Creativity unlocked in Pandemic; 19 year old Indian boy Sushyanth Sridhar to launch his debut Novel in Kuwait

IIK Staff Reporter
Wednesday, January 20, 2021

2020 Pandemic has changed the lives of many and thrown normal life out of gear, but Sushyanth Sridhar, a 19-year-old, former student of FAIPS, Kuwait took this rare opportunity to explore his hidden talent of writing. Within the 8 months of lockdown he authored and published his debut novel titled "Jon Oliver", a psychological/historical novel. Sushyanth is all set to launch his debut novel in Kuwait on Friday 22nd, which will be attended by prominent personalities from Kuwait and India including Sheikh Majed Mohamed Y S Al-Sabah (Supervisor of H E the Emir’s protocol at the Diwan Al Amiri, Kuwait), Mr. Mohamed ALMarzook (CEO - Retail & Hospitality Tamdeen Group, Kuwait), Dr Sabah AlHadeedi (Consultant Surgeon International Clinic, Kuwait), Mr. Soni Somarajan (Poet, Copywriter, Editor, and Content Consultant Trivandrum, India) and Dr Raja Vishwanathan (Professor - National Institute of Technology Warangal, India)
In an exclusive interview with Indiansinkuwait.com Sushyanth Sridhar shares his experience on his first Novel.


IIK: Tell us about your Book "Jon Oliver"
Sushyanth Sridhar: The Books is about Jonathan Rhodes who is fondly known as Jon by his loved ones, is a victim of psychosis disorder. Since a very tender age, he is antagonized by a figment of his imagination called Finn Larsen, the leader of an organized-crime empire in London of 1930s. During his teenage, Jon manages to free himself from the chasms of reality and mentally escapes into his own imaginary world set in the London of 1931. He begins to associate himself with his alter ego, Gin Oliver, a retired wing commander of the Royal Air Force. When Finn Larsen joins hands with a fascist syndicate in London, in his imaginary world, Gin Oliver’s duty is to hunt down Finn Larsen and safeguard Britain.
As a young adult, Jonathan’s illness continues to worsen, especially when he sets out on a holiday to Malaysia with his family in the summer of 2018.
The story of Gin Oliver’s arch rivalry with Finn Larsen begins to confuse Jon’s reality and subsequently worsens his illness. Jon’s holiday spirals into absolute chaos.

IIK: Is this book launched in India?
Sushyanth: Yes, my debut novel, Jon Oliver, was published by Notion Press.

IIK: What made you to write your first novel - "Jon Oliver"?
Sushyanth: I began my research for Jon Oliver hoping to write a short story for my brother’s entertainment. The short story over time bloomed into this novel. I always enjoyed writing, but as a school student never did I expect myself to publish my debut novel at the age of 19. I feel grateful to have put the mundane time during lockdown to optimum use. In the city of Chennai, confined within my home as the pandemic soared outside, I authored my debut novel every night till the break of dawn.

 

IIK: Why did you choose to write on psychological / historical?
Sushyanth: The human mind is one such machine that never seems to require any rest. When the human mind is forced to endure the effects of a psychosis disorder, the reality soon loses its clarity. The person then succumbs to a blurry reality built on hallucinations, apprehensions and fallacies. However, appalling, often chilling, it may sound, the psychosis disorder is beyond one’s grasp. Such illnesses invade one’s mind and holds on to it, like a leech.
It is interesting how the influence of the ripples of an event that might have taken place centuries back can still be felt today.
Sushyanth often contemplates alternate endings to game-changing events and the effects of its aftermath. I wish to make alternate history my stronghold for my upcoming books.

IIK: How long did it take for you to write this Book?
Sushyanth: This book took about a year to research and about six months to author. Most part of the book was written during lockdown.

IIK: How do you feel publishing your debut novel?
Sushyanth: Truly grateful! I am forever indebted to my teachers, mentors, and parents to motivate me to document my research and inspire me to pursue after mastery in the art of storytelling. I would also like to thank my grandmother for providing me zesty food and an ideal environment for me to author my debut novel, Jon Oliver.

IIK: Are you launching this book in Kuwait?
Sushyanth : My book will be launched on 22nd Jan 2020 by prominent personalities from Kuwait and India including: Sheikh Majed Mohamed Y S Al-Sabah (Supervisor of H E the Emir’s protocol at the Diwan Al Amiri, Kuwait), Mr. Mohamed ALMarzook (CEO - Retail & Hospitality Tamdeen Group, Kuwait), Dr Sabah AlHadeedi (Consultant Surgeon International Clinic, Kuwait), Mr. Soni Somarajan (Poet, Copywriter, Editor, and Content Consultant Trivandrum, India) and Dr Raja Vishwanathan (Professor - National Institute of Technology Warangal, India)

IIK: As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Sushyanth: As a child, I must admit, I was very confused as to what I wish to pursue in life. Due to my fascination with Dr Abdul Kalam and engineering, I took up mechanical engineering at the National Institute of Technology. Again, as mechanical engineering is very broad in nature being an engineering student, I am unsure as to what path I should pursue after graduation. I believe that is the young Sushyanth in me still yelping in confusion. We never really grow. Some part of us always choses to remain in bliss, like a child!

 

IIK: How are you managing your studies and your writing?
Sushyanth: Sincerely, juggling engineering and research for my upcoming book is an extremely cumbersome task. Engineering courses at NIT demands tremendous attention. But when you are passionate about something, you subconsciously tend to set aside time for it. Writing gives me pleasure and I never wish to stop authoring books.

IIK: Who is your inspiration?
Sushyanth: There are several authors I look up to and my taste have drastically changed over the years. I admire Neil Gaiman’s and Mary Renault’s style of writing. I also try to gather in-depth knowledge about a subject before attempting to write on it. Great non-fiction authors such as Amartya Sen and Tom Holland have inspired me as well.
In school, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ashwin Sanghi and Stephen King. I believe, these two authors were the ones who truly kindled my love for writing. As a child, I enjoyed getting carried away into Roald Dahl’s and RL Stevenson’s universe.


IIK: Tell us about yourself, where you were born, schooling etc.?
Sushyanth: I am an Indian expat, born in Chennai, brought up in Kuwait. I am currently a second-year mechanical engineering student at the National Institute of Technology. I completed my schooling from FAIPS-DPS. Through my schooling, I participated in several Model United Nations conferences.

IIK: Tell us about your Family
Sushyanth: My parents have been in Kuwait for over two decades. My mother is the corporate sales manager of British Airways. My father is the sales manager at Al Waseet Travel and Tourism Services. I have a brother who is a ninth grader studying in FAIPS-DPS.

IIK: What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Sushyanth: When I am not studying or writing, I play my guitar or my mridangam. I am avid fan of the rock guitarist, Eric Clapton.

IIK: What are your Future Plans?
Sushyanth: I hope to pursue a master’s degree at a well-reputed university. However, I do not have a stream or university in mind.
As far as my writing journey goes, I have already began authoring my second book. My second book will be a historical thriller, starting from a Macedonian camp to present day Kashmir.

The novel "Jon Oliver" is already printed locally in Kuwait. The book is also available on: iBooks, Google Play, Amazon, Kobo, Flip Kart, and Notion Press. For ordering a copy in Kuwait, contact - +965 97283287.

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