News
India
Tenacity is a writer's virtue says author Lavanya Shanbhogue-Arvind
18 Jan 2017, 09:21 am
Kolkata, Jan 18 (NITN): Author Lavanya Shanbhogue-Arvind, winner of 2011 Commonwealth Short Story Special Prize, said that the biggest challenge for her as a writer in the beginning was to getting back to her writing and continue from where she left off.
The young author was speaking at the Kolkata launch of her debut novel 'The Heavens We Chase', which took her over five years to write, a bildungsroman of sorts that is set in pre-partition India and traces the intricacies and complexities of a father- daughter relationship.
After spending a few years in the financial sector, Lavanya Shanbhogue-Arvind took to full time writing.
.jpg)
She said, " I always wanted to tell a story during my growing up years. But I shied away from making eye contact with people. It was driven by a sense of isolation. So i took to writing. "
Talking about the genesis of her novel, Arvind said that she is fond of history as a subject and believes that the past can be relevant in present times too.
She also discovered that pre-partition tales often focus on images of turbulence and a violent political atmosphere. "But there does exist a mundane civilian life too, and I have tried to portray that," she said.
"It basically started with the character of Satya, his thoughts, ideologies, and from then onward, it became a journey of discovery and exploration. With Saraswathi’s journey, there is definitely a feminist undertone as she tries to challenge and rebel against the hegemony around her. Even today, when women try to rebel, they are tried to put in their place,” added Arvind, who said she looks upon Amit Chaudhuri as her literary inspiration.
.jpg)
“While writing, you invariably end up infusing a bit of yourself in your writing," said Arvind, "and therefore extension of my feelings and experiences can be found in some aspects in the father-daughter relationship or even Saraswathi’s love for someone much older than her."
“I started the novel deliberately with the concept of sexuality and losing one’s virginity because I wanted to explore the positive connotations that exist with it, as opposed to the usually negative thoughts associated with it,” said she.
The book launch held at Kolkata's Starmark bookstore was attended by popular author Amit Chaudhuri, professor Saikat Majumdar, former NASA scientist and film director Bedabrata Pain, author and journalist Sandip Roy, and theatre director Shuktara Lal.
.jpg)
Devdan Chaudhuri, author-photographer and entrepreneur, was the moderator.
Launched by Ahava Communicaitons, 'The Heavens We Chase’ is published by Roli Books.
"My idea of heaven is to be a writer and complete whatever I write,” said the young author as she signed off.
(Reporting by Tanushree Sen)
More News
- Musical concert 'Ami Bhalobashi Bangla Ke' to be held in Kolkata on April 19
- Buddy Marathon: A step towards an inclusive Society
- AirlineRatings names Korean Air as world's best in 2025
- Sound ‘N’ Mind Foundation – A life line for cancer warriors
- Hope Indian budget would pave the way for affordability of robotic surgery: Vattikuti Foundation CEO
- Bengal Pro T20 League promises to transform cricket, empower aspirants
- Job-providing people-intensive firms deserve preferential taxation rate: Chocko Valliappa on Union Budget
- Chocko Valliappa on Centre for Excellence in AI for education sector in Union Budget
- Tarun Bhattacharya, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt leave music lovers mesmerised with their electrifying performance
- Union Budget 2025: Laxman Jaiswal calls depreciating rupee, declining stock market as critical challenges faced by Indian economy
IndiGo connects Bengaluru t ...
Indian airline IndiGo has announced the launch of daily direct flights connecting Bengaluru, Karnataka with Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, effective from December 31, 2024.
Jazeera Airways offers 50% ...
Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s leading low-cost carrier, is offering 50% off on fares to all destinations across its network from July 28 to 31.
Air India Express launches ...
New Delhi : Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India and a part of the Tata group, has launched its "Time to Travel" sale on the airline’s website, airindiaexpress.com, the Air India Express mobile app and other major booking channels.