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arjun, artist, book blurb, book cover, Champa Srinivas, color scheme, concept, cover design, draupadi, ideas, Krishn, kurukshetra, Mahabharata, symbolism
5 seconds for book cover and 15 seconds for back page text!
That is the average attention span to entice a book reader. That is the time span needed to convert a ‘maybe book buyer’ into a ‘definitely interested book buyer’.
This is my story, my exciting journey – as my Cover Design Artist and myself made a memorable foray into concepts, ideas and colors.
Premise & target audience
‘Aim high’ – I thought hopefully, when asked to state my target audience. Indians, NRIs, pan-Earth Mythology buffs, Aliens…
Mahabharata may be an Indian Epic, but its emotions, its philosophy and its characters are rich & relevant across religion, region, language and Time.
My book focuses on 3 protagonists of Mahabharata – Arjun, Draupadi and Krishn.
My book blurb had to condense a 96,000 word manuscript into 132 words.
My book cover had to complement those 132 words in a vivid 5 second vision. Easy , huh?
I found the perfect artist to capture my dream idea in Champa Srinivas, my exquisite Cover Designer. She is an Architect cum artist who loves to ‘capture the beauty of aesthetic spaces and colors’.
Concept, symbols, colors, ideas.
Symbolism: My 3 protagonists:
1] Arjun – The ace archer and superlative warrior.
2] Draupadi – his feisty Queen.
3] Krishn – God who walked Earth in human form.
Their symbols: Arrow, Blue Lotus and Peacock feather respectively.
Concept behind symbolism:
Arrow was a no-brainer, given Arjun’s authoritative excellence in archery.
Blue lotus (for Draupadi) , since she possessed the inborn fragrance of a blue lotus.
We tossed our coin over Krishn’s symbols – the flute (artistic, melodious, poetic) or Sudarshan chakra (his discus weapon) or peacock feather (his flamboyant characteristic head gear) – before finalizing the latter.
Color palette:
Silver Arrow : ‘Arjun’ in Sanskrit = spotless/luminous as silver; just like its sound-alike ‘Argentum’ in Latin. {Such an amazing coincidence!}
Sleek and honed like Arjun’s razor sharp focus. Yet – humble and understated in comparison to his 2 soul mates.
Blue Lotus : Apart from the fragrance factor, Draupadi was a dusky beauty with lustrous blue-black hair, which essayed a pivotal role in the epic’s turning point.
She was also the most desirable & exotic Lady in her era. In Oriental writings, powdered Blue Lotus is used as an aphrodisiac!
Peacock feather: Multi hued, flamboyant and striking as Krishn’s multi-faceted persona.
3 symbol placement : In the decisive Kurukshetra war, Arjun was the skilled warrior, Draupadi was the passionate inspiration and Krishn was the cool headed strategist and mentor.
Hence, my blurb says ‘The Missile (Arjun) … The Trajectory (Draupadi) …The Vision (Krishn).
Lotus and peacock feather stems entwined : symbolic of Krishn-Draupadi’s divine relation as friend & protector. In addition, their spectrum of blue hues signified their rhythmic thoughts. Both were firm, resolute and decisive in their Danda neeti (War for Justice).
The stems curling around silver arrow: symbolic of their deep emotional entanglement and mutual love for Arjun.
Flames as background: 2 cool colors – the 2 blue symbols needed to be balanced by a warmer color. What better than glowing yellow-orange flames to bring the image vibrantly alive?
Why flames? Flames carry significant implications in Indian Vedic context. They play a role in sacrificial fires, in marriage ceremony, in funeral pyres, fire as purification, fire for passions, fire from which Draupadi arose as a divine gift for her Father.
Thus culminated my book cover’s journey. A dream idea captured in a Vision.
Champas’s Artwork Facebook Page :
Visit https://www.facebook.com/ChampaArtworks to sample more of Champa’s artistic endeavors.
Arjun’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ArjunTheNovel
Did the symbolism get translated well enough?
Share your own book cover journey with me…
Impractical Dreamer: Sweety Shinde 
The cover is gorgeous. The color invite me and the shapes draw me in, as if pulling me around the edge of the book to open the cover. i like this one a lot. Hugs! 😀
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Yay! A hug back for these wonderful words of encouragement. Thank you, thank you, Teagan
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The cover of Arjun is really awesome. Thanks for introducing us to its artist 🙂
I’m eagerly waiting for the book!
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Hi, Thank you! Hasn’t your copy reached as yet? It was dispatched on Thursday!
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No, it hasn’t reached me yet. Will let you know when I get it.
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Sure.
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Loved the post immensely Sweety Shinde Dr. sahiba …..
I LOOOve the process of designing cover ….or anything related to art and sketching 🙂
you have narrated it real well , the choice, the reason, the colours, the symbols … all I personally agree with the ‘morpankh’ as it also represents the mystical side of Krishna 🙂
Best,best,best 🙂
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Hi, Kokila ji
Delighted that you loved it. I specifically decided to elaborate on the thought behind the thought. Both Indians and non-Indians would see the cover with a fresher vision once they realize the symbolism behind it. Otherwise, it may just seem like a riot of vibrant colors splashed around.
Once again, Thanks for the appreciation!
