Siddharth Sanghvi
Encyclopedia
Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi (born 1977 ) is an India
n author in English-language whose notable books include, The Last Song of Dusk (2004) and The Lost Flamingoes of Bombay (2009).
His book, The Last Song of Dusk (2005), made it to Man Asian Prize: 2009 Shortlist, won the 2004 Betty Trask Award
, one of UK’s most prestigious prizes for debut novel
s, and Premio Grinzane Cavour
2005 (Italy) for the Best Debut novel. This book was also theSan Francisco Chronicle Best Book of 2004, a 2006 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award Finalist and a San Francisco Chronicle bestseller., and translated into 10 languages.
in a Gujarati
Sanghvi family, Siddharth's father is businessman, while his grandfather, Arvind Vasavada, a psychoanalyst and a Jungian scholar.
He pursued his MA
in International Journalism at the University of Westminster
, London
, where he specialised in Photography in 1999.
, having an aunt and uncle in Berkeley, and enrolled in MS, Mass Communications at San Jose State University
passing out in 2002; the book was finally published in 2004.
Shanghvi has been compared to Salman Rushdie and Vikram Seth
in his writing styles, especially for using settings of magical realism, and themes such as karma, love and sexuality extensively in The Last Song of Dusk. His essay, Hello, Darling, appeared in 2008 anthology, AIDS Sutra: Untold Stories From India
.
His second book, The Lost Flamingos of Bombay (2009) which had events taken from the Jessica Lall murder case, received mixed reviews, and later he announced it to be his last.
He divides time between Albany, California
and Mumbai
.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n author in English-language whose notable books include, The Last Song of Dusk (2004) and The Lost Flamingoes of Bombay (2009).
His book, The Last Song of Dusk (2005), made it to Man Asian Prize: 2009 Shortlist, won the 2004 Betty Trask Award
Betty Trask Award
The Betty Trask Prize and Awards are for first novels written by authors under the age of 35, who reside in a current or former Commonwealth nation. The awards were established in 1984 by the Society of Authors, at the bequest of the late Betty Trask, a reclusive author of over thirty romance novels...
, one of UK’s most prestigious prizes for debut novel
Debut novel
A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to publish in the future...
s, and Premio Grinzane Cavour
Grinzane Cavour
Grinzane Cavour is a comune in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 50 km southeast of Turin and about 45 km northeast of Cuneo.Grinzane Cavour borders the municipalities of Alba and Diano d'Alba....
2005 (Italy) for the Best Debut novel. This book was also theSan Francisco Chronicle Best Book of 2004, a 2006 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award Finalist and a San Francisco Chronicle bestseller., and translated into 10 languages.
Early life and education
Born in Juhu, MumbaiMumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
in a Gujarati
Gujarati people
Gujarati people , or Gujaratis are an ethnic group that is traditionally Gujarati-speaking and can trace their ancestry to the state of Gujarat in western India...
Sanghvi family, Siddharth's father is businessman, while his grandfather, Arvind Vasavada, a psychoanalyst and a Jungian scholar.
He pursued his MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in International Journalism at the University of Westminster
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he specialised in Photography in 1999.
Career
He wrote his first book "The Last Song of Dusk," at 22, but dropped it when the agent suggested some changes, thereafter he moved to Northern CaliforniaNorthern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
, having an aunt and uncle in Berkeley, and enrolled in MS, Mass Communications at San Jose State University
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
passing out in 2002; the book was finally published in 2004.
Shanghvi has been compared to Salman Rushdie and Vikram Seth
Vikram Seth
Vikram Seth is an Indian poet, novelist, travel writer, librettist, children's writer, biographer and memoirist.-Early life:Vikram Seth was born on 20 June 1952 to Leila and Prem Seth in Calcutta...
in his writing styles, especially for using settings of magical realism, and themes such as karma, love and sexuality extensively in The Last Song of Dusk. His essay, Hello, Darling, appeared in 2008 anthology, AIDS Sutra: Untold Stories From India
AIDS Sutra
AIDS Sutra: Untold Stories from India is an anthology of writing telling the human stories behind HIV-AIDS in India. The book has been published in collaboration with Avahan, the India Aids initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation...
.
His second book, The Lost Flamingos of Bombay (2009) which had events taken from the Jessica Lall murder case, received mixed reviews, and later he announced it to be his last.
He divides time between Albany, California
Albany, California
Albany is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. The population was 18,539 at the 2010 census.-History:In 1908, a group of local women protested the dumping of Berkeley garbage in their community...
and Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
.
Works
- Last Song Of Dusk. Penguin India, 2004. ISBN 0143033417.
- For Pepper & Christ. Viking. ISBN 0670082775.
- Hello, Darling, AIDS Sutra: Untold Stories From IndiaAIDS SutraAIDS Sutra: Untold Stories from India is an anthology of writing telling the human stories behind HIV-AIDS in India. The book has been published in collaboration with Avahan, the India Aids initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation...
(2008) - The Lost Flamingoes Of Bombay, Penguin India. 2009, ISBN 0670081752.
External links
- Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi Interview (2009) at MiD DAY