Literary

Author interview: Shankarlal Sengupta talks about his book Nishit Surya

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 18 Jun 2019, 08:47 am

Congratulations on the release of 'Nishit Surya'. What is the feedback from your friends and readers who have already read your book?

Good. They appreciated the lucid expression. The texts are comprehensible, not complex or hardcore abstracts like modern poems.

What kind of books inspire you as a writer? Who are your favorite authors?

Inspiration can come from anywhere, book or life. In my case mostly from life. You pull bits and pieces from people those are around you or those you know.

I read Rabindranath Tagore mostly. His style of writing and also the way he saw the world and mankind. His works which I admire the most are Geetanjali and the lyrics of his songs
 

Why did you want to become a writer? Who inspired you to become a writer? What triggered you to come into writing?

At first, I scribble and write whatever comes to my mind and then my circumstances lead me to writing.

During my tenure in the armed forces, I was posted mostly in North-East India, in the lap of nature. It hence became easier for me to write whenever I had time off duty. It was as if the hills guided and held my hand during my writing hours. 
 

What are you doing to let readers know about your book?

Power Publisher started distributing the book (Nishit Surya) through several channels including their own as well as Flipkart and Amazon. On my Facebook page, I regularly let my friends and colleagues know the process of buying this book. Besides, I advertise in leading dailies and magazines.

Tell me something about your book. Some highlights.

The book is basically a love lyrics. Pathos of life due to separation of near and dear ones also found some place in it.

Tell me something about yourself and your background.

It would not be apt to say about self which may lead to self advertisements. Let others say about myself. Basically I am a soldier, most of my service I rendered in conflict zones. From a close quarter, I observed political apathy, social inequalities, economic deprivation, which led to human sufferings. Sometimes I felt the pain and sometimes I found joy in bountiful nature's beauty. Even in my soldier's rough garb I tried not to let lose my sensitivity.

Do you plan to take it up as a full time profession if response is good?

Yes I do.