'Sultan helps transform ordinary into extraordinary'

Balachandran Thekkanmar with a copy of his new book

After 43 years of service, the now 70-year-old Balachandran Thekkanmar, a secretary at the Sharjah Ruler's Office, is all set to release his second book 'Straight from Life' at the SIBF 2017 today.
With little or no writing experience prior to the launch of his first book five years ago, Thekkanmar was solely inspired to become a writer with guidance from His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
"I dedicated my first book 'Essence of Life' to His Highness. For a ruler as learned as him, he is also an extremely humble and simple person," Thekkanmar told Khaleej Times ahead of the book release. A native of Azhikode, Kannur, India, Thekkanmar left his hometown in July 1973 to look for a job in Mumbai. However, a year later, he moved to Sharjah as a common friend had acquired him a position at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce.
"As fate would have it, I ended up getting a job in the Ruler's Office and I have been working here since," he said. Funded by the Sharjah Department of Culture, Thekkanmar's book is a collection of short stories inspired by everyday instances in human life.
The book looks closely at human virtues when dealing with tragedy and poverty. It is printed in both Arabic and English. "I have worked closely with His Highness under a few circumstance, and the collective encouragement that I received from Sharjah Culture Authority are the two main reasons I write books," he added.
"Everything I have achieved in the last 43 years has been with the guidance and support of His Highness," he said. According to Thekkanmar, the Sharjah Ruler has always encouraged staff and people around him to surround themselves with books and literature.
With only a few years of experience in writing a collection of articles for his college magazine, Thekkanmar ended up writing two books, both of which he said was inspired by the teachings of Dr Sheikh Sultan. His first book 'Essence of Life' is a collection of short stories based on his life. He has also written short poems and song lyrics.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah International Book Fair
• Sharjah

Dhanusha Gokulan

• dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com