Photo caption:
(Left to Right) – Jimmy Tangree, Head – 91.9 Friends FM (left)
with debut novelist Kartikeya Vajpai (center) and veteran actor and author Mr. Barun Chanda (right) during the unveiling Kartikeya’s book *The Unbecoming* in Kolkata at the Oxford Bookstore.
**‘The Unbecoming’ in Kolkata
~ The book carries forewords by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Swami Sarvapriyananda ~**
News Stardom : Kolkata, 4th February 2026: Marking a notable moment in the city’s literary calendar, debut novelist Kartikeya Vajpai unveiled his book The Unbecoming in Kolkata, a city where literature and spirituality have long shared a sacred dialogue. Hosted in the City of Joy, renowned for its enduring intellectual ferment, contemplative traditions, and reverence for the written word, the book launch brought together an eclectic turnout of writers, scholars, and avid readers to engage deeply with the novel’s philosophical themes. Published by Penguin Random House India, the unveiling at the iconic Oxford Bookstore unfolded as an intimate and contemplative exchange, with Jimmy Tangree, Head – 91.9 Friends FM in conversation with Kartikeya Vajpai. The session was also graced by veteran actor and author Mr. Barun Chanda, whose presence added further gravitas and literary resonance to the evening. The dialogue created an atmosphere of quiet reflection and introspection, echoing Kolkata’s timeless legacy as a meeting ground of thought, faith, and literary expression, while mirroring the novel’s own philosophical depth.
The book carries forewords by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Swami Sarvapriyananda, whose contributions were referenced during the evening as affirmations of the book’s spiritual and philosophical authority, situating it within a living tradition of inner enquiry and compassion.
Speaking at the launch, author Kartikeya Vajpai said, “The Unbecoming is rooted in the understanding that much of our suffering comes from clinging to identities shaped by fear and expectation. It is basically the only thing that limits you as an individual. So, be formless, thoughtless and liberate yourself from your self-created image and the perceptions others impose upon you. Unbecoming is a quiet return, an invitation to allow life to reveal its purpose rather than imposing one upon it. In modern life, inner enquiry is essential. It allows us to act with clarity while remaining grounded in presence and awareness.”
On Detachment, Kartikeya added, “Maya works through two forces – fear and greed. Both pull our attention away. Detachment is not withdrawal, but the return of attention to what is real.” The conversation which captivated the audience, reflected on the central themes explored in the book like identity, inner clarity, purpose, and the process of unbecoming. The discussion examined contemporary ambition, resilience, and the modern search for meaning, emphasising the importance of introspection in navigating an increasingly restless world. The audience responded with attentive engagement, underscoring the resonance of the themes discussed.
The Unbecoming is a contemplative novel centred on the evolving relationship between Siddharth, a celebrated cricketer, and Ajay, the seasoned coach who shaped his journey. As their long-standing guru–shishya bond is tested, both are compelled to confront the illusions of identity, the fear of the unknown, and the weight of expectation. Blending narrative storytelling with emotional truth and philosophical enquiry, the novel reflects on the art of relinquishing inherited selves and returning to one’s essential being.
About the Author:
Kartikeya Vajpai is a distinguished advocate and the founder of a boutique law firm in New Delhi. An MBA with extensive experience in corporate marketing, he combines strategic insight with legal precision and human understanding. Yet, beyond the worlds of business and law, his true journey has been inward—toward stillness, awareness, and self-mastery.
A passionate cricketer since childhood, Kartikeya represented his state at the under-14 nationals by the age of eleven and now plays for Team India Lawyers at the Lawyers’ Cricket World Cup. His early discipline in the sport opened the door to the yogic practice of trataka, later enriched by Transcendental Meditation, Mahamudra- Mahayana Buddhist practice, and Mahavatar Babaji’s Kriya Yoga.
His maiden work of fiction gathers insights from this inner pilgrimage, offering readers a precise yet fluid testament to the wisdom discovered when professional mastery meets spiritual inquiry. It reflects Kartikeya’s lifelong quest to live consciously and help others discover the stillness, strength, creative flow, and clarity that lie within.
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