Urban landscape

But, besides the magical realism of Marquez8217;s novels, there was little scope of broaching the urban reality of everyday Colombia convulsed by paramilitary forces, drug lords and hit men. 8220;At the age of 16, I had the desire to become a writer. Sometimes, I considered it my bad luck and wished I was born in Lima where urban literature flourished and I could write about big cities,8221; says Gamboa, 42, who recently moved to Delhi. He is part of the group of young Colombian writers who are cranking out dark, realistic novels, a departure from Marquez.

For him, it is not just a question of giving an identity to Bogota, the capital of Colombia in literature, but also to talk about the problems that deal with social reality. His book The Ulysses Syndrome 2005 is a gripping tale of a young immigrant writer who washes dishes in an oriental kitchen, while his latest novel Hotel Pekiacute;n talks about Colombian Francisco Muneacute;var who adopts an American identity to become the 8220;star trainer8221; of an American assistance company. 8220;When I was in Paris, it was difficult to find a street which had not appeared in Marcel Proust or Honoreacute; Balzac8217;s books,8221; smiles Gamboa. 8220;This propelled us more into giving a definite identity to the Bogota we grew up in,8221; he adds.

He does not deny that coming from Colombia gives a sad advantage to writers. 8220;Yes,it does, in a way, with the situation around us,8221; shares Gamboa, who has also written about Paris from the vantage point of Madrid and Rome from the vantage point of Paris.

Will the move to Delhi influence his literary works? 8220;There is a striking similarity between Bogota and Delhi and it may feature in my works,8221; he replies.

Up next, Gamboa will be bringing out an anthology of stories by Colombian writers. Literary gatherings and discussions with Colombian writers in Delhi are also on the cards.