that went into it?
The Mesopotamian mythology is an uncharted territory as far as world-building is concerned. Several years of arduous research have been expended for the purpose of my fantasy series. I equipped myself by immersing into literature, art, religious texts and myths of the time. I have also studied various academic texts on the language of this era, and inspired by such translations, have created a magical language for the Sands of Time series which I call the Supreme Words.
How did you develop ideas about characters, storyline and setting?
My fantasy creations are super-beings of tremendous magical potential called the Elder Gods and the Aryans. The antagonist race are the Nagas, serpent-beings of equally great magical powers. I have created a range of magical creatures, all of which are wholly unique, born purely out of the figment of my imagination. My subconscious mind is the sole supplier of all my ideas for characters, storyline and characters.
What was the biggest challenge in writing the book?
Being the first book of the series, there was enormous pressure to guarantee that I had effectively built a world to permit the remainder of the books to comfortably emerge. It was a task that demanded great dexterity, an undertaking that also required me to have sufficient foresight into the remainder of the books in my series and to ensure that there would be a logical flow from book one to seven. I am totally satisfied that I have adeptly engineered this project.
Tell us about your ambitious seven-book series The Sands of Time
Whilst book one (The Pearl of Immortality) focuses on regaining and restoring a rare and magical artefact — the Pearl of Immortality — to a mythical dragon, the overall quest of the series is to seek the Seven Sands of Time. The Sands are part of a magical structure that permits the free flow of Time on Ishtar and which were lost thousands of years ago, bringing the planet close to annihilation. It was necessary for me to divide the series into seven books, concentrating on one particular Sand per book.
Having studied psychology and law why did you still choose to make writing your career?
I have written for as long as I can recall. From bits of fiction to poetry, pen and paper have always been my preferred tools. However, having a very strong academic mind as well, I embarked to university where I studied law and psychology under the notion that writing was a distant fancy. Nevertheless, the writer in me would not relent. Not finding solace within myself after many years, I knew it was time to surrender to the greatest passion within me. It was time to put pen to paper.
Published by Author’s Channel, ‘The Pearl of Immortality’ (2019, ₹299) is available at all book stores and online
September 1, 2017
The Pearl of Immortality Editor’s Review: Reach Publishers
I was immediately drawn into this mystical and fantastic story of strange worlds and ancient powers, dragon riders and countless magical creatures to unleash my imagination and rivet my attention. I was truly hooked from the onset, buying into the characters and vividly being able to see them in my mind’s eye.
The author has a wonderful, easy-going and flowing style of writing that makes use of descriptive language with such ease that it makes ‘picturing the scene’ quite effortless. Often I find that fiction authors lack the ability to build up characters successfully through physical descriptions or emotional state but this author has done so masterfully. People and places have been aptly and comprehensively described to help readers form an idea of every facet of the story – crucial for fiction works.
Of course apart from being attention-grabbing and maintaining interest, I was overjoyed to find that the work was so well written…
I can see this work appealing to a wide range of readers (not just the young set) and think the author has a wonderfully wild and interesting imagination, which coupled with a solid storyline, that this work certainly appears to have, is sure to produce a good read.
Indeed the author has masterfully woven a web of intriguing fantasy fiction that is sure to titillate the senses of many readers.
May 19, 2016
My Fantasy Novel – The Pearl of Immortality
The Pearl of Immortality follows the story of Xerxes, a fifteen-year-old orphan originally from 18th century Persia, who gets magically teleported to the fictional planet, Ishtar in the Alpha Centauri star system.
In a world so different from Earth, a world dominated by the Light and Dark forces of magic, Xerxes learns of his new identity as a Dragon Rider and gets catapulted into a succession of perilous magical ventures.
The Pearl of Immortality is Book One of The Sands of Time series, a work for young adults and forms part of an anticipated seven-book series. It is currently a work in progress as I am querying publishers.
The book portrays a diverse cast of interesting characters, of various fictional races, including but not limited to the Nemurs (Jaguar People), the Nagas (Snake People), the Elves of Loorea and a dwarf-like race known as the Bazilians. A variety of themes feature here as well.
Whilst Book One focuses on regaining a rare artifact, known as The Pearl of Immortality, the overall quest of the series is to seek the Seven Sands of Time. The Sands that are part of a magical structure that permits the free flow of Time.
My manuscript has already received spontaneous positive reviews and I can’t wait to share my story with the rest of the world…
