St Stephen’s allowed me to meet and learn from varied people: Kevin Missal
Heroes or monsters, author Kevin Missal’s world has ’em all! Popular for his Kalki trilogy, the 24-year-old is known for his mythological writing. For his recent work, he chose to reimagine a classic fable, and has come up with Sinbad and the Trumpet of Israfil. In a tête-àtête, the Gurugram-based Delhi University graduate confesses that it’s “mythology and fantasy” that define him, but he likes to write all kinds of genres. Excerpts:
Tell us about your upbringing in Delhi and life at St Stephen’s College (DU). Which ones were your favourite hangouts? Have you visited them recently or plan to visit them anytime soon?
My upbringing in Delhi had been quite boring. I wasn’t much of an outgoing kid and used to stay at home most of the time. But in college, I used to party. I studied less and did extracurricular activities more because Stephen’s allowed me to meet varied kinds of people from different backgrounds, and I learnt a lot from them. After all, we are shaped by the people who we are exposed to in our lives. I used to hang out at Stephen’s Cafe Tree, Kamla Nagar and Hudson Lane. I continue to go to Stephen’s from time to time, to meet juniors and my friends, who are doing their MA and MPhil. But it doesn’t hold the same magic now, I feel. Some memories are better left as just ‘the good old times’ and nothing more.
How has life changed after the success of Kalki series? Did you anticipate this much fame?
I didn’t, to be honest. But I think it’s the cliched answer... I feel the popularity has made me quite aware and I want to continue to outwork and outdo myself on a daily basis — be it by finishing four books a year or opening a startup. I also plan to open a writing school and a publishing house.
From djinns, giants, monsters, and voyages, this world you’ve created in the new book is gripping. How difficult was it to reimagine the tale of Sinbad?
It was quite a tumultuous task, took me two-three years to nail the concept. I wrote three drafts before this, and then I ventured for the fourth one where I was able to find the right voice. I went through various books, read Arabian Nights, saw all the available Sinbad movies — even Thief of Baghdad, which is brilliant by the way — to really do something different, but also something that pays homage to the tales of Sinbad told before.
Is it safe to say that mythology and fantasy fiction define you as an author? How do you come up with what to write next?
Yes, it’s safe to say that it defines me. I mean, I’m considered as a mythology writer even though I like to write all kinds of genres. The characters took time, but each became interesting as I wanted them to have a backstory, a flaw and a passion. Sinbad who is a serious but snarky fellow, Azrael who’s a victim of bullying, and Ashrafiyah, who is a sorcerer-vampire with a penchant towards women — I had it all in it.
I used to hang out at Stephen’s Cafe Tree, Kamla Nagar and Hudson Lane.
KEVIN MISSAL, Author