Interview With The Author of ‘Sreedevi Talkies’

About The Book : Indulging innocently in primeval adultery and consummate sensuality, the rustic population of Kotta, sandwiched between ancient hills and enchanting backwaters, perpetually trapped in the cinematic illusions of Sreedevi Talkies; their transition to modernity was replete with disillusionments and disasters. In a saga replete with archetypal and mythical lore from Ulysses, Tiresias, Jesus Christ, Ancient Mariner and Kerala’s historical tryst with Communism — the novel is a lyrical journey into borderless territories of the unconscious, when ghosts let out by the Talkies endlessly ensnare the rustics on the slippery paths between reality and fantasy.

Interview

Kindly enlighten our readers about your debut book, ‘Sreedevi Talkies’
It is a childhood memory that keeps coming back, refusing to be exorcised. Nostalgic memories of a village Talkies which ultimately had to vanish into the memoried spaces. It is a transition from the sense of belonging to the superficialities of the contemporary civilisation. The Talkies is not merely a place to exhibit movies, but a living reality that lures one into a parallel reality of engrossing illusions.

How much research and efforts were required on your part to complete this book.
The working of the old Westrex projector had to be collected from many sources. Similarly the character of Philips Kunjappy had to modeled on the life of a man who was insanely obsessed with the world of Philips Valve Radios of a bygone age. The myths and archetypes in the novel came from my years of teaching literature.

How do you manage writing along with your profession?
Writing and teaching are nearly inseparable. Unexpected revelations and illuminations that happen in the classroom greatly aid the writing.

Self Publishing vs Traditional Publishing, which one do you prefer and why?
I will certainly vote for the traditional publishing. In an extremely demanding field like publishing, professional expertise of the traditional publishers helps a lot.

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Start reading the great classics in literature. Keep looking at world with the innocent curiosity of a child.

What is the next book that you have planned?
It will be very different from the present one.