What if the journey of a lifetime wasn't across continents, but through the tangled alleys of memory and the trials of becoming oneself?
In Map of a Mad Heart, Dr. Raghava Pendyala invites you into a fiercely honest coming-of-age odyssey-woven from playful childhood escapades in Hyderabad to the pressure-cooker world of competitive educational system, from youthful romance and first heartbreak to the razor's edge of family expectations and identity. With candor, wit, and a heartfelt touch, each of the 76 destinations uncovers a new lesson: sometimes happiness is found in a glass of milk after a long journey, in standing up again after failure, or in the silent wisdom of a bruised heart.
From the chaos of schoolyard cricket to the spiritual solace found in ancient scriptures, Raghava's story offers both laughter and tears, a reckoning with mistakes, and a celebration of resilience.
This memoir isn't just about "making it" in the world, but about mapping the overlooked, awkward, and beautiful turns that shape a mad heart-and ultimately, discovering the courage to live and let live. In a powerful, against-all-odds act of courage, he rebuilds his life from the ground up, proving that a purpose-driven heart is more powerful than any plan.
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Dr. Raghava Pendyala
Dr. Raghava Pendyala is a Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon who comes with an experience of treating more than 6,500 patients with a professional experience of 8+ years. Currently he is consulting at AIG Hospitals in Hyderabad, India. His work is guided by the principle of 'primum non nocere'-first, do no harm. Outside of the clinic, he finds inspiration in the rhythms of nature, translating his observations into lessons for life, music, and art.
He is a passionate traveler, a budding Carnatic vocalist, and a guitar learner. As a wildlife photography enthusiast, he loves to share his craft and philosophy with postgraduate students at a private dental school. He also writes occasional blogs on 'prakruteh svarah' (voice of nature) and curate self-help content for ‘groom.your.mind' on Instagram. Rooted in a family of intellectuals, writers, and singers, he has always gravitated toward storytelling-whether through youthful poetry and love letters or in the honest pages of his memoir. Married since 2014 and the proud father of a five-year-old daughter, he approaches every chapter in life with curiosity and gratitude. He continues to seek meaning through books on Indian history and Vedic literature, valuing rational inquiry above dogma. You can find him on Instagram (@raghavapendyala).
