A British writer's tryst with M'luru sun, sand

A 78-year-old British TV documentary producer, who migrated to a charming village near Udupi in order to escape from London’s harsh winter, ended up discovering his storytelling skills.

British writer Adam Clapham’s second book on India-- `A village in South India’--will be released at London’s biggest book shop-- `Foyles’, in Central London on January 28.

As a documentary producer for the BBC and a passionate traveller, Clapham has visited nearly 40 counties after retirement. “ Nearly 16 years ago I decided to build a house in Hosabettu close to the sea because Mangaluru has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world,” he said.

In 2011, Clapham built a tiled house in traditional coastal style on the banks of the river in Katpadi near Udupi. The simple agrarian lifestyle, vibrant festivals spurred him to write books.

“Because I did not have the means to make a documentary, I decided to write books. That was less intrusive,” he said. By then Clapham had produced hundreds of documentaries on India and published two non-fiction books.

‘Beware of falling coconuts’-- his first non-fiction is a compilation of short stories about India. It, however, did not sell much.

His second book, a fiction on a village in South India, is a narrative on the simple, laidback life in the village. It depicts the lives of salaried young exiles sending money home; in a humorous manner.

‘Falling coconuts’ was illustrated by famous cartoonist Mario De Miranda.

‘A village in South India’ has 24 illustrations by artist and environmentalist Dinesh Holla.

Holla’s tribal art on the University college’s compound published in a daily caught Clapham’s attention. “He left no stone unturned in finding Holla,” said Naveen Crasta who assisted Clapham in authoring the book.

Irrespective of the success or failure of the second book, Clapham is already toying with another Indian subject for his third book.