wings of fire

Little more can be said about a gentleman who is universally loved and respected. While the work is marketed as an autobiography, he spares no pain in praising those who carried him on their shoulders from the values imparted by his father, the friendship of his (to-be) brother-in-law to the inspiration induced by none other than Vikram Sarabhai himself.

Despite being an abridged version, there is much to learn and contains enough inspiration for every reader, a hundred times over. The narrator, Girish Karnad, does a pristine job in conveying the jubiliant moments in Kalamji's life, and equally portrays the depth in times of sorrow and regret. Three Brothers & a Violin synchronise melodiously with the narrator, the scene at hand and the listener be it the rise in tension as India was facing-off diplomatic challenges in the wake of Prithvi or the serenity of Rameshwaram.

This edition has only made me want to dive deeper into the life and philosophy of the Missile Man of India, A. P. J Abdul Kalam.