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My Dear Sweety, leave alone the cover, downloaded Your e-book, and came across this: ‘“Draupadi, every saint has a past, just as every sinner has a future.” Am Impressed. It IS Impressive. Hearty Congratulations, my Dear! Shall be reading what I downloaded a little later. But am very happy to note that You are a good Author.
That is on top of Your good write-up on the Art of Cover designing. Hmm, am getting ideas, from YOU! Thanks. And Kudos again.
Love and Blessings.
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Ooooh. I’m flattered beyond words. I need all blessings and wishes for this – My first Dream Book.
You read the ebook on Goodreads, right?
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My Dear Sweety, As I had written, had saved the download. Am just going through it. YOU ARE A VERY GOOD WRITER. Congratulations, my Dear.
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Delighted! and flattered.
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As I go through this, am getting questions, not on Your work, but on the Mahabharatha. Just one for now: Why was not Duryodhana (alone) punished, and why did whole clans have to go to war?
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Duryodhan was not the sole criminal. His gang of counsellors were equally guilty – and needed to be punished.
As did the elders of Hastinapur who supported him blindly – and mutely. Their support egged him on and on and on. If he had been reprimanded at his very first conspiracy of poisoning his cousins, maybe he would have checked his further steps. Instead of being nipped in the bud, he was given a free reign.
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Thanks for that response, my Dear Sweety. But, that still leaves us with a group of mere Individuals, and Handful of individuals. Not enough reason for Clans to go to War.
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Ah, you are exactly echoing Arjun’s dilemma and angst. As he says in chapter 21, ‘How many should die for the sins of a handful?’
As for the answer (mine, not Krishn’s) : Pandavas did their best to avert war, by sending Krishn as peace emissary , with an offer of accepting 5 villages instead of Indraprastha. Even that was rejected by Hastinapur. After a certain point, there is no room for compromise.
Killing ONLY the evil 4 was easy – but it was an act that Hastinapur’s elders (Bhishma, Drona) would have never permitted , since they were sworn to loyalty. In effect, their mute support to Duryodhan/ Hastinapur edged the decision towards war as inevitable.
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Sounds Good, my Dear Sweety! And sounds very much like God’s thoughts in the Bible, where He prefers even Whole generations of the evil minded Off the Earth.
Kudos, Love and Regards.
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Hmm, is it? I would love to read the Bible too, some fine day. I’m sure there are many similar thoughts echoed across many holy texts.
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Finished reading the download. Appreciated the first part, the chapter on Arjun. The 20th, not so much, but that is mainly because am not so convinced of Krshn’s arguments.
All in all, a Great bit of work on Your part. Kudos and Love once again.
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Thank you.
20th chapter was my self-explanation. Krishn’s Bhagwad Gita message is in direct contrast to his peace messenger tour to Hastinapur. (as explained in Exploring Myths section of my book).
So, as per my understanding, his peace effort was designed to be a failure. There was no extra sin conducted between peace effort and Kurukshetra – so obviously those deserving death at Kurukshetra cannot be deserving forgiveness in pre-Kurukshetra period. There was no duality and no confusion in Krishn’s mind.
You’ll need to read chapter 20 in context of chapter ‘Exploring Myths’ for a clearer idea!
Anyways, thank you for the feedback. It reminds me to keep my answers/ explanations ready!
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1 Your words: ‘There was no extra sin conducted between peace effort and Kurukshetra’ Not Clear at all.
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Let me clarify.
Let’s postulate Mr xyz commits a heinous crime. The judge declares him forgiven in January and then delivers a death sentence in March. But … there is no fresh trial, no new evidence unearthed, no new crime committed by Mr xyz in the Jan to March period. Is the judge whimsical?
That is the way I look at Krishn’s peace tour pre-Kurukshetra and then his war-is-inevitable stance at Kurukshetra. Those deserving death at Kurukshetra were being punished for the same sin that Krishn was willing to overlook in his peace tour. ….Or was he? Hence, I have never been convinced by his peace tour fully…He designed it to be a failure. He was never in 2 minds about punishing them.
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2 I am NOT speaking of any Confusion in Krishna’s mind.
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Exactly – Krishn and confusion can never belong together.
He was extremely clear-headed, absolutely sure of his decision. Otherwise, he would have never been able to convince Arjun with such clarity and wisdom.
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3 I do not think in terms of Dualism, etc.
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This after reading Your write up on the Designing of the Book cover. YES, the Symbolism has been translated, not just enough, but Very Successfully indeed. Kudos to the Both of You.
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Yes, her first book cover. My first book. Ek aur ek = Gyarah?
Feeling satisfied that our efforts materialized exactly the way we wanted it project.
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Nothing Less than Gyarah! 🙂
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hahaha. We are more than our sum.
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The book cover is a marvel! Never knew it had so much of depth. I read the review on Ravish’s blog and I loved the concept. Looking forward to reading your book. Congrats on your debut novel. I already know that this is going to become huge. 🙂 All the best for the future 🙂
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Thank you Ranju! That is indeed a shower of honey & roses onto my heart.
Yes, Ravish did a superb job with his keyboard. He should write a book – he does possess the talent!
I’m so glad he highlighted the concept behind the book cover. Champa & I pored over it for weeks before we got the symbolism just right.
Thank you once again, for your wishes & warm vibes.
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