WriteFluence

Gowri Bhargav is a certified storyteller from Chennai. An Engineering graduate who is highly interested in arts, she has always had the passion to tell stories. Several storytelling workshops and events are being regularly conducted by her for the benefit of school children.

She has also contributed for “Talking Stories Radio” – a programme dedicated to the art of storytelling by East London radio. “BTB storyteller of the year 2020” was recently awarded to her by the jury panel of “Beyond the Box”

Gowri is a voracious reader who loves getting lost in the world of books. Writing is a form of catharsis for her and she enjoys weaving words into poems, micro tales, short stories and blogs. She has won several online contests conducted by prestigious literary groups. Her works have been featured and published in various online portals, literary magazines and journals. She has also co-authored several anthologies.

I thank WriteFluence for having selected my story which was held exclusively for women writers. It was a wonderful opportunity to have contributed a story which involves celebration of womanhood.

Gowri Bhargav, on her experience writing for FemmeFluenza

Here’s an excerpt out of her winning story A New Beginning that’s now published in ‘Out of My Box’

“Don’t worry. If it turns out to be a girl child, a few drops of juice extracted from this leaf mixed with milk can do the trick,” said the notorious Muniamma to Velu and Selvi.

“What’s the price?” asked Velu.

“Ten thousand,” she said with a sinister smile.

“Don’t worry. I’ll give you fifteen thousand to bury the secret. We’ll just say that she died soon after her birth.”

Muniamma was more than happy with the deal. She nodded her head with great delight as she nonchalantly spit the beeda that she had been chewing for quite some time.

“Let me know once your wife develops labor pain. I will come immediately. The midwife is known to me. If the baby delivered is female then I need to act quick before anyone comes to know about our plan.”

“Sure, be prepared to receive my call soon. The due date is nearing.”

The couple came back to their house. Ponni, their daughter came running to hug Selvi.

“Amma, look what I made when you were away. I made a baby rattle out of palm leaves and tamarind seeds. I wish to gift it to my sister when she is born. I’ve been praying God everyday that only a girl should be born,” exclaimed Ponni innocently.