It all began years ago with my older sister Minu. She would put me, a tiny tot, to sleep with a bedtime story every night. Whatever she read was converted into a rousing tale, be it her lessons or an Enid Blyton. As I grew older and began to read, Minu’s stories continued, evolving into complex Shakespearean dramas and biographies of literary figures, all part of her Literature course.
By the time I graduated, I had read a vast number of books and heard an even greater number of stories. Soon after, at the suggestion of my oldest sister Anju, I joined the AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Milia Islamia in Delhi. Here, I met my senior, Shohini Ghosh, the Sajjad Zaheer Professor at AJK MCRC, who, having read my answer sheet for the entrance exam, declared I should write. Not once, but several times in the following years. Thank you a million times, Sho!
I did begin to scribble, not infrequently, but it remained just that for years, resulting in many half-baked plots and several unfinished stories.
Ten years ago, in the midst of a hectic career in television, a strong desire overwhelmed me. Ideas teemed in my head, unwilling to die down, begging to be written out, the characters demanding they be fleshed out. Perhaps the fantastic concoction of plots and sub-plots imbibed over decades had triggered new thoughts, lighting up my imagination like a million fireworks. And so I began to write.
The Crown of Seven Stars was an idea that I had jotted down one bright morning several years ago and when Minu read the one-page note, she told me to develop it at once.
From first draft to published book, it has had many a helping hand, many generous supports, some that go as far back to the start of my writing journey. This brief note is a small attempt at expressing my deep gratitude to all.
My parents for their constant encouragement and belief, unfazed by my decision to swap a steady career for an uncertain one.
My sisters who not only read the first drafts but gave me candid feedback.
My brothers-in-law, Vikram and Deepak, for patiently reading through the first chapters and giving me a refreshingly different perspective.
Seema for a resounding endorsement and Ratee for her constant cheering.
Marisa, Minu’s friend, who read the initial chapters minutely, giving me the first ever editorial feedback. She was also the first to suggest the manuscript should be shared with publishers.
Vinnu who set the ball rolling in the right direction!
Roshini, my fabulous editor at Penguin. Her sharp insights pulled me back from the smaller details to the larger picture, allowing me to view the entire story arc from many different angles, pointing out the strengths that I had seemingly lost track of! I cannot thank her enough for her belief in the book and her painstaking help in turning it into a tautly written tale.
Smit for her conviction in the story and her kind introduction to Roshini.
Trisha for her patience and precise copy edits.
Rujuta for an evocative and attractive cover design.
Srisha, more a sister than a friend, for always taking time out from her crazy doctor’s schedule to read my stories.
Simren, Vandana, Kavita, Renuka, Payal, Vineeta, Sumati, Michael with whom I shared many short stories and who read each with unfailing enthusiasm.
All the writers who I have read so far, for inspiring me with their creativity, their imaginations, their words.
And finally, Swami Vivekananda. I met him at a very young age, introduced as I was to him by my father. His life affirming philosophy forms the foundation for this tale, a philosophy that assures us of that Freedom which is our birth right and inheritance.