Meeting the celebrated Malayalam author Paul Zacharia last weekend was nothing short of déjà vu. It took me straight back to my school days, when I would eagerly look up the authors whose works we studied, often checking their introductions to see if they were still alive. That curiosity would lead me to write letters asking questions about their literature, and the greatest joy was receiving a reply in an inland letter. Imagine the excitement of hearing back from an author whose work you had read in a classroom! Those letters were little treasures.
Meeting Zacharia brought back that same feeling, except this time, I could meet the author, listen to his thoughts, and ask my questions in person.
What struck me most about Zacharia was his humility and clarity of thought. Watching the documentary on his life and celebrating his literary journey was an emotional trip down memory lane. It brought back fragments of my childhood, memories of my Dad playing KPSC Lalithaganangal, my travels to Delhi, my Bangalore days, and so many other moments that have quietly shaped who I am today.
Looking back, I realise that it was my Dad who sowed the seeds of my love for literature, music, and poetry. Perhaps that is where my own journey with words began. Perhaps that is why I write.
The evening, thoughtfully organised by Sargavedi, was special in so many ways. It offered us the opportunity to meet and greet the author, watch a documentary celebrating his life, and ask him questions directly, rather than wonder whether a letter would reach him and, if it did, whether a reply would ever arrive!
A heartfelt thank you to Sargavedi for creating such a beautiful literary evening, and to Geeta Chechi for opening her home and bringing everyone together for the after-party. ❤️
Some weekends give us more than pleasant memories; they reconnect us with the people, places, and little moments that made us who we are. This was one such evening—a weekend memory to cherish long after Monday arrives. ✨
~Dawn
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