CHENNAI: She works as a journalist. She is the author of The Music Room. And she is a fitness freak. Meet Namita Devidayal, who recently launched her second book Aftertaste.
Namita took a creative writing class while she was living in New York. Shortly after, her friend urged her to put her talent to use and write a book.
While she was initially apprehensive about taking up such a project, things began going her way and soon, The Music Room had hit the stands. The book was a hit and thus began Namita’s tryst with writing.
Her second book Aftertaste is an entertaining novel about the world of business families. The book is the story of one business family and its bitter dynamics of resentful wives, devitalised sons, controlling in-laws and unrestrained siblings.
It revolves around the Baniya families from the 40s down to the 80s. The most striking part of the story is about a mother who brings the family together with her unplanned mithai business. She is not just focused on home and work, but her influence is so strong that her insecurities and ambitions seep into the rest of the family members.
Mummyji, the dignified woman of a prosperous sweetmeat business family has held together her family through bribes of money, endless food, and adoration. Explaining the title, Namita says, “There are two reasons behind the name. One is because of the sweets and the aftertaste they leave. It also refers to the memories that are cherished after the suffering.” Namita not only spoke about her experiences while writing the novel but also read excerpts from the book.