Tag Archives: crossword book store

Chennai Book Launch

February 23rd, 2012  at the Crossword Book Store, When the Lotus Blooms, was launched by renowned Tamil author, Sivasankari.

“When the Lotus Blooms,” is essentially the story of two Tamil Brahmin families and in order for the book to succeed in India, it has to be successfully launched in Chennai.

Last November, a family friend Latha Kumaraswami connected me to her aunt Sivasankari, whose stories my mother had read out to me as a child. I was elated that she agreed to read my book and I had a copy sent to her in December. Sivasankari read and wrote an excellent review of the book which is posted on my website. Getting validation from her made me confident enough to go ahead with my plans for the launch.

Until the first week of February I had no confirmation of any thing in Chennai. My publisher was trying to get a venue but Chennai is known for its literary activity and everything was booked solid. But I was persistent. I kept my hope alive and was confident I would get something and that author Sivasankari would grace the occasion and release the book. How that was going to happen I didn’t know. When you want something and pray sincerely, submitting to the Universe, it somehow works out.

Two days later my publisher confirmed the Chennai venue and I immediately invited Sivasankari to be Chief Guest and I guess my luck had turned when I got her email confirming  she would attend.

I had less than 24 hours in Chennai and was surprised by how much I was able to do in such a short time. That morning I dropped off a copy of the book to actor/producer Suhasini whom my friend Vani Ganpathy had connected me with. As a writer you have to explore every avenue and any lead or contact you get is a future possibility. That is how I have marketed my book so far. I have relentlessly reached out to people without waiting for results. More often than not things have worked out.

The Chennai Book launch was by far the most well attended event. Writer, columnist, blogger and family friend Padmini Natarajan did the introduction.The audience consisted of family, friends and invitees all of whom were avid readers and held Sivasankari in great esteem.The audience even included the author Shreekumar Varma who participated in the discussion that followed.

Sivasankari said my book “sounded like a painting,” making a reference to its descriptive character. What was even more complimentary was that she herself read my book in 2 days. “The hallmark of a good book is that you should not be able to put it down,” she added.

“When the theme is woven with with the craft then magic emerges,” she said. “More than this what can I say about Kanchana. I can hardly believe this is her first book; she writes with so much flair and confidence.”

When I showed the video to my mother tears were flowing down her cheeks, She was overwhelmed that the great Sivasankari had such fabulous things to say about me. For me this is thanks enough. I don’t have to become a bestselling author, it is sufficient that Sivasankari has read and loved my writing.

The book was reviewed the following day in the Chennai Times in glowing terms.

Time will tell how the book is received in India, but I am not worried. I have a deep sense of satisfaction that I have done my part and the Universe will take care of the rest.

Controversy at the Bangalore Book Launch

February 18th; “When the Lotus Blooms,”  launched in Bangalore City at the CrosswordBook Store in Mantri Mall.

Those that have read the book know about Velandi the parayan. I blogged about it earlier, connecting it to ‘The Help” by Katherine Stockett. My editor warned me against inserting this piece as she felt it would give international audiences the wrong pictiure about India, but I felt compelled to include it because of my belief that in the life of the bramin, the parayan was important and to some extent their existence defined brahmin culture, taboos and caste rules. It was a practice I abhorred, yet I was filled with compassion for them and needed to highlight the importance of their role in society, something they themeselves were scarcely aware of. This section covers about 10 pages and is not in any way the main theme in the story, so I was very surprised when Vaasanthi brought up the use of the word Parayan in context of the current political arena in Tamil Nadu.To my horror a whole can of worms was opened.

The audience became very vocal, giving their reasons for the inclusion or exclusion of this term. I watched awestruck as the converstaion turned to antibrahmin sentiment, DMK ethos, Dalits and then boomeranged with vociferous calls for author’s license and freedom of expression.  ”Words banned today were common in the 1930?s and therefore had historical perspective,” they insisted. Vaasanthi warned that certain sections of Chennai society might find the use of this word objectionable and I should not be surprised if the book ends up being banned in the state. In my defense, I had no idea that the use of the word parayan was banned by law. It is considered as objectionable as the “N” word in the US and rightly so. Untouchability is reprehensible and their treatment abhorrent, which why I have tried to apologize in some way for this distasteful practice which exists in some parts of the country even today.

On a more positive note, the most incredible part of the Bangalore Launch was that it took place in the presence of my mother, Kamu Ayyar, who inspired me to write the book in the first place. It was really special because my sister Dammu, (Dharma Kannan) introduced me and I had my father-in-law and my brothers-in- law Mahendra and Kannan present as well.

My mother had been calling everyone she knew over the last month and  was terribly excited and anxious that everything should go as scheduled. We were expecting her friends to arrive in a string of wheelchairs and walkers!  The Chief Guest, Vaasanthi is a renowned author in Tamil language whom my mother recommended. My Publisher , Mr. Udayan Singh, has a strong presence in the north, but I was on my own in the south, and thankfully my sister Lakshmi had spoken to the store owner Mr. Pasha who was very helpful in arranging the launch at his store. In fact my book was the inaugural launch for this store. So really this event was the culmination of family effort.

After my sister completed the introductions Vaasanthi read out a very well scripted analysis of the book, after which we began a conversation. No matter how hard we tired to steer the conversation away the audience kept bringing it back to the topic of parayans. I was  not really worried. All it meant was that in addition to being my official photographer, my husband Rajiv would have to take on the ominous task of bodyguard as well, at the Chennai Book Launch.

All in all, several books were sold and many friends attended and supported me including celebrity Vani Ganpathy. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a good thing that there was no Press at the event.