Mumbai: Celebrities Launch Giselle Mehta's 'Blossom Showers'
Media Release
Mumbai, Sep 17: Following the launch of "Blossom Showers" by cine celebrities Nagarjuna and Amala Akkineni at the Reliance TimeOut store in Hyderabad, Giselle Mehta moved on to another impactful release of her novel, this time for the reading public of Mumbai.
The launch event enjoyed a unique constellation of chief guests from the performing arts, politics and diplomacy. The book was released by Sanjay Nirupam, member of parliament for North Mumbai, award-winning film director and actor Mahesh Manjrekar and consul general of Israel, Orna Sagiv.
The spacious interiors of the Landmark bookstore at Infiniti Mall in Andheri filled up with book lovers and friends, who had gathered to be acquainted with the author’s debut fictional offering.
Speaking on the occasion, Parliamentarian Sanjay Nirupam commented that his own early career in journalism and editing gave him an insider’s appreciation of literary activity. He praised the scope and themes of this novel and congratulated the author on her significant literary work.
Orna Sagiv observed that Indian writing is making its presence felt all over the world, and Indian authors are read in translation even in Israel. She was happy that "Blossom Showers" opens up a reader’s awareness of a lesser known but interesting community on the West Coast. Sagiv expressed confidence that this novel which she personally found to be interesting would have its impact and contribute a new voice to the literary world.
Ace film-maker Mahesh Manjrekar opined that the reading habit would grow among the public, stimulated by such offerings as Giselle’s book . He also predicted it would make its transition to the screen sometime, and that the book would become a best seller running into multiple editions.
Swarup Nanda, chairman and CEO of Leadstart Publishing said that his publishing house found "Blossom Showers" to be a unique literary offering and it has been their choice for entry to literary competitions.
Speaking on the occasion, the author Giselle Mehta said, "A fascination with human psychology animates my novel. It’s true my book is set in picturesque locations , but the real locale is the inner terrain of human emotions and the surrounding social landscape. My story is intended to both enlighten and involve a reader."
The author noted that she owes her very existence to a nove l - her mother, Louella Lobo Prabhu (nee Castelino) who as a teenager in Bombay in the mid-1960’s had written "The Quest" that was serialized in a magazine. Drawing the attention of her father, the novel resulted in their subsequent marriage and her own birth. Writing her own novel and presenting it in Mumbai is part of an inner destiny and continued family tradition, she said. She was grateful for the insights of the distinguished chief guests, and appreciated the presence of all present.
The launch programme concluded with an audience interaction and a book signing session.