On 22nd October, 2019 ,Hiranandani International School was graced by the presence of aceIndian mythological and historical fiction writer, Mr.Aditya Iyengar whose works are primarily enthused by the epic treatise like Mahabharata and Ramayana. His booksrange from the assorted enclosures of feminist re-imagining to the heart-wrenching episodes of Abhimanyu demise. The action, in the new book,The Thirteenth Day and its sequel resumes in the gory and imbrued backdrop of the Mahabharata war. Our principal, Mrs. Kalyani Patnaik, felicitated the guest , with succinct introduction and initiated a refreshingly candid and informal interaction with the students.
Mr. Iyengar reflected on how reading shapes lives and transference one to the new horizons of learning. He said that he could understand the colossalreimbursements of reading in his early years, his intriguing temperament and ardour for classics kindled the flame to get acquainted with the magnanimous mythologies. He opined that the mythologies give the insight into the illustrious culture and its exuberance.To foster the habit of reading , he propounded that reading not only assist one to get the locus of the world but also assembles the ethos of life like love, sympathy empathy, compassion. He stated that reading sojourns one into the realm without any limitations and a person there can satiate the thirst of knowledge from the myriad arenas .The surprise on the students’ faces was palpable when the speaker shared some quirks and eccentricities of a few renowned authors like Stan Lee and Mark Twain. He also shared the anecdotes from the lives of the accomplished authors .
The exuberant and spirited budding authors, had a plethora of questions for the speaker. From enquiring about how to design a book cover to asking about the speaker’s favourite book, his inspiration and his future plans as an author. The vibrancy in the room was unrivalled, as he shared some of the enthralling instances from his school days.
To add to the effervescence, Mr. Aditya asked the students to jot down the three most treasured books , they have read and would highly recommend their comrades to read it.The studentswere beguiled by the wisdom of the mythologies,expressed their inclination to buy autographed editions of the book. It was truly elevating to witness ,students taking acute interest in the plush Indian classics.
This is yet another feather in the cap as the Reader’s Club of the school has undertaken many such initiatives for its avid booklovers and hosted many renowned authors in the past.
- Yogita Agni