It may be the story of someone else, but there is 'us' in 'them': G R Indugopan

“An author cannot be seen different from his characters. While on the process of creating a character, the author goes through a transmission of soul. I have lived through all the situations of my characters. In fact, I have undergone a body swap.” opined writer Subash Chandran while speaking at the Mathrubhumi Festival of Letters. Writers C V Balakrishnan, G R Indugopan and Lajo Jose were the other speakers in the session “Kathayile Njanum, Kadhakaranum”. The session also witnessed the release of the book “Kadhayum Kadhapathrangalude Sangalpamalla ” by writer P V Shaji Kumar 

Talking on the point, C V Balakrishnan stood firm on the thought that the author and his characters are separate individuals by themselves. “Though the author may tell the story in first person narrative using “I”, it is quite understood that it is not the author, but the character that is talking. Readers have the literacy to understand this”, he said.

Despite the fact that we are telling the story of another person, there is us in them, commented G R Indugopan. “Even the subtle nuances and characteristics of a character bear the reflections of the writer”, he said.

Lajo Jose agreed on the point and said that the characters and the author are like Mahavishnu and its ten avatars.