Sneha Subramanian Kanta

An interview with Ms.Vimala Ramuabout her latest book 'COLORS'

I'd like to start by asking you what your thoughts on the current writing trend in India are? Do you see more 'serious' writers who want to take up this profession; not merely as a hobby but with genuine professionalism?
Writing is a wholly creative activity. The birth of e blogs and e magazines is certainly an incentive for upcoming writers who may be otherwise shy to put forth their work. More serious writers have always been serious and professional about their writing. But now, modern technology is something which even well established writers could use. On the whole, the writing scenario is certainly bright.

Humorists these days, writers or otherwise I personally feel; more often than not make use of ‘crass’ humor that titillates. There’s hardly any ‘wit’ in them. Your forte of writing being humor, what do you make of them?
I feel that every type of ‘humor’ has its own readers and fans. If some writing is not up to their taste, they will certainly reject it and go after something which appeals to them.

How was it publishing your fourth book ‘COLORS’?
Publishing ‘COLORS’ was like a dream come true. Used to leaving the MS with the publisher for months together, this was almost like instant cooking. Everything was technologically monitored and executed in record speed. The whole process took hardly two months. If I were more tech-savvy, it would have been completed in half the time.

What is your take on the serious ‘marketing’ issues of self published books?
Well, I do not know how far the publishers take responsibility to market the books published by them. With ‘promotions’,’ book launches’ etc, the author is also made to work hard to sell them. When such is the case, it is no wonder that self publishing forums expect you to take full responsibility for the printed books. They are however prepared to do online marketing through standard partners, from what I gather through my experiences. It’s the same thing with e books, a trend fast catching in India now. My books are now available in e form both in India through pothi.com and abroad through kindle/amazon.

I’m sure you must have had many critiques who associate self publishing with vanity. What’s your take on this ideology?
Yes. This is a vicious circle. Till you become famous, the famous publishing houses do not undertake to print and publish you. Unless the book is released under a well known publisher, nobody bothers about it. But, gradually, with the advance of computer technology, self publishing is slowly assuming a respectable position. I was told that even the first Harry Potter book was a self publication.

That said, Prof.P.Lal, a pioneer in the field of publishing and encouraging Indian literature worldwide, passed away sometime back. Since you have published three of your books with his Writers Workshop Calcutta, what do you think the Indian literary scene will miss?
I’m sure the literary scene in India will certainly miss the erudite fatherly figure who took up the onus of bringing out new authors before the advent of Self publishing. But his marketing technique left a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, since all his books are given similar covers though in random colours, the shop keepers tend to dump them all in the same category and are reluctant to accept them for selling, They come out with the excuse, ”Writers Workshop books don’t sell”. But for me, I am satisfied with my experience with  Writers Workshop Calcutta. They have given Indian Writing in English a totally new perspective and a space for expression; and I’m sure, they would continue to do so.

Bengaluru, when it was Bangalore; features in almost all of your articles. Of course, we know that since you love in the city; you inevitably associate most incidents taking place there. What’s the experience of Bangalore that rubs onto all your writings?
Generally, my blogs have been from all the places wherever I have travelled. Of course, being a Bangalorean, majority of them may be located here. But, I can assure you, unless it is a travelogue, the location hardly plays a part in my blogs. The humorous angle is the real protagonist in all my writing, I feel.

Your writings are inspired also with the fact that you follow the principle of ‘life with a pinch of salt’. How easy or difficult is to keep this constant flow in all articles you write?
My attitude in life is not a cultivated one. It is a natural one which has been shaped right from my childhood by different factors such as heredity, environment, calamities, happy events and so on. So, there is no question of difficulty in keeping this constant flow. It is my second nature to have a rather flippant attitude towards life.

You were involved with theatre for a brief time but I know you attribute a lot of your stylistics of expression to it. What ideologies has theatre shaped for you?
In a theatre production, the success of the play is totally director’s responsibility. Our job is only to follow their instructions imbuing it with our own personality. I learnt about stage craft which helped in training my students for school plays. More than anything, it is the camaraderie and family feeling that makes the rehearsal days an absolute fun thing.

What is your take on the current trend of e-publishing and blogs? Though the internet as a medium has been effective in breaking down borders and giving ‘local’ writing worldwide a global platform, everyone who pens a fancy word thinks they can be a great writer. What are your views on this?
As I told you earlier, anyone can write anything with the help of technology and project themselves worldwide. But, unless the readers see sense in one’s writing, it will not survive. So, good or bad is for the readers to accept or reject.

You have also worked in translating some mythological works in Kannada into English. How was the experience and do you wish in continuing your passion of translation?
I loved the experience. I am fond of both English and Kannada and am comfortable in both. If the opportunity presents itself, I shall certainly take it up.

Are there any upcoming projects you are working on?
Right now, I am just done with my book ‘COLORS’ and getting their e versions ready. So, apart from dashing a blog when the mood takes over, I do not see any major project in the near future.

Leave us with one of the many anecdotes or experiences in your life that has made you laugh the most even if be it, in serious conditions.
One day, I got a call from my son’s high school principal asking me to come and see him. When I met him, he told me that my son was always seen in the company of a girl and that I should be aware of it. I thanked him for his concern and asked the name of the girl. The girl happened to be Ramu’s brother’s daughter. Since his brother had died, his family of three children and wife were staying with us and our three children. Out of the six children going to school from the same house, two of them happened to be in the same class and hence were always together being cousins! We had a good laugh over this.