AUTHOR'S BIO :
Rupa Srikumar is a poet, novelist and translator. With her husband A.K.Srikumar she translated Yasmin Khalid Rafi’s ‘Mohammad Rafi: My Abba – A Memoir’ from Hindi to English (Pub. Westland). She has translated Mahatma Ramratna Thapaliyal’s Hindi treatise ‘Vishwadarshan’ into English (with A.K.Srikumar). She is currently working on another English-Hindi translation of a book on SMEs. Her radio plays have been broadcast by AIR. ‘Mahaveer’ is Rupa’s first novel.
A.K.Srikumar is a novelist, playwright, poet and translator. Srikumar also writes fiction for children. Most of his nine children’s books won first/second prizes in the Children’s Book Trust’s annual competition. ‘Operation Polo’ (1997) was adjudged the ‘Best Children’s Book of the Year’.
Some of Srikumar’s poetry has been published by the Times of India. His play ‘Bhishma’ was staged in Ahmedabad. The novels ‘The Wonderful World of Nilayam Swamy’ (1981) and ‘Conversations with a Motor-cycle’ (1984) were published by Writers’ Workshop, Calcutta.
Penguin India published Srikumar’s historical novel ‘The Begum’s Secret’ (2010). The book was long-listed for the Vodafone-Crossword Literary Prize.
Srikumar’s English translation of T.V.Varkey’s Malayalam classic ‘Maanju Pokunna Thalamurakal’ (The Vanishing Generations) was published by Westland Books in September 2017.
A.K.Srikumar and Rupa live in Mumbai. Their son S.Shankar is a screenwriter and film maker.
1. Who and what inspired you to write?
Writing has been a passion for us since our adolescent years, since both of us belong to families with a tradition of literature. As for ‘Mahaveer’, a visit to the Garhwal Rifles’ regimental centre at Lansdowne in Uttarakhand was to sow the seeds for a novel about the hero of Nuranang, 1962. His exploits that transcended human endeavour and led ‘Jaswant Baba’ to attain union with the supreme soul, was a story that had to be told.
2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?
For a writer of literature, apart from writing, with the extensive research and the hard work required to develop a credible and exciting story told in a captivating manner, the greatest challenge is to get all that effort rewarded, by publication.
3. How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS?
The late Mr. Himendra Nath Varma (author of ‘My Allahabad Story’) introduced us to The Book Bakers. He was a close friend.
The late Mr. Himendra Nath Varma (author of ‘My Allahabad Story’) introduced us to The Book Bakers. He was a close friend.
4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them?
The agency has been optimistic and encouraging from the outset, and that they could pitch ‘Mahaveer’ to a major publisher like Rupa and get us a contract in so short a time is in itself testimony to The Book Bakers’ enthusiasm and energy.
5. How do you see literary success for yourself?
Acceptance of one’s literary work for publication, to be soon made available to an eager readership, gives immense joy. The purpose of writing is to be read. It is so fulfilling, to be accepted.
6. When can we expect your next book?
Soon!
7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?
It’s true, success is ninety percent perspiration. But nurture that inspiration, and keep going. You’ll make it.
BOOK NAME : MAHAVEER
PUBLISHER : RUPA PUBLICATION
BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB :
Every cloud, they say has a silver lining. If there is one action of India’s 1962 fiasco in the North-East that counts as a moment to treasure, it is the battle of Nuranang. Sikhs, Rajputs, Gorkhas, and Garhwalis all fought like tigers. But towering above their stories of courage is a saga of selfless love and indomitable courage. The actors on this brief stage were a Garhwali solider, and two anonymous Monpa girls.
When Jaswant Singh Rawat arrives in Tawang with his battalion, he is already a hero for his friends and colleagues. But his meeting with the sisters, Sela and Noora, transforms all their lives, and the history of a nation, in a way rarely seen before. Love blossoms, even as the dogs of war are unleashed. Will Jaswant’s love for his Monpa beloved win the day? Are Noora and Sela’s pristine affections doomed to be crushed under the boots of a marauding, relentless enemy? Will hate and jealousy triumph, or love conquer?
Rupa Srikumar and A.K.Srikumar script an action-packed, yet sensitive tale that will leave you aching for the lovers, fearing for their lives, and praying for their redemption.