I was introduced to the stories of Sri Paresh Patnaik by a respected filmmaker. I read several of his stories; even made a screenplay out of the two for that filmmaker. All of his stories have flavors, variety and point of view like many of other storytellers but Sri Patnaik’s stories can also be called cinematic – in a sense that they are already more or less in a form of screenplay. Hence, the screenplay writer won’t have difficulty in transforming them for an audio visual medium. I highly regard him as an Odia storyteller. So much so that I sometimes planned to get in touch with him and discuss his ways of getting inspiration.

Few days back, there was an interview of him in the Odia daily Prameya in which he had replied to many interesting questions he was asked. The title of the interview was an excerpt from the interview. I don’t remember the line exactly but it was something like this – “if you like someone’s writing, then like the writings only but don’t try to know the writer otherwise you will be disappointed.” He says-

Do not meet the author. They are not the people you are expecting after reading their books.

What he meant is- a writer and his/her writings are two different things. One may write beautifully but he/she may not necessarily be a pleasing personality. Writings can be convincing but the writers might not. If you notice a contradiction, you may judge and loathe the same writings you once valued very high. He suggested readers to indulge in fiction, appreciate and celebrate someone’s creation but don’t try to explore the creators or their personal world.

I was introduced to another writer by my father. This writer is not a known figure like Sri Patnaik but has a quite few books to his name. He has written primarily non-fiction and has done thorough research on subjects he likes. My father asked me to read a particular story this non-fiction writer has written in his new book which was his first attempt in fiction. It was a marvelous story. I was very very very much impressed and moved by that story. So much so that I even made a plan to turn this story into a film whenever fate and finance permits. I watch a wide variety of movies – from art and abstract to masala(commercial) and animation. There was a Colombian film titled Embrace of the Serpent which I love tremendously. It was ethereal and the feelings it generated in me is hard to describe in words. The first fictional story of this non-fiction writer was somewhat nearer to Embrace of the Serpent in a very different way. I know everyone read it differently but I am sure if I show this story to the respected filmmaker for whom I had written couple of screenplays he would pick it instantly for a movie.

Few years passed away. One day, I asked my father whether he knew this non-fiction writer personally or not. I wanted to be introduced to this writer as I was working on a project on which he had done extensive research. I was in need of some consultation and possible help. Father got in touch with him and introduced me over a phone call. I talked with him and fixed a meeting. I made a list of points to be discussed with him and at the same time thought to tell him how much I like his story. I went away with my coworker and met him at his home one fine morning.

He was a fine gentleman. He had prepared breakfast for us and asked to eat first. I have a habit of prioritizing things so I decided to discuss the reason of meeting him first then everything else later. We described about our project thoroughly and exactly where we can appreciate some of his help and inputs. He listened carefully without interrupting and when we finished, he uttered spontaneously ‘why don’t you make a film or something from my stories!’. I went silent for few moments. I had expected a response about the project we were discussing. He continued asking about whether I have read his stories or not and told us how some of the award-winning writers have appreciated and considered his story as one of the best literatures ever written in Odisha. I also let him know how much I appreciate his stories and revealed my plan of having one of his stories turned into a film. He told how he was thinking to stop writing nonfiction as people stealing his writings by publishing them as their own. We continued to discuss about his plans and aspiration and offered him my help wherever possible. Finally, he came to our project and narrated how hard it is as a subject of research. He informed the amounts of difficulties he has gone through while doing research on this subject. He said he will think about it and try to help us as he hardly finds time for anything other than his job, family and personal projects. He offered us lovely warm coffee in the end and asked if we can turn his stories into audiobooks or something. It was almost noon. We exchanged goodbyes and returned.

My father is also an author and quite celebrated too – for few of his nonfiction books such as Nathuram ra Nathi and Michha Mahatma. There was a time he was writing for children, but now a days he is into nonfiction and self-help spiritual writings. I have no problem with his non-fictions but as a son I know how he contradicts himself in his spiritual writings. But I know that people like his spiritual writings and discuss with him about their ideas of life, god and problems. My father is not perfect but he is nice human being. But he himself is certainly not what he writes about. Rather he writes what he considers right.

Writer is not his writing. Filmmaker is not his film. Creator is not his creation.