BIO
With a voracious appetite for reading and unbridled imagination, Poornima started writing stories at age eight. The Times of India supplement ‘Newspaper in Education’ published several of her winning entries. Over the years, family and career took over and writing took a back seat.
In 2009, when a short story of hers was placed in an online competition run by The Guardian newspaper, she once again found her writing voice. Subsequently, she started an online blog where she continued to write articles and stories. Nine years later these stories appeared in two separate books as a part of the India trilogy. Since then, she has published the third book in the trilogy, a novella and another book of short stories, and has just released her first novel.
Born and raised in New Delhi, India, Poornima graduated from Delhi University with a degree in English Literature. She lives in the United Kingdom with her husband and two daughters, and remains an avid reader. She also loves travelling all over the world, baking decadent cakes, dancing the night away, laughing at celebrity fashion faux pas, watching black and white movies, immersing herself in all kinds of art and music, and going on long rambling Nature walks with her family.
1 - Could you explain your practice? Only you know why you do what you do.
I am a writer (of articles and blog posts) and an author (of five books of short stories, one novella, and a novel), and a creative. All forms of creativity thrill me.
2 - Is art relevant today?
Nevermore so! I cannot think of a time when art was irrelevant, but in an increasingly chaotic and confusing world, art gives life purpose and meaning.
3 – We are always asked what other artists influence us, we want to know what art you don’t like and which influences you?
I love all kinds of art. Obviously, there are certain mediums that resonate more strongly than others, but the very act of creativity is beautiful in and of itself. I recently visited the Tate Modern to see Yayoi Kusama’s works and was blown away by her Infinity Room. What vision, what beauty!
As a writer, I am hugely influenced by other Indian writers like Arundhati Roy and Jhumpa Lahiri. Their use of language as a medium to communicate the experiences of people who live very different lives from us is my yardstick to write stories that reach out and connect.
4- If you could go back 10-20 years what would you tell your younger self?
Not to worry. That there is plenty of time left to follow one’s dreams. There is no expiry date on talent or creativity.
5 – If you could go forward 10-20 years what do you hope to have done or not done?
To have established myself as a writer who is true to her craft, her medium, and her voice.
contact
www.poornimamanco.com https://www.instagram.com/poornimamanco/