“Sometimes, we do not get a chance to thank each one who has helped us in our Journey.” Let the readers get a chance to know about all the important people who have played a part in this ‘Author Journey of Yours’.

First and foremost my parents. They both always encouraged me in all my writing endeavors. My teachers Dr. Sanil. V., Dr. Navjeevan Rastogi, Shri Vishnu Khare, who was a brutal critic, and my friends who have appreciated and also criticized my writing.

How did you come up with the idea of “Kal Ki Baat” a collection of short stories? Please elaborate on the relevance of the three volumes titled SHADJ, RISHABH, and GANDHAR in our day-to-day lives.

‘Kal ki Baat’, is general observations on everyday incidents. They have happened to many and continue happening. As you know, the first three notes of the Indian Classical music are Sa, Re, Ga and they are also called Shadj, Rishabh and Gandhar. The names are a way to tell that the beginning should be very strong only then one can progress towards the end and it is also my homage to Indian classical music.

How and when did you first realize your calling for writing books? Please tell us a bit about your books.

I used to read a lot and write small stories as a young boy, this was encouraged by my father and that is how it started. I have written quite a wide array of books; starting from a novella, to short stories in Hindi and English, going on to a semi academic book on the masterpieces of world cinema in the light of the Rasa theory of the Indian classical aesthetics. This book caters to both Hindi and English readers as it has been translated into English. I have two books which have stories based on the twelve zodiac signs. My latest collection ‘Kal ki Baat’ is a humorous take on everyday situations faced by neighbours, colleagues, friends and family. I believe this is unique as such a kind of a collection has never been penned.

According to you which are the 5 books that everyone should read and who are your top 3 Authors and what impact did they have in your journey as a writer?

Among epics, I will name Valmiki Ramyana, Mahabharata. Among classics, I name stories of Hans Christian Andersen. Among poetry, I think of the poems of Robert Frost, Mirza Ghalib and Meer Taqi Meer.
Many many authors have influenced and shaped my thinking and writing. If I have to name 3, then it would be an injustice to the others. Nevertheless, I will say some of them gave me an insight into life, some of them helped me hone my imagination and some others taught me how to write.

What inspires you to write? Where do you get the information or ideas for your books?

Life. All ideas come from what I see around me and from my experiences. I seek information from various sources; my teachers, books recommended by them, and of course the ubiquitous internet.

Could you share a few tips for budding Authors and aspiring writers?

Writing is a time-consuming process. The only homework a writer should do is read diligently and read as many authors as he/she can. It does help if one can start early on in life and never be ashamed to share with elders or teachers.

What has been your most cherished experience as a writer? Which is your best-preferred genre?

The brutal criticism from Shri Vishnu Khare and the loving congratulatory embrace from Dr. Sanil are my rewards. Of course my friends never stop surprising me. Some shower praise and some brickbats.
I am still discovering myself and my writing has a long way to go, as you can see from the variety in my books.

Are you working on anything at present that you would like to share with your readers? What are your future plans?

I am working on a series of stories based on the thirteen principal Upanishads. Five stories, written by me, each based on a different principal Upanishad, have been published in reputed Hindi literary journals such as Samalochan, Tadbhav, and Pahal. It may take a couple of years to complete them. Upanishads have been revered as the key source of all kinds of philosophical thoughts prevalent in India. Their highly poetic nature makes them difficult to understand, nonetheless they leave space for a modern interpretation.

How can a writer keep the mental block or writer’s block away from his/her creativity?

A writer should read and read and read. This, I believe, is the best way to keep one’s imagination and aspirations alive.

At Sharing Stories, we have an ongoing campaign ‘Let’s Empower Our Kids’. Please suggest some books here that you would want your child to read before the age of 15 which could help him in understanding certain dimensions of human life like empathy, sympathy,
relationships, etc.

Children should be made to read many kinds of books. I would start with Panchtantra, Aesop’s Fables, Rudyard Kipling, R.K. Narayan, Hans Christian Andersen, The Bronte sisters, Mark Twain, Munshi Premchand, Roald Dahl, Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Dickens, Jaishankar Prasad et al. The list is endless…..

Rapid Fire Round

1. Favorite Place, Actor & Actress, Person, Food, beverage….

Ans.  Munger, Kundal Lal Saigal, Madhubala, my mother, Litti chokha, Black coffee

2. Your other Talents apart from writing….

Ans  I cook very well

3. Your First Love…

Ans.  Anaarkali

4. Favorite Quote….

Ans.  ‘Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in one’s own sunshine.’  —  Ralph Waldo Emerson

5. Favourite Character from a book…

Ans.  Don Quixote de la Mancha

What if Round

1. What if you had to live with only three things all your life, what would the three things be?

Ans.  Books, Black coffee and songs of Mohammad Rafi

2. What if you were given the power to change one thing from this world, what would you change?

Ans.  I would really want to change people’s definitions of ‘Dharma’ and ‘Adharma’.

3. What if you had all the money in this world, what would you do first?

Ans.  Money has its uses,  but it doesn’t interest me much. I’d probably give it away.