Bhutan's Queen mother launches diplomat Pavan K Varma's first novel

New Delhi: Existential questions of joy and sorrow in every human life filled with the search for love, loss, chance and destiny among other things form the crux of writer-diplomat Pavan K Varma’s first novel. When Loss is Gain, set in India and Bhutan was launched here late last evening by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan in presence of dignitaries from India and Bhutan including Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and princess of Bhutan Sonam Dechen Wangchuck. The book also marked the launch of Rupa Publications’ new premium hardcover imprint, Rain Tree. “Pavan sent me a manuscript last year. I was rather busy that time and one day I got down to read it at 12 midnight and finished it within three hours. It was absolutely mesmerising. He is an absolutely gifted writer,” said Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan. The Queen mother says she couldn’t help but send an sms to the author at 3 am congratulating him after finishing the book in one stretch. “The story is about Anand who is from our best friend India and his journey takes him to beautiful Bhutan….. I am sure the book will be a huge success,” said the Queen Mother who added, “I felt like a godmother to the book.” [caption id=“attachment_178943” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, The Queen Mother of Bhutan releases a book " When loss is gain” by Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Pawan K Verma. PTI"]  [/caption] Varma, the present Indian ambassador to Bhutan, and the author of 16 non fiction books says the new novel is fast paced contemplative work. “In essence, writing fiction is a new beginning. I didn’t choose to write fiction but a powerful story chose me. The story was in my head for some time… The sms from the Queen Mother gave me some faith that the book has certain readability” said Varma. The author punctuated his speech with references to the beauty of Bhutan and the closeness it had with India as also metaphorical references in Buddhism and Hinduism and even recited a few lines penned by late ghazal singer Jagjit Singh. Publishing professional David Davidar present at the launch said Varma’s book was a “a good crackling read.” “I have had a long association with Pawan for the last 25 years and he is gifted writer.. he can also do translation and poetry a quality rare among writers,” said Davidar. The protagonist of Varma’s novel Anand is determined to make most of his second chance after being diagnosed with cancer. He quits his high-profile job and deliberately loses himself in the myriad simple joys of life for which he never had the time. “I think the measure of people is how they deal with adversity and how they move on. One of the takeaway from the novel is how the protagonist tackles adversity and moves on…” said Davidar. Among Varma’s book include Ghalib: The Man, The Times," Krishna: The Playful Divine,The Great Indian Middle Class. He has translated into English the poetry of Gulzar, Kaifi Azmi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The book launch was followed by dramatised readings by theatre personality Lushin Dubey and ad-man Suhel Seth. PTI