Yamini Prashanth - In the Valley of Creativity

Reviews, Vol I, Issue IV

“All glory comes from daring to begin.” says Ruskin Bond in his book Scenes from a Writer's Life. However, the glory becomes far more glorious when you dare to begin at earliest; alike this thirteen years old girl, Yamini Prashant, who has made her life notable at a very tender age by becoming one of India’s youngest published authors.

Yamini wrote her first book Mishti (published by Unicorn Books) when she was merely eleven, an age when children think of far different things than this girl. Mishti is the journal of a daring girl with same name, who is a complete tomboy by nature. Set in a small town in central India, the story speaks about her simple yet interesting childhood, her neighborhood, her friends, her interests, the attractions of a small town and some of her greatest experiences and escapades.

Yamini’s writing capability is not amateur in any sense, as she skilfully holds proper grip over her characters, plots and narrative essentially. The factor which interests us the most in her writing is her seriousness, her detailed observation and candid portrayal of ideas and emotions, which are usually left unnoticed. Yamini is one of such talents who carry the unique flair of making simple things look extraordinary.

According to Yamini, “To me "Mishti" is just the life of a normal girl. It is my imagination of a perfect childhood and a perfect life. "Mishti" is inspired by Ruskin Bond. I am a huge fan of his and love the way he makes an ordinary person's life look so extraordinary and lovely. I wanted my main character to be simple yet, fun and interesting.”

Yamini’s second book is a collection of 20 short stories entitled Granny’s Stories published by Tiny Tot Publications. This book revolves around two children who are spending one of the most memorable weekends with their granny who lives in a beautiful beach house, but all alone. The children and granny undertake some pretty routine outings- to the grocery store, library, and the sandwich shack- but the most touching and interesting part of their trip is attached to the stories that granny shares with the kids. Although, this book is meant for 7-9 year old children, yet it must be read by the readers of all age group to understand the tender emotions which are somehow getting lost in the hullaballoo of modern lifestyle.   

In words of Yamini, “My passion for writing comes from my love for English and books. It gives a lot of satisfaction when you are able to convert your ideas into words and when you write you just get transported into another world. Your characters are moving all around you and you are both the spectator as well as the wire puller. I love to use different words, especially to express humour. Sometimes, sheer boredom steers me towards writing. When I've finished reading all the books at home, when my studies and homework are all done and dusted, when there's nothing even mildly interesting on television and the weather is awful outside- that's when I sit on my laptop and start working on my book. Being the hyperactive girl that I am, the only option left is some sort of creative work.”

Yamini has recently garnered the honour of becoming the youngest TEDx speakers of India and at present she is on the verge of launching few more of her creative writings. Keeping in pace with her life, she is slowly and gradually, with acute honesty towards her creative zeal, climbing the stairs of significance and recognition. 

-Varsha Singh, Managing Editor, Reviews