“Unlocking Mysteries: Journey into the World of ‘Navapashanam’ with Author Nitya Neelakantan”
Welcome to BB News! Today, we’re thrilled to have Nitya Neelakantan, a multifaceted professional and author based in Bangalore, known for her expertise in Learning & Development, yoga, and now, her captivating novel ‘Navapashanam’. Nitya’s passion for environmental and animal welfare shines through in her work, and today, we delve into the intriguing world she has created in her latest literary endeavour.
- Nitya, your background in Learning & Development and yoga is fascinating. How did these experiences influence your journey into becoming a novelist?
Ans- I was a story writer long before I became an L&D professional or a yoga teacher. I have been microblogging since the early 2000s where I would write stories online. My stories are inspired by places I have visited and people I have interacted with and my characters are a reflection of behaviour that I observe in people around me.
- ‘Navapashanam’ is such an enigmatic title. Could you give us a glimpse into the inspiration behind the name and its significance in the storyline?
Ans- Navapashanam translates to Nine Poisons. There are many stories about Siddhars and sages from South India who dabbled in alchemy and the sciences of healing. One such lore is around the Navapashanam which has healing properties. It is this information that inspired me to write a fictional story with the Navapashanam at the centre of it.
- The novel features two strong female protagonists across different timelines. What motivated you to weave their stories together, and how do they complement each other in the narrative?
Ans – My first idea was to have a novel with palaces and a young girl who is looking for something alone. But as i began plotting, these two strong women emerged so beat=utifully that i dropped the idea of the palace, although a palace does make its appearance in bits and pieces.
Both my protagonists are flawed and yet their strength is what takes the story forward. I wanted their lives to intersect somewhere because it allows the audience to feel their connected destinies.
- The concept of a hidden treasure with the potential for both salvation and destruction is captivating. What drew you to explore this theme, and how does it drive the plot of ‘Navapashanam’?
Ans- We all have been told that too much of even a good thing can cause trouble. For me that meant that even something as simple as a healing potion could be the means to an evil end. We have seen sci-fi stories where clones are created just for people to be able to harvest their organs and live eternally. So somewhere, a good thing in the hands of the bad guy will have devastating results.
- Tamil Nadu serves as a backdrop for your novel. How does the city’s culture and atmosphere influence the characters and events in the story?
Ans- Although I was born and raised in Bangalore, my family and relatives are from Tamil Nadu. I have visited a lot of temple there and have heard so much Tamil folklore that i was compelled to write a story that spoke of some part of Tamil culture and the Tamil landscape. I feel that there are not enough English novels that talk about our rich culture and heritage.
- Lastly, without giving too much away, what do you hope readers take away from ‘Navapashanam’, and do you have any upcoming projects in the works that you can share with us?
Ans- I want to draw people to the amazing temple architecture across India, to snippets of regional cultures, and to enjoy reading female protagonists more. I hope I have done that satisfactorily.
I am currently working on part 2 of my Cursed Elements series and on a mythology based non-fiction novel.
