There are interviews and then there are conversations! Conversations are always two way, candid, honest and real while interviews can be deceptive. I had one such conversational interview with Pratibha Tiku Sharma, author of the book Chote Sheher Ki Bade Kahaaniyaan (छोटे शहर की बड़ी कहानियाँ...). The book is in Hindi language and is a collection of seven short stories, all from the city of Allahabad. To know more about the book or to read the book review, visit Book Review : Chote Sheher Ki Bade Kahaaniyaan (छोटे शहर की बड़ी कहानियाँ...) - Pratibha Tiku Sharma.
Q: “Cchote Sheher Ki Badee Kahaaniyaan” is like an account of your childhood memories, do you agree with this?
A: Yes, I was born In Allahabad. As I grew up and came to Mumbai lot of my childhood memories were there in my heart and decided to pen them down to share them with others. The characters mentioned here are as real as they can get :-)
Q: You were always in an artistic field, so writing would have come naturally to you, but do you always wanted to be a writer or this book just happened?
A: Yes, I was basically a singer. But simultaneously an A grade drama artist in AIR too, however I did write for my creative satisfaction. I started commercial writing in Mumbai and somehow always missed the joy and people from my own city so thought, “Why not pen it down and share it with others?” Then began my journey of writing my first book. It is simple, narrative and showcases the charm a small town has with people with big hearts and warmth, where you instantly feel at home.
Q: “Cchote Sheher Ki Badee Kahaaniyaan” is a book in Hindi, was there any reason that you chose it? There are only few people who read Hindi books, didn’t you want it to be a commercially marketable book to the Indian audiences who prefers reading the English language more?
A: I just wanted to break the stereotype. It’s an irony how we read only in English. Every country respects and cherishes its native language and it’s sad that we fail to do it here in India.
Q: Tell us something about your experience of getting “Cchote Sheher Ki Badee Kahaaniyaan”, a book in Hindi, published?
A: It was magical as if It was meant to fall together. When I use to narrate my childhood incidences to my friends there would be a constant reaction, “Why don’t you write your own book? While the thought was very new and one of my firsts it just feel in place like, hand to glove. My meeting with the publisher, able to complete the book in time and most importantly able to pen down my thoughts – just the way I wanted. Since I am a voice artist, I also decided to go with a cd to ensure that people who don’t or cant read can atleast listen to the stories.
-- Interview with author Pratibha Tiku Sharma --
Q: “Cchote Sheher Ki Badee Kahaaniyaan” is like an account of your childhood memories, do you agree with this?
A: Yes, I was born In Allahabad. As I grew up and came to Mumbai lot of my childhood memories were there in my heart and decided to pen them down to share them with others. The characters mentioned here are as real as they can get :-)
Q: You were always in an artistic field, so writing would have come naturally to you, but do you always wanted to be a writer or this book just happened?
A: Yes, I was basically a singer. But simultaneously an A grade drama artist in AIR too, however I did write for my creative satisfaction. I started commercial writing in Mumbai and somehow always missed the joy and people from my own city so thought, “Why not pen it down and share it with others?” Then began my journey of writing my first book. It is simple, narrative and showcases the charm a small town has with people with big hearts and warmth, where you instantly feel at home.
Q: “Cchote Sheher Ki Badee Kahaaniyaan” is a book in Hindi, was there any reason that you chose it? There are only few people who read Hindi books, didn’t you want it to be a commercially marketable book to the Indian audiences who prefers reading the English language more?
A: I just wanted to break the stereotype. It’s an irony how we read only in English. Every country respects and cherishes its native language and it’s sad that we fail to do it here in India.
Q: Tell us something about your experience of getting “Cchote Sheher Ki Badee Kahaaniyaan”, a book in Hindi, published?
A: It was magical as if It was meant to fall together. When I use to narrate my childhood incidences to my friends there would be a constant reaction, “Why don’t you write your own book? While the thought was very new and one of my firsts it just feel in place like, hand to glove. My meeting with the publisher, able to complete the book in time and most importantly able to pen down my thoughts – just the way I wanted. Since I am a voice artist, I also decided to go with a cd to ensure that people who don’t or cant read can atleast listen to the stories.
Q: How real and how fictional are the stories in “Cchote Sheher Ki Badee Kahaaniyaan”?
A: All the stories are from my own experience, it is dedicated to those people who directly or indirectly influenced me only the character names have been changed, except mine.
Q: Tell us something about the cover of the book? How did you finalize it?
A: Shraddha Kansara was a great help in designing the cover of the book.
A: All the stories are from my own experience, it is dedicated to those people who directly or indirectly influenced me only the character names have been changed, except mine.
Q: Tell us something about the cover of the book? How did you finalize it?
