The Luminous Sparks
A Biography in Verse and Colours
by A P J Abdul Kalam, President of India 
ISBN 81-901897-8-6
Hard Back : Rs. 345.00
Paper Back : Rs. 235.00
This book is recipiant of excellence in book production award for the book as well as it's jacket
The Luminous Sparks – A Biography in Verse and Colours written by Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, President of India is a book of poems and biographical notes accompanied with matching and thought provoking visuals, created by well known painters, to nurture and bring out all that is kind, gentle and sincere in human nature. It is a pageant of sensitive impressions that shaped the greatest human being of this century — Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. The poems and notes are presented as a panorama of incidents from, his childhood, his work life and present, gradually unfolding the moments that made these thoughts possible.These thoughts and poems are like divine dewdrops that fall on the blades of grass of our life to make it beautiful. The words inspire when they are outpourings of a heart that believes and lives them. The biographical notes interspersed with the selected poems of Dr. Kalam in The Luminous Sparks invite us again and again to read and reflect, even as it inspires and soothes the mind.
In order to have a book that could deeply inspire an inner monologue for the superior personal values, for each poem paintings were created, some of them as huge canvasses by selected painters. The relevant images were juxtaposed with great thoughts to make a total experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Excerpt from The Luminous Sparks
Whenever I come to know of the problem of communalism and social inequality,
I vividly recollect one incident at Rameswaram Elementary School, I was
in the fifth standard. I always used to sit in the front row along with
my close friend Ramaswamy. A new teacher had come to our class. The teacher
could not comprehend a Brahmin boy and a Muslim boy sitting together. In
accordance with the social ranking as perceived by the new teacher. I was
asked to go and sit on the back bench. I felt very indignant and so did
Ramaswamy. Even today I am living with the image imprinted on my subconscious
mind of Ramaswamy crying in the class when I changed my seat to the rear
row. When this incident was related to our respective father's traditional
close friends, the teacher was summoned and told by them that what he had
done was a snake's work. Strong convictions of our parents reformed the
teacher half a century ago. - Dr A P J Abdul Kalam
Sample pages
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A Great Book in a New genre
In The Luminous Sparks the poet and the poems transcend the human walls and have a message for all. To represent that in colours, the artists belonging to different schools of training, cultures and age groups joined hands with us to create a symphony of many hues. In weaving this web of visual expressions, well-known artists Paresh Hazra, (College of art, Calcutta) Chandranath Acharya (Santiniketan) and GJ Jadav ( J J school of art, Mumbai) let their creativity speak through their brush. Next generation artists Manav Gupta and Neha Gouse explored light and colour and budding artists Shubham Mehta and P Vijay Kumar experimented with technology.
The book was conceptualized by Dr. Poonam S Kohli who has several years of publishing behind her. It was designed by Chandranath Acharya and Sripad and printed at Pragati Printers Hyderabad. Punya Publishing Pvt Ltd is an Indian publishing company with its focus on education publishing and some very high quality trade books such as The Luminous Sparks.
The words flowing gently cascade deep down, inspiring and nurturing all that is kind, gentle, compassionate and sincere in human nature. The poems sparkle with the personal glow and power, filled with passion and purpose. Thoughtful and provocative the poems of APJ Abdul Kalam create the experiences and images to which one returns again and again.
The Luminous Sparks :: Reviews
"What a wonderful and refreshing read !! the artwork is wonderful as well !!"
Michael S. DeVries, Principal, The Virtual Consulting Firm TM, Florida USA"The writings are heartfelt and reflect the craving of a scientist to improve the lives of fellow beings the world over."
Prof. U.R. Rao, Chairman PRL Council & Former Chairman ISRO."Excellent selection accompanied by great visuals. The collection of poems has a special appeal. There is a spontaneous simplicity in all these poems. The spontaneous simplicity is consistent with the author’s known personality."
Dr. R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt. of India"These thoughts and poems are like divine dew drops that fall on the blades of grass of our life to make it beautiful. The words inspire when they are outpourings fo a heart that believes and lives them."
The Times of India"In industry parlance, this could be termed a publisher’s delight…. An innovative compilation…. Probably defies norms of the same industry."
The New Indian Express"….the language is simple and yet carries a cadence that impels one to read on his life story-in-verse….. The book is visually beautiful. Both the cover design and the illustrations within are pertinent and tasteful. This volume is an asset whether it adorns one’s coffee table or bookshelf."
Randeep Wadehra – The Tribune.
The Luminous Sparks Review at Oxfordbookstore.com