Author and journalist Ravi Shankar Etteth unveiled his latest book, 'The Little Book of Goodbyes', at the 14th Odisha Literary Festival on Sunday. During a discussion with consultant and author Lipika Bhushan, Etteth delved into themes of memory, loss, and the inevitability of endings.
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He described the essence of his book, stating it arises from the notion that life is a series of goodbyes, with every moment becoming a recollection of the past. Etteth emphasized the importance of making peace with final farewells and shared his belief that the lines between life and writing are often blurred. He remarked, “The people you know, you’re living their story as part of your story. So I think every work is autobiographical in nature.”
When asked about reconciling painful and pleasant memories, Etteth noted that it's unnecessary to find a balance. He explained, “Bad things happen to you, you don’t have an option, you go on. Good stuff happens to you, you throw a party and you go on.”
Etteth also recounted a significant experience from covering the Babri Masjid. He recalled being present during its demolition, where a Sadhu handed him a trident and urged him to participate. He reflected on this incident, as well as advice from journalist Prabhu Chawla, to always step back and reassess facts. Etteth conveyed that these lessons resonate throughout his writing, which is echoed in 'The Little Book of Goodbyes.'