When Sireesha did the cover reveal post on LinkedIn, I just put a like and let it be. When Divya posted the author videos, I merely re-posted. I put a like on several of the co-authors’ posts and didnt engage. I refused to do the author video because I couldn’t bring myself to be on video without Krishnan…..
On Aug 27th, the author copy of the anthology of essays titled “Echoes of Becoming” was delivered to me…. It was expected on the 29th (today) but got delivered ahead of schedule. I asked Amma to do the honours of unboxing it and something inside me flickered. A sense of engagement with the “book project”.
How it All Started ..
On March 26, 2025 I received a text from Divya asking me if I would like to collaborate with a few like minded folks to write a book. I said “yes” immediately as I have been writing since am 7 or 8 years old but haven’t got a book published ever. The initial group of authors were all first time authors and tentative (rightfully so !). We kept telling each other that we will take it one step at a time and even if nothing comes off it, we will simply be happy that we connected over the idea.
We had regular calls and slowly the chapters took shape. The deadlines kept moving but finally we were making progress. Then Divya found our editor, Manisha Sobhrajani. What a find !! Much later I found out that she is my ex-colleague Sahiba’s sister. Small world indeed.
With Manisha onboard, things picked up pace. Divya also brought in a few more writers, some who were a little more experienced than others, but everyone was just as committed to telling their story.
Disaster Strikes & ….. I Give Up
Just when there was a little lull in the project, my world crashed around my ears on Jan 23rd when Krishnan quit living in the physical plane.
I logged out of every group, every project, and just refused to engage with the world. I truly wished to quit living in the physical plane because there is no “life” for me if Krishnan wasn’t around…..
Towards the end of Feb, Divya pinged me tentatively asking about the chapter that Krishnan and I wrote. She wanted me to complete it and review the editorial changes that Manisha had made. I tried wriggling out of the project itself. Didn’t want to hold it up because that wouldn’t have been fair to the other authors. Divya persisted….
On April 28, a full two months after Divya’s prompt, I finally managed to send back our chapter with some additional edits. I also added something in the end by way of a tribute to Krishnan. I guess Krishnan was the one who pushed me to complete the chapter through Divya because as my friends know, there is truly nobody other than Krishnan who can change my mind.
The rest is a blur… I don’t remember when this beautiful name “Echoes of Becoming” was chosen. I didnt help with anything at all. It has been Divya, Sireesha and Nitesh who have led the whole project and if you have a copy of the book in your hands, it’s because of these three.
The Published Copy
Amma unboxing the author copy of “Echoes of Becoming” –
Holding a copy of the book where Krishnan and I have written a chapter along with 14 other amazing writers was special. For all these seven months since Krishnan’s passing, I have been largely numb. Even something disastrous happening didnt spark any feeling. Maybe it is my coping mechanism. But the book, brought in a tiny flutter of happiness. Something which was written by Krishnan and me will remain long after we are gone … I guess that’s what flickered in my mind just then.
How to Buy
Echoes of Becoming will be launched on Sept 7 to yet another special coincidence. It’s both Sireesha’s birthday and Krishnan and my anniversary. I am convinced it’s Krishnan’s nudge from the other shore.
Check out the website – Echoes Of Becoming.
Pre-Order Link – Echoes of Becoming Pre-order
Please do buy Echoes of Becoming, you will find a slice of life that you resonate with. These essays are real life, “lived” stories, even though some stories may feel unreal…. some of the struggles may seem too much, but each essay is honest and authentic. All of them will touch a chord and one or two of them will touch your heart for sure.