Amish, the author who revived readers’ interest in mythology with his Shiva trilogy, in conversation with moderator Smita Chaudhary and residents (not in picture) in Patna on Friday during a promotion tour for his new book Scion of Ikshvaku. The former banker became a full-time writer after serving the finance industry for over a decade. From the Shiva trilogy — The Immortals of Meluha, The Secret of the Nagas and The Oath of the Vayuputras — Amish has now moved on to Lord Ram. He said: “I was a banker and started writing my first book just for my family. But after it was completed, it was rejected by publication houses over 20 times. I won’t blame the publishers. Then, there was no craze for mythology in English language. I am glad that the trilogy was a great success.” Offering readers in the audience small details from the new book, the author said: “I won’t say much on the book but anyone who has read the (Shiva) trilogy would get clues to this series. It is about Lord Ram and his scions, how he turned into a Purushottam and then a God.” The hall at AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies — the venue for the session with Amish — was jam-packed with fans of the young writer. Abha Tripathi (65) said: “The young writer has revived interest in mythology without damaging facts. The fusion of science and mythology has made many people believers.” 

Text by Shambhavi Singh, picture by Jai Prakash