Uttara Chauhan releases her second book, 'Blue Blood'

She's an architect by education, and serves the government of Canada as a planning consultant. However, Uttara Chauhan was at her literary best on Saturday, when her second book Blue Blood - a collection of eight short stories - was launched.

The book was released by Urvashi Devi of the former princely state of Devgarh Baria, and additional chief secretary of the government of Gujarat, Varun Maira, presided over the function to interact with the author about her book.

Chauhan's debut book, A Model House, was a novel, a love story set in the socio-political Navnirman movement. However, her second work gives a peep into the life of India's royalty. Chauhan said that as part of her research for the book, she interacted with many members of royal as well as non-royal families. However, all of the eight short stories included in her book are fictitious.

"When I thought of writing a book on royal families, I saw that a vast range of books was already on the racks, and I wanted my book to go beyond what is available. So, I decided that I will try and see them as ordinary people. Blue Blood talks about universal human emotions - identity, love, betrayal, sexual identity, revenge and the royal vs non-royal conflict - all with the background of royalty," Chauhan said, before the book's release.