A comic, hilarious tale about romance tangled up in the complex politics of rural Bengal, The Shotgun Wedding is a sparkling debut showing us, once again, the power of love. We caught up with the Singapore based author of Indian origin, Suchandra Roychowdhury and here are some of the excerpts from the conversation.
1. Tell us about yourself and your academics?
I am Ms. Suchandra Roychowdhury. Born and brought up in Calcutta, I have always nourished a passion for literature. My educational qualifications are built around my areas of interest, I have secured an MA in English Literature from Presidency College and an MPhil from Calcutta University. I am NET qualified and have taught in several Government Colleges of West Bengal. Currently, I am located in Singapore and following a career-path of teaching IB English Lan-guage and Literature and Theory of Knowledge to Junior College students in Global Indian International School.
2. Tell us about your work and about your passion, profession including achievements that you have till now.
I would like to describe myself as a litterateur and incorrigible bibliophile. Indeed, it is my love for books which has set me off on a journey of self-realisation whereby I can add my own pages to the immense treasure trove of literature that exists in the world we inhabit. That makes me a teacher by profession, and a writer in search of stories that have never been told before. Early this year, in the month of February, 2022, my debut novel “The Shotgun Wedding” was published by Aleph Book Company. The reception of the book has been very favourable thus far and it managed to climb up to the ranks of Aleph’s bestsellers, this year.
3. What have been the good and bad experiences about your journey?
A journey is always a fulfilment in itself, it lets you explore all the hidden depths of your own character that you never even imagined you had. That I could write and publish a novel was a wonder in itself, seeing “The Shotgun Wedding” on the stands of popular bookstores across India was sheer joy. Yet, I will also have to say that it is a gruelling task for a debut author to find a publisher, I will not say that it was the bad part of the experience, it was simply a learning curve. You have to keep trying despite the rejections that come your way. Finally, I am happy that Aleph liked my manuscript and had faith enough to publish it.
4. What message would you like to give for all our readers and all who dream to achieve so much like you?
You really have to move out of your comfort zone. push the boundaries of your imagination if you want to achieve anything of consequence. Sometimes it helps to be a risk taker, even if you fail you would know it in your heart that you did try your best.
5. Your inspiration and why?
My inspiration has always been my father, Mr. Subra- ta Dasgupta, it is from him that I derive my love of lit- erature. He has always encouraged me to write. He is in this world no more, but I know he would have been the happiest person on earth to see “The Shotgun Wedding” published so elegantly. I have dedicated my debut venture to the memory of my father.
6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
Why only five years, maybe all the years that I walk this planet, I would just like to continue writing. I would love to see some more of my books published. Currently, I am writing a historical novel, hoping to see it in print soon!
