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Manalika Das
@Manalika · 1:11
In conversation with Harish Kamath; author of "A Philadelphia Story"
Harish started writing a Philadelphia story during the COVID lockdown in 2020 and completed it in early 2023. While the story is almost entirely fictional, the author was inspired by many events of his own life, so don't forget to join tomorrow at 01:00 p.m.. Sharp. Thank you
Harish Kamath
@ha19018 · 0:15
Hello Manalika. Thank you very much for the introduction. I'm eagerly looking forward to talking with you tomorrow and I will catch up with you then. Thanks. Bye
Manalika Das
@Manalika · 0:17
Hello, everyone. So, who all are ready to understand the deep complexities of life through the medium of literature? I am sure all of you are. So now I'll invite Mr. Harish Kamath, author of a Philadelphia story. Hello, sir. I cannot wait to have a conversation with
Harish Kamath
@ha19018 · 0:14
Hello, Manalika. Thank you very much for agreeing to interview me. I'm here available to answer any of your questions. Thanks
Manalika Das
@Manalika · 0:16
Alright, sir. So my first question is somewhat related to your personal life. So how did your experience working for companies like towers, parent, eds and HP contribute to your understanding of human relationships, which seems to be a central theme in your book?
Swell Team
@Swell · 0:15
Harish Kamath
@ha19018 · 3:17
And to that extent at least, you come away from that interaction a wiser person, somewhat changed person. So in that sense, all the people I've worked with in these companies contributed to a better understanding of human relationships for me. There were some great people whom I worked with there, and we had some good times. And now that I've come back for good, I think. I think about them quite a lot and often miss them. We used to be like a family
Manalika Das
@Manalika · 1:28
So I do understand the fact that there are a lot of people who actually changes your perception, molds your perception, and do a lot of things, which definitely contributes towards your growth and understand standing. So my next question for you would be, what inspired you to explore the story of an indian couple living in the US for your book set in Philadelphia? I am pretty sure there must be some reason behind it
Harish Kamath
@ha19018 · 4:03
Because after that, I could write the way I wanted to make up anything, make up some of the facts when I didn't remember something. Not everything needed to be authentic, which would it would have to for a memoir. So basically, that's how this whole book came about, started life as a memoir, and then at the start of 2023, it became a fictional novel. Thanks
Manalika Das
@Manalika · 1:27
I decided to write a particular fictional story, and I had two, three chapters in my mind that, yeah, the story will progress in this particular way, but I basically thought that, yeah, when I'll keep on writing words and story, the entire story will come up in my mind and it will go with the flow, but it did not happen that way. After six, seven chapters, I did not know how to go with the story
Harish Kamath
@ha19018 · 5:00
So to come back to your question regarding the cultural nuances and what research I had to do, I didn't have to do a lot of research because I have lived through it. I went to America as a student back in 1998, and after studying at Temple University for two years, I joined tower sparring in the year 2000. So the indian american experience that you're talking about is something that I have seen firsthand
Harish Kamath
@ha19018 · 0:35
Hello. Sorry. Got cut off there because I'd reached the time limit. So to complete what I was going to say, the indian american experience is something that I have experienced firsthand. And a lot of those memories are still alive for me. And all I had to do was just sit down and start thinking back to the time that I'd spent there in America. And eventually it all came back to me. No research required. Thank you
Manalika Das
@Manalika · 0:57
I am very happy that it does not happen in India. However, I cannot even resonate with the people in America and their emotions because I've never been through these situations. Right. But you living there and experiencing all these things might definitely had an impact over your novel. So I do understand this. So, sir, you also mentioned that a lot of people contributed to your understanding of human relations, and wherever you went, you got some perspective from people out there
Harish Kamath
@ha19018 · 4:25
My real life experiences. I think I've already mentioned that the book started life as a memoir of the events surrounding the birth of my son, but then I changed it into a fictional novel earlier this year. But even the fictional part of the book has a kernel of truth to it. Having written two books, I think I can stick my neck out and say that writers have to write from their own experiences
Manalika Das
@Manalika · 0:52
So you have taken information, you have taken stories, you have taken perceptions from people, situations and experiences that you have, have gone through in your life, and you have weaved them together and made something which we can call a fictional story. So it's both facts and fiction weaved together, which makes it kind of an interesting read. So my next question for you would be, can you discuss the significance of Philadelphia as the backdrop for your story and how it influenced the narrative?
Harish Kamath
@ha19018 · 3:20
Before we continue, Manalika, I just want to be clear. Have you read the book or have you not? Because I had the impression earlier that you had read the book, but then your last question made me think maybe you haven't
Manalika Das
@Manalika · 1:21
Hello? No, sir, I've not read your novel yet. However, I've researched a lot about it. About the characters, about the story, the plot, the overview, and whatever your novel offers. I've also read about the reviews of the people who have read your novel. But before reading it myself, I wanted to ask certain questions to you regarding the background and themes of your novel, which I did in this particular interview
Harish Kamath
@ha19018 · 0:40
Thank you, Manalika, for interviewing me. And I wish you all the best with your creative effort. And to reiterate, if you need any help, I'm always available. You can maybe send me a message and I'll take a look at whatever you what. Whatever problem that you're having. And I do hope you read my book as well. You said you would. So you have to keep your promise and let me know what you think. All right? Thank you. Bye
Harish Kamath
@ha19018 · 0:40
Thank you. Ranjana. I hope you will take the opportunity to read my book and share your thoughts about it with me. And I too would like to read some of your work. If you could recommend just one of your books or your poems for me to read as an introduction to your work, I'd be happy to take a look. Thanks
Ranjana Kamo
@Gamechanger · 1:04
Thank you for your kind words, Harish. I'll definitely check out your book. And if you're interested in motivational and self help books, you could look at the mission, work, life, harmony, or the mystery of utmost happiness. And if you are interested in reading fiction, you could go for hardborn or beyond the sunset it. And in case you like mysteries, then blind Chase is the one. Of course, for poetry there is treasured perspectives
Harish Kamath
@ha19018 · 0:24
Thank you, Ranjana. I think I'll definitely check out blind chase. Because I've always been a fan of mysteries and also maybe attitude. That sounds interesting. I'll let you know what I think after I've finished. Thank you
Hi, Manalika. Really, thank you so much for bringing this conversations with Harish Kamath. I actually listen to Harish Wells a lot, and I have a good understanding of him as an author and all. So, through this conversation, you have unveiled so many things about him, and I really got to know him, know him in a more informative manner and all. So, thank you so much for that. So, I have one question for Harish
Harish Kamath
@ha19018 · 4:57
Your other two questions are somewhat related, so I'll try to answer them both together as best as I can. What precautions to take, and how a new writer can proceed with the publication of their first book. See, you will be surprised. I really don't know. I'm still trying to figure things out. I'm basically a writer, not a marketing person. Writing is my forte. I'm really good at writing