THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even though he was studying botany in college, it didn’t take Tony long to realise that his real love was for writing. Even as a student, he started contributing columns in newspapers. He pursued a career as a journalist for some years, and then in 2005, he decided to turn into a full time writer. In his kitty now are more than 30 books out of which 20 have already been published.
More than a journalist or a full-time writer, Tony says he wants to be known as a ‘professional writer’. Now for those wondering what that means, he explains, “Professional writers are those who write on subjects which people want to read about and enjoy. The book is for the common man.”
The writer is presently busy planning for the official release of his two books in the series ‘Anubhavam Orma Yathra’ that profiles the lives of eminent personalities. One of the books is on singer K S Chithra while the other one is on Guinness Pakru. He aims to give a deeper insight on these celebrated figures through the books. “Both the books are not exactly biographies. They peep into the lives of two human beings who are respected by the public for what they have achieved,” says this 33-year-old. The narrative is in first person, and is both engaging and inspirational.
Though well-written and informative, the books do not aim to be in the least controversial, and are feel-good in their tone. “The public has a certain image about these personalities and they like many attributes in them. So while writing my attempt is always to go with that belief. I do not contradict public expectations,” he says.
The author who was inspired by Pakru, decided to write a book on the actor’s life and thus was born ‘Cheriya Chuvadukalum Valiya Jeevithavum’.
Tony says that it is a book for those Malayalis who suffer from an inferiority complex. The book describes an incident from Pakru’s school days when the teacher out of sympathy perhaps gave him a smaller chair and bench to use in class. But Pakru refused that kind of special attention and continued sitting on the normal bench. And that is a trait that defines Pakru till date. He does not want to be discriminated against at any cost. “He always wanted to stand equal in the crowd no matter what. He did not like the sympathy of people,” shares Tony.
The book on the nightingale of South India is a dedication in memory of her daughter Nandana. The memoir covers Chithra’s 30 years in filmdom.
It throws light on her numerous personal and professional milestones, along with some setbacks. “In the first few chapters, Chithra speaks about her daughter Nandana and the good times the family had,” he says, adding, “In my eight years of journalistic career I have never met a lady who is as humble as her. She is simple and a calm person.”
According to him the writer is just a mediator between the subject and its readers. “Not all celebrities know how to write but their experiences are worth sharing. We writers act as that bridge. “The author, inclined towards ‘informative literature’, wants to write more anthologies such as these. Tony is now looking at bringing out a novel called ‘Changzhiyoor’ which narrates the journey of a journalist.