We live in a globalised world, with teenagers following the same teams, stars, and movies, often on the same social networking sites. While that brings people together, sociologists warn of a monoculture where people forget their unique cultural roots and in trying to fit into one homogenous global culture, leave their traditions behind.
For a teenager to think of it is laudable enough. For one to do something about it is extraordinary.
That’s what 16-year-old Mumbai author, Aaditya Sengupta Dhar, set out to do with his latest novel, Kaalchakra: The Rise of Kalki.
Already a prolific author with five previous books to his name, the idea for Kaalchakra was sparked when his parents gifted him a copy of The Story of Indian Culture by Bahadur Mal, a signed copy gifted to his great-grandfather back in 1956. Reading it made Aaditya want to learn more about his own culture. He says, “I read translations of the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, the Shiva Purana, and others. The idea came to me of making some of these amazing stories and values accessible to fellow teens through a fantasy novel.”
He says, “I hope Kaalchakra entertains, but I also hope it raises consciousness among teens of our amazing heritage and culture.”
Kaalchakra has received wide praise, becoming an Amazon bestseller, and Aaditya was recently honoured by the India Achievers’ Forum with the Young Achievers’ Award. He says, “Awards are not the most important thing, but this encourages me to keep using my passion for writing to try to serve others.”
