Selling books on the footpath and writing books — Kerala bookseller on his love of words
The Hindu
Shamnad N discovered a fondness for fiction, selling novels on the footpath. Now, he has two books to his credit
Shamnad N has been selling books on a footpath in Thrissur for more than 15 years. He fell in love with writing as he casually flipped through the stall’s collection of Malayalam magazines. Over time, he graduated to the works of authors such as Vaikom Muhmammed Basheer and Madhavikutty. He eventually ended up publishing two books — an anthology of poems in Malayalam, Episode (2009; also translated into English) and a Malayalam novella, Beeran Bithacha Bithu (2018). “It was perhaps the amount of time I spent with books which fired my interest,” says the 36 year-old, from his stall opposite the Kerala Sahitya Akademi building on Palace Road. “Since I was in the company of books and magazines, I started reading Malayalam magazines. I moved on to other books, fiction especially. I started writing around the same time.”
Perundurai's industrial growth faces challenges of pollution, water scarcity, and healthcare, impacting residents ahead of the 2026 elections.
The Travancore Devaswom Board asserts that courts should respect community beliefs in its Supreme Court submission on Sabarimala's entry issue.
Karnataka cancels Deendayal Upadhyay event at KSOU due to protocol violations, citing inconsistency with university objectives.
Illegal pickle unit busted in Hyderabad, one arrested; unhygienic stock worth ₹3 lakh seized
Karnataka has entered a state of demographic transition where a large working-age population will no longer be enough to drive economic growth, and future gains will depend on how productively people are employed, the ‘State of Working India 2026’ report said.
Key demands in Sulur Assembly constituency include reviving the powerloom sector, addressing farmers' needs, and protecting River Noyyal.
Kodihalli urges Karnataka CM to allocate ₹10,000 crore revolving fund for seamless procurement of farm products under MSP scheme.
Kerala's political parties continue to marginalize women candidates, highlighting a troubling disconnect between gender demographics and representation.
The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday ordered the issue of a notice to the State government on a PIL petition, which had complained about disturbances caused to people residing in the localities around the National Public School situated in Rajajinagar 5th block due to use of loudspeakers with high volume in the school and parking of school buses in residential areas.
China is extensively mapping ocean floors to enhance submarine warfare capabilities against the U.S. and allies across key oceans.
AIADMK's 2026 manifesto promises free rations, women's benefits, education reforms, and economic growth initiatives for Tamil Nadu.
The vehicle towing drive will soon resume in the city to ease traffic congestion. The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP), in coordination with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), is set to relaunch the vehicle towing drive across the city shortly to tackle traffic congestion and illegal parking.
Panic buying, not shortage, is leading to long queues at Hyderabad petrol pumps.