The inspiration for this compelling narrative stems from the tragic 2018 Kurangani forest fire in Tamil Nadu. Atulya Misra, a distinguished IAS officer, was tasked with investigating the devastating incident. Now, he channels that experience into a novel, crafting a protagonist whose heroism mirrors the real-life guide who bravely rescued numerous trekkers from the blaze.
Misra’s novel, Testimony By Fire, published by Rupa, chronicles the extensive journey of this survivor across India. As an Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Department of Sports & Youth Welfare, Misra’s vision for the book was to have his main character explore India’s “aspirational districts” — a term used in administrative circles for underdeveloped regions.
He clarifies that ‘aspirational districts’ refers to areas needing developmental focus. ‘I always felt a duty, as an officer, to engage with these districts and discover ways to improve them,’ Misra shares. Therefore, his protagonist’s travels delve deep into these ‘underdeveloped parts of our country,’ observing the systemic issues with an objective, non-judgmental eye.
Despite his demanding schedule, Misra dedicated over a year to writing the book. Testimony By Fire marks his third foray into fiction, following Oxygen Manifesto and Vultures of Paradise, both also published by Rupa. These earlier works similarly centered on environmental themes; Oxygen Manifesto explored the rise of a green political party in India, while Vultures of Paradise delved into the concept of a circular economy. Misra states, ‘I have always enjoyed writing about the environment.’
Atulya Misra | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Within Testimony By Fire, protagonist Ranjeeth encounters the pervasive issues plaguing the nation, consequences of unchecked development. Yet, Ranjeeth is no ordinary individual; he ascends to become the President of India. Curiously, in the story, he then dies, reappearing as a ‘walking ghost’ who traverses the landscape alongside the narrator.
Misra finds immense pleasure in writing, describing it as a ‘stress-buster.’ He humbly notes, ‘I am not a prolific writer. I’ve only penned three books over a decade.’ He elaborates that his writing journey truly began when compelling story ideas spontaneously formed in his mind, urging him to capture them on paper. He prefers composing in the early morning hours. For his current novel, he seamlessly integrated his extensive travel experiences across India for work. Ranjeeth’s odyssey takes him to diverse locations like Agra, Goa, Delhi, Rameswaram, Mumbai, and Manipur, where he observes firsthand the environmental challenges unique to each region.
Even amidst his constant official travels, Misra’s mind is always buzzing with new narrative concepts. His next ambitious project, he reveals, is a book focusing on the Chennai floods.
The book Testimony By Fire is available through major booksellers.