The Talk
Does the fiction writer have a role in society? Why are stories told, and why are they read or listened to? Surgeon and novelist Kavery Nambisan reflects upon the purpose of story-telling in her talk: Writing with the Scalpel, Healing with a Pen and she also touches upon the art of fiction. She will also read from her new novel, The Story That Must Not Be Told.
Kavery Nambisan
Kavery Nambisan holds a Baccalaureate in medicine and surgery from St John’s Medical College, Bangalore, and Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, London
She has done most of her medical and surgical work in rural India and is a member of the Association of Rural Surgeons of India in which she was a member of the governing council. The Association believes in taking good quality care at a low cost to the ordinary people.
Accomplishments:
- Tata Excellence Award for medical work in 2001.
- International Writing Fellowship, University of Iowa, USA 2007.
- Fullbright sponsored writer for a symposium of Home/Homeland in Greece in 2008.
Writing career (most recent first)
Kavery is also an accomplished writer. The following are her publications.
The Story That Must Not Be Told. Viking/Penguin to be released in October 2010. It was shortlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2008.
The Hills of Angheri. Penguin India 2005: a story about a surgeon battling the conflicts between city and rural practice.
On Wings of Butterflies, Penguin India 2002: a feminist farce about the war between women and men
Mango-coloured Fish, Penguin India 1998: a young woman studies the marriages of those she knows while wondering about her own choice. Shortlisted for the Crossword Book Award, 1999.
The Scent of Pepper, Penguin India 1996: the story of three generations of a martial community deeply influenced by British settlement
Reprinted in the UK by Penguin, 2001; translated into Malayalam 2002
The Truth (almost) about Bharat, Penguin India 1991: a medical student takes off on a wild motorcycle journey across India, meeting bandits, politicians – and doctors. Reissued by Penguin India 2002.
All five novels are still in print and can be got from www.flipkart.com , www.buybooks.com or www.penguinbooksindia.com
One of her stories for children won a UNICEF award and was serialised on the National TV channel.
She is also working on a non-fiction book tentatively titled: “Why should Health be a Luxury Item?” for Penguin India.
