"Writing is Meditative" says Ms.Advaita Kala

                      Mr.Santhosh Kumar Kana, Dr.Cicy Roy Mathew(Principal) & Ms.Advaita Kala

"Writing is meditative and the best way to be a good writer is to be a good reader" said Ms.Advaita Kala during her interaction with the students of Class XII commerce and science at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Embassy of India, Kathmandu on 22.09.12. The session started at 1.00 pm when Mr. Santhosh Kumar Kana, PGT-English introduced her and Dr. Cicy Roy Mathew, Principal welcomed her on behalf of the students and staff. The fact that she was a student of KV, Kathmandu in the year 1986 made her visit special for her, the students and the staff as well. She was quite excited about this unique and memorable opportunity to visit her alma mater and interact with the students and staff who know her as the story writer of the films "Anjaana Anjaani" and "Kahaani".

By her informal approach she made the students and teachers comfortable and there followed a spate of questions on creative writing, working in films etc. Here are the snippets from her response:

• I am basically very fond of thrillers and i have loved watching "The Unusual Suspects" and "The Sixth Sense".
• I find writing a book or a column more satisfying and appealing than writing for films because films are the result of a collaborative work whereas writing is a very female-friendly activity that can be done at one's convenience.
• Being a hotelier, i have come across people who have inspired me profoundly. For example, Mr. Vinod Bhatia. I feel Hospitality is an underrated profession though the scenario is changing gradually.
• I too went through many career options when I was a student. I wanted to be an engine driver at one point!!! I think most people take wrong decisions because they don't have money.
• Though there is an element of "luck" in everything, I strongly believe that Hard work is the basis of all and  I believe in Karma/dharma that your success shouldn't be at the cost of somebody's hardwork.
• An artist is who needs an environment of love and reinforcement. He/she should have a job that liberates them.Writing is more a question of "Who I am" than "What I do".Writing is therapeutic and I used to write at a very early age but I got them published quite later. 

She distributed the prizes to the Best Student Teachers and found time to write a line for each on their prize books. Leaving her signature and comments on a chart that carried the line "Dear Alumnus, Welcome Home", she thanked the Principal, staff and students for making it a memorable day of her life. The visitors' book of K.V.Kathmandu now carries a message from a celebrity alumnus.