Meeting Ms Sudha Murty : A young author’s dream day I Blog By Aashritha,13, Bangalore

Meeting Ms Sudha Murty : A young author’s dream day 

Recently, I had the most surreal experience ever. I had my dream fulfilled, word for word, and left with an experience I will cherish forever. Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting my hero since the age of 5, Ms Sudha Murty! I even had the great honour of giving to her a copy of my book, a fact my mind still refuses to accept.

I have been a huge fan of hers since I read Grandmother’s Bag of Stories, one of my favourite books to this day. When I first read her books, I was captivated by the simple yet masterful language used to convey stories which seemed to come from the heart. I spent hours pondering why I was so attached to these books, especially The Magic of The Lost Temple. I eventually realised that it was because Ms Sudha Murty’s books were unique in that they had an essence of reality deeply ingrained in them. Since that day, I vied to include some element or crux of reality in all my stories, a technique I am eternally grateful to have learnt from her.

Seeing her for the first time, I froze. A living legend, my role model, standing before my eyes. She radiated an aura of positivity, wit and wisdom which was infectious and soon managed to put everyone at ease.

When I was called on stage to give her my book, the gentle gravity of her speech reminded me of my own grandparents!

The affectionate enquiries about my book and my age when I wrote my book, ‘Unheard Voices of the Mahabharata’ were heartwarming.

Her question and answer based seminar was among the best experiences in my life and one I will cherish forever. The thoughtful and considerate way in which she answered all the questions led to me to make a firm resolution- to strive to be, above all else, a good person, a kind person and one that my younger self would be proud of.

To have had the honour to actually stand on the same stage as my role model and inspiration and to have had the privilege of taking her blessings is a miracle, a wonder, and an experience I will never forget for as long as I exist.

I am forever grateful to my school Vidya Niketan and Vithani Ma’am for giving me an opportunity to fulfil my dream and getting me to meet the person who inspired me to pick up a pen in the first place.

By Aashritha Surya Prakash, 13, Bangalore

Aashritha is the author of ‘Mahabharata : Unheard Voices’, a brilliant book on the back stories of five flawed characters of Mahabharata- Ashwatthama, Shakuni, Gandhari, Vidura and Uttaraa. The book has received accolades from readers of all ages.

More about the book here :

Mahabharata- Unheard Voices | A collection of stories