Giselle Mehta’s debut novel ’Blossom Showers’ released in Mumbai

Giselle Mehta’s debut novel ’Blossom Showers’ released in Mumbai

Mangalore Today News Network

By I J Saldanha Shet
Mangalore, Sept. 16, 2011: In the wake of a launch of her novel by cine personalities Nagarjuna and Amala Akkineni at the Reliance Time Out store in Hyderabad, Giselle Mehta moved on to another impactful release of “ Blossom Showers” in Mumbai on September 14, 2011.

The Landmark bookstore at Infiniti Mall in Andheri West was thronged by book lovers and friends, who had met to be apprised of the debut author’s fictional offering. The Chief Guests on this high powered occasion hailed from the worlds of politics, diplomacy and the performing arts. The book enjoyed a release by Mr Sanjay Nirupam, Hon’ble Member of Parliament for North Mumbai, Ms Orna Sagiv, Consul General of Israel and Mr Mahesh Manjrekar, Award Winning Director and Actor, all of whom spoke on the occasion.

Mr Sanjay Nirupam commented that his own early career in writing and journalism gave him an insider’s appreciation of literary activity. He lauded the scope and themes of this novel and congratulated the author.

Ms Orna Sagiv commented that Indian writing is making its presence felt all over the world, and even in her own country Indian authors are often read in translation. She was confident that this novel which she found to be interesting and enlightening would have its due impact and announce a distinctive new talent to the literary world.

Mr Mahesh Manjrekar expressed that the reading habit would grow among the public, stimulated by such offerings as Giselle’s book . He also predicted it would make its transition to the screen sometime, and that the book would run into many more editions.

Mr Swarup Nanda, Chairman and CEO of Leadstart Publishing said that his publishing house found “ Blossom Showers” to be a unique literary offering and it has been their choice for entry to literary competitions.

Speaking on the occasion, the author Giselle Mehta said “ A fascination with human psychology animates my novel. It’s true my book is set in picturesque locations , but the real locale is the inner terrain of human emotions and the surrounding social landscape. My story is intended to both enlighten and involve a reader. ” The author noted that she owes her very existence to a novel- her mother, Louella ( Lobo Prabhu nee Castelino) as a teenager in Bombay in the mid 1960’s had written “ The Quest” that was serialized in a magazine. Drawing the attention of her father, the novel resulted in their subsequent marriage and her own birth . Writing her own novel and presenting it in Mumbai is part of an inner destiny and continued family tradition, Giselle said. The author thanked all the guests for their presence and warmly appreciated the contributions of the program’s dignitaries.

The launch program concluded with an audience interaction and a book signing session.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review of  the Novel:
Global Kodialgars will positively identify with this  potential best seller/ award winner, a new gen ethnic novel of rare distinct local  flavour -  BLOSSOM SHOWERS!  

After it’s  launch at City Centre Mall’s ’Time out’ in Mangalore on July 17,2011;  this book captures like never before the history  of  Mangalore Catholics in South Kanara with all the enigmatic tradition, nostalgia and true to life wonder. People particularly in the 50 plus age bracket and even the young interested in their roots will recognize the events and locales with a certain thrill. Some will recollect with nostalgia ’stories’ they have heared from their ancestors-which they thought were really make believe! The Coffee planter and estate culture - the Ghatagars and Shikars; the ups and the downs the civil service attraction through generations and over a century……..author GISELLE MEHTA  captures hearts and minds; her fans ’wonder struck’ declare here is a best seller debut novel set to follow Indian award winners.

The relevant words of the author to quote "The research was multi-pronged because it covers essentially a period from 1902-2010 and covers a range of elements and aspects......accounts of pioneering planters in what was then called Mysore........The latter, oral accounts of elders were invaluable in conjuring up the gracious lifestyles of an affluent Westernized community."   All three generations living globally today will be astonished to note how many an anecdote they have heared from their acendants figure in this nostalgic novel. 
 
