Quest for change

Books not only capture human emotions in their raw form but also view them in a new light. While they take over the reader’s world,they also act as therapy for the writer. In the story teller’s mind,each word makes up for all the emotional vacuums that exist. When corporate communicator Rohan Gogoi decided to pursue this art,it was not only because of his literary craving but also because of the urge to bring out a story that one could relate to. Titled Chasing Maya,he began working on the book in 2007 and it will be published in early January or February 2011 by Global Vision Press.

The novel deals with the protagonist Siddharth Kumar’s mid-life crisis and his quest to turn it into an opportunity for understanding himself in the best possible way. Gogoi feels that this theme is a reflection of the mindset of the present generation. He shares,“I feel this book is like an attempt at self-discovery for the protagonist,when he realises that there is a vacuum in his life and thus sets out on a journey of revelations.” Does this theme also have anything in common with his own life? “Well,a writer can only take inspiration from around him. Yes,certain instances are common,but otherwise my life is pretty mundane as compared to the main character of my book,” he says.

The writer confesses that he had to work very hard to get a publisher. “Writing is easy for a writer,but marketing yourself and selling your work is a challenge. Before I finally got this book published,I had to go through eight publishers. But going by the way Indian writers are flourishing,I think opportunities have opened up and a new wave of confidence has set in. I gained a lot of confidence in myself after reading the stories penned by people from different age groups. It’s a good sign,” says he. The author,who follows Jungian Psychology literature,also feels that his book shows the psychological journey of the hero. “I think what makes it more interesting is the way his life develops so closely in accordance to so many psychological principles,” he says.

Gogoi is now planning to write a book on the minority groups in India and he has already begun with his research. He reveals,“I have stayed in Pune for 15 years,but I am from Nagaon in Assam and I have seen a lot of minority groups. I am interested in the subject and I have also started traveling extensively for the same.”