At a time when conversations about identity, burnout, and the search for meaning increasingly shape modern life, first-time author and lawyer Kartikeya Vajpai unveiled his novel, The Unbecoming, at Crossword Bookstore, Hitech City. The event drew a diverse gathering of readers, writers, and professionals for an engaging evening centered on identity, purpose, and self-awareness. Adding notable depth, the book includes forewords by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Swami Sarvaoriyanana, situating it within a broader philosophical dialogue on contemporary living.
More than a conventional book launch, the evening unfolded as an interactive exploration of personal growth, inner inquiry, and the idea of releasing predefined identities. The discussions created a dynamic space for reflection, resonating strongly with attendees seeking clarity and meaning in today’s fast-paced world.
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.”
The session concluded with a book signing, where readers had the opportunity to interact personally with the author. Published by Penguin Random House India, 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.
Kartikeya Vajpai is a seasoned lawyer and the proprietor of a law firm headquartered in New Delhi. A former state-level cricketer, he currently represents Team India Lawyers in the Lawyers Cricket World Cup. He is also a long-standing practitioner of meditative disciplines, with deep engagement in transcendental meditation, Kriya Yoga, and the study of Buddhist texts and Advaita Vedanta. His personal journey of inner enquiry informs the clarity, sincerity, and experiential depth of his writing, establishing him as a reflective thought leader and an emerging voice in modern Indian literature.
The Unbecoming: Let Life Reveal Its Purpose is now available through leading bookstores and online platforms across India.
