ON WRITINGS AND WARS

SHEHAN Karunatilaka made a sporty literature debut with Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew, which won the 2012 Commonwealth Book Prize.

- PARVANA KB

A decade later, he established himself as one of South Asia’s most distinctive literary voices with the Booker-winning novel The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida —a bleakly humorous, haunting exploration of war, death and absurdity brought him global acclaim.

Beyond his fiction, Shehan has penned children’s books and written widely on sports, music, and travel for several publications. On the sidelines of Kerala Tourism’s three-day Yaanam travel literary festival in Varkala, he spoke with CE about his creative journey, the weight of success, and the craft behind his unforgettable characters.

Can you share a bit about taking wings as a writer?

I didn’t have any ambition to be a writer. I wanted to be a cricketer, then a rock star, all that typical male adolescent stuff. Even in my twenties, I played in bands. I was lazy, and the bands weren't great. Looking back, I think the reason I became a writer, and not a musician, is because writing was the one thing I did every day.

When I was around 30 or 32, I suddenly had this idea for a story about a cricketer (Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew). It felt different because it was something I knew well. I could research it easily. I spent a whole year watching matches, talking to players. I enjoyed the process, which kept me going. That was the beginning.

Writing is still hard. It’s not the easiest thing to do. But I have learned that you just have to keep at it, research properly, write daily, and have faith in the story. It’s been a long, rewarding journey. I started writing seriously in 2007, and the Booker came in 2022.

What went through your mind on winning the Booker Prize?