Sreeja Raman: Write-at-home mom, bilingual writer and translator

1) How long have you been writing or when did you start? As a child, did you ever think about being an author?

Of course, yes. It’s a long-cherished dream come true. I began writing down my fantasies as soon as I learned the alphabet. Once, much to the amazement of everyone around me, I had a poem published in a famous children’s magazine; I was just six years old then. Later, each
time I win a prize for creative writing in school or college, people predict a bright future for me as a promising writer. For me, it’s all about keeping myself motivated. So, whenever I received such positive reinforcement, I began to fantasize about becoming a published author.

2) What inspired the idea for your book?

I am a freelance writer who works on different writing tasks based on demand. I once received an assignment to translate a 100-page book from Malayalam into English. It was a detailed book on a traditional festival, Thrissur Pooram. Because I am writing it in English, the primary goal was to communicate the essence of the event to a global audience without losing its soul and spirit. So, to get the specifics of the traditional aspects, I did extensive research. With each new piece of information, I was inspired to dig deeper and spread the word. This book is essentially a collection of those reflections.

3) Could you elaborate on the significance of the title “In Search of Philosia?”

The term Philosia perfectly sums up Indian philosophy, as defined by Herman Hesse. As per Hesse, Indian philosophy is something to be seen and experienced. My book was titled Decoding an Indian Festival because I was decoding the incredible elements of a traditional Indian festival for someone who doesn’t know much about India. Needless to say, to decode anything traditional, we must delve deep into its roots, which, in India, are closely linked to philosophical tenets. The book describes this expedition, which consequently leads to a search for Philosia.

4) How much research did you need to do for your book? 

It took me 12 years to complete this book. It was more of an expedition than research, with extensive travel and interactions playing an important role. Unlearning was a major part of that mission.

5) What part of the book did you struggle to write?

Writing about traditional practices can be challenging due to the use of specific jargon and references that may be unfamiliar to readers as well as writers. Getting a handle on these concepts, their meaning, and how they relate to the modern world is the true test. For me, writing about Tantra was the most taxing. I had to interact with scores of Tantric scholars to simplify it for the common man, especially those who do not know much about such ancient
practices in India.

6) What perspectives or beliefs have you challenged with this work?

Well, India is often portrayed as a mysterious and mystical land. However, I disagree with this depiction. People tend to use such adjectives when they find something difficult to understand. Moreover, they often generalize everything about India, including its people, culture, and religion, based on information from books or media, which may not be accurate or up-to-date. To truly comprehend the essence of this land, one must explore it personally, as India is a land of seekers, not believers. In my book, I aim to encourage readers to discover for themselves how profound and credible. India is beyond its superficial & incredible image.

7) What has been the toughest criticism you have received as an author?

Following the release of this book, some of my readers criticized me for approaching a complex and extensive topic in a casual and informal style. I intentionally chose this approach for a reason. See, when it comes to articles or books on this particular topic, there is a general tendency among people to brush them aside for the authoritarian and outdated tone the text carries. Later, while discussing this topic, they tend to label it as mysterious, incredible, or absurd because they don’t know much about it.  I do not want to tread on that Achilles’ heel anymore.

8. What has been the best compliment you have received for this book?

The best compliment I’ve ever received is from none other than Dr.Shashi Tharoor. While going through the book, he told me, “Perhaps you would be the first to author a book discussing the connection between the rituals and philosophy of India.” When he generously gifted me an appreciation note for this book, he wrote, “I genuinely believe that this book has the potential to reshape perspectives, allowing readers to connect with the Indian psyche on a profound level.”

 9. How challenging was it to convey the profound nature of the Indian psyche and its spiritual essence through rituals and festivals?

To begin with, I must clarify that this book doesn’t delve deeply into the profundity of India. Exploring spirituality is not a one-and-done deal but rather a journey that each individual must do on their own. As we all know, India is a nation of seekers, not believers. The only thing I am trying to do in this book is lay the groundwork for those who want to do more research on their own rather than simply accept everything that other people throw their way.