Mytho-fiction of Indian writers and writing authors of Indian season 2, Anand Neelakantan does not require an introduction.
Over the years, Neelakanan has written many best-selling books including ‘Asura’, Ajeya series, the official prequel of the ‘Bahubali’ blockbuster ‘film, among others.
By 2020, the first book of Neelakanan for children entitled ‘The Very, Very, Most Naughty Agura for Children!’ already published.
Recently, in July 2021 his new book ‘Women Valmiki’ came out followed by non-fictional audiobooks this August.
Audiobook titled ‘Many Ramayanas, Many Lessons’ and available to be heard.
In an exclusive interview with TOI books, the writer Anand Neelakanan told us about the new audiobook ‘Many Ramayana, many lessons’, what made it fascinated about the genre of myth-fiction and more.
Quote:
1.
Tell me about your new non-fiction audiobooks ‘lots of Ramayanas, many lessons’.
What’s the idea behind it? There are countless ramayanas.
The greatness of Indian philosophy is the diversity of thoughts and acceptance of various nuances of truth.
My book is an attempt to open this beautiful world to the younger generation.
The power core in one authentic version of God is right, religion or holy book always leads to war, blood and communal tension.
This book tries to draw from various Ramayana traditions around the world to tell the same story and provide subtle instructions on how we can harmonize different versions or not snapped to reach our truth.
2.
You say there are nearly 300 known forms of Ramayana.
How many of these are you mentioned in 29 of your audiobook episodes? From Ramayanas outside India to what was said verbally, not only 300 versions but countless.
Ramayana tradition spreads from Arabs to the Philippines.
This story has traveled from Central Asia to Sri Lanka, taking various forms and styles, affecting fairy tales, dramas, puppets, music, poetry, art and architecture.
In India, there are many versions, most of them are oral, which has a significant difference from Valmiki Ramayana.
But there is a soul that unites all these versions.
My book is not a list of scientific interpretations down every Ramayana.
I am not a scholar but the storyteller, and this book is the charm of storytellers with so many diversity of human imagination.
I have drawn stories from all classic languages ​​India, ranging from doing people’s art and oral versions.
3.
Your new book ‘Valmiki woman’ was released recently, followed by the audiobook.
You have also worked on scripts (‘Bahubali’ and now ‘because’ with Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra) and also write your first child book, which was released in 2020.
The writing format is the most you like?
I am a storyteller, and I like to tell stories.
So the shape is not relevant to me.
I want to experiment with every format, both novels, scenarios, swivel stage, audio narratives, audio drama or children’s books.
Of all the forms, the most challenging is the children’s book and I like this genre.
4.
Also, how can you write so many stories in a short duration? Are there tips for prospective writers? I haven’t written too many stories.
Some writers have written and published hundreds of books, while this audio book was heard just my eleventh book.
There is a long way to go and many stories to be told.
But, like other art, writing also requires constant exercises.
Reading extensively and writing every day as practice is how I have increased my craft.
5.
What is your lure about the genre of myth-fiction? Do you want to explore other genres? The depth of Purana India and their sole diversity is what interests me for it.
But I have written another genre for television, and I now write thriller films.
I want to experiment in every genre.
So I will write horror, thriller, humor, fantasy, science fiction, romance and others.
And why not, because there is only one life, and someone must use it.
6.
What are you doing next?
I am working on a movie Thriller and young adult fantasy now.
There are other audio books and non-fiction books that I have completed and will soon be published.
More children’s books will follow.
In addition, I was working on two films and several OTT events.
7.
Do you want to add another? My request to my readers about ‘Valmiki’ woman or ‘lots of Ramayana, many lessons’ is to read / hear books at a relaxed speed.
After the roller-coaster thriller like a series of Bahubali, this is written in reflective and meditation.