Akhila Saroha: I would like to begin by congratulating you on the publication of “Why the Silhouette?” How has the response to the book been so far?
Avijeet Das: Thank you for your lovely wishes for my novel. The response has been really great. Within a few weeks of its launch, “Why the Silhouette?” grabbed the 3rd rank among Amazon’s Movers & Shakers list. And now more and more readers are purchasing their copies of my book and enjoying reading it.
Akhila Saroha: What led to the idea of writing “Why the Silhouette?” Were there any events that inspired the work?
Avijeet Das: Sports, Friendships, Love, Chasing Dreams, and Life are the inspirations behind writing my novel “Why the Silhouette?” I have been a passionate football and cricket player in school and college, and I have represented my college in Inter College matches. So, the backdrop of “Why the Silhouette?” has a passion for Football. Further, the friendships and bonds that I formed in school, college, and later in the organizations, where I have worked in Delhi, Dehradun, and Kathmandu have inspired me to write about the friendships, and bondings in my novel.
Akhila Saroha: How easy or difficult was it for you to set the narrative in a different time and build characters who had the impressions of the present time in “Why the Silhouette?”
Avijeet Das: To be honest, it was the most interesting part of writing “Why the Silhouette?” The desire was to keep the narrative interesting and surprising, initiating from a nail-biting football tournament final-match and a flashback and then to come back to the present time.
Akhila Saroha: What are your views about present-day writing? Do you think it does complete justice in depicting human nature in the light of “Why the Silhouette?”
Avijeet Das: Writing and writers evolve through time. And I feel the present day writers are playing their part in depicting human nature in all its frailties and idiosyncrasies.
Akhila Saroha: “Why the Silhouette?” shows the uniqueness of your style of writing. Are there any authors that you enjoy reading or any books which are your favorites?
Avijeet Das: Reading books has been a passion for me, since my school days. I have always loved reading Sidney Sheldon, Jeffrey Archer, Robert Ludlum, and John Grisham books. Later, I discovered the books of some of my idols, like the books of Ernest Hemingway, Franz Kafka, and Charles Bukowski. And I am a big fan of the Japanese writer Haruki Murakami. I can never get enough of reading Murakami at any place or time.
Akhila Saroha: How would you categorize “Why the Silhouette?” as its appeal seems to be to a broad audience?
Avijeet Das: “Why the Silhouette?” is meant for all lovers of stories. The themes of living on your own, ups and downs of life, sports, travel, chasing dreams, falling in love, separation, family, struggles, will appeal to all people.
Akhila Saroha: “Why the Silhouette?” has given a powerful introduction to your potential as a writer. Can the readers expect more from you in the future? Please share about your future projects.
Avijeet Das: Thank you for your inspiring words for my writing. I am just enjoying this moment of sharing the story of “Why the Silhouette?” with all the readers. And for sure, I would start the process again of writing a new novel that would excite the readers and me.
Akhila Saroha: What is the story behind the title of your work, “Why the Silhouette?”
Avijeet Das: Art and Artists have always had a great impact on me. I love Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting, “The Mona Lisa.” As you know, Da Vinci created an optical illusion in this painting. If you look at her mouth, you would feel that the woman in “the Mona Lisa” is sad and melancholy. But if you look at her eyes, you would feel that she seems happy and cheerful. This was done by Da Vinci’s technique called the “sfumato technique.” The word “sfumato” comes from the Italian language and is derived from fumo (“smoke”, “fume”). “Sfumato” translated into English means soft, vague, or blurred.
Inspired by Da Vinci, I have tried to create an illusion in “Why the Silhouette,” and it is for the readers to find it. Hence, the title “Why the Silhouette?”
Akhila Saroha: How easy or difficult was it for you to create the characters and show the story from their eyes and the eyes of a third-person narrator without hampering the readers’ perception in “Why the Silhouette?
Avijeet Das: Yes, this is the most important part of the entire novel. The story has seven characters, and I want the readers to understand the psyche of each character in “Why the Silhouette?” Hence, I have depicted their unique perspectives and then blended them into the main narrative!
Akhila Saroha: In the present time, stories featuring people like your characters in “Why the Silhouette?” do not find much mention. What, according to you, could be the possible reason for that?
Avijeet Das: And this is the reason for me to write and tell stories featuring people like the characters in “Why the Silhouette?” That other writers are not doing this gives me more reasons to write about such characters.
Akhila Saroha: If you were to describe your book “Why the Silhouette?” in a few words without giving any spoilers, what would those words be?
Avijeet Das: Three words to describe my novel would be – Live, Laugh, and Love!
Akhila Saroha: What advice would you give to budding writers who may be planning to write in the same genre as “Why the Silhouette?”?
Avijeet Das: My advice to budding writers, who may be planning to write in the same genre, would be to tell the story in their own way. Every writer is gifted and talented and they must bring forth their own voice in telling their stories.
Akhila Saroha: Thank you very much for sparing your time. I look forward to reading more books from you in the future. All the best.
Avijeet Das: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for understanding the essence and fragrance of my words and for penning such a delightful review of “Why the Silhouette?”
Why the Silhouette