Skip to main content

The Nambisan novels

Every time I spot a title by Kaveri Nambisan (brilliant surgeon-turned-author), I can't even begin to describe the spear of joy that thrills my reader's heart and piques my curiosity.

Kaveri Nambisan Novels: Authentic storytelling
Like another writer whom I adore, Anita Desai, Kaveri Nambisan also stays far from the publicity hounds, doing her own things in a simple way, not attending the glorious, overhyped publicity stunts that new Indian writers are so prone to doing, almost like a malaise, really. She really knows her stuff and doesnt care about any other frills.

Women in Kaveri Nambisan's Novels: Scent of Pepper, Mango Coloured Fish 
When she wrote her novel 'On Wings of Butterflies', it clearly mirrored her experiences with women as a surgeon. The novel reflected the levels of exploitation that women face in the society, physically, mentally and psycologically. Women, no matter what their financial state is, are always pushed into a corner. It was this reality that helped the author to go forward with this novel.

In one of my favorite Nambisan novels, "Scent of Pepper" takes you on a truly interesting journey into the Coorg community, where the author (being from Coorg herself) mixes some real life stories that she had heard from her grandmother to the plot.

Another of my favorites is "Mango-coloured Fish" which is about a young girl who is unsure about marriage though she is already engaged. She keeps wondering whether she should go forward with the marriage and thinks deeply about the marriages of others whom she knows.

Check out this link and wait for her much talked about novel, "The Story that must not be told. "

http://spoonfeedin.blogspot.com/2008/11/personality-kavery-nambisan.html

I have to admit, I just can't wait for my favorite writer to start writing her next novel!

 For latest book reviews, subscribe to Svara's Newsletter!

Comments

Kavery said…
Thank you very much for your comments about my novels. I chanced upon Petals and it made me feel good.
I wonder where you live. If in any of the metros, I would love to invite you for the launch of The Story... and the new edition of The Sc of Pepper.
my e-mail: kavery.nambisan@gmail.com
with warm regards,
Kavery.
Kavery said…
Thank you very much for your comments about my novels. I chanced upon Petals and it made me feel good.
I wonder where you live. If in any of the metros, I would love to invite you for the launch of The Story... and the new edition of The Sc of Pepper.
my e-mail: kavery.nambisan@gmail.com
with warm regards,
Kavery.
Hey, I'm thrilled to hear from you. I am from Kerala but now settled in Delhi and continue to be a fan of your novels. My email is swapnaraghusanand@gmail.com and I'd love to be in touch with all thats happening on the literary front. Looking forward to knowing more about your latest books. Best, Swapna
Anonymous said…
Thanks for publishing this great post. I'm a long time reader but I've never actually left a comment.
I've bookmarked your blog and shared this on Twitter.
Thanks again for a really good post!
Kavery said…
Dear Swapna, I am writing to you after many years. My new novel, "Rising Sons" is published by Penguin Random House. Do take a look. I hope very much that you will read it. Best wishes to you in all that you do.

Most LOVED Posts

Best time to light diya

Want to know when is the best time to light diya or deepam at home? In most Hindu homes, 'deepam' or 'diya' is lit at least twice - once in the morning and then in the evening. For both times, brass is considered to be auspicious for lighting deepam or lamp at home. Clay diyas are auspicious for lighting at home. On Fridays, it is considered auspicious to use ghee in a silver lamp. When Should I Start Lighting Diyas? The symbolic shift begins from darkess to light. Therefore, in the evenings, light diya before sunset to usher in divine blessings into your home. Can we light diya with sunflower oil? No, do not use sunflower oil for lighting diya. Can I use cooking oil to light diya? No, you should not use cooking oil to light diya. Which oil to use for daily diya? Use sesame or gingelly oil for daily diya. What to burn in a diya? Use ghee or sesame oil or mustard oil. Can we put coconut oil in diya? Yes, you can put coconut oil in diya. Which deepam oil is best for poo...

Does something bad happen if the diya goes off?

Is it bad if a diya goes off? This is a frequently asked question among people who light the evening lamp or diya regularly in their puja room. Cultivating the attitude 'Everything is Divine Prasad', which embodies Prasada Bhakti , is a good way to minimise negative thoughts with regard to one's way of worship.  When we light the lamp in our homes, imagine you are sending out divine love to the world.  When you burn the incense stick, imagine you are burning away all negative karma within each family member and offering it before your Ishta Devata. [READ: How To Light Deepam at Home and  Why Malayalis Light Nilavilaku ]                                                     [Image by Sachin Yadav @ Pixabay] What Happens When A Diya Goes Off? Many consider it as a 'bad omen'. For a devotee who worships Ishta Devata, everything represents Divine Gra...

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences.  [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste.  You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this  new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being bor...

Saree Woes 2

Our earlier discussion on Saree Woes really perked up my spirits. A big thanks to all of you for pepping me up. Okay, here's the good news. There was an unexpected late night party that I had to attend in Gurgaon. To be honest, I haven't had the time or energy to attend any such parties after Adi was born. I was sure I wouldn't have the confidence to make conversation with the glitterati, let alone feel confident to carry off wearing a saree. This is one of those parties where you have to be dressed very formally. Well, at the end of a working woman's day, you hardly feel ready to attend one of these parties looking like a moron, right? So, with very little preparation and very few hours left, I called on all the gods in Heaven to help me look a little younger and prettier since I don't have the magic to look young all on my own. Although I was tempted to wear one of my awesome Kancheevaram treasures, I knew it would be very difficult to drape it without any h...

How To Light Diya: Big Mistakes To Avoid

Wondering how to properly light a diya? What are some common mistakes to avoid while lighting diya at home? As a child, I used to watch my grandmother light the Nilavilakku or the traditional lamp at home. Back then, I didn't understand its deeper significance. [READ: Why Malayalis Light Nilavilakku ] Lighting a diya or a lamp embodies our inner journey from darkness to light. T he transition represents a deep metaphysical truth: the triumph of light over darkness. Are you lighting your diyas wrong? Use these tips! [Source: Pexels.com] How To Properly Light A Diya At Home 1. Never place your diya or lamp on the floor to light it in your pooja room. Keep a Thaali/Plate under it. You can keep a small brass plate under the lamp. Don't use that Thaali/Plate for any other purpose once you use it for this purpose. 2. Don't put your diya or lamp in any place where it is not clean earlier. Before you place the diya or lamp, make sure ...