RM: Your book seems to be well researched. What all are the
sources, from where you pick up the information?
AT: The main sources for this book are my father’s inputs
and The Book of Indian Animals by S. H. Prater. Some research has been done
online too.
RM: What are the prominent forests that you have visited?
Any special forest which you want to visit and study the wild life of that
area?
AT: I think each forest is prominent in its own right. And
I’ve liked every forest that I’ve visited till date. Be it the forests of
Dandeli in Southern India or the Black Forest in Germany or the semi-arid
forests of Sumer in Rajasthan.
I
do not study wildlife. I enjoy wildlife and the jungles.
RM: How much time it took you to finish the book- Do tigers
drink blood and 13 other mysteries?
AT: It took me around two months.
RM: Any more such books in pipeline? Would you like to share
some future projects?
AT: There are two more to be released this year, hopefully.
One is called The Steed of the Jungle God to be published by NBT (National Book
Trust). It is a non-fiction book for adults. It is on 70+ years of experiences
in the jungles of the Aravalis, the phenomena which he has come across that can
be attributed to ghosts and spirits, and his quest for rational explanations
behind the same.
The
other is also non-fiction book but for children: The Wild in Our Backyards. It is
to be published by Penguin (Puffin). When we think about wild animals, we think
of the jungles. But there are a plethora of them living in our own backyards
and homes.
I
am also writing the fourth part of the Iora fantasy series for young adults
based in a rainforest. The first book Iora & the Quest of Five was released
in 2012. Since then I’ve written the second and third novels of the series
(Iora & the Realm of Legends and Iora & the Eyes of the Past) but they
haven’t been published as yet. The series would be released once I complete
writing all the six books.
RM: What is the toughest thing when one writes books for the
kids?
AT: I do not find it tough to write for kids. Or for adults
for that matter. Writing is just a matter of delight; be it writing stories or
penning down factual information in a fun way.
RM: Who is your inspiration? What do you do to relax?
AT: I’m often asked about my inspiration. Who has time for
inspirations? I just sit down and write. My father is the one who introduced me
to writing. And Aditya, my partner, pestered me to take the writing more
seriously.
My
idea of relaxing is watching a movie or reading a book; living the lives of
others through stories. But nothing relaxes me like travel. And nothing settles
me like travel.
