Author’s Background: Author Vaidehi Taman, is someone who can rightly be considered as a true achiever in all senses, as she possesses several feathers of accomplishments to her cap. Most certainly, she is a well-known name in the field of media & mass communication and has been a successful journalist too for over 20 years! Author Vaidehi, who is known for her blockbuster debut title, “Sikhism vs Sickism – Battles & Betrayals”and an inspiring title, “Life Beyond Complications – tête-à-tête with Sadguru Shri Riteshwar”is now once again out with another title, “Vedanti – Ek Aghori Prem Kahani!”
Neel Preet: Firstly, Congratulations on your book, “Vedanti – Ek Aghori Prem Kahani!” What responses are you getting from this book of yours? Please share your experience about this book.
Vaidehi Taman: I never imagined that I can ever impress readers with my Hindi writing. This was my first attempt of its kind. In the first week of publishing the book got in best sellers category. A Marathi film director is making movie on it, the project in pipeline. The book has reached to theatres; don’t be surprised if someone announces a play on it. The overall experience was overwhelming.
Neel Preet: Your book presents a complicated love-story between unusual lovers; so what inspired you to write this book?
Vaidehi Taman: This is partially a true story, when I visited Himalayas I got to know there was one such love story of one young tourist girl, fell for a young Aghori who was known for his vast knowledge of Vedas, spiritually elevation. There I took the cue and elaborated the script.
Neel Preet: You’ve given a very interesting title to your book, which is very catchy too so, what made you go for this title for your book?
Vaidehi Taman: See Vednati means knower of the Vedas, knowledgeable about the Vedas, theologian. These saints and Sadhus have one typical culture of naming their disciples as per their abilities. I came to know that the Aghori baba used to call that girl Vedanti due to her thirst for Vedas. I continued the same name as book title.
AlsoRead: Vedanti: Ek Aghori Prem Kahani by Bestselling Author Vaidehi Taman – Read Book Review
Neel Preet: What was your mind-set, while working on this book? What was the impetus behind this work of yours?
Vaidehi Taman: There was love in my mind, purely a love nothing else. When I heard this story form local villagers in very different form since then the characters were haunting me. Only thing was in mind is to create a beautiful narration. Two different people from two very different backgrounds falling in love and facing the challenges, going through emotional phases was really brilliant thing to even imagine. I am writer and such things fuel my brains with lot of content. I though why not tell my generation or even younger generation that the love stories are not all about Heer Ranjha, Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, Laila Majnu, Heer Ranjha or Romio Juliet. These two have broken those barriers by breaking the monotonous.
Neel Preet: Well, my next question to you is that what keeps you fuelled to carry on your writing journey?
Vaidehi Taman: My writing journey is 25 years old, I am writing since I was 12 years of my age for my school magazine. I dive into my sources of creativeness; being editor of a newspaper I have habit of daily writing. Writing news, edits, and scripts is my job. When someone or something gives me ideas for doing something I just grab it my best. Inspiration may also be defined as a good idea that suddenly comes to our mind.
Neel Preet: What are some of the learnings that you gained from writing this book of yours?
Vaidehi Taman: I learned to be patient, to be focused and not to be very fussy or messy about the situations come our way. I learned to move with whatever comes my way. May be that is my basic instinct that reflected in my book through the female character.
Neel Preet: Your writing seemed to be impeccable and you were bold with your poems in your book, which I really appreciate. Therefore, I want you to tell us about some of those writers, who had inspired you and whom you follow!
Vaidehi Taman: I love reading Abhignyana Shakuntalam by Kalidasa, The Soundarya Lahari by Adi Shankaracharya, I love reading Valmiki Ramayana, what a divine love story between two different kinds of individuals, Bhagvatam is another epic that I can read again and again, Shiv Purana the beautiful love stories between Shiva and Parvati with loads of divine mediation. I follow all these writers; above all I follow my guru whom I call “Bapu” he makes these scriptures simpler for me by narrating it in story form.
Neel Preet: Is there any message which you would like to convey to your readers? Or any piece of advice, which you would like to give to the readers out there!
Vaidehi Taman: I generally do not believe in giving advices or messages. What I want to convey my readers is that “love has no boundary; anyone can knock at your heart, there can be love stories beyond our imagination accept it without being judgemental.
Neel Preet: Are there any other books being worked by you? Please let us know about your future projects.
Vaidehi Taman: “Journey towards Journalism” is my forthcoming book it all about my own journey and changing patterns of Indian media.
Neel Preet: Thank you so much for answering all my questions. All the very best to you for future and your book too!
Vaidehi Taman: Thanks Neel Preet, they were brilliant questions and felt nice answering them. I will all the best to you and your publication.