The celebrity author said,  it was the near culmination of the dream of a school girl, whose senses were fired even before her high school days gave her vision. “In ‘Blossom Showers’, I have tried to imprint a truly compelling saga of three generations of the ‘Cordelio family’. It is propelled by eventful pace and robust characterization. I hope to reach out to my readers with my debut novel”.  The ‘deep conflicts’ of the chief characters provide essential ingredients for excitement and imagination.  The song and the food woven into the story brings individual identity alive soothing to  hear and pungent to smell. The 441 page book Published by ‘Lead Start Publishing’ empowering throughout, is better for those above age 18 at least as the author stated. The cover is a piece of attractive art by an artist of Mangalore. 
 
 
About the Author:  Giselle Mehta has Masters’ Degrees in International Relations and English Literature. She is an Associate of Trinity College, London, in speech and Drama. She came out successful to be selected  a bureaucrat in the Indian revenue Service, where she met her future husband. Both of them later left the service to embrace enterprise and self exploration and grow. Giselle is a master exponent in the communicative process –writing, theatre and speaking. Reserving a special space in her life for altruistic concerns and humane initiatives. She is the author of ’Aerial Roots’ – a published collection of her poems. Now ‘Blossom showers’ is her first novel – a sure hit!  

Author Giselle particularly enjoys ancient Mangalore Konkani roots. Her parents; Mother Dr Mme. Loulla Lobo Prabhu (1942-2005) ( who among many writings and verse has  to her credit  books like ‘The Quest’);  She is a very decorated person in the field of publishing and radio in her times; Lifetime journalism award 1994, featured in Cambridge compilation of ’The world Who’s who of women’ 1986, Dr Louella has written for News papers for 40 years, Editor/Publisher/Columnist for 30 years and has numerous writings to her credit. Ms Mehta’s father qualified for the ICS at the age of 21 in 1927, J M Lobo Prabhu (1906-1999) also an MP - his contribution to the written word and to the community is significant.  At the launching of this book by Ms.Mehta dedicated to her husband Dharmendra Mehta, whose subtle but attentiveness  gave depth. Her son Nawal and daughter Tamara both in their late teens, creating an ambiance and family spirit in keeping with the theme of the book and the community traditions.  
 
‘Blossom Showers’ -A perspective:  It  surely holds a thrill for Kodialgars - a fast paced gripping fiction  novel; set in a town called ‘Manjooran’ that is created  in the image of Mangalore. The story revolves around 3 generations of the ‘Cordelio family’ over a century starting 1902, though according to published sources the opening episode has a converse reflection to a fact of 1854. Well researched emotional storyline with personal observation dovetailed. Alternating between the Western Ghats nature the West Coast and Arabian Sea. Rex Cordelio, the dispossessed heir of a noble family, makes his fortune and earns his unlimited Coffee planting dynasty. He commences a tale of triumph and turbulence that will unbounded carry into lives of his descendants, as they each seek identity and wholeness narrated by protagonists of three generations through three parts making up the book. With an eventful pace and memorable characters, Blossom Showers resonates with social history and psychic insight to imprint itself as a memorably true compelling saga to capture readers. The language is superb and bits of Konkani sparingly used fits the style and form. A serious fiction it has subtle humour and jerks out emotive tears too. The Indian diaspora world wide led by the originals of Mangalore will cheer this good book.To quote a few words, "For every restless soul who yearns for elusive wings, there are others who crave their missing roots." Your cravings for roots will now grow where ever you may be on the globe!

It is sure to find fascination amongst readers far and wide, revealing is the continuous absorbing empathising evolving life style of Konkani Mangaloreans. The Gulf angle and the travails of the diaspora, like Kuwait, is magnificently interwoven. A few words of the author on a Kuwait episode woven into the book, quote " This happened much before I wrote the book......... As a Deputy Commissioner of Customs, I had to deal with poignant cases of confiscated foreign cars. Fleeing Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, the Indian national had driven over burning sands and across the terrain of many countries to suffer this numbing loss over the legal inflexibility of the need for an import license. My empathy with their plight is reflected in the predicament of my characters in the book, Farrah and her family."   The ’dot com’ enterprise of  Kanarites is portrayed realistically.  The whole effort is witness to a vision that Giselle Mehta would be a celebrated award winning author before long, it is also compatible to high grade small and big screen material. Mumbai is aglow with the potential of a good read for the many Kanara rooted residents and those transiting to all corners of the globe!