Film-maker publishes fantasy novel inspired by SA legend

DAYAKAR Padayachee, an independent filmmaker, has taken a leap of faith and published his first fantasy novel.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER

Padayachee, 34, of Musgrave, said the concept for The Ancient Scrolls of Lukutona: The Bleeding Anchors began from an idea when he was 13 years old.

The novel took eight years until it was published.

“I have always been a massive fan of fantasy. In 2015, I started growing the lore, characters and languages, and my friends urged me to start writing in 2018.

“I finally completed the book in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. I was fortunate that my cousin, Lohini Moodley, helped me seek an editor, Natasha France, who helped me to the finish line.”

He said the novel was about a conflict between different races in Lukutona (elves, wizards, humans and dwarves), that was intensified by the emergence of a new hybrid race and the impending return of an ancient dragon from the stars.