Rudrabaan: The Story That Set My Writing Free

2021 was a strange, uncertain year—but it was also the year I set out to tell a story that had been quietly forming in my mind for months. I had already signed the contract for Mahagauri, a project very close to my heart, but it was put on endless hold due to the pandemic and a string of unforeseen events. I didn’t want to wait any longer to share my stories with the world. So, after talking to some author friends, I made a bold choice: I would self-publish.

That decision gave birth to Rudrabaan, my first novel, written in an intense, exhilarating three months. The story is set against the misty, lush landscapes of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, and while it contains smatterings of fantasy and mythology, at its heart, it’s a contemporary hate-to-love romance. It explores the complex emotions and bonds formed among a group of trekkers who become friends in extraordinary circumstances—friendships tested and transformed by mystery, adventure, and ancient forces.

The protagonist’s life is forever changed when a Rudrabaan—a sacred arrow—is fired without permission, invoking the curse of an ancient sage. Her fate becomes entwined with a mysterious stranger marked by Rudra, and together they must navigate destiny, secrets, and challenges that blur the lines between myth and reality.

Writing Rudrabaan felt like walking through an unknown forest trail, where every step revealed something new and unexpected. The feedback I received after releasing it was overwhelmingly heartwarming, and even now, four years later, readers continue to discover and connect with the story. That love and support have fueled my writing every single day since.

And the excitement doesn’t stop here. There’s something new coming in connection with Rudrabaan that I cannot reveal just yet—but trust me, it’s worth the wait. On top of that, the next installment of the Cursed Elements series, part two, is soon to follow. I cannot wait to bring readers back into this world of myths, mysteries, and complex, unforgettable characters.

Rudrabaan will always hold a special place in my heart—not just as my first self-published novel, but as the story that reminded me why I write: to share worlds, emotions, and adventures that can connect us, even in the most unpredictable times.