Description

About The Book 

“Durga in Nigeria” is a literary novel that explores displacement, intimacy, and myth-making through the story of Saanidhya Ashtankar—“Saani”—a disciplined product strategist from Pune who undergoes a quiet transformation while living in Lagos. Her near-death experience becomes the seed of a public myth, turning her into a symbol of divine revelation across India. Yet the novel resists miracle—it chooses emotional inevitability.

Spanning 23 chapters, the narrative begins with Anant Joshi’s move from Pune to Lagos, leaving behind his wife Roshni and son Kush. In Lagos, Anant’s bond with Saani evolves from professional collaboration to sacred companionship. Parallel threads explore Roshni’s devotional resilience, Kush’s symbolic presence, Anant’s collapse into broken heart syndrome, and Saani’s internal reckoning. The “Nine Days of Battle” mirror Navratri’s emotional duality, culminating in Saani’s unintended deification. In the final chapter, “”Godwoman””, her silence is reframed as scripture.

Thematically, the novel renders Lagos not as exotic backdrop but emotional terrain. It interrogates how trauma is commodified, how silence becomes sanctity, and how faith migrates across borders. Durga appears not in temples, but in trauma. Relationships unfold through glances, rituals, and poetry—not exposition.

Written in emotionally precise, restrained prose, the novel blends technical metaphors with cultural rituals to create a narrative that is both grounded and mythic. It avoids melodrama, honoring ambiguity and earned mystery.

“”Durga in Nigeria”” is not a commentary—it is a meditation on emotional truth, rooted in Marathi nuance and diaspora psychology, yet universally resonant.

About The Author

Piyush Mahiskey is an award‑winning novelist, Technology Architect at Infosys Nagpur, and a mentor who has guided more than 40 new authors in bringing their stories to life. He is the author of two acclaimed fiction books—Durga in Nigeria and IX B: The Fragile Heart of an Achiever. His second novel became an Amazon #1 Bestseller in the Children’s Drama category and earned him a mention in the Asia Book of Records as part of a historic publishing initiative.

Piyush played a significant role as a mentor and facilitator in the India Authors Academy’s Likhega India Mission, where he supported first‑time writers through the complete journey of writing, refining, and publishing their books. His contributions earned him multiple recognitions, including the India Authors Academy Author Award, Voice Award, and Mentor & Facilitator Award.

A technologist by profession, Piyush’s expertise spans full‑stack development, cloud technologies, etc. His passion for emerging creative technologies led him to explore AI filmmaking, through which he created cinematic promotional videos for both his novels—Durga in Nigeria and IX B: The Fragile Heart of an Achiever. These projects reflect his unique ability to blend storytelling with innovation.

His work has been featured across major media platforms, and his books continue to resonate with readers for their emotional depth, cultural nuance, and relatable characters. Piyush believes that every individual carries a story worth telling, and his mission is to help people find the courage, clarity, and creative spark to share their stories with the world.