2021: A Year of Huge Names
Warning: I’m going to be dropping names all post long.
Penguin Random House:
My nonfiction book ‘The Origin Story of India’s States’ released on Oct 25 from the largest publishing house in the world. The book has since consistently topped bestseller lists in Amazon and it went into a second print run a mere 38 days after release, which is super quick for any book.
The book has been retweeted or insta-storied by writers Ramchandra Guha, Manu Pillai, Janice Pariat, Suchitra Vijayan, Sowmiya Ashok, and actors R. Madhavan, Lakshmipriyaa Chandramouli, Karthik Kumar, Rishi, Gouri Kishan, Sunethra Nagaraaj. Reviews, excerpts and mentions have appeared in Scroll, Mint Lounge, Business Line, News18, Open Magazine, The Indian Express, and The Hindu.
I was interviewed by Radio Mirchi Bangalore, Fever FM Chennai and the Desi Books podcast. I spoke at the Bangalore Lit Fest and Kalinga Lit Fest and had a book launch event in Chennai. I’ve had book signing events at indie and chain bookshops in Margao (Dogears), Bangalore (Champaca, Bookworm, Blossom, BookHive, Gangarams, Higginbothams) and Chennai (Higginbothams, Starmark). I also recorded the audiobook version, which will be released soon.
‘The Origin Story of India’s States’ is available in bookshops across India and online. The international edition will release in early 2022.
Netflix:
In Sep, I started as a synopsis writer for Netflix with a focus on titles from South India. I’ve written synopses for Minnal Murali, Annaatthe, Doctor, Kurup, Laabam, Kadaseela Biryani, Govinda Govinda, Most Eligible Bachelor, and Kaaval, among others. Check out my work on Netflix.
Byju’s:
I continued to record for Byju’s as their presenter for Social Science, English and Math. I got to play varied characters, including Rabindranath Tagore and Vasco da Gama. Check out my videos on the Byju’s app or YouTube channel.
Ultimate Frisbee Masters Tournament:
In Nov, my wife and I achieved a couple goal — to play in a frisbee tournament together. We played in a Masters tournament in Goa. While she is a longtime club player, this was my first. We played across two days, on astro turf and on beach sand, and even in pouring rain. It was an incredible experience.
My wife’s year of huge names:
Karnan (directed by Mari Selvaraj and starring Dhanush), Sivaranjiniyum Innum Sila Pengalum (directed by Vasanth Sai), Cold Case (starring Prithviraj Sukumaran), Survivor
Further, her performances in Karnan and SISP were picked by The New Indian Express and Film Companion as two of the standout performances of the year across South Indian cinema.
Closing Thoughts:
It’s hard to wrap my head around the sheer generosity we have experienced this year. Absolutely incredible opportunities and moments have kept coming our way and we have been able to immerse ourselves in them and experience them to the fullest. This gift of living with detachment in the present moment is a rare and precious gift, and my wish is for it to continue for us through 2022.
Note:
If you’d like to read my previous year-end posts to get a sense of my journey, please follow the links below.
2017: Sabbatickle
2018: My Best Year Yet
2019: The Greatest Hits of My Greatest Year Yet
2020: A Year of Bigness
