Something different

Last week I attended a book launch. I know the author of the newly published novel “If you love someone”, Harimohan Paruvu, and just as he wanted all his friends to show up for the Hyderabad launch at Landmark bookstore, I wanted to see what a book launch was all about. Who knows, I may be the celebrated author at my own book launch in the near future?

It turned out to be a fun experience, to formally shake hands and congratulate someone you know but who is now the central figure, at least for the evening. About a hundred people showed up, many of whom were genuinely interested in the book (or curious about the author). And then there were the media people – not the hotshot TV anchors, but hordes of cameramen with their unwieldy equipment which blocked the view of the panel that had the task of officially launching the book. I was surprised at first at the hullabaloo caused by the visual media monsters and wondered why they were covering what should have been an intellectual, literary evening until I saw the panelists. The special invitees were movie stars. The evening began with a young, dynamic and articulate director giving his take on not just the book but also perspectives on Hari, the author. There were readings from a few significant passages in the book and brief Q & A before the crowd gathered to get copies signed by the author. I already had a copy signed by Hari, so we left.

Writing is such a solitary occupation, bringing thoughts to words, stringing words into sentences and assembling concepts into coherent creations. I always thoughts that great writers of epic stories such as Gone with the Wind, must have been recluses, far removed from reality, who had to immerse themselves into their writing in order to create these classics and thus becoming unsuitable for trivial pursuits such as socializing with fellow humans. Therefore I felt heartened to see the large group of supporters who showed up on a Friday evening to be there for Hari when it was time for his creation to be unveiled. He had certainly not lost touch with his family and friends, a characteristic which I feel is essential for a writer. Only if you are grounded into reality can you capture an authentic experience for others to savor.

So the whole book launch experience was a good one for me and like Anjali, Hari’s two year old daughter who was excitedly jumping about at Landmark, I am ready for another book launch.