By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)
Mumbai, Feb 10: Debutante novelist Mohyna Srinivasan launched her novel ‘The House on Mall Road’ on Tuesday February 9. It is published by Penguin Books India and the story takes you on a journey with Parvati, the main protagonist, who returns to her childhood home in the army cantonment of Ambala to rediscover her past and herself.
Javed Akhtar, India’s sought-after Urdu poet, lyricist, and scriptwriter, Prasoon Joshi, noted lyricist and the ad guru, and Sunil Shetty, popular Bollywood actor, were the special guests.
Mohyna read select excerpts from the book, which left the audience captivated and eager for more!
Announcing the book launch, she remarked, “The story is about loss and retrieval, sprinkled with suspense and surprises. Parvati learns to love herself as she walks on the path of her life while coming to terms with circumstances that alter its course forever. I relate to the character of Parvati in as much as we both come out feeling stronger at the end of the book.”
A major event in the novel is the Indo-Pak war of 1971. Interestingly, the book’s unique setting offers a glimpse of life in the Indian Army; it highlights the hospitality and camaraderie of the people, their valour, familiarity and warmth coupled with the charming traditions that are synonymous with the Indian Army.
The story is full of unexpected twists and is exhilaratingly fast-paced. Its strong characterization and the crisp flow set the book apart. The characters’ life-like nuances make the story come alive. Nuggets of wisdom, perception, and keen observation appear unobtrusively all along the story.
“I love story-telling and am confident that the book will appeal to readers from all age-groups—the youth, people from the army background—indeed anyone who likes a good story. I am very happy with the initial response and am looking forward to reaching out to more readers all over the country in the coming days,” she said.
Priced at Rs 325, “The House on Mall Road” is available at all leading bookstores.
About Mohyna Srinivasan
Mohyna was born into a family that has generational ties to the Indian army and grew up in cantonment towns like Dehradun, Srinagar, Wellington, Ambala, Mhow, and Jhansi. An MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, Mohyna took to writing as a second career, after a long career with Unilever in India and abroad.
About her new career in writing, Mohyna says, “I changed careers as part of discovering what I really wanted to do. Just like Parvati, the main protagonist of my first novel, who is on a journey of self-discovery, I, too, am on such a journey.”
Mohyna lives in Mumbai with her husband and two children. Her interests include travel, music, and yoga.