A: Shraddha Kansara was a great help in designing the cover of the book.
Q: Other than writing, what else do you do professionally?
A: It’s a very interesting question because people usually ask me what I do. Because I was a professional singer and then a voice actor for many prestigious products, channels and films, I am a lyricist and want to write good lyrics for Bollywood. Now I have a creative unit named “Pratibhaansh” for which we make creative plays, web series and do workshops.
Q: Apart from “Cchote Sheher Ki Badee Kahaaniyaan”, have you written anything else? What can we expect from you in the near future?
A: I have been writing commercials, songs and plays and I am working on my future projects. My dream project is a musical drama on women victims.
A: It’s a very interesting question because people usually ask me what I do. Because I was a professional singer and then a voice actor for many prestigious products, channels and films, I am a lyricist and want to write good lyrics for Bollywood. Now I have a creative unit named “Pratibhaansh” for which we make creative plays, web series and do workshops.
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| Interview with author Pratibha Tiku Sharma |
A: I have been writing commercials, songs and plays and I am working on my future projects. My dream project is a musical drama on women victims.
Q: Would you like to share with us, some feedbacks or praises that you might have received for the book which made you go wow?
A: Till date by the grace of god everyone has appreciated and they do get emotional and connect with these stories very well.
Q: How do you see the future of books in Hindi Language?
A: I am an optimistic person so I think if our efforts are constant and little innovative then our young generation might get attracted to our rich scientific language, that is why I will be starting more workshops on this subject.
A: Till date by the grace of god everyone has appreciated and they do get emotional and connect with these stories very well.
Q: How do you see the future of books in Hindi Language?
A: I am an optimistic person so I think if our efforts are constant and little innovative then our young generation might get attracted to our rich scientific language, that is why I will be starting more workshops on this subject.
Q: There is simplicity in the stories that you have written, how was your experience of writing the book?
A: “cchote sheher ke log vaise hi bahut simple hote hain” and I believe communication is the best when it is simple.
Q: How much time did you take to complete the book, did you ever face a writer’s block? How did you come out of it?
A: I completed the book in a month and it took me seven months to publish it, but as a writer luckily I have not experienced that block till now :-)
A: “cchote sheher ke log vaise hi bahut simple hote hain” and I believe communication is the best when it is simple.
Q: How much time did you take to complete the book, did you ever face a writer’s block? How did you come out of it?
A: I completed the book in a month and it took me seven months to publish it, but as a writer luckily I have not experienced that block till now :-)
Q: Do you read as much as you write? Which are your favorite books and authors?
A: Yes I do read a lot. I have read Shivaniji, Sharad Chand, Munshi Premchand , Acharya Chatursen, Mahadevi Varma and my most favourite is Vayam Rakshamah till date.
Q: You prefer reading e-books or the traditional paper/hard back book?
A: Traditional paper/hard back book, though I am worried about our environment so I am getting habitual reading E-books.
A: Yes I do read a lot. I have read Shivaniji, Sharad Chand, Munshi Premchand , Acharya Chatursen, Mahadevi Varma and my most favourite is Vayam Rakshamah till date.
Q: You prefer reading e-books or the traditional paper/hard back book?
A: Traditional paper/hard back book, though I am worried about our environment so I am getting habitual reading E-books.
Q: Two things that you like and dislike about the language “Hindi”?
A: There is nothing I dislike because in Hindi what we hear we write. I love this language from the core of my heart.
Q: If you have to give one reason to our readers to get hold of your book, “Cchote Sheher Ki Badee Kahaaniyaan”, what would the reason be?
A: They should know the simplicity of small town and what are they missing in metropolitan city and the audio cd is a cherry on the cake.
A: There is nothing I dislike because in Hindi what we hear we write. I love this language from the core of my heart.
Q: If you have to give one reason to our readers to get hold of your book, “Cchote Sheher Ki Badee Kahaaniyaan”, what would the reason be?
A: They should know the simplicity of small town and what are they missing in metropolitan city and the audio cd is a cherry on the cake.
Q: Any message you would want to share with our readers?
A: Please read this book and send me the reviews, stay blessed and never lose faith in humanity.
Q: How can our readers connect with you?
A: Readers can connect with me on Facebook Page ‘Pratibhaansh’. They can even follow me on Instagram and Twitter.
A: Please read this book and send me the reviews, stay blessed and never lose faith in humanity.
Q: How can our readers connect with you?
A: Readers can connect with me on Facebook Page ‘Pratibhaansh’. They can even follow me on Instagram and Twitter.
-- End of interview with author Pratibha Tiku Sharma --
You can order a copy of the book from Amazon.
Bahut khoob!
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