APORVAKALA
"I observe, explore, evolve, therefore I author"
My first book 'Life..Love..Kumbh..' is about the miasma called life with all its little foibles and joys.
My second book,'ALCHEMIST OF THE EAST' , released in December 2015 is an inspirational fable with a historical setting. One can read it for wisdom, adventure and love.
'The Chronicle of Sapata Sindhu' is my first historical, mythological novel which is available both in the print version and as an ebook.
My next release is a love story with a twisted crime, tentatively titled 'Black Coffin, Sweet Flowers'.
I am working on a compilation of ghost stories from Himalayas and then i would be completing my Woodhouseque humor ' The adventures of Mr. Midwinter.'
In an interview with Dr Roopleen, Aporva talks about his life, philosophy and his book “life love kumbh”
Roopleen Prasad: What’s the story behind the story of “lifelove Kumbh?” What inspired you to pen this novel?
Aporva Kala: During early part of 1980s, when I was a child, I happen to attend a Kumbh Bath at Prayag, Allahabad; the images of which stayed with me. Then I attended a couple of Kumbh fairs at Haridwar, last one being in 2010. It was a lucky break that the story unfolded in January 2010 and I started penning it with three characters on the backdrop of Kumbh fair.
As for the inspiration for writing, we all of us have ideas which we want to share with others; writing is thus a need to communicate. Of late we (Indians) have developed a sense of gloom and a self-deprecating attitude which this book tries to correct as it celebrates what our country stands for- peace, universal brotherhood and learning.
RP: What were the challenges you faced in getting your book published?
AK: I would consider myself lucky that I found a passionate publisher who understood my work and went ahead with publishing it. But I do agree that publishing is one hell of a challenge.
RP: Although there is no magic formula to become a good writer, there are certain attributes of a good writer. What in your view are those “must have” qualities?
AK: I think a writer is a magician in his own right! An eye for details, human sensitivity, dreamers’ passion, idea and proficiency of language and courage to be a part of the story are some of the qualities a writer must possess.
RP: What avenues have you found to work best for marketing your book?
AK: I followed my publisher’s advice of being active on the Social Networking sites. And, I must confess, it did help. Other than this, I haven’t really chalked out a formal strategy for marketing my book for I believe that if a book is well written, well researched and has a unique idea, it would find many a good readers. I’m quite happy with the response it has received from the readers so far.
RP: Do you feel any competitive pressure from other authors and their work in the same genre?
AK: Every writer has a style and content which makes him stand out in the crowd. Having said that, I would also like to add that Capitalism does entail a sense of competitiveness and struggle to capture the interest of the readers, which makes it imperative for a writer to write well!
RP: What advice would you give to the aspiring writers?
AK: Write from the heart, without the fear or apprehensions about whether your work will get published or not; whatever you write, write honestly.
RP: We have heard that writing for you is an ‘exercise in creativity.’ How do you define creativity and what do you when you are not engaged in your ‘creative work-outs?’
AK: Creativity is a unique way to do everyday work- not something which overwhelms you but something which challenges you ‘to achieve, to grow and to seek.’ When not writing, I pursue Yog and am involved in teaching which I feel is full of challenges and has a lot of potential for innovations.
RP: What is your idea of a “Happy Life?”
AK: Life itself is free from adverbs, prefixes and definitions. It is our c
“That is what the opposites do, cross the swords invariably and unknowingly.”
“Tough to part; lock, stock and barrel. Something remains, like recognizable tastes and smells, which kindle the faculty of memory, yea-pricks the soul.”
“History tells creativity is a result of Soul song.”
“ For, if after fifty you don't live the aspirations of the young, go away. Who needs needs spectacled snails, salivating on the Soma of youth.”
“The words explain us all, each having a meaning in a meantime: every time for a lifetime.”
“An array of colorful camps dotted the river banks, like a Garrison of army on a peace keeping mission. A mini India; many great nations; different people living in the same place, an inversion of the notion of nation.”
“He didn't ask because he didn't wanted to know. If you know, moments die an instant death. She held his hand in hers; hiding them like a pearl; her coral eyes ensconcing his pain.”
“Its gresham's law in operation is all walks of life and not just money: bad money drives out good money from circulation; bad writers drive out good writers from circulation, bad parents drive out good parents from nuturing, bad politicians drive out good politicians from governance, bad girls drive out good girls from heart, bad teachers drive out good teachers from classes....But bad emotions drive out good rationality.”
“Religion is like this; a prayer, a song, a flower, a white sugar ball, a chime of the brass bell, the rendering of mantra, closing one's eyes; Meditation.”
“Life cannot be lived without irritations and angers; fights and placation-A cycle of Karma, wheels of succor.”
“It is hard to let go; harder to hold on to.”
“Dream are, afterall universal, no ownership, no monopoly: i dream, i achieve, all are blessed.”
“I know it is the itch between the legs which causes everything-Wars, Religions, Marriages, Elections, Families, Globalization, Trade, Literature, Science, and for me Philosophy.”
“It had remained a mystery to me, a catholic magic, i suppose. Faith is the best Googly one can bowl: God, the proverbial third umpire.”
“What can a fallen star wish for, but it fulfills other's wishes, is it not?”
“Unfaithfully our, Time”
“All scientist are oglers, i suppose, the sensuousness is a sine quo non of modern technology”
“The gods are real crazy when it comes to prayers. They listen to some sometimes and do not listen to some sometimes. But the whole world prays, nonetheless-All the time”
“I knew then and there only that pretty young little things are like monsoon lilies; transient trams. Catch them if you can, but if you miss them, do not wail, a next one would be whistling round the corner, about to enter the La Gurre of your heart”
“People forget history nowadays,that is what the ego does, making one the prisoner of one's inflated present, ignoring the humble past one had lived.”
“All writers pen sad stories to garner sympathy, writing is after all for the abandoned of the society: the ink-leech, spewing black blood and sucking innocent souls.”
“Your perception may not be my reality”
“But you raised a ruckus about and threatened to perform a Julius Caesarian on anybody on anybody who calls April the cruelest month- I was Damn born out of the loins of my father in the spring of April, you claimed. Surgeon, you stood up for the month of buds and bitches like a true Kuon Kunos”