Gaanappriya is the captivating pen behind the name Gaanz M Y who embodies a literary journey that traverses South India’s diverse landscapes and the cosmopolitan streets of New York City. She is not only an author but also a patriot, a scientist, a mother, a champion in Yoga & Karate, then awardee of Best Classical Dancer, and the list goes on. Let us hear from her, about her exciting journey of life.
Tell a bit about yourself and family.
Born in an orthodox TamBram family, I am the eldest (and now the only child) in the family. Both my parents, Mr Mohan & Mrs Latchoumy Mohan are educators serving the society as head master and Principal, so you can imagine the amount of pressure that went into us for studying well. I had a brother, Dr Raj Kailash who met his ancestral rise in 2015, was a dentist and he is the sole inspiration for me to do multi-tasking as you described. He never believed in confining women in home and he would help me achieve what I dream for. Well, destiny made Mr Yogesh my life partner and now I am a mother of 2.5 year old shrewd little one, Aagamya.
How and when did you start writing?
I have always been a very expressive person and writing has been my passion since childhood. I started by writing poetry in my mother tongue Tamil and I recall reciting my first poem at my father’s farewell- to date, I have composed over 300 poems, maintain a blog in English and Tamil and co-authored some 15 anthologies. In 2015, after the sudden demise of my brother, I had chosen writing to vent out my bottled emotions. My articles ‘How I Married Science’ and ‘Dear Daughter’ were published in Infinithoughts magazine in 2015. Later, my motherly figure and most celebrated Tamil Novelist Mrs Muthulakshmi Raghavan came forward to publish my travelogues and blogs in her website. My English writings were published regularly in “ME Magazine” – An Australian Magazine.
Many congratulations on the wonderful accolades and recognition that ‘The Ordeal’ has received. Could you tell us a bit about the book and what prompted you to write it?
The Ordeal addresses the importance of mental health in children. At the centre of the narrative is a sixteen-year-old girl who goes to a boarding school and gets caught in the overwhelming pressure to secure high grades at all costs . It is a tale of human relationships and our indomitable spirit to overcome the demons within. Thanks to my publishers Durlav Sarkar of Inkzoid Publication for taking up the book to be reprinted. The book was first published by Pinnacle Educare. A few of my readers had nominated me for the India Inspiration Women Awards – Literature. I was shortlisted as one of the winning candidates. On Aug 20, 2021, during the virtual Award Ceremony, I was honoured by Dr Kiran Bedi IPS. I would cherish this moment, as this marks my first Indian Award as a writer. I also bagged an international “Nutpam Award” in 2018, for my tamil literary works from SriLankan NGO. Also, I was honoured with “Writer of the year 2021” & “Nex8 ™ Featured Writer” for the novel. In addition to that, The Ordeal made it to the top 10, “Writefluence Awards 2021” which is one of the prestigious awards in literary sector across India for a first time writer.
That’s amazing. Which author is your mentor/ inspiration?
I can’t pin down to one person for inspiration. However, I will name 3 most important persons in my life. Madam Marie Curie – she was the one who fed my inclination towards science. Her achievements are not that simple. I will never, as a scientist, match up to her. But I will forever be inspired by her works. Mrs. Subbulakshmi – my grandmother – she is a silent rank (wife of an army officer). Her brave and courageous decision making skills, open mindedness and straightforward nature, compassion towards humans, strength in building a family have taught me life lessons to follow. Mrs Muthulakshmi Raghavan – fondly called as “queen of writing” who inculcated the habit of writing in me. She diverted her pain of losing a loved one to writing. Despite any issues, she concentrated and wrote more than 250 tamil Novels. And she made me think, when she can, why Can’t I? She gave me a platform to publish my writing.
I have my well-wishers like Singer Srinivas, Col Raja, Dr Giri, Joseph Sakura, Ashish, Shaji and many more who inspire me in everything that they do. Well, this is a question I can’t answer in short. ☺
What is in pipeline for you?
My second novel in English “Reclaimed Destinies: Love’s Triumph over Adversities” has been accepted for publication and should be out by Christmas 2023. My two Tamil Poetries book, “Manakolangal” (the drawings of mind) and “Nila Kala Nigazhvugal” (Memories under the moon) has been published in a stage where along with me 300 writers from across the globe participated. My translation work of Master Sharvesh’s “Pudumai – a tour to the past” is listed in amazon.
What is your nature of involvement with the Indian Military forces?
In 2015, I started volunteering through an informal social media group called DESH which is aimed at providing emotional support to the families of Indian soldiers and ensuring their sacrifice is valued and remembered. The founders Mrs Adrija Sen and Mrs Anasuya Mitra were kind enough to embrace me as a volunteer in their works. We visit the families, send remembrances on the martyrdom anniversaries and send rakhis to soldiers. My grandfather served in the Indian Army and I too wanted to join it, so this is my way of staying connected. And, I can proudly say that I have got a big beautiful family of like-minded people, where we are brutally honest with life and also with each other, flooded with love and care.
What is your advice for beginners?
Observe everything around you. Observe everyone around you. Observe what’s happening around you. Connect the dots. Get inspired. Everyone has a story to tell. So what’s yours?
